Oxford Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (43 votes). | 21 to 30 of 43 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 |
2011 race reviewed by: Ian Pringle
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Considering it was in Oxford - Superb!
In full: Generally very good organisation considering it was a new event.
Good base at the stadium though baggage drop should have been quicker considering it was advertised and not free (have a 'valuable' drop for car keys only).
Some people say the route could have been more scenic, but considering the general traffic issues in Oxford I don't really see how, particularly if they scale up the numbers in future years.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Emily Palanca
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Should of been very senic!
In full: This was my first half marathon and I loved it!
The slight hills and inclines were fine as there were many long downhill parts.
I think the route could be better thought out as oxford is beautiful and yet we saw nothing really.
In parts of the run it was extremely hard to pass people, which effected your pace !!
I am now looking forward to the reading half marathon!!
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: TooManyTrainers
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good effort for the first running of this event, a few minor teething problems that I sure can be rectified for next year.
In full: I thoroughly enjoyed the race - but had a good run which always helps overlook any hiccups. The only couple of problems I was aware of was the delay at the start - which wasn't purely due to late arrivals, I had to queue for 20 minutes when arriving at 8:15 - the marshalls in the car park could've been more pro-active.
I think it's a bit unfair to moan about the queues when leaving - this is normal at any event (not just running) were thousands of people all try and leave at once.
At the front end of the race the course was ok, but I could see that as it got busier, the single coned off strip through the city centre wouldn't be wide enough.
Plenty of water stationsen-route and great showers at finish.
I managed to find plenty of toilets, so not sure how some people managed to miss these. But if the number of entrants grows much portaloos will also be needed.
I didn't use the baggage store - one of the advantages of having queued for the car park was that I could leave kit in the car.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: TrailsurferUK
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Could have done with more scenery
In full: Traffic getting to the stadium was chaotic so race was delayed 15 minutes. There were ten of us who intended to get the train, but as the first train to Oxford arrived at 9.15 we had no choice but to drive. Surely if the race started an hour later than the traffic problem would be solved as there’d be less of it. Also why was the train journey even suggested on the web site?
Oxford is a beautiful city but hardly any of the sites were passed, instead it was mainly back roads and along the dual carriageway. When we did enter the city we had to jostle with pedestrians along the pavement. All in the entire route was badly organised. Come on Oxford council, get on board
All in all though it was a good race. Marshalls were great and toilets were well organised at the stadium. Baggage was a shambles but I’m sure this was just a teething problem. The PA at the start could not be heard though the stadium finish was excellent and a high point.
Goody bag was rubbish as contained no food. A T-shirt would have been a nice bonus for the price we paid.
On checking my result it would seem my chip time had failed and on looking at the Race Timing Systems website it seemed many people had their race and gun time listed as the same. I’ve lost 84 seconds which is unacceptable. I’ve contacted them but yet to hear back.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Will Downey 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good First effort
In full: First time the race had been organised so problems with traffic, loos, bag drop offs although annoying are to be expected. They need to get that right next year though.
Course was interesting.... From a safety aspect I was cautious of being sent down a dark underpass on two occasions lol. The start and finish at the Kassam stadium was good, however the route didn’t take you to the scenic parts round Oxford - No university parks, no Museums etc.
£25 (If memory severs me right) as an entrance fee and no T-shirt which is poor. I’ve done 5k races with a couple of hundred people and got a t-shirt so the was no excuse.
Crowd support form the local residents was amazing!!!!!
Really good first effort
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gary S
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: jean metson
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: I didn't get a medal!!
Toilets at the stadium were good, well signed, queues, but thats normal!
Couldn't hear the announcements at the begining (via a megaphone not a PA system). Late start due to traffic/late arrivals. Fairly flat run, good width of road/path early on, not enough through the town (- people trying to cross in front of you), better out towards the ring road. Marshals really supportive, water stations good. An enjoyable race in my home City, I hope to do again next year.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Lica E
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Decent start, hopefully better next year
In full: The race was well attended by marshals and the spectators were very supportive. It was a good first time effort for the organisers (even Liz Yelling was there). The goody bag was decent, with a nice medal, but for the price I expected a t-shirt. Even the Brooks technical t-shirts (which you had to buy) ran out by the time I got to the Brooks stand.
As an Oxford resident I would really like for this to become an event that people would look forward to do each year.
I therefore suggest the organisers think about a more scenic route for next year, takind advantage of the Thames Path and Oxford parks. That would make a much nicer environment as opposed to running along the motorways.
Running along Cowley and particularly Abingdon Road was terrible, having to go around pedestrians or watch out for cars.
I'm hoping to run this again next year, but if the route stays the same, I'll think twice
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Adrian Palmer 4
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fairly flat, well supported and enjoyable race.
In full: Great to have a half in my home town again. I did the last Oxford Half in 1992!
The course wasn't very inspiring given what a beautiful city Oxford is but flattish.
Great support in residential areas made up for it.
Goody bag was very poor. A t-shirt and a Mars bar would have been nice!
Parking was chaos on arrival and start had to be delayed. Get there early next year!
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mark Pedder
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great half marathon with lots of potential
In full: Enjoyed this race mostly. The things that let it down were some dis-organisation and ques to get in the stadium car park which unfortunately delayed the start by 15 minutes. There was also a long delay in trying to get out by car.
Overall the atmosphere was great, most of the marshalls were very cheerful & encouraging although some could have said a few encouraging words to help us round especially in the latter miles when more needed. However there was great enthusiasm from the spectators who came out in their droves helped by the lovely weather. The few negatives I am sure will be ironed out as this race becomes more popular.
Very glad to have taken part in this promising half marathon.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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