Bristol Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (888 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Tom Sherman 2
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: This is my second Bristol Half - i've always found it to be a nice, friendly race on a decent course for a good time. The cobbles as you come back into the city centre can catch you out! Could do with more water stops. Very good race all in all!
Date of review: October 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: tor_j
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic atmosphere and a good 1st time half.
In full: This was my first half-marathon and a special race for me as I was running in memory of my aunt (who died earlier this year of pancreatic cancer). I'd done a few 10k races and would recommend the Bristol half to anyone who is looking to run a longer distance. The water and energy stations were well placed at regular intervals, fellow runners were friendly and the crowds were nice and loud. I particularly loved the brass band and jazz group on the way - a great lift to the spirits! As others have said, the cobbles weren't much fun and the bit from 10M to 11M seemed to take forever. I didn't even spot mile markers until 5M, and they seemed erratic once back into the city, but with a GPS watch it's not a big issue. Fantastic atmosphere coming into the finish - definitely one I'd want to do again.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: emma simmonds 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great until 11miles and the cobbles
In full: My first half and without any training I did a fair time so I imagine for those more professional a PB is very achievable.
The only downers for me were the cobbles and hills, twists and turns at the end. You could handle these no problems at the beginning but they finished me off at the end and without the crowd I could have just given up.
The lack of mile markers espcially after 10miles made it very hard to mentally clock the last part.
As a non-runner/beginner standrad I did not feel at all intimadated,it was a friendly race and some runners humbled my selfish reason for running.
Climbing the steps to college green to get my bag almost brought tears post race.
Enjoyable but I'm sticking to 10k's!
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Pete Farrell 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised larger race
In full: Thoroughly enjoyed this race despite having a shocking last three miles, thought I might have a chance at a pb but struggled hugely at the end. The start with coloured pens and staggered start worked really well and I thought the organisation throughout was excellent. Good first race for anyone thinking trying a half marathon.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: MFROST
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great Atmosphere and Organisation!
In full: This was my first ever race I was incredibly under trained, and made terrible time but the only thing stopping me from giving up all together was the crowd, people were giving out sweets along the way :D
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jezzlar
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good organisation, lovely part of the world
In full: I really enjoyed the crowd. I agree with others on the mile markers, seems like a simple thing to sort out for next time.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Guy Ingram
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 1st half flat as a pancake but 2nd half had enough incline to kill tired legs. And about a mile of the course is on cobbles!
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gastroplodder
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised big race over a nice course with cheery support, reasonably flat.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Puffing Steve
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Poorly signed mile markers. No exciting music, cheering stations etc Sparse spectatoring. Rather boring really!
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Deepdown
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, well marshalled, friendly runners. Great race.
Date of review: October 1, 2012
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