Southend Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (405 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Jonathan Moscrop
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race, well organised, great PB potential
In full: I love this half. I've been doing it for the last 4 years and is one of my 3 "musts" of the year (along with Brighton and Royal Parks). It's one of the best organised races of the year, really friendly local support and brilliant marshals, with loads of water stations and sponges. It's a really flat course two so great PB potential. The course can easily accomodate the number of runners so it doesn't feel too busy. For those that care, it's UK Athletics registered too, so appears on Power of 10 and Run Britain Rankings.
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Niki Read
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My local race and I love it
In full: The race is well organized and I actually like the route (despite not normally liking laps). It's a flat course and the route allows spectators to see their runners 4 times. The route could actually cope with more runners so hope this becomes even bigger. That said the toilets would need to be increased to cope with that.
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Peter Rawlings
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: very well organised
In full: I personally race a dreadful race, but that's not the fault of the organisers. Marshallers very friendly, water stations and sponges plentiful, portaloos in short supply. I'll try again next year, and hopefully see an improvement in my run.
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: baldbloke
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fast route, good atmosphere, but along same seafront road four times
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: VITZUK
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent race, course, organisation
In full: Excellently organised race - from the sending out of race packs in good time; the carpark wardens; water stations, brilliant race marshalls; quick baggage claim.
Nice medal, banana and water awaits at the end. T-shirts for sale for £8 - all goes to charity.
Only issue would be lack of portaloos (4 for 2000 runners; there are 2 public toilets too and on the race route). Other than that - perfect race.
Course is flat and fast - only 1 short climb before 11 mile mark. Wouldn't call it a hill.
So good to have so many water and sponge stations today as the heat did make it tough. The rain which was forecast did not arrive!
Great race. Well done Havens Hospices.
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Eileen Shadford
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good organisation, plenty of marshalls, water & well wishing spectators. Was just a bit dull doing 2 laps of the seafront
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Catcat
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Hills? No none of them around here
In full: I do forget how much fun some charity races are.
For a reasonable entry fee and a few quid donation to the cause you get a very cheery village full of happy people (even the seasoned club runners put a smile on their faces).
You get a good course, this one flat as a pancake with a sea view, lots of cheering spectators, good lot of water (pretty much every mile, although it was in cups) and a jolly mention by the mc when you cross the finish line.
All good stuff.
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Striker JC
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race again. Flat course, plenty of water stations & good atmosphere
In full: My second year here;just like last year this is a very good half for anyone looking to do a PB (got one last year and improved it this). Feels like a bigger event than it is (ie plenty of spectators without the overcrowding and over-pricing of some races). I preferred the medal from last year, but hard to complain about a charity event. Highly recommended
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tuesday Night Tortoise
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, great organisation, great cause
In full: Flat for sure, nice view of the sea, lots of water stations and sponges, nice medal at the end. First time here and well worth turning up for.
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: charleypenguin
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: I do like to be beside the seaside...
In full: A well-organised and well-marshalled race along the flat seafront of Southend-on-Sea. As always, the sun shone and the crowds came out in force to cheer you on. What I like best about this race is the route, you run the seafront bit twice, so that your supporters get 4 chances to cheer (and 2 chances at handing out lucozade!!). Also it evens out your sunburn so you don't just get sunburnt on one side!!!
Joking aside, it is magnificently well organised, and there are road closures on all but a tiny stretch of the route as well. Thanks again for a great race. Can't wait for the full marathon as well next year. :-)
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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