New Forest Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (390 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: CAROLYN THOMSON EASTER
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: GREAT RUN - SHOCKING WEATHER!! WELL DONE TO THE MARSHALLS!
In full: First time at this one.
Ok, so the organisers had little control over the weather and I felt sorry for the marshalls standing there in the pouring rain and gales! And still they (mostly!) smiled and were very encouraging.And lots of friendly locals came out to cheer too.
Lovely run, even in the rain. A couple of long inclines, which are nasty - but Warren Hill is made so much more bearable by the words of encouragement attached to the trees on the way up 'your legs will forgive you....evntually' 'today you are a hero' etc. Nice touch and made me smile as the going was beginnging to get slightly tough as I was frozen!
It's the first half I have managed to run in full wateproofs and STILL not warm up - and the foil blankets at the end were definitely a necessity rather than a luxury.
One thing which made me smile at the start was when the organisers were apologising profusely for having run out of bags to leave gear in - the runners were taking them to wear in the inclement weather :) - many of them for the whole run!
Probably have another go next year and either hope for a dry day, or wear my winter gear from the start.
Well done the organisers for coping with what Mother Nature threw at you today.
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Adam Siviter
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wet, but fun!
In full: Great course, marshalling, and atmosphere. Nice route through quiet forest backroads. The hills were not as bad as they looked on the course profile! The rain hammered down, but everyone seemed in good spirits. No trouble with queues for the loo or baggage. Loved it.
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: MrsPlod
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good first half marathon
In full: Good for beginners, lots of support along the course from marshals and residents. Plenty of water stations, jelly babies were a bonus and inspirational signs up the 'big' hill were good. Agree with comments about goody bag being a bit naff, queues for the toilets pre race and getting out of the car park at the end but guess thats to be expected at a race of this size. NF10 is nicer but I'd probably give this one another go next year as well.
Date of review: November 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Adrienne Hopkins
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb organisation, great support and pleasant scenery
In full: Any shortcomings in the race were entirely of my own making, the 90 miles I'd walked in the previous week definitely taking their toll! My heartfelt thanks go to the Wimbourne runner who stuck with me through the last three miles and coaxed me through to the finish. If I'd actually tapered for the race, a pb would definitely have been on the cards and possibly even the elusive sub-1.30.
We didn't experience any problems with the car parking, toilets, etc. There were queues, yes, inevitable in this size of event, but they moved pretty quickly. I thought the baggage transfer between the start area and race HQ was a great idea.
My only gripe is the prize giving. After waiting a painfully long time for it to begin, it was the most lacklustre affair I've witnessed. We didn't make it past the V35 women. Sorry.
Date of review: October 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Claire Waters
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: The course is fine, but not one of the most scenic I have done, mainly due to the town it starts in. Marshalls were excellent - thank you to them! For me, the race was let down by the people dealing with the entries who were unable to organise transfering the entry, and didn't respond to emails. Also, I'd been put into the wrong age catergory, and when I've tried to contact the organisers to correct this and see if I got an age category prize, again, there has been no response to Emails. Not sure if I will bother next year....
Date of review: October 1, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: J Rose 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well-organised and well-marshalled. Pacey but tough in places.
Date of review: October 1, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Georgia Duddridge
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Marshalls great, thanks to them and locals for support.2 major hills horrible, baggage queue long at end.
Date of review: September 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: PartyEllie
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: great motivational signs on hill at mile 9 - just what i needed! didn't like being passed by those on the full marathon
Date of review: September 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Neil_C
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: September 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: PennyM
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great scenery,friendly, well supported.
In full: Being my very first half marathon, I was a little apprehensive, but I was soon put at ease with the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
For a first timer I thought the organisation was good; very well marshaled, plenty of water stations and the jelly babies were extremely welcome at the start of the hill!
There was a lot of support from locals all around the course, some also handing out sweets for further encouragement.
The goody bag was a bit of a misnomer, though the bag itself will be useful when I next shop at Waitrose:-).
All in all a great event finished off with a nice, shiny medal.
Date of review: September 27, 2011
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