Asics Watford Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (878 votes). 2013 race reviewed by: carlbob
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Pretty run through SW Herts countryside - but mind the hills!
In full: Highly recommended
Date of review: February 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Anne Ambrose
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Very enjoyable - despite the hills
In full: Despite the hills - I thought this was a very enjoyable run through some scenic country roads around Watford. The marshalls were very helpful and encouraging. There could have been a few more water stations - but the toilet and changing facilities were good. Not sure what happend to the goody bags.
Date of review: February 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: technohippy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Can't believe I almost got a PB with those hills!
In full: I ran this as my first half in 2007. First time back and it seems to have come on a lot! Appreciated the marquee with changing etc. Baggage came back very muddy though. The marshals were great and always good to have locals cheering you on. Loved the fact it was mostly traffic free. This time I knew to expect some monster hills and I made the most of the downhills! I really liked receiving a t-shirt at the end rather than a useless medal. My main gripe is with the lack of water stations. Only one in the first half (with no sign warning you it was coming). Thanks to all the volunteers though - it was freezing!
Date of review: February 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Paul Sangster
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fairly challenging; i think i enjoyed it!
In full: This was a training run for me and a good one at that. Not as difficult as the nearby Berkhamsted half, but the hills were tiring enough to make the last few miles character building. Some of the local car parks suggested in the bumph were maximum stay 2 hours, so plenty of tickets for those who didn't realise. I'd much prefer bottles at the water stations and a medal rather than a t-shirt. Not sure if there was a goody bag, but i didn't get one. Well worth entering, despite these gripes
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Jeremy Smith 9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great race
In full: Third time I've run this and really enjoyed it. Very friendly marshals and no tight spots. Hills were not so much fun. Maybe they could be ironed a bit for next year!
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: adam kinsley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My first HM and I loved it
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Buster Hamstring
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good challenging race, well organised on the whole
In full: I scored this with top marks for PB potential, since I actually got a PB in this one, which was a surprise to me, as there are a couple of challenging climbs. The scenery is good and I encountered hardly any traffic which is a big plus for any event. The start and finished were well organised and there were plenty of marshalls around the course. Liked the dri-fit t-shirt at the finish. Just a couple of niggles, the organisation of the baggage facility leaves a bit to be desired, plus when I got my bag back it was covered in mud, Not impressed. Also would it have been too much to put a flapjack or something in the finishers bag?
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Stuchbury
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: A great race... shame about the water stations and the parking ticket...
In full: I had a really enjoyable race - the hills weren't too bad at all and only 43 seconds off my PB so 2013 will definitely be the year that is sorted! But... the water stations were woeful.. for the price of the race, water bottles would have been expected and the signs weren't brilliant telling you there was a staiton coming up, especially the first one. Also the water stations weren't all well manned - I got two cups from one with 1cm of water in each. I know these people are volunteers and have given up their time and I could run with a bottle but it's been a while since I've experience such disappointment with water stops. Marshalls were brilliant and the course was great. The only other complaint... the car parking. We parked in the town hall car park as suggested in the race handbook - the very first car park mentioned in the handbook... and then we got a parking ticket. The car park states only for two hours, however there were loads of runners parking there, presumably at the suggestion in the handbook. Realistically two hours isn't enough to get to the start, use the loo, run the race and get back to the car unless you're an elite runner which most of us are not. Watford Harriers - do not suggest people use a car park that has a parking limit of two hours. Loads of cars got parking tickets - yes we could have parked elsewhere but not knowing Watford, we followed the advice of the race handbook. This made for a pricey event.
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Ian Daniels 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised event and more scenic than the title would suggest.
In full: Well organised and marshalled and surprisingly scenic event with many roads closed to traffic. 4 climbs none of which are overly long and each is followed by a downhill stretch. Good Tee Shirt at the end although no banana or energy bar as at some other events. Overall a very good event and a PB as well
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Kathy H
| | 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: Enjoyed the race and got a PB
In full: Good route. Would have been nice to have a snack given at the end, but was able to pay for a massage, then a burger and drink at HQ.
Date of review: February 3, 2013
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