Bedford Harriers Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (624 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Graham Herrick
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyable race.
In full: My third half marathon. I was pleasantly surprised with what turned out to be a nice route, undulating, yes, hilly, no. From the course profile the hill at mile 3 looked tough, but you can see it from about 2 and half miles and my thought was "is that it?" Agree with others that running with 60mph traffic for half a mile is dodgy. There was also little support here compared to the other races I've done. The bus transfer from the car park worked well, but it was a monotonous trek to the race HQ, which is poor. The purpose of the bus is to keep cars away, so just drop runners off where they need to go, not in the middle of suburbia. Plastic cups at the water stations is tricky, a bit like juggling jelly. I ignored first station and barely managed to rinse my mouth out at the others. Personally had no problems with bag storage or chip collection. Race momento cagoule useless unless your arms don't reach your pockets. I have plenty of running gear already, so I would prefer a medal which I can give to the kids. Enjoyed the race though,and would do it again.
Date of review: January 2, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Boggle
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: All a bit average
In full: The extra time getting to and from the parking marks it down even if you don't get lost. I agree with the comment about the short section on a fast and busy road - it's just not safe. The countryside is nice enough but hardly spectacular (but I'm spoilt where I live). It's probably my fault but I didn't even find the cagoule handout. And they gave my baggage to someone else (who dropped it outside and I spotted it by chance). So a bit average really.
Date of review: December 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Little Miss Giggles
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very well organised by my fellow Harriers :)
Date of review: December 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chris Pitkin
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The best Half Marathon of the year, well organised and very friendly.
Date of review: December 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: runFattyrun
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Nice in parts but too risky in others
In full: The marshals friendly bunch hall quite busy as said at the start. Buses ok but a bit of a walk.
Worse things for me (And this was not a cheap race)
Momento was fine if you are XXL with the arms the length of a 5 year old.
No fruit or bottle at the end.
Cups of water!! come on we had to stop to drink.
Running on busy roads :-(
The last one being the worst very risky running on the road with lorries and buses passing from behind (yes running with the traffic) I'm sorry but for me I can't see how they can get away with it someone will get killed!
Won't be back disappointing after reading the reviews on here I thought this would be a good one.
Date of review: December 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Thecrouchender
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Cold, crisp, well organised, not much support, good way to end the year
In full: Great use of a free and efficient park and ride system to keep the local area free from congestion.
Nice cagoule as a momento but would have happily exchanged that for a few BOTTLES of water (not cups) and a banana at the end.
Date of review: December 19, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dutch
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good one. Will be back.
Date of review: December 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Timthejab
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Undulating however not to the extent it mashed by quads : -]
In full: Overall I had a good morning roving around Bedford and running in this race. The organisation was a bit hit and miss at times (eg. first car park shut wave vaguely in direction of other, bus drop off a fair old hike still to start, hall not big quite big enough to cope with numbers) however at all times friendly and once up and running I enjoyed what was my first half m for 3 years. The scenery passed me by if honest although was aware we were out in the countryside. Last 5k very quick a pleasant surprise. The hot dogs and coffee (at very competitive prices) went down a treat. Neither the medium or large cagule (memento) fitted me remotely so gave them bag; issue with arm length, maybe ind'v to me!
In summary a good race which could become an excellent race in the future.
Date of review: December 13, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: jane butcher
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: fantastic organisation well run good challenging course
In full: Queue to get into hall for chips moved and once inside no problem. Queue for loos not bad although loos and sinks (water) stoped working.
Welldone organisors and chearful marshalls. Shame about kagoule - medal would be better. Although I loved the rugby top last year
Date of review: December 13, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Hammer1
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: fantastic race, excellent marshalls and park and ride service ran like clockwork
Date of review: December 13, 2011
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