Ufdance Runners' Quest Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (199 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: ketchel
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Enthusiastic volunteers; football matches taking place across the field to distract from the pain; flat quick course; multis lap - repetitive on one hand but on the next allows you to plot your assault for the finish.
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: The Jimbob
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: nice community spirit, intimate, flat, scenic
In full: I wouldnt do it again. As a "slower" runner I struggled with the 6 laps. Especially getting lapped twice by the fast clubbers. Very disheartening having to do another lap feeling so hot, tired and seeing other people finished relaxing with lucosade etc. Other than that it was brilliant. Cannot fault any other aspect of the event.
Date of review: August 11, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: CMC1973
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very friendly, community feel. Excellent for beginners and club runners alike
In full: I returned to this event for the second time, having first run this race in 2008. The Marshalls etc were incredibly friendly. You could not criticise the spirit of the organisers! Well done on that!
On a more professional level, Race distance not officially certified. The starting point had been move about 150-200m back from where we started in 2008. It would be great if the organisers could get the corse distance certified for 2012, together with paying affiliation to English athletics, so that all runners can have their achievement officially recorded.
The lack of chip timing is not an issue, but do bring your own stop watch etc and record your own time too.
A perfectly flat course. excellent PB potential.
Date of review: August 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: hektoria runs
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Despite they moved the start by approx. 400m (because last year's distance was too short), a fun race to turn up to. There is no time chip but the staff is very supportive and friendly, water stations every mile. They note your time manually. You are advised to bring your own timing device.
The race is held around Hackney Marshes, you cover the circular course 6 times (1 lap is about 2miles). You might think it's dull and gets incredibly boring after a couple of laps, but I personally think it's perfect for pacing. You know exactly how far it is to point x and when it's time to push harder. It is a flat course but not super fast, as you run 50% on grass / dirt / gravel. The scenery is quite nice as well. Very green / canal on both sides.
Even if it can get very windy (Hackney Marshes is quite open), it doesn't effect you much, due to running on the trails around the park (bushes & trees on both sides). They spent shade on hot summer days as well.
They've got changing facilities / toilets / showers / car park / supervised bag drop / water stations / goody bag / entertainment. It feels like a family day out and the small number of participants (max. 500) makes it a relaxed race where you can actually go for a PB (less traffic).
Date of review: August 9, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: DYU
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Flat and lots of water, nice marshalls, great beginner PB course
In full: Nice flat course for PB's. Bit hot running at 11am but lucky they have water stations every 2 km. Nice goody food bag. Medal could be better quality as I am a medal collector. But certificate a nice touch. Would consider doing it again to beat PB next year.
Date of review: August 9, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jacqui Thorpe
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Generally fun, with a good atmosphere
In full: This was my second time doing the event and I did enjoy it for the most part.
My main concern is about the late start- 11am- and then we were 10mins late getting off anyway- all makes for uncomfortable conditions later in the race when it can be very hot. It would make a huge difference to start at least and hour earlier.
Chip timing might be something to look at as well as start line was difficult to see.
Date of review: August 8, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: JeanJeany
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic marshalls, and conveniently located
In full: Second time running it, and I enjoyed it. The path can be a bit uneven in a few places, managed to nearly go over on my ankle twice, and I've done something funny to my knee but I should've been more careful about where I was stepping. Really love the volunteers, it makes a difference to have someone cheering your name, and being genuinely encouraging. My GPS watch recorded the distance as 21.5km but nobody else appears to have mentioned any distance discrepencies so it might just be the calibrated wrong.
Date of review: August 8, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Will run for food
| | 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: Great day out in greenest Hackney
In full: This is a good low-key event that is a pleasure to participate in. Race around Hackney Marshes alongside River Lea on shaded paths, on the Marsh with a a blast of sun, rain and wind and though the trees. All very pleasant and hope they can put it on again next ear when the Olympics are next door. And jolly upbeat drummers who kept the spectators and the runners entertained.
Date of review: August 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Simon Langley 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Overall a decent event. Hard course, so PBs probably not going to happen
In full: Certainly a good event for beginners, perhaps not so good for good club runners. Having said that there was a good mix of abilities at the 2011 event. The course was nice, especially the bits down by the river. The marshalls were all really really friendly and the event organiser came over for a chat afterwards and remembered my name which was nice!
Goodie bag was better than most with plenty of stuff. Get a medal too which I know some people find really important.
Will probably do it again next year, off-road HMs are hard to find and this was a good one. One thing I would say is that it would be good if they could get a proper race permit and get the results on Powerof10 next year?
Date of review: August 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Julie Deller
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyed myself....
In full: Quite well organised, however the website did say we'd have timing chips and it started at 10.30am. No timing chips and a 11am start. Great PB potential as very flat and laps so good chance to understand your pace. Good amount of water stations, seemed to be perfectly positioned. Marshalls very friendly and cheered me on. Medal and little certificate at the end which was quite sweet! it was fun, enjoyed myself.
Date of review: August 7, 2011
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