Cardiff Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1108 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Adam James 3
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good introduction.
In full: Good enjoyable introduction run.
Good pace available and the lovely sunny weather certainly helped!
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Fake Marv
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Flat, fast, nice t-shirt & medal
In full: Well, mostly flat, two early shallow hills to sort the pace out and one suprise on the 12 mile mark, where you get to hear rather a lot of choice Welsh swear words!
It's definately a fast course, the only problem being there are a lot of runners... So plenty of ducking, dodging, diving and dodging for the first couple of miles.
Lots of water, energy drinks and gels on offer, a race worth doing more than once for sure!
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: michael pritchard
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: a big improvement on previous years,better course,better organization and a super race all round,not as flat as they claim but pb potential all the same. a much better t shirt but a shocking goody bag,mostly leaflets,nothing to eat!
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: stutyr
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A good race thats got even better
In full: This race exceeded my expectations, with a good course and good support from the locals.
I ran in 2009 and 2010 (missed last year due to injury) and both races left me annoyed/frustrated with simple mistakes that marred an otherwise good course and atmosphere.
This year the organisation seemed much slicker, and although there was a little congestion this is to be expected with 13 000 runners. The course itself was also improved, adding some more scenic parts of Cardiff and much less winding through back streets etc. The crowds were also much improved from previous cheers, with more people and more vocal support along large sections of the course.
I'll willingly be back next year, compared to previous years where I've reluctantly signed up due to it being relatively close and my favourite distance.
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: K80
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beginner friendly, PB potential, thoroughly enjoyable.
In full: This was my first HM so i'm probably not qualified to pass judgement.
However the fact that I already want to return next year tells me that it was a great experience for a first time, poorly prepared competitor.
The meandering runner was incredibly annoying at times - but then I didn't see any notices of race etiquette in the information provided.
n.b. if it hadn't have been for the potential loss of the entry fee (no deferment available) I probably wouldn't have run. Therefore the high entry fee is in itself motivational ;-)
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: chemmie
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Overall very good but a few problems caused by numbers/organisation
In full: Overall, I thought this was a good race.
This is my second Cardiff half (first in 2011) and I thought the route was much better than last year's. The support was very good, especially in Roath, Cathays and city centre, but a bit patchy.
My only gripes relate to the crowd control element. It's obvious that the organisers have intentions to make this a big event and to use it to make more big events in Cardiff. I've absolutely no problem with that. But I think they will need to sort out two issues:
1) Race route - a few too many bottleneck points at corners, after the barrage and crowd-induced bottlenecks with supporters going right into the road, Tour de France style. The support was appreciated but some robust marshalling is needed - for their safety and ours.
2) On the issue of the 2hr+ runners I would agree with other reviewers that organisers let too many off at the start in one go. I saw a quote on Walesonline.co.uk from the chairman of Run 4 Wales saying they'd got everyone through in 11 mins! But it's also up to runners to be realistic and honest with their timings. Far too many in front of me were running slowly at three, four, more abreast. And I don't like to pick on anyone but I ran past a chap at mile 1.5 who was carrying a wooden CROSS. I'm sorry but if you're doing that you will definitely not finish sub-2hr. I'm not a very seasoned runner and I'm sure it's an issue in every race and in all the pens but I'd like to see runners take on their own responsibility to gauge their pace during training and be realistic about where they start.
But like I said overall I thought it was very good.
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: PAUL White 44
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: Fast circuit, some good scenery, average support
In full: I chose to run in Cardiff (first time) for the flat course. It delivered that and I got a PB. Traffic in was congested and it could have been better marshalled for those not familiar with Cardiff. I was there at 8 and it still seemed a better idea to dump the car in a side street and walk down to the start point - this also made it easier getting out again. Baggage tents worked well. Starting pen was fine and no delay getting out onto the course (I was in yellow). Several pinch points along the course which must have got worse when the main swell of runners were coming through. Reasonable support but not a patch on Reading. Goody bag t-shirt was good, rest of contents pretty close to irrelevant. I'll be back but it's a yet a fixture of the season for me.
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Christopher Morgan
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Much improved, brilliant course
In full: So pleased to be able to rate this event so highly after disappointments of previous years. Brilliant course, a couple of hills to add a bit of a challenge (if all you are interested in is PBs buy a treadmill). Really well organised throughout. Only minor gripe was I missed quite a few mile markers - were they there? I started near the front so had no problems but could see potential bottle necks especially coming off the barrage.
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: james matheson 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Organisation much improved on last year - well done organisers for listening to feedback great race!
In full: Last year all the moans were about the dull dual carriageway section (gone for 2012!) the couple of associated hills (gone for 2012)and crowed start line (ok 18000 people crowds to be expected).
Organisation was much improved but maybe waved starts would help if this event grows any more - there were a couple of bottle necks coming onto / off the barrage - last year this was much later in race where runners had thinned out. But overall this is my favourite half (2nd time ive run) and managed to knock 30 mins off last years time to set new pb. Perfect for first timers.
Maybe bit more direction / signage about parking etc would have helped and better access to pens.
Decent medal - good bags were a bit odd though no snacks except a cough sweet (!), can of non-alcoholic lager (i deserved a pint) and some shampoo (im bald!!) but i always think the bags are a nice to have rather than necessity. A sports drink and a mars bar would have sufficed for me.
Well done Cardiff Black Pear Joggers will be back in force next year!!!
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: MaggieC
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Best route so far
In full: My thoughts (this was my fourth Cardiff Half):
1. The white pen should have been divided up. I couldn't work out where to start from - there's a big difference between someone hoping to run 2 to 2.15 and someone (like me) who knows they run 2.25 every year! I don't quite need a 'start here Maggie' sign but a 2.30 start would have been handy.
2. So many spectators dashing across the road and not all of them made it unscathed. I saw several near misses and was then hit by a woman crossing the road with a pushchair just before mile 12 (ouch!) Nothing the organisers can do about that one though - but runners beware!
3. I thought the atmosphere was better than ever this year. Cardiff is learning how to cheer on and be proud of its half marathon. So funny to see people leaning out of their bedroom windows in their pyjamas.
4. Plenty of water/gels/sports drink even for the slower runners. Thank you.
5. The organisers do seem to listen to the points made by runners. Things that were suggested last year were implemented this year so thank you for that. You'll never please everyone but as a slow back of the pack participant, I noticed improvements and was grateful for them.
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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