Grand Union Canal Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (173 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: mariasnake
 | | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Organisation lacking at both start and finish
In full: 1. Coach to start: way too early. One hour to wait in the cold.
2. Runners trying to park in the full car park block those who can't find a space and are trying to get out.
3. Not enough toilets. Some of us do need to go in the half hour before the race.
4. At finish, poor directions to the car park, which is miles away.
5. No facilities for buying refreshments at the finish, and only a banana offered to finishers.
6. And yet, this race has quite a large entrance fee.
Date of review: November 11, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: fat boy no more
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Perfect day and great scenery
In full: Great point to point race. Good idea to split the field into two start times and with an intial circuit of the sports field it helped reduce the congestion on the narrow tow path. Plenty of water stations spread out over the course. Don't want to see another lock for a while as the climbs on the last two nearly stopped me dead. Overall a very enjoyable event
Date of review: November 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Laura Cormican
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
Date of review: November 19, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dorothy Boggs
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% |
In short: Lovely fall race
In full: This race is definitely not one for a PB given the narrow path and rough terrain, but it is a gorgeous route along the canal and the weather this year was great! I hope to actually train for the race next year and run it again. Highly recommend
Date of review: November 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: HannahErsk
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: This is the worst half marathon I've done. The tow path was very narrow and this was made worse by: Fisherman with long poles, dog walkers, and runners speeding up and slowing down and sometimes just stopping right in front of you. It wasn't clear from the race information that this was a trail run so I didn't take the right shoes. The only thing this race has going for it was that it was peaceful.
Date of review: November 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Emily Antcliffe
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Must be good - it was my 4th year!
In full: This is a great race that I look forward to each year. Usual gripe about the toilets - please can we have a few more!! Was quick this year due to fab conditions. Well organised - thanks!
Date of review: November 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Wakey31
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great scenery and atmosphere and good organisation
In full: Good flat course with great scenery along the canal towpath. Race number pick up was well organised, marshalls friendly and encouraging and great atmosphere amongst the runners. 2nd year running this race and hope to be back again next year.
Date of review: November 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Cocoa Pop
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it!
In full: My first ever off road half. Well organised, good route and well worth doing. Will do again for sure.
Date of review: November 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Redwood
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Something a bit different
In full: First time I've done this and the point to point element made it a pleasant change from most half marathons. Agree with other reviewers that it's probably not PB potential but it all depends on what you want. It's mainly flat but given you have to look down for your footing for most of it, if you want a quick race then this probably isn't for you. If you want a nice, friendly, scenic run on different terrain to gauge fitness in a racing environment, or it's your first half, then I think this is absolutely ideal. I really enjoyed it - my experience was that the coaches ran like clockwork, race number pick up was quick, and whilst the toilets had a big queue, it went down pretty quickly.
Date of review: November 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Carmen Norman
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great run along the canal, well organised, v flat but tough on feet
In full: I loved this run. It was a beautiful day and the canal was stunning. Lovely running along the tow path. Great organisation. Not a PB run in my opinion becuase of gates, road crossing and bridges and also tough on feet becuase of terrain. But to go for a lovely run and to get a medal at the end it was fantastic. Loved it
Date of review: November 16, 2011
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