Surrey Badger Half-Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (192 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Martin Bamford
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic venue & route for my first half marathon
In full: I was really nervous about this race, as it was my first half marathon and I was determined to complete it in under two hours, despite the hills. Denbies is a fantastic venue for Race HQ and I really enjoyed the scenery from the top of the hills. There was plenty of variety on the route and the course was well marshalled. Great race organisation, although a slightly questionable taste in pre-race music (10cc Dreadlock Holiday, really??). Finished in around 1:47 and would love to do this one again.
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Becky Laurence
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Toughest half marathon I've ever run
In full: Okay, so this is only my second half marathon distance! The hills were tough (I'm a hill lover and had to walk some parts) but there's a huge satisfaction when you finish.
First and last couple of miles along the A24 a bit dull, but it is only a small portion of the race (and that bit is relatively flat, so I shouldn't grumble).
Pre-race instructions suggested parking would be a nightmare due to a cycle race on the same day. So we car shared and left early, but actually there were no parking problems and this was all well organised.
Denbies House was great -beautifully clean toilets! Goodies at the end were fab - chocolate bars, Badger beer, t-shirt, running diary.
If you are looking for a challenge in the beautiful North Downs then give this friendly race a go (but don't day I didn't tell you about the hills).
Date of review: October 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: MuddyPaws
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, friendly, well organised with beer & chocolate at the end
In full: It was great fun running most of this race, personally I wasn't too keen on the first or last 2 miles along the A24 but that is just me... at least that part was relatively flat.
Great, friendly marshals (makes a real difference at the top of a hill) with good communications before and after the race by email and the website with the organisers.
This is certainly one I would do again :)
Date of review: October 19, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: mark clawson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: tough but one brilliant race
In full: my 1st badger, the day before this i ran the british military major series to chalk up my 250th race and how did i relax the next day ?? race 251 the badger ! great organisation , friendly runners , tough but wonderfull course , nice t-shirt and BEER , highly recommend this race and i will be back again next year.
Date of review: October 15, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Running5k
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Still in my Top 5 fave events
In full: The new slightly revised course didn't change my opinion of this event. It is an excellent half marathon, one of my top 5 events of the year and will remain one to look forward to next year. A welcoming family spirit exudes from the organisers and marshals touching all runners who take part. The new start/finish at Denbies adds a little drama to the morning helpful marshals and volunteers made number collection and bag drop easy. Despite the best efforts of some locals removing signage, a pre race run through by local club runners and the organiser ensured that the route was well marked and manned at all turns by enthusiastic, attentive marshals. Water stations were in all the right places with gel for those who were beginning to flag on the hills. The course itself is superb, if you have never run a half marathon or tried a trail run before this is an ideal one to start with.
Free beer for those that want it, nice tech T (although not quite as classic as last years design, hopefully the badgers will be back for 2012 ) and Fine Fettle on hand for post run massages.
Walk, run, race, win. Indeed everyone is a winner at The Badger.
Date of review: October 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chris Phillips 7
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race for a first timer
In full: My first Half Marathon but a good one to choose. Pretty tough on some of the hills and the final 3 miles of tarmac but excellent location
Date of review: October 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Kim Ruckwied
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Tough race but spectacular views!
In full: I totally enjoyed my day out! The course was tough but I was expecting that. If you are after a PB this is not the race for you. If you are after a friendly atmosphere, stunning scenery and a well organised event and you don't mind the odd hill give this a go! The marshalls did a great job. For me there were enough water stations and an nice technical t-shirt at the end. Easy to get to from London as well - 10 minute walk from Dorking station to the start.
Date of review: October 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: SteveD73
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Worth doing if you are local
In full: Seems the bike race taking place on the same day took priority, probably not the organisers fault but shouldn't really be happening. Disappointed with water stations only having half cups of water just not enough for a half marathon and although I could have stopped (who wants to do that). I felt for the runners coming in after 2+hrs as the amount of cars allowed through was not fair.
Date of review: October 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Alistair Fitzgerald
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race,great organisation & great scenery
In full: My first 1/2 marathon race. Really enjoyed it. Thanks to all of the marshalls for making it a day to remember.
Date of review: September 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dizzy dog
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: One of the most scenic, most well organised races I have done with bountiful supplies of goodeie
Date of review: September 14, 2011
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