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Oulton Park Half-Marathon

Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (59 votes).

21 to 30 of 59 ratingsPage: 1  2  3  4  5  6  

2009 race reviewed by: eric green
Overall score
 
80%
Would you do it again?
 
Yes
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
80%
Organisation
 
60%
Value
 
80%
Beginner-friendliness
 
80%

In short: Well orhanised interesting course.
In full: Shame about the wind and hail but still a really good race. A few tewaks needed in the organisation. But overall no complaints. Hope to do it next year.
Date of review: March 8, 2009

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2009
2008
 

2009 race reviewed by: Jonny Fartpants
Overall score
 
100%
Would you do it again?
 
Yes
 
Details:
Scenery
 
60%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
40%
Organisation
 
80%
Value
 
100%
Beginner-friendliness
 
80%

In short: After reading last years reviews, i wasn't looking forward to this,however,after coming away with a pb,i can't complain!A well organised race,interesting track (better than Silverstone) like the socks as a prize instead of a t-shirt
Date of review: March 8, 2009

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2009 race reviewed by: Double 0
Overall score
 
80%
Would you do it again?
 
Yes
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
60%
Atmosphere
 
60%
Organisation
 
60%
Value
 
80%
Beginner-friendliness
 
60%

In short: Great Value 1/2M, 3 nice mixed terrain laps.
In full: At £16 a really cheap half marathon. Each lap was a good mix of terrain (half of the lap is on the main train, a quarter is on gravel/trail and the remainder on the rally tack (slippy tarmac). Friendly event, looks like they've fixed the teething problems from last year. Only criticisms are the marsells disappearing after the main pack running past, and the lack options at the aid stations(just water). Can't really complain though - given the price and size of the event. A great day despite the wind, rain and hail!
Date of review: March 8, 2009

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2009 race reviewed by: benjo.
Overall score
 
80%
Would you do it again?
 
Yes
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
60%
Organisation
 
100%
Value
 
80%
Beginner-friendliness
 
60%

In short: Very well organised, going to end up one of my regulars!
In full: Didn't do this last year, and I was a bit apprehensive due to some of last years review, but if anything was wrong last year, it had all been sorted by this year.

Organisation was excellent, there were 6 water stations (far more than needed!) decent medal/socks, which for £16 is all you can ask for - I've paid more for shorter races.

Really pleasantly suprised by the race and the course. Well done all concerned!
Date of review: March 8, 2009

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2008 race reviewed by: Trisha Van Rooyen
Overall score
 
100%
Would you do it again?
 
Yes
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
60%
Organisation
 
60%
Value
 
80%
Beginner-friendliness
 
80%

In short: Marvellous, very friendly, not great prizes though
In full: Big queues at the beginning and it was very cold, so could have been organised better. Enjoyable however, nice and not too big. No having to vie for starting positions. Recommended.
Date of review: March 30, 2008

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2008 race reviewed by: Ruairi OConnor
Overall score
 
60%
Would you do it again?
 
Maybe
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
40%
Organisation
 
40%
Value
 
40%
Beginner-friendliness
 
60%

In short: Good course - but a few tweaks needed
In full: I enjoyed the day and liked the course. Thanks to all who organised. A few changes would have made it much better though so hope these can be brought in next year. Mile markers are a must, and finishers should have been given a goody bag with the socks at the end instead of having to traipse over to the clubhouse.

But biggest concern is the possibility the distance was out (I can't believe it could be). Can someone clear this up please?!
Date of review: March 12, 2008

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2008 race reviewed by: chrisparruk
Overall score
 
40%
Would you do it again?
 
No
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
20%
Atmosphere
 
60%
Organisation
 
40%
Value
 
40%
Beginner-friendliness
 
60%

In short: Poor organisation, no mile markers, horrible cambers and probably 1/2m short
In full: Good intentions and a lovely venue with lots of parking and brilliant for spectators as they can follow an individual for over half the race. The organisers were nice and friendly but lacked communication and just felt a bit disorganised.

£16 (£20 on the day) is a lot for some socks and no race results (yet). I found the cambered track really affected my hip and knees and the lack of mile markers threw my pacing out a lot.

Using the highly accurate measuring tool on Gogle Earth (i.e. not exact) I make the total distance just 12.66 miles which explains my reasonable time despite injury and blisters (again the camber and grippy road surface could be to blame).

Great for spectators, not great for runners. Not one I'll be doing again in a hurry.
Date of review: March 11, 2008

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2008 race reviewed by: Ian Dodds
Overall score
 
60%
Would you do it again?
 
Maybe
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
40%
Organisation
 
40%
Value
 
20%
Beginner-friendliness
 
60%

In short: Unique venue with nice scenery. Main problem for me was lack of mile markers.
In full: OK, a few teething problems, but not bad for a first effort. I mean, how many of us have ever tried organising a race ? I know I wouldn't want to, so good luck to them for the future. I'm just grateful to have a new half-marathon on the calendar, as I've done the usual ones in Cheshire so many times.

Can't agree with all the 'no water' whingers - how much water do you need on a cool day in March ? Every 4 miles is fairly typical for a half-marathon, even in summer you generally don't get more than one every 3 miles.
Date of review: March 10, 2008

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2008 race reviewed by: Chris76
Overall score
 
60%
Would you do it again?
 
Maybe
 
Details:
Scenery
 
60%
PB potential
 
40%
Atmosphere
 
40%
Organisation
 
20%
Value
 
40%
Beginner-friendliness
 
60%

In short: Very poor organisation, you had to work out everything out for yourself
In full: Very poor, almost none existant organisation. No mile markers made it difficult, regardless of ability you either measure your pace by them or they are good for moral as you pass each one. The race promised water stations every mile I recall but they were only at the start/finish. Atmosphere was poor as people were confused. It was almost self service, you find the start, you guess where the none existant goody bag is (socks were fair enough) etc. I have done quite afew half marathons and a couple of marathons in the past and this was by far the worst organised I have taken part in. I did however get a PB even on this challenging course with windy weather so I was pleased with my day out. I was fortunate to find someone running a similar pace to me, aiming for the same sort of time, with a state of the art watch that told you distance and speed to pace yourself. I do think the venue is unique and although once you have done a lap the novelty has sort of wore off, if they improved all aspects of the actual organisation (which wouldn't take much)they just have to provide some basic information, it could be a pretty good race.
Date of review: March 10, 2008

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2008 race reviewed by: Jon Carter 2
Overall score
 
60%
Would you do it again?
 
Yes
 
Details:
Scenery
 
80%
PB potential
 
80%
Atmosphere
 
60%
Organisation
 
60%
Value
 
80%
Beginner-friendliness
 
40%

In short: It's 3 laps round Oulton Park. That's it.
Date of review: March 10, 2008

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Page: 1  2  3  4  5  6  
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