Hinckley Dog & Hedgehog 1/2 MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (140 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Andrew Fieldhouse
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Weather and 10-11mile hill determine how fast you go
In full: Whether this is a PB race or not depends on the how you cope with the weather and how well you can run the hill between miles 10 and 11. This year was much hotter than the forecast suggested - tights definitely a bad call as most of the course is unshaded... There were lots of water stations to help BUT all with plastic cups - near useless when you're running. Small 'half' bottles would be far better - something I'd quite happily pay more entry fee for.
The first half of the course is undeniably FAST; lots of near-flat sections on well-surfaced roads sprinkled with a few very mild inclines and a few slightly steeper downhill stretches. If you like to race through scenic countryside then this is swell - flowing fields and picturesque hamlets with oodles of local folk outside their houses encouraging you on. Mile markers are well placed.
The second half of the race is similar to the first, except with the addition of two far more significant hills. The first is fairly short; the second, steeper, longer and later. Train for it. How well you take this hill will decide how close to your PB you get.
Besides the race itself this was an adequately run event - with the potential for greatness. The base at the Water Park is lovely, with extremely well marshaled parking. Everything else is a bit of a mystery and not particularly friendly for first-timers or runners coming alone; I don't THINK there was any baggage storage (at least there were no signs anywhere and it was unadvertised in the publicity) - are you just supposed to carry your car keys around the race with you?! - the toilets were fairly few, but there was a well picked cluster of tents housing a physio and kit for sale.
Post race Mars bar and banana were welcome treats but although the t-shirt was a nice shade of blue and a nice touch with all entrants name on the back it was just that - nice. I mean how many t-shirts can you actually wear?! A medal would be more meaningful, unique and longer lasting.
Thank you all who organized.
Date of review: May 11, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: Andrew Fieldhouse
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: |
In short: Weather and 10-11mile hill determine how fast you go
In full: Whether this is a PB race or not depends on the how you cope with the weather and how well you can run the hill between miles 10 and 11. This year was much hotter than the forecast suggested - tights definitely a bad call as most of the course is unshaded... There were lots of water stations to help BUT all with plastic cups - near useless when you're running. Small 'half' bottles would be far better - something I'd quite happily pay more entry fee for.
The first half of the course is undeniably FAST; lots of near-flat sections on well-surfaced roads sprinkled with a few very mild inclines and a few slightly steeper downhill stretches. If you like to race through scenic countryside then this is swell - flowing fields and picturesque hamlets with oodles of local folk outside their houses encouraging you on. Mile markers are well placed.
The second half of the race is similar to the first, except with the addition of two far more significant hills. The first is fairly short; the second, steeper, longer and later. Train for it. How well you take this hill will decide how close to your PB you get.
Besides the race itself this was an adequately run event - with the potential for greatness. The base at the Water Park is lovely, with extremely well marshaled parking. Everything else is a bit of a mystery and not particularly friendly for first-timers or runners coming alone; I don't THINK there was any baggage storage (at least there were no signs anywhere and it was unadvertised in the publicity) - are you just supposed to carry your car keys around the race with you?! - the toilets were fairly few, but there was a well picked cluster of tents housing a physio and kit for sale.
Post race Mars bar and banana were welcome treats but although the t-shirt was a nice shade of blue and a nice touch with all entrants name on the back it was just that - nice. I mean how many t-shirts can you actually wear?! A medal would be more meaningful, unique and longer lasting.
Thank you all who organized.
Date of review: May 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Rolly
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A challenge
In full: Nice day for it if a little too hot, a few minor hills proved a challenge, the biggest problem was the cups, as for the comment 'walk throuh the water stations' I didnt train to walk any of it so would hope to see bottles next year. The sponges were great as was the mars bar. The start was difficult with people in the wrong areas according to time, though in fairness the signs were not at eye level. I lost a minute trying to get past people, though still managed a PB.
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: skik
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Scenic
In full: Very scenic run with great support all the way along the course. I missed quite a few of the mile markers on this race possibly because of the narrow lanes. Mainly flat, with a couple of hills between 8 and 11 but nothing major, hence a PB for me!
Great t-shirt, very nice touch having all the runners names on the back.
Plenty for the kids to do whilst running this race.
Only a couple of gripes, the ladies toilet queue before the race, blocked toilets....and no bottled water at the finish.
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Gary Jenkins 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race. Nice scenery.
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Glenn Adams
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A lovely sunny Sunday run.
In full: To all those griping about drinking from cups then why not do what I do; walk through the water stations. I mean not all of you are going to win the prizes and you will lose only about a minute and half in time in total. Plus in the many races I have done runners tend to waste thier bottled water. It's a wonderfull course and that hill between 10 and 11 miles is just cracking. Nice T shirt as well.
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Neil Webb 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Reaaly enjoyed a very hilly race, next time please give us water in bottles and not cups!!
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: John Norris 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Blissful country run
In full: Can't really fault it. My 7th time, and always a pleasure. I don't think the Dog & Hedge are headline sponsors any more though.
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Danny Wilcox
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice scenery, well organised and a nice T-shirt at the end.Would have been perfect if the water was in bottles rather than plastic cups (had to stop running for water at water stations)
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Stan Peake 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Scenic , well organised, flat(ish) !
In full: A well organised event ,the start was a little slow because some runners chose to start ahead of their alotted time pens so much slower runners were in the way in what was a narrow country lane! Not the organisers fault! Other than that the race was excellent , flat most of the way except between mile 8 and 11 there were a few "lumps and bumps" but from 11 home it was downhill which was great. Nice T shirt to finish with nice smiling and friendly faces greeting and handing out Mars bars and bananas which were very welcome!
Date of review: May 10, 2010
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