Liverpool Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (93 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Ickle Legs
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Did GNR in 2001 & 2002, this was my attempt to make a HM comeback & first bash at local HM. Great event, brilliant atmosphere, wouldn't hesitate to recommend to Newbies or Speedsters :)
Date of review: March 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: James Boardman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast course and flat, if the wind stays away
In full: Fast course and flat.
Got to the toilets before the mass queues appeared. Never a problem if you arrive early enough, just have a quick pee somewhere else (by my car) later on.
Start narrow, so for those runners towards the back it will be a pain. Crowd on the course appeared quite thin for a change.
Ran well, despite being ill and only able to train twice or three times a week. Could have challenged my PB, but imploded at the 10m point. Not surprised, as I feel worse now than before. Top 200 finish, so cannot complain.
Marathon in October, so hopefully feel better for it then
Date of review: March 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: NZchick
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First 1/2 marathon was really good fun & did a good time 1hr45min. Organisation at beginning could be better, spectators standing on the start line et. Friendly atmosphere, great goody bag, medal and tshirt.
Date of review: March 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: tealsocks
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyable for an out-of-towner
In full: Came up from London for the half, and at this point, would intend to do it again next year. I've done four different halfs, and would rank this as my second favourite (behind only Tunbridge Wells, which takes the cake in community support). I had no problems with congestion at the start/finish, but that's probably because I was far back in the field (finished just over the 2:30 mark). Felt pretty uninspired for the first few miles in the city streets, but enjoyed the parks.
While I think the course was beginner friendly, if you're slower and don't have friends/family along cheering for you, I'd be prepared for minimal crowd support. Although there were some awesome people along the promenade for the final three miles--particularly the group with pom-poms!
I enjoyed my goody bag--it had what I needed (toilet paper! water! sports drink!) and none of what I didn't. Also really enjoyed my medal and shirt, even if I was initially disappointed about it being too big, I really like the design/color.
Am looking forward to returning to the city for the marathon in October, and maybe coming up for the Mersey Tunnel run as well.
Date of review: March 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: trickpsyclist
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved the course but support around the course sparse.
In full: I didn't encounter many of the problems others have described. But, i turned up early, went to loo early, got into the pen early...some of the problems others describe could be avoided with better personal preparation. Having said that i think the problem of over-crowding could readily be sorted out by simply wideneing the start area.
I am used to doing both the Bath and bristol halfs and by comparison the atmosphere was nothing like as good. Not sure why that is, after all it was a lovely day and there were plenty of park spaces for spectators to gather.
Also, i think energy drinks at some point around the course would have been appreciated.
I'm doing the full marathon in October and maybe some of these issues can be addressed in readiness for it.
Date of review: March 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: fluffyface
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race for a PB.....needs improvements though
In full: Brilliant race, definate pb potential as knocked 8 mins off mine! Slight undulations but mainly flat and speedy. My only criticisms are: a lot more toilets required. Collection of medal/t-shirt far too slow/congested, last thing i wanted to do after running 13 miles was wait around about 15 mins for goody bag. What happened to the small t-shirts? Finished on the 2 hour mark but no small OR medium t-shirts left this is a very poor show for the £29 paid, getting a t shirt that is way too big!
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: John O'Toole Kennedy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent. My first experience of a half-marathon and it could hardly have been more positive.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: colin smyth
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: well organised
In full: First time I've done it. Read variable reviews of previous years but it went great, and the organisers should be proud. The t shirt was fine - I don't get other peoples' complaints - I'm fond of beef jerky and I like to wipe my bottom when it needs it, so all in all I'm happy with the goody bag. See you in October.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Paul Hanniffy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Achieved my PB but start funnel was poor
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chri5B
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very good race - just needs a bit tweaking for 2012
In full: Thankfully I arrived in decent time to join one of the rather long loo queues and squeeze into the start area before 9.30am. It seems some of the trucks bringing the toilets got stuck in event traffic so that didn't help the queue for the usual pre-race formalities.
The park sections of the course are nice, shame about the industrial estate towards the end but I guess 13 laps of Sefton Park would make people dizzy.
Alan @ Run Liverpool says they want to move the start/finish to the Pier Head for 2012 to provide more space and toilets will come on the Saturday night. It's very good to hear that improvements are already planed - live and learn.
I took just over 7 minutes off my half marathon PB, so am very happy with the race and will be back.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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