Finchley 20Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (302 votes). 2005 race reviewed by: Michael Crawshaw
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: There aren't many other 20 milers so close to London
In full: I am worried there will be an accident one year. Personally I ran on the pavement wherever I could and I think the organisers should consider encouraging this more. I like the 4 laps; better the devil you know. Cosy atmosphere at the running club beforehand and a Mars Bar has never tasted so good.
Date of review: March 15, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Battersea Trudger
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: The excellent marshalls made it for me...
In full: The laps were fine (in fact when the pain started, knowing what was ahead - helped) and I thought the marshalls were excellent.
I agree the first two miles seemed long and the the third short.
I did find the roads a little dangerous - cars did get quite close and were going quite fast. Also seemed to be a boy racer haven.
Other gripes would be the timing - 2pm. by 4:30 the light was going and when running on roads this is not good. A t-shirt would have been nice.
Date of review: March 15, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Dull Napoleon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I am not a whinger but...........................
In full: I find it amazing that after running a race on the same course since the
1933 the organisers still cannot get the mile markers in the right place.
As it a five mile loop then it is impossible to mess up on the start finish line,
after that they've only got four more to get right, but still managed to cock up.
As many use this as a benchmark for the FLM, it would be useful to reassess
their positioning, as there is no way I am capable of doing sub 6 minute miles
in the middle of a 20 mile race, and the statisical data I was hoping to gain
from this run as prepararion is not what I was hoping for.
Also please get rid of the plastic cups. I and several others I have talked to
are willing to pay the extra to get bottled water. I was well and truly dehydrated
by the end, not helped by water stations handing out cups which were only
about 1/4 full (I kid you not).
Apart from this I really enjoyed the race, and hope to be back next year to
sort out the two Hillingdon runners who I overtook early on, and who breezed
past me on lap four.
Date of review: March 15, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Bikingbird
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good way to do a pre-London 20m in company of others
In full: Excellent marshalls and organisation. Course a bit dull and mile markers in first 2m a bit dubious. Good to do as a pre-London training run as you're in company of similar runners
Date of review: March 15, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: JaneE2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hard and Hilly killer race for a beginner or first time marathon runner excellent for club runners
In full: bombed out at 15 miles found it mentally and physically challenging 4 laps to many
Disappointed when finished at 15 was told to leave the area not offered drink or mars bar
will not run it again however a good race for marathon build up
The marshalls on the route/course were excellent
Date of review: March 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Faye Richards
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: It was a lonely run.
In full: Organisation was great, marshalls were very encouraging. I thought four laps was hard, it was very tempting to finish after three!
Date of review: March 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Regi Blinker
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: 4 laps very hard to carry on at 15
In full: Physically and mentally very challenging, a lot of club / elite runners and last lap was very alone......
Date of review: March 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Maggott
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: a usefull pre-London event - not worth a long journey to
In full: the 4 laps didn't bother me too much, in fact remembering where the downhills were kept me going through the last painful lap.
Date of review: March 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Guy W
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Not the most enjoyable race
In full: 4 x 5 miles laps got very dull and repetitive after the 2nd lap. The experience wasn't improved by lads chucking stuff at you from cars, drivers not making much effort to avoid you and kids shooting dried peas as you passed. All in all not pleasant.
Saying that I thought the on course marshalls were excellent and very supportive - so a big thnak you to them.
Date of review: March 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: mountaingirl
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: More undulating than I'd expected, but I didn't really mind the 4 lap aspect too much. The marshalls were great - very encouraging, despite the fact that they were obviously much colder than us! Sadly I just couldn't face the Mars bar at the finish!
Date of review: March 13, 2005
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