St Albans Review Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (414 votes). 2006 race reviewed by: Jennie McGrath
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The heat was incredible but plenty of water stations helped.
In full: A course map (did not get one in pack??) would have been better than the description for those not familiar with the area. No PB achieved but blaming the heat for that one! Fantastic cheery atmosphere at the finish which lifted the spirts. Parking could have been better, did Sainsbury's know we were coming?
Date of review: June 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Mark Clay
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Suffered in the heat. Earlier start would have helped a little
In full: It's hard to separate the awful ordeal of running this (let's face it) very undulating course with no shade in crucifying heat from the fact that it was pretty well organised. I could have cried when the guy at the end gave me an ice lolly! Nice touch that. Bless all the marshalls and helpers who turned out, they deserve thanks. But I'm really not going to come back and face that course again in June!
Date of review: June 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Gill Gibb
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Very hot indeed, so a 9am start would have been great. Very narrow in places, uneven pavement, hill at 11-12 miles unwelcome and makes for a poorer race. St Johns were great looking after all the dehydrated people.
Date of review: June 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: senidM
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: New course a bit dull, hill at 11 really unpleasant in the heat, earlier start please!
In full: Nice run, lovely atmosphere, pity the course is dull and for those who have run the old course the last 2 miles plus hill are a real shock to the system.
Nice to have so many drink stations but an earlier start and more shady course would make this a great run.
Date of review: June 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: DuncyBoy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Far too hot but not a lot the orgamisers could do about that.
In full: Start was a bit chaotic. There were supposed to be timing bands but I couldn't see them. Also we hung around listening to some blokes wittering on while we were getting hotter. Once out there and at the end it was very smooth and I liked the finishing area with lots of drinks, lollies etc.
Date of review: June 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: A.C
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Earlier start, a shadier more scenic course would make this a better race
In full: Second year at this event and I think it would make sense to move the start time forward to 9.30am to combat the heat. Not a great course either (confined to a pavement) with a comedy loop of a lake in the last mile.
Date of review: June 11, 2006
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2005 race reviewed by: Heathward
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: New course promised for next year
In full: Let's not abuse the word 'dull' in favour of 'snoozing' for the scenery and course. Yet it remains a favourite on the calendar and rightly so: the organization and fun of the event make it much more than just worthwhile, and I strongly recomend the event.
Date of review: December 15, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: AJR
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very enjoyable
In full: An excellent event, including fun runs etc meant that there was a lot of people in the park watching. Course was good, keeping on country roads and starting/finishing in the park. Exceptions being the stretches on Redbourn and Hemel roads which are both busy, with some very stupid drivers (I saw somequite dangerous manoueveres). Very good mix of standards.
Date of review: November 7, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: gareth edwards 6
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good freiendly feel to the race , with some great support.
In full: Nice race ,that was well organised so that PB chasers and Fun Runners all had a good run. Course was a bit bland during the last 4 miles, but the support at the finish was marvellous.
Date of review: September 27, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Dadovjacknella
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Dont bother entering on the day
In full: I entered this on the day (for the princely sum of £14!!) but this meant no official timing because the chips were not given out to those who entered on the day - which explains why there is only 1400 people listed as finishing when there were 1700 starting.
Date of review: June 22, 2005
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