Oxford Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (43 votes). | 31 to 40 of 43 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 |
2011 race reviewed by: Atom Ant
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Not bad and I am sure it will improve
In full: I think its all been said below. I am sure next year will be better as long as they listen to the feedback. Overall it was an OK run and the intentions are good.
Where do we get the chip results?
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: dalli
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: good first effort
In full: great race i thought, there were bound to be teething problems as its the first one ,but nothing that cant be rectified for next year.
loved the finish to
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ross Logan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: good effort for first time despite efforts of some local organisations not to help
In full: Oxford deserves a good half marathon and, with some lessons from this one, could have it. Life would be made so much easier if all parties worked better together and gave up the not invented here attitude.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Arctic Fox
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Off to a good start for Oxford
In full: The pros:
- fast course
- good support throughout
- Friendly marshalling
- scenic through the City
- Lots of parking
- Good toilets (maybe I was lucky)
- Good water stations
- Great stadium finish
- Nice medal (and I liked the water bottle too)
Could do betters:
- Traffic management on the way to the start
- more road closures (some fighting for space with pedestrians and cars)
- A little less time on the roads... maybe taking in some of Oxford's lovely riverbanks and more scenic parts (Come on City Council, get on board)
- No pizzazz at the start... could barely hear the guy on the megaphone - no idea what he said!
Overall, really glad to have a race like this in my home town.... a few more tweaks and some learning from the mistakes and I think this could be a great event.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Aaron Huckle
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good run hopefully will be refined a little more next time.
In full: It's good, hopefully will be better, toilets and baggage before the race was pain, I did not have the same traffic issue son the way in that some have had but i got there in plenty of time. Killer slow gradual hill towards the end made this a hard run for me. Nice stadium finish for me and my family said it was good to watch from there. Having the showers at the gym after was a great touch. Good race hopefully better next year.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gastroplodder
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyed the race and the support from fellow Oxford residents. New race so some teething problems but I expected that.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Elena_Bean
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely atmosphere and great potential to be a fantastic event
In full: This was my first half marathon and I really enjoyed it. I thought the marshals on-route were really supportive. There were actually plenty of toilets (I think someone earlier said there were none) but perhaps they could have been better sign posted or on a map maybe, and yes if it grows some portaloos would be great. I got there early so getting into the car park was not an issue but can see that controlling traffic and pedestrians would have been a good idea! Nice medal and finishing in the stadium was great. Spot prizes from the sports bra company Moving Comfort was a nice little bonus for a slow coach who'd never win a prize otherwise! Thank you! :D Traffic seemed well controlled but there was definitely potential for bumping into pedestrians at times...not sure how that can be avoided as I don't know how it's normally done. Many of them stopped, got out the way and cheered which was really nice.
Had a great morning and will be back next year!
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Puffin1
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good debut on a decent flat course.
In full: I'll statrt by saying I enjoyed the race, although I think selling it as secenic is pushing it a bit. While there was a good bit over Magdelen Bridge and down the high street that was pure old Oxford a lotwas through residential areas and on the cycle path by the rind road.
I though some parts of the route hadn't really been thought through. The start and through the mini plant were great, wide roads with plenty of space. Then down through Headington, on closed roads was good, but once it got to the city centre runners were supposed to be on the pavements, but there was a lot of competition for space from pedestrians. I saw one elderly couple trying to get onto a bus nearly get taken out by a runner. Then at the end, having to cross the course to exit the car park lead to queues. That said I don't know how they could have avoided the latter issue as there's not another route around.
Another difficult spot was where the route cross Clowley road and again runners were competing with pedestrians for space. The marshalls were doing a great job of keeping the traffic back but it looked like it could easily have turned into chaos.
The organisation all seemed good and I didn't have any issue with unreasonable toilet queues, although if it gets any bigger they might what do add in portaloos.
The drinks stations were well placed and well staffed. I liked that water was in bottles, although I always think it's a shame as so much is wasted - perhaps smaller ones next year?
The support was great, lots of cheering and people offering sweets and water along the course.
I liked the finish in the stadium, it made the cheering sound really loud!
I'll be back next year unless it gets too big!
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Well I tried
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Blink and you'll miss the scenery.
In full: Glad I ran it. Without the crowds though, this would have been like a dull training run.
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: John Melbourne
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Basil Fawlty would be proud
In full: Utter chaotic traffic management. There was a queue of 1 hour from the edge of the ring road into the stadium complex. When I finally reached arrived the cause of this became clear. Half the car parks were closed, there was no pedestrian segregation and the stewards were clueless. The reason for the delays were that the cars had to keep stopping to let people use the pedestrian crossings. Furthermore no stewards were directing traffic meaning cars kept stopping to look where the parking spaces were.
To top it all at the end a similar queue was forming as the exit from the car park was through the middle of the race. All that was needed was a bit of thought and proper management.
Also - no toilet facilities either
Better luck next time
Date of review: September 25, 2011
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