BHF Blenheim Palace Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (37 votes). | 31 to 37 of 37 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
2011 race reviewed by: Luke Waterfield
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautiful scenery, lovely atmosphere and great course - hilly!
In full: Quite a low key event considering the numbers, slight delay to the start, apparently down to long queues at the toilets (weren't enough) - great course, stunning scenery and well marshalled, plenty of water and energy gels handed out ever 4-5km, really enjoyable run.
Date of review: October 3, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: naominf
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Disappointing.
In full: The amazing location and beautiful scenery couldn't make up (for me) for the negative elements of this race. Being held for 20 minutes to start late in the blazing sun didn't help, and then around the course there was little atmosphere or support, very few marshals and pretty much all of them (except the lady at the lap 1/lap 2 split who I do remember) seemed disinterested/bored, and although it probably didn't annoy most people, not having mile markers (only km markers) really threw me. I don't think there was enough water for such an incredibly hot day. The end of the race seemed a bit shambolic, the goody bag pointless & the chocolate bar was a bad choice - needed some crisps/banana to replenish all those sweated out salt & minerals! The medal (and lanyard) are exactly the same as one I got for doing a BHF 10km earlier in the year. What a shame - this was my tenth half marathon, my family came to watch, and I was expecting it to be a fantastic day, unfortunately it really wasn't.
Date of review: October 3, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stacy Woodward
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hot and hilly
In full: Pros:
Marshalls in participant village very helpful.
Lovely setting.
Extra water stations.
Free gel at 13K
Cotton t-shirt and medal
Cons:
Spectators fairly quiet
Race started late (apparently due to traffic)
Starting pens had too wide of range (sub 2hr, 2-3hr and 3+hr)
wished for another water station in second third (think they ran out)
Course:
VERY undulating at beginning and end, fairly flat in middle, but quite exposed to heat. (An unusually hot day for October 25+C).
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Arctic Fox
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Scenic Half... some long exposed but gentle climbs (felt it in the heat)
In full: Pros:
Beautiful place to run
Good atmosphere at the start
Plenty of water stations
Lots of cheering at the finish line
Easy to park up and no delays in arriving
Enjoyed the energy gel
Great t-shirt
Cons
More toilets needed
Would have been nice to get off the tarmac
Delays at the start
Tough exposed sections in the heat
Some strangely silent spectators (especially during the first 5-6k)
It felt a little as if spectators had come to see their friend and relative and were only inclined to cheer when they saw them.
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Caroline Owens
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: xSASSx
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: had the well organised feel of a mass event but with a few details missing.
In full: Overall I really enjoyed the race, can't fault the venue and scenery and there was a lovely charity atmosphere in the event village. Plenty of marshalls on course but very few actually cheering and lots just sat down looking bored. Yay for the spectators cheering! We were told because of the heat (28 degrees) there would be extra water stations at marshalling points, however the last water stations were empty so my last bottle was at 12k, little over half way round, which meant despite me taking my own 500ml bottle I was out of fluid for the last 3+ miles. The gels were a nice touch though and really helped me through. Didn't appreciate having to bend down to fetch my own water after the race and given the water in the goody bag a bit further along, thought that water should've gone on course. A lot of hanging around at the start (25 mins late) meant after dropping baggage, it was an hour from last drink / toilet 'til the start, in blazing sunshine. Could've done with more precise starting pens, 2 - 3 hours is a big difference and everyone seemed jumbled. Probably why this was the first race I've ever gone off too fast. The t-shirt and medal are great and entry to the grounds make it good value, pity I just wanted to get home.
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gareth Evans 30
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Except for the water stations, the worst organised race I have attended. Poor to non-existent marshalling and waiting in exposed blazing sun for the start that was 20 minutes late. Dreadful.
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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