Mizuno Reading Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (129 votes). 2013 race reviewed by: Tracey Watson 6
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: 2nd year of running this one. Very wet and freezing cold, but that's character building and adds to the fun. Thanks to the marshalls and supporters for braving the weather. See you next year :-)
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
|
2013 race reviewed by: torq landen
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I've never felt so cold, but really enjoyed the race!
In full: Really enjoyed the atmospehere, as this was my first large scale half.
Weather was truly appalling, but the friendliness of the runners and the crowds made up for the rain and cold!!
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: steveedw
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Not as well organised as last year.
In full: I ran last year and thought it was a very well organised race. This year was a disappointment.
1) I paid for a car park that was supposed to be 5 minutes walk away from the stadium. It was more like 20 minutes.
2) The Mizuno VIP access was a shambles. We were supposed to be sent wristbands before the race - then we were told to collect them on the day - and there was ONE person issuing the bands with a queue about 30 minutes long. I ended up not bothering.
3) Baggage tent was a mess at the end of the race. There was a marshal telling the long line to keep moving forward, and other marshals inside the tent keeping people out. It took 25 minutes from crossing the line to actually having my bag.
4) Too many runners started in the wrong pen. I was a blue start - I spent the first 3 miles dodging people with orange numbers stopping without warning in front of me. (And people with red numbers who were walking)
And yes it did rain, but that's always a risk!
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: RuthMac
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A really lovely race despite the awful weather.
In full: This was a fantastically organised race and although the scenery isn't spectacular, the support and the drumming along the way more than made up for it. Great PB potential apart from having to get past people which is always the same in a big race. I had a great day and will be looking to do this one again!
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Lynn Lloyd
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good event, well organised
In full: First time at Reading and will come back as the weather made it horrible but I suspect it would be a very pleasant run if the conditions were right. We stayed close by and had about a 10 minute walk to the stadium so no problems at all. Glad that you could use the hotel to stay warm and dry as it was definitely needed. A long walk to the start but nice chance to warm up the legs before starting the race. The only bit I really didn't like was coming back on the dual carriage way on mile 11, but once I got into the Stadium which is a fantastic finish all was forgiven!! Will definitely return.
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Christian Bell 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very well organized and very enjoyable experience
In full: A fantastic race. The atmosphere was superb all the way round the course despite the awful weather it was great to see so many people out supporting the runners. The finish in the football stadium was electric. The organisation for a race this size was superb and the goody bag at the end was very generous to. Their were of course the inevitable idiots well out of position at the start getting in everyone's way but on the whole it was absolutely fab and the relative lack of hills give it excellent pb potential. Well for sure be doing this again!
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Delaney Bucknor
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race organisation as usual and considering the terrible weather conditions
In full: Great race again and the people of Reading never disappointed again. I'm always suprised about the effort homeowners and businesses make in taking part by setting themselves up to watch and provide goodies & set up music for runners to listen to. Shoppers and people at bus stops also never complain & cheer the crowd. Rarely get this at other events. Made me forget about the bad weather. Waited ages in the rain for the suttle bus but on such a rainy day the organisers were trying their best. See everyone next year.
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Matthew Parsons 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This is a great race, fast course, brilliantly organised and incredible atmosphere. Shame about the weather
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Nobster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: As ever brilliant race despite the weather, this is a 'must do' in the road running calender
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: MattRhodes
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great organisation. Huge crowds. Appalling weather.
In full: A great run - built for speed and to let crowds support you rather than for scenery. Great support all the way round and the finish in the stadium was a good motivator to keep on pushing to the line.
Oh and the weather was a bit rubbish.
Date of review: March 18, 2013
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
