Berkhamsted Half-Marathon Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (532 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Mike Bailey 2
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hilly but enjoyable
In full: Very well organised. The hills were challenging although I was more prepared for them this year. Plenty of support around the course especially the girl with the cowbell at mile 9
Date of review: March 8, 2011
|
|
2011 race reviewed by: Graham Herrick
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A really enjoyable half marathon
In full: My first half marathon, so did not know what to expect. The organisation, parking etc was spot on. Cold at start but had extra layer on whilst waiting so wasnt bothered, runners in shorts may have got a bit fed up. Had read all the reviews and was ready for some nasty hills, so started off slow. I run on hills all the time where I live and nothing here was anywhere near as bad. I would say 2 hills would be classed as "challenging", the one after about 2 miles due to its length, the second at around 6 miles was steeper. The main problem on this hill was that at least half the runners were walking up the hill, whilst trying to be overtaken by about 4 cars. I found myself trying to run around the cars on the wrong side in a narrow road as I was not stopping or walking a single step for anyone! On the plus side, some nice flat roads & downhills,& found house I want to buy when Ive got a spare £4million. Loads of really nice people on the way giving great encouragement & made a point of thanking every one. Hill at about 12 miles was a bit of a grrrr moment as I thought it was all downhill then. All in all a great race, loved it as 1st half marathon & in hindsight I held back too much.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: John Reade
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough, hilly and testing for a senior citizen. Loved it!
In full: There is little shelter at the start and it was cold so you have to keep moving but this is only a mild complaint as this is a great race. It is easy to get to by rail and there is plenty of parking. Berkhamsted is a great little town for the rest of the day out.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Darren Mills 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: I signed up for this but didn't check the course out till after so I was a little apprehensive about the hills in the first half of the race. Took the hills easy & the downhills made up for the time lost & I also got a PB. Good challenging course with good support, will do it again.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Hemel
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Reasonably hilly, great scenery, surpisingly quick course
In full: As mentioned before, the traffic situation is a little precarious at times. Scenery is great, though. I thought that having to weave through fun run stragglers in the last half mile was a bit irritating, especially in the final straight when i had to negotiate two 'runners' walking side by side with their dog on a lead. Also, it is a deceptively quick course (is it really the official distance?). Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy with a new 1.33 PB but it was 1.5 minutes quicker than my previous best! The one-mile marker appeared after only 6.35 minutes. Can that be right? Goody bag was OK, but a bit miserly. all in all, would do again.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: gjranit
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: scenic HM - PB potential despite the hills. Enjoy the downhillls..
In full: http://www.chipresults.co.uk/Default.aspx
results slow to appear and even then I had to email the race organisor to find out about chip times! I am also not convinced gun times were accurate - clock said 1.45.29 when I finished but my gun time is 1.46.16! Anyone else find that? It was also a bit of a way to the first water station.
That said a great race, friendly runners and supporters and I will be back.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: jenny maddocks
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a tough half
In full: It was a tough but enjoyable half marathon. It was great that the last couple of miles were downhill! Would definately do again.
The only negative (which is small) is as the portable loos are all the same I think they should be more males and females as I ended up going in the male loos are there was hardly anyone waiting compared to the female loos.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Kaly
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: One to do again and again
In full: This was my second time running and I had forgotten quite how relentless those hills were. Saying that the first half is harder than the second half and the last 2-3 miles were pretty quick so I made up some of the time I had lost on the hills. Some more toilets for the females and a little more in the goody bag would make it perfect !
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Charlie Boy!
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Wonderful
In full: My first, but certainly not my last time. The hillswere challenging without being deadly, with the last 4 miles being mostly downhill. Great half marathon in lovely the scenic Chiltern Hills. hard to fault in any way.
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: chris lawson 7
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great race that seemed well organised. PB potential as the down hill sections more than make up for the couple of hills. My only critisim would be that the published times seem to be sllightly out by about a minute. Has anyone else experienced this?
Date of review: March 7, 2011
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
