GDF Suez Leeds Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (411 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: andy from embsay
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised apart from the start
In full: I was pleased to see they'd got pens for sub-75 and sub-85 (and sub-95 as well), but the marshalls on the tapes weren't terribly well briefed and didn't let people in til too late - result was lots of people hanging about not wanting to get left out when they should have been warming up.
The new twiddly bit isn't great - preferred the bit down towards Weetwood.
My good bag was just a t-shirt and a medal, but that doesn't particularly bother me as I don't really do races for the goodies.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jovi Runner .
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Not too bad but wont be doing it again
In full: My biggest problem with this was the fact that there wer no start pens. I am a 1:40 half runner and it took me 4 mins to get across the start line as it was so congested and couldnt get any nearer the start. Had to dodge people who were doing almost walk pace in the first few miles. I dont mind hills so they were OK. however, the last bit along Kirkstall road I found very boring and sort of lost interest. Agree with other posters - goody bag not great given race entry fee. I also thought there were a lot of stretches where there were no supporters. Crowds along the Headrow and Millenium Square good though.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Hilary Baker 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great atmosphere and good organisation.
In full: My 5th HM but 1st at Leeds. Thrilled to get a PB but down to more training I think as found the hills earlier on challenging. However the long downhill sections made up for it.
Organisation & frequent waterstations fantastic, though some sections a bit tight for space to overtake.
Overall a great event -easy parking & great atmosphere...nice to encourage the kids into running with the junior races.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: antony forde
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: sorry leeds, learn from sheffield
In full: overall a good, though not spectacular event. Yes, the start area is way too crowded...queues for toilets were almost as long as the course! As for mile markers...hmmm..i suspect that some of the volunteers allocated that job were hungover following Saturday's football result! And as for the 'goody' bag...well 'averagy' bag may be more apropriate! Well done for running 13.1 miles - have a medal, a t-shirt and, er, a selection of retro confectionary!! Sheffield beats Leeds in the 2010 hm battle methinks!
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Kirsty82
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First race ever - some tricky hills but feels amazing at the end
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Minnie Mad
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: An enjoyable race but not a really special one
In full: Overall a good race, but with a few issues that make it less than brilliant. The last two water stations were getting low on water and runners were having to wait for bottles to come out of the wrappers onto the tables - I finished in 2hrs so not very good. Marshalling fairly good although not the most cheery bunch. Several places where the course is only separated from fast moving traffic by cones, hence many running on the pavement to avoid.
Goody bag very rubbish apart from the t-shirt. No water, even though there were bottles given out at the stations, only some starburst sweets and a load of flyers.
Not a racing high light but I would do it again if nothing better comes along on the same day.
Oh, and it is not so much hilly, as a very long pull up to about 6 miles, after that a long down, then dead flat, so not a PB course, but a decent route.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: The Egyptian Toe
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good Yorkshire race but Sheffield is better!
In full: On the positives. Slickly organised with quite a few drink stations (needed on a very warm day), good info pack, nice start location (although way too crowded), lovely marshalls (offering sponges, water, and high 5 drink), result texted promptly and a testing route through the better parts of Leeds.
Negatives were it`s crowded (the square was much too full) and a very tight start, and the section around 7 miles is too tight to overtake unless you go on the grass verge, and I didn`t get a drink in my goody bag which surprised me after being offered them at all drinks stations.
Although I prefer the Sheffield race with its great stadium start, I got a PB and enjoyed my visit to a nice city.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: LeedsRhino
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Perfect running conditions - PB by 9 mins. A good course for any standard of runner.
In full: Excellent event, well organised, good support. A tactical run over the first half with plenty of work up the couple of longish drags and make sure you save plenty for the last 6 miles when you can really go for it for a decent finish.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Tony Hails
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A lovely day in Leeds
In full: Another well organised, well supported race in Yorkshire. Ran Sheffield half 2 weeks ago and both races are brilliant, with those Yorkshire hills thrown in to test you. Great run, great crowd, great goody bag. Thankyou Leeds.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Rikk442
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Super Leeds! A class act.
In full: Did this as a prep for Edinburgh Marathon in 2 weeks. Decided to go and try to beat my PB, which i did. 1:32:01 (5m 30s inside my previous PB). Excellent atmosphere, support and organisation. A great race for runners of all abilities. Great t-shirt/goody bag too.
Date of review: May 9, 2010
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