Windsor Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (279 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Charlie Boy!
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A Pleasant Half Marathon
In full: I'm a local, but in my first half marathonthe hills were still a challenge. That said, a lovely race with great views and will run again next year. The only gripe was the car parking.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: swiftnick
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good course but too many people and too late a start!
In full: This was my first time at Windsor and the scenery was great. The hills weren't too bad and there were lots of great downhill sections to make up time. The car park wasn't too bad but I was parked near the exit so it didn't take too long to get out.
1pm is too late to start a race it means you loose your whole Sunday rather than a nice early start and done by lunchtime. The other gripe is that the whole way around there were so many people that I was getting boxed in. In the last four miles my pace was really hampered by people slowing down and it not being easy to overtake due to the number of people still on the course.
This isn't the race to do a PB! But great for a challenging run with good views and no cars!
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Dennis Doyle
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My First Half ...tough in places!
In full: I live local and my first half ...done my homework beforehand and realised the car parks were a nightmare the last couple of years so parked at Bishopsgate and walked ...my wife and kids did say to me as the heavens opened on the 2 mile walk back to Bishopsgate that they would have rather been sitting in a warm car for 2hrs trying to get out the car park! ...yeah right!
Can't comment on organisation etc as like I said it was my first half and have no experience of any others ...as I said I'm local and run in the park at least once a week so knew where the hills were ...not sure if that helped as I was dreading the hill at mile 10 all the way round the course.
The only thing I did notice was how many times I had to check my stride so that I didn't run into people it seemed quite crowded is that normal for a race like this? ...or was it down to the narrow paths?
Marshalls/Cadets were great ...water stations were well manned ...and the crowd gave a real lift at the start, around the Copper Horse and at the finish!
I'm off to find a nice flat half ...but will definitely be back next year!
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: K.Walton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great race, well organised, will be back next year
In full: it wasnt as hilly as I had imagined, but still did need to walk up a few hills.
Great marshalls and water points. My only moan is with the medal - being handed a medal folded up in packaging is so un-sporting - why not have it placed straight round your neck by the marshalls to make you feel like you have achieved something great, having to un-pick the packaging and do it yourself takes the shine of the finishing moment.
Saying that is still a great race for all abilities.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Will01
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great route and marshals, but exiting the car park was a nightmare
In full: Missed the start by 27 mins thanks to the M4 being closed, but the organisers let people start up to an hour late, which was good. You don't do Windsor for a PB, as the course is challenging. But it is well marshalled, organised and supported.
Car parking really does need to be re-thought. Took us an hour to get out, which kind of spoilt the day. Suggest that more parking areas are used with exits onto different roads around the Great Park.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Steve Griffiths 8
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic race with loads of support especially at start / finish.
In full: Missed the 2009 race, but the course was the same as 2008, and still challenging in places - very happy with huge improvement on my time though. Agree that the race could start earlier, but at least the weather was cooler this time round (know 2009 was v. hot as was 2008). Great support from marshalls, and water stations. Brilliant for families to support as entertainment provided for young children - wish more events provided this. Don't experience the parking problem as live locally but it looked horrendous. Now if only the organizers could make that last mile shorter!
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jonathan Haslam
| | 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: Challenging at times but a great race
In full: I did this race last year and the cooler weather this year was great.
Someone mentioned a course change this year to take some hills out but I'm pretty sure it was exactly the same as last year really. Regarding the hills; I think if you include some hill work in your training schedule then you'll be OK but if you don't then this race will make you suffer a bit. Overall it's a great race in what I think is lovely scenery which will make you work harder than some races. As several have mentioned, the cadets do a great job assisting the marshalling so well done to them!
Possible improvements: the start funnel is not good owing to people being hopelessly in the wrong starting band but that pretty much happens at every race really. The car park exit is chaos and should be sorted out. Not many goodies (medal, water, mini choc bar) after the race but I'm not too fussed about that myself.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Simon Quince
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, scenic, not too hilly
In full: I hadn't been to Windsor Park before, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Its scenic and not really what I'd call hilly (but then I'm from Buxton).
The marshalling and drinks stations were very good.
Came by public transport so avoided the parking issues.
I'll be back next year !
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Nick Mckie
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good at the start family things to do. Route good more inclines than I thought but not too bad
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Lepsa
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great marshaling. Too many people for the start funnel. Goody bag poor, but then when packed it's mainly promo rubbish anyway. Quite undulating. The start time is too late by far. Shame the race doesn't take in the beauty of windsor and eton towns
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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