Events

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Not quite as 'flat' as they make out, but entirely managable & VERY rewarding. Electric atmosphere... The perfect half marathon course for first timers!
Date of review: March 29, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Good but 13.3 miles long
In full: This was my first Bath Half and I'll be back next year. My only complaints are that it was absolutely freezing for those of us who did as they were told in the race instructions and turned up at 9am and had to shiver for 2hrs waiting for the start (thank you to the kind man who tipped me off about where to get a freebie space blanket from!). Also, according to my Forerunner the course was 13.3 miles long (I took lots of inside corners as well so it could've been longer on the outside), so I feel a bit cheated as it's made my time slower because I was running to my GPS distance - did anyone else find this? The chip to chip times published seem a lot slower than my watch time. Goody bag was disappointing, PLEASE put a bottle of water in it next year (and maybe a space blanket - i.e. things that are more useful to you when you finish than a packet of soup) I had to queue for ages to get my bag back with water bottle in it - all I saw at the finish line was people giving out Lucozade - I needed water! But apart from this a great race, lovely atmosphere, great crowds to cheer us on and a good laugh was had by all in the starting pens.
Date of review: March 29, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: lovely home town race
Date of review: March 29, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: My first half
In full: Great atmosphere, beginner friendly, slow enough at the back, not easy though but maybe that's just me, not a fan of 2-lap races.
Date of review: March 29, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Fast course, plenty of PB potential. Decent organisation, good race.
In full: Went 5 minutes quicker than I'd expected, no doubt due to the flat and fast course. Scenary not fantastic, but to take in the sights around Bath would have involved numerous very big hills, so I'll take the fast, dull course thanks very much. Generally well organised, few minor quibbles, as always, not enough toilets, and the baggage collection was very slow, despite the great work of the volunteers. Make a long weekend of it in 2008, very pleasant couple of days, and a good race.
Date of review: March 28, 2007

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A very inspiring experience and a personal best - what could be better?
In full: I was especially impressed with the kindness of the local crowds. As a back-of-the-packer, I was amazed to see the same faces on both go-rounds of the two-lap course, i.e., that they were willing to stand out an extra couple of hours to help and encourage us. The town of Bath is wonderful, and I couldn't have enjoyed my visit more. In fact, I am grateful to the race for providing me with the occasion to go to such a lovely place. And I really lucked out when I booked the Carfax Hotel. It is - literally - right on the start line, so while others were lined up in the cold for the porta-loos, I sat in warm splendour in the residents' lounge and enjoyed their indoor plumbing!
Date of review: March 28, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Excellent city centre race
In full: My first race since completing my first marathon in New York in November, and the severe lack of winter training really told! Although definitely a potential pb course, I was slower than on the hillier Swindon course, and beaten by Scooby Doo again, as at Bristol! I couldn't fault the organisation - had no trouble with Park & Ride or baggage. Mind you, having a sub-400 number helped - the elites had already collected their bags by the time I rolled in and I had no queue at all. (Moral: apply early next year, and get a low number). Toilets are always going to be a problem - no matter how many there are, it's never enough, and no matter how many times you've been, you still need to go again just before the start and have to queue. The crowds were great; I do find the course a bit dull for such a great city, especially running laps, but it's traffic-free and fast and enables supporters to stand on the bridge and see you three times. The goody bag was excellent - not too many fliers and plenty of useful items (especially food! Haven't tried the soup yet!). I do think for the price it's a shame not to get a T-shirt. Having already forked out £25-£30 to enter, I decided not to spend another £15-£18 on the T, but it's a shame not to have the souvenir (more useful than a medal). I appreciate that these are quality running gear and not the cheap cotton jobs usually given out, but perhaps a cheap freebie could be included in the goody bag and it remain an option to buy the quality gear.
Date of review: March 28, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A good day out , I found it easy to get n and out with the park and ride . liked the runners village plenty of scope for meeting up with the bag carrier after the race.
In full: As with all big races the start was an absolute crush. Like every other runner , no matter what standard, I take note of the designated start locations. I'm a long way off being at the sharp end of things but it is extremely frustrating to be stuck behind groups of people walking after only 2 miles
Date of review: March 28, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A really big race, that seems to be improving every year.
In full: You really need to look under the surface for the value of this race. On the face of it £28 or so is expensive, but what do you get for that?

An excellent runners village (as with most big races more toilets required)

Completely traffic free and wide running route.

Bottled water and energy drink.

A great atmosphere at start/finish and city centre.
Date of review: March 27, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great event, just a bit on the expensive side
In full: Second time at the Bath half and managed to knock 5 mins off my PB so a good day for me!

Very well organised event and the supporters were fantastic. Scenery is disappointing for such a wonderful city but on the upside it is a PB course.

Also quite expensive for a half marathon - I feel the t-shirt should have been included for that price. Goody bag was excellent this year, some useful stuff in there and a lovely medal.

Intend to do this event every year if I can - please don't let it clash with the Reading half again though!!
Date of review: March 27, 2007

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