Sheffield Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (528 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: R-Mark
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well supported with a great finish
In full: Always a great atmosphere and seemed well organised from my viewpoint. A difficult day due to the hot weather but we all expected that should have prepared accordingly. There did seem like more water stations /sponges etc than in previous years with energy drinks available at mile 10 as usual. Earlier start too helped. Loo capacity was a problem with many inside the stadium not flushing.
Need to have a better t-shirt, maybe have a look at what was provided at Leeds a couple of weeks ago !
Date of review: May 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jill Pritchard
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Badly organised race with wonderful support from the city.
In full: Good: It was in Sheffield so local for me. The support of Ecclesall Road was brilliant. It totally made the race and would do it again just for that. Finishing in the Stadium was great too.
Bad: Toilet facilities at the start (too many people after raising entry limit?) Chaotic water stations (cups) and no energy drinks - wouldn't mind if I hadn't paid £28 . It was also absurdly hot (not blaming the organisers for that but it made the lack of energy drinks worse.
I saw many people in a bad way on the side of the road and I think for an expensive entry fee, you should look after your runners better.
Date of review: May 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Baz Aveyard
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My home town so enjoyed the experience
In full: Water stations were decidedly chaotic and on a hot day needed to be better. Fantastic crowd on Eccleshall Road and great volunteers
Date of review: May 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: RYAN BARKER 7
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Atmosphere
In full: What a great race. Poor organisation at start with directions/ traffic/ getting people to start. But otherwise fantastic- lovely course, lots of drinks, closed roads, most of all- great crowds. Incredible support on Ecclesall Road- as good as anything in the London marathon.
Date of review: May 29, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Garry Cartlidge
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: This was my second half and my first large city one, I live locally so it was ideal. I would agree with a lot of the comments about the water stations they were chaotic and I do think that the increase in numbers attributed to the general problems I think this needs addressing next year. My main gripe would be the finish, you just seem to go around the outskirts of the stadium for a extra couple of miles, the support on Ecclesall Road was fantastic surely we could go a bit further in that area then just go straight back to the stadium for the finish.
Date of review: May 29, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Ken Coker
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Friendly; good for beginners.
In full: Good point: the loos on the far side of the stadium were finally open after many years.
Not so good point: the water stations were mostly chaos. Unsurprising, perhaps, on a hot day, but as many have pointed out, the stations themselves need to be longer - and the cups,(cups are fine for me), need to be handed out not left on the table.
HOWEVER!! MANY THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED TO RUN THE WATER STATIONS AND ALL THOSE WHO HELPED MAKE THE EVENT WORK.
Date of review: May 29, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tracy Moore 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Local race so feel loyal to it
In full: If the organisers read this please do take note and DO NOT make this event bigger. Usual problem of toilets , especialy for girls or lack of them and real bottle necks on the course and at drink stations. Water cups are fine but water stations a challenge. Stadium chaotic at start .Thank you to all the supportive volunteers though who ofeten get overlooked but make the event possible
Date of review: May 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: chocolatelab
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hot
In full: Hot all the way round. My home town so I love it but I did my worst time ever for this race -14 mins slower than last time but it was so hot. I will be back next year.
Date of review: May 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: David Forrester 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast and surprisingly flat, but certainly was a hot one!
In full: Done this race five times in a row, and this was certainly the hottest (although Hull for the last 2 years was even hotter). Yes the scenery leaves something to be desired but I would commend the organisers on finding a flat route within Sheffield - no easy task. I'll put up with grim industrial views if that's the trade off.
Atmosphere in stadium and Eccleshall Road makes this event special.
Cups of water are a joke. Marathon of the North a few weeks ago used Iconiq water pouches - these are brilliant I think.
Bit depressing to be overtaken by the two guys in the camel outfit (seeing as I managed 1:40 they were going some!).
I'll be back next year ...
Date of review: May 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: CLAREBEAR18
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant atmosphere
In full: I agree with all the other comments re. Eccleshall road. They should bottle the support on that street it made such a difference, especially in the baking hot weather. The extra water stations were a godsend and I actually don't mind cups of water (sorry). However, I agree with all the comments re. the increased numbers. I ran the race in 2004 and it was far more enjoyable and relaxed at the beginning and end. I think the race organisers could have organised an outlet selling gels, energy drinks at the start. I forgot my jelly babies and really suffered towards the end. Having heard good reports about Leeds two weeks prior, I might give that one a go next year.
Date of review: May 28, 2012
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