Larking Gowen City of Norwich Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (267 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Martin Lehane
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, great organisation and Great atmosphere. Shame about the WIND....
In full: I have to admit in a sadistic way really enjoyed this very windy race. The course is awesome, really nice to hit the half way mark with so many spectators cheering you on.
This is not a flat race, however the hills are not killers just a grad incline but with some distance to them
Maybe just me but the hills didn't even feel like hills today. This is due to the fact that at least 4 miles of the course was running into VERY VERY strong headwinds.
I was hoping to get around 1.30 however my time was 1.32.20. I believe had it not been for the winds i would have been on for my time.
If the elements are right on the day this is definatly a quick course. Defo PB could be had here.
All being well will see you all next year.
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
|
2011 race reviewed by: Alex Mason 2
| | 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: Toughest easy race ever!
In full: This is the toughest easy half marathon ever! The course is flat except for a long slight incline but you can barrel down the descent. The thing that made it tough was the wind.
I still managed to finish only 1 minute off my PB at 1:32:44 though.
I've done a few halfs and this is the first one where the top half of me hurt more than the bottom.
I can see what other people meant about the drinks. I didn't bother getting one as the wind made it cool enough and it looked more trouble than it was worth (I feel sorry for the helpers who had to run across fields collecting cups).
Agreed with another comment - there should be something for the family to do whilst they're waiting the 40 minutes each lap. We travelled 170 miles to come so wanted something else to do.
All in though, it was very well organised, good marshalls and slick in/out with the car parking.
Nice medal and goody bag.
I'll be back...
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: keef55
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent Event
In full: My first time at this one but I shall be back - not least because I bagged a pb by 2 mins despite the howling wind. Great course and although it isn't actually flat, the inclines are nothing and the downhill more than compensates.
I thought it was extremely well organised - well done CONAC.
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Jodie Bensley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first half marathon and a fantastic day out.
In full: Only criticism would be that there wasn't enough entertainment for spectators, but I really enjoyed the race itself. Very well organised, a great medal and nice little goody bag made it a worthwhile day out.
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Anthony Smith 22
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Avery pleasent way to spend a Sunday morning
In full: My first Half so didn't know what to expect, very well organised, friendly people out on the route, would agree about the cups at the water stations, ended up wearing most of it! Overall a great event for all abilities and I'll be back next year!
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Nik Chapman
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Don't be fooled by the race name, this has nothing to do with The City of Norwich....you could be anywhere rural.
Having said that to 3000 odd runners all within 5 minutes walk of the start is an achievement in itself.
The course is rural and flat and starts off on grass.
I made the mistake of being honest and starting off in my predicted time slot and after half a mile hit the first wall of people punching above their weight.
Very windy and exposed but a good feel throughout...A t-shirt would've been nice though.
Not offensive but could be better.
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: irregular
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: one of the better events
In full: The organisation was very good and the medal outstanding.It was a shame about the wind which to compound matters was in your face when travelling up the slight incline.Good support.
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Peter Rawlings
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wind, wind and more wind!
In full: Excellent organisation and support. Good flattish course and I was hoping for a PB. Ended up walking a lot and getting a PW (personal worst). The organisers can't control the wind, which was crippling for a lot of us. At least it stopped raining; I'm not a fan of horizontal downpours. I'll be back for another try next year.
Date of review: November 27, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: woody 40
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: excellent support esp @ the showground, oh and windy
In full: a very well organised race, something for everyone, fast but slow enough at the back. nice goody bag and medal, excellent support esp @ the showground, oh and windy -)
Date of review: November 27, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Shay
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good race, shame about the wind!
In full: Would have been nice if toilets near car park were open. Marshalls allowed cars to park too close behind our car and if the people in front of us hadn't been leaving, we'd have been boxed in.
Nice course, but a shame about the wind, it really sapped alot of energy from alot of people!
Lovely, unusual medal and nice goody bag too. Still achieved a PB but that blooming wind lost me another couple of minutes and the volume of people at the beginning over-estimating their finish times didn't help.
Date of review: November 27, 2011
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
