White Horse Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (226 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Pompey Paul
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Race, low key, no hassle, it did what it said on the tin
In full: First timer on this course after reading previous good reviews and seeing it in the top 10 Half Marathons list. It was the start of a perfect day, managed a new PB and then dashed across to Wembley to watch PFC win 2-0 in the FA Cup Semi Final. If I am being picky would prfer 1) Bottled water as most of the water from the cups ends up down me, 2) A medal over a mug & 3) Chip timing. However, even if no changes are made I will still be back next year! Thanks for all the hard work in organising this race.
Date of review: April 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: N Brown 79
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent all round - friendly and efficient and thoroughly enjoyable
In full: See you next year.
Date of review: April 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Justin Somerville-Cotton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Scenic - lovely countryside, mainly flat, mug was a nice touch and well organised
Date of review: April 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Old Shadowfax
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Flat as they come, except for 2 railway bridges. Excellent organisation
Date of review: April 13, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Chimney
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent. What every race should aspire to
In full: Great and encouraging Marshalls, the locals on the very rural course giving every encouragement, a very friendly atmosphere.
Date of review: April 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: denys webb
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: excellent all round - friendly and efficient and thoroughly enjoyable
In full: great value for money and a wonderful course, spectators a little sparse but not unexpected given rural route! - low key but charming and will be back next year
Date of review: April 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: P Gill
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Got to be the best half in the UK
In full: This was my first half, and to be honest if they are all like this then nothing to worry about. This race has got to be a definite for locals / Oxfordshire runners! The course is virtually flat running through scenic country lanes and small villages where the crowd (the few people that live there) turned out to cheer you on. The course was well marshaled with plenty of signs and arrows, mile signs, and a heart warming 400m left to go sign. There were three water stations on the route strategically placed in good locations and well staffed. This event is popular and fills up quickly and I'm not surprised, there were 400+ runners for what is a "village / small running club half marathon"!
The race starts and ends in the village, so you have to go to the village, in Oxforshire. So either you drive, get someone to drive, or if you live a distance away you'll need to drive down and stay overnight in Oxford, Wantage or Didcot and drive to Grove the race day. Parking was not a problem. From what I could see of Grove the village comprises 3 pubs and a school (but I could be wrong, 4 pubs??)
So the race for me: The weather was good, not brilliant, but good. A bit blowy and that was evident on the exposed country roads, but it got better and the mild wind cooled you down but it got warmer and calmer. Probably could do with a bottle rather than a cup of water at the end and maybe chipped timing (400+ runners?), charge a bit extra, I'm sure the race will still be full months before hand.
Date of review: April 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Peter Sear
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organized race with good atmosphere
In full: My 4th half but my first time at this race and got a PB :-) Good support along the way for a rural race and the encouragement of marshalls was greatly appreciated. The start was uncongested due partly to the field being around 500 not that that is usually significant at my level! Like the mug and the reasonably priced T-shirt...oh, and the cake stall at the end :-)
Date of review: April 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jonathan Weedon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not scenic enough to be my favourite half, but the best value for money
In full: Can't really add to my comments from last year. I think what I like about it most is the excellent value for money it offers. Also the option of buying a race t-shirt is good and excellent value at just a fiver.
I would add that I thought the organisation is also faultless, I liked the detailed race pack with a very clear map and nice to give people the option of raising money in aid of prostate cancer. Friendly and encouraging marshals, and good local support - thank you.
Not a good race for me personally, 10 minutes slower than last year due to injuries and lack of training. In fact quite a painful experience and not many happy memories apart from the young man who sprinted across the line with me and put his arm round me at the end.
If that young man is reading, sorry if you didn't manage to beat the fat middle-aged bloke but if it's any consolation he has a PB of 1:43 for this distance and is one of the most prolific reviewers on here.
Definitely see you again next year, hopefully in better shape and warming up for VLM.
Date of review: April 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: CDH
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent as always
In full: Another faultless year, helpful marshalls, good flat fast course and great value for money. Well done organisers
Date of review: April 12, 2010
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