New Forest Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (390 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Liz Ayling
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: All in all an excellent race
In full: My 3rd half marathon and my first attempt at the New Forest one and I was rewarded with a PB! Very pleased indeed.
I thought the course was interesting, couple of pesky hills as advertised, but the jelly babies and signs up the last one was good.
Well marshalled and good crowds cheering you along in places. Toilet facilities were fine and I didn't think the queues were long. Lots of water stops as well.
It isn't an easy course by all means, but the route provides some lovely scenery along the way. Even had some ponies running along at some point (luckily they didn't come onto the course itself!!)
The only negative would be the bag pick up at the end, had to wait best part of 20mins to get my bag back. A few more people were needed I think!
Otherwise, if I do another 1/2 marathon, I would definitely consider this one again!
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mark Carpenter 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Outstanding half marathon. Beautiful scenery, bur punishing hills.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: King of Tonga
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Atmosphere and lovely people along the course
In full: This was my first and only half marathon but having done the training for it I found the course challenging with some very uphill bits but I got up them and the last 3 miles being all downhill was an incentive to finish!! As others have said the goody bag was a complete waste of time, I haven't a clue what the leaflets were about as they all went in the recycling bin when we got home,with the cost of the run I thought another £10.00 for the T Shirt was taking the P***, but overall the people along the course and other runners were great and I would do this race again but I don't think my body would let me!! Thanks to all the great people at the water stations and the ones who put up the signs on THAT hill. I thought the sponges were a good idea.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Toucs
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Mildly challenging event.
In full: They changed the course this year, I think I prefer it the other way. I didn't have an issue with the toilets, but I found the toilets near the start first. Support around the course was ok and as always a nice crowd at the finish. Didn't find the banana's at the finish, fancied a post race massage, but at £7.50 for 10 mins felt it was a bit steep. I'm not into goody bags and thought it was a big waste, could have given the bottle of water out at the tables, then they wouldn't have wasted the money on the crap that was in it.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Selim Auckburally
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyable
In full: I would suggest that if you are looking for a pb to start near the front because there isn't much room to overtake in the first couple of miles because of narrow lanes. Would be nice to see nutritional drinks along the way. However, the locals support cannot be faulted. Very encouraging, fair play to them. The marshalls @ The Rising Sun (pub) need another stop/go sign for the road traffic and little bit more tolerance. All in all, a very good run.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: alan collett
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good scenery, almost traffic free, a good sunday morning run.
In full: Living right by the start it seemed crazy not to do this race. Aside from the toilet queues which I didnt have to worry about all went very smooth. Great marshalling and spectators. A couple of decent hills made you work that bit harder.
Fine at the end for the local runners otherwise the queue for the bags seemed excessive as did the traffic gridlock. As others have said wouldnt call that a goodie bag. A cereal bar and bottle of water. Hardly worth bothering with. Just give them out at the finish. Can see a lot of effort went into organising this race. Great job to all involved.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Brownboy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, tough hills but good atmosphere
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ian Knauer
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: More south coast than New Forest but terrific support from the locals...that made for me
In full: The race was mainly country lanes, so didnt see much of the New Forest, on course stewards where good and the great support from the friendly locals with Jelly babies and good wishes. Really not happy by the number of cyclistss weaving in and out of runners,I was nearly knocked over, the real pain was at the end, a plastic cup of cheap orange squash a Goodie Bag with no goodies in, followed by 30 minute wait to get my bag back. Seems a high entry cost with little investment. Felt very disppointed.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: smiley24
| | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Didn't live up to expectations
In full: Despite being called the New Forest marathon, you only actually run through the open forest for a few miles. Otherwise you're on country lanes with high hedges and no real views. The organisation was pretty poor - hardly any signs for the parking, massive queues for the toilets and rubbish marshalling at the end. They were letting people run out in front of finishers (nearly knocking down the 3rd placed marathon runner!). It would of been nice to have an energy drink at one of the water stops as well. The only saving grace was the spectators who lined the course and the finish. They were great. Overall I would recommend the New Forest 10 instead.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Paula Irving
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% |
In full: Great support from locals but the baggage claiming area was appalling! We had to queue up to get our baggage, thats not what you want after you have just ran a half marathon! The volunteers at the baggage were less than helpful!
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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