Stevenage Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (323 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: twiglet_legs
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Excellent organisation, super facilities but where's my medal!
In full: Freezing cold but sunny morning, no wind to speak of at first but half way through it picked up to 20 mph in places so was a little on the cool side. Marshalling was extremely well organised and lots of them, water at 2, 5, 7, and 11 miles and a jelly bean station at 11 miles too (one large box of jelly babies, one lady, by the time she's got one out I'd passed her). The course is two laps on tarmac cycle tracks and underpasses around the town. The first lap is a mile and a half shorter than the second so the second lap is psychologically tougher than the first. Did a good time, a steady 9:50 minute mile all round and a sprint finish so knocked four mins almost of my PB. The last 300 metres was on the Ridlins running track, cinders, tannoy man called out your name as you entered the stadium and you finished in front of the "grandstand" (seats about 150!). Finish funnel was well organised, lots of bodies with wire cutters to remove your chip, lots of drinks and huge boxes of bananas. Lovely fluorescent yellow tech t-shirt (great for evening runs). Great changing rooms, plenty of loos, courtesy bus back to railway station and town centre car parks. I'd recommend this one.
Date of review: November 8, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Neeraj Hooda
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fast Scenic race got a PB
In full: Looking at the positives the race is definitely scenic and undulating which makes it an interesting race the 2 laps around the course didn't seem too hard got a PB of 1:27:03 so can't complain about the course.Not too much support for the non -FV runners and personally for me the biggest disappointment was no medal.
Date of review: November 8, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: sunil dutt
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: where is the support?
In full: The race is poorly supported. When the few supporters are present they only offer encouragement to the local running club members. If you do not run for FV spartans do not expect any encouragement.
No energy drink stations only water. Come in people how much does powerade cost? Sainsburys have an offer currently.
When you finish all you got was a bottle of water, one banana , echinachea seeds and a technical shirt. An energy bar like previous year would be nice.
Overall very poor value for money.
Date of review: November 8, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Delboy1978
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Much better than last year!
In full: Really enjoyed it this year, must have been the weather! got a best time this year so was pleased. Great organisation and marshalling: WHERE WAS THE MEDAL??
Date of review: November 8, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: RR54
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Stevenage, why not.
In full: Good day for it, half of the course was quite nice (parks, woodland), half was a bit dull (main roads and underpasses).
For a half marathon it was annoying there wasn't toilets somewhere on the course (at least I didn't see them), thank goodness for the watersports centre in Fairlands Valley Park.
Otherwise very well organised, welcoming club and lots of support along the course thanks Fairlands Valley Spartans.
Date of review: November 7, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Alex Reis Alves
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Potential to be a very nice race
In full: Weather perfect, organisation good, got my PB..Yes improved on 3 min on my time from Reading in March but what was meant to be a reason to celebrated left me pretty bewildered as there was NOT A MEDAL....People, you got me so lost for words that I will give a pass on the Marathon that you guys are organising. I defo suggest for next year that you find a nice medal as after all it is an achievement to finish a half marathon that not many people can count to have done.
Date of review: November 7, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Laura Homer 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Marshalls were fab... lovely course... grogeous Sunday run
In full: This was a really enjoyable race that was really well marshalled. The route was fairly flat with some inclines... but definitely potential for PB. Only pain was the parking... more residential parking than implied and school was full by the time I got there... but would defo do this race again.
Date of review: November 7, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Neil Sawyer
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good all round but PLEASE GET A MEDAL FOR PEOPLE!!
In full: The Stevenage Half was well organised and managed - real credit to all involved. Only slight gripe was to provide more signposts from the car parks - very confusing (I wouldn't have like to have been in a rush!). Also like the Newark Half it is a real shame not to receive a medal - a half marathon is a long distance and deserves a memento.
Date of review: November 7, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Tenjiso
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very well marshalled, lots of encouragement, scenic.
In full: My only gripe about this event was the lack of directions from/to the parking at the school. A few directional signs would have been useful. Other than that, from arrival at the running track this was a very well run event. There was only a short queue for numbers and timing chips. Likewise, the baggage tent was well manned and efficient. The race itself was entusiastically marshalled with plenty of encouraging words shouted from start to finish. Overall it was a very enjoyable run and I wouldn't hesitate to participate again. I have to say it's a potential PB course, because I just achieved a PB in spite of some poor recent training.
Date of review: November 7, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: A Purchase
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: I think this is one of the best marshalled events i've been to, and the free coach from stevenage was great for people coming by train. in
Date of review: November 7, 2010
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