Coastal Half-Marathon, PortsmouthHere's how RW members rated this race (182 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: twold4this2
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well chosen route.
In full: Pro: Route flat, but still memorable both with the skyline of Portsmouth as you run to Hayling Island and the mix of terrain - road, pavement, shingle, gravel and grass ...with a nice breeze, mud and puddles.
December 23rd is a great day for a marathon, nice start to Christmas break from work.
The organisers were helpful and friendly, as were the majority of marshals.
Parking was easy - on street free parking 10mins walk.
Socks and Clif bar in goody-bag.
Cons: No 'proper' changing facilities; that is where you could completely undress to put on your running gear - if you have to drive for 2hours I do not want to have to wear compression shorts etc whilst so doing.
The baggage storage was a farce, a corner of a room - stepping in/out/over the baggage was more dangerous than the running!
Inadequate toilet facilities.
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: catherine davison 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Victoria Gibbs 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: mud!
In full: Good points - Flat. Terrain I think would have been interesting and OK had it not been for the downpour over the previous days... Scenic. Nice out and back route. Nice atmosphere. Great facilities and showers at finish.
Points to improve - the medal is sh*te! The water stations were also rubbish, you only get away with that because of the cold weather. Just water in plastic cups, orange squash if lucky!
The mud was a challenge but I managed a PB somehow despite this!
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: AristoPJ
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough winter marathon in 'Sunny Southsea'!!
In full: This was my first ever marathon, so I've not got much to compare it against, but it was grueling, hard work and tougher than I could have imagined, but at least the rain held off. The mud, puddles and wind made it all the more challenging. I'm so so glad I made a last minute call and left my road shoes in the car and put my trail shoes on.
On a good day this has definite PB potential, however, not today (well apart from me with it being my first an all).
The weather and conditions aside it was a great race, very well organised, well marshaled, quite possibly the best water stations I've ever encountered and a cracking atmosphere. Plenty of support from spectators and other runners alike, with a real sense of 'we're all in this together' going on.
A big thank you to Rob and co for another great event.
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: *Dill*
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Slippery when wet.
In full: School boy error. Wore roadies, should have wore trail shoes. Apart from that it was fun, well supported and a good way to end the year. Really felt for the man who ran into a lampost within the first mile. Nasty head wound but he soldiered on. I think the fact that this race is on the 23rd of December is the reason for it's success. Change that and some of the appeal would be lost.
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: More snail than hare.
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough terrain, clay,mud,huge puddles,gravel,shingle,very slippy,add in a coastal wind and you have yourself one heck of a challenge.
In full: Good intentions- billed as being 'flat as a pancake'which it was but the terrain was seriously played down. Not a PB course.
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Rosemary Close 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A real Christmas Cracker!
In full: First time at this event and definitely not the last! Really enjoyed the course, thought the support from the spectators was great, the mud was a challenge, but nothing good trail shoes couldn't cope with. Very well organised with a very nice medal and a nice goody bag.
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Macca4000
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A tough Christmas beasting
In full: Make no mistake this was a tough marathon. Skiddy and muddy and with the wind in the face for much of the return journey. There's fat chance of achieving a marathon PB unless its your first, but who cares. It's a bloody good run out in advance of the Cmas over indulging! Don't take it too seriously, just go out and do it. I appreciated the work out :)
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: pmo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great route, and lucky with the weather. What more could you want for a christmas marathon.
In full: Wet underfoot, but still a quick course. The shale sections shouldn't cost that much time. Bit of an issue at the first water station caused a few minutes delay, but overall very well managed, and a tonne of fun. Do it
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Hilly Hayles
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Being my first ever marathon it was tough in places but the comaraderie from runners the support from marshals and the public got me through , the race. great race ,finished with a smile on my face! Time 3.37.57 Merry Xmas to all.
Date of review: December 23, 2012
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