Royal Parks Foundation Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (86 votes). | 41 to 50 of 62 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
2010 race reviewed by: Chigal
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great route with PB potentional and excellent organisation
In full: It's one of the best routes around London with streets closed to traffic and the beauty of the parks. An incredible amount of organisation and effort from the volunteers meant for water stations full to brimming with Lucozade and water. Sweets towards the end were welcomed.
Yes, it got crowded in the narrow parts but that's to be expected from 15,000 entrants!
With so many people, yes, more Portaloos were required - at least another 50 please. This is all part and parcel of staging a major running event in London.
A flat course, a new PB for me and a glorious day reminiscent of summer.
Well done to everyone and thanks for a special event.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: _ciaran
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Just superb
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Brighton Belle
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised scenic race but big and too MP3 players
In full: As others have said this is an expensive race but it's understandable given such a big field and the fact it's central London. I didn't experience any of the congestion others have mentioned and thought the course was well marshalled. Lots of water and freebies to be had.
If you like big races then this is definitely one of the better ones.
I got there about 45 minutes before the start and only had to queue for a couple of minutes for the loo and not at all to drop my bag - inevitably the later you are the more queues there will be.
It was enjoyable to run through central London, past some of the sights and through the parks.
Definitely a PB race - almost pancake flat.
The only thing that will make me think about entering it again is the number of people running with MP3 players. There is really no place for them in races, they are dangerous and unsociable.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Kerry Brady
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I remember now why I promised never to do a Hyde Park run again
In full: After LUL shutting Hyde Park corner station (well done, another classic from them), I still turned up early enough that I got my baggage dealt with immediately and didn't even have to queue for a portaloo.
As usual, the fast foody places were open and the smell of fried food wasn't exactly in keeping with the run. However, the freebies handed out by cereal bar people, some free bananas and water were very welcome and much appreciated (thank you).
Having to queue for the toilet again at 8.50am, I didn't get inside one until 9.20am. The lack of toilets is just unacceptable at an event of this scale.
The scenery was better out on the road - running past Big Ben when it struck 10am was a highlight, seeing the Millenium wheel etc. Didn't see much of the parks, were pretty dull. And I dislike Hyde Park for running due to previous runs which have been badly organised and it brings back bad memories! Having the speakers about half a mile from the finish line was off-putting as I could hear them shouting out "you're nearly there" etc, when we weren't, they were half a mile ahead of the speakers!
On the plus side, the finishing stretch was a HUGE welcome relief from the ones I've had to do there before - from the other direction. At least yesterday's one was slightly downhill - thank goodness!
The majority of the crowds and marshalls were encouraging but there weren't so many cheers out on the road.
I think this is a good race but personally, I won't ever do such a commercialised run again and definitely not Hyde Park.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: petal99
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Pricey but a day to remember
In full: This is certainly not a cheap race, but luckily the organization made up for that. Plenty of Lucozade/ water along the course, we were offered percy pigs at the last few miles. Plenty of freebies at the end, the queues for the baggage area were not that bad. Loved the entertainment and general support from the crowd was amazing although I would have added a bit of music at the start just to lift people's spirits.
The course was not perfect for a PB, at times the course was very narrow which made it impossible to overtake, I would define it more as a fun day out rather than a race.
If it was not for the freebies I would have described the fee as "robbery" but overall everything was excellent and loved the technical t-shirt made of bamboo and the wooden medal! Toilet facilities were ok, urinals for guys were a perfect extra but I would have added another row of toilets though and I would also mention to the organizers that apart from also replacing toilet paper may be they should also replace the hand sanitizer gel once finished?
I would definitely register again next year!!
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Rosh Karunaratne
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I love this event
In full: Yes, it is an expensive race to enter, but the route is amazing. Well manned water stations, clear signage and great marshalling. I will definately be back!
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Thomo79
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent race, well organised and a great atmosphere
In full: I loved this race. Yes it was a bit crowded in places but that didn't bother me. The crowds and the support was excellent and created a fantastic atmosphere. The food festival was a welcome extra to browse around after and the weather was perfect. Came with the family and made a day of it doing some sightseeing atfer. Lovely day, great race.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Steve Griffiths 8
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race with great sights of London. Huge PB potential. Great crowd / marshall support
In full: Although expensive to enter I feel it's worth it. Great tech T-shirt and lovely wooden leaf medal. Loads of additional freebies but shame you have to hobble around collecting them. Never knew Hyde Park was so big. Loads of crowd support and plenty of refreshments on course - loved the sweets from M&S. Will try to enter again for next year.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: gdk345
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race for most runners and all spectators
In full: With 12,500 runners, there's always going to be some measure of congestion (toilets at the start, on some of the narrower parts of the course) but any complaints beyond that are in my opinion, overly critical.
Quick course, plenty of water, Lucozade, sweets on the course, all manner of freebies at the end and running through some of London's best scenery (and I live in London) justify the expensive entry. Yes, much of it is in Hyde Park but it means spectators can easily spot you on a few occasions.
Overall, with a dearth of half marathons in London, I'm grateful that the Royal Parks is as good as it is.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Miss Knees
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Enjoyed it again this year. Hated the double backs in Hyde park but over all good race. Some areas needed a little something but overall good enough to want me to go back.
Date of review: October 10, 2010
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