EDF Energy Birmingham Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (191 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Hills of Death (HOD)
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Chaos at the start and the finish
In full: Race was marred by free for all doesn't matter about your colour pen your in just stand where you like. After the start there was a queue to get running and at the end a queue to get over the line. Never seen that before in my life
Date of review: October 27, 2010
|
|
2010 race reviewed by: Paul Butler 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic day, wether great, organisation great, don't know what everyone else was moaning about
In full: This was a special day for me as it was my 50th birthday, and the race lived up to my expectations so I would like to thank all of the organisers for a great event and roll on 2011!
Date of review: October 27, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Diane Hillier
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% |
In short: Very very poorly organised race
In full: Having completed last years half marathon, this year did not compare in any way. Myself and fellow runners had to jump over the fences just to get to the start line as the gun had gone off and 10 minutes later we were still pushing through the crowds to get on to the road. The finish was an absolute shambles - I have never completed a race where I had to queue to finish. The bottle necks at 6 miles into the race was a joke as runners were not allowed to spread out - when they did try to spread out on to the pavement the marshalls were shouting at them to get back on to the road. Considering my entrance fee is the same as Virgin London marathon I think Birmingham really need to pull their socks up if they want next year to be a success! Overall - extremely disappointed!
Date of review: October 27, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Roberto
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Dissapointed Brummie
In full: I am a very proud Brummie (that's someone from Birmingham) and I love the fact that we have a well supported half marathon in the city. Last year it was the World Half Marathon event and as you'd expect the organisation was great, but this year it was a joke!
There is an expectation at the start for it to be a little conjested and slow at first, but having people queue to the finish line is really unforgivable. How hard can it be to let everone through the finish line with a gap of around 200 yards before you start handing out foil capes or clipping off timing chips.
There were runners sprinting down Broad Street for a personal best only to find a 4-6 minute wait to cross the line!
There were other minor problems too. The drinks stations were not sign-posted well enough. Going out and back via the Pershore Road is far too conjested for a 15,000+ runners half marathon.
So Birmingham...England's second city, buck your ideas up and next year lets have a half marathon to be proud of.
Date of review: October 27, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Alan Ward 7
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A good PB was not on the cards for this half marathon.
In full: Many people waited patiently to cross the finish line, with my wait at nearly half an hour. There were numerous times when it was difficult to pass five abreast groups during the race, and to pass runners who obviously started in the wrong section. It seems that the organisers were intent on the start and finish being at Centenary Square, which may have overridden the main objective. Which is, this is a half marathon, the focus on the race route and organisation should be the main aim.
Date of review: October 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: rayy13
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 3rd Brum race and the worst by far!
In full: Not a lot to add to the other comments except to say that they really tried last year for the World Half, but this year the organisation seemed so half hearted. The sheer numbers of people crammed together at the bottleneck at the start was potentially very dangerous. Also waiting at least 5 minutes to cross 5 metres to get over the finish line was ridiculous. The whole course and organisation of the event needs a serious rethink. On a positive note the crowd support was great around the city centre and there was a good atmosphere. Come on Birmingham, put a bit more time and effort into it to make it a good event for 2011.
Date of review: October 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Minnie Mad
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Bad organisation marred what was otherwise a great race in a great city.
In full: No point in banging on about what others have already said about the poor management of the race but it was disappointing that both the start and finish were so badly organised and planned.
The course itself was fine except on the Pershore Road where many runners were running on the left hand side even after the elite and the wheelchairs started to come the other way. The road closures were properly supervised by police, but there were very few other marshalls visible on either the course or at water stations. Also no signage for water stations.
The crowds were great though and I still enjoyed myself but have very little incentive to come back!
Date of review: October 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Neil Peddie
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: I would not be possible to comment with out using foul language
In full: This has to be the worst race of my life, the start had not a single marshal - no gate entrances - no control at all.
Crossed the start line that is the width of the main road than then goes to half the width - utter madness!!!
The race itself was ok - nothing to right home about - what was a shock was no in race time mats so no chance of being able show the pb time during the race.
Now for the finish - I hit the back of the pack at 2:08 and got a final finishing time from the event of 2:20 - totally ridiculous.
After talking to the race people today they say they think a few MINOR problems could of happened but no refunds of change of official times will be permitted.
Never ever again!!!
Date of review: October 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: B'ham Snail
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What can I say, never again
In full: I have never ran a race so bad and we will not be back again. Sorry.
Date of review: October 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Nathan Smith 9
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The start was an absolute joke!
Date of review: October 26, 2010
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
