Hastings Lions Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (739 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Matthew White 21
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Loved the Brass Band half way up the hill and the good people of Hastings amazing support that made this such an enjoyable event!
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Celt6776
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Cracking race
In full: Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday. Very well organised and a brilliant atmosphere. The locals that turned out really spurred you on with very vocal support. They were pretty much present along most of the route.
The course was very challening, not an easy one for PBs. I almost got mine, had I have got it on a course like that I'd have been elated! That will keep me coming back :-)
One minor criticism was the lack of bottled water at the stations being such a warm day. Maybe if they could get sponsorship from a company willing to provide bottles would be great.
Other than that couldn't fault it. Cracking race and would recommend to anybody.
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Handcock
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 2011,2012 and plan on returning in 2013
In full: Ran this for the first time in 2011, found the hills tougher than I expected. Returned in 2012 better prepared and knocked 11mins off my previous time. The crowds are supportive but agree that some of the "nearly at the top" comments could disappoint/hamper runners who've not seen the course before. All in all a well organised event, my wife and two young son's also enjoyed their day at the coast so we'll all be back next year!
If you're thinking about running a half marathon, definitely consider Hastings. Just be ready for the uphills and you'll enjoy your day.
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: keef55
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent Event but oh so tough
In full: This was a fabulous event but the course is very tough. I had done it before so I knew what to expect but I felt so sorry for newbies who would have been heartened by the "it's all downhill from here" shouts only to find they were untrue (why do people do that? It doesn't help).
The only improvement would be a proper baggage drop.
Missed my pb by 10 seconds (!) but in the final two miles I was so completely cooked by the sun and the preceding climbs that it was a miracle I even finished!
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Rob Naylor
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great course, wonderful crowd support as usual and good organisation.
In full: My first half marathon in nearly 3 years following radical surgery to Achilles and Peroneal tendons. I had meant to mark my return to half-running with my local Tun Wells half but was too ill to do it. In retrospect this was a much better race to re-start with. I've done it before and was awed then by the level of crowd support, which, as someone else said, rivals that of the big national events. Support was even better this time as the weather had brought more people onto the street.
It's a challenging course with a fair bit of uphill, mostly in the first 5 or 6 miles, but the town seems to breed liars after the 5 mile point who tell you at the top of each rise that this is "the last hill"! Don't trust them :-)
The bands, the orange segments, the jelly babies, the high-fiving, etc, all make the run go quickly...but then you're hit with that last 2.5 - 3 mile drag up the Esplanade as a real sting in the tail. It's virtually flat, but in the sun (as yesterday was) it's really energy-sapping and just goes on forever. And the best of the crowd support's now behind you. At least there wasn't the huge headwind that we had last time I did it.
Still, a fantastic race, without doubt the best half I've ever run, though not for me a good PB prospect. No goody bag but I'm not worried about things like that...I'll trade that for good organisation, a nice course and brilliant crowd support any day!
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Snookiebear
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Phenomenal crowd support
In full: Loved every step. It felt like all of Hastings was out there cheering and handing out food. Gorgeous weather, and a nice route, even with the hils. Bottled water would have benn appreciated, though - I do tend to drown a bit when it's in cups.
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Mr. Fink-Nottle
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The 'Hilly Hastings Half' strikes again!
In full: Another wonderful race put on by 'Lord Eric' Hardwick and the Hastings Lions Club! Excellent weather and no westerly winds to drive you back on the promenade. Thought the hairpin turn now situated at the top of Winchelsea Road/Rye Road was better than at Rock-A-Nore Road, as you spend less time on the flat which is quite draining after being amongst the hills for so long.
Wonderful organisation and horse brass memento as always. This is a 'must-do' race for me. Hope to be back every year for many more years to come. Top class race.
Date of review: March 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Cookie123
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it!
In full: Really friendly and well organised race. The hills are mainly in the first 5-6 miles but there are some short, sharp hills after that too up until 9 miles when it's all downhill or flat. The starting pens could have been better marked as they were tricky to spot from the seafront and perhaps this is the reason there were a lot of slower runners up front. Water stations every few miles which were very well run, and a cup of tea when you finish. The marshalls are great and the support from the locals is fantastic and make this a really special event.
Date of review: March 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Craig Birch 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not as bad as I thought it would
In full: A well organised race, with friendly runners. Best half I have run in recently
Date of review: March 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Kev the Hammer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race as usual. Well done Hastings.
In full: Thanks for fantastic support as ever from the locals. And the weather was nice to us as well!
Date of review: March 25, 2012
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