Grand Union Canal Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (173 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Andrew R
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great point to point race. Wet weather made going much harder than previous runs. Baggage was a shambles.
In full: Its a good race and the point to point format makes it something special. Wet underfoot made this much harder than I remembered. The debacle at the baggage collection took the shine off the event. Purple & Handy Moves are usually ultra slick. This time it took me 25 minutes to get my rucksack by which time I was freezing cold and very damp.
Date of review: November 18, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Penny Harrison 2
| | 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: Fantasic run - want to sign up for next year!!!
Date of review: November 18, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: bobster1666
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: not PB potential - muddy, too few toilets
Date of review: November 18, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: mark greenwood 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great mix of runners, good atmos, enjoyable route
In full: Second year I've done this run and the story is the same - every kind of runner from the whippets up front to the totally whipped at the back. Good atmosphere, all the runners, marshalls and organisers were positive and supportive.
The route is lovely, lots of boats, trees and ducks, which I find infinitely preferable to suburban streets. Underfoot is just what you expect on the towpath in November, so don't do it if you don't like your trainers getting muddy. I like the route because it's mostly pancake flat, with 6 or 8 short steep rises around the locks. The best bit of advice I read this year was to keep a bit in reserve for the long incline up from the canal through Cassiobury Park to the finish.
The organisers did a fine job, though calls last year for more toilets weren't heeded this year. Handy Moves once again demonstrated their idiosyncratic approach to baggage handling - maybe they need a bit of hands on management from Purple Patch.
My one 'runners, they're never satisfied' comment is that some of the water stations were positioned just above the locks. This meant picking up water whilst gasping from the short steep rise and then spending precious seconds choking.
Thanks to everyone who put the event on, looking forward to next year.
Date of review: November 18, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Louise Couch
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A really enjoyable race on a beautiful course
In full: As others have aluded to the only problem was the overcrowding at the start which really slowed the first mile.
Date of review: November 18, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Emily Antcliffe
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A beautiful and relaxing riverside run
In full: This is one of my favorite races. 3rd year in - I definately prefer the Uxbridge - Watford route - get the worst of the mud out of the way early! Great organisation (could do with a few more toilets....)and a really friendly crowd. Being able to buy a hot chocolate at the end really helped :-) I'll be back (baby permitting)!!
Date of review: November 18, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Walshie
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Excellent Race
In full: Dread to think what it would have been like had Saturday not been a fine day.
Excellent organisation, atmosphere, marshalling and unique course. Nice medal and a good challenge in the conditions.
Only negatives are lack of support and the baggage was a bit of a shambles at the end.
Date of review: November 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Katrina Blunt
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First half marathon, muddy, narrow and killer uphill at locks and end but overall great
Date of review: November 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Wakey31
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very scenic, flat course along canal tow path
In full: Good organisation from Purple Patch - lots of information before hand and on the day it all went smoothly. Friendly and helpful marshalls, scenic route, and definite PB potential all made for a great race.
Date of review: November 16, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Tony Reeve
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Off road, point to point, flat, but care needed on the canal path
In full: As this is a flat run there is plenty of personal best potential, but limited space on the canal tow-path means that you have to choose your overtaking points.
The organisers put on coaches to take you from the finish line to the start line - which is a really nice touch and at £5 - a good price.
My only complaint - there were no jelly babies
Date of review: November 15, 2010
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