'Down Tow Up Flow' Thames Towpath Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (167 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: runlozrun
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Scenic race by the river
In full: As with all Purple Patch events very well organised and marshalled. It was a very hot day but the race along the tow paths was very scenic. The first few miles are a bit slow going with a combination of bunched up runners and all the gates but having 2 waves certainly helps and the course soon thins out. The only problems I could see were large queues for the baggage area and toilets at the start. Apart from improvements in this area the rest can be left alone. Great race and will definately be returning next year to do the course in reverse.
Date of review: July 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: N Le-Faye
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Gets better every year
In full: 5th time that I have done it and the race gets better every year, despite what seemed a further increase in numbers the whole thing ran very smoothly. The two-wave start did seem to work well. The course is very scenic and makes a very interesting run, the marshalling is just spot on and the new finish in the field rather than next to the leisure centre is a great improvement. Only suggestion would be a couple more toilets at the start to cope with the increased numbers but that is a minor point. Looking forward to 2012 already
Date of review: July 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Wool
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely route, good organization, thanks
In full: Well organized: buses good, plenty of drinks stations, only one dodgy mashall (@ M'head bridge, just tell us where to go!). BUT...what was with the baggage? Just leave some labels hanging around and let us throw the bags in a van....
Nice work, enjoyed it.
Date of review: July 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Bearseagle
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely scenery & generally well organised but queues for toilets/baggage too long
In full: First time at this race and travelled some distance to get there. Lovely scenery and excellent supportive marshalls. Coach from Marlow & baggage back to finish worked well. Definitely needs more toilets as queues were probably the longest that I have seen at a race. Also queue for baggage store was long but everyone seemed to get to the start line more or less on time. However, these are minor quibbles and overall enjoyed the race.
Date of review: July 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tanya Smith 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, beautiful weather and amazing scenery. Could have done with some more toilets - only 10! Marshalls v encouraging and nice run along the river - although not a lot of support en route, very quiet from locals and supporters.
Date of review: July 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: JohnFol
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Another fabulous river side race by Purple Patch
In full: Marshals as always with Purple Patch are fantastic. The route follows along the Thames from South Bucks to Berkshire and finishes a stones throw from Eton college. Fantastic support around the whole course, with key stages (like road crossings) well handled by the PP team.
Course has a few pinch points early on, but a flat route on firm ground means a PB is possible.
Heat was a problem this year (24 degrees) so the extra water station(s) were most welcome!
Can't wait for next year
Date of review: July 24, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Janie Lee
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely scenery, but feels harder work running "up hill"
Date of review: August 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: sallykate
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Forget about your time and enjoy the scenery
In full: This was the first time I'd run this race, and the first time I've run any distance off-road. Arriving at Windsor station we soon found signs to the race start. Only 6 loos but somehow we all managed -- just a couple more would make a difference though. It felt like a good friendly mix of runners, not too clubby. We soon spread out along the towpath. The scenery is lovely, especially running on shady paths along the Thames. Nearer to Marlow, running on unfamiliar grass under a hot hot sun, it was harder going.
Organisation was OK but not great. There was no map of the course included in the pack and no indication of where there would be water stations. A snack of some kind afterwards would have been welcome, even if it's just a banana. The marhalls though were unfailingly encouraging and enthusiastic.
I will be back next year though -- it's a lovely scenic race that I can get to on the train from London and there aren't many of those.
Date of review: July 30, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Psimon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely course and well organised
In full: This is a well organised and very picturesque run. Although a flat course this is not really a PB course. With numerous gates, changing terrain, and the general public, do not expect to run as fast as you would on a road HM. This should not, however, detract this being an excellent summer race.
Date of review: July 30, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Richard Chandler 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Will be entering for 2011 as soon as I can. Enough said?!
Date of review: July 28, 2010
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