Sussex Beacon Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (483 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: phil grabsky
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: could be better but still good fun
In full: I agree with many of the criticisms but it was still a lot of fun. One thing though: I saw every mile post except 12 - they were big and blue: how did you all miss them? Maybe avoiding the benches, lucozade bottles, cars and lampposts I suppose. One other thing: the youth races were really poorly done and need a complete rethink - and the times are still not available.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Southdownsman
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It's my local race, so I'll keep doing it, but this year was the worst ever - not only because of the weather!
In full: Hats off to the spectators and marshalls who braved terrible weather. However I hated the congestion during the first few miles and all the zigzags later on.
The combination of Brighton's atmosphere and 6,000 runners should make for a great event.
However there needs to be a better course with less hazards en route, as well as, of course, mile markers and a finish clock etc.
To end on a positive note, I liked the technical T-shirt and the fact I was allowed to pay for it later!
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: James Williamson 2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good course but an organisational shambles
In full: The icy cold rain certainly didn't help matters but I think this was the worst organised race I've ever taken part in.
The baggage area was extremely poorly organised. I was caught in a long queue waiting to dump my bag with minutes to go before the race started - and at the end of the race when I returned to collect my belongings the bags were unattended with confused runners climbing over disorganised mountains of bags attempting to locate their stuff. They seemed to be a total lack of volunteers about, and it wouldn't surprise me if some people had things stolen.
As others have noted, the absence of clearly-visible mile markers was also annoying – it’s a simple thing to get right.
The over-crowding and failure to set runners off according to ability, combined with a narrow course (especially around the early stages) meant that large parts of this race were spent hemmed in behind slower groups, or stuck in slow-moving bottle-necks. This negatively impacting what was a potentially fast course.
Finally the failure to close the road in the centre of town (from aquarium out towards marina) meant that runners shared the road with a tailback of cars and their bemused occupants. A potentially dangerous combination.
I don't know if the rain meant that some volunteers decided to stay at home, but overall I’m afraid I was disappointed with this run.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Stephen Taylor 11
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good race that has great potential to be better...
In full: The weather (rained solid from start to finish with a vicious SSW wind coming off the ocean) did its best to make this event a nightmare, but some conserted effort by most of the marshalls and the police ensured the race ran as smoothly as possible.
Lead up: good information and bib number and chip arrived in good time, without the anxiety of having to turn up and collect a replacement. Royal Mail's best endeavours to stuff everyone clearly failed on this task.
Line up: Couldn't see the finish time markers until I found that I was boxed in and unable to move back in the field, standing in an area which was 15 minutes faster than my expected time. Good for pushing me along at the start, but made me feel a little bit of an obstruction when running through The Lanes and trying to ease into a rhythym. I despise those who try and start way in front of their ETF so not good for early part of psych. Just put the markers up on poles/broom handles next time.
Course: The Lanes are very interesting and fast, but I would put that section in the middle on the return leg from Hove, rather than at the start. After the field has spread out a bit and there is not so much overtaking is much more conducive to narrow streets with sharp turns and some cobblestones. Otherwise the long stretches along the seafront were excellent (even though I had to really lean into the wind and rain on the way down to Hove - hadn't even seen the Brighton change huts until noticed that they were blocking the wind on the return leg, but that's my fault).
If the problems with the cliff behind the Marina are going to be a constant problem (it is run in February which is always a wet month), then it would be best to extend the course along Hove rather than the double zig-zag. Running past the finish line so many times in a race is difficult.
Finish: Yes, funnel people into a finish line, but after that line, open it up! I finished with about 30m of open ground before throwing out the anchor and then having to shuffle along to get my chip off. Also, no matter what the conditions, blankets are a necessity after any half marathon. The lack of people handing out opened blankets was dire. After that event I think most runners would have struggled with dexterity to manipulate the packaging.
Studio57 did an excellent job on post run massage. Good way to get out the elements too.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: On The Rails
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The basics were missing!!!!!
In full: What do most runners want when they entry and take part in a run???
A) Ability to run at their own pace and safely.
B) Mileage markers visable to monitor progress.
c) To finish the race without having to wait 3/5 minutes before crossing the finish line then another 10 minutes to stretch etc.
d) Parking and bag support.
e) Drink stations with plenty of notice and drinks available.
Sorry Brighton but this was the worst organised race out of the 70 or so races that I have taken part in and this has nothing to do with the terrible weather. Why were not more roads closed to accommodate the field?
Why was their no parking on offer at the Marina, or at least a better offer than paying £12.60 in the towns NCP car parks - was this just another money making exercise?
Most of the way around the course it was a case of watching other runs as we were bunched up with little room to manouvre.
I actual do not know my time. I finished the was in 2 hours and 6 minutes according to the clock (not chip) but waited for ages to actual cross the finish line. It won't be a PB but it is nice to know your race time.
Organisers - Next time don't both with the chip timings if it helps runners finish the race without waiting (Im normally all for ship timing).
Hats off to the Marshalls for braving the cold and wet. Pity the marshalls did not have more support / fellow helpers.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Cara_26.2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Let down by organisation
In full: Toilets I didn't think were too bad - yes I queued, but the queue moved ok and it was no worse that other races i've been to.
Mile markers - I didn't see them all, but happy to admit I may have just missed them...
Goodie bag - I could have done with a 'bag' to put things in, but generally wont complain - last year we had a shirt / bag and people complained then too - you'll never please everyone!
I didn't even mind the course in general, and smashed my PB by 18 minutes... The main problems I found were:
1. I didn't see / couldn't find any markers on where to line up, so just guessed. I think I was too far back as I tend to be over cautious! Meant I spent the first few miles trying to get past people!
2. Crowding on the lanes section - I lost maybe a minute or so when the crowd was just too busy for the space and there was no way through
3. Random obstacles - there were all sorts of unmarked things at a good tripping height that I somehow managed to avoid! This was bad for the first 3 or so miles, after that the marshals did better at warning of them
4. Running in traffic at the sea life centre... no idea what happened here as I thought the race was traffic free, but I found myself running between a queue of cars going towards the centre and fully up to speed cars going the other way... not good! managed to get back through and only the pavement before any damage done!
5. Finish line... I was lucky to be through the line before the queue started, but then there was nowhere to go... must get runners to go further before getting chips off! I would have been devastated if i'd had to queue to finish
I have to say i'm a little worried about the full marathon in April now, but hopefully organisers will learn from this experience!
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Miw Miw
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poorly organised, overcrowded, but great support and i'd do it again
In full: Despite the following comments and the dreadful weather I did actually enjoy the race!
I don't like to moan, but ....... The start was over crowded and I didn't see any markers for starting positions for different running abilities. And i'm glad I didn't need the toilet after seeing the queues!
The first couple of miles through the town were very busy making it difficult to pick up a good pace. And it didn't help that there was pedestrians with pushchairs walking amongst us!
I only saw 1 mile marker it would have been helpful if these were more visible. I'm glad i didn't have a bag with me as the baggage collection looked horrendous!
The chip collection at the end of the race needed to be further back in order for people to get across the finish line without waiting.
But considering the appalling weather there was a lot of support from the locals.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Robert Heppell 2
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: A total lack of common sense!
In full: The race started off badly, rapidly got worse and turned into a nightmare....
A clear lack of common sense, to make the starting line up so short and fat only asked for trouble, 6k people through the small lanes of Brighton!?! Why not make the starting line long and thin and have clearly marked finishing time zones so people are in the right place and not having to constantly battle to overtake. If you get this detail right the rest falls into place surely.
Marshalls sitting in cars to get out the rain, instead of doing their job, people running in the middle of the road (cars going either side of them) just to get of the chaos!
Finish line that you couldn't get over, people having to stop running instantly and no room to walk to let body slow down (nothing short of dangerous)!
One small plus, Enough lucozade to sink a battle ship but even then people just drop them straight down instead of throwing them to the side so you have to run over 20-30metres of half full bottles and not try and break your ankle. Nice!
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Simon JT Smith
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: This race seems to be too big for itself!!!
In full: My first time at this event but I had heard good things about it so was very disappointed on the day!
The pre-race organisation was good - decent website, race number turned up in plenty of time and regular e-mail/text updates.
However, on the day it all fell apart! I know the organisers can't do anything about the weather but I suspect that has something to do with people just lining up to start anywhere - no-one wanted to hang about too long in the wind and rain, but it would have been useful to have some clear predicted racetime signs.
I personally didn't find the start too conjested but can see why others did. I felt the problem came when we were all herded onto the pavement at the Sealife Centre which was crowded with spectators.
Overall the course was very pleasent and I was surprised how many people turned out to watch on such a horrible day - they were most welcome.
The finish area was chaotic, only found the woman handing out medals by accident!! The medal itself was poor compared to other similar events and I couldn't really believe that was all we got! A t-shirt and goodie bag should be included for the price.
I don't think I would do this again as there are far better events closer to home.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: steve nicholls 2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Too many runners
In full: This has been one of the first races in my calendar for the past few years, I will wait until I see the response from the organisers before deciding whether or not to do this in 2011.
Thankfully missed a lot of the issues mentioned by other people here but am very sympathetic. Toilets and mile markers have long been a problem for this race and were not helped by an additional 1500 runners.
Cancelling the marina parking at the last minute and the queue to finish the race is not on.
Support was AMAZING though - thanks to everyone stood in the rain cheering.
Got a pb too!
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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