Mizuno Reading Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (129 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: grandadnohair
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A brilliant race as always.
In full: Reading has become a staple in my calendar. I certainly don't do it for the scenary which is dull, dull, dull, but the brilliant organisation, the support, the drummers under the underpass, and the finish in the Madejski stadium all help to make it one fantastic race and a favourite in my running year.
My only complaint was the Mizuno shirt this year, which I returned. In my view it was nowhere near the quality and fit of the great Adidas shirts of previous years. I've never bought a Mizuno shirt and am certain that I now never will!
Date of review: May 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: andrea platt
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Loved every minute, set my PB and will do this race again in 2013
Date of review: May 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tracey Watson 6
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great fun and well organised
In full: A much better race than expected. First time I had run it but used it as a warm up to Brighton, Milton Keynes and 3 Forts marathons. Great atmosphere and beginner friendly. although the start needed better organisation. Loved the stadium finish. Will be running this again as a spring half - far more interesting than Silverstone HM.
Date of review: May 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Roni McGowan 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first half - and loved every minute
In full: Having not run a half before, I was unsure what to expect but this run exceeded my expectations. The crowd support is magnificent and really kept me going; other runners were freindly (at least at the speed I was running) and the finish wss amazing. I will definitely aim to do this again next year.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: keith hardwell
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First time iv run this race. Great organisation, parking, marshalls etc. However, was upset wuth the long course and was shocked after emailing the organiseres, with a response of 13.3 is the half marathon distance!!! Hopefully
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Chalgrove Chubster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race - my favourite half marathon
In full: Great atmosphere and excellent organisation makes this a memorable race, and one that is well worth doing. Despite two or three upward slopes the course is extremely fast - so much so that I knocked over 3 minutes off my PB which was set in Feb 2012 at the pancake flat Race Your Pace HM. Obviously I'm very happy!
I would agree that 13,000 runners is now probably the limit so as to prevent the course getting too crowded. The colour coded timing pens seemed to work pretty well, though I admit that it does get frustrating when you find yourself stuck behind someone who is walking / going slowly after half a mile.
The goody bag was full of treats, the medal good and the finish at the Madejski added a real incentive to run all out for the final few yard. Logistically I know it would be hard to do, but it would be great to run the entire circuit of the pitch and not just a quarter of it.
I have no complaints with the Garmin distance issue that others have mentioned. Yes, mine came out at 13.30 miles - however, they are rarely 100% accurate (and never claim to be) so a degree of error is to be expected. Also, with such a large number of runners and twists and turns on the course it is doubtful that anyone other than the fast guys at the front was able to run the racing line. I have 100% confidence that the course is accurately measured to UKA's satisfaction, and if its good enough for them then its good enough for me.
Date of review: April 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: walnut169
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast course, amazing finish
In full: Didnt realise how big an event this was, the atmosphere along the course is unbelievable, really spurs you on
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Johnny again
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Once again, an excellent event, on a fast course.
In full: This is definitely an expensive race, but I've run it several times, and it is my pb route, so I just keep coming back for more. Like many people, my garmin read long, but given the width of the course and zig zagging, this was well within the confidence limits for the garmin. I am confident that the course measurement is accurate, and I got my best time in a decade.
I was pleased that the colour coding worked better than in the past, certainly in the red pen, where I started. Having had a disrupted preparation I started towards the back of the pen. I'm glad I didn't tag on to a pace runner, I wasn't impressed with their strategy. By running an even effort, I gradually passed The 1:45, 1:40 and 1:35 runner and was not far off the 1:30 runner. They all went off fast, then slowed.
Its a great race for beginners too - my son's first race of any description and he ran a negative split by keeping steady until the dual carriageway then picking up, finishing in under 2 hours. I personally do not like the stadium finish - the "roar" does not make up for the awful running surface.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Paul Evans 8
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My favourite Half ever
In full: The Reading Half Marathon is one of the best if not the best half in the country. The organsation is impeccible. The goody bags full of all kind of treats. The course is fast I ran a PB last time I did it and the stadium finish is great also.
Date of review: April 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: runlozrun
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Qucker course than I expected
In full: Wasn't sure about parking near the start so opted to park in the centre and get a courtesy bus. Found the bus service to be superb both there and back. Did have to park at the station for over £7 when I knew there was a car park close by for £4 but just couldn't find the car park :-( Better car park sign posts would be beneficial.
Nice to see Sally Gunnell starting the race and once we were under way there was great support pretty much all way round. Liked the landlord giving out beers at about mile 7 although not many takers unsurprisingly.
Super finish at Madjeski stadium which made you feel like an olympian for just a few moments. I didn't run a PB but I did run much quicker than I expected so course quicker than I thought.
Not the cheapest but would definately recommend this one especially now I have no worries about the traffic/parking.
Date of review: April 9, 2012
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