Congleton Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (136 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: cazmo78
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: EXCELLENT
In full: I did the Quarter Marathon and managed a PB which has made my day. Well done to the marshalls who stud out in the rain. Nice medals. Shame the Quarter Marathon doesn't get a T-Shirt.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: MaccPosh
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% |
In short: Scenic course, easy countryside running apart from hills at the start and the end
In full: Pleaseant scenic, and surpisingly fast, course. Work up the hill in the first 2 miles and enjoy the gradual downhill for the next 10.
Bit pricy if you enter on the day and so miss out on the t-shirt.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: *jen
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Really friendly, well organised race.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Helen Forster 2
| | 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: Friendly, welcoming, lovely scenery and excellent support
In full: This was my first ever event and I was more concerned about getting lost or missing the start than actually completing the course. However all the marshalls and registration volunteers were friendly and welcoming, despite the atrocious weather at the beginning. The roads were closed to traffic for the first half mile and were policed until we got to the country lanes. The scenery was picturesque and the "sting" wasn't too bad at all - quite steep but not very long - and very close to the finish. The course was well signposted and marshalls were on hand all along the route - it was impossible to get lost. The venue facilities were excellent - they had opened a large loo block in the school so that you didn't have to queue for the ladies, which makes a welcome change! My children enjoyed the fun-run too.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ydrib
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyed the ups and downs!
In full: Did the quarter for the first time today, thoroughly enjoyed it got there in plenty of time, easy parking, picked up my number with no-one in front of me (get there early). When lots of people turn up late there are bound to be problems, can’t lay that on the organisers.
Thought the organisation was excellent myself, nice medal, speedy results service, the school provided excellent facilities and all the volunteers were very cheerful and helpful.
Thought the 1st mile was a bit dodgy due to close proximity of traffic, but once on the country roads, loved every minute of it. Will be back next year; hoping to do the half then, well done to all involved.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: northenpat
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What rain... we were so lucky
In full: First time for me and one I would recommend. Shaved 10 secs off my PB. A comment earlier about the organisation, agree that if they has sent out the numbers it would have been better but appreciate rasing money for a charity but rather pay extra £1 to save you all the hassle. Agree no real signs to point you to car park or school but hey AA route work wonders !!
The hill at 12 was not as bad as I was expecting but thanks to lady in pink/white top in pushing me on.
Some of the marshall were quite but what do you expect on a damp and wet day - maybe you should try it.
Go on give it a go next year
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Daniel Bowman 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Suprisingly quick half marathon
In full: I only decided to run this race a couple of weeks ago, and didn't have much time to train. I'd only done one half marathon before (Leek) and there are some parts of that race which are vertical (ish) .
This one was suprisingly fast! The first hill in the middle of town is quite long and quite hard work toward the top but after that it's mostly flat.
The marshalls weren't very supportive, but they did their job (I actually noticed an American marshall, who certainly added a sense of occasion, I felt like I was in a film...about running through country lanes...cheered on by cows...there's one for the box office) and the course was marked very well (they even had signs for sponges, where on earth do you buy a sign that says sponges? there can't be much of a demand. Maybe I'll buy one and put it in my bathroom )
The "sting in the tail" which reveals itself like a bad guy in the final scene of a gritty action film at the 12 mile point, destroyed my legs. I managed to run up it (around 250 meters) but after that my legs felt like jelly. Thankfully after that it's just a short flat path to the finish.
Disappointed I couldn't buy a spare t-shirt afterwards but I did it in 1:48:33, which is almost 7 minutes better than my only only half marathon time so far.
There were a lot of puddles knocking about but it was raining so that explains that. I quite enjoyed splashing around in them anyway, as it cooled my feet.
Also, some of the houses on the course are really posh. I saw one Aston Martin and loads of Jags in people's drives, so this race would also appeal to people who like cars.
Good race. I'll be back next year!
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: gary wenn
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: a nice flatish course with a couple of cheeky hills slung in
In full: Despite the rain it was a good race. First time i have ever done this one and i expect i will be back next year. Organisation was fine and facilities in the school are better than your average race. Only complain is that last hill at about mile 12! It certainly is a sting in the tail and i went off to hard and had to walk 90% of it!! But i got encouragement from a couple of runners who came past me. Overall recommended as a nice friendly small half
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: malcolm fowler 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Enjoyable race, mainly on flat country roads, but with a couple of challenging hillss
In full: First ran in this race 19 years ago and have always enjoyed it. After the first couple of miles through Congleton the rest of the course is rural with very little traffic. Well marked course with plenty of marshals.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: FetchHomer
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race and well worth doing - the hills are not that bad
In full: There a a couple...true...but most of the course winds around nice country lanes. Do the race - you won't regret it.
Date of review: October 5, 2008
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