Asics Watford Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (878 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Mango pie
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Extremely hilly but well worth it
In full: The first race of the year and there were more hills than I anticipated, although saying that 'what goes up must come down'. Normally I am only fit enough to do a 5 mile race at this time of year so am happy with the result that I achieved. Marshalls were great and very enthusiastic and the people giving out the water were very good too. On a personal point may be would have appreciated another water station and would just like to thank everyone for making an effort as it seemed extremely organised and friendly, so THANKYOU.
Date of review: February 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ruislip^Guy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hilly race but nice downhills
In full: Greatrace. Was my first Watford half and managed to get my pb down by to 1'37. Only thing that could do with tidying up is the baggage organisation. Also i'm sure people would be happy to pay an extra couple of quid for a medal. Those Hills definately deserve a medal!! What goes up must go down so I think you more than make up for the hills on the downhill! Especially if you have a nice tailwind!!
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ian Fitch
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good organisation, medal would be nice or a technical top
In full: Very well organised. Tent in the park an improvement. Medal would be nice. Similar tee shirt every year which is pretty basic. One more water station maybe.
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Helen Cartlidge
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: scenic rural route with a few mean hills to make it interesting.
In full: my 2nd attempt at watford and the hills were meaner than I remembered but some good downhills esp in 2nd half. I liked the marquee to hang around before the race and v impressed with toilets!
the goody bag was a bit big for the lack of contents but appreciated the kitkat and gatorade at the end.
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: emg
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Lovely marshalls but gotta say killer hills!!! Also very little support so more treated this as a training run for the london marathon. Nonetheless well done to organisers!
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Robert Russell 5
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Very clubby and competitive; good organisation, bring your own support!
In full: Positives: Good scenery, competitive, virtually car free, good supply of lavatories, good organisation, good marshalling, warm tent for bag collection
Negatives: Aggressively competitive, little atmosphere and very little support for independents
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Carlo Metcalfe 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: home area race and always a smile at the end of the park...
In full: AS everyone is pointing out, challenging race..great for marathon build up as most races will not test you for the hills like this one...disagree with a few comments about pb potential..generally a flat course will win over a undulating one..anyhow slight improvement on 2009 watford(11 secs)will take this as step up to longer training for spring watford..good to be back 'home' watford!!
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: mike taylor 19
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hilly, but still a great course for a PB
In full: First time, but definetly not my last. Lots of short sharp up hill stretches. But also lots of fast down hill stretches. Most of the second half was down hill. Dont know what went wrong as i did the first half faster than the second. Definetly PB potential. Great race, well done to every one involved in the orginisation.
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Paul McGrath 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good first race .. will be back next year
In full: This was my first Half Marathon and boy do I ache. lovely marshals. One of them gave me a jelly bean at about 8 miles in. I normally hate jelly beans but this one tasted fantastic. I will definately be back next year. Berkhampstead half marathon next month here I come.
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Andy Stevens 3
| | 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: Fourth time of running this one and will return again and again
In full: Yeah I really like this race. Travel over 100 miles to get there but the course is a good mix of up and down. Hills deserve respect but this is still a fast course as there is plenty of downhill. Marshalls were great and very supportive and I too prefer the marquees in the park rather than using the building on the corner. I'll be back.
Date of review: February 6, 2011
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