St Albans Review Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (414 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Kimberley Smith
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very challenging due to the heat and the hills,
In full: Not a race to be underprepared for, as a result of personal experience!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: TheClaw
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: 13 mile struggle !
In full: Combination of the heat and hills was a bit of a shock to the system and I ended up walking some bits.
Ended up parking in Waitrose (luckily no ticket) as the marshals didn't seem to know where to send me.
Once at the course - completely different. Very professional set up - excellent PA system and announcer did a great job. Loads of enthusiastic marshals, and numerous water stops well supported.
And the ice lolly at the end was a godsend !
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: pc plum
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hot and hard.
In full: A very well organised half marathon. Two weeks ago i did the Edinburgh Marathon and that was a shambles, but this was excellent. Plenty of water stations, really friendly and encouraging marshalls, ice lolly at the end, good website and a nice mixture of scenery. Very similar to Watford.
The heat and marathon 2 weeks ago meant that i was miles away from my pb, but it was still fun. Good atmosphere at the end as well.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: A.C
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: hot undulating and a great event for the family
In full: They really have made this into a great family running event with a 1.5m fun run 5k etc which adds massively to the atmosphere.
The organisers have upped their game massively from previous years and taken on board the feedback from last yer with loads of water stops and good funnelling at the end.
Looking forward to next year already!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Stuartrcmc
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fun race, tough course, hot!
In full: Overall this was a good race to run. A surprisingly tough course with plenty of hills and undulations. Lots of marshalls and water stations which was a great help on a warm day! Could have done with more toilets at the start. One nice touch at the end were the ice lollies they were giving out at the finish. Very refreshing!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: eggyrocks
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent organisation for a tough course
In full: I've been injured / unfit most of this year for but a race starting 400m's from my house I had no excuse - even fit, this would be a tough course where a PB would be some achievement, added to the weather made that near on impossible for all but the ever-improving.
Organisation the best I've encountered for a long time - numbers of waters stops (must have been 8-10) in a half marathon should be commended and baring the little section at the start where you go by the Childrens play area in the park the start is fine.
One improvement I would say is to narrow down the starting pens 1.30-2.00 hrs is a lot of difference!
Can't comment on the parking other than to say stop parking outside my house!!!
Will be back next year hopefully fit.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: sarahbob
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Gets better each time I run it
In full: Haven't run this race since 2006 and in the intervening 3 years great improvements have been made with the course and organisation. Love the current route - much much better than the old slog along the Redbourn Road, and the country lanes made for some welcome shade. Plenty of well-organised water stations and friendly maarshals, and a lovely finish in the park.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Emma Clayton 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First half - hot and hilly - loved it :-)
In full: For a fen dweller - undulating was not the word I'd use, I found the hills quite a challenge, the downhill run in was nice.
Race was really well organised, loads of water, had no problems parking at 0910. Marhsalls really friendly, cheering everyone on, good support from locals setting up water stations and sprinkler thing was great.
Well done St Albans and thanks for making my first half so enjoyable.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: George Stewart
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Paul Glynn 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice course through country lanes, although the hills killed me!
In full: Overall a good, but tough race. The heat was a killer and I needed to have done more hill training! The organisation was generally good, loads of water on route and helpful, friendly marshalls. My only complaints were the start was a little chaotic, so we got stuck behing the 2:30+ group and there certainly weren't enough toilets! We'll do it again next year, if only to conquer the numerous hills!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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