Grand Union Canal Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (173 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Ross Green 3
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Tougher than it seems, suicidal overtaking manoeuvres and plenty of leg draining bridges
In full: This was my first ever run and I enjoyed myself more than I thought I would. Am used to running this canal but in the other direction so was pleasantly surprised at how much nicer to look at this side was.
Horrible start line crush completely messed up the first km and tight towpath proved difficult to over take for the first few miles. Constant speeding up and levelling off really pushed all the cobwebs out and the very real threat of slipping in mud and going head first into the canal soon pushed any brave overtaking out the window.
Once it got going the mud was easier to avoid and it was obvious the lock bridges were taking their toll as I saw plenty of people crumble after the half way point!
The marshals were very friendly and encouraging but the odd cyclist/dog walker going in the opposite direction was quite annoying yet unavoidable on a public path with limited room.
The final push after the last bridge was horrendous in my opinion and totally took me by surprise sapping all the remaining energy from my legs.
Overall I was happy with my time of 1 hour 57 minutes which was at least 15 minutes faster than I expected so the potential for PBs is higher than you'd think.
Well done PurplePatch, excellent race, shame about the drizzle!
Date of review: November 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Yol123
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Tougher then you think but enjoyable
In full: There was definitely mud and a lot of short hills over locks and bridges.
The marshall at mile 11 who said no more hills to go lied big time because the drag at the end was certainly not flat!!
Although reasonably flat I think the terrain makes it hard work. Definitely a great race as the surroundings are always changing and nice to do a route that isn't laps.
The only critism I have is that my entire warm up consisted of queuing for the loo (and stretching) followed by queuing for baggage drop off (while changing).
Would also be nice to have some squash as well as water at the end as desperately needed sugar!
Date of review: November 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Blistering Barnacles
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Pretty route, quite fast and good fun
In full: Locks, bridges, narrowboats. Woodsmoke, swans, fishermen. Puddles, mist and mud.
A bottleneck start stretched into a pretty, uncrowded and narrow canal-side route. Slight up and down over bridges & locks made it a little harder. Testy little hill at the end.
Overall a very nice race.
Date of review: November 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Stephen Elson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not as muddy as some make out
In full: Judging from some of the previous reviews I was expecting conditions reminiscent of the Somme, but it really wasn't that bad. It had rained a bit in the days leading up to the race, so there were a few puddles and muddy sections, but this was no cross country shoe sucker.
In fact I'd say the relatively flat course (barring the half mile hill at the finish) is quite quick considering, and though it's not tarmac has reasonable PB potential. You just need to get ahead of the main group in the initial lap round the park to avoid getting hemmed in. I beat my previous time (and came 6th, to my surprise).
Slight confusion with the coaches, they were not at the car park as instructed but a mile down the road. There was an official somewhere letting people know, but he wasn't there when I was trying to figure it out. Otherwise, organisation was pretty good.
Marshalls along the route were very friendly and encouraging, so special thanks go to them.
Date of review: November 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Sarah Perkins 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Mud, Mud glorious Mud!!
In full: I have not been this muddy in a long time!!. Really enjoyed the relaxing race along the canal. The first few kilometres were rather crowded due to the mass of runners on the tow path and mud. this really messed up my average, but I would still do this run again as it was thoroughly enjoyable and scenic. Look forward to next year and hope it rains a lot less the days leading up to it!!.
Date of review: November 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Si Young
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: cold, wet and muddy, but still fun! short uphills through the locks added up over time, and muddy going sapped the thighs, but scenic run along the canal
Date of review: November 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: jeff prestridge 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Purple Patch organise events like no one else - an excellent race
In full: A super event along the wonderful Grand Union Canal. Tough, muddy with a naughty little slope to overcome at the end in Cassiobury Park. Purple Patch Running Club is a master at organising these off-road events. Criticism - a few more portaloos at the start would have been nice!
Date of review: November 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: miss slow
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, but very slippery & muddy, narrow in places.
In full: The start had a couple of bottlenecks but soon spread out, but the towpath is narrow & only single file in places. Due to recent weather a few stages were extremely swampy, muddy and slippery which made it a tad difficult. Well organised & nice finish & medal.
Date of review: November 14, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: nessywood
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great for beginners, nice route & great marshalling, be back next year!
Date of review: November 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Bradley Say
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Marshalling, mile markers and water stations were excellent; lavatory facilities prior to start and baggage handling very poor; hwoever, the positives outweighed the negatives and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Date of review: November 11, 2009
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