'Down Tow Up Flow' Thames Towpath Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (167 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Shellbo
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Stunning scenery, great atmosphere, flat course with excellent organisation
In full: A thoroughly enjoyable race. The scenery along the whole route was very pretty and was helpful in distracting me from the pain. Despite being basically flat, the course isn't PB material really (unless it's your 1st Half). The majority of the towpath is either compacted gravel or grass which after 10 miles left me wilting for the last 3 miles. So, just go out enjoy the scenery and treat it as an enjoyable training run. It's approximately 10-15 mins slower than running it on road. The Marlow to Windsor route (next year) is also quicker (based on historical results)
Pros: Scenery, marshalling, atmosphere, flat course, good medal.
Cons: None really.
Date of review: July 28, 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 | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: love this race - purple patch are the best
In full: This is one of my favourite races. It's a beautidul off road course meticulously organised by the brilliant Purple Patch Runners. Although no hills, it's a testing course which catches you out if you're not careful. Everyone should do this race.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Keith Frayn
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good organisation, friendly event, interesting route. Excellent event.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Eugene Nyunt.
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Definitely not a turkey of a race ! Could be "bovered" !
In full: I'm still glowing after I got up early for this event rather than plod read a red-top in front of the idiot box like a large mass. And not thumbing a child's games console either we were rewarded by some sumptuous vistas. That's honest and legitimate !
Passing wasn't exactly straightforward but there were instances when this was feasible - uniquely along the more canopied stretches which were some of the most lush, ie. not prissy and trapped like some wilting annual in a clay pot.
Although spongiforms weren't provided to wipe away filth there was ample H2O, mainly held in cups but at the final station provided in recyclable plastic bottles.
I managed to track lazy Betty Bovine (and friends) together with noxious fumes and cowpats, but escaped towards the royal-blue finishing arch and into fresh clean air.
Although we all must have seen several domestic pets (specifically canines) these were all pretty much well-behaved. Thankfully I didn't identify another snouty-nosed blonde bitch chasing after her own tail; that would have had me in stitches and spoiled my race forever.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Julia Fabricius
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very enjoyable experience for an aged half marathon debutante!
In full: This was my first half marathon, aged 60. I would recommend it to any beginner. It was a most beautiful course and there was a very friendly atmosphere. The organisation was superb, with the car parking, buses, water stations, clear directions and mile markings and above all the marshalls were wonderfully friendly, helpful and encouraging.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jamie Parkins
| | 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: Varied scenic course, with fantastic marshalling, and PB potential
In full: Other reviewers have written about inadequate loo facilities at the beginning, but this is nearly always the case. Indeed the start was held back for 5 minutes to ensure all the loo queuers were able to join the start - one of the organisational benefits of having a 500-strong field, rather than thousands.
Plenty of variety on this scenic course along the Thames. I wouldn't have thought it would be an obvious PB candidate but a couple of us smashed our's by a few minutes running close to 01:30.
Mashalling was fantastic, very friendly. I'd recommend the race to others, and a lovely area to spend the rest of the day - we went onto the Cartier International Polo at Windsor Park which is usually held on the same day.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Lucy Heys
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: flat, narrow, pretty, friendly, damn hot for last 3 miles!!
In full: Friendly feel at start with quite a long queue for the loos (could do with more both ends). Lovely scenery but got conjested in places. Really friendly marshalls. Will definately do next year.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: kate custis 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Poor organisation compared to other races.. where were the advertised toilets and showers at the end? I was boiling at the end and given that the organisers were saying over the PA the runners had been collapsing thought the refusal of more than 1 bottle of water was criminal! No food at end and snack van had no change!
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: si_brim
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Extremely well organised race, all the marshalls did a great job in the heat. Great route along the Thames, would definately do this again.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Juddy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Scenic but challenging multi-terrain course, well organised.
In full: A lovely course which was more challenging than I was expecting, the various surfaces underfoot and the narrow tracks made it difficult to get into any kind of rhythm. Purple Patch had organised this very well (parking, bus, baggage drop all went v. smooth) and they and the marshalls deserve a big thank you. The heat during the second half made the last few miles difficult and scuppered any chance of a PB.
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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