Royal Parks Foundation Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (203 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Malcolm Silburn
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great runners race - even at the slower end like me
In full: For me better than the Great North Run in every respect apart from the bonkers Geordie support. Logistically simpler, scenery infinitely better, much simpler for supporters and quite a quick course too.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Sarah Carroll
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fabulous race, like London marathon atmosphere.
In full: My return to running after a 2.5 year lay-off and what a race to do it in. Excellent organisation, perfect setting, lovely weather and great atmosphere all helped me to get my nerve back and confidence up. I would recommend it to anyone.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: GRS
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent race, only a few minor issues.
In full: This was my first half marathon and a great experience. The festival going on along side it was great as my girlfriend had something to do while I was running. Although there were a lot of people running and some parts of the course were narrow it was only necessary to slow down a couple of times and even then not by very much. I also thought the support was fantastic. The first half of the race is definitely a lot more interesting than the second, where the route just loops round and round Hyde park for 7 miles. The toilet provision was pretty poor with huge queues before the race and lots of people having to "improvise" to make it to the start on time! Also there wan't much free stuff given away at the finish line, although I understand that there was more on offer at the festival. Despite the criticisms it was a great experience and definitely the best organised and most enjoyable event I've taken part in.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: i-Plodder
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fabulous course, chaotic organisation at the start
In full: Must be the best half-marathon for anyone London based. Easy to get to on the tube and the course - running past many landmarks in an entirely traffic free, and mostly leafy environment - cannot be beaten. It's like the best bits of the London Marathon. HOWEVER, the twenty minute queues to hand in bags and no effort to segregate runners according to their time predictions made the start chaotic.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Birdy123
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great day out
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: linsblake
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely race and a chance to sightsee around London all in one
In full: Excellent race - pretty well organised but the baggage drop off was a nightmare and as usual no where near enough loos - after queuing for 20 mins for baggage drop off and a further 20 mins for toilets I missed the start! Lovely route and after initial frustrations every thing else was fab and I will definately be back for this one again next year.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Blockbuster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great race through the capital - dont miss this one
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: mackfly
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Quality course and organization.
In full: I usually avoid these huge semi corporate races but this one certainly bucks the trend. I always feel that it will be so crowded that no more than a shuffle can be achieved. But despite the numbers I didn't have any trouble getting into my pace right from the start.
The oganisation was very slick. Lots of support, which is rare.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Johnny2323
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The second best race in London (probably)
In full: Last year this was great, this year it was excellent - they'd listened and added more loos and the whole planning, organisation and marshalling was superb.
I had a great run. There's only a few slopes and the main difficulty in achieving your best time is overcrowding. The only downer is the incredibly large number of runners with headphones - which made it quiet and a bit tricky with the old over-taking.
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Rich Fletcher
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: October 12, 2009
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