Shell Four Villages Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (140 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: tom armstrong 6
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race brilliant way to start the racing year
In full: My favourite race of year.Well organised,friendly,great course and for the third year running set a new pb.definately a course you can run well on if you know it
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: occasional jogger
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: V. well organised for a race of this size. Shame they had to change the start - but stoped me starting too fast. My only gripe is with those who dropped gel wrappers away from the drinks stations.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: julia chisnell
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Excellent in every way free tea lovely touch , free finish bags had a lovely buff in useful and a lot of thought given to this
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jonah Jones
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: excellent race, good atmosphere and well organised.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Miketheboybarry
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: An excellent way to kick start 2011
In full: Have to agree with much that has been said. If the start had to be moved at such short notice, I can only commend the organisers that they managed just get it moved and made the best of a bad situation out of their control. After running the ill-fated Cardiff not-so-half last year I'd rather have that makeshift start and the full distance anyday.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mike S
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race - just one little problem to sort out for next year
In full: My 6th 4 Villages....for me, this is one of the definitive winter half marathons, and was as enjoyable a challenge as ever this year. Almost everything organised perfectly...marshalling, improved chip timing, finish area....
The only issue - and it seems this was one imposed on the organisers at short notice for "health & safety" reasons, so not their fault - was that start, which was not worthy of such a great race.
Way too narrow, but what really bothered me was the muddy stretch...the deep ruts had been filled in with hardcore, but there was a lot of loose stuff lying around...wearing q thin racing flats & not being a heel striker, I was dreading landing on one of the larger stones & bashing a metatarsal.
But I didn't, and I'm sure the organisers will have sorted it by next year. So thanks to all at Helsby RC, and I'll see you again in 2012.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gavvers
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I love running this race. My only moan would be the start was not as well placed as usual this year, but otherwise, another perfect day.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Sir John a Lot
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Cracking Race Grommit
In full: First time for the 4 villages and am a convert. Even though I missed out on my Conwy Half PB by 3 seconds (1.37)really enjoyed the run. I seemed to have missed the clock at mile 10, but it was a great idea. Obviously the start was a bit chaotic but, who cares, want to avoid it ? Then start nearer the front. Great day, great atmosphere, thanks for the free tea, coffee and biccies at the end. How did the lad with the 40 llb backpack get on ? Saw him at the Stockport 10, and managed to beat him by a couple of minutes. What a top bloke.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: cidermonkey
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great event once again
In full: The start was rubbish, but if you let 100m of muddy track spoil the next 13 miles of great scenery then you are a bit sad. Great local support & well marshalled all the way.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Alex Mason 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great start to the Year!
In full: This is the first time I've done this race and glad I did. Didn't really know what to expect, was informed that it was fairly hilly from about mile 8 onwards but it wasn't too bad.
Managed to shave 2 1/2 mins off my PB which was good and get within a couple of minutes of the ellusive 1h30.
Really good to have the support out in the sticks, many thanks to the supporters, their support really does make a difference.
I noticed that there was a 2,000 limit but only 1,634 started the race. Due to the popularity and over subscribing, it's a little unfair to those who want to race but couldn't because of people booking places but not turning up. Can the organisers sort anything for 2012?
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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