Brighton Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (219 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Kim Ruckwied 2
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Frustrating
In full: I did this race in 2010 and it was shambolic then. I entered this year having heard things were much improved in 2011. I knew I wasn't going to PB but I just couldn't work out how I had managed to miss my predicted time...now I know! A lot of people train very hard for this event and it is unforgiveable to get the distance wrong! I am happy some of the entry goes to charity so don't waste my time giving me a 'goody' bag that has two leaflets in it and nothing else. Absolutely pointless. Enough people have said how bad the start/toilets and baggage situation was. On a positive the medal was very nice this time around. The weather was amazing but thankfully that is not in the hands of the organisors! Big thanks to all the volunteers who did help out.
Date of review: February 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Adewale Kadiri
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It's not brain surgery - a half marathon is 13.1 miles!
In full: This is the second time I've done this race and it's my most local hlaf, so i will probably give them another chance and do it again. But i have to agree with what everyone else has said: how difficult can it be to measure the course correctly - it's a fundamental duty of a race organiser. If you can't get that right then what's the point? To be out by almost half a mile? Come on! And I also must agree that for what you get this race is far too expensive. Last year there was a technical T-shirt and a plastic kit bag - so what happened this year? As usual in Brighton the atmosphere was fantastic, and the scenery is nice especially coming back down after the Marina turn, but I might just try Reading next year for my pre-marathon tune up!
Date of review: February 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Juggler
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A real shame that a couple of things spoiled what could be a great race.
In full: It wouldn't have taken much to make this a great race, it has a lot going for it. My comments to the organisers FWIW.
1, Thanks for putting on the race. I enjoyed it (apart from the disappointment of realising at mile 5 that somebody had screwed up and positioned the turnaround way too far to the east). Still, the crowds supporting, and friendly volunteers were great.
2. Please don't bother with "goody bags", they were just another disappointment. Spend the money on renting more portaloos.
3. Congestion at the start was not pleasant. requiring almost everybody to walk half a mile at a crawl. I'm sure you can come up with a better use of the space available.
4. Don't wait too much longer to issue an explanation and an apology for the distance mistake.
I know that sounds critical, but this race has the potential to be really special, I'll be back only if I get the feeling that lessons have really been learnt, and runner feedback taken on board.
Date of review: February 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: lizzielizard
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Perfect conditions , had a great race !!
In full: Really enjoyed the race , warm up was hard to follow as couldn't see . Pushed myself hard , split times were quicker than my training runs so couldn't understand my time ! Now I do !!
Loved the medal , didn't need another tshirt or bag of rubbish !!
Cones a pain, start and finish too crowded , loved that I beat Katie price ! !!
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: GEPRIG
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% |
In short: Should do better
In full: The organisers that is. The crowds were brilliant. This event raises valuable funds for a great charity, takes place in a great town and is perfect tune up for London. I'd like to make a few constructive suggestions. 1) the start area is too congested. Either make the race smaller or put facilities nearer to where people actually start, then they might spread themselves out a bit, 2) seeded start pens and starting in waves would make for a better event for all runners, 3) there is no excuse for having two markers for the same mile 50 yards apart, 3) there is no excuse for doing it at two different places on the course, 4) please try and put the markers in roughly the right place. Markers for 3 and 4 miles weren't in the right county and 5) I really don't mind about a goody bag or tshirt. But if you are going to give me a bag then please put something in it.
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Atanarjuat
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The extra 0.4 miles didn't bother me, BUT
In full: Perhaps because I've had prior experience with non-exact distances (Berlin 2011, Nike GPS clocked it at 26.75 miles - come on, this is one of the 5 marathon majors!), a race measuring exactly 13.1 miles would have been surprising. What I do have problems with, however, is amateur organization. With race # having failed to materialize, had to queue for good 20-25 mins to get replacement, barely making it to start, all the way at the back, and then having to weave through hundreds of runners for first 2-3 miles. Sign-postings were inadequate, bag collection woefully under-manned. Hard to believe over 2 decades of history. For future races, suggest reducing both # of runners and $$$ by 30%.
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Wadda
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Happy with my PB - especially as it was over 13.5 miles
In full: I think that a new cone putter outer should be recruited next year as the turn on Marine Drive was a lot further than last year - the main cause of the extra distance (my GPS read 13.5 miles). I didn't pick up a "goody" bag but perhaps the money had gone on all those extra cones judging from the other comments?
A shame really as this could be a fantastic race.
It's pretty much flat as a pancake so I still managed a PB and enjoyed the day.
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Amanda Steenkamp
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Probably one of the most beautiful runs in the country but needs to be better organised
In full: Stunning scenery make this a gorgeous run, especially when the wind has your back! The views alone make this one of my favourite runs.
However... Expensive entry fee for what you get though (I think a T-shirt should be par when the entry is £30 - goody bag was 2 leaflets in a bag). Lots of bottle-necks make PBs testing unless you're superfast and ahead of the pack. Incorrect route measurement (extra 0.5 mile) is shameful for an established event such as this.
Really nice medals this year. Thanks.
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Meecham 2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor layout - zero loos - all local ones closed - youth races rushed and not secure despite wrist bands - a pb course that they measured wrong and long - very expensive for adults for very little
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: DonJacky
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: They got the distance wrong!!!
In full: The start was poorly organised and shambolic, but I could live with that. What is unforgivable was that they measured the course wrong, robbing me and loads of others of their personal best. This could be such a good race, but I am not ever going back. I am absolutely fuming. Come on.. I mean, measuring the course wrong by almost half a mile? Would you go back? The organisers already have form for this... 2011 was too short!! Sorry guys. You should have made sure this year.
Date of review: February 19, 2012
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