Sussex Beacon Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (483 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Paul Platel
 | | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Agree with all reasons stated before
In full: The organisers of this event did have to change the route at the last minute but that should not have effected this race as it did.
I have run this race a couple of times before and found it very enjoyable. This year was terrible.
I even heard for a friend that they were dismantling the course after 2hrs 30mins. This doesn't give those beginners who were left to their own devices much to encourage them to run again.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
|
2010 race reviewed by: Worlds End Laner
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Some positives, but please imrpove organisation!
In full: I enjoyed it, set a PB without intending to, and glad I finished before the queue backed up over the finish line! The streets were too narrow at the start with no room to overtake.
For the price and numbers of runners, organisation should be better. Most heart attacks at races occur just after the finish line when runners stop dead. Yesterday's race heightened the risk. The London Marathon has a 800m walk through after the finish which as well as moving the runners away from the finish line, ensures the runners keep moving while their bodies return to rest. If the organisers are involved in April's Brighton Marathon, then I hope they listen to the comments and make appropriate changes.
Positives from the race were the text message system texting your race time and I really like the medal.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Beverley Jeal
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% |
In short: Chaos!
In full: This was my first half marathon and I was really disappointed. I’ve never before taken part in a race that hasn’t had loos at the start. The baggage point was just a row of tables that you left your bag behind and hoped it was still there when you got back. (Mine was but not where I’d left it or anywhere near where I’d left it in fact!) Either half the mile markers just weren’t there or I missed them because the ones I did see were really small. For the first few miles the bottlenecks around the shopping streets were dangerous and frustrating. My near misses included posts, a woman pushing her child, in his pushchair, right through the running crowd and a Marshall’s arm which swung out, narrowly missing hitting me in the head as he was giving a spectator directions. At the end we did manage to get over the finish line (I’ve heard some people had to queue to get over the finish line!) but once there we had to queue for about 15 minutes to get out of the pen and in the pouring February rain it was freezing. Such a shame and I won’t be doing it again.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Gavlar
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Same problems as mentioned elsewhere
In full: small roads, baggage free for all, queueing at the finish line.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Paul Adams 17
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor route selection, no mile markers, congestion at the front
In full: The first 2 or 3 miles was just infuriating as the sheer number of slow runners near the front created too much conjestion on a poorly planned route. Couple with this with no visible (to me) mile makers for 10 miles, meant pacing was extremely difficult.
Why wes there no markers at start to guide runners according to predicted time? Why do so many slow runners insist on starting at front?
Big shame as even with poor weatehr this event could have been so much better with different route and better organsiation
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Chris Smith 14
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Shortcomings have already been stated. I have enjoyed this race in the past.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Zimmie
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Bad organisation and poor value for money
In full: The course was dangerous especially running along the streets in the town, I had a few near misses with poles etc.
The crowd were great considering the weather. Water stations were poorly organised like the start and finish.
No goody bags and not enough foil blankets, was frozen by the time I got one.
Last years race was so much nicer..
I am running the Brighton Marathon in April and just hope that it will be better than this one.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: James Fenemore
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Needn't repeat what has already been said. Brightonians and Brighton makes the race. The organisers need a serious dressing down. Congested start, poor finish and very lucky to be leaving with my belongings! Shame. Potential to be amazing!
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Cam.z
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not great and not a reflection on the years previous to this.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Natrie
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hate to complain BUT
In full: i only saw 3 mile markers (at 2,7 and 11 miles).
As noted, the baggage area was not secure. A kind volunteer was so helpful in helping my locate my bag that i couldn't be cross with the shambles.
More toilets are needed at the start and a completely new (wider) route needs to be considered.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
