Lake Vyrnwy Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (159 votes). 2006 race reviewed by: Squashed Frogg
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Worth spending a weekend... Breathtaking scenery and what weather!!
In full: As close to flat as races come, a nice 1st mile uphill just to get the legs in and then very very gentle undulations all the way around in really quite special surroundings (although to me it felt like flat to down all the way) Finishing with a down hill mile that enables a good kick to the sound of a roaring crowd as you cross the finish... okay so the high twenties heat must have got to me a little!!
Although I didn't train for this run and was happy to complete it, I'd say a PB on this course is almost cheating!!
The organisation was fantastic and puts many of the city halfs such as bristol and bath to shame; The Great North Run (amazing atmosphere, mediocre run and dismal logistics) team could learn alot from the Oswestry Olympians.
My only critisism, and it's tiny really is; come on guys what were you thinking with those chaff-tastic socks in the goody bag... I think a little bottle of water / sports drink and a banana or cereal bar would have been more handy... I'd have even paid a few quid more to include them. Which reminds me, at just over a tenner this race is also a good old fashioned bargain!!
Well done to the team. I look forward to a return next year.
Date of review: September 12, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Ima Gazelle
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent! Well worth travelling to if you're looking for a fast course.
In full: Very efficient organisation except for parking before the start. This isn't a complaint, just a reminder to allow time to get there and settled before the start. Loved the course and setting and hope to do it again next year.
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: FlyingMothman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great scenery, well organised and well worth doing. The course may be fast but it challenges the definition of flat.
In full: A bit advice for future runners. The course is beautiful, well organised and well worth the trip but it can only be described as flat in the Welsh sense of flat. Don't imagine millponds or pancakes, more like an upturned tilted frying pan. First mile climbs up the side of the pan to the dam wall then it undulates downwards to mile 7 then has a steady (could described as niggly) 4-5 or so miles of inrelenting drag back to the dam wall.
Great race if you're happy with flat hills though!
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Asteroid
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Second time round confirms this is my No.1 favourite race from 1 mile to marathon run in the last 4 years.
In full: Breathtaking scenery. Almost a purpose-built half marathon circuit round the lake. Definite PB potential (and outcome, twice in my case). Excellent support and organisation from the marshals, drinks stations, the Olympians and all. Even if it was 25 degrees in the car park field, I'm sure it was a couple of degrees cooler beside the reservoir, and the course is after all more than 50% shaded by the trees. Great race!
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: JOS JONES
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great race. Highly recomended
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Jogging Jon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race that lives up to its rating.
In full: I have been looking forward to this race all year, everyone I know who has run it told me how good it is, it really deserves hight high rating. I had been targetting this race to break 2 hours for the first time and finished in 1 hour 51 mins so smashed my previous best half marathon time. The race is really well organised and the marshalls were friendly and encouraging. Great atmosphere and lots of support over first couple of miles and at the end. I will be back.
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Desperate housewife
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it!!!
In full: This was my first half and it was brilliant! Everyone was friendly, the scenery was out of this world. I am definately doing it again next year.
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Straycelt
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Had to come back to do it again because last year was so great
In full: Stunning as remembered. Well marshalled start. Would benefit from chipping ext year as v.slow o cross this popular start line. Deservedly top 10 RW favourite race. Weell organised. Despite organisers best aims, too many cyclist and many on wrong side of path, but better than last year's plethora of 3 abreast power walkers. Nice pic on the medal, but weight/quality down on last year's, which was def. one to treasure. Unique, unlabelled socks and gel, could do without for better medal. Good massage tent at end. Well supported at key points. For well placed water stops, sponges and squash or water at the end. This is a stunning race to either enjoy the scenery or crack out a PB. Stuff to do for family, if taken, including bouncy castle. Win-win and I'll definitely be back. Well done guys.
Date of review: September 11, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Welsh Alex
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Downhill from 1 to 7 then slowly up to 12 then fast to the finish
In full: Spectacular organisation and location. Be careful not to overdo it on the first bit and blow up as many do. A splendid day out.
Date of review: September 10, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Plastic Freddie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Want a PB? Do this one!
In full: Excellent race, spoilt only by the heat - but that's out of our hands lol. A PB for me, even though I was overheating in the last 3 miles.
Date of review: September 10, 2006
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