Stevenage Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (323 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Shaun Laird
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Seperating the Men (and Women) from the Boys (and Girls)
In full: One of those races that makes you wonder 'What the hell am I doing here?'. Getting up on a blustery wet November morning to run around a bypass. Twice. The last five miles were fairly agonising- only the poor wet marshalls seemed to be faring worse than me at that stage!
A brief thank you to those poor committed marshalls. Cheers!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Ross Eva 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great organised half considering conditions
In full: I only arrived ten minutes before the start (long story) but still managed to start on time. Loads of marshalls providing excellent support and jelly babies. They all made up for the bewildering number of underpasses!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Steve Smith 5
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Love coming back for the Stevo half as it was my first ever. Dreadful weather but the marshalls and support were first class. Think the extended trip round fairlands would be better on first lap just as a bit of a psychological boost. Horrible conditions but enjoyable all the same.
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Ursula Schulz
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely race on a warm and sunny day...
In full: Apart from that it wasn't... The weather was impressively bad - so that at some point I got the giggles, remembered that I had chosen voluntarily to spend my Sunday morning doing this - and from then on hugely enjoyed it. Very good organization, we had no issues with parking and collecting the numbers. Start was a bit chaotic - could you not just do it from outside the stadium in the car park to avoid the gate? The course - rather dull, but didn't really expect much else. Was surprised by how tough it was going though all the underpasses. And huge respect and thank you to all the marshalls - never mind running in this weather, standing around in it must have been so much harder and there was still a happy wave and cheer from all of them. Overall: not a bad race, this year particularly memorable because of the weather.
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: pc plum
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Soaked!
In full: Unlike a lot of my fellow posters i really enjoyed this and had no issues at all. I arrived early and parked at Barnwell School. Very short walk to the running track, and collected my number and chip straight away. The baggage area was like clockwork as usual, and the start seemed to be on time this year! The marshalls were great, some of the course was quite picturesque, and it was reasonably challenging with the numerous underpasses. Yes the weather was horrendous, but i love running in this (i live in Northumberland so am used to it). If half term falls in the same week as the race next year i will be back without doubt.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Kwiksave Dave
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good, local race
In full: Obviously the rain and wind today was horrendous but that shouldn't detract from what is basically a good race. I'm not a fan of looped races but at least you know what you are in for 2nd time around. It's not too hilly compared to many other races and the marshalls deserve a special thanks for stnding out there in the pouring rain and still being so encouraging. Good value and well organised, especially baggage tent.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: mmarty
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent organisation and brilliant marshals but horrible double circuit
In full: The weather was dreadful. Heavy rain and blustery wind. Very good organisation. I only entered the race yesterday and when I arrived at 9:15 I walked straight to the registration desk and collected my nummber with no delay at all. If I am honest, the route is just awful. The municipal landscaping alongside the double-loop course is monotonous and bland. The marshals, however, were really first class braving the elements and offering enthusiastic encouragemnt. The route isn't easy. There are some lengthy inclines. I won;t come back here but I salute the organisers and the marshals for really doing a very good job in a not very inspiring location.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: HuwH
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Nice course and smooth organisation
In full: Weather was wet with strong winds but thats not the fault of the organisers. From the laid on shuttle buses to the copious amounts of marhsalls this was very well organised. Course was mostly up for the first couple of miles then down hill and then a second lap. Jelly baby from Marshall at mile 11 was well received.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: 3D
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Well organised and marshalled, but not a great race
In full: I last ran the Stevenage half a few years ago (2002 perhaps?) - the course on that occasion was far better than the new 2 lap version. This new course has so many underpasses and other undulations that I couldn't get into a rhythm. Frankly, I didn't enjoy the race at all. And it wasn't all due to the awful weather!
No complaints at all about the organisation. Thanks to the organisers and huge thanks to the marshalls for putting up with the awful weather!
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Delboy1978
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: I live in this town and hate the underpasses why did u include so many!!!
In full: Good marshalling all very encouraging and i too got jelly babies :O)...: to be honest i hated this run i avoid this end of town apart from fairlands lakes: perhaps im a whingebag for wanting it to be a bit flatter as i saw soo many people struggling the last two miles me lncluded..was my worst time for half marathon: love running around the park area but not the blooming turbulent field. Cant they change the time of year??? wasnt it like this last year? the park is soo much prettier in spring and summer.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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