Sussex Beacon Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (483 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: drscooto
 | | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Some stretchs too narrow for volume of runners, poorly marshalled, queue for the Finish line and baggage reclaim free for all...
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Frazzy
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Needs a real rethink due to popularity
In full: Shame, last year was great. Good weather, well organised and fun. This year completely opposite. I think this race is a victim of its own success and the organisers will either have to cut the numbers or radically rethink the race.
I'd suggest move the start as it's too cramped on Maderia Drive and causes problems as documented by others. Also dont run through the streets at the start, have this at the end when runners are more spaced out. The sea front offers plenty of room and this should be the first 5 miles at least. Then, a personal plea, remove the switchback at the end, its soooo demoralising. Hope this improves as loved 09.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: lee rhodes
| | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: What a shame, I'd been looking forward to this run for a while but it certainly didn't live up to expectations. I wish I'd stayed in Portsmouth and done the half marathon there instead.
I know the organisers can't be blamed for the weather but they can certainly be held accountable for the farse that was the start and finish of the race (oh and the bit in between)!
The start was a joke, I know it happens at lots of events, runners start to far up the front so that you spend the first couple of miles swerving and avoiding people but this seemed to be worst than normal. The first couple of miles were hard work just avoiding other runners and negotiating the narrow streets.
I only saw two mile markers (at 5 & 8 miles) which didn't exactly help with the pacing, I thought they were supposed to be every mile!!
I'm just glad that I got across the finish line without having to wait.
A goody bag of some description would've been a nice touch as well. Even the medal was smaller than last time! The baggage area was also a joke at the end, am just glad I found my bag in one piece and that nothing was missing from it.
I really enjoyed it when I did it in 2007 but sorry, I wont be doing this run again.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: kevin betts
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Bottlenecks, obstacles and no mile markers - but great support!
In full: I was lucky enough not to experience the queue for the finish. Those people must have been furious to see the seconds ticking by...
I was, however, caught up in the horrific bottlenecks at the start. I'm a 1.30 runner, but there was *no* way I could get to that sort of start area because of the overcrowding in the 'pen'. People aren't exagerating when they said it was three miles before they could get any sort of rythm. It was literally stop start stuff. Not to mention all of the street furniture in the lanes. I counted a couple of people who ran into chairs at local cafes!
Despite all this, I thought the volunteers that did show up were fantastic. There weren't enough of them (I'd imagine a few cried off), but those that did really did try hard.
As I said, I was lucky to finish before the queueing so didn't see the problems there - for the 'faster' people, it was a fairly straightforward procedure. Again, people are right taht £25 for a small medal and tin foil cape was a bit excessive - especially as I was involved in the free for all baggage collection. That really isn't acceptable!
The Brighton locals were as great as ever - I can't believe they came out on such a day.
I do wonder what time I *could* have achieved.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: MR_LIME
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Don't shoot me, but I had a great time!
In full: It probably helped that I didn't need to park, didn't need the toilet, didn't drop off a bag, wasn't going for a PB, and didn't have to queue to get over the finish line, but... I enjoyed it! Am I the only one? Sure the lanes were crowded, but I love the whole "runners taking over the streets thing". That's half the fun of these road races, no?
Having said that... if I'd had to queue to get over the finish line I'd have gone ballistic at any marshall within bellowing distance, and right now would be contacting the organisers and demanding my money back. That's appalling for those it happened to.
And a "help yourself" bag drop? Unforgivable.
Oh, and a goody bag would have been nice - how come all other races seem to have one? (Though at least we got a medal - unlike last year...)
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jill Watson 2
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Poor organisation completely ruined this race
In full: I travelled from London very early in the morning for this - and wished I hadn't. The weather was awful but it was the organisation that took the biscuit - narrow paths led to people falling over each other - I did a pb by a minute but this wasn't recorded due to a minute and a half wait to get across the finishing mat, I had to wait for water at each station as there were queues and the marshalls hadn't poured the water out ready. I ran the whole race needing the toilet given that the queue for the very few portaloos were practically longer than the race itself before the race started - never, ever again. Thank God I didn't have any baggage to pick up as I heard that was a joke too. Very disappointing.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Ed Proffitt
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: All the peices were there its a shame they were not fitted together!
In full: Hmmm. Travelled from Norwich for this, frankly it was an organisational debacle, I wished I had done the Bungay 20k instead! I suspect the problem is that over the years the race has grown, and the organisers were not able to muster sufficient volunteers for the numbers.
It was slightly crowded through the lanes and there were a few obstacles (moving and static!) but these did not cause me too much conern. It was the end which really spoilt it. Queues to get over the line, couldnt get a drink, only found where to put my chip by good luck and a shove from someone else and it was total fortune I found the lady handing out the medal!! I know at least one group of prople who did not! Whilst on the subject I thought you got a T shirt as well- for £20 plus I expected it!!
Glad i didnt have to use the baggage "abandonment" facility. That sounds really poor.
The organisers cannot be blamed for the reasons the course had to be changed nor the weather and a huge thanks to the marshalls who had to stand in the pouring rain. However next year Ill stick to the Suffolk countryside and Bungay running clubs excellent event!!
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: mark clawson
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: never ever again !
In full: ok the weather was bad but it was no excuse for the poor organisation of this race. the roads where not big enough to take the 6000+ runners. the marshalls seemed to have no interest , the baggage area was a joke, i could go on and on but it has all been covered by previous reports. this was my 4th brighton half and the worst half ive ever run. i just hope to god the organisers have nothing to do with the marathon in april....
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: JMAP
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Abysmal on the day - positively dangerous
In full: others have said it all - no excuses for a dangerous course (first 2 miles and the small pavement cliff path section), a ridiculously confused start (mixed abilities, MP3 players, narrow lanes, pedestrians, lamposts etc), a hell-like finish (can't get to the line, no organisation, a PA which exacerbated the problems). There are so many much better courses - avoid
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Charlie Carter 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Better than last year but the end was a disaster- having to stop 3m before the finish line and wait a minute to cross it due to over-crowding is poor.
Date of review: February 22, 2010
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