Forest of Dean Trails Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (240 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Simon Rule
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: The best event of the year. Why run Bath?
In full: What's not to like about this event? I'm so glad I stopped running Bath last year and ran the FOD again. Running on trails in beautiful scenery (although surprisingly little shade) is so much more enjoyable than pounding the Upper and Lower Bristol Roads twice each. I even persuaded my wife to run her first HM and she loved the experience, although was frustrated at having to wait at the road crossing for 2/3 minutes to let traffic through. The course was hillier than I remembered, but it was also significantly warmer than last year, which might have made the hills seem more noticeable. I did tell my wife that once she'd done the climb at 7 miles it was all downhill, conveniently forgetting the little monster at 9, but she forgave me! While probably not a pb course for a true runner, I prefer a race with a few ups and downs and generally do better than on pancake-flat courses. I was pleased, therefore, to run close to my best, even on virtually no training, and with a bit of effort, I'm sure I could knock off a few minutes on this course. The organisation was brilliant, down to up-to-the-minute emails informing us of road closures, giving us time to plan an alternative route. We were even able to park right at the start line this year, due to my wife getting a green parking permit, so we didn't need to use the Park & Ride this year. Having said that, there were no problems with this last year, other than a short wait for the bus back while cold and wet. No such worries this year, and the car park was free of mud too. My only slight gripe is that I would have liked a bottle of water at the end. Cups rather than bottles on the course are less wasteful, but I only just got enough fluid during the race and needed water at the end. My wife would also have liked the year on her medal. But these are small issues. I'm moving further away later in the year, but really hope I'll be able to get back for this race, as it's become my favourite event of the year. I'm going to read a few of the reports on Bath now and gloat!
Date of review: March 19, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jezza1981
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: As good as it gets
In full: Trust me - another high quality event
Date of review: March 18, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Henry VIII
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I love this event
Date of review: March 18, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Annie H
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent organisation, beautiful venue and lovely weather.
In full: Second year to do this event - more hills than I remembered! Again a very friendly, well organised event with great atmosphere.
Date of review: March 18, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: RunRoyRun
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: It's what running is all about. Beautiful scenery, traffic free (almost) and well organised. What more can you ask for?
In full: I nearly didn't do this race due to injury and lack of training but so glad I did. Helped by glorious weather, it was well organised, friendly and thoroughly enjoyable. It may not have real PB potential but it isn't slow either; perhaps the good weather and scenery just spurred me on but I did it quite a bit quicker than I expected. Not much of it seemed to be flat, but other than a couple of short steepish bits it was mainly a pretty gentle incline for the first 9 miles and the mostly down hill last few miles encouraged a fast finish. It was also my first trail race and it was so much nicer than running on roads. I'll definitely be back next year.
My only minor gripe was that I wish they'd put the year on the medal.
Date of review: March 18, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Welsh Alex
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Faultless Organization, Scenic Course, Superb Air Quality !
In full: :-)
What more can I say, other than thank goodness I gave up running the Bath 1/2 years ago. Have just been laughing my socks off reading about that fiasco !
Roll on 2010 !
:-)
Date of review: March 18, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Paul Elliott 9
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised run in wonderful scenery
Date of review: March 17, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: beccyl
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: beautiful!
In full: Lovely scenery. Seemed like much more uphills at the start than at the finish, though maybe was just me! First time i've done this race and will definitely try and return next year.
Date of review: March 17, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: katie woo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great scenery, excellent organisation
In full: Again a really well organised and friendly race.
Date of review: March 17, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Calamity Jo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent organisation. Fantastic scenery. Very friendly.
In full: Wouldve liked a goody bag tho!
Date of review: March 17, 2009
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