New Forest Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (390 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Adrian Dyke
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Parking was a nightmare
In full: Ran this race 2 years ago and the course has been improved, but disappointed that the Medal was the same just a different ribbon. Water station at the finish should be in place of the burger van instead it was hidden away. The cost of the race the organisers do not offer much !!
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
|
2009 race reviewed by: NickB303
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Another fantastic event - how do they always arrange the weather
In full: My family and I made our annual pilgrimage to John & Rita's fine B&B in New Milton and throughly enjoyed our weekend in the Forest, topped off with a fantastic afternoon at Beaulieu (saw a few runners there aswell).
And the race the scenery is stunning. Could there have been at better place to have been on Sunday morning out in the scrubland with only runners and ponies for company with the sun shinning down. The "new" route is more interesting in the last few miles.
Nice to see and hear locals out on the route making a noise. Great support at the finish also.
I would echo the comments of others that a bottle of water at the end would have been welcome, but this is a minor point. It's my own fault but I forgot the start was a free for all (despite the attempts at time banding) - so started too far back and with a slow first mile.
Love the programme (I don't know any other race that does this), it's a great souvenier. I thought a technical T Shirt for £8 was a bargain.
I'll be back next year.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: fran fieldhouse
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Not enough fluid on course. Would appreciate food/better drinks at finish
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: Martina Garnham
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Fantastic race, beautiful scenery..well organised and definately not one too miss.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: Steven Orton
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely and well organised, all done well - i even liked carrying my own sponge really handy. car parking well done so no complaints at all
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: john seekings
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: nice undulating but rediculously priced race
In full: Good scenery with scattering of spectators all the way round. Undulating with no great hills. only a medal at the end you even have to pay for a shirt. A high price and at the end you are over the line to ..... three or four people handing medals and it's almost no thought to after that. The drinks were tucked away round the corner almost as an after thought. I finished in first batch of the half and everything not affecting the finish, was being cleared away before the marathon had finished. It was as if they have your money, here's the race now go away. Don't get me wrong, it is a great race and very well organised. I just felt let down at the end with no local shops open, no stalls, and nothing except the hog roast stand laid on.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: Red FBBF
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Car park Chaos, and at the finish too
In full: This is the thrid time I've run this race, and maybe my last. I tried to arrive as early as ever but traffic was really bad,it was chaos at the car park, which closed right infront of me. I then had to dump my car, change and run to put my bag in. Then run to make the start too. Very stressful way to start the race. The course was fine as ever, but organisers should be clear early about music, either ban it in the race info or don't. People at the start didn't know and some were left not knowing what to do with their mp3's. Also the finish was very busy indeed, worst I've seen in, Were the numbers of entries up ?
Are people getting greedy ?
I'm going to have a think about next year and if I'll give it another go or not.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: smh_poole
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I missed the hog roast!
In full: Excellent race overall, no real complaints although I do have a gripe about the sponge stations. The new system was put in place for hygiene reasons. Previously each person gets a new sponge then bins it. This year, sponges are re-used numerous times...fine, if you are at the front of the pack. Those at the back ended up dunking their sponge in a bucket of sweat and water! :)
Lots of locals out cheering etc, marshalls all did an excellent job - Thought the race had a real community feel about it.
Again this year I jogged the short distance home and then realised I had forgotton about the free hog roast! Next year, next year!
Well done to everyone involved, and thanks! :)
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: AikiGirl
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very scenic enjoyable race
In full: Had a fantastic time! Clear directions to car park. Lots of marshalls & encouraging spectators. Liked the sponge/water station idea. Official jelly baby station great. Didn't think it was that hilly. Glad I had my own water at the finish line, as it was too busy. Goody bag was a bit disappointing, would have preferred more snacks instead.
Overall, well organised & would definitely recommend it
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: kirsty bayliss
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: September 28, 2009
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
