Tunbridge Wells Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (672 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: polygro
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic race. Great organisation.
In full: Absolutely no complaints.
Love the medal this year - great new design.
Volunteers were numerous, encouraging and very helpful.
Overall a fantastic race!
Thank you!
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: tealsocks
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My favourite half!
In full: This was my third year in a row doing the TW Half, and it continues to be my absolute favourite! The only negative I can come up with about today was running out of goody bags at the end (all I cared about was water which I assume would have been inside),and people in the hall gave me snacks which would have been inside (I came in at 2:18 to no bags--I came in 3 and 7 minutes slower in the past two years and never had any issue with the post-race bag). I put a '2' for PB potential purely because it is a tough course, but I manage to PR on it every year somehow! I'll continue to come back, as this is without a doubt the best race I do every year. Love the crowd and community support...even if there are some annoyed drivers in the approach to Spring Hill.
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: J Lav
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, realy enjoyed it.
In full: Great organisation. Comprehensive race pack sent out in plenty of time and good updates on the race Facebook page.
I was worried about finding somewhere to park but was impressed with race officials lining the A26 into Tunbridge Wells handing out maps and advising on where there were spaces etc. The whole organistaion was very slick considering the number of runners and the relative lack of space etc to get 2800 runners started.
The race itself was scenic and apart from Spring Hill seemed to be gently undulating with plenty of downhill stretches and alot of local support along the way.
Marshalls were brilliant and all in all I think it was a really enjoyable race.
It seems from reading other reviews that they ran out of goody bags which must have been a shame for those that didn't get one and you do wonder why some runners felt the need to take 2 if that was the case?
Will hopefully be back next year!!
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Matthew Moore 8
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tougher than most courses
In full: Managebale but rarely flat course.
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: keef55
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent as always
In full: Well, I got a pb rather unexpectedly. Weather was fabulous, the course was glorious as always and the organisation first class.
If I was being really picky, it gets a bit congested in the race hq at the beginning but it's not a big deal. All around the course there were dozens of marshals - completely astonishing the amount of voluntary support this race attracts.
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Mr. Fink-Nottle
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Medals and goody bags - what's going on?
In full: Well, it all fell down today. Expectations were dashed by some pretty poor organisational failings. There was simply no excuse for the goody bags to have run out, as one TW Harriers member advised me after the race that there were more goody bags than runners. So why run out? If leading runners were taking more than one bag, then why weren't those responsible for handing them out making sure only ONE bag per runner was handed out? Daydreaming? Being kind with good intentions but totally unaware of the needs of others? Dear oh dear.
And the medal? Who wants a shapeless, bland, square effort unlike 2010 and 2011? Really ugly and inconsiderate. Did I see some runners leaving the race with the oval-shaped bespoke medals we have had before? IF. I said IF, I did, then this appears to amount to clubby elitism at its worse. If this race won the Runner's World award for 'most improved event' in 2009, then it has taken ten paces backward today. This is a real shame, and so needless as well. The rest of the organisation was like clockwork, a pity either one or two aspects let it down badly today. That's why the categories of Organisation, Value and Overall have been marked down, unlike previous years.
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Mike Downey
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First ever 1/2 marathon - can't wait for next year!!!!!!
In full: Brilliant organisation - a real credit to TW Harriers. Had the honour of being presented with my medal from Dame Kelly Holmes which really made it special. I was dreading Spring Hill but managed to conquer it and ran its full length without stopping - paid for it between miles 10 to 11 though to be honest - met a lad that I used to play football with for the Blackheath district when we were at school so overall had a good time. Did my first ever 1/2 in 2:02:34 which I am proud of and now rehydrating with Magners cider.
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Bettyspaghetti
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Splendid race - from entering to the finishing line
In full: What a superb race, I was dreading it after I entered on a whim and then....looked at the course hill profile(!)
The whole organisation was like clockwork, the race pack received and very comprehensive in plenty of time. The HQ was welcoming and efficient with the TShirts. Start was on time. The Marshalls....well what can I say here? - except heartfelt thanks to you all - you were truly fantastic with your words of encouragement and motivation. There were a couple of hairy moments with one pr*t in a silver LandRover en route who obviously could not comprehend the signs, not verbal warnings of "this read is closed" and gaily drove along forcing a couple of us out of the way into the pasth of oncoming traffic - but the marshall in the area did his best to get the obviously 'short of grey matter' chap to understand (to no avail but heck, some people are just beyond hope and I fear this driver was in a world of his own).
The finish was lovely, I was near the back of the field but the welcome 'home' was rousing with a name check and mention of running club.
Was a shame that the goodie bags had run out, very surprised at that, but I guess some people with faster times must have taken two (grrr to them).
In conclusion - hats off for such a splendid race, great organisation and you all deserve a big thankyou!
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: debbie tyler
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Disppointing for slower runners like me
In full: I expected great things from this race, but as a slower runner I feel I missed out. Whilst we accept the roads are re-opened and we may be too slow for Dame Kelly to be there with our medals, I did expect a goody bag and there were none left for me and about 95 runners behind me. Sadly, the race officials seemed disinterested when I complained, but said they could send one out to me if I really wanted one. Not really acceptable for a race with such high accolades.
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Bill S
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Slick organisation -a great race
In full: This was my first time at Tonbridge Wells -I was well imnpressed with the pre race instructions and chip timing was a brilliant bonus as well as a free technical T shirt. The course was very well marshalled including motorcyclist checking the course was clear. We had an excellent percussion band sending us off and they were also present after we had completed the "interesting hill" at mile 6/7.
Crowd support was good as well. There were free pre and post race massages, a kiddies creche, baggage storage and plenty of toilets. There were three or four drink stations as well as a "gel" station. Results were posted up very quickly. Bananas and water at the finish and the only slight niggle was that the goody bags had run out -however the lady at the help desk was very apologetic and gave me the crisps and fruit bar that would have been in the goody bag (apparently the rest was just advertising.
To sum up: A challenging course with super slick organisation and terrific value for money -look forward to doing this next year!
Date of review: February 26, 2012
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