Stevenage Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (323 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: ToneG
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Decent race. Quite challenging due to the underpasses and hideous weather. Thanks to the Marshall who gave me the remaining Jelly Babies at 11.5 miles - it really helped!
Given the challenge of the weather, the marshalls and organisers did a great job. Thanks FVS
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: VicnVin
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Reasonable race
In full: We arrived in good time at 8:40 at the car park, as instructed, to be there in good time to collect numbers. However, as already mentioned, the gates to the car park were locked and were not opened until after 9.00, which was the time we were asked to be collecting our numbers. It was chaos and we felt very sorry for the local residents. There were no marshals present either, so there was no info about what was happening, and we had to find our own way to the start. We also felt very sorry for the poor people handing out the numbers in the pouring rain. Given the limited inside space at the stadium, maybe it would be a good idea to hire a marquee in the future (if costs permit). That way the numbers could be handed out in the dry and there would be additional room for runners to wait in the dry.
The race itself was well organised with chip timing and we’d like to thank the marshals for standing out in the rain but still being cheerful and encouraging. The course is undulating (lots of underpasses!) but not really hilly. Generous provision of T-shirt and medal.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: andy@6nwn
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well worth braving the rain
In full: Scenery was much better than expected and avoided roads to make a pleasant run. Start was a bit chaotic but it was so wet and windy that it was good that we didn't spend much time hanging around before the off.
Marshalling was perfect both at the start/finish and out on the course. Goodie bag was good - medal and t-shirt, plus some bits and pieces.
Organisers deserve a round of applause.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: AndrewPatterson
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Super support, organisation and PB potential!!
In full: I think the only thing people could moan that those Spartans did not organise was the sunshine! Bar that all the many marshalls gave fantastic support.
The race took in what scnery there is in Stevenage, going through Fairlands Valley Park.
The rest of the race was on cycle paths, so there was no need to doodge cars.
It might not be the flatest of courses, but I managed a PB so it could not have been too difficult.
In response to grumpy ChrisThePuma, I do not know if you keep up to date with the news, but there has been some recent Postal Strikes! I turned up at 9.45 and it took a minute or two to get my number and left me sufficient time to warm up or keep dry under the grandstand. So personally I can not see why anyone would have an issue with the organisers not sending out the race packs.
Well done Spartans on a great event, I look forward to taking part in your 5k series coming up in November and December.
Congratulations to all that took part.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: ChrisThePuma
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Rubbish organisation - learn from your mistakes!
In full: 1. Not posting race packs?? Why not?
2. Last year the queue for picking up the numbers & chips was around the track - so to avoid this runners are advised to arrive early - "Arrive by 9.00" - this would suryl mean the car parks were avaialble before 9.00 wouldnt it? Wrong. I was in a queue of cars at 9.00 waiting for marshals to get there and open it, the road was a cul-de-sac and the poor residence were trapped unable to get out because of the queue - one was a nurse.
This coupled with the thought in my mind of a big queue to get my number (because we are now going to get to the venue late) caused me to give this up as a bad joke. I will spend my money elsewhere next year.
Date of review: November 1, 2009
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2008 race reviewed by: LONE TURNBULL
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: found it surprisingly hilly but loved the scenery in the park
Date of review: November 18, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: James Percy 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Quick race with slightly chaotic start - perhaps posting race packs next year would help.
Date of review: November 16, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Malamlil
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: enjoyable race, well marshalled
In full: very much enjoyed. generally good surrounds (for this city boy), parks pretty to run through, though could happily never run through another underpass. Well marshalled. My other half got a full goody bag for doing the fun run which was free to enter- which I thought was an excellent touch, given entry fee for main event was entirely reasonable.
Impressed with and encouraged by marshal in blue jacket who i swear I must have seen 12 times on course (identical twins....).
Date of review: November 13, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Jessica Reynolds
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: More thilly than I expected but still got a PB so yay!
Date of review: November 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Shaun Laird
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good Marshalls. Damp . Undulating
In full: Overall, I enjoyed this one. Marshalls and organisation was generally good (other than minor gripes already mentioned). But blummin eck, those last two miles hurt!
Date of review: November 7, 2008
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