Grand Union Canal Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (173 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Stephanie Probert 2
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very disappointing...
In full: Overall, this race was poorly organised. There were 400 people running, and only 6 toilets and one baggage van at the start, which caused huge queues in the freezing cold. It also meant the start of the race had to be delayed 10 mins to wait for everyone.
The race was billed as "multi terrain", which should have been replaced with the words "muddy, slippery and dangerous". I have not run this route before, but cannot work out why you would try to race 400 people down a muddy, narrow towpath in November. Unsurprisingly, times were poor and some people were injured slipping over.
At the end, the baggage was very late, which meant people were standing around freezing for a long time. There were minimal announcements or explanations (other than one which said the van would be 5 mins, and then it turned up 30 mins later). The van driver told us he "got lost", which for a delivery company (no doubt with GPS etc) isn't good enough.
I understand that in previous years the race runs the opposite direction. This would make more sense, as there is a lot more room to get people spread out at the finishing end. This year, there were hundreds of people trying to fit through one person gates at the very start of the race, which just makes no sense.
The most positive aspects (and unfortunately there were too few) were the pre-race communications, and the marshals. Numerous people, positive and they ran well organised water stations. Well done!
In summary, I expected a lot more thought to have gone into a race that has been running for a number of years.
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: jeff prestridge
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Purple Patch do a fantastic job organising these slightly 'different runs'. Great fun. Loved the massage at the end - tougher than the run! Ok, the baggage van was delayed but heh the M25 is a nightmare. A run I will do every year until my legs can take no more.
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Francis Tourillon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It is nice to run a half-marathon, even with struggling organisation
In full: Everything went fine, except for freezing over 30 minutes at arrival, waiting for luggage van to arrival (apparently for traffic issues, but some mashalls were giving other org glitches...) I will do it again anyway!
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Wizzy Lizzy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Slippy, slidey and super!
In full: Wasn't looking for a PB in this race which was good as the bottle neck at the start would have hindered me (and did!).
A bit slippy in paces but all good fun, some good support from the marshalls and family supporters who kept appearing at intervals making me think I was going mad or backwards!
A nice sunday moring run, no pressure but lovely to amble along the canal towpath (with exception of a few drunks...10.30am on a sunday morning with a can of no brand lager...weird!...go for a run instead!)
Didn't have a bag so no problems there but was pretty cold at the end so would have been miserable if I'd had to wait.
Nice encouraging commentry as we came over the finiash line, I'll be back next year, if only becasue it will start with a nice downhill stretch!
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: JohnFol
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A great, well organised social event for runners
In full: Why "social event"? Because it's so much more laid back and relaxed than many runs and that's meant in a really positive way. It would suit beginners as well as more seasoned runners, but less so club runners as PB's are less likely.
Great route, great marshals (specially at mile 2.26 with one helping an injured runner, and about half way when someone was clearly struggling).
Thumbs up again for Purple Patch.
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Lesley Young 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: good friendly marshals, very encouraging.
In full: bit slippy on the towpath, although scenery makes up for it. I previously did this in opposite direction, but prefer it this way, look forward to next year.
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Graham Francis 2
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: first ever race and enjoyed it a lot. thank you to all at purple patch
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Woffers
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, friendly, good route,
In full: Would love to try it without the mud underfoot, but very enjoyable.
Date of review: November 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Joseph Carpenter
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great scenery and worth every step...
In full: Had a fantastic day and the route was laced with picturesque views. A positive and friendly atmosphere made the event worthwhile indeed. Would definitely do it again. In fact, sod it, I will!
Date of review: November 8, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Sarah-Jane Stephens
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Biggest challenge not slipping into canal after tripping over fishing rod!
In full: Great fun - although flat was fairly tuff due to uneven rocky muddy towpath, up and over lock hills, loose dogs, fishing rods and the odd rambler! The only real hill at in the last 500m was - a killer! Looking forward to reverse in 2010 - down the hill at start!
Date of review: November 8, 2009
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