Water of Life Half-Marathon *FULL*Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (180 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: get_down
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Another good year for the Water of Life half
In full: This race was one of the top-rated in 2010 and it's easy to see why: great scenery, good organisation (save for not enough loos at the start), a pretty small field and a challenging course. You probably won't achieve a PB on here but you'll enjoy the race, and it's much more welcoming than the hordes at Reading or even Fleet, run on the same day.
Best of all, it's all for charity - there's no profit-making giant behind this - which adds to the warm glow. Recommended.
Date of review: March 21, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: runlozrun
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely run along the river
In full: Nice small event so not too crowded. Very friendly and encouraging marshalls and good public support when you needed it most. Not too many narrow passing places so quicker than expected although a bit annoyed at myself for not finishing a bit faster so as to break 1:41 :-( Nice medal and t-shirt and would certainly consider running it again.
Only negative points for me was the parking and shortage of toilets. There were about 8 or 10 portaloos but really could do with double that especially as the blokes toilets in the main building were out of order as they were being refurbished. Parking was provided in a farmers field just off the A404 roundabout but this caused severe traffic congestion on the roundabout itself. The path from the carpark to the start is very narrow with runners/spectators getting in the way of cars trying to park up so there is definately room for improvement there. Also saw one 4x4 trying to enter the car park when people were trying to leave after the race, perhaps the car park road could be closed to incoming traffic once the race has started.
Date of review: March 21, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ron Faster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: PP do it again!
In full: Another great race from PP and I can see why it was voted in the top 10 HM's last year. Great venue, great course, great marshals, african drummers were great and a free t shirt at the end to go along with the medal. Bananas and goody bags a bonus at the end. Will be back next year but might try the 10k as getting to old for these HMs :-)
Date of review: March 21, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: justin O'Connor
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: well organised, beautiful scenery, great marshalls. a great race
Date of review: March 21, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Michel Kremer
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyed the race yesterday ver much!
Date of review: March 21, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Kim Hudson Leet
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: For a first time (half) marathon runner - excellent
In full: This was my first ever half marathon so I didn't know what to expect but there were queues for the toilets and I got to the start of the race with seconds to spare so a few more facilities would have been appreciated but I did read advice from other Runners World readers to expect this!
The marshals were brilliant and egged me on when I was flagging and overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
My time was 2.31.40 so at least I have a time to beat next time.
Date of review: March 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Little Linz
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great friendly off-road half marathon.
In full: Enjoyed this last year so came back again. Great early off-road half which is small and friendly. African drummers at the start and at half way were fantastic. Big thanks in particular to the marshals around miles 6-7 and the very vocal supporters at mile 12! Not the place for a PB but if you want an interesting, enjoyable run along the river I'd thoroughly recommend it.
Date of review: March 20, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: James Crampton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Charming, family atmosphere, and v scenic.
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Adewale Kadiri
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Beautiful riverside race, brilliant marshalls and lovely weather - enough said!
In full: Did this race for the first time last week. I must admit, it was my second choice as the race I wanted to do filled up earlier than expected, but I'm glad I did this. It's a relatively small race with only around 600 entries but the course on the banks of the Thames in Buckinghamshire is to die for. Added to that were the most enthusiastic marshalls ever, and a real family feel to it. Plus it's for a good cause - helping to provide clean drinking water for deprived communities in Africa - hence the excellent African drummers - a very pleasant departure from the usual banal dance music. Because of the grassy course and all the kissing gates I had thought it had little PB potential but was pleasantly surprised - although I was helped by a mad dash at the end. Brilliant and well organised race which I hope to be able to do again.
Date of review: May 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: ian wynnes
| | 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: Great to be away from traffic and Reading half marathon crowds - this jog along the R Thames was very pleasant. Def if you like off road. Marshalls were very good.
Date of review: April 9, 2010
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