Run to the Beat Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (128 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Liz Ayling
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: my first half marathon
In full: Well having read the other comments I have to say it was my 1st half marathon and I was so pleased to complete it well and get over the finish line in 2hrs 9mins! That once I had got over the start line at 10.55 of course.
However, not my first race, so I can compare from that point of view
-delayed start very annoying and got cold waiting about, not their fault - but understand this has happened before, so possibly 945 is too early?
-give people tags with the chip to avoid chaos
-either man the stalls of drink/ food at end or give people goodie bags with them in, honestly its not that difficult to do (people were literally walking away with 10 energy drinks at end!!!)
-general lack of marshalls around, someone behind me fell over and no one in sight to inform them
And £35 with no t shirt!!!
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Slug Runner
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Disaster organisation
In full: stood waiting for 45mins because of Tube delay. so I had to warm up and prepare myself again which was not ideal. could easily started the race on time for the peopl already there (people who were organised enough to be there early taking into account the normal transport chaos, then do another start say 30mins later for the late comers. Really ruined my plans for after the run.
The course was so boring until you reach Greenwich Park. and the 'Beat' was non existance. Good job there were lots of supports round the course.
The end was free for all. couldn't believe my eyes when people taking boxes full of goodies. and no one stopping them.
Once was enough even if it is my local race
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: eastham75
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Despite the Trains not working i enjoyed it
In full: Enjoyed the run, think the drink & snack bar distribution before and after the race was a shambles.the crowds on most the course were very good. Just a shame that the trains had to Fup up in the morning causing Chaos for many.i ended up sharing a cab with 3 other runners who i met at east india dock as for the 45 minute delay was that really nessecary? most people seemed to be there by 10, as for the Bags i had no trouble found it put it on and got it straight back at the end found it funny that so many people quewed in the wrong lines.I WILL BE BACK
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Lara Catterall
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The most poorly organised race I have ever done, and false advertising!
In full: I have run many half marathons, and a couple of marathons in a few countries and this was the most poorly organised evernt I have ever done. Firstly it is unacceptable to delay the start an hour. we plan to the minute our run, including how many hours befor we eat. People should plan for delays on the underground when getting around london!
Secondly, if they are going to have that many people doing an event they should put on more transport. It was a nightmare getting home.
and Finally WHERE WAS THE BEAT! this was supposed to be run to the beat, but there was hrdly any music.
I have to say I was very dissapointed.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Lyndsey Browne 4
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Will never do this again
In full: This is the most disorganised race I have ever entered - of any distance. It was a disgrace. If they cant handle holding a race with so many entrants - don't take their money.
The Start
1. The pens were a free for all - whats the point of having pens if anyone can go anywhere? I couldn't find Pen 2 and ended up in Pen 3 - asked the "Support Team" where Pen 2 was and they just shrugged and looked at me like I was mad.
2. No where near enough toilets
3. The bag drop off was a joke - being directed to about 5 different places before I found it
The Race
1. London Music Half Marathon?? Hmmmmmm. Piped music from the back of a transit van which could hardly be heard sporadically around the course? I heard more music on races that don't claim to have it
2. Ramps not clearly marked - saw several people fall over
3. Marshalls directing people straight from 5 to 7 because the road had to open. What's that all about?? Thats ridiculous - people have trained for this and then will only be running about 10 miles when other people are doing the full distance - hardly fair
The Finish
1. Where do I start?? They need to understand that after a cold 13.1 miles (or in some cases 10.1 miles) all runners want and need is their kit bag back, some water and maybe a sports drink and something simple to eat. Well, no water or sports drinks to be found, no foil blankets to keep out of the bitter cold while you were waiting for 40 minutes for your bag back, and the only food that could be found was beneath about 40 other runners clambering over crates to get to it. This was not runners being greedy, just needing something to eat and not having it supplied.
The Results
1. Apparantly the results are on line - well I was number 246 . According the results My name is Ben Morgan. My result isnt even there.
This race was a joke. I've been looking forward to entering this race since you started it - I wish I hadnt, and will not be doing it again and will be advising many friends who run not to bother also. How they can charge people an entry fee for this is beyond me. Never again.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Richard Cookson 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Really well organised and a great day out
In full: Despite problems with the London Transport system (obviously not the fault of the organisers!) and having to delay the race start time, this was a really well organised event and a great course through some of the more scenic parts of London. Great atmosphere from the crowds, loads of drinks stations, a good course with a couple of challenging inclines, overall top organisation and an event I would travel to London for again in the future.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: running-man-dan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: not a bad race but a good event
In full: great day 1hour 49 min for me but a few moans where was the pace makers ? not enough foils at the start and runners walking away with BOXES of energy bars what about the runners who fininshed very late they needed them more i just thought towards the end it got a bit neglected
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Rosh Karunaratne
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What 'beat'?
In full: Poorly organised. Delayed start meant waiting around in the cold. Race finally started 45mins late with the slower pens crossing the start line 90mins late. Where was the motivation music? A man with a speaker playing out the back of his transit van really wasnt worth getting up for on a cold sunday morning. The 'run to the beat' concept is a gimmick. There are plenty of better organised and cheaper half marathons out there. I did the race in 2008 and it was just the same, they have not learnt from their mistakes. Not impressed.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: TM
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Race delayed, long queues for bags, no snacks post race, location dull and impossible to get too and home again. Oragnisers need to improve as obviously haven't learnt from previous years !!
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: jenny maddocks
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: pooly organised
In full: The area where the bags/toiltet were was very cramp.
delayed start so you were waiting freezing.
No goody bags but the freebies that were available please were taking whole boxes away so the slowest runners probably did not get any.
There was harly any musci so I do not know whey they called it run to the beat.
Date of review: September 27, 2010
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