Sussex Beacon Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (483 votes). | 1 to 10 of 51 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
| The big picture 2008 (51 votes) | | Overall score | | 80% | | How many would do it again? | | 95% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 85% | | PB potential | | 77% | | Atmosphere | | 73% | | Organisation | | 72% | | Value | | 63% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 76% |
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2008 race reviewed by: Jonathan Allenby
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good for a first time half-marathon - loads of encouragement for samba bands etc, carnival atmospherer.
In full: Having not done a half-marathon before, and living in Brighton, I thought this would be a good choice. After hitting an unseen (due to crowd) curb after 300 metres, I thought my ankle was done for...but with loads of people cheering, and lots of music and encouragement, my mental attitude quickly changed to overcome it. For me, the hardest bit was the very long run along the sea - I'm used to the shoreline, so seeing the finish from miles away was quite tough. The tantalising move towards and then away from the finish at the end was very dispiriting, and I could see a lot of people getting a bit dejected at that point - if they change anything next year, I really hope it's that. Otherwise, a fantastic race and very involving for a half-marathon novice.
Date of review: July 13, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: mackfly
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: PB potential with atmosphere
Date of review: March 26, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Jane-O
| | 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: Glorious weather, great race
In full: My first half, and although I'd run longer distances in training, I found the last couple of miles hard as I was pushing myself and because, as other people have mentioned, you practically run past the finish line, watch other runners finishing, and then have to contend with some uphills. This is more of an observation than a moan - organising a half-marathon course in and around a town must be pretty challenging, and the long coastal stretches, particularly on a day like this, are glorious. Also, I love Brighton, and this was a great excuse to drag my family down and have a great weekend there. If I can persuade them that it's worth the trip again in 2009, I'll definitely do this race again - despite nearly running out of energy near the finish, I loved it.
Date of review: March 11, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Runaholic
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely, fast and scenic!
In full: 2nd time of running this race and really enjoyed it! The weather truely made it - you can't beat running by the sea with beautiful blue skies. Good fast and def PB potential - got 4mins off last years time. Would def recommend this race. :)
Date of review: March 9, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: emma shelley
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Unpleasant uphill from mile 10-11otherwise quite flat
In full: Nice weather if not a little windy. It was really annoying the way you head towards the finish and then have to go back away from it at 10 miles - especially as you can see other people on the home stretch! Managed to knock 30 seconds of a PB. Other runners didn't seem interested in cheering on the race leaders when they powered by which was rather odd...
Date of review: March 3, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: G Ker
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A new PB with overe 10 minutes off my previous time
In full: This is the first time I do the Brighton half, ironically, before I became a keen runner and a regular visitor to runner's world website, I did use to think how Brighton would make such a good setting for a race! With only a 10k 2 weeks prior to the race and almost no training whatsoever, I showed up thinking that I would gauge what a race this might be, and to gauge my own physical condition, as I will soon be preparing for a number of half marathons and marathons. The atmosphere at the start was wonderful, like all races are really. Love the course, love the seafront view, and was delightfully bemused by the fast runners, and how much faster they are than the mere mortals, as the course loops backwards and we all came face to face with them.
The sight of Roedean coming into view when we emerged from the tunnel was a wonderful surprise. Why, I have not seen my school since the speech day! Beautiful view, beautiful clifftops, wonderful crowds, and 10 minutes off the PB I set in the previous year, even if the organisation had been bad I would have enjoyed it anyway just for that. Didn't give organisation more points out of 5, is because I heard that medals ran out for the late finishers, the guys who probably would want it the most. That for me was the only glitch.
Date of review: March 3, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Paul Evans 8
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic weather, organisation, crowd and day out!
In full: The first half of the race is nothing short of brilliant, great crowds throughout the town and along the seafront, fantastic scenery and it was a glorious winter's day which makes it one of my all time favourite races ever. It alone made the six hour journey home seem worthwhile. However, the water stations are still a problem, they cannot cope pouring water into cups quick enough to deal with the masses of thirsty runners. Can't we pay a couple of quid extra and have bottled water next time? From mile 10 the route goes up what can only be described as the white cliffs of Sussex there is no one there just cars and the odd homeless person drinking their extra strength lager and looking on in bemusement, which isn't very uplifting. As you look down you can see a string of runners who are in front of you and further down on the seafront the leaders coming into the finish, how demoralising is that! The final two mile which is usually the worst as you know the finish is coming but don’t know when, runs through what can only be described as a back end of a car park there was no one there and it becomes a struggle. But the crowds along the finishing straight were extremely vocal prompting a sprint finish and a PB by nearly 7 mins. Happy Happy Happy!!
Date of review: February 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Burner
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great atmosphere and lovely scenery
In full: Well organised and fun half with a good number of people running. Goody bag as the name suggested was good, with some nice sugary flapjacks. Hit the spot.
Date of review: February 26, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Gilbert Webster
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very good run wot
Date of review: February 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: James Brouner
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great day, Great Race
In full: Third time in the race and the changes in the route have only improved year on year. Great work from all marshals and supporters, looking forward to next year :-)!
Date of review: February 22, 2008
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