Mansfield Stars and Stripes Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (165 votes). | The big picture (165 votes) | | Overall score | | 78% | | How many would do it again? | | 88% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 63% | | PB potential | | 53% | | Atmosphere | | 68% | | Organisation | | 81% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 68% |
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2011 race reviewed by: Bobby Diablo
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Ruined by the weather
In full: Found the course rather dull and didn't enjoy running on the narrow pavements. Plenty of water and sponges available. Not keen on the cut back at Caldwell Road. Persoanl Worst for me due to the sun, but that's not the organiser's fault. Nice finish on the track and I like the idea of opting out of the Tshirt for a cheaper entry price.
Date of review: July 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: robin holmes
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Back to last year's route if possible please?
In full: Enjoyed the race, although a hot day I don't think as hot as last year and definitely flatter - as I'd paced myself for hills I found myself flying past people from halfway onwards. Much preferred the older route through Blidworth, or even the previous route through Pleasley Vale. That said the organisation was great as ever.
Date of review: June 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Andrew Johnston 16
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Dull, shadeless, hilly course along busy roads. Very well organised though
In full: Managed a PB but it wasn't much fun. I'm sure a more inspiring course would help. Relentless pavement running (some very narrow and overgrown) alongside busy roads wasn’t exactly pleasant. On the hottest day of the year so far there were just about enough water stations, but only just – I was pretty desperate each time I arrived. The guy hosing down runners from his garden at mile 12 was an absolute angel. On the plus side, it was very well organised and good value for money as long as you don’t mind the absence of goody bags, medals etc. (for this reason it may not be the best half for a first timer).
Date of review: June 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: SuperSJ
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 20% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great value & supporters; dull, hilly course with great marshals and local support in shocking sun!
In full: We all knew that it was going to be hot, but I did realise just how bad it was going to be. I am very burned! I never normally stop at water stations before 6 miles, but there was no choice! The hills would be fine on a rainy autumn day, but I had to walk some of them so got a disappointing time. I did Mansfield half 2 years ago but the course is different - and harder! - despite this it was a course PB for me, even if not for the distance.
There were plenty of marshals and they were very friendly and helpful. Also thank you to the local residents who offered to hose us down or came to the rescue with jelly babies - they were very welcome!
The entry fee is the cheapest half I know of, which is convenient as this is one of the nearest to me too. Although the t-shirt is very good quality, it was great to have the option not to buy it, because I have so many from races that I just give away. I echo someone else's suggestion of a medal - I don't mind paying a bit more for it. I was a bit envious when I saw the fun-runners had one!
I'll probably be back again next year, with my sun block next time!
Date of review: June 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Duane Daugherty 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Just completing the course on such a hot day was an achievement.
In full: Organisation before the race was excellent.
The course itself is based primarily on or next to main roads, many of them dual carriageways. The course is quite undulating but on Sunday there was next to no shade from the sun. I preferred the course several years ago that took you out into the countryside more.
I would say that the course needed at least one more drinks station due to the heat - 3 miles between drinks station was, in my view, too far.
Thanks to the householder with the hose pipe at about 12 miles.
The race was good value for money (£10 for a half marathon).
Date of review: June 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Andy Winkley
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: hard work, hilly and no edible goodie bag when you most need it at the end!!
Date of review: June 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: peter Waller 3
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 20% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hot, dull & thirsty
In full: This was my first half. In fact my first ever race. Wasn't sure what to expect. Turned out the heat really killed me. Definitely needed more water at about the tunnel. Boring run alongside a busy road. Also can see other runners nearly 2 miles ahead. Good points were... Very friendly and good value
Date of review: June 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Hannah Wiltshire3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Organisation fantastic, great atmosphere, great for my first half marathon!
In full: As stated above this was my first half marathon. There was plenty on free parking available and clear signage directing you to the registration tent, info tent, toilets and start line.Plenty of stalls and food vans etc for the spectators. The course itself was challenging in parts, but a nice course on a whole. There were plenty of encouraging marshalls and water stations throughout the whole run. The locals were also very encouraging, some even offering to hose us down as we ran past their properties as it was such a hot sunny day! Overall I would recommend this beginner-friendly race to anyone. The event was a bargin to enter (£10!!) but consequently you dont receive a finishers medal (It wouldve been nice as it was my first half). I think I would rather pay a bit more to enter and receive a medal, but that is just my opinion. Thank you to all the organisers who made it such an enjoyable day. See you next year!
Date of review: June 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dronfield Runner
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hot, Dull course,great value, good at start for families, parking/toliets fine
In full: Dull & boring course,undulating, route next to bypass on pavements, with single track at times.No problems with water stations, except at the finnish which seemed to be a problem.Great value, dont neeed all the rubbish you get in'goody bags'. I impressed by the entertainment around the start, could have brought the family to watch. At this price, well worth doing but if you are after a 'big event' for your first, go elsewhere and pay 2-3 times as much for the same distance...
Date of review: June 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: william peter mitchell
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Ver boring course
In full: Like last year red hot, but its the weather and that,s that. I enjoyed last year's route but this year was awful mile after mile of new souless by pass roads with constant heavy traffic next to you, and some places the foot path was only a single person width, price was great but I would pay more for a nicer route Marshalls where very supportive and other than the route no complaints.
Date of review: June 27, 2011
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