Blackpool Hilton half Marathon - RACE FULLHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (10 votes). | 1 to 10 of 10 ratings | Page: 1 |
| The big picture 2012 (10 votes) | | Overall score | | 68% | | How many would do it again? | | 45% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 62% | | PB potential | | 78% | | Atmosphere | | 48% | | Organisation | | 56% | | Value | | 62% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 70% |
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2012 race reviewed by: David Rimington
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Needs chip timing and loud speaker at start
In full: Could'nt hear a word the announcer was saying at the start. Did'nt know where the start line was to start my watch, definately needs chip timing next year. I think the medals were won on one of the fairground stalls. Course a bit boring as well to be honest. Not one for me again.
Date of review: September 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: redborderman
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: PB potential, poor support, general organisation not professional enough
In full: Pluses: Timing v accurate & little time lost crossing line so no moans about hand-held timing. PB by 2 mins - but only because wind dropped c.f. 10K race the day before. Showers & easy parking available (small donations) + lots of space in Race HQ to mingle before & after.
Minuses: No atmosphere except for runners' own supporters. We were watched impassively in the main - how well advertised was it for onlookers, I wonder. This was very different to most other races. Some dog owners & cyclists made a point of asserting their rights by deliberately(?) getting in the way. Marshalling poor & ineffective on both days (e.g. allowing a car to 3-point turn on the course!), & generally unenthusiastic (with the exception of the girls at the Northerly end - thank you). Water appeared three times, but not at the distances quoted.
Overall - a chance missed, and unfortunately it will put me off other events organised by Fylde Runners until I see signs of improvement via this forum.
Date of review: September 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Dan Schindler 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: this was my first HM, great scenery,well organized,it was fun!
Date of review: September 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Pagester
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Decent fast flat course
In full: A fast flat course along sea front with a good mix of abilities/speeds. This is my third Fylde Coast running event, and I travel a 260 mile round trip to attend.
The water stations were erratic. Although in the runners instructions it stated water was available at 3,6,9 miles and at finish, it was actually at 5, 7 and 10 miles. This is important to most runners to know when to take water on board, and I would have thought most runners plan accordingly. When I asked the water marshals at 5 miles I was told everything was in order. I asked when the next station would be, and I was told Gynn Square- which meant nothing to me in terms of distance. When I asked how far, they didn't know. Unacceptable really.
The announcements at the start of the race are a complete waste of time. Nobody can hear them. Would it not be possible to use a mega phone or PA system. The safety car that told runners to keep to the left to let the fast runners through could have been utilised for this. I would also have thought the Hilton could have helped out with a PA system. I realise the run is for charity, but I fail to see what Hilton actually contribute as sponsor, with just random water and a medal given to runners. Goody bags are not why we run, but a bottle of water and a medal appears a bit tight, considering it is meant to have such a large corporate sponsor.
Date of review: September 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jon-Paul Kearns 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Could do better
In full: Looking at the other comments I did not have a problem at all collecting my number and I always have my own safety pins so no problem there. the water was my main problem they seemed very close together 5 7 10 miles not 3 6 9 as promised on there web site on of the friendliest races I have done though but you have to chat as yes its a fast course but it is so very boring. the other little problem I had was the announcements at the beginning people trying to shout over 500+ people just doesn't work I didn't hear a word and I was stood pretty close to them. overall a very average race as for the timing it was spot on so no clompaints there
Date of review: September 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Dynamic
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Third time at this event , IMO organisation lacking from previous years .
In full: Third time at this event,in my opinion the organisation was lacking from previous years . My Bib didnt not exist at check in,went to information ,lady said my email confirmation was not enough proof of who I was.She sent me away to come back for a spare bib after 940 . Returned at 945 ...lots of others waiting for numbers,not sure why. Lady at desk was a bit terse with everyone I thought and told one guy who had no pins, 1) he should have brought his own and 2)put the number in your pocket and show it at the end.Maybe this lady should have been informed of the info on the Runner info page -Registration
"If you have entered online then you
need to collect your race number on
race day. The registration opens at
8am. Please bring your email
confirmation with you when collecting
your race number. There is an enquiry
desk if you have any problems or
questions about the event. There is also
a supply of pins to attach your race
number to the front of your running top." Sorry Ron,but while I was at the desk 4 people were told you had run out of pins! Water station at three didnt seem to exist ... I was waved past the table on the right and told it was on the left ...This race is very reasonably priced , the marshals are pretty good and it is a flat course with PR potential. Will I be back again ...not sure .
Date of review: September 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Anne Nield
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good if you're good!
In full: My first half marathon ( and quite possibly my last lol!) and I found it tough! The scenery was very dull sadly made worse by having to do it twice. The grim treck along the sea front with only a massive sea wall for company was soul destroying! I don't think this is good as a first half as the crowd is non existent apart from about 20 people at the finish line! If you are half decent at running and not really in it for the 'experience' then it's probably a good one to do! The organisation was good, plenty of water stations and excellent marshalls. Not sure I'll be back for this one Blackpool!
Date of review: September 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: cat-log
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised sea-front race for a decent price.
In full: Thoroughly enjoyed this race it had a well organised feel to it with very encouraging stewards & for the price i can't see any reason to complain !!! Ok the medal isnt the best i have ever seen but its still nice to get one at the end of the race & safety pins ???? I always take my own no matter what & they cost me 35p for a pack of 10 from my local shop !!!! In short really enjoyed it & will be back next year for a good cause well done !!!
Date of review: September 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: RocketRon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: Gary,
Sorry you were a bit dissapointed with the Hilton Half Marathon. But???
We did not run out of pins, plenty at the registration dsek being given out by a young lady, if we had put 2000 on show they would have gone very quicky as what happened at the 10K the day before-Chip timing was not advertised for this event, not worth it for 500 runners, too expensive, all the times were on display at the registration area by 1pm, they can be viewed on ukresults.net-Medals, they were not leftovers from a previous race with something stuck on, take a good look at yours, all metal incripted design with all the charity details on, as good as most - yes clock stopped, but was started again quite quickly.
Fylde Coast Running always welcome both critisism and comments, we can only impriove on the negsatives. All in all the winners from this event, apart from all the competitors was the Hilton In The Community Foundation with thousands of pounds raised over the weekend for childrens charities on the coast and worldwide throught the Hilton worldwide organisation, thank you for your help in taking time to enter the event.
Ron
Date of review: September 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gary Herring
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Cheap and quick but a few irritating faults
In full: Lets start with the positives. A predominantly flat course, definate PB potential and I shaved over a minute off mine. Good facilities at the Hilton, showers available at the end in the fitness club which was welcome (for a 2 quid donation to the Hilton Foundation, was was perfectly ok). Plenty of encouragement from the stewards on the way round.
Now the negatives. Collected my number 25 mins before the race, and they had run out of safety pins, leading to a scramble round to see if anyone had any spate. Not good enough. No goody bag (which i'm not that bothered about personally), and awful medal. Looked like it was an old left over from a different event with a sticker on it. No chip timing. In fact, was it timed at all?? I'm going to assume it had to be (surely????), but the timing clock at the end wasn't working. Just have to wait to see if the results appear I guess.
Overall, a decent race if you're after a PB but to call it 'no frills' is an understatement.
Date of review: September 2, 2012
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