Cardiff Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1108 votes). | The big picture 2010 (133 votes) | | Overall score | | 68% | | How many would do it again? | | 72% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 77% | | PB potential | | 84% | | Atmosphere | | 73% | | Organisation | | 46% | | Value | | 53% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 81% |
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2010 race reviewed by: Mustkeeptrying
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Awesome experience- survived!
In full: I really enjoyed this race. After retiring from the British Olympic team due to obesity at the age of 10, i decided to come out of retirement in a bid of going for 2012. Great atmosphere and interesting runners- balls to the blokes in nappies! I could of done with one as curry from previous night haunted me at 10 miles (i know to much information lol). Got round in 2hr 35 so still cannot break the fabled 21/2 hour boo. But top times in Cardiff!
Date of review: November 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Andrew Bond
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Worst organisation I've ever seen
In full: Chaotic start. No control over where people started - so I was left to try to get passed huge groups running very slowly and 9 abreast. Badly marked out. At one point I ran between Cafe Nero and their chairs and tables on the pavements. Hardly any mile markers that I saw. Expensive. No T-shirt. And criminally, not a HALF MARATHON !
Date of review: November 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: ThomasF
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Shame about the distance but nice flat course with good PB potential
In full: I took 11mins of my PB so despite the slight shortcomings in the distance, for good reason, I can recommend this as a great course to get a PB.
The start and finish areas were poorly organised and it seemed to take for ever to get started and clear the finish.
The course was narrow in places and took a long time to thin out enough allowing you to settle into an even pace and to move past people. Becuase the course was narrow, the areas around the water stations were a bit manic, other events I have done have kept the water collection to one side of the road so if you are not picking anything up you can move past without having to sidestep as if you were playing at the millenium stadium to get through.
Would consider in the future if not racing elsewhere.
Date of review: October 30, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Anne Acton 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Shame about the start with runners not in their allocated time pens which made for weaving. Some parts were narrow so overtaking difficult. The last few miles over the barrage was great but didn't like the finish with the doubleback. Disbelief about
Date of review: October 30, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: blacktriangle
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race. Last few miles across the bay were awesome, Fast, but narrow in places. Let down this year by a short course, which hopefully will never happen again.
Date of review: October 28, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: tony grandon
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: |
In full: A gave up entering this race a few years ago after taking part about 3 times. Each time there were problems at the start/finnish, usually down to poor organisation. The entry fee is quite high and it is reasonable to expect a professionally organised race. I have complained but was told that the event was for charity, implying that we have to put up with shoddy service.
Date of review: October 28, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Tungsten
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyable run on a fast course. Some issues to iron out.
In full: Overall a great course. Would suggest stricter controls at start with regards to anticipated run times (colour coordinate bibs with pens).
A bit too congested in some areas in the first 3 miles, but this could be remedied with the above suggestion.
The finish was harsh (despite the short cut). I don't expect many people enjoyed doubling back on themselves.
Date of review: October 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Little by little
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent first-timer's race with changing scenery and friendly volunteers. Pity about the finish this year tho'...
Date of review: October 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: aimee phillips 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
Date of review: October 24, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Christopher Hawkins
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant Race, but room for improvement
In full: Having competed in the Cardiff Half Marathon for 3 consecutive years you could say this is my annual race, and I will be competing in it every year that I am physically able.
This years race was a very good spectacle of the potential for Wales and the Cardiff Half Marathon as a whole. Unfortunately there were certain areas that needed improving. At the finish in previous years you were politely but assertively ushered outside of the barriers, whereas this year it was a free for all. Handing out of medals was as good as usual but race bags were not (one person handing them out seeming rather flustered).
The race was cut short for safety reasons which I agree with and it is silly to say that another section could have just been added on instantly when it takes so much to arrange the one route due to council/government protocols (possible idea for the future is to sort alternate routes).
The event did seem to be aimed more at getting it placed down the bay over the race itself. The actual race, scenery and support were fantastic. Now that the bay has been chosen as the start and finish, I hope the event organisers can get back to the warm feel that previous years have shown.
Excellent race, just look into the finer detail ;)
Date of review: October 22, 2010
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