Persimmon Homes Malmesbury Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (13 votes). | 1 to 10 of 13 ratings | Page: 1 2 |
| The big picture 2012 (13 votes) | | Overall score | | 88% | | How many would do it again? | | 100% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 71% | | Atmosphere | | 68% | | Organisation | | 72% | | Value | | 88% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 71% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Ritch
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good first time event
In full: Really enjoyed this run, despite the persistent rain falling relentlessly throughout!
Felt sorry for the marshalls being stuck there, but most were supportive of the 366 that completed the race.
Facilities were all good, but I was very much deceived by the race letter that said parking was a 5 minute walk from the registration. It was actually 20+ minutes away, meaning my being late already, turned into a mad panic to get to the start line just as everyone was setting off! Pre-race stretching is over-rated anyway!
Other than that, it was a lovely rural course. Forgot my jelly babies in my haste, so the energy gels on offer at 7 miles were an unexpected pleasure, followed by other offerings if wanted.
No need for a medal and t-shirt, I believe just one will suffice, but thanks all the same.
Would be happy to come again next year, but will leave home sooner!
Date of review: September 27, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: JoJo72
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hugely enjoyable half!
In full: I also (like others chose) this as no Chippenham half and was worried about the 'undulations' but it was fine, enough for interest but not awful! Friendly, good support, loved the T shirt and medal and got a PB that I wasn't expecting. I will definitely do again next year, I even liked the rain as is my favourite running condition:)
The cars we needed to move for didn't worry me, but with potentially more people running the mix of pedestrians and runners in the last mile or so might be more problematic. Apologies to anyone who may have had to dodge my own kids umbrellas!!
Other than that I thought it was excellent and thanks to all the marshalls and other helpers who added to a great day.
Date of review: September 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Paula4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Rolling, rolling but no big dippers
In full: Enjoyed the route, had no idea what was coming next. Annoyingly persistent inclines and downhills to challenge you - but nothing too major. About mile 9 there was a weird mile off road which in the relentless rain was a difficult surface to run well on. Signposting was fine, i carried a drink so not bothered by paper cups, only a few cars on the open roads and welcome encouragement from the nice marshalls. I think organisation was fine for a first time race - next year please more toilets (that work!), female change area would be nice, improve the last half mile -too narrow to share with poor unsuspecting pedestrians. But please dont change the nice tech t shirt and best goody bag i've had so far. Great value all round. Definitely like to do it again next year
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: HeatherS
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Lovely route .. despite the weather! A few awkward moments with passing cars on the narrower lanes, some nice treats at water stations! Only criticism run in on path to finish line was farly challenging dodging pedestrians!
Great goody bag at the end well worth the effort. Look forward to next year.
Thank-you to all the marshalls who stood in the pouring rain.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Stephen Seddon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Will go back next year.
In full: I really enjoyed this. It wa only my second half marathon but although overall I am happy there were a few issues. The biggest one was the need to constantly be alert for cars behind you. As I was wearing headphones this was a nuisance. The last bit before getting to the park was not well thought out as previously mentioned and finally the queue for the toilets at the start was rather long.
But overall it was a vey nice event.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Karl Kerr
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: got makings of a great classic! Chippenham Half beware you have competition!
In full: Despite the pouring rain, this did not dampen or detract from a great challenging half marathon. The course started from the atmospheric high street in town centre and weaved past the Abbey onto an undulating route sufficiently challanging with out kiling you! The course was well marshalled very encouraging and good support considering lousy weather. The choccy flapjacks were most welcome and even some gel tabs were available! I got home in under two hours which was my PB target having done Melksham 10 last week as prep run. As another runner mentioned brilliant goody bag - fantastic medal and super tech shirt. Melksham 10 you must take note for next year :-). There was even got a print out of finish time and 10k split. Well done dBMax, classic event!!
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Black And Tabby
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Just a few tweeks needed to make this race extra-special
In full: This was mostly a great race, and the few points I'm listing are not meant as moans, but pointers so it can be improved upon for next year to make it even better!
- I overheard one of the runners asking a marshall on the course about first aid, and the marshall didn't know where the nearest first aid post was and didn't have a number to call for them
- at a few junctions there wasn't a marshall which was disconcerting when running on my own with no other runners in sight. However, it was very well signposted.
- It was a walk from the car park to the registration (including some steep steps!), and then another walk from registration to the start line.
- At the start of the course which was supposed to have closed roads, we had cars squeezing past us.
- The stretch in the final mile along a footpath (before the last bit of road before the return to the park for the finish) was narrow and crowded with families (with brollies!) and other finished runners all trying to squeeze the other way. I didn't have the legs for weaving at this point, but managed not to crash into anyone.
Huge thank you's to the marshalls & other volunteers for standing out in the rain for so long
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jill Hadland
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great race!
In full: This was the first Malmesbury Half Marathon and I really enjoyed it. The course was interesting, well-marked and sufficiently challenging. The whole event was really well-organised. Shame about the awful rain, but that didn't spoil it for me! I got a PB and was happy! Hope to see it as part of the regular race calendar.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Michelle Fairgrieve
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fab route, marshalls, organisation, goody bag...and chocolate flapjacks :D
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Dotty72
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Small race...big potential
In full: Great race, thank you to all the marshalls who were out for a fair few hours in horrible conditions and were very supportive. Well done all!
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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