St Albans Review Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (397 votes). | 1 to 10 of 11 ratings | Page: 1 2 |
| The big picture 2012 (11 votes) | | Overall score | | 84% | | How many would do it again? | | 91% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 76% | | PB potential | | 56% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 78% | | Value | | 78% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 75% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Cakeman
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyable for my first time but there is one big killer hill! :D
Date of review: January 24, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Aizxana
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fun race, challenging but good atmosphere
In full: Really enjoyed this as this is my local half marathon and had been meaning to enter for years. The route is quite hilly - very few flat stretches except through the residential areas but attractive. It crosses the M25 but this was quite fun as a lot of the cars beeped at us for support! The marshals were supportive and lots of families were out in their front lawns to cheer us on. The water was provided in cups, which might be annoying for some, but I prefer that since I carry my own drink anyway and just want a few sips of water along the way. Nice medal and you get a t-shirt and lolly too. There's a good runner's village with a number of stalls and marquees. The only problems were the tiny number of lavatories and parking. I live in St Albans and thought I was being "clever" by finding alternative areas to park, but these were full too. It took a long time to get out of the city centre (would have been faster for me to walk home!!). Quite a few warnings of doom for about people wearing headphones!! Overall I enjoyed the race and will be back next year - just won't be driving to the event.
Date of review: July 21, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Fake Marv
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Really nice course, decent medal and a lolly on a hot day. Sadly let down a bit by the terrible parking arrangements. I'd definitely do it again if the parking was improved!
Date of review: July 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: stanmore beast
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hilly, challenging but fun. Lots of support along country lanes.
In full: Feels much longer than a half due to the hills. Not many flat or easy stretches here. No traffic and plenty of support along the way make up for that. Ice lolly at the end takes away the pains.
Date of review: June 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Zirion
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, undulating race in a nice location
In full: On the whole I thought this was an excellent race.
Course was constantly up and down, but the hills were never horrendous, and only one was vaguely long.
Good things:
Lots and lots of marshals, pretty course, plenty of supporters, nice runners village, plenty of water stations, ice lolly at the end.
Bad things:
Massive queue for toilets (although there was another set of toilets which was announced over the tannoy at one point and had a one minute queue...), parking wasn't well signposted and I think may have run out before the event
Date of review: June 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: tobyhouse
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: despite any small niggles over loos etc , this is a race & an event that i always enjoy
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jorgecadette11
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Half
In full: This was a great half marathon. The roads were closed on route and it is a nice undulating course which keeps the mind focussed.
The car parking was good if you were prepared to walk. I parked at the car park by the Council Building.
The T-shirt, ice lolly and especially the Lucozade Sport were all greatly appreciated as well as the texting of race times within minutes of finishing the race.
There should had been more toilets for the number of runners/ walkers involved in the event. That's my only gripe.
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: allun burgess
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 4th time running so the organizers must be doing some thing right
In full: it was my 4th time running the event, organization was good, agree with some comments about toilets not enough, on the course plenty of water stops but wish they could get a suppler using bottle instead of the plastic cups if only on a couple of stops, that is my only moan, glad to see that they widened the start which made it easier in stead of fighting our way through a small gap and the ban on mp3 plays was a good idea. at the finish there was plenty of fluid lucozade, water and the all important ice lolly, tee shirt (which fits) and the medal (wish they could change the design as it has been the same for 4 years) roll on next year
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Grayster H
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race in a great location
In full: This continues to be one of the best road half marathons I run. The course is a great undulating rural road course - it really is challenging with a couple of big long climbs but also a great downhill 1m at the end before a flat 0.5m. There are always loads of refreshment vans. The ice lolly is a must and I always look forward to it. They're quite generous at St Albans with a t-shirt, medal, lolly and bottle of lucazade sport! The guys on the PA always do a good job on the lead-up to the races and the kids event is great too. This year, there were a lot more runners and there was neither satisfactory parking or toilet facilities - needs to be looked at. My only other moan this morning would be that I and 20+ other runners seem to have been 'on course' when looking at the result but don't have a time or official place - I promise I didn't take any short cuts!
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Runner Martin
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Nice race with undulations
Date of review: June 10, 2012
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