Oxford Half Marathon 2012Here's how RW members rated this race (25 votes). | 1 to 10 of 24 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 |
| The big picture 2012 (24 votes) | | Overall score | | 76% | | How many would do it again? | | 79% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 75% | | PB potential | | 79% | | Atmosphere | | 73% | | Organisation | | 52% | | Value | | 69% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 81% |
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2012 race reviewed by: DALE Irons
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: Lucky for me I didn't need to drop my bag. Though was stuck in major traffic and got dropped off near the stadium just in time. Only downside for me was they ran out of large tshirts. Mrs got the time wrong and never see me cross the line and I was already waiting at home when she got there. Can't wait for next time.
Date of review: May 2, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Ainis Svikis
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: superb
Date of review: April 24, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: R.u.n.n.i.n.g. Caz
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, loved the route, atmosphere, bands, goodie bag & stadium finish!
In full: Great race in general, loved the route and I certainly felt inspired by Oxford's dreaming spires! The race definitley was UKA measured and approved though so not quite sure where the comment in the rating below has come from. There is some room for improvements in the 2013 race, including the baggage area. Will be back in 2013.
Date of review: January 23, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Carolyn Jones 7
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Dreadful organisation, would not do again
In full: The concept of the race is good, but the organisation has unfortunately again been terrible. Perhaps the race needs new organisers. The problems began before the race with poor parking arrangements and while the race itself was probably acceptable, the organisational shortfalls were evident straight after the finish, with poor access to the chip timing results and then horrendous queues for momentoes nd worst of all baggage return. Then to cap it all off, it transpires that the race hadn't even been officially measured and none of the performances are valid! I wouldn't mind so much if this was a charity or club run race, but this event is run by a Ltd company charging a horrendous entry fee and obviously making profits for the orgabisers. I'm surprised at some of the ratings received being so positive, but on closer inspection it appears that at least one of the Race Directors has left feedback on his own race (extremely favourable naturally) on 2 occasions under his own name! Very sad that he feels the need to distort what should be a runner-based feedback channel in this manner.
Date of review: January 11, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Steve Hughes 11
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Bag/car park failure ruined the day
In full: The race itself was good. The course was relatively flat and the weather was perfect for running. What totally ruined the experience was the traffic and the baggage fiasco. Despite getting to Oxford early I had to abandon my car at Sainsbury's which was 2-3 miles from the start line because there appeared to be no preparation for the volume of traffic heading to the race. What was (much) worse however, was the debacle at the end when it took well over an hour to collect my bag. Hundreds of us stood in the cold waiting for our belongings because the baggage storage system seemed to be organised by Frank Spencer. I've been to much larger events than this and there has been no problem getting bags so I can't understand why it was so difficult for the organisers of this race.
Date of review: November 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: D Taylor-Jones D Taylor-Jones
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good course, good organisation, great value
In full: Just wanted to mention Oxford half marathon. I ran the second Oxford half on 14th of October and was thoroughly impressed. The course kept your interest with some great sites (Roger Bannisters record breaking track) and finishing inside a football stadium was unique. The race was well organised with plenty of marshals, well placed water stations and easy to find amenities. The goody bag took it too another level. I want to compare it with one of largest halves, which attracts international elites, I ran two weeks previously. At Oxford the goodies included: water, Cliff energy bar, High 5 energy gel, Running fitness magazine, drawstring gym bag, sports bottle, Brooks tech tee (minus the garish sponsors logos) and a medal unique to Oxford. Compare that with: A Kitkat, water, newspaper, advert for a magazine, tech tee and a medal with the genetic runner (the sane as the previous 5 years at least). So a huge well done to the organisers and a massive recommendation.
Date of review: October 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andy Heyes 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
Date of review: October 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tracey Watson 6
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great potential to be a top half marathon
In full: Great improvement on last year. This is one race which will continue to get better and better. Vastly improved route with lovely scenery in the university parks and running along the River Thames. A great touch to have Roger Bannister start the race. A nice medal and technical t shirt too. The only niggle was the baggage reclaim and parking but given how the organisers took on feedback from last year, I'm sure this will improve in 2013. See you next year!
Date of review: October 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Owen Kimber
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fast course but event needs to be better organised
In full: Some really good aspects to this event:
- Sir Roger Bannister at the start
- Pace setters
- Fast and generally flat
- Lovely running by the river in the centre of Oxford
- The bands and support by the road
- Plenty of drink stations
- Perfect running conditions: cold, sunny and still
- Good t-shirt and medal at the end
Some points that need improving:
- We arrived in the car-park queue at 8.15 and only just made the start at 9.30
- It was a bit chaotic around the stadium
- The car park exit was closed until the last few runners were passing
- The event was sponsored by Mini, but the detour into the mini plant and running the ring-road overpasses did not make for scenic running
Date of review: October 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gingermagic
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fledgling race that could be brilliant next year.
In full: The race has definite flaws which hopefully will be addressed next year. If they get it spot on next year, it will be a fantastic race.
Problems with parking and bag storage has been mentioned. It just took too long to get parked up and too long to collect the bags. Some points of the Thames path section were just too narrow at points, I was held up on a few occasions.
This route problem though doesn't seem that bad when you take into account how scenic it was. The atmosphere was great and the marshalls were excellent. The medal was top quality and the t-shirt was also a nice treat.
Had a fantastic massage after as well, which has made all the difference the day after!
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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