The Harvel 5  Here's how RW members rated this race (219 votes). | The big picture (219 votes) | | Overall score | | 94% | | How many would do it again? | | 99% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 85% | | PB potential | | 75% | | Atmosphere | | 85% | | Organisation | | 86% | | Value | | 85% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 85% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Jane Roome
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: June 13, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alec Martin
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: This was my first race, had a lot of fun, great atmosphere and a lot of friendly people. 39:11 this year, hoping for a sub 35 next year.
Date of review: June 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tony Horlock 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Super race!
In full: Second time running this one, and knocked 2 minutes off last years time. Great, mainly flat course where you can really give it your all, especially on the last mile. Great day in general, happy friendly people everywhere!!!
Date of review: June 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Janet Cooper
| | 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: Fantastic, loved the day will be back next year.
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Ben Spittles
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Country fete-feel on the village green when you start, nice Kent countryside during the run. All good.
In full: I can't class myself as a runner in any real sense. I took part in this race for the first time in 2008 after being challenged to do it by a work contact who is a club runner. Enjoyed it so much that I've now run it 3 times, and it has got me into running for enjoyment. As a beginner, I've never felt out of place at this event.
Date of review: June 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Glenn Barden
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Second time at Harvel after giving it a couple of years, remembered now why I loved it so much the first time...
In full: My first time at Harvel was in 2009, and was only my fifth proper race. Three years and nearly 100 races later, I returned - and as I always do on Runners World, here is my take of the positives and negatives
Positives
* For such an isolated place, it was phenomenally easy to get to if you followed the race instructions and can follow arrows!
* A race started with a shotgun will always have a certain charm to me...
* The course is fast, fast, fast - it's not until you get to three miles that you realise you've been uphill all the way so far - the finish is one of the fastest I know!
* The quality of the field at the front is superb - I finished with a 32' and was only just inside the top 100... Saying that, it seems as if the race caters well for all abilities
* I think the price for a race of this quality, with two water stations and a brilliant medal is top drawer
Negatives
* For the first time in doing these reviews - I cannot think of anything I would improve. My message to the organisers would be as follows - keep it exactly as it is, with an eye on maintaining a field no larger than it currently is. The only thing that I can imagine would affect this race is letting it become a victim of its own success - the course cannot cater for too many more runners, in my opinion.
Overall, a superb race - and I have passed on my opinions of this gem to a number of racing magazines over the past week.
Date of review: June 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Toby Bates 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I love the trail and road mix
Date of review: June 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Susan L Beecham
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good for the runner, great for families to support too, lots for kids to do.
Date of review: June 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: David Tunks
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great afteroon on the green. Quick trot round the countryside and back to the pub!
Date of review: June 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sian Roberts 7
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: June 8, 2012
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