Diet Coke East Kilbride Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (38 votes). | 1 to 10 of 38 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
| The big picture (38 votes) | | Overall score | | 71% | | How many would do it again? | | 89% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 41% | | PB potential | | 81% | | Atmosphere | | 61% | | Organisation | | 82% | | Value | | 72% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 75% |
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2009 race reviewed by: Sturun
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race, will be back again
In full: Having run this race twice before in 2004 (1.42) and 2005 (1.58), I was looking forward to getting back to running it after 4 years off. The good news was that the organisation was as good as ever and the only blip was the false start in which the councillor couldn’t get the gun to work and just told everyone to go! Before marshals had to stop runners as the gun sets off the timing mat (or something like that!). So once the councillor got a cap in the gun we were underway...
As well as having the half marathon; a 10k is on at the same time and all the runners are mixed together distinguished by red race numbers for 10K runners and black race numbers for half marathon runners. Also a nice touch to the race numbers this year was that your name and where you’re from are under the number! So I was Stuart from Glasgow for the day
The half marathon is a two lap course with the second lap having a two mile out and back section to make up the miles, as the 10k goes off into the track after the first lap. For the first lap I just had the intention of taking it easy and see how I felt on the second lap. I went through 7 miles about 1.03 and felt really good so decided to up it a bit for the second lap. The second lap I really enjoyed as it was a lot quieter as all the 10k runners which took up well over half the field were gone and a was regularly overtaking people. The course has what I would call long inclines and declines. I wouldn’t say they were enough to call hills or affect pace really. So PB potential is quite high here.
I ended up finishing in a time of 1.51.57 which I was really pleased with as I have not done as many long runs in the last month. The last 6 miles felt really comfortable at the faster pace and I reckon I could have sustained it for many more miles.
Overall this is a great race – excellent marshalling, 2 laps meant the water stations every 2 miles and it’s always good finishing on a track for that sprint finish! (ok so maybe not a sprint ;-), slightly faster than before!)
Date of review: July 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Steve Head
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice event, well organised, will be back
Date of review: June 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Gonzala
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: One of the best and enthusiastically organised
In full: So many plusses - there's something so smooth about the organisation, it could almost be American. Loved the brass band doing a great rendition of the London Marathon tv tune as we passed and the pipers on the bridge - hats off to them all. Only minus is no portaloos on the route, which meant, ahem, some improvisation by male runners and discomfort among females. Fantastic overall: quality.
Date of review: June 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: RGS
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good day out.
In full: Really enjoyed it. Yes, East Kilbride is a bit dull, yes there are lots of roundabouts, but it was happy, chilled out, everyone smiled, even the bored people in the traffic jams caused by us were waving and clapping.
At the point where the 10k runners disappeared I felt a bit lonely (and realised just how slow I must be going) but as i finished my second lap I met some of the 10k people still struggling round!
The events in the stadium were fab, my kids had a great time and really felt involved.
Could have done without a long sleeved top (or did I ask for one) cut the sleeves off it anyway.
Good run. Back next year.
Date of review: June 23, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: PMcF
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast flat course
In full: Very congested at the start with HM & 10k runners together. Found the distance markers a bit annoying as it is a double loop....1km 1m 2km 7m 3km 3m etc etc. Plenty water stations, every 2 miles approx. Brass bands playing every 5 mile or so and support throughout the course was appreciated.
Nice touch to finish on the running track inside the John Wright Sports Centre, that felt rather good, just like the Falkirk HM all those years ago.
There appeared to be a false start, not sure what happened, I'm guessing the Timing Chip equipment failed and the runners had to trot back.
All in all it was an enjoyable event.
Date of review: June 22, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Scott Mac Brayne
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good Event
In full: A good fair race. Certainly not the most awe inspiring scenery that you'll ever run in but its well organised and is a relativley quick course to run on.
Date of review: June 22, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Liam McMonagle 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well-organised race if not too flat
In full: This race is very well organised though is primarily a 10k with a minority of runners doing the half marathon. It does take place in East Kilbride, so you cannot expect scenic beauty but rather roundabouts and underpasses. The route consists of two 5-mile laps of east kilbride town centre with bits added on to augment the distance. The first loop is quite congested with all the 10 runners, after that it spreads out drastically. While there are no steep hills en route there are long gentle climbs.
Nice atmosphere, even though the nature of the route means there is minimal on-course support though. Good water availability and Diet Coke seem to support it quite enthusiastically - the brass bands in delivery trucks was a nice touch.
Good t-shirt though I'd have preferred a medal to a tombstone. Also it's quite rare for a race of this size to post out t-shirts and chips so good effort there. I also found the 'stop smoking' leaflet in the goodie bag amusing - then I saw a finisher sparking up a Marlboro Red just over the line! Only in Scotland......
Date of review: June 22, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: D Runner
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fairly fast but nos scenic & definitely not that flat!
In full: Not the most scenic of routes, twice round East Kilbride isn't that exciting, and it's definately not as flat as it's made out to be.
And re the goody bag - how many runners want a full-fat can of fizzy juice at the end of a race & a mars bar?! Something healthier would be a better option. Also, the leaflet for "stopping smoking" in the goody bag gave us a laugh - not many runners smoke!
However, can't fault the organisation, and the t-shirt was better than the usual run-of-the-mill offering.
Overall, a decent, well-organised race. Definately PB potential if the weather is right.
Date of review: June 22, 2009
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2008 race reviewed by: Ico
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A well organised race again - let down by the weather.
In full: This is a quick course though the strong wind this year had a slowing effect. The heavy rain towards the end will have left a lot of runners and marshalls very wet and East Kilbride on a grey day is not that exciting. I would still recommend both the half and the 10k though.
Date of review: July 1, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Miro Kabourek
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: Not fast race
In full: No flat race at all. First half and wind in yours back. Second half up and wind in face. Not fast race.
Date of review: June 27, 2008
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