Forest of Dean Trails Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (240 votes). | The big picture (240 votes) | | Overall score | | 87% | | How many would do it again? | | 93% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 89% | | PB potential | | 58% | | Atmosphere | | 76% | | Organisation | | 79% | | Value | | 77% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 70% |
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2011 race reviewed by: N Humphry
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely scenery makes the miles fly by. Hillier than expected.
Date of review: April 15, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: chris jones 78
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The hills, the hills...
In full: My own fault I guess, but I seriously underestimated the steepness of the course, and consequently suffered quite a bit.
Organisation was faultless- I enjoyed parking so close to the start! Support was superb, people obviously enjoying their local race even in the furthest reaches of the course, which it goes without saying is beautiful, all off road amongst the trails and trees of the Forest.
Wouldn't do it again, call me a wuss if you like but I'll stick to flatter climes...
Date of review: May 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Discodeb
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Gorgeous scenery, mildly challenging hills, great atmosphere
In full: Despite growing up in the Forest of Dean, this is the first time I have actually been for a run in the forest (I only started running at the age of 30!). And what a lovely run it was too. All off road on forest trails and a fantastic almost mile of downhill from miles 2 to 3. The hills were challenging enough, but not too long or steep. Lots of water stations, fantastic organisation and a really great atmosphere. Thoroughly recommend this run and will definitely do this again (there's another one on 18th September)
Date of review: April 1, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mason10
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race
In full: Really enjoyed this race, can't understand other comments about hill's, this is a multiterrain race and I would not describe it as tough compared to many other races.
One thing that spoils this event is serious lack of toilets, with 2000 odd entries organisers need to sort this out, 10-15 minute's of queuing before a race is not ideal!!
Date of review: March 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tom Newton 6
| | 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: First Half Marathon- Definately made me want to do another. Great race.
In full: My first half marathon and a really great introduction to what its all about, all well organised for a day on such a big scale (2500 people). The scale of the event and all the other features that come with a large scale event add to a really pleasant course (other than some of the hills-definately not a PB course!). Really great race, and in my meagre experience i would definately recommend. Ill be going back next year in any case!
Date of review: March 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: MattC
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough but fun
In full: My first time for this race, so had no idea what to expect, and really enjoyed it in the end. Dry conditions underfoot helped, and the hills were quite long and drawn out rather than short and sharp. A free T-shirt to the first 50 finishers was encouragement to keep the pace up, and the free post race massage helped on Monday morning.
Date of review: March 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chris Moore 10
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised. Not a course for PBs.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Feet of Clay
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: great race in a great venue.
In full: second time I've ran this event and I'll be back again next year too.
Pulled my calf and Achilles a tad on the second big hill but still really enjoyed it. excellent half to do in the build up to a spring marathon in my opinion.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Neil Wood 22
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Improvements to the 2010 course have not been for the better
In full: Why change the route between 6 and 7 miles and worse still between 11 and 12 miles to incorporate ridiculopsuly steep hills, this killed all momentum and in the main seemed to demoralise many. Many opted to walk these hills which hampered those with best intensions. The 2010 course was far better, no chance of a PB with such hills. Factor in the risk of injury to already tired limbs on the final hill and it makes no sense at all.
I'll be thinking long and hard about entering the new race in September or coming back next year
Shame
Date of review: March 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: CDH
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent course, well organised event
In full: Lovely course around the Forest cycle track. Organisation seemed very good with lots of marshalls, water, parking and a friendly atmosphere.
A few hills & inclines but not as bad as I imagined, really enjoyed the run. Thanks to all helpers.
Date of review: March 28, 2011
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