Events

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In full: This was my 2nd half and a bit of a shocker after running in Brighton prior, which remains my PB! looking forward to managing 2 hours or less next year instead of 2 hrs 12! Contrary to prior bad press I think the marshalls made the day,were well organised and kept me going for the last 3 miles.
Date of review: April 11, 2013

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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: An old-school race, aimed at locals and making sport visible in the community again.
In full: The initial attraction of the Waltham Forest Half Marathon was participating in a sporting event in my local area (well, it was the closest half marathon to Haringey anyway...). I knew it was going to be small, I knew it was going to be minimal, and I knew that the route was going to be pretty urban. I had also read the race reviews from previous years and knew that the organisers had faced issues with marshaling, directing runners and managing busy roads. With this in mind I was surprised to enjoy the race as much as I did and to run such a fast time.

The organisation of the event seemed very smooth to me. There were no panics or confusions at the start, marshals were in abundance along the course and they shouted very clear directions to all of us we ran past. The roads were not closed, but marshals were equiped with lollypop-style signs and police helped out on bicycles to hold the roads up along the way. 4 (maybe 5) water stations were in place along the way and pretty perfectly spaced out in my opinion. It was a very no-frills affair, but I can't think of anything extra that I would have wanted there.

The support from local residents along the way was fabulous and the marshals' enthusiasm was tireless and appreciated. Highlights include the school children who dedicated their Sunday morning to cheering on their fundraising teachers and parents in Walthamstow, the family who handed out Haribo, and the marshal on Hainault Road who woke residents up with her cheering and made them join in the support.

A fabulous race and a fabulous addition to the local community calendar. I'm already looking forward to next year's.
Date of review: April 10, 2013

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Friendly but painful
In full: I really enjoyed my run and liked the scenery. Some standard street running along busy roads but seen worse. Police were on hand to stop traffic at busy junctions as this is purely pavement running. Staff were friendly and helpful and had no issue. This is however a very hilly course and no one is about to break any Pb's
Date of review: April 9, 2013

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A great half-marathon getting better every year.
Date of review: April 9, 2013

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: PB Potential, something a bit different
In full: I entered this race as it visited all major landmarks that I grew up around as a kid, so I traveled from Devon to specifically do this race. Marshalling was great and plenty of water stations. Bit weird running on pavements around people but once you got going it was fine and most people moved over for you. The first half was down hill and flat and because of that the 2nd half knocked me a bit and I ended up slower than I was hoping for. But for me it was a great race. The goody bag was lovely, medal, t shirt, food, pen etc.
Had a great day and I hope they bring the 10k route back as I would like to do that.
Date of review: April 9, 2013

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Good Local Race
In full: Before the race I was worried about the fact that this was a pavement race with no closed roads, but in reality it turned out to be amazingly smooth with police and marshals closing junctions as runners approached with no need to slow down.
Its not a sightseeing run by any means, but the variation in surroundings means that you're never bored.
I would definitely recommend this to anybody fairly local to the borough.
Date of review: April 9, 2013

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Very friendly race. Challenging course so pace it well! Marshals enthusiasm is outstanding.
Date of review: April 9, 2013

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A very different half marathon - an organisational triumph
In full: The race route appealed to me because of family connections however I'm not so sure the urban streets would be that attractive for others. I did worry at times that I'd take a wrong turn / run down the wrong side of a street but in fairness there were a remarkable number of marshals and police on bikes to assist. There were several pockets of enthusiastic supporters, the race is more deserving of a higher turnout. Crossing sidestreets is an unavoidable danger but unless you are hellbent on having an uninterrupted run then I would recommend the route. The first half is mostly downhill and although there are no great hills it does get you towards the end. The mile markers were pretty hopeless however not really a problem if you have a Garmin.
Date of review: April 8, 2013

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Great atmosphere with a personal touch
In full: Great day. It was interesting running through the streets and everyone was very supportive. Marshaling was great and everyone was super friendly. I ran a PB and came 3rd which I would never be able to do in bigger races so I think this is great as a smaller and more ersonal half.
Date of review: April 8, 2013

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Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great local race. Not many like this any more!
In full: Really enjoyed this, partly because it is on exactly the roads I run around on dark winter evenings after work when I can't run on forest trails or in parks. If you don't know the area it might not be so interesting though.
Must say a huge thank you to all the marshalls - friendly, encouraging and helpful. Well done the marshall in the tiger suit and boxing gloves who I saw at the start and Waterworks Corner - inspired me to run faster.
This is what running is about for me, a small local race where you feel a big part of things.
Date of review: April 8, 2013

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