Abbots Langley Tough Ten 10K  Here's how RW members rated this race (65 votes). | 1 to 10 of 65 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
| The big picture (65 votes) | | Overall score | | 79% | | How many would do it again? | | 95% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 58% | | PB potential | | 54% | | Atmosphere | | 67% | | Organisation | | 71% | | Value | | 76% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 71% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Neil Warner 3
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great local race !
In full: For those that have commented on the delay, this was caused by a non runner having a heart attack on the course and sadly passing away. After waiting a slight detour avoided passing the scene.
A great local race, well organised and a great moment to get the medal from graham Taylor !
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: northern minstrel
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Why were we waiting?
In full: I do like this event - my second time today and a quicker time than the last one in cooler weather. My only question is why was the race 20 minutes late off? We were warned about a 10 minute delay which is acceptable, but I didn't hear any explanation for the second 10 minutes delay. Once we got going it was once again a good event. The course is an up and down one, but surely the demands of Gallows Hill are compensated for by the close-up view of the fabulous Ovaltine factory, especially if you hadn't seen that before. I also applaud the fact that starter, G Taylor stays to welcome the runers home. That is true commitment to an event, instead of just trading on being famous. Well done, Graham.
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: MrsK8
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great little local race
In full: Charming local race with a good set up. The only downside with the organisation was the 25 min delay at the start. We were told it was only going to be 10 mins about 20 mins before we lined up & we were left waiting longer & longer at the start line & we all got a bit cold. I understand something might have happened to a runner from an earlier race so if that was the case then I'm glad the organisers were taking the appropriate action.
The course was a bit narrow at times so made overtaking a bit hard. We also had to run on the road for parts but the organisers had put plenty of signs up to warn drivers so personally I felt quite save.
The hill at the end wasn't too bad, it lasted about 1k but wasn't too steep. Just at a cruel part in the race so save some energy for that!
Was able to get parked ok & there were plenty of marshals around to help direct you to parking.
There was a really friendly atmosphere with this race & had a 'local race' charm to it.
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Helen984
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Thankfully not as 'tough' as I expected
In full: This was only my second 10K event, I'm a new-ish runner (<2 years) and 9 weeks into a half marathon training plan so I'm quite fit and can run 10+ miles on my Sunday run quite comfortably now. Please don’t be put off by those who say ALTT isn’t PB material – you can get up some good speed on the ‘downs’ to make up for the ‘ups’. I smashed my 1:11:11 pb (set in May) and set a new one of 56:18, my pace quickened slightly in comparison to my recent training too!
The carpark was easy to find, I’ve never been to Abbots Langley before so I didn’t know where to go from there, but there were marshalls and police everywhere so it was really easy to ask the way. The only major downer for me was a 20-30 minute starting delay (presumably down to a last minute course change) which had us hanging about in chilly, foggy conditions. There were toilets easily accessible in the community centre and there were also refreshments on sale here, this was only a short walk from the start/finish line.
The hill everyone harps on about was much more of a pussycat than I expected, I train on the streets and towpaths in and around Hemel so I’m fairly used to hills, although if you’re a gym bunny and more used to a treadmill I guess it would be pretty hellish! There was a short, sharp hill, then we turned a corner onto a gentler, more prolonged incline, this was just after the 8km marker. I gradually overtook a couple of other ladies and a man on the latter. Public support was amazing despite chilly and overcast conditions, all the way along there were pockets of people clapping and cheering us on.
There were a few sections where there was no choice but to run in the road, but the marshalls and motorbike escorts were brilliant and kept us all safe when we had to cross roads and share the road with the cars, there were also plenty of warning signs to let motorists know we were there.
There were three water stations (I took a bottle and only used the final station) and at the end we were presented with a pretty average medal and a bottle of water – this was in line with my expectations for an event which was such good value to enter.
Overall a good race to give me a bit more experience and one I’d consider doing again to support my training. For me it was nowhere near as good as the other 10K I’ve run (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Stampede) but it was half the price, closer to home and ‘did the job’.
Date of review: October 7, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Neil Warner 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great local race, challenging course especially in the heat ! Thank you to Graham Taylor for giving out the medals again this year.
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Carlo Metcalfe 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a 10k that feels like a ten miler...
In full: Great small event, unlikely pb chasing for most..lovely touch with graham taylor handing out medals at the end...gentleman.
Very hot today but happy with the run as last 8-9km is indeed tough..given the weather..extra tough!!
Date of review: October 2, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: ANDREW SWEET 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: Excellent
In full: A very nice race for any standard of runner, very friendly atmosphere and what a bonus that Graham Taylor handing out the medals.
A big well done.
Date of review: October 4, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: jenny maddocks
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliantly organised local race
In full: This event was well organised and the helpers were very friendly. It is a good run for the fast and slower runners. A bonus that you get your medal from Graham Taylor. Would definately do it again even though there is a tough hill at the end
Date of review: October 4, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: Tania Giles
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A glorious day to attempt and complete my first 10k.
In full: The hill at the 8-9k mark was painful but the relief of seeing the finish and of course Grahm Talyor made it all more worthwhile. My children came to watch with plenty of opportunities to see me. Will do it again to beat personal best and the HILL.. Great atmosphere. A beautiful start to the day.
Date of review: October 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jim B
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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