Hillingdon AC Finchley 20Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (10 votes). | 1 to 10 of 10 ratings | Page: 1 |
| The big picture (10 votes) | | Overall score | | 82% | | How many would do it again? | | 90% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 58% | | PB potential | | 66% | | Atmosphere | | 72% | | Organisation | | 82% | | Value | | 66% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 66% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Ironbloke
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Perfect pre-Marathon test
In full: Having raced this about 3 years ago I decided to return to Ruislip for another go. Organisation was once again tip top and I remembered from last time the the lady (marshal) at mile 4 still cheering and encouraging everyone as they ran past. The 4 lap route is great for pace judgement; the only slight issue is getting past slower runners (being lapped) over the first 2 miles of the final lap due to build up of traffic at that time. I don't recall it being a problem when i last ran here. Medal was OK, no goody bag this year or T-shirt but hey ho - that's not the reason for running.
Date of review: March 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Matt Pyecroft
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good marathon preparation but cost a bit steep.
In full: A good pre-marathon training event. As good a course as could be expected - four laps of the outer London suburbs are never going to be the most scenic of races, but there was a section of the course which did resemble countryside, and there were enough little undulations to make the legs hurt. I would agree with the other comments made about the marshalling - they were very supportive but there were a couple of big-ish junctions which were left unattended. Luckily I didn't see any problems with drivers in my bit of the race. The one real negative I would flag up is the cost - £20 for a race with no T shirt, no chip timing and no goodie bag is a bit steep.
Date of review: March 20, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: N8 runner
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: A good warm up race for upcoming marathons. Didn't mind the laps, seemed to make the race easier knowing what was coming up. Route was varied and undulating but no big hlls, hence possible to run a decent time
Date of review: March 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Nick_D
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great 20 mile race with fantastic marshalling
In full: A lovely well organised local club race perfect for marathon training. It may be 4 laps but I found the lap interesting and varied with no long stretches so it's far from boring or repetitive.
Well done for the organisation and support of the marshalls, I don't think i've ever seen so many marhsals for a local club event...you were all brilliant!
Date of review: March 13, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: June Hedges
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Really enjoyed it!
In full: The first time I've signed up for an organised 20 in the run up to a marathon (this'll be my 4th), and I can really recommend the Finchley 20. An enjoyable event and it is also brilliantly timed for the end of April marathons. Running 4 laps is soul destroying for some, but it didn't bother me - I found it good for pacing and also knowing how far was left on that last lap! The marshals were great (thanks to the couple with the Jelly Babies.
My only comment for the organisers would be to get a loud hailer or similar for the start. With 500 runners lining up either side of a busy-ish road waiting for instructions you need to be louder.
Date of review: March 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: akatrigs
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: A tough 20 miles mentally and physically!!
In full: 4 x 5mile loop was tough, some tough little inclines on route too. Thought the marshals were excellent and encouraging although some big side roads were left unattended. 2 x water stations on route was nice. a little dissapointed that race sponsors pulled out and no goody bag :( overall a good race and good preperation for London
Date of review: March 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: abeuseli
| | 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: Great marshalling, very friendly race and perfect for pre-spring marathon training
In full: This was my first bash at Finchley 20. I'd heard all sorts of reports from fellow runners about the psychological aspect of running 4 x 5 mile laps. So my strategy to get round was to run with two fellow club runners, treat it as a pre-marathon training run and just enjoy the atmosphere. And I must say, that worked for me. The marshalling and support on the field was first class. The facilities at Hillingdon AC were superb - indoor toilets, showers and even fragrant candles burning in the changing rooms. You spoil us! The course had a few challenges - some slight undulations, the worst of which was over the railway bridge at West Ruislip station, and a fair amount of pavement running which made for rather uneven surfaces. From miles 1-2 there was a significant amount of running on the road. As this hadn't been closed and the early morning drivers didn't seem to be the most sympathetic to 500 distance runners, it seemed at times a little dangerous as the cars came very close when they were passing others going in the opposite direction. A lungful of exhaust fumes while following a car waiting to pass wasn't very welcome either.
The sunshine helped!
Date of review: March 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: xine267
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Nice race if you like laps
In full: I enjoyed the event, the marshalls were fantastic - very encouraging and there were lots of them on the course. The 5 mile loop was nice, undulating but no really serious hills and some very pretty areas.
This was the longest run I've done in marathon prep so far, and although the distance and timing of the race was spot on, I would have to think twice before deciding to do it again. I found running multiple laps of the same 5 mile loop to be rather soul-destroying - especially when the sub-2 hour finishers starting lapping me!
It was a shame that the sponsor pulled out, so there were no goodie bags, but the organisers did a fantastic job of providing a good selection of energy drinks at the finish of the race, as well as plenty of water, squash and jelly babies on the course.
The medal was nice too :)
Date of review: March 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Eugene Nyunt.
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: GR-R-REAT !
In full: A thoroughly great race although warmer than last year's event, but with relief stations well spread out and not cramped with runners grabbing a cup. I really enjoy this event despite it being multiple laps. There were improved revamped facilities in the club house - new warm showers (fantastic!)- although the changing area for men - cordoned off by a curtain of sorts - were still a little cramped; but there's too many in this race to expect anything else on this point. Several friendly and soothing canines at the finish and I'll definitely be back next year; a pre-marathon 20 miler under the cloak of an event is so much more manageable and enjoyable.
Date of review: March 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: _ciaran
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A superb race. A must for those doing marathon training.
Date of review: March 11, 2012
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