Nationwide Swindon Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (156 votes). | The big picture (156 votes) | | Overall score | | 85% | | How many would do it again? | | 96% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 79% | | PB potential | | 54% | | Atmosphere | | 72% | | Organisation | | 82% | | Value | | 77% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 72% |
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2008 race reviewed by: Graham Bazley
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Ouch it hurt
In full: Having done it the previous year I should have remembered the way the route goes up, and up and then up a bit more and just as I was thinking that it was starting to go down a bit, there was a bit more up to do.
I find it much harder than the previous year. Maybe this had something to do with the fact that I had done Berlin 2 weeks before.
See you all next year.
Date of review: October 19, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Maysi
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Another fine event
In full: Can't add much more to the comments already posted for this year. Well-organized and great support which I appreciated even more so as I had a poor run. Weather this year a little warm but good spacing of drinks stations helped combat this.
Date of review: October 14, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Simon boast
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Absolutely brilliant
In full: Maybe because I am a local I am biased but this has to be one of the best organised races around:
Roads closed, so it spreads out quickly, lots of toilets, not just at the start but around the course, plenty of water stations (with small bottles of water) and energy drinks, lots of friendly marshals, good support from the crowds, a challenging, not likely to get a PB, but enjoy the scenic course, great organisation, a medal and a T shirt. This run is just about the perfect road race. Well done and thanks to all concerned.
Date of review: October 13, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Jonathan Weedon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Another excellent event
In full: Can't really add any more to my comments from last year. A fantastically well-organised local event that puts many bigger half marathons to shame. (I don't imagine anyone came away from this without a medal..)
Good to see the event growing every year with about 2000 participants this year. The number of supporters around the course seemed to be up as well!
Bit unfortunate with the weather this year, it was a tad too hot for most people's liking - still it certainly brought the crowds out.
Only quibble I have was that there were no energy drinks at the end - it might have been better to have one less on the course and one in your goodie bag.
Will definitely be back for my fifth time next year!
Date of review: October 13, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Scott Johnston 4
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Decent enough race
In full: I found this half-marathon nice enough as a one off. The start area felt a little to cramped and took a while to fall into a steady pace. The support was good, but I just felt a little annoyed by the excessive Nationwide branding, and the one-size-fits-all "half marathon and fun run" medal at the end.
Date of review: October 13, 2008
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2007 race reviewed by: Matthew Ryder
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Tough hills.............great challenge
Date of review: October 25, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Mully
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Testing course, first class organisation.
In full: More hills than expected, including the one (uphill) at the start (at least it provided the though of a fast finish for the next 13 miles!). Excellent organisation. Good support all round the course, with several pretty villages and a great views (particularly at highest point of the course? around 8-9 miles?).
Date of review: October 23, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Aidan Naughton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not a dreary trot through Swindon but a glorious run in the Wiltshire Downs
In full: I entered this as a warm up for Stroud the following week and went in with the intention of not push to hard and enjoy the day out.
This was by far the best organised and scenic races I've taken part on this year. Lots of water stations handing out bottled water which I find much easier to take on the cups. Fantastic support throughout the course, great weather and beautiful scenery.
I heard several stories on how this is a tough course but was suprised that whilst it was undulating, it's not too demanding on the legs.
I'd highly recommend this race.
Date of review: October 22, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Caroline Wingrove 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very friendly and fabulously well organised
Date of review: October 21, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: sheppy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My Favourite Half
In full: I live in Swindon and I am very proud of the local half-marathon. This is the second time I ran it, and this year was just as good as last year. Organised like clock-work, marshalls were ever so friendly and support and atmosphere from everybody was fantastic. Managed to get a pb, not quite sure how - but this made it even more memorable (although my calf muscles are still aching 4 days later!) The course itself is an even spread of uphill, down and flat; and although it is definetly challenging its nice to run a half that hasnt become to 'big' yet. Well done again Swindon, will be back to run this again and again!
Date of review: October 18, 2007
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