Bideford Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (79 votes). | 1 to 10 of 79 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
| The big picture (79 votes) | | Overall score | | 83% | | How many would do it again? | | 92% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 84% | | PB potential | | 79% | | Atmosphere | | 73% | | Organisation | | 71% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 75% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Ploddersoftheworldunite
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Glorious river and estuary scenery.
In full: A super race despite the biting wind. Fast course with definite PB potential. Hanging around for the t-shirt was grim in the cold as the queues for baggage and shirts were not made clear.
Date of review: May 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: wheezyboy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast despite undulating first few miles
In full: I didn't mind the T-shirt, but I did the mind the queues for the shirts and the mild chaos surrounding bag storage. I got very cold waiting. But I think this is partly testament to how popular this race is becoming and it's the race that really matters, after all. Some tweaking next year will sort this out for sure. V. good marshalling and nice support from the crowd in Bideford.
Date of review: March 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Carly Peart
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good fast race with the odd spot of music en route!
In full: A great course, with the first half undulating. Each incline was immediately followed by a decline allowing you time to recover. The second half was virtually flat. A good mix of runners. Particularly enjoyed the musical interlude and the bagpipes based at the start/finish which helped motivate me that last half mile. However was disappointed with the technical t-shirt. Even though it's a small, it's large and shapeless and unlikely to be worn. However, this doesn't detract too much from a great run, even if there was a freak hail storm halfway through!
Date of review: March 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: runnersbeen
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great organisation, scenic, PB potential, disappointing t-shirt
In full: First half has a slight climb but the 2nd half is as flat as you are likely to get in the south west.
Fantastically organised, bit of congestion in the first mile as runners sort their speed out but no problems what so ever.
They changed where you get your t-shirt from previous time I did it and the queue was horrendous. Just dish them out at the end like normal. Although the t-shirt was one of the most boring I have ever had, real shame :( Nothing on the front!
The only reason I would not do it again is that I find the route too boring and flat.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: personalbest
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Otterly great race, shame about the T shirt
In full: This race attracts a large number of club runners from Devon & Cornwall so there is always a good atmosphere. It's well organised and fairly fast. If you are lucky you will get free parking near the clubhouse. Hot showers and all the hospitality at the club were great thanks. Good support by marshalls, local pipe and drum bands and St Johns Ambulance (had a great community feel). My only niggle was the large number of runners (mainly non club) wearing MP3 players which made the race feel less sociable than last year (subjective I know). The freebie technical T shirt needs to be sexed up a bit! A bit bland printed only on the back mostly with the sponsors names!
Overall though, a great race.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2010 race reviewed by: Paula Jeffery
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: An excellent way to spend a Sunday. There was glorious sunshine which only added to the ambiance. Spectators encouraged runners and bands were place at various points of the race, very uplifting I found. Received a technical tee shirt at the end. Will definitely have this event marked in my diary for next year!
Date of review: March 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Gordon Adie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: Fast
In full: Well organised, the scenery was lovely ( particularly on my bike the afternoon beforehand- when i could cycle without having to stand up as hills gentle) - small bottles at water stations....and despite 3degreesC east wind there was a local ice cream van at the end...yum.
Unforgettable as i broke my pb's for 6m/10k/10ml and indeed half! (well if you don't count the times from 1986)
Date of review: March 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jason Rowell
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great race in a lovely part of the world.
In full: A largish entry for a small town half. Very good organisation. The course is in the main rural, scenic and very quiet. The first half is undulating with a couple of small but cheekier inclines. The second half is along the Tarka Trail which I presume follows the path of a disused railway with any inclines being extremely gentle. The organisers made a brilliant effort to create a real carnival atmosphere in the populated areas that gave the event a real buzz and didn't make you feel forgotten about-as can be the case with some quiet rural courses. Registration etc was free from fuss.
Date of review: March 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Kewstoker
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My first Bideford, thoroughly enjoyed it and will be back next year.
In full: Well done Bideford! Very well organised, lovely touches, jelly babies, water with lids off, drummers, highland band, encouraging marshals, felt very safe on the road sections.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! And a PB too!
Date of review: March 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Plastic Freddie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast course with stunning scenery. Good organisation.
In full: Joining instructions were clear and concise. Parking space was abundant and cheap. I was a bit wary about having to queue for timing chips on the day, but the distribution was well organised and efficient. The start was a bit congested - but that's true for most races. The course profile was ideal - gently undulating first half, followed by a mostly flat second half. The scenery was absolutely stunning - especially on the second half. The atmosphere was good - loved the drummers in Torrington, could hear them a mile away! Excellent support in the closing stages, with a nice flat and straight last 400 metres - perfect for that final surge. All in all, a great race - and one I hope to do again.
Date of review: March 9, 2010
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