Halstead & Essex MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (468 votes). | The big picture (468 votes) | | Overall score | | 94% | | How many would do it again? | | 93% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 90% | | PB potential | | 59% | | Atmosphere | | 86% | | Organisation | | 94% | | Value | | 89% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 77% |
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2013 race reviewed by: Nik Chapman
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Bottled water and a 0900 start would make this the race of the year.....
In full: This is my first spring marathon away from London although I run Abingdon every October.
This a great race.
I live an hour away so was able to sleep in till 0630, big plus.
Parking was excellant, seconds away from the start finish, baggage/changing all good and plenty of space to relax beforehand.
It's a rolling course as opposed to say the hilliness of Bungay but it is glorious scenery for the whole race.
Slightly disapointed that there was no bottled water supplied and a 0900 start would help against any hot weather but I shall be lining up again next spring.
Halstead for fun.
Abingdon for a PB.
well done Halstead
Date of review: May 20, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Old
| | 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: Amazing again,well done all. I will be back...
Date of review: May 18, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Adam Baker 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great race, well organised, in scenic countryside. The marshalls/volunteers were brilliant and were the difference between a good event and a great event.
Date of review: May 17, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Slow Coach 23
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A great race, I loved it. Very pretty and very friendly.
Date of review: May 15, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: david goodwin 3
| | 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: Top quality event
In full: Not done Halstead for 4 years, and I will not
be waiting 4 years to return.
Possibly the best marshalling I have seen and
that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Every aspect of this race was organised so well
cannot suggest anything to improve it.
The bag storage was fantastic, well done there
and I was in a warm shower within minutes of
finishing the race.
I massively congratulate all those involved in
making such a great day out-fantastic.
To end on a slight negative, poor that some
runners were chatting etc during the minutes
silence for Boston-clearly they did not read
the instructions OR worse, ignored them.
Date of review: May 15, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: D Alley
| | 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: Excellent organisation, undulating course.
In full: A great day out. Excellent scenery, brilliant organisation, fantastic marshals. If only the organisers could have flattened out the hills!
Date of review: May 14, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Lucy Stern
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Third consecutive time I've run this and after the hype and crowds and stress of London and other big city marathons, this is the perfect antidote......small, well-organised, friendly and boasting lovely touches like personalised drinks stations. It is a tough course but what goes up, must come down........
Date of review: May 14, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Ala1n
| | 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: Excellent.
In full: Well organised event with plenty of support.
Convenient car parking, adequate facilities at the leisure centre. Numerous drinks stations, excellently marshalled course, and the best goody bag I've received.
I thought the only real drawback was some tough inclines on the course.
Date of review: May 14, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Ash Carden
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My first marathon made special by great organisation and turnout
In full: This was my first marathon after five half-marathons, and did I find it tough! despite reasonable training, I found the undulations quite difficult as I couldn't get a rythmn. Unlike my two training routes which are both relatively flat, with moderate inclines on path and road, this was more bridleway and mudtrack on gentle but continuous rolling hills.
The organisation was fantastic, as were the crowds, I have never been so excited to see wet sponges!
Date of review: May 14, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Rob Saunders 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: You wion't find better value than this event
In full: When you see prices for London events around £40 for 10k and other crazy prices you really can't fault £26/8 for a marathon.
It's a rural event and for long distances you will be out by yourself in the countryside and then you come to Pebmarsh and the support is amazing.
In one quiet corner there was a group of supporters, one lady playing a organ, one handing out sweets (this happens often along the route and the little touches like this really do make it special.
I've said I'd do it again but doubt I will as this was always planned to be one and only marathon but will without doubt come along and join in the support next year and help out anyway possible.
Essex can be proud to have Halstead as it's marathon.
Date of review: May 14, 2013
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