Dunstable 20 Mile ChallengeHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (110 votes). | The big picture (110 votes) | | Overall score | | 90% | | How many would do it again? | | 96% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 94% | | PB potential | | 43% | | Atmosphere | | 78% | | Organisation | | 75% | | Value | | 90% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 59% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Paul Bayley 3
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great race, good organisation, v hot
In full: I did the 20-22miler.
Directions were good, but my reading of them not so great! My 1st event with navigation!
I took plenty of fluids which was lucky as it was v hot.
It is such a cheap race, but well organised. Make no mistake this is a tough race with varied terrain.
An improvement on the directions would be to say where the direction arrows will be at, so you can be sure you know where you are at on the directions.
Overall a great race and I will be back next year.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Big Philly G
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic 28 mile trail marathon!!
In full: Did the full marathon again and this year it started from the football club so was in fact nearer 28 miles but as far as I'm concerned every mile on this course is great. It was too hot for getting anywhere near a PB as this was my 3rd time over this course but it was so hot that it was harder work than normal. Got very dehydrated for last 10 miles and so should have taken more water with me for the run. Great revamp of the football club and facilities there now. Once again this has to be one of the best value marathons anywhere and I'll be back. One thing I would like to see in the future is a medal or what ever we get to finish that distinguishes between whether we done the full, half or 20 as we all got the same buff.
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: HuwH
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Excellent course, but one for the prepared. Its a challenge trail race!
In full: Well I was told it would be hard but what with the very hot conditions yesterday I found this a tough going. I am used to running off road but this was hardwork. However reflecting on it the day after I did really enjoy this and its a very well organised race with directions, map and a garmin route to download. Don't go out expecting a road race this is a race you have to navigate and carry water,gels etc to get you round. I was suprised after crossing the line to be offered a choice of memento, buff or mug given it only cost £9 to enter. Hot showers were welcome. I believe there was free food and drink as well but I had to go given I was 1hr 15mins outside of my PB time for road! This is great race just, go out enjoy it but and don't worry about your time.
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gastroplodder
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Loverly run with lots of variety, hills and views. A bit too warm in the afternnon.
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: GCE
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging run, then the clue was in the title
In full: Nice to speak with so many runners, often trying to find the way! It was hot, and I should have been better organised with own water.
A faultles, low priced run. Great works
(and great hot showers)
Date of review: September 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tony N
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Gorgeous trail race through wonderful and varied scenery
In full: A big thanks to the organisers. This is my second time on the half marathon course. A very very friendly bunch of people at race HQ. (race HQ is excellent by the way) Maybe because it is off road, largely unmarked and definitely not suitable for a PB, my fellow runners were also extremely friendly and I chatted to more people on the course than I ever have at any race before.
No problems with getting lost on route thanks to the course being uploaded on my Garmin
The downs themselves are of course beautiful but it was the range of terrain and scenery that made it very special.
It was hard as nails today due to the 25C+ temperature. Only potential improvement would be more water stations... only 2 on a half marathon course in this heat was an issue, though to be fair it was clear on pre-race instructions that this was the case so I should have brought more liquid with me.
A great race, thank you!
Date of review: September 9, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Andrew R
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Rolling hills and cross country style course made this an excellent event
In full: Excellent race. I was late to the registration and a marshal gave me a lift to the start! Above and beyond and all that. The course itself is very different to the normal road races I run and excellent fun.
Date of review: September 15, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Hills of Death (HOD)
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hilly Muddy Adventurous playful 20 miler
In full: 2nd year and will do it again lovely 20 miler which you do at your own pace it's great fun well organised be prepared to find your own way around though ;-). Hilly, Muddy, through woods great training run for Autumn Marathons. Great showers at end, Sandwiches and Cake thrown in. Well done Dunstable RR see you next year.
Date of review: September 13, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Big Philly G
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent value for money again in Dunstable
In full: Did the full marathon distance at this underrated fantastic value for money event. When you pays your money you know that its gonna be a course that has no markings but as its called a challenge thats exactly what you get a challenge. Considering there are events out there at more than in some cases 4 times the cost you still get enough checkpoints with all the necessary stuff you need, water, jelly babies etc. It is a little hilly in places but once you've done a few on the circuit like the South Downs and Beachy Head then Dunstable is very manageable and very beautiful and scenic. I'll be back.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Runsout.....
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Not to be entered into lightly!
In full: Not the easiest place to find and with no warning of the distance from HQ to the start we would undoubtedly have been late starters were is not for the very kind marshall who gave us a lift to the start ..thank you. He warned us that the start was rather hilly but that it flattened out for the next 7 miles or so and then he went a bit vague...and rightly so because flat does not readily spring to mind when I relive the race! Those first few miles were as hideous as expected although the scenery spectacular .The marshalls were lovely and at no time did i get that sense of rush and urgency that so often accompanies road races..the chocolate and jelly babies very welcome although one more station would have been welcomed.What spoilt the race for me was not getting lost twice, nor was it the strong winds and rain that accompanied my last 4 miles..it was the finish...an overlong trek along a sparsely populated footpath, yet another trudge across a ploughed field and then the dreaded school field ( thank god we didn't have to run round it) to be greeted reluctantly by the finishing team who came out from behind their umbrellas /trees without so much as a cheer or smile to give us our mugs ( not that I don't sympathise with them...I am sure I would have found it hard to be enthusiastic in that weather after so many hours waiting but it would have been nice). As for the mug...well..it would have been a more welcome sight had it been filled with hot sweet tea....but, the food at the end looked plentiful and was no doubt much appreciated by those that had some and the showers were excellent . Not sure i would do it again as I am not a hill runner but I do have good memories and it certainly a race to be done even if it is only the once.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
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