The Heartbreak HalfHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (47 votes). | 1 to 10 of 47 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 |
| The big picture (47 votes) | | Overall score | | 84% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 92% | | PB potential | | 43% | | Atmosphere | | 71% | | Organisation | | 79% | | Value | | 68% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
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2013 race reviewed by: Grayster H
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Consistently good. At last actually a half marathon, not 14m!
In full: This one is always well worth the trip. Sandy Balls caravan park is a great HQ. Plenty of parking. Showers and toilets in abundance. Plenty of indoor space to stay warm pre-race. Restaurants and take away for afterwards. Even free use of swimming pool. The organisers do this all very well. I see some complaints about where the start was. The race briefing was very clear to follow the marshals down to the start line. However, inside it was very difficult to hear the briefing (PA system next time). I also missed the start as thought the briefing would be outside (has been sometimes in the past) but probably my fault for not reading pre-race docs properly. Aside from that, this was excellent as ever. The course is fantastic with a few hills to test but the tracks make it decent under foot whatever the weather. With the marathon and 10k running the same T-shape out-and-back there were plenty of people to smile at and cheer on. Fast last mile home. Very friendly. Good marshaling. Unsure how anyone could get lost on this one - marshals at every turning point plus decent signage. Once again another success - always good when there is a bar next to the finish line!
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: KasiaK
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Scenic scenery but lacks atmosphere
In full: Definitely very scenic course, mildly challenging hills. Organization was OK, can't fault it. However, would be nice to have at least few distance markers plus better marshal support, maybe have someone cheering at the top of the biggest hill? The race has a great potential but the organizers have to work on creating a better atmosphere on the course.
Date of review: February 27, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Mea Goodall
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: lovely scenery, poor organisation
In full: The actual race was nice; lovely scenery and the challenging hills I can't complain about. The organisation on the other hand was something else. Although the marshalls were really friendly there were letdowns. It really wasn't clear at the beginning were we were supposed to start, I heard people asking many times and many confused faces. Secondly, the distance markers were practically none existent so i ended up going about 3 miles further than what i needed (one of the marshalls had told me I had gone too far). Apparently at the drink station i carried on instead of making a right turn towards home. Oh well, I thought, all good practice for the Brighton Marathon. But then there was no goody bag at the end, which i use to top up my fuel when I finish (cereal bars etc). It was over £20 to enter so i did expect one.
I don't like making a fuss and being negative but i feel this is something i have to point out.
Date of review: February 27, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Grayster H
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great facilities, great course, well organised
In full: This continues to be a great event. Sandy Balls caravan park with loads of showers, toilets, parking and refreshments is ideal. The New Forest is beautiful for a run and there are some decent challenging hills but nothing too killer. Weather was perfect. Organisation smooth again. Glad I wasn't doing the marathon as I think the course would have good pretty repetitive.
Top event.
Date of review: March 12, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Runlikeahorse
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Loved it especially the hot soup!
In full: Was nice to have the facilities of sandy balls. Was nice to sit in a warm room before the start. 14 miles was a shocker but lovely route, well placed drinks station, good marshals. Will come back next year.
Date of review: February 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Trevor Perrett
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The Heartbreak 'more than' Half!
In full: Race briefing confirmed our fears that this was further than a half marathon, 14 miles to be exact. But that made it more for your money. Scenery was superb, hills were tough, medal was good, marshalls were excellent, even in the very cold rain. Loved being able to have a shower straight after the run, something seriously lacking in most of the events we normally partake in. Will definitely be back next year. Loved it!
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: nina muir
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging but scenic run through the lovely New Forest with ponies. Actually 14 miles but very enjoyable!
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Gareth Lambert-Jones
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: All been said before, shame it had to be shortnened!
In full: Stayed the whole weekend at Sandy Balls so ideal to wake up and only have a short walk to the start. Nice route, killer hills and quite an above average field of runners. Great marshalling and organisation. Be back next year for the entire weekend.
Date of review: February 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Mr Guy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough race, hilly and fun
In full: The race was shortened this year to just over 10 miles sadly. Ogranisation was ok and the medal at the end was quite nice. If you like hills and nice views you will love it.
Date of review: February 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: jacksharky
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Such a shame that it was shortened.
In full: Shame the weather cut short our run.Orginisers checked and changed route the night before and emailed everyone.Very well done.And a medal!!! I wanted a matching pair of drinks coasters.LOL!Will do it again.What else is there to do in Jan?
Date of review: February 3, 2010
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