Marathon 20-mile Training RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (101 votes). | The big picture (101 votes) | | Overall score | | 94% | | How many would do it again? | | 97% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 84% | | PB potential | | 49% | | Atmosphere | | 83% | | Organisation | | 93% | | Value | | 97% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 72% |
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0 race reviewed by: allun burgess
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: having run the previous 2 runs (12, 17) miles the 20 miler seemed a little easier, having some knowledge of the course and the HILLS, again the event was very well marshaled and the weather was excellent maybe on the warm side, perfect training for the VLM would recommend to any one running the London marathon next year or any other long runs
Date of review: March 28, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Melissa Priest
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great training run
In full: There was no 2012 option so i had to put 2011 so please bear in mind that my review is for 2012...
I did this run today and it was a very well organised race with a good amount of marshalls who were very friendly and supportive.
Its a beautiful part of the country and there was a good group of people there. Not sure how many but def several hundreds of people.
I'm training for my first marathon and needed to get my long run in. My running club suggested doing this run and it was a good run.
I'd say that it was a challenging run as it was very hilly in parts.
It started along the tow path for the first 2 miles or so and then on the road where in betweeen mile 3 and 4 there was a massive hill that nearly killed me. After that it varied in terrain but there were some inclines but also several steep down hills which was very welcome.
The route is very scenic so it def helped make the run more "enjoyable".
I found mile 9 - 13 the most enjoyable as it was so pretty and mainly flat... a few inclines but nothing too taxing...
There were plenty of water stations and the Basetts jelly babies at mile 17 were welcomed with open arms.
There were loads of cakes at the end. The muffins were gigantic and were cut in half as they were soooo big. There was plenty of drinks as well - tea, coffee, juice,water
It was a bargain as well for only £5!
Overall a very good run and i would def recommend it.
Date of review: March 25, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Tony N
| | 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: Really well organised, great route, thank you!
In full: Course is actually 20.2 miles with a rather steep hill at mile 15 so excellent marathon training. Great marshalling and nice warm informal feel to event. Staggered start a good idea but perhaps one improvement might be to call people to start line explicitly in speed order... I spend the first 6km trying to get past people who were much slower.
It was a great event, thanks to all who helped organise it,
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: leadfoot
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great organisation and atmosphere. Taxing hiils!
In full: At 4 hr 20 min it took me longer than I had expected but that was the longest distance I ever run. With the hills, it must be equal to near on marathon distance. I now feel confident that I can manage a marathon.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: paul hutchins 10
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 4 hard hills, but a fantastic run through the country and cakes and tea at the end
In full: lovely run through nice scenery and excellantly marshalled.only a fiver to enter,one of my favorite runs.4 hills that are quite hard especially at 15 miles but i cant rate this run highly enough 11/10
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: SilkTork
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Awesome!
In full: This low key training event is an example to many others on just how to set up a running event. The marshals are amongst the most supportive I've encountered (running club events do tend to have the best marshals), and the whole event is run with a confidence and good humour that is all too rare.
Stunning value - only £5, and that includes tea and cake afterwards. The signposting was very good - I don't recall any points where a runner could get confused (and I'm someone who has got lost several times on long runs).
Scenery very attractive.
It was a fair deal harder than I expected. There are few flat sections. After the first three miles along the canal, the route goes up, down, up and down, with one flat section which is along a busy unpavemented road where the cars come fast and close, before finishing the last two miles along the flat.
The support of the marshals is excellent - there's a real warmth and confidence among the team.
It took me 4 hours 52. I was among the very last before the sweeper came in, yet I was greeted warmly and given a cake and a cup of tea. Lovely! That was so supportive.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: theshortone
| | 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: Better organised than a lot of races. Hilly but a good confidence boost for a Spring Marathon.
Date of review: March 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ruislip^Guy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great organisation, friendly people and a couple of long slow hills!!
In full: First time doing this and is a harder course than the finchley 20. Mostly road with 2 miles of towpath at the start and about 1/2 mile at the end. Mostly fairly flat with a couple of long slow hills rather than short and steep and fair share of downhills as well. I wouldnt say it would be good for a pb if you were racing this 20 miler!!
Date of review: March 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tess2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent event. Marshalls fantastic!!
Date of review: March 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Laura Dixon 3
| | 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: A fantastic training event
In full: We were so impressed by the organisation and thought that went into this event. It's the first time we've done it and I'd thoroughly recommend it. The Marshallers were so encouraging and enthusiastic, the course beautiful although fairly brutal (hilly) in places! We even got a cuppa and a cake at the end....what a bargain for £5!
Date of review: March 28, 2011
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