San Domenico 20Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (108 votes). | The big picture (108 votes) | | Overall score | | 87% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 84% | | PB potential | | 56% | | Atmosphere | | 75% | | Organisation | | 85% | | Value | | 85% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 65% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Paul Evans 8
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Essential marathon training run
In full: The 5th year in row I have done this one. And they even sent me a personalised race number to commemorate it, I felt like an elite runner!
I had a nightmare, due to over crowding I tripped up on the bridge and gashed my knee within the first few miles. The St John's were exellent albeit a little slow.
Good Points
The marshals and everyone involved including Ian on the mic
The first 10 miles of the race along the Taff Trail
St John's
The Bad Points
The start sending 300 people around narrow streets is a disaster waiting to happen.
The hills!!!
The off road route through the trees screws me up everytime!
No large t shirts left at the end for us runners of a fuller figure.
Date of review: April 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: professorplod
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excelllent marathon preparation
In full: First time for this one. Highly recommended. What stood out was the friendliness and support from all the marshalls and organisers - well done San Domenico! Yes the hills were tough and the stony path too, but I really enjoyed it.
Date of review: March 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: xine267
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Glorious scenery but watch out for the hills!
In full: Firstly, THANK YOU to San Domenico Running Club for organising this event. Everyone involved with this race, from the person answering emails to the marshalls and volunteers on course was extremely friendly, helpful and welcoming.
This event takes in some breathtakingly beautiful parts of the Taff Trail (including one really steep hill - I wasn't expecting that!).
There were water stops every 3 miles (cups not bottles), with a gel station at 15 miles, and energy drinks at 17 miles.
I suffered with dehydration after the race but as it was the first long run that I've done in warmer weather this year, I could probably have done with taking my Camelbak. Fully appreciate that it is not possible to have water bottles at smaller events such as this, but might be worth including a note about that in the race material for future runners?
All in all, a good event, beautiful scenery, and the best marshalls and volunteers I have ever encountered. I would love to run this race again and would recommend it to anyone doing a Spring Marathon.
Date of review: March 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: musketeer
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great 20 mile race - hats off to SDRC
In full: My fourth (and slowest) San Dom 20. Not in marathon training, so "just" did it to do a 20 mile race.
A challenging course through the now much greener, historic Taff Valley - that old stone hump backed bridge over the the river always catches me out.
Well organised, with plenty of enthusiastic marshalls and water ststaions.
Good idea to have the early starters - may have to join them next year!
Date of review: March 27, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Robert Evans 13
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well run race, not for faint hearted though,lovely route a challenge.
In full: 20 miles of mainly tarmac Taff Trail a few testing hills.Top notch organisation marshals very encouraging,long way though :-) highly recommended.
Date of review: March 27, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: swansea imp
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: not much wrong with the race
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: lowslice
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: A great early season challenge
In full: A perfect race for those training for spring marathons.
A great course along the Taff Trail with one or two challenging hills, especially the one at 7 miles. The stony path between 11 and 13 miles sure saps your energy and the big steps are a surprise!
The marshalls and St John's Ambulance coverage was brilliant and were a great encouragement. Plenty of water on the course and the gels were welcome at 12.5 mile (especially in that heat!).
Very convenient race HQ at the college which meant a stress free pre and post race.
Well done San Dom, I'll be back again for another t-shirt!
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Wait for me at the end
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: THere is no way you can fault this race
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: DaisyD
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good Pre Marathon test
In full: Did this as a pre marathon test race (as I'm sure a lot of runner were) - a couple of testing hills, but also some nice long flat strecthes to practice running at race pace. Some nice scenic bits along the Taff, first half a mile or so was a bit congested but after that plenty of room to run. Marshalls were great, I didn't mind the dog leg as I could say hi to my clubmates as we passed! It is a very clubby race, but also very friendly.
Date of review: March 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Laudy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fab Marathon Training Race
In full: 4th time at San Dom today and had a disaster of race, injured before I started and advised not to run, but I love this as a marathon prep race so ignored that advice. Very foolish this isn't the kind of course you want to be injured on!!!
However, that aside the organisation is first class, as are the facilities, on site free parking with plenty of spaces, plenty of toilets and no portaloos (its at a 6th form college) and easy and efficient number collection.
The course is pretty quick for the first 7 miles (first 2 a little tedious as your running a couple of laps but at least its at the start) followed by a couple of hilly sections accompanied by some speedy downhills. Then its pretty flat till you get to the quad sapping steps at 13.5 miles. I personally hate the out and back bit and preferred the previous route of 2009 when we didn't run this but each to their own.
The T shirts fab, have a bit of a collection now and agree the year on them would be a nice touch.
Outstanding marshals really set this race apart from the rest. They are all hugely enthusiastic and very vocal, and big thanks to the lady at 19.25 miles who gave me a hug when the pain got a little bit too much, you are a star.
Excellent job San Dom, will be back next year, fingers crossed in a much better physical state!!!
Date of review: March 25, 2012
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