Birmingham & Black Country Half-Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (220 votes). | The big picture (220 votes) | | Overall score | | 82% | | How many would do it again? | | 91% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 69% | | PB potential | | 67% | | Atmosphere | | 67% | | Organisation | | 75% | | Value | | 77% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 76% |
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2012 race reviewed by: GaryH
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well Organised
In full: After training along canal thought it would be a nightmare running with 1200 people but really well organised with no congestion at all. Few puddles but nothing you couldnt run through, my friend did manage to fall into the canal trying to run round one. Good finish area but couple of bridges over the canal towards the end hurt.Broke 2 hours which I was pleased as 2.15 was fastest in training. Showers bit far ( or felt too far )& wished Id had the sports massage instead of indulging in the pubs 1st. looking forward to this years event.
Date of review: May 15, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Sarah Turner 15
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My second visit, I will be back
In full: Great race, fab friendly run. Thank you! I will return in 2013
Date of review: October 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Clive Rose
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good, well organised time trial, not crowded and mostly flat
In full: An ideal first half marathon due to flat profile.
Pleasnt along canal. Made slightly more difficult this year due to very unusual amounts of rainfall on the previous day, creating large puddles & mud - but still fun.
Date of review: July 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Pudsey
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: surprising
In full: I chose this race as it was on a Saturday. Some of us hate having to race on Sundays and deliberately seek Saturday races as a result - fell runners have it great in this regard.
I wish I had enough warning that this would be really muddy as I would have dug out my hybrid trail shoes. Wearing slippy road shoes caused me a bit of an issue. I felt a touch sorry for those who had pristine looking trainers at the start of the race.
The whole overtaking thing is really straightforward and everyone seemed to be behaving completely in the spirit of an amateur event which was really nice.
The start was a bit interesting. There is no other really good way this could be done and you have no way of effectively warming up before the event.
I found the shower/bag collection signage fine so am not sure quite what others were missing. I didnt get wind of any discounts in the pubs tho - how did folk find out about these?
I'll definitely be back next year as long as I am in the area :)
Date of review: July 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: david goodwin 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: mud glorious mud !!
In full: to everyone involved-organisers,runners,
marshalls,supporters etc etc thanks again
for a great running event.
really muddy today and despite that I ran
my quickest time here so did ok.
the showers were a little difficult to find
but were cracking-makes such a difference.
To close on a negative though-why do runners
go in the pubs/bars after with their kit on
and in todays case with legs and shoes caked
in dirt and mud ??
Showers were provided so no excuse really and
if you cant be bothered to shower at least
put a change of clothes on to cover up.
I heard several (justified) comments from
non-running drinkers/diners about this.
Come on guys/girls you dont need to enter the
pub in this way for others to know you did
the run-wear your medal, with pride.
Hope this can be improved next year. CHEERS
Date of review: July 13, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Bogwoppit
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: love this one along the canals, try to do it every year!!!!!!!!
In full: Another great event. see you next year
Date of review: July 13, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: DatDot
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fantastic chance to see the canal scenery
Date of review: July 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sarabibi Patel
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: July 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Elizabeth Lee 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Has to be the most fun you can have in your running shoes.
In full: This is a great race inspite of the conditions so what is a bit of mud between runners? This is a fantastic race the organisation and format is brillian. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such wonderful event. If I was only allowed to do one event ever this would be it!!!! Thank you.
Date of review: July 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Bri5
| | 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: First time for me - definately not the last though!
In full: Different and dirty (this year anyway) Chatting to others it has been hot previously. Great marshals, novel format, great organisation, interesting route, superb barge water stations, pubs at the end and Sunday to recover - top event!
Date of review: July 9, 2012
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