New Balance English Half-Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (96 votes). | The big picture (96 votes) | | Overall score | | 84% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 74% | | PB potential | | 66% | | Atmosphere | | 74% | | Organisation | | 75% | | Value | | 63% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Ledy
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent event with some easy hills
In full:
Been doing this since the first one as it's my home town and can't fault it. There are some hills but nothing to worry about and support is good whilst you amble around the countryside. Highly recommend it!
Date of review: November 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Liz Hedgecock
| | 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: First half marathon and a great introduction! Well-organised and friendly
In full: The course is either uphill or level for the first 6 miles - but there are no really challenging hills, just a couple of long slow climbs. From halfway it is either level or downhill, so great for tired legs apart from one small climb at about mile 11. All road except for some short sections through parks, which were on good paths and made a nice change. It was a hot day but I got the time I was looking for (first time half-marathoner!) so I think a good PB course.
Good water stations and plenty of marshals.
On the weeks leading up to the race I got regular newsletters by email, and organisation on the day was excellent - efficient without being bureaucratic.
Date of review: September 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Orbutt
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Undulating - I hate that word
In full: I don't think my head was right for this one. I was going for a PB but the uphill first 7 miles put paid to that. A lot of countryside running with scattered packs of local support, which was nice. Had stomach 'issues' and approached a marshall to ask where the nearest toilet was. Unfortunately, he didn't know. Fortunately, there was a lot of countryside (and nettles - ouch). Had to do this twice, so can I now apologise to the family who nearly caught me out - and the dog walker who did :(
As mentioned in other reports, the stadium finish was good and well supported and the goody bag was ok (Freddo Frog! haven't had one of them in years :O) )
If you haven't run it before and you're trying to beat a PB set on a flat course, then it may not be for you but as a Half it was worth doing. I may well return to complete it without stopping
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Luke Ellis 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Race with great support
In full: This race is extremely well organised. 7 minute PB means it def has PB potential. I would recommend this to everyone. I will be back next year.
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alan Wilkinson 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well run, friendly race with excellent personal best potential.
In full: I am a 'Gold Runner' for this event having enjoyed it in 2010 - I paid approximatly £100 to run for life. The organisers allowed me to run the last mile with my 4 year old son, made both his and my day! Support was shouted for him. Wonderful day
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tony Armstrong 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well Organised and quality event
In full: This is the second time I have run this race and again found it superb even though I was 8 mins slower this time around - not enough training!!
The course is a gentle incline for the first 6 miles and then a gentle decline to the finish - apart from the bridge at mile 11. The whole experience is just easy - from parking across the road at the enviroment agency offices, collecting the chip on the day and the finish within the arena. Will be back again next year.
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: james findlow
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Briliantly organised from start to finish with really good contact and communication throughout especially via email and twitter (loving the re-tweets). All water stations manned well and very friendly. Unfortunately i did have to ask a marshall for directions as i ran to him as not all being very vocal or animated in directions. Sadly thought the support on the way was one of the worst i have encountered :(. Only really disappointment though is still the lack of official race time coming to me (now over 24h) only ever had to wait this time once before all my other times are with me in a matter of hours so if anything i'd say thats the only thing that really needs working on.
Date of review: September 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Nat72
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: September 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Margi Ireland
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: more ups than downs!
In full: although i thoroughly enjoyed this race i would not recommend it for beginners, the inclines for the first 5/6 miles i found to continue more to 8/9 miles on saying that they were not steep inclines more gradual and didnt leave me panting or red faced or needing st johns ambulance at the end of each one! The declines seemed more noticable which is probs why there seemed to be less of them than inclines!
There was loads of road side support round the course which was great and of course the stadium finish got the thumbs up from me! Overall it is a good race to run although a tad pricey and i will be back again next year!
Date of review: September 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: theWag
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely course predominantly through the countryside of South Warrington, well managed and supported, track / stadium finish.
In full: Something in the course for everyone - uphill first half, downhill second half which either permits you to rest if you overcooked the first half, or put the hammer down.
Water stations every 3 miles, well marshalled and well supported along the route but great support in the final 600m as you run back down the start avenue with supporters cheering you on from either side.
Parking provision is pretty good, although you may have a long walk back to the car.
Downside - lack of baggage claim (promised this year but didn't materialise)
Plenty of people will cite cost as a downside - firstly I'm local so my travel costs are minimal, but they also offer a lifetime membership scheme which includes pre and post event activities. So if you don't like the cost but like the course, sign up.
Date of review: September 9, 2012
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