Chris Hoy Edinburgh Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (32 votes). | 1 to 10 of 32 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
| The big picture (32 votes) | | Overall score | | 81% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 74% | | PB potential | | 87% | | Atmosphere | | 68% | | Organisation | | 63% | | Value | | 69% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 79% |
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2011 race reviewed by: Andrewprod
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fast course, but mouth dry... so dry
In full: Lovely flat course (smashed my PB by nearly 15 mins), good marshalling. Even though there were the well talked about issues with the distance and the lack of water at the first drinks station (really unforgiveable) I still forgive them (I can even forgive the unforgiveable). I'm not sure people would have been so accepting if the course was too short. I thought the T-shirt and goody bag were great.
When the problems of this year are ironed out (which I am sure they will be) this will be a fantastic race
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mike Malcolm-smith
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: May 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: newleedsrunner
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Johnston Niven
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well woth a go.
In full: I set out for a sub 1:30 and thought I had paced myself perfectly as my Garmin Forerunner was almost perfect to the mile markers until the turn. Gutted would be the best description of how I felt when the watch sounded for a 1:30 finish and I still had some way to go. This is not that unusual for a GPS watch as you cant guarantee you are running the shortest route and there was no line to follow on the day but to be half a kilometre away at this point was soul destroying. The first rule of organising a race must be to get the distance right. Regardless a 1.31 (revised time) was still a PB for me.
The water stations could have been better too because even though I was lucky enough to get water at all but one off the stations the bottles were wide necked and too large which undoubtedly meant a lot of waste and difficulty to drink whilst running. The station I missed the bottle at was because the volunteers never managed to make the pass.
The starting pens were a great idea but I’m not sure people were entirely honest with their ability as I started in the 1.30-1.45 pen and ran past all but 180 runners who finished before me. Strange when there were a lot of people starting in front of me in the 1.30 pen. A bit of honesty from fellow runners would have helped others get through the field quicker.
The finish was good and the race course set up was great.
A big thank you to all the marshals and water station volunteers for their efforts and encouragement on the day because ignoring these basic problems above I would say this is a great race and I would recommend it to anyone. See you next year for that PB.
Date of review: April 16, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Nicola Wright 9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A brilliant race in a very nice place.
In full: This was my very first half marathon and I set off for Meadowbank thinking it would be very intimidating and full of elite runners. I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly atmosphere and the varying degree of abilities. I was a 2hour08 min runner so missed out on the drinks at the first water station but this is being addressed ready for next year. The course was well marshalled and the whole event very well organised. We were blessed with great weather which made the run very pleasant. I was very worried about entering my first half marathon but after such a great experience I won't be worried about entering in future. A great day all round.
Date of review: April 15, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Alex2405
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race which was well organised on the whole, slightly let down by basic problems.
In full: The course was fast and the weather was great. It was well marshalled and well organised on the whole....
There was an issue of lack of water for some runners, as the organisers planned on filling up cups and giving them out. This was never going to work so they ended up having to give out the bottles, and inevitably ran out.
The main problem was that the 'turn around point' and been positioned to far up the road, therefore meaning we ran 13.4 miles. The organisers have now giving out the revised time for 13.1 miles, and I'm sure they won't make that mistake again.
This was a good race and I would not be put of by the above issues if I was looking for a fast half next year.
Date of review: April 13, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: James Mullins 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: As this was my first ever half marathon I will remember it fondly. Speaking with other more experienced runners, the general feeling is that this is an excellent race
Date of review: April 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Drummond
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Only let down by the organisation
In full: My first time of running this one, and it seemed to get off to a good start - the start at Meadowbank Stadium was well organised and the "pens" system seemed to work well.
I finshed in 1:56.52, so I wasn't exactly at the back of ther field, but by the time I got to three miles all the water was gone - seeing people picking up half drunk bottles from the ground is never a good thing. There was water at the next two stops, but like so many others I found none at the final water stop.
The route was fine, fairly flat with a couple of downhill sections, it wasn't too crowded either so plenty opportunity to get a PB.
Like others my Garmin measured it at just over 13.4 miles, and the last few mile markers did seem to be out slightly... Although that's not that uncommon and something I put down to not running the most direct route.
The medal and goody bag was fine, the technical tshirt being the highlight.
I was quite disappointed however with the baggage system at the end - all of the bags were just left unguarded in the paddock area of Musselburgh Racecourse. There was nothing to stop you picking up any bag you liked, and no one checking numbers.
When I left I found two buses waiting right by the exit, they were quick and clean and far better than the shuttle bus system found at the Edinburgh Marathon which finishes at the same location.
All in all it was a good race, only let down slightly by a couple of things. I'll certainly run it again.
Date of review: April 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: T9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Room for improvement!
In full: Course: Not exactly 13.1 miles (13.55 by my GPS).
Water: Smaller bottles at stations would lessen wastage and reduce chances of running out. 150ml ideal.
Goodie bag: Where was the Water? Bannana? Healthier/cheaper than a Mars Bar!
Shuttle bus: Good service. However, bus driver wasn't interested in my ticket - do I bother buying one next time?
Overall: Good event, has potential to be much better.
Date of review: April 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mrs Jock
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lovely Race, Please Improve Organisation
In full: This is one of my regular races and I really enjoy it, the course is great with real PB potential. However, I have to agree, to run out of water is unacceptable. I know Scotland doesn't normally have nice weather, however, the warm weather all week must have been a hint that lots of water would be needed. I finished in just over two hours and was surprised to see that the t-shirts were running out at the finish. The medal was brill but I had lots missing from my goody bag (no mars bar or free magazine). Please improve this race for next year. To run out of water in a race is a cardinal sin!!
Date of review: April 12, 2011
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