Bedford Harriers Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (624 votes). | The big picture (624 votes) | | Overall score | | 83% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 73% | | PB potential | | 65% | | Atmosphere | | 71% | | Organisation | | 83% | | Value | | 76% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 69% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Bumpby
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Fresh conditions on a great course, though still under-organised
In full: I forgot that last year I said I wouldn't do this again. I did it again. Solid course and great marshalling. The school is too small to cope with such large numbers so there were queues for everything. Again, the memento is a bit bobbins and there was no banana or equivalent for finishers. On the upside, I managed not to write my car off and treated myself to a KFC at South Mimms.
Date of review: December 27, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: These colours don,t run!
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: A good race-Will do it again-But wish i did,nt live so far away!
In full: I enjoyed this race, The buses and parking worked well, The organisation and marshalling was good and the pre-race facilities excellent and the ability to number swap on the day if you cannot make the race and arrive with an original entrants bib gets a big Thumbs-Up! from me. The only thing that really let,s this race down for me is that fact that living in London makes it a longish day and also the time of year means travelling can be an issue. (I booked this race a couple of years ago, when we had a lot of snowfall, And although the race went ahead i did not fancy driving up the M1 to get to the race in the treacherous driving conditions) Although the less than £20 entry fee is,nt too much too lose if the weathers bad. I did,nt find the main road section dangerous at all as drivers slowed down, In fact it was safer than other parts of the race, Where i had a couple of cars come a bit too close, But having done plenty of open road races you get used to it and there,s nothing the organisers can do to prevent idiotic drivers!-The only 2 negatives (And the first is,nt really a negative!) (Well 3 if you count the fact i could not find the Olympic torch photo opportunity-But that just have been me not looking!) is that the race was very "Clubby" bordering on elitey as i would say around 95 per cent were wearing club vests. This was also the first half marathon for a new member of my running club and i did wonder if they felt just a little bit intimidated by the amount of club runners present. The only other negative i can find with this race is that it does not seem to qualify as a RunBritain ranked race so does not count towards your runbritain handicap which is quite surprising given that the race is organised by Bedford Harriers, Finally i,m not sure if the other member of my running club would rather have had a medal this being her first half, But you new before signing up before the race what the race momento was, And i love the rucksack which is probably worth the best part of half the entry fee alone!-A great race and i will be back next year-Weather permitting!-RECCOMENDED!
Date of review: December 21, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: runlozrun
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Chilly but fast and scenic
In full: Very well organised. Didn't use the buses as was able to park reasonably close by. Not many spectators but it was cold. Ended up with a faster time than I expected so pretty fast course. Only bad point was having to queue up for water at the end. Shame the t-shirt was replaced with a rucksack as could have done with it.
Date of review: December 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: BoDuke
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Windy run in the country
In full: Pros: Scenic and 'playful' with the hills. Nice crowd and course. Well organised, no issues over parking and the buses worked well. Not sure how I PBed on this course though...
Cons: I've got more bags than a bag person. Would have preferred a medal to go with the collection.
Date of review: December 13, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: northern minstrel
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wind chill hits A422
In full: That was a windy run on Sunday, but otherwise good. I don't agree that the stretch on the A422 is dangerous; it depends on what you are used to, I suppose. This race is very well organised in every respect, especially the buses which take the pain away from parking you get at some events. It's a good and varied course too with a lovely finishing four miles. And another useful memento. Thanks
Date of review: December 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Stephen Roberts 30
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race,great location.....with a lovely fast section towards the end
In full: first year i have had the time to take part in this race but for me it will be concrete fixture in my race diary for 2013 , great course and with a good mix of people and a super bus transfer service....would i recomend this race?....oh yes!! you will not be disapointed.
Date of review: December 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Legend340
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: MY FIRST EVER HALF - LOVED IT
In full: Did this as my first ever Half Marathon, didn't know what to expect, and had read bad reviews of the organisation but I thought it was excellent, the buses work really well and there are enough of them that you are not waiting around before or after the race. The race itself was pleasant enough, if a little hilly given I had only ran 8.5 miles before, a little sparse on support. The last hill is a bit of a killer for people finding it tough, but still managed to get in within target 2:02:28 and exceptionally pleased.
Only been running for 5 months and this has sold it to me!
Date of review: December 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Erica Carter
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% |
In full: My second half marathon and great new PB. Pleasant course, very well run, bus transfers ran smoothly, nice touch clipping off the chips at the end. Just two gripes - cups of water are hopeless. I only managed a tiny sip each time and chucked most of it over me. Also a banana at the end would have been a nice touch. Would do this again - pleasant underlating course. Thanks to all the organisers and supporters.
Date of review: December 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andrew Nash 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: One of my favourite runs with no gimmicks just a really good course and great organisation.
In full: I did this race for the 3rd year in a row. Each year I have set my best half marathon time for the year and this continued with a very pleaseing 1.31.31 finish.
The course is undulating with only 1 real hill and the last 4 miles are fast (except for the final drag up the hill!). For spectators there is not much and the support is sparse although every supporter on the course is encouraging and I must thank the kids with the free jelly babies at mile 8-9.
Organisation is good and you can tell the event and course has been designed by runners for runners.
Yes there are bigger more flashy events and yes there are more picturesque places but if you want a really good honest run with a good quality field I would highly recommend this race, I'll be back next year for sure.
Date of review: December 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jamie Farmer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, great course and a great way to end the year.
In full: Really well organised event, from the shuttle buses to and from the car parks to the start/finish and of course all the excellent marshals along the way. 3 drinks stations along the route with plenty of volunteers. Marshals were very happy and encouraging throughout with great support from spectators.
The course itself was a slightly undulating course with various steady up and down hills. From mile 9 onwards it was pretty fast and downhill then became flat as you headed closer home.
My first time running at Bedford and I PB'd, so will definitely be back again next year. Well done to Bedford Harriers and all the marshals/volunteers for a brilliant race.
Date of review: December 10, 2012
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