Shell Four Villages Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (140 votes). | The big picture (140 votes) | | Overall score | | 94% | | How many would do it again? | | 99% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 82% | | PB potential | | 71% | | Atmosphere | | 83% | | Organisation | | 91% | | Value | | 86% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 75% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Lee Conde
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: November 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: ian landucci
| | 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: A great race, excellent organisation, marvellous scenary and half the entry fee of some other local races. I'll be back next year for sure
Date of review: February 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Chris Bastock
| | 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: Great for a PB or for newbies
In full: This was the first time I've done this event, and it will now be a regular on my race calendar.
Two minor grumbles: firstly the PA system at the start was poor, those towards the back could not hear the countdown to the race. Secondly (and it's probably very picky) but I hate having to take on water at the hydration stations in cups. The only way you can get a good slurp is if you stop, which isn't great if you are after a PB.
Now the good things. Great organisation, great atmosphere, lovely scenic course, and your gun and chip times sent straight to your mobile withing minutes of finishing, nice touch!
The best thing about this race is the course itself. It would be wrong to call it flat, it isn't, but most of the uphill is long and gentle. There is a bit of killer hill around mile 10, but once you are up it, it's all downhill or flat. If you are a beginner then knowing that youve got the worst over just as its getting tough is brilliant. As for those going for a PB, downhill for the last few miles is awesome. I knocked 2 minutes of my previous PB. Love it, love it, love it.
Thanks for a great race.
See there next year.
Chris
Date of review: January 29, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tony Collier 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough race in tough wind conditions
In full: Excellent organisation before the event. Excellent, plentiful toilet provision. This isnt an easy course, its hilly and undulates and the wind this year didnt make it any easier but its a good race to start the year with. However, the organisers really do need to sort out the start, which has been in three different places in the last three years and was chaotic this year to say the least, not helped by too many slower runners starting too near the front
Date of review: January 27, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: RunningBob
| | 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: Always well organised and a great race in the windy conditions this year.
In full: Always well organised and a great race in the windy conditions this year. The start wasn't bad considering the restrictions they have to deal with.
My only suggestion is to hold the presentations much earlier say 1pm latest.
Date of review: January 27, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: kneejob
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent as ever. Great start to the year
In full: This is the January race to help motivate your training over Xmas. Brilliant course with enough downs to match the ups.
Strong wind took a minute off last years time but weather could be a whole lot worse in January!
The only suggested improvement is usually concerning the start position. Better than last year, but going back to starting on the road out of the Tesco junction would be my suggestion.
Great job Helsby!
Date of review: January 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Adair Broughton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: An enigma
In full: Great race, and managed a PB, even with the wind:d one of those courses that keeps you working hard, not too many long straights or boring sections, can tell how much hard work goes into the race too. Looking forward to 2013!
Date of review: January 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Flame
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Never done this before but lots of people recommended it to me, now I can see why!
In full: Really well organised - love the Park & Ride idea so you arrive at the start stress-free.
Great route, nice country roads (and farmyard smells!) - yes, it is 'undulating' but if you've done a bit of hill-training, it's not that bad.
Friendly atmosphere, happy helpful marshalls and some good support along the way, considering the weather.
I'll definitely be joining the people recommending it to others now!
Date of review: January 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Chris Baynham-Hughes
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Loved the new route - Excellent course, great atmosphere. The very best way to start the year!
Date of review: January 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lance Ball
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Loved it, will be back
In full: Very windy, rather undulating, but everything just felt great about this race which contributed to a PB. Only areas for improvement would be the start not being in the car park amongst the cars. The shuttle bus from the parking area worked really well.
Date of review: January 25, 2012
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