Pharmalink Maidenhead Half Marathon

First rate organization, and very fast course.  Marshalled really well and friendly crowds.  

Nice run out even though my lack of long runs recently told at the end.  Could have done without that weird kris-kros park bit at the end.  Well organised like all Purple Patch events though.

Agreed, great marshalls and support, nice route.  Nice having the Wetherspoons and cafes in town open early for coffee and toilets. 

Can anyone confirm that the race winner did another lap just for fun, as I think he came past us twice?

Agreed - much imporved from last year. the second lap didn't feel like an extra lap and generally the course, although less scenic, worked much much better.

the marshalls were great, as was the support of the public. Shame all you got at the end was the same medal as last year with a different date, a banana and cup of water but guess the majority of the entry fee went on the road closes and organisation which worked brilliantly.

Results are up, a minute quicker than I thought

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/Sport/Athletics/Maidenhead-Half-Marathon-2012-The-results-17092012.htm

Booooo!   My PB wont count with UKA or on runbritain: "Sorry but we are unable to include this race as it did not have a UKA race license. Oh well, garmin doesnt lie!

With a congested 2013 fixture list in sept next year already, thats the sort of thing that might make me skip it in 2013 and try another one. Typically I always run a PB only to find out after it wasnt an officially measured race. The 2011 had a license so not sure what the problem is/was?! GPS sort of suggests it was long enough though (Although Mr GPS does not like tunnels or 180 turns).

Not sure why people are complaining about the tunnel either. They arent going to let anyone close the A4, even on a sunday, so you have to get under it somehow unless you want 10 laps of maidenheads "town" centre.

The tunnel was awful for us people at the back.  It was at a complete standstill for over a minute.  As Johnny suggested, if they could put it later in the race, the crowd would have thinned out.  Wayne, 10 laps of Maidenhead town centre wouldn't be so bad - past the pasty shop, costa coffee, thai shop...

Lots of PB's during the weekend.  Great marshalls but I thought not enough support from the locals.  Perhaps in future years as it becomes a regular fixture?  Loved the flatness though.

Yes, to improve, this should have a UKA licence for future races. This will give the race a better standing, and for anyone needing a fast qualifying time for  other events, this could be perfect.

As a local (I had a nice 1 mile jog to the start line), I didn't see a great deal of publicity around, other than for the road clossure signs, so not surprising that there weren't 100's of local out their.

As for the subway, it has to be done to get under the A4. I guess it is just too close to the start for the race to have thinned out. An extra mile or so on the town side of the A4 might help.

Personally I thought it was a great event for Maidenhead and Purple Patch to host. A few more minor tweaks for year 3 maybe.

I was wondering about the fast and flat before hand, and can say that it was.  I ran much faster than my only previous HM two months ago, taking 10mins less to complete it - so all rather pleasing and while 80% of that is fitness, 20% is the course, and i am inking it in for next year.

The time was despite having to walk down to the underpass (as i positioned myself at the start just infront of the 2 hours marker), but it was a a small price to pay - there was no real pushing and shoving as this was the South East crowd  

It would help with the underpass if the start was narrower. Less people going through at the same time then and so less hitting the underpass at the same time. Would take longer to get all across the start line which might cause a few problems when the faster runners start lapping but would definitely help with the queue...