Reading Half Marathon 2012

Just entered this for the 1st time!

Seems a great event, i have done the GNR, Liverpool half, Stoke Arf all of them twice and a few 10k's. 

What should i expect?  Is it hilly-flat, good local support?  I see 16500 is the limit and its one of the biggest halfs (GNR 1st) as regards the amount of runners taking part.

Always been on my list of halfs to do along with bristol, leeds and a couple more i cant remember of the top of my head.

I will be traveling up from north wales by train, i expect that to be a nightmare!! and staying at a hotel in the reading football complexs (it was either that or the hilton, but hilton was £130!! this is a little cheaper)

Many thanks for your imput

Hi Barney,

 I really like the reading half.  There are a couple of hills but they're not too harsh and shouldn't slow you down too much as they are fairly early on.

The organisation and the support are pretty good and it has that "big race" feel/buzz about it.

The one "con" (if I'm getting picky) is the last 1 1/2 miles.  Just as you're legs are starting to tire you have to run along a boring dual carrige way where there is no support.  You can see the stadium/finish in the distance but as soon as you're almost there you turn off into an industrial estate for another half mile.

Oh, and the finish in the stadium makes up for the last 1 1/2 miles. It's superb.

I'm in - again.

I looooove this event!!

Gatton- Im staying at the 'Millennium Madejski', one of the reeasons i picked that one is i was under the impression its easy walking distence from the start/finish.......Is that right??

Stadium finish....FANTASTIC, suppose i should of read the small print

The couiple of hills dont sound too bad, i would say the stoke 'Hanley Arf' is the hilliest i have done and after doing that twice i dont mind the hills on that one.

The official car parks are fine.  I used one just south of the stadium (PInk area I think) and it was easy enough to get out.

 The course is quite quick - as someone said a couple of hills but nothing long.  The support is really great although the spectators can crowd some bits.  Great race and can certainly be a PB one

Hi Barney,

It says the course is flat (probably so it doesn't discourage first timers) but it's actually undulating. There are 2 big hills, one near the start to warm you up and one in mile 8 just when you don't need it - after that, though, it's pretty much downhill all the way to the stadium.

I actually like the bit along the dual carriageway. As Gilly says, the turn that takes you away from the stadium before looping back is a bit annoying but the stadium finish is brilliant.

Local support is pretty good, lots of people banging pots and the like. Last time I ran, at around mile 10, someone offered their neighbour stadnding across the road a cup of tea - I felt like saying I could do with one..!

I'm in too.  This will be my 3rd year and its a great race.

 The 2 hills are nothing to speak of, the 1st one is quite steep but short and the longer one isn't too steep, apart from that its pretty flat. 

I don't like the dual carriageway either and the bit when you turn away from the stadium is a bit of a downer but the stadium finish is quality.

The whole event sounds great to me, really pleased i have decided to do it after a couple of years of just thinking about it!!

Im doing the liverpool half two weeks before this so im looking for a PB TBH in either that one or this one..........may be both?!

Will be going on the friday night for a few light beers (only a couple) with the lads, is it near some half decent night life or is that another stupid question from me?  Any one recommend any where close bye for a small group of 3-4 males only to visit............And come to think of it any one recommend where not to go.  The last time i posted a question like this one on a forum (not this one) we almost ended up walking into a right dodge lap dancing club, one of them times what as you walk in, its like the music goes off and every one turns and looks at you.

Anyway....do's n dont's would be great

Thanks

Was expecting Reading to be flat but it actually does have 2 hills like people say.

Nothing compared to any of the Bucks halfs, Wycombe, Marlow and Henley if people know those, but not as super quick as Wokingham on a month before.

I do know people who have done Reading quicker than Wokingham, but I'd imagine that may have been due to the 6weeks between the events, or the person targetting Reading for a flat out effort!

Quite overwhelming crowd support in places...not sure I liked it...Brass band and loads of cheers at some points.

Interesting to run through the shopping centre, and of course the massive finish at the stadium.

You do have to endure a tedious last 3miles down a dual carriage way before that though!

Marathon minnie...

If i go for two nights, which i am on this one.  I like to have a look in the town/city where i am and see whats happening.  If i go the night before i just have a good walk around town then back to hotel and eat jaffa cakes and drink lots of water.......it floats my boat  . 

Stevie G...

I have done 'Henley' , nice to hear its not as hilly.  The other way to look at it is.  If you start and finish in the same place.......hills dont matter because your gonna run down the same amount as you run up (my way of looking at it anyway) 

I'm in.  Did it last year and really enjoyed it.  Can't say I remember it being hilly...  but I guess it all depends on your classification of 'hilly'.  Windsor is what I call hilly

Stayed in Hilton- it wasn't cheap but well worth the money and a short walk from the start/ finish.  They also allowed you to use their shower facilities after the race which came in very handy.

I'm doing this again after a few years gap. It really isn't hilly. Compared with the potteries or north Wales it is flat. The first climb is early on, and not really too steep or long. The second climb is short and sharpish, with a bit of a gradual climb after it. So long as the wind is not in the wrong direction the dual carriageway bit is dull, but a good chance to pick up the pace a bit in the last couple of miles. The hardest bit is twisting and turning through the town centre, trying to avoid bottles and sports drink pouches under foot.

It really is not scenic, and it is expensive, but i have to say that it is a well organised race (and my pb course)

Reading is my curse, but once again i am in... this is the most expensive race in history for me having entered 3 times but only made the start line once - Stress fracture and flu ended hope in the last 2 years.

 Good fast course, and free shuttle bus is a big advantage when staying in the town centre. 

 Does anyone still know if the unofficial beer station is still there??