Latest Ratings
| 1 to 9 of 9 ratings | Page: 1 |
2010 Run to the Beat Half-Marathon
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: lots of problems - but if you were in charge what would you have done?
In full: So let's clear a few things up. The Jubilee line is THE transport method for most people, and the line was clearly screwed due to faults meaning that at 9:45 start time, very few of the entrants were actually there - so they delayed the race start and yes it was cold but the O2 was open to shelter in. if they hadn't delayed then most people would have missed the start - meaning more complaints yet it's not the organisers fault.
There were plenty of toilets near the baggage drop and I waited near there the whole time from 9:15 to race start and didn't see queues of 50+ as one person has said.
the problem with the roads re-opening is clearly an issue but London marathon copes so perhaps the organisers could look at that.
the course is decent and the medal is good. I did this last year and it was good then. A few issues but there always are with mass races like this. If you don't like crowds, enter one of the many great running club races. I like both so will be back again next year.
Date of review: October 6, 2010
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2010 Isle of Wight Marathon and Half
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Definitely a small scale club run
In full: Came over with the wife and kids to do this so at least I had somewhere to leave my bag which was otherwise poorly organised and it sort of went like that all round. Lack of marshalls compared to just about every other half I've ever done (and I saw several runners heading back towards us having gone the wrong way). This is fundamental to organising a race I think. Understand the traffic but didn't find it a problem. Medal is woeful - would be better to put the money to charity than provide something so poor. The route itself was challenging and there was a great atmosphere amongst the runners. Far better than running on your own in a training run but not much of an "event".
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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2009 Grand Union Canal Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good Race - friendly atmosphere
In full: Enjoyable race along the canal for most of the route. Tough incline at the end, but only because it was the last mile. Great comaraderie at the end between the runners.
Only real issue was that the baggage van took 2 hours to get from Uxbridge to Watford leaving us standing around in the cold. Lucky the weather wasn't too bad.
Date of review: November 8, 2009
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2009 Burnham Beeches Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging half (esp with heat) but well organised
In full: I enjoyed this race - it was my first half since London marathon back in April so no great time and the course didn't help - lots of undulations! Very hot but lots of shade helped. I wouldn't do this for PB or as a first half.
Date of review: August 23, 2009
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2009 Belvoir Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great Scenery, no challenging hills and really unique memento
In full: Really enjoyed this race. Friendly atmosphere - I chatted with a few locals round the course - and organisation was good. Glass block memento was a real surprise and far better than most "big" events hand out. Course was good PB material. I used this as a last half before London so wasn't racing and still got to within a minute or so of my PB (91mins) - though I await the results as I was "Garmin-less". Would highly recommend.
Date of review: April 12, 2009
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2009 B&Q Eastleigh 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: If you're after a PB - go to Eastleigh
In full: I ran a PB by miles. Good course for speed but not much to look at - fine if you're focussed on the result. Saw no sign of the promised t-shirt though.
Date of review: March 29, 2009
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2009 Gloucester 20
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Some issues but good course & runners
In full: Not a great start receiving a number through the post which didn't have anything with it to say what race it was for. I had to look up a number of race websites to check the sponsor!
Weather was rubbish but the course was pretty favourable. The other runners were all friendly and many conversations were had throughout - but with the field stringing out at the end it felt a little lonely.
I made the course 20.25 miles and had issues with the mile markers all the way round (some early some late).
Strange T-shirt (are those pigs on it?) but better than a cheap medal.
Overall, I think this is better than running that distance on your own, but not really a great "event" feel. One to do for the locals.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 Berkhamsted Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging Half with great scenery
In full: This was my first time running this event and the undulating course really challenged me. Not traffic free but the marshalls were excellent. Running in the countryside is always pleasant on a Sunday morning and this race is full of nice views, particularly from the top of those hills. All downhill for the last mile though - which was great!
Date of review: March 1, 2009
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2008 British 10K
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Lack of wave start, no chip timing and poor facilities
In full: First time running this race and although the route was great, the lack of wave start meant a shambles first 3k whilst I found some space. I ran 43.18 so not hugely fast runner but running into people walking in the middle of the road after only a few hundred metres was frustrating (for them too I guess). Poor medal and dire toilet facilities (but go to Green Park tube - decent facilities barely being used). shame.
Date of review: July 6, 2008
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