Race Reviews 2012 - Page 2
Review by: Matthew Fell
Overall Score: 9 Scenery: 8 Atmosphere: 8 Organisation: 9 Value for money: 9 Did you enjoy the race?: Yes Did you run a personal best?: Yes Did you raise money for charity?: No Will you be back?: Possibly
Comments: I was very impressed with this race. Excellent website, good logistics (parking, registration etc), good quantity of toilets, closed roads, bottled water/sports drink, excellent crowd support, accurate pacers, a testing course, rapid results upload. Frankly, many aspects that I would typically only expect of an even larger race. Congratulations. And many thanks to the 1:30 pacers who got me over the line for a new PB.
Review by: Dawn Manser
Overall Score 10/10 Scenery 10/10
Atmosphere 7/10 Great along Marlborough Road. A few pockets of very supportive, cheering groups in villages. Loved the balloons, bunting and jelly babies. Organisation 10/10 Value for money 10/10 Did you enjoy the race? Yes, very much Did you run a personal best? Yes, compared to last year Did you raise money for charity? Yes Will you be back? Yes. Will be interested to see how much BHF charge for entry.
Comments: Another great Swindon Half Marathon. Numbers probably need to be limited next year as I wouldn’t want it to be any busier at start and along first few miles of the route.
Review by: Colin Morris
Hi, just thought I would say that I thoroughly enjoyed the Swindon half yesterday and was pleased with my time which whilst not a PB was better than I expected considering the challenging nature of the course! The atmosphere at the start/finish area was good and in particular the groups of spectators and marshals along the way were very encouraging. Good well-spaced drinks stations and bottles for the water were ideal and overall the race represented good value for money.
Overall a big thumbs up and especially for putting on what has to have been the most perfect weather ever of a race!
My only minor downside was that I did not realise that there were T-Shirts for finishers as well as medals and goodie bags and so I came away without receiving one but that did not diminish my enjoyment of the race at all.
Review by: Sean Trussell - Pacer 1:57
Well what can I say other than well done for all the time and effort you guys put in.
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? yes Did you run a personal best? no Will you be back? I should think so.
Comments: It was perfect running conditions. St Johns did a fantastic job.
Review by: Denise Grech
Overall Score 10 Scenery 8 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you run a personal best? Yes Did you raise money for charity? No Will you be back? Yes
Comments: A really enjoyable race and I have recommended it to others
Review by: Martin Palmer
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 8 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? Great Satisfaction Did you run a personal best? First time Did you raise money for charity? No Will you be back? Yes Comments: Really good event, can't fault it
Review by: Steve Bailey
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? 10 Did you run a personal best? no Did you raise money for charity? no Will you be back? 10
Comments: I didn't get a PB by 7 seconds, and I (along with several other people) measured the course via garmin at 13.2 miles. My Garmin matched your mile markers to within 50 yards up to mile 11, but to lose 0.1 mile in the last 2 was not enjoyable. Apart from that, amazing event.
Review by: Ray
Overall Score 10/10 Scenery As lovely as ever - gorgeous day. Just a little pity that Swindon is sort of by-passed! Atmosphere Possibly best ever - think I have done this 10 times now Organisation Spot on - excellent in every respect. Value for money Yup Did you enjoy the race? Enjoy? marlborough Road after 12 miles is not something one 'enjoys' Did you run a personal best? No - but then not the course for that - and on is older. Did you raise money for charity? Not this time Will you be back? I hope so. Unlike last time I didn't spend the last mile going . .. never again, never, never again!
Comments: Swindon at its' best. Hope sponsorship/organisers can be sorted out.
Review by: Brian Caswell
Congratulations to all the staff involved. I haven’t entered this race for a few years, however I was pleasantly surprised with all the happy friendly faces ensuring the event runs smoothly. Thank you all for a pleasant experience, and no doubt an ever increasing starters field. When the word gets out that it’s a toughie…..hopefully the bigger sponsors will join in on your success!
Review by: Shaz Ainsworth
Overall Score 9 Scenery 9 Atmosphere 8 Organisation 10 Value for money 9 Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you power walk a personal best? Yes Did you raise money for charity? Yes Will you be back? Possibly
Comments: The organisation of collecting the chip and race numbers, on the day start line, around the route and finish line to collecting the chips in was all well thought of. The drink stops on route and bottle collection points were all well placed, support from volunteers and the public was excellent.
Review by: Nicki Sinclair
Overall 10/10 Scenery 10/10 Atmosphere 8/10 atmosphere in race village and marshalls excellent but slightly muted on run. Some areas with no spectactors in 5m MT. Organisation 10/10 Value for money 10/10 Did you enjoy the race? yes Did you run a PB? yes Did you raise money for charity? no Will you be back? maybe, I don't want to feel I must raise money for a charity in order to run. Comments: Really enjoyed my second competitive race.
Review by: Aline Cardosa
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? yes Did you run a personal best? no Did you raise money for charity? no Will you be back? yes, if I can
Comments: Really enjoyed the race, the option of get the race pack on the day is great, and the place you choose for the multi terrain is very good too. Congratulations!
Review by: Ian Howard:
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 8 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? 10 Did you run a personal best? 7 seconds short! Did you raise money for charity? Yes £500 Will you be back? Of course!
Comments: A really well organised event, as always, proud to be associated with Swindon!
Review by: Chris Wilson
Overall Score 9.5 Scenery 9 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 8 Did you enjoy the race? 10 Did you run a personal best? Yes Did you raise money for charity? No Will you be back? I expect so.
Comments: Yet again another excellent, slick Swindon half. This year you even laid on the perfect conditions, cool, dry and no wind that led to a new PB.
Review by: Rachel
Took part in the 5 mile race, my husband completed the Half Marathon.
Overall Score 9.5/10 Scenery 10/10 Atmosphere 9/10 Organisation 9/10 Value for money 9/10 Did you enjoy the race? Yes it was great. So nice to go to such a well organised race. Only problem I had was following an arrow to changing facilities which then led to a building where the changing rooms were locked? The marshals were wonderful, both on the course and those dealing with baggage. The 5 mile route was really pleasant and well thought out, lots of changes of scenery. Did you run a personal best? Yes - in that I'd not run this particular distance before! Also my first multi-terrain race. Did you raise money for charity? No - but my husband did. Felt it would be cheeky to ask people as it was only 5 miles. Will you be back? I hope so - maybe next year I'll do the Half :o)
Review by: shrijit mukherjee
Overall Score 98% Scenery 90% Atmosphere 100% Organisation 100% Value for money 100% Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you run a personal best? Yes Did you raise money for charity? No Will you be back? yes
Comments: This was my first participation in an organised racing event in England and I loved it. I did 5 miles multi terrain.The atmosphere was full on with loads of people out there and cheering all the way through which was amazing and not to mention the drum and music near the finish line and the warm up at the beginning. I am very pleased that I went there and did it. I hope to participate in a longer distance race next time.
Review by: Mark Todd
Overall Score 9 Scenery 9 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 9 Value for money 7 Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you run a personal best? Yes! 1hr 33! Did you raise money for charity? No Will you be back? Yes, definitely.
Comments: The pacemakers were an excellent idea and did a great job- many thanks to them, the music and support on the way round were a real boost, my son did the fun run and it was great that he got a medal and a T shirt. My one criticism would be of the T-shirt, mine’s already shrunk- it’d be great to get a breathable mesh style running vest that you can go running in (this would also act as advertising for next year’s event due to runners wearing them in the local area whilst out on the road).
Review by: Paul Rowson
Overall Score 8 Scenery 9 Atmosphere 9 Organisation 8 Value for money 8 Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you run a personal best? Yes Did you raise money for charity? Not on this occasion Will you be back? Probably
Comments: Enjoyable apart from the hills. Would have happily paid extra to have race pack sent to me rather than travelling to pick it up in advance.
Review by: Hayley Smith
Overall Score: 9/10 Scenery: 9/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Organisation: 9/10 Value for money: 9/10 Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you run a personal best? Yes. 1min 40 secs off last year’s time Did you raise money for charity? No Will you be back? Of course!
Comments: My second go at the Swindon Half and those hills sure don’t get any easier! Lovely weather and great support on the busier bits of the course, but large chucks of the race very quiet. This is only due to the rural nature of the course though. Official time is 2.00:19 so I’m a bit disappointed to not get the Sub 2 I wanted. So close! But the memory of the pain of Marlborough Road will fade, I’m sure, and I will be definitely be back next year to try again!
Review by: Anna Jensen
I did the 5 mile multi-terrain yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? Yes Did you run a personal best? No, I was hoping to be on for 45 minutes but the grassy hill coming out of Coate Water was a killer so finished in 47 Did you raise money for charity? No, I was originally down to do the half which I was going to ask for sponsorship for but injured my calf muscle, so did the 5 miler for fun. Will you be back? Yes – hopefully for the half
Comments: Great atmosphere, very very well organised. There was no trouble when I changed from the half to the 5 miles. Stewards were very cheery and supportive. My only disappointment was that I didn’t get a chip time – were some of them not working?. Thanks for a great event.
Review by: David Wreathall
Loved the race (9 out of 10) – well organised, nice size (not too big), and the conditions were ideal – I think my time was close to a personal best for this course, although about 5 mins outside my best at Chippenham which is flatter!
I don’t use half marathons for fundraising generally – might do next year, but it would be with Inner Flame rather than BHF! In the words of Arnie “I’ll be back”. J
Review by: Rebecca Ward
Overall Score 8 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 7 Organisation 8 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? 10 (yes) Did you run a personal best? No Did you raise money for charity? 10 (yes) Will you be back? 10 (yes)
Comments: Would have loved a warm up for all competitors, please no burger vans along the start line – very off-putting!!
Review by: Mark Gratland
Overall Score - 9 Scenery - 10 [but then I am biased] Atmosphere - 7 [patchy in areas - as are others eg Bristol] Organisation - 8 Value for money - 8 Did you enjoy the race? - Yes Did you run a personal best? - No Did you raise money for charity? - No Will you be back? - Yes
Comments:
1. Collecting the race pack from Croft is not convenient [especially if you are not a resident of Swindon]. Most organisers send a pack to entrants. I know the Swindon fee is lower than a lot of other half marathons in the area but I imagine I high proportion of entrants are from out of town. Costs could still be saved if entrants were asked to opt for 1 or the other.
2. It is still good of Nationwide to allow us use of their car park. Can Intel be persuaded as well [like they do for the Lethbridge run in June]?
3. Could the e-mail requesting feedback be more clear eg please reply to this e-mail/include a hyperlink to do it over the web?
4. The drink and energy stations were very welcome given the weather. I don't envy the litter volunteers afterwards!
5. The volunteers + marshalls were great and just as welcome as the supporters.
6. Howard T did his best to get the crowd jumping but Swindon does seem to be a very conservative town.
Review by: Craig Jones
Overall Score 10 Scenery 10 Atmosphere 10 Organisation 10 Value for money 10 Did you enjoy the race? Yes, this was my first half marathon, and it was fantastic fun Did you run a personal best? Yes, I came in under the 2 hour mark which was great Did you raise money for charity? Yes around £600 for Prospect Hospice Will you be back? No
Comments: I will not do another Swindon Half Marathon until SBC inform BHF that runners can continue to raise money for other local more needy charities. Yet again SBC are just rolling over to whoever waves the most money around. I got the feeling from Sunday that your participation numbers will drop dramatically next year due to BHF not allowing money to be raised for other charities.