Half Marathon Race advive/choice?

tang1

I'm planning on running a half marathon in UK next year, have my eyes currently on the Bristol HM which is on in 3 weeks time so i presume it'll be ran in and around same time nxt yr. Anybody have any knowledge or info on this race? Or point me in the direction of a good half on the west coast of UK nxt yr incuding Wales, preferably from July on.

rom

Don't do what I did. Have a nice flat race for your first one.

tang1

I've ran few halfs already, mixture of flat and hilly ones.

Seres

a few friend did it a few years ago and as far as i can remember them saying its an out and back , alot of it on the main road . i know i should not post it in this thread nut tang1 , did you do slane 10mi ? if so how was it ?

tang1

It was a good, honest hard race. First 3 to 4 miles up hill out of Slane Castle. Its very up and down from there to the end, 53min something was winning time, Gary O Hanlon i think won it. I didn't struggle doing it, and wouldn't be up to ur level of running:D. Its a race that could grow if few more people knew about it, 414 ran between 5km and 10mile, 134 of this done the 10mile.

Seres

tang1 wrote: »

It was a good, honest hard race. First 3 to 4 miles up hill out of Slane Castle. Its very up and down from there to the end, 53min something was winning time, Gary O Hanlon i think won it. I didn't struggle doing it, and wouldn't be up to ur level of running:D. Its a race that could grow if few more people knew about it, 414 ran between 5km and 10mile, 134 of this done the 10mile.

thanks , 134 isnt a bad number to start out from considering it was the day after the Frank Duffy 10 , if it get good reports and the day isnt so close to a big race next year , they should get a good turnout

Clearlier

tang1 wrote: »

I'm planning on running a half marathon in UK next year, have my eyes currently on the Bristol HM which is on in 3 weeks time so i presume it'll be ran in and around same time nxt yr. Anybody have any knowledge or info on this race? Or point me in the direction of a good half on the west coast of UK nxt yr incuding Wales, preferably from July on.

Haven't run it myself but a number of my club did last year. It's flat but some very sharp turns towards the end. A good one to choose if you're near the front but you might struggle to find clear space a little further back*. On the basis of their feedback I decided to do Chichester instead which is on the same day and about an hour away from Bristol - unfortunately not fit enough to race it but that's another story!

Runners world has a reasonably comprehensive list of races in the area - might be worth a gander.

*I don't like huge fields because I'm not pushy enough to move up to the front so sometimes get stuck behind some slower runners.

anymore

Clearlier wrote: »

Haven't run it myself but a number of my club did last year. It's flat but some very sharp turns towards the end. A good one to choose if you're near the front but you might struggle to find clear space a little further back*. On the basis of their feedback I decided to do Chichester instead which is on the same day and about an hour away from Bristol - unfortunately not fit enough to race it but that's another story!

Runners world has a reasonably comprehensive list of races in the area - might be worth a gander.

*I don't like huge fields because I'm not pushy enough to move up to the front so sometimes get stuck behind some slower runners.

The trick there is to try to follow closely behind one or two who are pushy runners and who will clear the path - though to be honest it is better to try to get a little bit more aggressive yourself

Clearlier

anymore wrote: »

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The trick there is to try to follow closely behind one or two who are pushy runners and who will clear the path - though to be honest it is better to try to get a little bit more aggressive yourself

I can do aggressive (used to play rugby) but it gets me in the wrong head space before a race. I need to relax and chill out or I start off way too fast. I was lucky enough to get into the elite start for the Bath half (spare team entry - nothing to do with my performances) and although it was slightly embarrassing warming up in front of crowds it did mean that I didn't get stuck behind anybody and had people to run with almost from the start, plus I wasn't ever wondering whether I should overtake anybody! Decided after that race (when comparing it to previous big races) that the next time I'd do a big race like that would be when I could get into the elite pen (marathons excepted). Could be a while.....

Josieg

I've run Bristol 4 times and doing it again in three weeks. Its a decent one to do for your first. It isnt too hilly but there are a few near the end. The course is designed to cope with the crowds and is now in two waves separated by 30 mins. They had congestion issues 4 years ago but seem to have learned from their mistakes. It will be a similar date next year. They open it to entries before December usually. I've also done Bath but this is in March.

Another nice one is the Chippenham half which is on the same day as Bristol. Its two junctions east of Bristol on the M4. It gets a great rating on Runners World. Also Cardiff half is usually a week or two after Bristol and is a quick flat race.

tang1

Thanks for the info Josieg, i'll be coming from Ireland so want to pick a good race to run and Bristol looks good. Had a look at Cardiff to, which would be the better race do you know??

Josieg

tang1 wrote: »

Thanks for the info Josieg, i'll be coming from Ireland so want to pick a good race to run and Bristol looks good. Had a look at Cardiff to, which would be the better race do you know??

I would say Bristol since I live there but my brother inlaw has run both and thinks Bristol is probably better organised. Cardiff is a bit quicker though. Its also easier to get to Bristol from Ireland.