Grand Union Canal Half Marathon

[Deleted User]

this sounds like a great event and means i can run and watch Sarries play in the afternoon!! I love running along the canal but wonder how much chaos we will cause with a large group of runners at the same time ? and as for the fishing ......

[Deleted User]

I train along this canal - it is lovely, but 250 people on the thin tow path avoiding the anglers will be interesting. Hope it works out.

[Deleted User]

Hey, the Purple People are putting on another race!  I would not worry about the towpath bit too much - the last race these guys put on was along the Thames towpath and it all worked out absolutely fine (and there were floods to deal with there as well).  Have just entered and am looking at it for a PB!

[Deleted User]

Hello - I've just noticed this as I'm looking for a first half marathon to do round about november/december...I've only done 10k's so far but I like the sound of 'flat'!! Does this sound a good first half marathon or will I just be miles behind - only 250 allowed apparently and past experience tells me small fields usually mean I'm way at the back!!
Cheers.

[Deleted User]

It is a really nice route (weather permitting!).  Path can be uneven but go for it. I probably shall.

[Deleted User]

This will be my second half marathon. First one was over 2 years ago, which was very hilly .  Also like the fact that this one will be flat, although I will also be running at the back. Im now motivated to start training after entering.

[Deleted User]

I think i will enter then - and I'll be there at the back with you!

Claire Mac

Hi,  Race Director here! 

I won't get involved in the general forum thread, but want you to know that I am here if you need info or anything.  If you want to direct a question to me, please do so and I will answer asap.  Of course, you can also email me if you prefer. 

Hope to see you at the race.......

Claire

straitjacket

Hi Claire, what time does the coach leave Cassiobury Park? Do you take all lit back to the start?

Claire Mac

Hello - the coach will probably leave Cassiobury at 9am.  We haven't yet finalised how long the journey will take, but you will be advised when you should be there in your race pack.   You can leave kit at the finish before you board the coach to the start and/or you can leave kit at the start - we will take any baggage left at the start back to Cassiobury Park (the finish!).  Clear as mud but hope you understand!

Claire   

[Deleted User]

and will there be toilets at the start Claire ??

[Deleted User]

Am i being naive here??

Point to point or straight run Half marathon...Point to point sounds map and compassy??

Sounds a good event though

Claire Mac

Hi, yes there are toilets at the start and the finish.

Tony,  it is a straightforward half marathon - the point to point meaning it isn't a loop course, i.e. start and finish at different points.  However, map and compass sounds like a good idea ...... maybe next year!!

Karl

I am in, and talked a couple of other Benfleeters into doing this one.

We were part of the support crew for one of our guys doing the GUCR 145 miler this year, and the route along the canal is very scenic (even in the rain !) but a little narrow in places...

Unknown

I just registered for this one, it looks good and I am looking forward to it. I guess there are no toilets / showers from the info I saw on the site - please post if I am wrong thinking this... hope I dont stink the tube out afterwards.

[Deleted User]

Anyone know if the start is reasonably accessible on foot or bus?

Thanks

Rachael

Muttley

I did the Down Tow Up Flow (or Up Tow Down Flow, whatever) and thoroughly enjoyed it. This one looks interesting, but I'm wondering how public transport friendly it is. This from the entry form:

"You can either park at the finish in Cassiobury Park and take the coach provided to the start (£5) or park at Cowley and make your own way back to your car afterwards."

Assuming I can get to the start venue in time by train from Reading, how will I get back after running the race? 

[Deleted User]

I've worked out that Watford tube is very close to Cassiobury Park if that helps.

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?&hloc=GB|WD187HY

Claire Mac

Hi All,

 I have some info for you.....

Cowley:The nearest tube station to Cowley is Uxbridge, which is approx 1.2 miles away (nice warm-up J!).  The nearest railway station to Cowley is West Drayton, which is 1.5miles away – there are probably buses I would think, along Cowley High Street

Watford:Nearest tube is right next to Cassiobury Park (Watford).  Nearest rail is Watford West, which is 0.6 miles away

The bus timetable from Watford to Uxbridge is here:  http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/724.htm#Sun_

It all adds to the fun ! 

Hope this helps, but if you need more please shout!

Claire

Muttley

Thanks Claire. Looking at the tube and bus timetables and maps, I can see that I won't be able to make this one. Too many variables.

Oh well.

[Deleted User]

Hi Muttley!  That's a shame, would be good to see you there.  Could you take a train from Reading to West Drayton, then jog to the start (1.5 miles).  Then take a train from Watford to reading - take around 1hr 50mins I think ..... any good?

Claire

[Deleted User]

It's the early start that does for us Claire.  I'm coming from Surbiton and can just about make it on the first train out but I can see Reading would be just that bit too far.

Muttley

Actually, taking a closer look it might be feasible. Train to W Drayton is no prob, but the return journey is. According to the tube website it'll be three or four changes, part tube and part bus and journey time about 90 minutes. That'll mean a total of 2 hrs to Reading, and a multitude of tickets.

*Two minutes later*

The trainline.com website gives a reasonable service from Watford Junction to Euston and thence to Paddington and onwards. Multimap says Watford Jn is about a mile from the finish.

You're such a smooth talker Claire I'll have to think about the logistics but it suddenly looks much more do-able.

Claire Mac

I do my best

Hope it works out and we see you there!

TCP

I'm in.  Its perfectly timed as part of my rehab training plan.  18 months out, finally got back to running and did the GNR last week.  Now to get my times back to somewhere near what I was doing 2 years ago.

[Deleted User]

Why does it say 'Oxford' in the RW blurb at the top of the page?

[Deleted User]

My guess is someone at RW only knows of one Cowley being the one near Oxford!

Claire Mac

Hmmm - I will mention it to RW - it is definitely NOT Oxford!  It is Uxbridge ......

Claire

Muttley

They probably thought it was Oxbridge. Posh lot they are at RW towers ...

I'm in. Just entered online. It'll make for a long day, but why not. This is what our weekends are for. 

[Deleted User]

Hi Chelsea Plodder, Just noticed this, looks like we are doing a similar schedule!, not run much canal before, i was only going to do Bedford Half pre Xmas, but i think i will have a crack at this as well as this will be quite scenic, even in November!!.

TCP

Hi Muttley.  Yeah, this one looked interesting and I haven't run around there before.

I'm trying to do a race a month and get back into some sort of shape (well, less of a round shape).  Oct - Croydon 10k, Nov - Canal, Dec - Bedford, Jan - ??? Not sure yet and Feb - Meon Valley Plod.