Hi! I'm thinking of entering the Canterbury Half Marathon and was just wondering if anyone has run it before? Have been meaning to visit Canterbury so thought this would be a nice way to see the area! Thanks.
There's lots of scenery to enjoy around Canterbury, and the half marathon is quite tough. Race HQ is a couple of miles outside the city centre, but no reason why you should not enjoy the afternoon there after running in the morning. The course is a gentle uphill for most of the first couple of miles (and downhill in the last couple); there is a long climb between 3 and 5ish with a steep downhill at mile 6, but the real sting is the uphill climb at 10; it's the sort where it is sometimes quicker to walk.
Great, thanks for all the info - good to be mentally prepared, didn't realize the hills were that steep! I'm doing a trail race in the Lake District a few weeks later so sounds like it will be good training for that
I ran it as my first race back in 2008 at the time I thought it was quite hilly but having a look back at the elevation datails I may change my mind slightly on that. If I'm fit I may run it again this year but I'm running another on May 1st and I may be very stiff afterward. Though 3 weeks to recover (with 2 10k's) who knows.
with this now cancelled, does anyone have any other suggestions for a good half to run in mid/late may that isn't too hard to get to from london? thanks!
I was about to enter this and was puzzled why it wasn't on "Events finder" - now I know why.
I can't think of any other half marathons in Kent/ South London area in mid to late May.
There are a few 10K's that spring to mind (Larkfield and a new one being held in Sittingbourne) or the Sevenoaks 7 (hilly multi-terrain race that I can definitely recommend) but Halfs seem pretty thin on the ground in May and June.
What a massive shame - I just went to enter having raced it 2 years ago and remember how beautiful the course was and that it was also well organised! Have e mailed the organiser for reasons and asked if it will make a comeback?
The race is not cancelled, apparently 2:09 events were asked to take over the running from Pilgrims Hospices and have their own entry system!
QUOTE
We are pleased to have been invited by Pilgrims Hospices, to take over the Canterbury Half Marathon, and we have brought in race Timing Systems to help with the management and promotion of what is one of Kents best events.
The route is hilly, there is no doubting that, but runs through beautiful Garden of England scenery and typical Kent downland villages. 2:09 Events director won this race 3 times in the 80's and early 90's running 66mins around the route so it is not that slow and there are some long sweeping down hills to go with the climbs.
Pilgrims Hospices remain the charity of the year and you will be invited to raise funds for them.
"It is not our event – the event management is with Race Timing Systems and we only had it as part of the race entry system in the same way as Runner’s World have it and we can’t make decisions/take actions for them.
If I can I show up on the day, otherwise usually as late as poss. I can never plan my life that far in advance. I mybe injured or have no transport or simply forget.
Exactly! bbm! I have a busy life with family and 3 kids, football matches and a wife that works weekends so planning is often in the last fortnight to a month before a race apart from special cases like VLM or Beachy Head. Did the organisers lose their nerve then? Can we have some clarity if it will be held again? Later this year would be good- a November Half marathon? Or maybe next May then?
If pilgrims hospice don't want the race I have a horrible feeling that it wont go ahead again. Anyone know how much it costs to run an event? If locals value it is it feasible to arrange? Any thoughts?
On behalf of the organisers we apologise for the cancellation of the event. Thanks to Rick Ryder for providing the link to the Kentish Gazette which pretty much covers all the reasons for the cancellation. As mentioned in the statement the decision was not made lightly. All remaining refunds will be mailed out within the next seven days and we apologise for the inconvenience and disapointment that has been caused.
If pilgrims hospice don't want the race I have a horrible feeling that it wont go ahead again. Anyone know how much it costs to run an event? If locals value it is it feasible to arrange? Any thoughts?
I for one hope it does run again. 2010 was such a great day for so many. Ok the main sponsor didn't receive as much as they hoped for in the way of money raised by runners but maybe sometimes you have to loose some to gain more in the future...... or maybe I am nieve...
maybe 209 events can take it up again later in the year. After all isn't the company run by an ex kentish man Mike Gratten
Just a thought for those of you disappointed at the cancellation, and I know that Essex is not exactly Kent, but, there is the following event on 22nd May - it's 10 miles and always well supported; been going for years now.
Comments
Event now cancelled
http://www.pilgrimshospices.org/events/canterbury-half-marathon/
Me too seeing as i live nearby and have yet to run it
I can't think of any other half marathons in Kent/ South London area in mid to late May.
There are a few 10K's that spring to mind (Larkfield and a new one being held in Sittingbourne) or the Sevenoaks 7 (hilly multi-terrain race that I can definitely recommend) but Halfs seem pretty thin on the ground in May and June.
Probably not much help but
1st May Three Forts half Marathon.
5th June Seaford Half Marathon.
Both hilly and off road.
June12 - SouthEnd Hm
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=59706&ms= Frinton + Walton
Lack of interest? Last year there were 805 finishers.
Not the runners who lost interest it would appear.
The race is not cancelled, apparently 2:09 events were asked to take over the running from Pilgrims Hospices and have their own entry system!
QUOTE
We are pleased to have been invited by Pilgrims Hospices, to take over the Canterbury Half Marathon, and we have brought in race Timing Systems to help with the management and promotion of what is one of Kents best events.
The route is hilly, there is no doubting that, but runs through beautiful Garden of England scenery and typical Kent downland villages. 2:09 Events director won this race 3 times in the 80's and early 90's running 66mins around the route so it is not that slow and there are some long sweeping down hills to go with the climbs.
Pilgrims Hospices remain the charity of the year and you will be invited to raise funds for them.
/QUOTE
You can enter using the link on this page Canterbury Half Marathon at 2:09 events
um - that was the case when I entered it in 2008 - if you go to 2:09 they say it's been cancelled.
https://209.entry-systems.co.uk/enter/closed/canterbury-half
"Sorry, this event has been cancelled."
Mike at 209events.com just said
"It is not our event – the event management is with Race Timing Systems and we only had it as part of the race entry system in the same way as Runner’s World have it and we can’t make decisions/take actions for them.
I have forwarded your email to RTS.
Regards
Mike
may i suggest the sittingbourne 10k as an alternative.....
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=7&EN=59091&ms=
oops sorry link does not work
Full reasons here….
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentish_gazette/news/2011/april/19/canterbury_half_n.aspx
How long in advance do people usually enter a race? I certainly don't enter many over 2 months out.
I for one hope it does run again. 2010 was such a great day for so many. Ok the main sponsor didn't receive as much as they hoped for in the way of money raised by runners but maybe sometimes you have to loose some to gain more in the future...... or maybe I am nieve...
maybe 209 events can take it up again later in the year. After all isn't the company run by an ex kentish man Mike Gratten
Just a thought for those of you disappointed at the cancellation, and I know that Essex is not exactly Kent, but, there is the following event on 22nd May - it's 10 miles and always well supported; been going for years now.
- www.baddowraces.org.uk
BTW best of luck any of you running Halstead; it's a lovely course.
I'll be doing the Frinton half instead this year "oh I do like to be beside the seaside"
[b]Edmund Carr Great Baddow[/b] Charity [b]10[/b] mile Road Race