Forest of Dean spring trails half marathon

[MissUnderstanding]

Has anyone done this race? I’m thinking of trying a trail had but I’m a newbie and would like something not too scary. This is quite local and looks suitable.

Any thoughts or other suggestions welcome!

forestofdean-halfmarathon.c...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I don't know the event, but reading the blurb it sounds lovely. It's well-established and so should be well organised. It doesn't sound like a tricky, challenging, technical trail run and has several on route aid stations too. With parking close to the start and closed roads where relevant, I'd say it sounds perfect!

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Fantastic! Thanks for the thoughts. I’m really keen to get something in the diary to work towards and that’s the first one that’s really tempted me. I just love the idea of being off road!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I bet it's a gorgeous route 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It gets 4.4/5 on Racecheck (although the first review says very hilly rather than the 'gentle inclines' mentioned in the official blurb, so you may want to check an elevation map if that's important to you) racecheck.com/races/forest-...

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Hills are ok as long as the ground isn’t really tricky underfoot. Sounds like a win!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I saw that review after posting, so googled and found this, which looks similar to the course elevation on the event website: plotaroute.com/route/708 Click on "explore filtered data" in "route metrics" if you want something more useful than the overview.

From my point of view that's nowhere near "very hilly." There again, I don't live somewhere flat - my "very hilly" for a trail HM would probably be around 740m or more total elevation gain, depending on the terrain, and I definitely wouldn't expect to run all of it.

[Cmoi Marathon]

While obviously I've never done it, if the course description and race photos are representative it looks like a pretty easy, fun trail event. Why not give it a go?

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I think I might just do it! Thanks for the encouragement!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I think I did part of this route for my very first race, a 10K, many moons ago. I must say I didn’t notice the scenery at the time because I pushed myself and ran it far too fast for a new runner 🙄 but I’m sure for a slower HM pace it would be lovely. I remember a few uphills but nothing big!

Go for it. It looks fab 😍

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Brilliant-thanks for this! It sounds super. Will be sitting down with the calendar and making some plans. Think this one’s likely to go on in pen!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

It’s a great event!

Uses forest trails which are perfectly OK for road shoes.

Yes, there are hills but, taken at a steady pace, they’re fine, just don’t expect to beat your Bath HM time! My Strava data from last year’s shows about 250m of ascent.

Since I’ve already entered, there’s a very good chance that I’ll be running it again this year!

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Fantastic-that’s exactly what I was going for! I’m treating as a whole different category of event so definitely no expectation to beat Bath. I think I’ll look for a road half marathon at some point and try and lose a few minutes from my Bath time. Just fancied something a bit different to aim at. Now I need to sit down with the new calendar and work out what’s happening when in life. Fun times ahead!

Thanks, and maybe see you there!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Most people recognise me by the goatee! There’s a photo included in my Bath HM report.

If you’d like to meet up, just send a chat message. Maybe we can persuade a few other VRBs to sign up? I think that Irishprincess was considering it last year!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

I’m way out of practice SM. My injury last year has really held me back but I’ll see what the first few weeks of this year are like and then who knows………….

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

UPDATE: Massive thanks to all who responded. I am now officially entering! It’s on our kitchen calendar in pen along with a little local 10k in June. I’m already excited, not least at the prospect of buying trail shoes…

[Oldfloss Administrator]

It sounds super and I think you will really enjoy it!

You will love working towards it.... something to really focus on...

The last time I was in the Forest of Dean was on my honeymoon 50 years in August. We stayed in the Speech House which was then a very posh place ! Our meals were all taken in the Verderers’ Court and they were fabulous!

I don't remember hills as such, just gentle undulations...but then I was only 23 and not running

Sorry, to ramble on, this just brought back happy memories

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

What a brilliant place for a honeymoon! It sounds like it was heavenly. I’m not sure it’ll be quite such a relaxing experience round the forest trails but it sounds perfect for the next challenge. Bring it on! 🏃‍♀️❤️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to MissUnderstanding]

You will rock it!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Ooo I might look at entering this one. I have eyed it up before as I'm keen to try more trail routes. I imagine it would be good paths as so many are well managed for cycle routes as well as for walkers and runners....

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

The description says road shoes are fine so I think that means the terrain will be ok. A friend has done it and apparently it’s good for inexperienced trail runners and very scenic.