This was my first time running the half marathon at this event after having completed the 5k race two years previously. I chose it purely because it was a flat course.

For those that know Holme Pierrepont well, it can have a brutal crosswind on a good day and is one of my least favourite places to run in Nottingham. 

The half marathon is a 4.5 lap of the Holme Pierrepon rowing lake and while it is flat, is incredibly challenging mentally. By the 3rd lap I wanted it to end. 

That being said the marshals were lovely and very encouraging. I loved the marshal on the clubhouse side with the speakers who would cheer on runners on the otherside of the lake (and you could hear her) to keep them going. 

I was surprised at the lack of pacers at the event. They had pacers at 1:45; 2:00 and 2:15 (if I recall correctly) I had expected and hoped there would be more. They certainly would have been welcome to help keep you going in the later stages. 

I loved the medal and goody christmas stocking that we received. It was unique and a nice touch. 

I don't know if I would run the race again, purely because I personally really struggle on lap courses. I highly recommend it for anybody who is okay with a lap course and looking for a PB! It is also great for your family to come and cheer you on, as they can stay in one place and cheer you on throughout, which is really different to other races. 

The Nottingham Christmas marathon is a multi lap event, around a man made boating lake. 

This weekend of races cover pretty much every distance from fun run to marathon. All the races were around the National Watersports lake.  Doing the 5k meant just 1 lap of this super flat course.  The lake is great to run round with no traffic and a good limestone surface or tarmac the whole way round.

This is the 2nd time i've done this half marathon and it didn't disappoint. The route is 4.5 times around the National Water Sports Centre lake, so as long as you are happy running laps you can't really fault it.

Pre race info was plentiful and bibs sent through the post in advance. 

It's a chip timed, flat route with most of the spectators at one end of the lake - seated by the finish line.

There were about 600 plus entrants - a few dressed up in fancy dress but most weren't.

There was plenty of support from members of the public walking their dogs or with their children out for an afternoon stroll.

The race start line was a 30 mins walk ( 2.5 km ) from the car park.  This was a good warm up on what was a very cold but dry and sunny day.

3 motivational marshalls with microphones and music were spaced throughout the route and they were brilliant!

On finishing you got a big christmassy medal (christmas cracker shaped) and a cute red christmas stocking filled with a selection box, bottle of water and a packet haribos.

Free downloadable photos were available the next day after the event - unheard of and a great bonus.

An excellent event, well organised, and one i'd like to run again next year.

 

So I did this marathon race back in 2017 and did it again in 2018.

It was 8.5 laps around the lake and luckily it wasnt to windy.

If you after a flat fast marathon then this is for you.

Car parking was simple, make sure you arrive in plenty of time. Get number, listen to a minimal race briefing and then off you go for 8.5 laps. Minimal support as its a circle of a lake, however marshalls were super friendly and offered loads of support at the end of each lap which really helped. Aid station was brillaint, really well stacked with pretty much everything.

No goody bag but a cracking funky medal which was good to see.

Will certainly be back again 

Another great event from the time2run events team. Easy online registration with number pick up on the day. Lots of email/facebook communications leading up to the event, keeping you well informed. I arrived around an hour before the start and parking spaces were at a premium, I managed to get one of the last spaces in the second car park, not sure if there were more places to park after that one. It was a fair stroll to the registration and then a further mile and a half to the start line. This was clearly communicated but in hindsight I'd give myself a bit more time next time as I cut it quite fine. No queues for toilets in the main building. The course is PB potential. Fast and flat with 4 and a half laps of the lake. I managed to knock a minute off my PB so was made up on the day. No real problems with congestion after everyone got into their pace after the first straight. There was a strong wind to run in to on the return leg of the lake, unfortunately you did not seem to get the benefit off much of a wind at your back on the reverse run out! Water station providing cupped water on each lap. Given the location and only a small local support the marshalls were all outstanding with their encouragement and shout outs over the PAs on both sides of the lake. Christmas stocking at the finish with a selection box, banana, crisps and water. Really good quality Christmas Cracker medal. Food and drink stalls at the finish and cafe facilities in the main building. Would run this race again.

This was my first Half Marathon event and I really enjoyed it. The pre race information was all on the website and comprehensive and clear. Bibs could be collected the day before or on the morning of the event from the registration. Along with your bib you were also given a santa hat. The course is on tarmac, 4 and a half laps around the lake. There was a half lap walk to the start at the bottom of the lake, so an early departure from the main building was required to leave enough time to get there. There were a few portaloos at the start with very short queues, which moved quickly. There were about 450 entrants. Lots of club runners and some novice runners. The route was clearly marked being around the lake so it was impossible to go wrong. One side of the lake had strong winds and the other side more sheltered. There were 3 commentators with microphones around the lake and they were brilliant at encouraging you on and making you smile. There were only spectators at one end of the lake so most of the run relied on the commentators spurring you on. There were feed stations and music and even a brass band. There was chip timing with live streaming for supporters to track where you where. There was hot food and a cafe available inside the main building so spectators could keep warm and well fed. The medal is brilliant. A large Christmas cracker and is now a definite favourite medal of mine. The goody bag at the end was also very good with a bottle of water, chocolate selection box (5 chocolate bars), a banana, packet of crisps. These were all presented in a Christmas stocking. Overall, this was a really enjoyable race. It is a flat course but very windy. I would recommend it to anyone thinking about a Christmas half marathon.

Right! There’s isn’t anything negative to add about this event... I suppose a parking marshall would have been helpful as the car park was full when we arrive and I had to be ‘creative’.. ahem. Anyway, instructions were clear. I know this venue well and I’ve competed in a few triathlons here over the years. So the main thing I need to ask is of myself? What the h3ll was I thinking? That lake is soul destroying to run around at the best of times! Well, I suppose at least I didn’t have to swim in it today! Anyway, today I ran around it in an anti-clockwise direction. 4 and a 1/2 times. The course is flat. You cannot get lost! Marshalls were friendly and helpful. The course wasn’t too crowded at all, this was a pleasant surprise as the path is fairly narrow. I didn’t use the aid stations as I preferred my own nutrition so I can’t really pass comment there. Afterwards, there was a rather funky medal. Certainly one of the more interesting medals I’ve picked up. I think it was fairly cheap to enter. There were some fast times at the top end but the event was very novice friendly too. Plenty of support for everyone. highly recommended. Perhaps next time I’ll train for it!

I really enjoyed this race, I know laps aren't for everyone and this was my first experience of a marathon with laps. 8.5 laps was good fun, the course was flat, lots of space, aid stations were good, marshals were very good and full of energy. The course was a bit dull, but the advantage of running laps is you knew the course and what was round the corner! Collecting bib was easy and race brief was good, lovely medal at the end. Parking was straight forward. Overall I was impressed with the organisation of the race, it wasn't too busy and enabled me to just focus on my running. If you want a low key marathon with a flat course, I would recommend this one.

This was another good race from the Time2Run team. Nottingham Christmas Marathon took place at Holme Pierrepont Water Park. Race numbers were collection only. Registration was simple and there were plenty of toilet changing facilities. Marathon consisted of 3 mile loops of the lake (8.75 laps). Scenery was quite decent. Local support was minimal but runners were kept entertained by friendly marshals, music at three parts of the course and an MC at the end of each lap. Water stations had cupped water, electrolytes and other bits n pieces to eat - all very good. Marshals were awesome - very encouraging and friendly. Lapped courses can be quite tough but this race has plenty of PB opportunities. It also means toilets and aid stations are very regular. Finishers received a big, solid medal and a Christmas stocking containing banana, crisps, water and a selection box. - all vest festive. Another bonus was the FREE race photos. Pros- Enjoyable day. Fast, flat course. Lovely medal. Organisers, Time2Run always put on friendly races. Free race photos are always welcome. Cons - Course support was minimal. Lapped courses can be mentally tough.. Thank you Time2Run for a super day.