This was my second Wirral Way half marathon having done it in 2018. Did not train very well following festive exertions and illness around the turn of the year. However, the peaceful Wirral Way trail path and tranquil surroundings, helped by the staggered start, meant that I was able to set into my own stride. Unfortunately for me set off far too quick, breaking all the rules in the book, with a PB baiting first 6 miles. The next 6 miles fell off a cliff, including enjoying breathers at the eco friendly cupped water and electrolyte water stations. Even taking in a bit of flapjack and chopped mars bar (very much in keeping with the season’s diet. Ho Ho Ho.) For me, always a little bit soul destroying in a race featuring an out-and-back section, seeing faster folk storming down the other side of the track, around mile 9, but as a club newbie wearing the Wirral AC top for the first time, actually enjoyed the rallying boost of ‘come on Wirral!’ from the returning pack. I felt bad for this race that I had entered on a whim in December as an early year tune up, with Four Villages HM in a fortnight as the goal race in a training plan, as it deserved a bit more time and effort spent preparing for it considering it is a beautiful, relatively flat, scenic and non-intimidating course for those new to running halves. Great value, with a lovely medal, free digital photos from the race (8 for me) , free cake at the finish (Swiss roll. Chocolate.) and a free tray of chips from the chip van. It may be me still recovering from the Oh It’s Christmas attitude to food this festive period, but these finish line treats meant so much more to me than a banana and being sent on my way. Would definitely recommend this race. Finished in 1:53:11

Did this event 3 years ago when preparing for the London marathon. As I'm doing Manchester I thought I'd do it again. The Wirral way is nice to run on although I usually jump on and off at different points.

Easy bag drop off and collection, you could start between 9 and 9.45 and the race was decided on chip time. This is mainly because it's a narrow path at the start. I got the train (start is next door to Hooton station) and started at 9.

Found the race hard but that was more because like I said before,I don't normally go as far just staying on the way.

The marshals were all excellent as were everyone at the start and finish. The free chips at the finish were good and the medal excellent. Managed to make the first coach back to Hooton (paid for that when I entered)

Good to do it again. I'd recommend it if you fancy a bit of nature and mud with your running.😀

Online registration nice and easy with sufficient updates as race day approached.

First time running both a trail race but given the bad weather the ground held up very well and given the freezing temperatures no issues under foot.

Managed to get parked up OK at the finish line car park and simple check in for race number pickup. Large enough toilet facilites onsite. Coaches then ferried you to the start line with this being a point to point race.

After being dropped off you then simply set off whenever you were ready which meant at times you were sometimes isolated giving it the feel of a training run but plenty of nice views to keep you occupied.

Refreshment stations were adequately stocked with water albeit in cups and gels.

Volunteers were all very friendly and encouraging which more than made up for the lack of local support which you would normally get at a road race. A few road crossings were needed but marshalls ensured everyone was safe.

Nice quirky medal at the end with a bottle of water and banana.

Results were available to view quickly and link to free set of photos sent the following day or two.

I picked up my race number and ankle chip the day before and the finish line had already been set up. I arrived at the start only to find that the queues for the 4 portaloos was huge! I was waiting for around 20-30mins which meant that I started later than I was hoping to. There was a rolling start which I found a little underwhelming! There were 4 or 5 water stations that had small cups of water or electrolyte juice and also energy gels.

There were buses for people who needed to park at the finish and then get to the start. There was also a baggage van to take items to the finish but I didnt need to use either of these services.

The marshals were friendly and helpful, and all went well until I got to Cubbins Green, which was about 11.5miles in. I followed the directions of the marshal and started to run on the grass. Then I didn’t know where to go next and was expecting another marshal and a timing mat (I had read this on the Run Organisers website) but I ended up going the wrong way and heading back to be spotted by a another marshal who asked “where have you come from, didn’t you see the arrow?” I followed her directions to get back on track and got quite upset at this point as I thought that I’d missed a timing mat and would be disqualified! After pulling myself together, I carried on for the last 1.5miles to the finish line where I was met by some enthusiastic supporters (at last!) and the PA calling out my name!

A nice touch was the 2 marshals at the finish who took my ankle tag off for me (I obviously looked like I was about to collapse!) and placed my medal around my neck! (Much better than being handed a bag which contains the medal!)

This was my first Half Marathon so I don’t have anything to compare it with, other than the 10K races that I have done previously.

It was ideal for me as it was local and so my nerves didn’t have chance to build too much! However I found the route quite tough mentally as there wasn’t any support and I found it quite lonely!

They did provide a lovely, quite unique medal!

For future years, the Organisers need to set up a couple more portaloos at the start to help with the queues. I’m not sure if the confusion at Cubbins Green was my own fault and I missed the arrow (it was very sunny and icy, and the glare in my eyes was strong) or whether the arrow had indeed been moved/taken – but I had been expecting a marshal/timing mat (as per website) so it caused confusion and a little upset at the time!

Park at the finish where you register, Bus takes you to the start which is a rolling start so you can go when you're ready. Straight railway line with Estuary and Welsh hills to your left. Great views.

Well stocked water stations with Gels and water. 

Medal but no t-shirt.