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The Baldock Beast - is this suitable for a first timer?

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Mave Feb 2012 10:57am, 24 Feb 2012 2 posts	Quote Pin Mave Does anyone know much about the Baldock Beast half marathon (http://www.baldocktown.co.uk/business-information/Baldock_Half_Marathon_2012.aspx)? I am thinking of doing it for my first ever half marathon and wonder if this is a foolhardy idea? I'm slightly worried by words such as 'challenging' and 'hilly'. I've been half training for the Milton Keynes Half marathon but for various reasons, I don't think I'll be ready. Did my first 10k race recently and finished it comfortably in 1hr02 minutes but that course was very flat. Anyone thinking of doing it or have any advice? Cheers
plodding hippo Feb 2012 11:01am, 24 Feb 2012 39,545 posts	Quote Pin plodding hippo Best thing to do is to look up last years results, then you wil have an idea of wher you might end up also check if the race organisers have a cut off One advantage of a hilly firrst half is that the next tim you do a flat one it will be a HUGE pb Welcome to Fetch
Mave Feb 2012 11:04am, 24 Feb 2012 3 posts	Quote Pin Mave Thanks. I think this is a brand new race so doesn't have previous results, something else that worries me. I don't mind coming near the back of the pack, I just don't want to be holding everyone up for hours!
plodding hippo Feb 2012 11:05am, 24 Feb 2012 39,546 posts	Quote Pin plodding hippo drop a line to the RD
HermanBloom Feb 2012 11:07am, 24 Feb 2012 414 posts	Quote Pin HermanBloom The website has a link to the course. I'm no map-reader, but perhaps you can take that and use something online to see the gradients? The course notes seem very detailed actually, so a read through of this as well as a gradient check should help. Are you able to run parts of it now?
Mave Feb 2012 11:19am, 24 Feb 2012 4 posts	Quote Pin Mave Thanks for the advice! Have written to the RD. This race is local to family, not me, so I'm unable to run parts of it before the day.
rosab123 Feb 2012 11:20am, 24 Feb 2012 134 posts	Quote Pin rosab123 That looks fun - there is a link to a course description that mentions the hills . If I wasn't attempting half distance at Sliverstone the week before I'd be tempted to do that one - then you wouldn't be last, I would be! They've allowed 5 hours in the timings, so I guess they're open to all-comers. As PH says, drop them an email
EdJ Feb 2012 11:27am, 24 Feb 2012 22 posts	Quote Pin EdJ This was a topic of discussion (briefly) on Biggleswade Athletic Club's message board a few weeks ago - pub43.bravenet.com (not sure if that link will work). The opinion from someone with a bit of local knowledge was that it is fairly hilly - but this is North Hertfordshire, and there's nothing that will be that hilly.
Mave Feb 2012 11:38am, 24 Feb 2012 5 posts	Quote Pin Mave Thanks for the link. Maybe I should sneak in some hill runs to training if I do go for it!
HermanBloom Feb 2012 11:40am, 24 Feb 2012 416 posts	Quote Pin HermanBloom Good luck anyway, looks like a fun course if you decide to go for it