Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon
Sun 2nd Feb 2020 · Portsmouth
About this event
The muddy beach awaits your return! If you like to run something slightly different then this is for you - fantastic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, and if the tide comes in you may just get wet feet.
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Half Marathon
Sun 2nd Feb 2020
Run 13.1mi
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What people think
4.669 reviews
Brilliant local half marathon on a great route!! Mixed terrain but made it more fun and felt safe at all times. Very well organised and fantastic friendly support from all the marshalls!! Absolutely love this run (2nd time and just as good) medal is fantastic as always from believe and achieve. Looking forward to doing it again xxx… read more
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Running Events in the United Kingdom
Running Events in the United Kingdom
S
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Brilliant local half marathon on a great route!! Mixed terrain but made it more fun and felt safe at all times. Very well organised and fantastic friendly support from all the marshalls!! Absolutely love this run (2nd time and just as good) medal is fantastic as always from believe and achieve. Looking forward to doing it again xxx
Hi as this was my 3rd ever half ran, I feel the Portsmouth half whilst still in it's early years I felt as if the start was just like a Parkrun.The setting for the run was fantastic and whilst most of the coastal route was hard, it was still enjoyable; however it did seem a little funny running through the housing estate and over the communal field while the pitches were in use.And now I find the race photo's are chargeable... I understand I am new to this and that this may be run of the mill but having ran Gosport & Farborough I'm using these as a bench mark.
Loved it from start to finish both the medal and tech t shirt are exceptional
Really well organised event with a fun and interesting route. Good field of runners of mixed ability, friendly marshals and awesome goodie bag and a beer at the finish.
This is a lovely friendly run around Portsmouth harbour. I loved it and would run again.
I really enjoyed it course was good and multi terrain was brilliant. Think with more advertising this could become a really popular half in the south. Brilliant organisation through out would highly recommend
Lots of different terrains, enough water stations, great atmosphere, and it started on time! All round a great race :-)
I went out a little too fast but I still managed to get a good time and knock 6 minutes of last years time the prom on the return was a little challenging with unsupervised children and dogs. A challenging course in parts with A few supportive marshals. Great encouragement from fellow runners all booked for next year
Great mixture of terrain, enjoyed the 2 mile blast to the finish!
Good mix of road, beach, towpaths etc made for an interesting and challenging course.
I really enjoyed this half marathon. The course was great, challenging but fun. The marshalls were great and so supportive, have already signed up again for next year.
One of my favourite races of the year. Not for the faint hearted!
Thoroughly enjoyed this run. Pancake flat, multi terrain and a pleasant coastal route.
A great course which I would do again. Thought it was very organised and friendly.
My 3rd year in a row doing Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon and yet again a great run fab course and great goody bag, medal for the last 2 years were amazing this years a little disappointing but the run makes up for it
Second Coastal Half, didn't disappointed. Well organised, well sign posted and marshalled course, all of whom are encouraging and supportive.
Very well organised, great marshals. Lots of beautiful scenery and the muddy beach section was awesome. Will be seeing you next year.
The race was really fun and well organised, and just about the right size - big enough to feel like a proper event by small enough to avoid overcrowding on the course. The course itself was brilliant, flat but varied - I enjoyed the muddy beach section but wasnt so keen on the exposed section between miles 4 and 7, which was very windy. Having said that, it must have been a fast course as I did a half marathon PB. Great event and I hope to be back next year!
I really enjoyed the Portsmouth half and thought the route was great . The volunteers were also amazing . Will definately do it again
Great route despite the bitter wind down the coast. Well organised and a nice beer in the goody bag. So good Ive booked for 2019 already !
Really fun, well organised event. Interesting course, which I enjoy. Would recommend for anyone interested.
It was a great race, lovely atmosphere, with a very different type of course than normal, my only two niggles were the water being in cups, I wore more of it than I drank and the mile markes, because of their size I missed most of them, I did thoroughly enjoy the race though
Really great event. Very well organised, with friendly marshalls there to help you. Nice crowd of people too. Nice course along the coast line, lovely and flat but beware the headwind! Great event for an early half marathon.
Personally I had a great race and claimed a five minute pb over the course on my fourth entry to this annual event. It's starts fast and flat for three miles follwed my some slower, muddy and narrow miles before turning around for the return and a couple of quick miles at the end. Unfortunately something was wrong with the mile markers as most were ok but mile one was 1.3 miles and the 12 mile mile marker was a mile and a half from the finish!
This was my first half marathon. I thought it was good value for money and the course was interesting with various terrains involved, including the infamous muddy beach which allowed some time for selfies :). Great organisation and a goody bag which even included a bottle of beer! Cheers!
This event was brilliant! First time doing this one and I love it. Great mix of road, pavement, grass, trails and beach - although this is hard on the legs! I entered late but even with this is mind I only paid 30 which I think is great value for money. The course is well marshaled with plenty of race photographers and water stations with goodies like jelly beans. The good bag and medal at the end are also well worth the cost!
A great event with a super relaxed (but professional) atmosphere. Easy registration and access to facilities, there is no stress on race day. The 0930 start is welcome as it's not requiring you to be up at the crack of dawn and the day is warming - slowly. The route is enjoyable with varied terrain and not a hint of uphill along the way. The run sections along the sea front is enjoyable with all the Sunday walkers out for a stroll offering loads of encouragement. Organisation is on par with other large events with chip timing, live results, great goody bags and event T-shirts too. A great early season training session if you're in the mood. This has now been noted as one of my regular runs for the year. Great job to the Believe and Achieve guys.
Fab and scenic run but shame about small queues to get down onto and off beach. Nice mix of terrain made it fun.
�
🏃🏽♀️Becky4.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018Made even better by sunny skies on the day but still a great event and a super finishing pack at the end
Liked the building to warm up in before the race.Didn't like the pre race chat, I could not hear it even though I was close to it.The course was lovely very picturesque by the sea for most of it, one small bit where one had to climb over a bit of concrete was bad.The goody bag was excellent. The medal was OK, good design but a bit flimsy and tin like.Would definitely do the race again.I don't like being stalked on strava to leave a review (but i've left one)
BD
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Done this race for a few years and it is always a hard but fair race, has a good mixture of terrain and a great medal (and a free beer!) when you finish
Loved the run thought it was great. Issue on the promenade on the way back with large numbers of pedestrians and dogs that nearly took me out. The mile markers were also off/not visible enough which affected how I planned to run the race.
Overall excellent race: only minor quibble would be one or two of mile markers were out of position: particularly mile 1 and mile 12. Very enjoyable though and highly recommended
K
Kerrieanne5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018Great fun, cold and windy but brilliant atmosphere.Somewhere warm inside to wait before the race was very welcome.There were a couple of single-file sections but this didn't hamper the run at all. The beach and bog just added to the fun and managed to run my fastest ever half!
I always really enjoy Believe & Achieve events. This course was well mapped and of mixed terrain which makes it more interesting and challenging. The marshalling is top rate, I wish people gave them more credit and civility. Love the atmosphere too. Great race
A great, scenic, flat course. Atmosphere was great and the weather was ideal too.Only concern was that one road crossing on a busy road was not marshalled but apart from that a brilliant race.Narrow (single file) in places so if youre looking for a time then bear that in mind.
This was my first Portsmouth Coastal half , this was a well organised event, great atmosphere and brilliant course. The beach and bog of doom took it out of the old legs for the last 3 miles. Ill be back for the next one!
I loved this run. Not a course for pb's as there are a couple of bottles neck points, but a nice flat non road run. And the goodie bag at the end is better than some big runs I've done! Thank you and yes I would do it again, and get others doing it too.
Best support from the marshals. Even taking our rubbish when we tried to run to the near by bin. The route was great, not too lumpy and very few straight sections. Phew. Kept on our toes with the mile markers, but spot on 13.1 miles according to my Garmin. Loved the race. Thankyou again to the marshals for standing around in the cold and being really cheery. It was so good Ive accidentally signed up again for next year. Ooops.
First Half Marathon for me, really enjoyable course, well organised and great after run goody bag.
A well organised race with a great medal and goodie bag.Beautiful scenery and a challenging course which was a great addition to a spring marathon training programme
Excellent well run event as always by rob and his team. Beer in a goody bag whats not too like
Pretty good for a local event.route congestion bit of a problem in places but no biggy.nice medal
Great run on the beach, nice flat fast course, definitely one for a PB
My first time but will definitely not be my last! Challenging but I loved it!
GJ
Gary James4.3
Did the Half Marathon in 2018Good fun well setup, lack of medics at the finish line, a runner needed medical attention and there was no one available
I've completed in the region of 25 half marathons and this has to be one of my favourites to date. The weather was kind with blue sky and sunshine, which showed off beautifully the Solemt and across to the Isle of Wight.My only gripe would be the section from 7 to 9 miles, as this was generally along a busy road and was shared with cyclists. However, the mixed terrain really made up for this; even the Bog of Doom. For a smaller event the atmosphere was great, as was the organisation. Spot on.Perhaps some additional toilets or clearer sign posts to public toilets would have been helpful and the plastic cups for water isn't ideal as you have to walk/stop to drink.Also not a fan of free for all snacks - lots of sweaty hands and germ transmission. I think the 12 mile sign was slightly out as it felt more like 11.5, but maybe that was just me.The medal and goody bag were great; some of the best I've had from a race. The support, marshalling and drink/feed Station teams, around the route was fantastic. Always a boost to see smiling faces, supporting and cheering on all the runners. Big thank you to one and all. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I recommend Portsmouth Coastal Half? Without hesitation. Not only a great run but for a great cause too. Some of the bigger events should take a leaf out of this events book.
Thought the run itself was very good, nice and flat, felt good on my legs as I sometimes suffer from shin splints. But was also very challenging with the different terrains, from beach to grass to pavement. Overall was a good day out and would love to do it again next year
Fantastic experience. Public cheered me on along the home straight
Great event organised by believe and achieve (as always)This is a local run so the support around the course is awesome and Marshalls / athletes are friendly Im already signed up to 2019
A nice canicross friendly winter half. The course is nice but not sure I'd run the dog as a bit to much road for my girl but I'd certainly do it again on two legs. Small friendly and well organised with a nice medal and finish line goodies.
Fantastic course , amazing goodies including beer given at the end .So much support with good marshalling . Thank you see you next year
Lovely route with fantastic support crew and marshal's. Would have been nice to include a t-shirt at the end as well as a medal but still a great event.
Thoroughly enjoyed the event, it was my first half marathon and everything went smoothly!
First time doing this course and very happy with it. Although it was flat course really enjoyed the varied terrain. Organized very well and pre race information was very good. I will be returning next year and bringing friends with me as well!!
Great race, enjoyed the course throughout, although pedestrian traffic was quite heavy on the final 3 miles, lots of dodging people & dogs required! Would there be anyway to close this section in future?
Really enjoyed this race, despite the biting northerly wind! Starts by the edge of Southsea castle and loops out onto the seafront eastwards, a short out and back to near Hayling ferry before heading onto the beach section of shingle and mud, and the coastal path north towards the sailing club, a couple of miles of slippery in places winding narrow path, before some water and turning back via the path along the main road, then headed back onto the path towards the beach. Then into a local park, the bog of doom wasn't as bad as expected but tough going through the field. Then back onto the tarmac and heading for home, bright sunshine and the wind behind you meant warm work! Decent support for the final mile or two, weaving through the other users of the promenade before pushing for home from the 400m board. Well organised, friendly Marshall's and fellow runners, and a generous goody bag reward, can definitely see me returning here again!
4.669 reviews
Rate this event
How to get there
87 Gruneisen Rd, Portsmouth PO2 8QD, UK
Get directionsBooking related questionsDo you have a question about bookings, cancellations, or refunds?
S
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Brilliant local half marathon on a great route!! Mixed terrain but made it more fun and felt safe at all times. Very well organised and fantastic friendly support from all the marshalls!! Absolutely love this run (2nd time and just as good) medal is fantastic as always from believe and achieve. Looking forward to doing it again xxx
Hi as this was my 3rd ever half ran, I feel the Portsmouth half whilst still in it's early years I felt as if the start was just like a Parkrun.The setting for the run was fantastic and whilst most of the coastal route was hard, it was still enjoyable; however it did seem a little funny running through the housing estate and over the communal field while the pitches were in use.And now I find the race photo's are chargeable... I understand I am new to this and that this may be run of the mill but having ran Gosport & Farborough I'm using these as a bench mark.
Loved it from start to finish both the medal and tech t shirt are exceptional
Really well organised event with a fun and interesting route. Good field of runners of mixed ability, friendly marshals and awesome goodie bag and a beer at the finish.
This is a lovely friendly run around Portsmouth harbour. I loved it and would run again.
I really enjoyed it course was good and multi terrain was brilliant. Think with more advertising this could become a really popular half in the south. Brilliant organisation through out would highly recommend
Lots of different terrains, enough water stations, great atmosphere, and it started on time! All round a great race :-)
I went out a little too fast but I still managed to get a good time and knock 6 minutes of last years time the prom on the return was a little challenging with unsupervised children and dogs. A challenging course in parts with A few supportive marshals. Great encouragement from fellow runners all booked for next year
Great mixture of terrain, enjoyed the 2 mile blast to the finish!
Good mix of road, beach, towpaths etc made for an interesting and challenging course.
I really enjoyed this half marathon. The course was great, challenging but fun. The marshalls were great and so supportive, have already signed up again for next year.
One of my favourite races of the year. Not for the faint hearted!
Thoroughly enjoyed this run. Pancake flat, multi terrain and a pleasant coastal route.
A great course which I would do again. Thought it was very organised and friendly.
My 3rd year in a row doing Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon and yet again a great run fab course and great goody bag, medal for the last 2 years were amazing this years a little disappointing but the run makes up for it
Second Coastal Half, didn't disappointed. Well organised, well sign posted and marshalled course, all of whom are encouraging and supportive.
Very well organised, great marshals. Lots of beautiful scenery and the muddy beach section was awesome. Will be seeing you next year.
The race was really fun and well organised, and just about the right size - big enough to feel like a proper event by small enough to avoid overcrowding on the course. The course itself was brilliant, flat but varied - I enjoyed the muddy beach section but wasnt so keen on the exposed section between miles 4 and 7, which was very windy. Having said that, it must have been a fast course as I did a half marathon PB. Great event and I hope to be back next year!
I really enjoyed the Portsmouth half and thought the route was great . The volunteers were also amazing . Will definately do it again
Great route despite the bitter wind down the coast. Well organised and a nice beer in the goody bag. So good Ive booked for 2019 already !
Really fun, well organised event. Interesting course, which I enjoy. Would recommend for anyone interested.
It was a great race, lovely atmosphere, with a very different type of course than normal, my only two niggles were the water being in cups, I wore more of it than I drank and the mile markes, because of their size I missed most of them, I did thoroughly enjoy the race though
Really great event. Very well organised, with friendly marshalls there to help you. Nice crowd of people too. Nice course along the coast line, lovely and flat but beware the headwind! Great event for an early half marathon.
Personally I had a great race and claimed a five minute pb over the course on my fourth entry to this annual event. It's starts fast and flat for three miles follwed my some slower, muddy and narrow miles before turning around for the return and a couple of quick miles at the end. Unfortunately something was wrong with the mile markers as most were ok but mile one was 1.3 miles and the 12 mile mile marker was a mile and a half from the finish!
This was my first half marathon. I thought it was good value for money and the course was interesting with various terrains involved, including the infamous muddy beach which allowed some time for selfies :). Great organisation and a goody bag which even included a bottle of beer! Cheers!
This event was brilliant! First time doing this one and I love it. Great mix of road, pavement, grass, trails and beach - although this is hard on the legs! I entered late but even with this is mind I only paid 30 which I think is great value for money. The course is well marshaled with plenty of race photographers and water stations with goodies like jelly beans. The good bag and medal at the end are also well worth the cost!
A great event with a super relaxed (but professional) atmosphere. Easy registration and access to facilities, there is no stress on race day. The 0930 start is welcome as it's not requiring you to be up at the crack of dawn and the day is warming - slowly. The route is enjoyable with varied terrain and not a hint of uphill along the way. The run sections along the sea front is enjoyable with all the Sunday walkers out for a stroll offering loads of encouragement. Organisation is on par with other large events with chip timing, live results, great goody bags and event T-shirts too. A great early season training session if you're in the mood. This has now been noted as one of my regular runs for the year. Great job to the Believe and Achieve guys.
Fab and scenic run but shame about small queues to get down onto and off beach. Nice mix of terrain made it fun.
�
🏃🏽♀️Becky4.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018Made even better by sunny skies on the day but still a great event and a super finishing pack at the end
Liked the building to warm up in before the race.Didn't like the pre race chat, I could not hear it even though I was close to it.The course was lovely very picturesque by the sea for most of it, one small bit where one had to climb over a bit of concrete was bad.The goody bag was excellent. The medal was OK, good design but a bit flimsy and tin like.Would definitely do the race again.I don't like being stalked on strava to leave a review (but i've left one)
BD
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Done this race for a few years and it is always a hard but fair race, has a good mixture of terrain and a great medal (and a free beer!) when you finish
Loved the run thought it was great. Issue on the promenade on the way back with large numbers of pedestrians and dogs that nearly took me out. The mile markers were also off/not visible enough which affected how I planned to run the race.
Overall excellent race: only minor quibble would be one or two of mile markers were out of position: particularly mile 1 and mile 12. Very enjoyable though and highly recommended
K
Kerrieanne5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018Great fun, cold and windy but brilliant atmosphere.Somewhere warm inside to wait before the race was very welcome.There were a couple of single-file sections but this didn't hamper the run at all. The beach and bog just added to the fun and managed to run my fastest ever half!
I always really enjoy Believe & Achieve events. This course was well mapped and of mixed terrain which makes it more interesting and challenging. The marshalling is top rate, I wish people gave them more credit and civility. Love the atmosphere too. Great race
A great, scenic, flat course. Atmosphere was great and the weather was ideal too.Only concern was that one road crossing on a busy road was not marshalled but apart from that a brilliant race.Narrow (single file) in places so if youre looking for a time then bear that in mind.
This was my first Portsmouth Coastal half , this was a well organised event, great atmosphere and brilliant course. The beach and bog of doom took it out of the old legs for the last 3 miles. Ill be back for the next one!
I loved this run. Not a course for pb's as there are a couple of bottles neck points, but a nice flat non road run. And the goodie bag at the end is better than some big runs I've done! Thank you and yes I would do it again, and get others doing it too.
Best support from the marshals. Even taking our rubbish when we tried to run to the near by bin. The route was great, not too lumpy and very few straight sections. Phew. Kept on our toes with the mile markers, but spot on 13.1 miles according to my Garmin. Loved the race. Thankyou again to the marshals for standing around in the cold and being really cheery. It was so good Ive accidentally signed up again for next year. Ooops.
First Half Marathon for me, really enjoyable course, well organised and great after run goody bag.
A well organised race with a great medal and goodie bag.Beautiful scenery and a challenging course which was a great addition to a spring marathon training programme
Excellent well run event as always by rob and his team. Beer in a goody bag whats not too like
Pretty good for a local event.route congestion bit of a problem in places but no biggy.nice medal
Great run on the beach, nice flat fast course, definitely one for a PB
My first time but will definitely not be my last! Challenging but I loved it!
GJ
Gary James4.3
Did the Half Marathon in 2018Good fun well setup, lack of medics at the finish line, a runner needed medical attention and there was no one available
I've completed in the region of 25 half marathons and this has to be one of my favourites to date. The weather was kind with blue sky and sunshine, which showed off beautifully the Solemt and across to the Isle of Wight.My only gripe would be the section from 7 to 9 miles, as this was generally along a busy road and was shared with cyclists. However, the mixed terrain really made up for this; even the Bog of Doom. For a smaller event the atmosphere was great, as was the organisation. Spot on.Perhaps some additional toilets or clearer sign posts to public toilets would have been helpful and the plastic cups for water isn't ideal as you have to walk/stop to drink.Also not a fan of free for all snacks - lots of sweaty hands and germ transmission. I think the 12 mile sign was slightly out as it felt more like 11.5, but maybe that was just me.The medal and goody bag were great; some of the best I've had from a race. The support, marshalling and drink/feed Station teams, around the route was fantastic. Always a boost to see smiling faces, supporting and cheering on all the runners. Big thank you to one and all. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I recommend Portsmouth Coastal Half? Without hesitation. Not only a great run but for a great cause too. Some of the bigger events should take a leaf out of this events book.
Thought the run itself was very good, nice and flat, felt good on my legs as I sometimes suffer from shin splints. But was also very challenging with the different terrains, from beach to grass to pavement. Overall was a good day out and would love to do it again next year
Fantastic experience. Public cheered me on along the home straight
Great event organised by believe and achieve (as always)This is a local run so the support around the course is awesome and Marshalls / athletes are friendly Im already signed up to 2019
A nice canicross friendly winter half. The course is nice but not sure I'd run the dog as a bit to much road for my girl but I'd certainly do it again on two legs. Small friendly and well organised with a nice medal and finish line goodies.
Fantastic course , amazing goodies including beer given at the end .So much support with good marshalling . Thank you see you next year
Lovely route with fantastic support crew and marshal's. Would have been nice to include a t-shirt at the end as well as a medal but still a great event.
Thoroughly enjoyed the event, it was my first half marathon and everything went smoothly!
First time doing this course and very happy with it. Although it was flat course really enjoyed the varied terrain. Organized very well and pre race information was very good. I will be returning next year and bringing friends with me as well!!
Great race, enjoyed the course throughout, although pedestrian traffic was quite heavy on the final 3 miles, lots of dodging people & dogs required! Would there be anyway to close this section in future?
Really enjoyed this race, despite the biting northerly wind! Starts by the edge of Southsea castle and loops out onto the seafront eastwards, a short out and back to near Hayling ferry before heading onto the beach section of shingle and mud, and the coastal path north towards the sailing club, a couple of miles of slippery in places winding narrow path, before some water and turning back via the path along the main road, then headed back onto the path towards the beach. Then into a local park, the bog of doom wasn't as bad as expected but tough going through the field. Then back onto the tarmac and heading for home, bright sunshine and the wind behind you meant warm work! Decent support for the final mile or two, weaving through the other users of the promenade before pushing for home from the 400m board. Well organised, friendly Marshall's and fellow runners, and a generous goody bag reward, can definitely see me returning here again!
4.669 reviews
Rate this event
How to get there
87 Gruneisen Rd, Portsmouth PO2 8QD, UK
Get directionsBooking related questionsDo you have a question about bookings, cancellations, or refunds?