Any thoughts/experiences on the following autumn halfs?

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Naomi P Apr 2013 11:11am, 5 Apr 2013 10,939 posts	0 Naomi P Beat 1/2 was rubbish when I did it years ago, but probably one of those races good for newbies. I enjoyed Ealing last year, though it is pricey and has a few lumps if you prefer pancake flat. I'm thinking of Windsor and Maidenhead for this autumn but would also like to hear more about the Oxford 1/2 please
tom_craggs Apr 2013 12:58pm, 5 Apr 2013 2,243 posts	0 tom_craggs Guessing from your list you wantto stay pretty local - but would you travel to Bristol - a decent half and decent PB opportunity in my opinion.
HermanBloom Apr 2013 5:14pm, 5 Apr 2013 2,953 posts	0 HermanBloom I could do. GF has just said we are away for Down Tow. So need a re-think.
Keefy Beefy Apr 2013 9:50am, 8 Apr 2013 8,360 posts	0 Keefy Beefy You can do the Down Tow run any time - it's just along a section of the Thames Path that is open to the public and almost impossible to go the wrong way.
Hackett Apr 2013 10:07am, 8 Apr 2013 1,020 posts	0 Hackett Did Royal Parks last year it is a great event BUT most runners are charity runners and ballot has already closed. It is also quite pricey but is great to run in London ... Beat I did a few years ago and wasn't overly impressed. Music on route is no different from most big City marathons and after I finished a HM I just want a coffee and a shower not sit about listening to a Dj set. Also fairly expensive.
HermanBloom Apr 2013 10:10am, 9 Apr 2013 2,954 posts	0 HermanBloom Looking at the options and dates I can do now. I think it's a straight decision between Maidenhead and Basingstoke. The downside of Maidenhead is that it means I can't do Alice Holt 10km, which I love. The downside of Basingstoke is it's only a fortnight from Great South, where I wanted to try for a 10 mile PB, and I'm not sure I'll have recovered in time.
HermanBloom Apr 2013 2:23pm, 9 Apr 2013 2,956 posts	0 HermanBloom Two final options, Tonbridge Half on 22nd September and Barns Green on 29th. Anyone have any experience of those?
becca7 Apr 2013 2:41pm, 9 Apr 2013 4,850 posts	0 becca7 Barns Green is a nice race. It is undulating, rural and there are a couple of memorable climbs but nothing that tough. Not the fastest course but it is certainly possible to get a decent time there. Done it a couple of times and would do so again.
HermanBloom Apr 2013 2:52pm, 9 Apr 2013 2,957 posts	0 HermanBloom I appreciate the answer Becca, thanks.
mblnFERCr Apr 2013 3:50pm, 9 Apr 2013 423 posts	0 mblnFERCr +! for Barns Green. Lovely course, up and down a bit but it all evens out. Really nice atmosphere.