SuperHalfs Blog

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Superhalfs: My Experience of the Series 2023-2025

This is my first attempt at blogging. While I may not be a writer, I am a runner, so I’m sharing this journey through a runner’s eyes.

Let’s start at the end—the moment that inspired this blog.

Berlin, Sunday, 6th April 2025: We completed the SuperHalfs series and were rewarded with the magnificent medal. Wow—what a beauty! It's massive, heavy, intricately designed, and absolutely worth the effort. As we strolled through Berlin wearing it, people stopped us—runners, spectators, even city residents—curious about the medal and eager to know which race had been our favorite. And so, here I am, penning this blog.

The journey began in September 2023 when my partner Toni and I embarked on our SuperHalfs adventure. Toni, the true driver and organizer behind it all, deserves credit for keeping us on track. Honestly, I can’t quite recall how we discovered this series of European races. We had already signed up for Valencia and Cardiff, then a conversation with a friend who was midway through the series sparked our curiosity. Our initial plan was ambitious—to complete all five races within 18 months. Then, things got even crazier: we added Berlin in 2024, making it six races in total without extending our timeframe.

When we started, the Superhalfs series seemed to fly under the radar in the UK, with race spots readily available. Fast forward to now—the series has skyrocketed in popularity, earning the nickname "majors of half marathons." Spots sell out within minutes of release, moving to ballots with the removal of time limits.

I wish I had started documenting this journey from the very beginning, but like many plans, the idea came to me only at the end. Looking back, it’s been nothing short of extraordinary. Exploring new places, sharing experiences with fellow runners, and making unforgettable memories—it’s been a privilege. From crossing paths with familiar faces at multiple events to forging friendships with fellow enthusiasts, the Superhalfs has underscored the incredible closeness of the running community.

As a faster runner (clocking around 90 minutes for a half marathon), my perspective may differ from others, but I’ve also gained insight into their experiences along the way. Here’s my breakdown of each race:

Cardiff October 2023

Being in October in the uk the weather can be unpredictable, it was warm for a 1st October.  First time I had visited Cardiff. I was only staying one night so didn’t get the opportunity to sightsee.

Expo – literally a tent with some superhalfs clothing and a couple of stands. – all outside. That was it, you wouldn’t have known this is the UK delegated race to the series.

Race Day – Wave 1 - wave allocation – easy to get to each wave and identify wave at the beginning.  Toilets – insufficient

Bag Drop - No issues, by number 

Course – started next to the castle with loud music and flames. Then headed out of the town though an industrial area and out towards the harbour and the marina, crossing the bridge towards the Stadium and town and then into a housing estate.  Well supported around the city, small incline at mile 12 and back to the finish near the start at the Civic Centre.

Finish- difficult to get back to finish watch runners.

Scores

Race 6/10- slight incline towards the end. 266ft elevation. – Time 1.33.20

City 3/10 (I didn’t stay and explore so can only go by what I saw)

Cardiff was like many UK race events I’ve participated in—familiar and similar in experience to others. It raises an important question: is this the race to represent the UK on the international stage? If Cardiff is meant to showcase the UK and draw thousands of visitors, is it the best choice for the Superhalfs? Only the Superhalfs organizers can answer why they selected this event.

My perspective on Cardiff might be a little unfair, as I didn’t spend enough time exploring the city or its culture like I did in other destinations. Since it was the first race of my journey, the experience was more solitary; I hadn’t yet formed the friendships that later made other races unforgettable. It’s remarkable how much having friends to share the journey with adds to the experience—it truly makes all the difference.

Valencia October 2023

This was my first ever experience of racing abroad. So, everything was very new, exciting, yet nervous as didn’t know what to expect.  The weather was lovely and hot, this was only a few weeks after Cardiff, I had also done Manchester Half in between and achieved a PB time of 1:27:21 so was expecting big things.

Expo- large – opposite side of the city, but close to the airport, straight there to get my race bib and T shirt.

Race Day- Wave 5- I know wave 5!, this shows the level of runners at this event. Had difficulties with public transport – the underground was packed, so had to run to the start about 2 miles.  Toilets insufficient – so missed wave start time – more toilets near waves, but not clear on signs.  Because of this I started two waves back.

Bag drop - clear by number – no issues.

Course- very fast, racing line along route, there is a reason this has the fastest half times in the world. All in the city, passed many iconic landmarks and well supported with in the main city streets.

Finish – easy to get to watch runners after finishing.

Scores

Race 9/10 – fast course, wide roads, racing line- could have been a PB course for me, but because of missing wave had to weave through runners.  102ft Elevation – time 1.29.44

City 9/10- lots of history, things to do and see, good mix of old, new and modern.

Valencia was an absolute delight and one of the highlights of my Superhalfs journey. I spent about five days there, immersing myself in its beauty and charm. From strolling along the picturesque beach to exploring the fascinating Science Park and even visiting the iconic bullring, Valencia offered a rich tapestry of experiences. It’s a stunning Spanish city, refreshingly untouched by mass tourism, retaining its authentic traditions and vibrant local culture.

I wholeheartedly recommend Valencia as a city break destination—whether you're looking to soak in its history, marvel at its architecture, or simply relax by the coast, it's a place that has something for everyone.

Prague – April 2024

By this point the word had got out, lots of my run friends had joined me, this race is a Saturday with Berlin, the new kid on the block being the next day. As this was my 2nd (third abroad race by this point), I was a professionals now at racing abroad.   

Expo – large near start line, plenty of stores, big names.

Race Day – Wave 1- public transport, no issues getting to the start or finding starting Wave.

Bag drop by surname – no issues with toilets

Course – lots of out and backs, up and over bridges, up and down ramps. Surface, lots of tram lines and large cobble stones, made for a difficult course. As this was in the city, all the historic site passed, lots of support.

Finish- Easy to get back to see runners.  

Scores

Course 5/10 – surface/ changes in direction, 233ft Elevation – Time-1.39.16

City 9/10 (lots of history and things to see and do, helped by an organised trip)

Prague was exceptional—an absolute gem of a city that left an indelible mark on my Superhalfs journey. The weather was uncharacteristically hot, adding a unique twist to the experience, and the Easter Market in the Old Square added charm and vibrancy to the atmosphere. What truly made it special, though, was the company of friends—it was amazing how every Superhalfs race gradually transformed into not just a competition, but a social celebration.

I immersed myself in the city’s beauty and history with a well-rounded sightseeing itinerary: a bus tour that provided a panoramic view of the city, a visit to the magnificent palace where I witnessed the changing of the guard, and a delicious meal to recharge. This was followed by a guided walk through the picturesque streets of the town, ending with a serene boat tour along the river.

Prague captivated me with its blend of history, culture, and scenic charm. I can’t recommend it highly enough—whether for a race or simply as a must-visit destination, it’s a city that has it all.

Copenhagen Sep 2024.

SuperHalfs had hit the numbers by this point, I didn’t get a race place as sold out! so managed to get two places via a friend, there are official race transfer sites, which is great and without this I would have missed this race.

Expo – near start line, in an arena. Lots of stores and big names there.

Race Day - Wave 1- public transport to the start, no issues with trains. Trying to locate Wave was difficult, not well sign posted, they used coloured balloons.

Bag drop – clear in numbers

Course – well supported, fast route, large wide roads. course remained in the city, taking in all the historic sites, well supported and managed.

Finish- Big open park, lots of food and drinks.  

Scores

Course – 8/10 – Fast. 121ft elevation – time- 1:29.38

City 8/10 – Lots of history, things to do and see, access to Sweden as well.

Copenhagen had a distinct charm reminiscent of Amsterdam, with its thriving bike culture and beautiful canals. One of the highlights was the ease of hopping on a train and visiting Sweden—a peaceful and quiet contrast to Copenhagen’s bustling energy.

I stayed in a hostel during my time there, and it was fantastic. The accommodations were both comfortable and welcoming, so I’d definitely recommend it to anyone planning a visit. However, Copenhagen is noticeably more expensive compared to the other cities I visited on the Superhalfs journey.

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the SUP World Championships were taking place during my stay, which would have been incredible to watch. One fun and fascinating detail about Copenhagen is its local theme park, believed to be the inspiration behind Disney’s Disneyland—a touch of magic in an already enchanting city.

Lisbon March 2025

The weather was not on my side, I had been spoilt with lovely weather, across the series so far. Due to the location of the city on the Atlantic Ocean, the speed at which the weather can change is something to see, from lovely sunshine to torrential rain with no warning.  The start of this race is across from the city, with access across the suspicion bridge via a train, included in the entrance fee.  

Expo – opposite side of the city, large plenty of stands – not able to take luggage inside

Race Day – Difficult to get to location due to use of trains very busy, even though trains were large. Some people were late due to no room on trains. I was at the start line 2 hours before my start and got soaked, so my shoes and clothes were wet before I even started.

Bag drop – lorries at start, organised by scouts – I didn’t use but heard left early due to having to cross bridge.

Waves – Wave 1-took a long time to get into waves. Although I was the first wave, was still very congested. Not enough toilets.

Course – Boring, difficult to support on both sides due to railway line, course starts over the bridge which is the only elevation in the entire race, then down onto the main road, which follows the coast, this is then an out and back, passing the finish, followed by another out and back, so not interesting at all, with a railway line to the one side, spectators could only be on the one side.

Finish - Congested, people had to queue to finish line some 200-300 people backed up. There wasn’t enough room at the finish, difficult then to collect medal. Only bonus was you got a feast Ice cream, that is a first!  

Scores

Course 3/10 – Boring, should be the fastest course.

108ft Elevation – time 1:31.38

City – 5/10 – not a lot to see or do, very spread out.

Lisbon was, unfortunately, a disappointment for me, and I believe the weather played a significant role in shaping my overall impression. Portugal has always been a destination I’ve dreamed of visiting, but my experience during the Superhalfs race fell short of my expectations.

The race itself lacked proper organization, and from speaking to runners who participated last year, it seems improvements have not been made. Despite the course having great potential—it’s the flattest of the series and almost perfectly straight—it ended up feeling uninspiring. The route runs along the coast, but being near a port means the views aren’t the prettiest, which adds to the monotony.

This raises a critical question: should Lisbon continue as part of the Superhalfs series? With the growing popularity of the event, the organizers need to reassess the logistics and make substantial changes to meet the standard expected of such a prestigious series.

Berlin April 2025

My final SuperHalf, this is where I complete the series, gain that amazing medal. Berlin a city I haven’t visited before, but due to the history couldn’t wait to see.  

Expo – large, in arena – easy to get to by train, lots of stores, biggest of all the series.

Race Day-  very well organised, I walked to the start, the start was very close to public transport, underground and trains. 

Bag drop – lorries, by number

Waves, Wave A - easy to find and toilets at the start waves

Race – wide rides, fast course, well supported around course, no issues with congestion. Starts just the other side of the Brandenburg gate, towards the Victory column, wide dual carriageway, split into two sides, which join together further down the road.

Finish line – specific supporters’ areas, Showers, never seen them at a race before.

Scores

Course – 9/10 – fast, wide roads, not congested.

121ft Elevation, Time 1:25:56

City 8/10 – lots of history and things to do and see, great transport network

Completing the Superhalfs series was a moment of pure triumph, and the reward was nothing short of magnificent—the Superhalfs medal. It’s huge, heavy, and beautifully designed, embodying every ounce of effort and determination poured into the journey.

Walking through Berlin with the medal proudly displayed was an unforgettable experience. It drew attention from runners, spectators, and even curious city residents. They marveled at its design and eagerly asked us which race had been our favorite. Each conversation reminded me of the significance of this achievement—not just a running milestone, but a journey filled with memorable races, stunning cities, and connections that made the experience truly special.

Verdict

The question of picking a winner from the Superhalfs journey is a tough one—each race and city had its own charm. As cities go, the contest is between Prague and Valencia, both captivating in their beauty, architecture, and rich culture. Each offered plenty to explore and experience. Valencia stood out with an incredible race and an equally vibrant city.

Berlin, however, was the grand finale, and I couldn’t be happier that it was. Everything about the race was flawlessly organized. The course was perfect for me—I achieved a new personal best, completely smashing my previous time set just before Valencia. To finish the race en route to the Brandenburg Gate was unforgettable, knowing its profound history. The park run the day before in “no man’s land” added even more historic meaning to the experience.

So, how do I feel now that the series is over? Happy, proud, and deeply satisfied that I completed it. Yet, I know I’ll have a tinge of FOMO for everyone beginning, midway, or finishing their Superhalfs journey. When it comes to picking a favorite, I’d have to say Berlin—it was an exceptional race, a fantastic city, and a place I’d love to visit more. Sharing the moment with friends who also finished the series and received their “Super” Superhalfs medals made it even more extraordinary.

What I’ve learned through this journey is that running is about so much more than the race itself. It’s about community, the joy of being with friends, making new ones, and spending time with like-minded people. The running part is only a fraction of the experience. I have no doubt Superhalfs will continue to grow, adding more countries and races, and when that happens, I’ll be ready to continue the adventure.

I’ve truly caught the bug for international races—they’re incredible, and not as daunting as they may seem. There’s so much to explore out there—so go for it! I’d recommend it to anyone.