Greater Manchester MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (178 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Rob Kilby
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% |
In short: Not much fun
In full: My first Marathon; got talked into by a friend
Expensive and not great organization.
The start PA didn't get turned on til about 5 mins before 9.00....and then they blabbed on and started late.
Dull route round Trafford Park, OK through the suburbs, and great crowds. Muddy into and through Dunham Park, then dull roads to Partington, Irlam and back to Stretford...and through a fecking underpass with half a mile to go !
I tired a lot after 16 miles...wanted to do 3.45 but did 4.00.??. Never saw the 4.00 pace maker...but he /she could have passed me just near the end
I didn't have to use the luggage sysytem, so no comment on that.
Not sure if I fancy another one...ever
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Virtual Lurker
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good course, sort aggage next year or your rubbish.
In full: Good route, I was nearer front so did not see any bottle necks, cross country section may not have been a problem in the dry as it was a lane. I enjoyed it but I like off road running. Crowds and marshals great considering the weather. Drinks stations seemed to be good to may, plenty of them and those bags things worked for water.
Not sure about the expo idea in general, this was my first marathon so not experienced this sort of thing before but it just seemed to be a way of increasing commercial opportunity but this is not a dig at this event as I guess the vlm is this same.
BAD STUFF
Baggage, enough said. I would consider doing this race again but consider the baggage storage area to be on probation, improve this or give up go home home.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: chris jones 78
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: So much wasted potential...
In full: Any new race is bound to have teething problems. Add this to the truly appalling weather on the day and some things are forgiveable. But the baggage pickup? Bordering the criminally negligent, as others have said.
No one could help the weather. As it happens I had a very good race with a massive PB and achieved my GFA target. A very flat course with just one hill (straight up, straight down again) has the potential for a very good time.
Unfortunately, the very narrow section from 14-16 on a narrow road- then a track- then a path- then cobbles- then a muddy stream (which must have been a path once) was unacceptable for a race of this size. I was very near the front- God knows what it was like in the middle of the field.
Given the wind and rain, the support from spectators was superb, particularly the truly uplifting 'wall of noise' in the centre of Altrincham. Well done too to the marshalls and the drinks stations, well stocked when I came through at least!
I can't ignore the baggage shambles. I won't describe it as others have done so very well already. My points would be these:
- when I saw on friday that runner numbers had been allocated by expected finish time, I thought 'I hope they've got the baggage sorted out'
- when I arrived on Sunday and saw the one small tent for baggage, I couldn't believe it. It was obviously not nearly big enough.
- As I was on my own I had no choice but to leave my bag. They promised it would be sorted by the end of the race.
- So- if I could see these issues at a glance, why did the organisers not see them?
- Worst of all, mistakes can and do happen, but no one was available or prepared to take responsibility for sorting the situation out, which in my view is the most damning charge against the race organisers.
I will remember the race fondly for my PB, but it was badly spoilt on the day by the most disastrous situation I have ever encountered at a race.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lisa Mundy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: First Marathon so enjoyed it from that aspect
In full: Well, I thought the pre race organisation was very good, the E mail updates and thorough booklet. I did not know what to expect as I had never run a Marathon and chose this one as it was flat.The people of Manchester were fantastic, especially the guy who offerred me chocolate and then saw I wore a Vegan runners T shirt so got me a biscuit, and the people who were playing Morrissey full belt, heaven knows I'm miserable now was so appropriate at that point.I truly think that it would have been fantastic had the weather not been so bad.I did not enjoy climbing along a fence in the country park as the path was now not passable, still I gotto talk to the cows who were looking on in amusement. I also felt very isolated out in the countryside and a little scared as I could no longer feel my hands ( and still have numb fingers now) I also passed a bloke that looked as though he had hypothermia and I wanted to stop and cuddle him but I was just as cold so would not have been much help.I thought there was a distinct lack of first aid on view and I'm sure many people must have needed it.I thought the subway at the end was a little bizarre but by then I didn't really care and I had no feeling from the next down. My hubby had my bag for me and also sorted out a shower for me at the nearby leisure centre which was a bonus.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: running_220
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A complete mess up from start to finish
In full: I had to drop out this race at mile 21 due to a back spasm there was medical back up but nowhere near enough for the conditions the people that dropped out spent some time at a kind ladies house as the st johns could not cope this lady gave us heating, hot drinks and chocolate she deserves a medal there was no way of communicating to the people waiting at the finish that you had dropped out and eventually we were dropped of by bus at the leisure centre but this was nearly a mile form Longford Park and consider I had an injury took my nearly an hour. This Xtramile events should be banned from organising such events and its a wonder no one has made criminal proceedings against them they are a shambles and a disgrace to the running community
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: PAUL HOLLAND 6
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: GLAD I HAD A RED BAG! AND CROWD SUPPORT WAS AMAZING!
In full: LETS HOPE EVERYONE IS OK AFTER THAT!CRAMMING 8000 BAGS INTO A 4 MAN TENT ISN'T THE BEST IDEA.
HOW CAN THEY GET THINGS SO WRONG FOR SUCH A MASSIVE EVENT?
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Adrian Donnelly 2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Horrendous weather, route needs re-thinking in places
In full: I live around the corner from this one and so am unbiased in regard to the baggage situation, as I was able to go straight home from the finish line.
The conditions were terrible, no control over this. Miles 13 - 21 ish are extremely exposed countryside,which with howling on coming gales and horizontal rain, combined with a total lack of any martials/supporters/shelter from buildings made this very hard going.
The route through Dunham park wasn't really suitable for a road race even without the weather. The underpass under Chester Road just before mile 26 was just criminal - you had to claim steps on the other side. The absolute low point, though full marks to the martials either side of the underpass who kept you going.
The park was totally waterlogged at the end and there must have been a good number of hypothermia cases, it was that bad.
The instructive at the start were unclear - no countdown, just a gun whilst they were still doing PA announcements, and then a "NO, NO, NO" over the speaker... apparently this translates to "GO GO GO" - not a great start. I still don't know whether we were meant to go or not, but go we did.
The real time tracking didn't work well, with many missing times.
The most positive point is the water stations - plenty of them with plenty of water/gatorade/energy gels. I was in the top 300, so not sure what the situation was like for later runners. As other comments, everything could have been signed much better.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Paul Whincup 2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Dangerous, Lack of organisation, and shocking baggage drop off/pick up
In full: Worst weather conditions ever, however hats off to the crowds for coming out and supporting... It was much appreciated. The organisation was a total disgrace, the baggage drop off wasn't planned and the queues to drop off the bags where crazy, more volunteers needed, the course was good right up to the point running through a muddy, cobbled, water logged lane, then at 25.5 miles an underpass with steps up the other side?? Onto the finish and the lack of volunteers and organisation surrounding the baggage collection point, queued for 45 mins, in those weather conditions, , no-one was there to help bags where Being thrown around everywhere the frustration from everyone was clear to be seen, yet still no help or assistance from the organisers, 8000 white bags where being thrown around in a free for all.... Luckily I found mine however I was border line suffering with hyperthermia, and needed to be helped and assisted back to the tram... Which was warm !!! It took me 4 hours to finally warm up and stop shaking like a sh*tting dog... I feel for those runners who didn't get there bags and lost there property, it is also extremely disappointing that no one from the organisers have commented yet, on what was an overpriced, disgracefully organised Marathon, maybe try in another 10 years ??
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: pato1967
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Could have been a great event to re-establish the manchester marathon but was'nt to be
In full: Let down by poor organisation - some minor gripes (lack of organisation at start and finish in Longford Park, route had some pinch points around Dunham) but the baggage was a disaster - glad the organisers have held their hands up on this. Once we were running the weather didn't bother me that much but it must have been a nightmare for anyone that had to walk any sections. Thanks to the trafford/manchester public for their support in such conditions
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lee Turner 7
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Not great!
In full: Glad I didn't use the baggage drop off as it looked carnage. Shame there wasn't any shelter before hand, the first half of the race was OK, very wet but not the organisers fault. Then came the dangerous, narrow, mud bath which ruined it, surely there are enough roads in Manchester? Some of the stations ran out of gels...not sure how as nowhere near as many people as expected turned up. The worst thing though was the chip timings not being right, not happy with my time anyway but they could at least get that right. The crowds albeit sparse were amazing!! The marshals were great too!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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