Milton Keynes MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (159 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Spadger
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Inevitable problems given the weather and first year. Potential to be good.
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Cara_26.2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race dispite the weather
In full: Nice race with great support and good organisation given the awful weather!
I personally couldn't find the official car park i'd paid for so more signs required. I eventially found an alternative one, but the signs to it had been removed when I was trying to find my car again... luckily I found it! Other than that, no real complaints. Course was long due to flooding, but can't be helped! Amazing support from spectators and volunteers who turned out dispite the wind and rain
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: THBoxster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant event.
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: FerrousFerret
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It'll be better next year
In full: Interesting course, well signposted and marshalled and a grandstand finish. The underpasses and twisting changes of directions means it's not going to be ultra-quick, but I managed a 10 min PB.
Access to the stadium pre-race and baggage trucks need some work and of course it would be helpful if it wasn't blowing an absolute gale.
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andy Lane 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tricia Murray
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First marathon in challenging conditions but still loved it!
In full: As this was my first marathon I have nothing similar to compare it to - apart from shorter races. So overall I would say what made it for me was the supporters and marshals - they were amazing. To stand out in that weather for hours cheering on (mostly) strangers was overwhelming.
I was so glad I had my name on my shirt as the constant shouts of 'Go on Tricia, you can do it' really helped me when I was struggling with severe cramp at 20 miles onwards.
I was extremely disappointed with the finish - I found it confusing, an inflatable arch for next year is an absolute must. And I would have liked to have the medal put over my neck, I had to ask other finishers where the medal was.
I agree with other reviewers about the foil blankets, assumed they would be given out at the finish line or as we left the stadium. Had no idea they were at the baggage area as I left my bag with family in the stadium. My husband was seriously worried that I was hypothermic as I couldn't stop shivering for about 90 mins afterwards.
Also, a little disappointed that we were advised to prebook parking at Furzton Lake, no-one checked on entry that we had booked which is why it filled up so quickly and those who had booked were turned away. The shuttle buses were great but by the time we had parked the car and walked to the bus me, hubby and young sons were soaked and freezing (umbrellas waste of time and blew inside out!). Then we arrive at the stadium to see people parking quite easily - so that could have been avoided.
Still very proud to have finished in a respectable time in such challenging conditions - it will live long in the memory!
I am sure organisers will learn from this inaugural event and next year's will be much, much better.
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: happyrun13
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Shame about the weather :(
In full: Not my first marathon but one of the best so far despite the weather. I'm still glad I turned up as the stadium was an excellent finish and the crowds lining the route were amazing. I think this race has real potential to be a highlight in my race calendar.
Excellent medal. I'm so proud of myself for finishing with a PB - well worth the trip!
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: fatboy1511
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent inagural event
In full: I can't understand moaners who say 'bad organisation, but great marshals and water stops' ... they were organised by the organisers! I thought it was very well organised and had no issues at all. The stadium was great for pre-race cover and for changing afterwards, but please have a finish arch next time.
Goody bag good, although I just wanted the medal! I've only ever been given a space blanket once and don't rate them.
I was moved to the overflow car park in Bond Avenue and you could see the stadium and it was a very short walk.
A great first event held in very difficult conditions. All the negatives are due to the weather and couldn't be helped.
Give yourselves a pat on the back, you did MK proud. I'll be back next year.
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: DaisyD
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Weather is no excuse
In full: OK the wether didn't help matters, but it does rain in the UK in April, so shouldn't have taken the organisers by surprise. There were no signs to the car park (which I'd pre booked) and when found it, sat in a queue for 10 mins until the marshal told us it was full adn teh additional parking was back teh way we had just come (there were three more marshalls standing round who could have been telling us whilst we were sat in the queue) got to the additional car park with 20 mins to spare, no buses (even though there were 3 parked at the original car park doing nothing) so decided there wasn't time to use the bag drop and left everything in the car.
I thought using the redways for so much of the course was a joke - the course was so conjested, it was worse than NYC, it was also flooded in quite a few places. A road marathon should be on the road! Marshals were friendly enough, but weren't doing a great job of holding the traffic in places, nearly got run over twice. Crowd supposrt was awesome though, was surprised to see so many turn out on such a bad day! There wsa no indication of where teh finish line was apart from timinag mats and I was surprised there were no space blankets, so I had a very, very cold wait for my mate. There were no signs back to where we'd parked the car, we were lucky that we managed to find it reasonably quicky, I think we would have started to get hypothermic had we got lost.
Will not be doing it again, especially if it stays on the redways.
Date of review: May 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: GB17
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A reasonable first effort in very challenging conditions
In full: Positives were the enthusiastic marshalls and support despite the poor conditions.
I made the course about .2 miles too long and believe the problem was somewhere between 6 and 8 miles as watch was spot on at 6 and then .27 out at 8?
Agree with most other suggestions for improvement. I'd add please put the number ranges for the baggage trucks high up on the trucks themselves where they can be seen.
I'm sure the event will grow
Date of review: May 2, 2012
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