BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2007 race reviewed by: smiffy07
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great atmosphere, tough run
In full: This was my first GNR and I must admit it was a great day with fantastic atmosphere that really does pull you round the course. I do feel that the starting zones could have been managed a little better though, very frustrating for someone like me who has a half decent estimated time to get stuck behind people who put down unrealistic times and end up walking after the first mile.
Apart from that one moan I can't really complain about anything else to be honest. Would I do it again....maybe but but as a single club runner aiming to get a decent time NO.
Date of review: October 2, 2007
|
|
2007 race reviewed by: Raring to go
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A 'must do' for any runner
In full: Atmosphere really makes the day. Scenery isn't great, apart from mile 11 when you first see the sea at the top of the hill - fantastic! Helps if you start in the right pen - I did, and got the time I wanted. I know I'm not fast so was quite happy in the second last Pink zone, and had no big problems as I went mostly at what better runners would probably call jogging pace :-)
Start was better than I had anticipated - thought we wouldn't be off until 11.36, but it was quite a bit earlier than that.
Great medal and T-shirt, but would have liked something a bit more substantial to eat in the goody bag!
Date of review: October 2, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: Deb Samuels
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic race, fantastic atmosphere & fantastic crowd!
In full: This was my first half marathon and throughly enjoyed it, the organisation was great and will definitely be back in 2008!!!!
Date of review: October 2, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: Alpha 1
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: my first time for this one, and would do it again Despite the price
In full: i have done the great south a couple of times so thought id give this one a go, and im very glad did. the Atmosphere was fantastic, and Organisation was brill i will do this again if i get chance.
Date of review: October 2, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: Roundy.
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My 1st GNR and half -marathon - I loved itI!!
In full: Had great expectations of the day and they were all met. Though some of the more 'serious' runners may complain about PB potential surely this event is about enjoyment? I thought the start was smooth (was in zone D) and was able to run a steady pace throughout. The final word has to go to the crowd cheering you along - the people fo the North East are simply the best.
Date of review: October 2, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: warriorwoman
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic feel good event
Date of review: October 1, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: R Gosling
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Better than it has been
In full: Despite an orange b start, and starting - to my mind - slowly, having missed a lot of training, I still had to wend my way through the pack to Gateshead, but once on the dual carriageway a few of us virtually had the whole, more shaded, right had carriageway to ourselves for miles as the rest of the field stuck to the left side. No problem with that! Despite lack of fitness still managed a PB, and drove out of South Shields quickly, home by 1:30. BUT...still intending to give it a miss in future. Why? Too expensive and I'm aware that it was luck rather than anything else that got me past the slower participants for the first time ever. It would be too much to expect that sort of luck to happen again. I'll do the Great South though (ssh! keep it quiet, faster course and better scenery!)
Date of review: October 1, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: Welsh Wanderer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic Half Marathon for 1st timers - loved every minute!
Date of review: October 1, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: Vicki: Graceless Whippet
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This isnt just a half marathon, it is *the* half marathon
In full: Yes it's expensive, and yes there's a good chance you're going to have to dodge walkers (even if you start at the front), but the atmosphere in this race is awesome - from the party at the start, to the crowds along the route, to the Red Arrows, it's simpley fantastic. I am a bit biased living a stones throw from the course, but it really is that good. The people who line the route are there for everyone, not just the people they know and you cant go wrong with good old geordie hospitality. *big thumbs up*
Date of review: October 1, 2007
|
2007 race reviewed by: MAB1892
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A Good day out...... best to treat it as such.
In full: Firstly generally really well organised particularly at the finish but could be better. Plenty of Toilets at the finish (when nobody can pee because they are dehydrated) but only around 15-20 at the start which led to a 50+ minute queue, hence I expect some people being 'late' for their start area. We only just made it (thanks to the loo's)and were near the start by 9.40!
Pointless really moaning about people putting ridiculously optimistic finishing times (as they are unlikely to be reading this site) but passed several people walking just over the START line with orange colour vests on (some lying about projected time I feel!)
I was running with a family member to help get them around so quoted an accurate finish time of 2:20 for us (hardly elite pace)but still found the Tyne Bridge was a mass of walkers travelling three abreast tutting when they were being 'moved' out of the way.
Moans over, this is a mass participation event and works well as such. Glad I did it once as it does have a great atmosphere.
If you want a yard of space to run in, don't like swerving to avoid people walking along having a chat choose another event. That's my preference so first and only time for me.
Date of review: October 1, 2007
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
