Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: WR
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
In full: i have to say that i didn't experience any of the water probs on sunday and don't use gels therefore wasn't looking for them at mile 19. i thought the organisers did a good job and the public were fantasic. however if people did not have enough water then the organisers should look at this and possibly restict the amount given to the relay runners as i say several bottles thrown away with only a sip thrown out of them.
for all those people who have compained about the organisation i would suggest you run belfast next may and see just how badly a race can be organised.
i for one will be booking my flight over for next year.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Slowtwitcher
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poorly organised. Ran out of water at many feed stations
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jonathan Williams 18
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Enjoyed the run despite intense heat and lack of water. Camaraderie of fellow runners and support from spectators was fantastic but organisation was poor.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Kazumi Ozawa
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I have really enjoyed the race, and I like it. The day was very hot, so it was unfortunate that water was not served enough for some runners.
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: judith weston 2
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: room for improvement
In full: Water issues are well documented, but what I would add is that I found the photo in The Scotsman the next day quite insensitive. The photo showed an elated relay runner throwing 2 bottles of water over her head. If the organisers were aware of the thefts of water before the race, then I think they should have asked all runners to only take one bottle each, which would have been fine. There is nothing worse than the sight of a water station that has run out, with empty bottles thrown over the floor. You then start to worry that the next station will be the same.
The locals were great though, coming out with hosepipes and water. Why did the race organisers not have shower stations like they have in the great north run?
Finslly, the meeting place at the end on a piece of waste land was an insult to the participants - there is a huge racecourse next to this - why couldn't we have been
allowed on there? And some sign-posts to the wasteland would have been useful - after running 26.35 miles (my longest run to date - my other marathons were 26.2!) sign-posts would have been helpful.
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Scott Christie 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Nathalie Bramley
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It's all been said!!
In full: I don't think I can say anymore than what's already been said. My third marathon. Started running in 2006, completed London in 2008 albeit with an injury, then Amsterdam last year in 4.28. Really excited about Edinburgh and hoping for a possible 4.15.
Despite being prepared, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, properly hydrated and on target at 10 km, the heat really got to me and it then became a case of self-preservation after half way. I experienced the water shortages and was one of the many people collecting dregs from thrown bottles and was verbally abused by one organiser when I complained about the lack of water. This person simply had no compassion whatsoever and no explanation as to where to get water. Maybe this person was sharing the frustration but it didn't help me or the runners alongside me. There weren't enough toilets and I was also one of the runners that had to nip into a public loo (losing valuable minutes). Queuing for a dreg of water at mile 22 from a volunteer with a land rover and a tank of water lost me 10 minutes also. But it didn't matter at that point because all thoughts of a PB of 4.15 (ha ha for a "fun runner"?!!) were out of the window.
I trained hard for this race and was really excited about taking part. I love the city.
The pre-course organisation was excellent - faultless.
The DJ was crap (get rid of him).
The bus oranisation was crap. I had to get back to my hotel from the centre and then missed my train back to Leeds.
The supporters were fantastic - but I wonder if there would have been so many if the weather wasn't so hot?
The FINISH was god-damn awful - a case of get you through and on your way. TERRIBLE. Very, very lucky I didn't punch the photographer when I scraped myself up form the god-damn awful rubber finishing stretch.
Incidentally my Garmin showed 26.69...
The organiser should get off his fat a***, take off his gold chain and lug his legs round 26.2 miles within minimal water in 24 degrees heat and then lets see who's the fun runner.
A massive thanks to the volunteers, to "some" of the organisers, the supporters, the fantastic medical teams, the police and a huge WELL DONE to everyone and I mean EVERYONE who participated, completed and attempted to finish this ARMAGEDDON of a race.
I swore I would never run a marathon again after this experience, but you will NOT do this to me.
I haven't recovered yet, but when I do I will have a very large glass of whiskey, kiss your marathon and swear never EVER to do this one again.
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Peterun330
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: good course spoilt by lack of water!
In full: enjoyed the course but not the lack of water! stations need to be closer than 3 m appart on such a hot day. As has been pointed out already there just was not enough water even allowing for what went missing! start was fine but that finish was awful!! Too congested on the exit -why no reunion area!! there was plenty of grass area for meeting points with letter posts like London does so well!! Edinburgh - learn from london!! I am sure it will be sorted as this could be a great marathon!!
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Allan Bell
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The dream continues
In full: OK, they ran out of water, it was a little chaotic at the end, the organisers statement was a bit of a kick in the teeth however - its still the most beautiful place to run, the people are fantastic, its Scotland!! AND AND AND, I forgot to arrange to meet my friend at the end and I bumped into him after looking for two minutes. A mircale - the dream continues!
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Gregor Davis 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A bit of shade would be nice
In full: My 5th Edinburgh, due to injuries a bit slow but thankfully still quick enough to avoid the water issues. A little thing, but I reckon if they swapped the sides of the road on the very long out and back there would be some more shade for runners when required. My big gripe is the "cross-country" section around Gosford House. Didn't the organisers say beforehand that would be tarmaced this year? That's where my injury recurred anyway, maybe just coincidence tho'. And Musselburgh is still a nightmare for supporters to get parked, and to get out of. Roll on Berlin...
Date of review: June 2, 2009
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