Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Teckien
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Unforgettable, amazing once in a lifetime experience !
In full: Had one of the best days of my life achieving a personal goal and raising £2500+ for charity as well! You do the london because its the biggest and best fundraising event in the world with the loudest, most enthusiastic supporters!
Sure, some things could have been a bit better organised but hey, that's what makes it the London right?
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: abeuseli
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Slick organisation, huge crowd support and a run past the best London has to offer
In full: Not much else I can add apart from to say the dreaded toilet queues and start pen crush weren't at all as bad as expected.
Pretty much constant crowd support keeping moral high.
Superb showcase for London - bring on the Olympics!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: jshrew
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: My first and I'm surprised to say not my last marathon what an absolutely amazing experience the crowds were awesome
I was also on the blue start and dropped myself back to pen 9 as I had been sick in the preceding weeks and didn't get any of the bottleneck others have mentioned I definitely took it easier than planned and listened to my body I had planned it to be my one and only marathon and just wanted to get round under my own steam. I was so hungry at mile 9 and thankful for spectators handing out fruit and biscuits an even during the torrential downpours still the spectators stayed out that last mile was the easiest of the day with all the support
As a larger chested lady the tshirt is comfortable gym/lounging wear but I didn't do it for the tshirt its just a bonus
From a person attending on their own to their first marathon I thought the organisation was good just a bit miffed at the kids who joined the race for quite a while (apparently it was the quickest way to Asda) claiming water at stations
and no marshals attempting to stop them oh and I may have been slower than many but still needed a changing area after wandering aimlessly following the sign at the top of the stairs a few of us were kindly turned around by one of the charity's and then informed by St Johns that the sign to the underground carpark had been removed an hour or so earlier!
Nothing though could dampen my spirit for the day little personal niggles were completely overshadowed by the overwhelming support and the unbelievable sense of achievement will I be back? I really hope I am lucky enough to have the chance to run again
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Allan Harley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: It's LONDON! Not perfect, but well worth it.
In full: A unique race, brilliant atmosphere and truly emotional- if you only run one marathon, this is the one... Great volunteers, generally good organisation, and a weighty medal at the end.
But... 1) sort out the starts - proper pen discipline, staggered starts, whatever, but lift the crush of numbers; 2) sort out finish area, especially outside runners area and meeting spots; 3) keep spectators off the course; 4)work out the drinks policy - there were maybe too many drinks stops rather than too few as runners weren't holding onto their bottles or finishing them as they knew there were more around the corner.
Much as I loved it, no chance for me of a pb so will probably look to try another one next time.
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Iccle Jim
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Magnificent
In full: Well done Mr Bedford and Sir Richard, another great race and worldwide sporting spectacle. I won't wax lyrical too much because everyone pretty well knows how special the VLM is already!
Must note how good the t-shirt is this year though - I think I'll wear it to the Olympicas later this year!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Straycelt
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This is London, this is 2012
In full: Sort out the finish area, size the t-shirts and this could be perfect. Great organisation, fantastuc support, nice medal, warm feeling all the way round. I'll be back
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: John Compton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: London delivers once again the best event in the world!
In full: This is my fourth London and fifth marathon. I was delighted with a PB as well. Once again you cannot fault the organisation, the volunteers, and the crowds. They make this the best mass race in the world, and one we can be truly proud of. It is the crowds that make it..oh, and the drummers at mile 6, everybody talks about them! If I had to make it even more special then yes, I would have sized technical T shirts, and maybe consider lucozade in cups. But these are small things compared to the experience and the wonder of this event. Well done once again to the VLM team!!!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: TopSpur
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Thank you London!
In full: Just the best. Knocked 42 mins off my time last year so well chuffed. An amazing event bringing the best from everyone involved. Only moan is the t-shirt...but my daughter has pinched it for a nightshirt...so we're happy!
Inspirational!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Slow loris
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: The best race I have ever run!
In full: Totally fabulous from start to finish - OK, maybe I say that because I got a PB... Organisation was like clockwork, crowd support was wild - enough to make you cry - wonderful course, wonderful medal. My sole grouse is I think the T-shirts could have been different sizes - and the exit to the meet and greet area got jammed up and needed better marshalling, but these are minor issues on what was for me one of the best days of my life! Thanks++ to Dave Bedford and the VLM team for making this race such a legend.
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: h tiddock
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: the london marathon !! the only place you can run 26.2 miles and it feel like 5 !
In full: this race is bloody fantastic. only minor annoyance was the people on mobiles when your running - if your gonna use your phone step to the side and let the runners pass you . the goody bag was more for the men ! not much for us ladiers, and i think the t shirt is rubbish - should be a technical t shirt and different sizes for the london marathhon - come on !! the finish area was a bit of a nightmare trying to get away when you'd finished your race took over 2hrs due to poor organisation from the police ?? but hey this race is still the best in the world despite my moans above !! london - you just gotta do it :-) !!!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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