BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Stewart 1
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A warm welcome from the North East - as always!
In full: Excellent weekend, from the events on Saturday to a well organised race on Sunday. Ordering the rain for me to finish was really welcome, saved me going through the shower tents!
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: dhale750
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Lives up to it's name, and the hype.
In full: This was my first great north run. Atmosphere at the start was fantastic, couldn't wait to get going! I had heard so many hardcore horror stories about how bad the traffic in this race is, and how you can't move for people. I can't speak for everyone, but I was at the back of zone B (the front public zone) and had a few thousand people ahead of me when i crossed the line, and I had no such traffic issues. I finished in 1 hour 28, and was able to maintain this pace amongst the pack for the whole race; yes it was a thick crowd but everyone appeared to be up to speed!
The course was not scenic at all, with the notable exception of the Tyne Bridge, with it being mostly dual carriageway/ residential area. There was a lot of support though, as expected.
Not exactly a fast course despite getting a clean run throughout, but not exactly a fell run either. You're generally either climbing or falling slightly.
Great finish area and intense crowd support at the end, T-shirt and medal are also good. It's a long trip back to Newcastle because of queuing, but you should expect as much!
Overall a great race let down only by some bland scenery!
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Smartly
| | 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: Excellent again. My favourite race of the year.
In full: My 4th GNR & yet again a great atmosphere & organisation. Fantastic to see the Red Arrows at the start. Struggled again miles 9 - 12 but managed my quickest GNR so far although not a PB. Only minor moan was the goody bag & quality of the t-shirt were not as good as normal.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stixnick
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised, and enjoyable
In full: Having experience of how not to do it (EMF) I now have the experience of how to do it. A very well run event. Too many plus points to rattle through so here are the highlights.
Support was great,with crowds along every mile of the route. Lots very generously offering food, drinks sweets ect (Thank You)
atmosphere was fantastic, Red Arrows top notch(as always)and the organisation of mass participation event was from the outside looking in excellent.
Only a couple of minor criticisms: T-shirts were not so good, should be moving towards a Tech T in this day and age, or a better design.
Also some very poor runners etiquette out there, got pushed, barged and hit by a bottle more than once. This is too be expected with so many first timers out there.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ali Dutton
| | 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: Fantastic atmosphere, great support en route & the most uplifting race ever!
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Darren Vidler
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: What a day!
In full: A fantastic day out, and a joy to participate in! As my first competitive run, i found the GNR to be exciting, physically challenging, and amazingly good fun.
Despite cramp in both legs at 11.5 miles, i thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will definitely be going back. The crowd were brilliant, shouting encouragement to those who were starting to suffer and the charity groups gave their runners a welcome boost. Thanks to all the Azheimer's Society members who were there to support us participants!
I'm really looking forward to next year and have already persuaded my Dad to take part alongside me.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Alexandra Spiller
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough but well worth the experience :)
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: David Hiles
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loads of fun & a world class atmosphere
In full: Some problems this year with access to the colour coded pens. They seemed a lot smaller & no staff manning some pens meant lots oc crowding & zone jumping.
Start went well, great crowds all along the route especially those on the John Reid Road (soul destroying miles 7-10) who give out ice - pops & buscuits to struglling runners.
Amazing when you get to mile 12 & see the sea for a flat finish.
Bag quality didnt seem as good this year but I'll always be back for this race
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Steven Jack 5
| | 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: Cracking run, great fun
In full: Fantastic atmosphere and great crows the whole way round, there are few runs as good as the Great North Run.
This year was the first that I had been in Group B (second group behind elite & fast club runners) and it really made a difference, lots more space to run in and less crowds.
Result was a PB, knocking 4 mins off my previous best, to go under 90 minutes for the first time.
Ha'way the lads!
Date of review: September 19, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Phil James 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Once again the organisation and the spectators were second to none, thanks to the guy who gave me an ice pop at 7 miles!!
Date of review: September 19, 2011
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