BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: CLAREBEAR18
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great for the atmosphere, not so good for the running
In full: This was my fourth GNR and as I'm 17 weeks pregnant, I wanted to take it easy - but not that easy! The extra competitors really made a difference and it was impossible to stretch your legs. And don't mention the new 'improved' family reunion area - unless you are about 7 foot tall you couldn't find your friends. Next year I'll be downsizing.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Steve Ho
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Amazing atmosphere
In full: it was like a battle to get pass some people, and thanks to those who let me pass. Even i didnt beat my personal best time i am very please with the time i got for this event..
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Martin Connor
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: I loved this race and was carried along by the fantastic atmosphere. Not great for a PB attempt due to sheere volumes of competitors.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Emma Soar
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race for first time half marathon - will be back next year for the crowds alone!
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Paul Fiddler 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a great race a must do at lest once
In full: a must do at least once for every runner atmosphere like no other race organisation excellent people so friendly a credit two one involved traffic problems are inevitable so plan in advance two minamise problems cant wait two do it all again next year
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Stelm
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Do this one for the atmosphere, not for a PB...makes for a great weekend!
In full: Considering the number of people running I think the organisation was amazing, everything went smoothly. Somewhat infuriating constantly weaving through people, my start zone was waaay too far back. I guess knew this would be the case when I entered so can't really complain - the crowds and the atmosphere really make this a event a must at some point in your life. Red arrows were awesome, although I was still a bit dazed at that point! Having a well-earned drink in the pub by the sea afterwards was a great end to a great weekend....
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Denz
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Magnificent atmosphere
In full: Eleventh time of doing this race and it still remains my favourite, with Reading coming a close second. Was placed in pen B and managed a time of 1:22 something. Wish they wouldn't put a large number of "Special" charity places right behind the elite athletes, this is what causes all the bottle necks for everyone else behind and a major hazard for the faster club runners, who in truth the event doesn’t really cater for and something I’ve had to come to accept. Next year I will be in with the masses (running with my partner, who's been hooked with the atmosphere and wants to do it for the first time) so it’ll be interesting to see if my view changes, starting mid field.
Oh and if you turn up to the start 7 minutes before the gun goes off, you deserve all you get. Imagine if 50,000 people all had the same idea, so let common sense prevail!!! I should know as I did it one year but at least I didn’t moan about it.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Bill Ferguson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not a race but an event with still some flaws to sort out
In full: This was my 9th GNR and one of the most enjoyable in terms of running experience. Although my time was ~2 minutes slower than last year,it was the overall experience which counted I found it a good day out in superb weather and with a tremendous atmosphere. There were a couple of issues where I think the organisers need to reflect and consider the situation:
i) Starts - these were definitely worse than last year and do not rerflect participant's individual performance. Although I had a time of 1.33.09 last year, I was put in Pen C and took >4 minutes getting to the start and then most of the rest of the event passing people who were clearly not fit or slower runners. How was starting position determined?
ii) The new family reunion area was much poorer than the previous location in the stadium. It was much more difficult to locate areas and find incoming family members. It's tempting to think that this was because it was more profitable to use the old arena area for paying clients. Hope I'm not wrong.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Captain Haddock
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: It's a special event but it's getting too big.
In full: It's one of those things that you should do before you die and it is a great day out. Love the music, red arrows, marshalls, crowds, food and general buzz that goes with this event. It really is a fantastic day out but........
it is getting too big. I'm no flying machine but it would be nice to be able to run at my own pace. I started in zone C, walked across the start line and never really got any kind of regular stride until the third mile. After that it was still really busy, dodging in and out groups of other runners.
I've done this twice now and pleased that I've experienced it but I'm not going to rush back.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Incurable Mad Hero
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A truly Great Race. if I lived closer to Newcastle I'd do this every year.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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