Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Clev Trev
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Better organisation required
In full: This was my fourth consecutive Edinburgh Marathon. For the life of me I really can't work out why they have moved the pre-paid shuttle buses so far away. In the last few years they have been on the road outside the entrance to the race course - ideal. I stood in a long line of runners in what turned out to be for a regular service - not the shuttle bus. When we all realised we were in the wrong place we had to walk for well over a mile to find the proper place. The organisation was appauling and I missed by train home.
This needs to be sorted out for next year.
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Stephen Tominey
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: First time marathoner found the heat tough. Course at around 16 miles a bit bland and out the way. Overall though very enjoyable and challenging and will be back next year.
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Sarah Crisp
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very well organised, nice route although could have taken in more of Edinburgh's major sights. A definate for next year!
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: jsd
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The finish was awful, miles to the shuttle buses, and it wasn't in Edinburgh
In full: A very dull route and lethal mats at the finish (where I nearly took a spectacular dive). No opportunity to hang around at the end, so I didn't see my wife finish. Too far to the reunion area, then miles to the shuttle buses with no clear instructions. Given the time of year, an earlier start might have been sensible. Mixing in the relay runners seemed a very bad idea, and I didn't like the split start (at two locations). Mile markers were too small, and apparently not all one mile apart.
The support from the locals at the end was amazing. I was so grateful to the people spraying the runners with hose pipes!
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Nicky Priest
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Edinburgh hasn't learnt from last year or other more successful marathons - never again
In full: Bullet point summary:
. they still didn't have enough water for what was a predicted very hot day
. runners were not allowed to take two bottles when a significant number were struggling (and collapsing). It seems the minimum was supplied.
. no run through showers like you get in London
. local people were using their hoses to cool us down
. local people were also giving out water
. lots of runners asking organisers when the next water station was coming along
. not enough crew to respond to runners collapsing. I saw more runners giving first aid
. not enough toilets on route
. the plastic mats in the last 200 yards were positively dangerous and I saw runners go flying and land flat on their face
. the 15 minute walk to the shuttle buses took over 45 minutes (at a reasonable pace). Far too long and that was paid for
. I would recommend that the organisers go and see how more successful marathons are run - New York or London
. the tracker hired at extra cost was the size of a digital camera and heavy. Had I known I wouldn't have rented it. It also didn't work. In the process of trying to get a refund so don't know what the outcome will be for that.
. Atmosphere amongst runners was, as always, wherever you go - great. Ran with a lot of lovely people including a man who unpacked his bags the night before to find two left trainers!!!
. Race crew all very friendly
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Andy Sangster
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Organisation both en route and after the race was poor
In full: Really disappointed with this race! I've completed London in 2009 and 2010 and the organisation was superb. If Edinburgh wants to be considered as a viable alternative or an addition to London it needs to sort out some fundamental issues. Where do I start?
Not enough loos at the beginning. No water/ lucozade at the start, no 'runner only' area made luggage drop off difficult and warm up impossible.
On the course, water stops every 3 miles is not enough especially when the water was only in 250ml bottles, watching runners pick up discarded bottles to help avoid dehydration is not great! 'Official' showers should be provided - thank goodness for the generosity of the locals using their garden hoses. I just hope they're not on water meters!!
The boards over the racecourse were difficult to run over with tired legs and the trek to the baggage trucks and showers and meeting points was ridiculous. Offering showers at the finish was a great bonus to those travelling long distances home but it would have been so much nicer if there was at least the option of a hot one!
We pre-booked the bus back to the centre of Edinburgh but didnt see signs to the shuttle buses. We asked one of the race crew to be told to join the queue immediately outside the school and we waited and waited and waited. This apparently was the (very sparce) normal bus services which didn't even stop as they were already full. We had to walk about another mile to find a bus stop where we could get in the bus only to be told that we had to pay despite having pre-paid.
Altogether this added up to an experience i'd like to forget and one that I will never repeat until the organisers address these issues.
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: John Compton
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great potential, very poor finish organisation, just not enough of Edinburgh
In full: The weather is not the organisers fault - but everything else was! I won't repeat what others have said - I just wanted to add my vote so the organisers got the point. And I was furious at seeing how far we had to walk to the buses with not a single marshall - not one. I loved Edinburgh - what a great city - this marathon lets you down.
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jonathan Straw 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: If you are going to expand a race and encourage twenty thousand to participate then you need the planning and infra-structure to cope. This year the finish area and transport were inadequate, poorly placed and generally chaotic. It is not what you want after running 26 miles. I have run this event since 2005 when it started AND FINISHED in the city centre. I am concerned that the greed of the organisers has now got in the way of common sense good practice. Either re-think it or limit it to numbers you can cope with - this was not a good advert for running!!
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Gemma Cowey
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wow - the heat!!!!!!! But what a friendly race
In full: Only being my first time, I wasn't sure what to expect. Really friendly...great support from the crowds. Yes, the miles of runners up ahead at mile 15/16 was a bit soul destroying. Plenty of water stops and the hoses and sprinklers were a god send. The finish strips were definitely a challenge when you're trying just to put one foot in front of another! All in all though....a great run. Had decided to do it again on Monday morning!
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: LORNA Black
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great fun
Date of review: May 25, 2010
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