New Forest MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (247 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Moggsie
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My first Marathon, would defintely do it again... Well organised
In full: Well organised marathon, if you like smaller fields this could be the one for you. However few hills to navigate and if it is like this year 22 degrees as well!
Date of review: September 28, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: runningboots
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first marathon - enjoyed it and felt the challenge !
In full: Apart from the boiling weather, it was a lovely race and I felt proud to finish my first marathon. Special thanks to:
* Girls who knew everyone's names to shout out and support !
* Man with hosepipe in garden who offered a drenching - heavenly !
*All the great marshals, support and organisation.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Claudie Combelas
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Beautiful scenery - great marshalls - thanks for the Jelly Babies!
In full: Very well organised - Plenty of water stations - thank goodness as it was very hot.
Georgeous scenery though all the hills were in the second half!
Date of review: September 28, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Gemma F
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great scenic course!
In full: Really enjoyable race- great scenery and beautiful weather. The course was fairly undulating with one steep hill at mile 16.
Organisation was good with plenty of toilets at the start and a nice medal at the finish.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: STEVEN PETTY
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good day for a BBQ, it was a scorcher. Well organised and superbly marshalled, with great scenery. Do not be but off by the course profile as it did'nt seem too bad. But some of the open roads were slightly off putting.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Stutter and Stumble
| | 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 short: Well organinsed - slightly hilly but only slighty Marathon
In full: Nice day out - I like to run when it's cold and didn't really appreciate the hot sunshine the organisers had put on for the spectators! Roads were fine - yes there was traffic but never felt threatened by it. A little hillier than I was expecting - was hoping for a PB but missed it 50 seconds.
Massage at the end was well deserved -will be back next year
Thanks to marshals and spectators - including the couple who used the brochure to look my name from my race number.
Date of review: September 27, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Scruffmeister
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hot, hilly, beautiful scenery. Course changes make it a great course.
In full: It was a hot one today. Glad I took own water as it seemed a long way between aid stations. Excellent marshalling, well organised, spectacular scenery & a PB. Can't argue with that. Thought the course changes were great. Will definitely do it again one day.
Date of review: September 27, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: grecian 2000
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Incredibly scenc, glorious weather, well marshaled, and an undulating course to provide a fair test.
In full: This is a well organised and thought-out marathon. Some of the tougher undulations arrive in the second half, and you had to battle through as the day became very warm.
Mainly on secondary roads although still quite busy with traffic meant that you had to have your wits about you. The 'offroad' sections were in the first half, ans I initially welcomed these with the great scenery and the quiteness. However, this made it harder going, and more painful to the feet.
On a warm day, the drink/sponge stations were a godsend. Not sure about carrying the sponge given to you at the start for the entire marathon, and dipping it in the water buckets at each station. Like the idea in theory, but used the facilties to dip my bandanna instead which provided an effective way to stay cooler.I would also like to thank the man with the hosepipe at about 19 miles who gave me a good soaking which brough me back to life!
It was hard work today as the temptation is to push the pace when you feel fresh during the first half, but watch out for the uphill grinds at 17, 19, and 22 miles with little energy left.
The crowd support was numerous and invaluable. It's good to hear your name shouted out either from friends or strangers (but with my poor eyesight I'm still unsure who was shouting my name out half the time!). The home straight brought you home to a proper finish along with running commentary. I was particularly amused with the commentator urging the crowd to provide greater support, and reminding the crowd that these runners had completed 26.2 miles whilst those watching had scoffed burgers, ice creams etc. Priceless!!
One little disappointment is the medal. Identical to the one received when I last ran this event 5 years ago apart from the updated ribbon. Maybe, a job-lot was done a few years ago.
In the main, a good quality marathon, and thanks to the organisers and countless volunteers.
Date of review: September 27, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: RFJ
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: DNF'd at 17, but due to me not the course, marshalls were excellent, but I did have a long walk back to the finish...
Date of review: September 27, 2009
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2008 race reviewed by: Harry Annison
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: a beautiful, rolling course perfect as my first marathon
Date of review: April 12, 2009
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