Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 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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2012 race reviewed by: Ali Dutton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic uplifting support - hardest & most fulfilling race I've ever done.
In full: Crowds are amazing - I felt like an elite athelete even though I'm far from a record breaker & it was my first Marathon - the support carried me through the final 6 miles. Organisation was superb. Charity runners brought a tear to the eye. Coach to the blue start was a little early - 6.30am & arrived before the Marshalls! But I had the best weekend. Thank you.
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Curlytwinkletoes
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: One to tick off the list!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alex Lane 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: The Bald Assasin
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: If you only ever run one marathon this is it.
In full: First timer but will be back. Its impossible to describe how overwhelming the noise/support/atmosphere is and it made me more mentally than physically tired but I will know better next time and its still a PB ;-)!
The organisation after the finish does need some fine tuning, felt we were all left to fend for ourselves but thats easily sorted. If you are, or ever aspire to be, a runner get a place and go for it you wont regret it.
Bring on the 2013 ballot!!!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Keebsy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: So many runners/walkers - staggered start required!!
In full: Always a great experience, excellent organisation, very friendly and helpful volunteers and supportive crowd.
However, very disappointed to start from the blue start and grind to a halt after 2 minutes and walk for quite a while. This just should not happen during such a major marathon. The rest of the route felt like rush hour in London too - getting nowhere fast!! For so many runners there has to be a staggered start in future or proof of peoples finish time, when the pen numbers are dished out. Otherwise there is no chance of achieving your best time at this marathon, unless you are elite or a celebrity at the front of the pack!!
I think I would be tempted to go back to Brighton if I run another marathon, you get just as much support from the crowd down there and pretty much free rein of the course, sorry!
And the t-shirt, well it will just be another bit of bed wear, how many people does one size actually fit??!
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Michael Botham
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brill
In full: Loved it. Really don't think there is antything like it in this country. Might not be best for PBs due to the sheer numbers of people involved and the difficulty in getting past everyone at some stages, but the organisation, the crowds and the joy of running through london was amazing.
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Eloise Lee
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic atmosphere, had such a great race! Organisation was brilliant.
Date of review: April 23, 2012
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