mbna Chester Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: LizO
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant
In full: Everything about this race was perfect.
Great information, and support in the run up.
Plenty of space in start area, good facilties, quick moving loo queues, fantastic support (names on the bibs helps here too), great route, frequent well stocked drinks stations (staffed by great people) and plenty of bins (though it is a shame more of us didn't use the bins!), good atmosphere, definite pb potential and results available by the time I got home. Really can't think of anything that could be done to improve this race. Simply brilliant.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Beverley Harlow
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant organisation before and on the day. Great atmosphere, lovely course.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: fotki.com/slonge
| | 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: Brilliant. Great communication/organisation/value
In full: Have to ditto what everyone has said (except the 1 poor comment, not sure which race he was at!)
The email updates and communications were a great indication of how well this was run. Nice to have the help desk there on saturday if needed.
Great venue with portaloos plus the racecourse bars etc. plenty of room at the start and nice tannoy announcements, water stations and energy drinks were great, nice to have bottles.
volunteers were brilliant and enthusiastic.
Nice finish down the home straight and clockwork funnelling through to medal / photo / bags / goodie bags (with plenty in them)
my only slight moan was more not made of the unique date, 9-10-11 wont be around again!, so shame tshirt says 9 october 2011 !
thanks guys, worth the trip up from bristol
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: AndyH 1
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: And straight in at number one, it's the MBNA Chester marathon.
In full: Completing the MBNA Chester marathon will be my sixth marathon and after completing the UK big city marathons, Chester has gone straight in at number one as my all time favourite.
The organisation throughout the race and build up to the race has been impeccable, group training seminars, training runs, professional advice (need I go on). All this at no cost and provided by the race organisers in their own time
Then come race day this perfection just continued. Everything was perfect. A great well supported route passing through beautiful towns and villages and you couldn't have found more friendly and energetic marshals if you had tried.
Fantastic grandstand finish, medal, technical t and goodie bag all added to the truly unforgettable day.
Organised by runners for runners of all abilities. Chris and Andy, you have done yourselves proud and truly created a great.
As soon as entry for 2012 opens I'll be in.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Martin Farrier
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic run
In full: Exceptionally well organised run. I cant think of any way they could improve this. Its ideal for beginners through to serious club runners. Its my 4th Marathon, and my best time. Good flat course. Nice autumn scenery. They even arranged perfect weather.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Rookster1
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic race, excellent all round
In full: I actually struggled a lot on this race but nobody's fault but my own, I went out too fast for the first half then the hills got me in the second.
The atmosphere was really uplifting as we reentered the city towards the race track which kept me going for the wonderful grandstand finish. The marshals, water stations etc were plentyfull and very efficient and supportive. Loads of toilets which is always good and the best goody bags, Long sleeve tech running shirts and medals.
A big well done to the organisers. This race is awesome but don't underestimate it as I had done because it will bite you
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: LondonRunner1976
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A lesson in good organisation
In full: As other reviewers have noted, Chris, Andy and their team should be very proud of this race. It was impeccably well organised, and little things make a very big difference. For example
1) the names on numbers made a big difference despite being a relatively simple idea
2) the portaloos at the beginning were plentiful and queues were easy to navigate
3) the drinks stations were brilliantly organised with enthusiastic volunteers
In short I really got the impression that the race had been organised by runners for runners.
If there's one minor quibble then it would be that the course isn't really flat. It's true that the net ascent over the course of the race is minimal, but it's quite undulating at points, particularly in the first two and last two miles.
That aside, super day and I'd highly recommend this race
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Max Hudson
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great course. Fantastic support on route. Brilliant organisation.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Fluffbug
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: An absolutely fantastic race...everyone involved should be very, very proud :)
In full: Right from arriving at 8am, I knew this race would be a good one. Parking faultless, short queues at portaloos and plenty to do before the start. Town crier to start the race was fab and the announcer at the start made me cry...it was quite inspirational! The course was flattish - some crule hills in the later miles, but I enjoyed them :) The support was amazing...both marshalls and locals made it a race to remember..the names on the numbers really helped (except that I'd put my surname instead of first name and was called 'bunn' by all the spectators!).
The course was nice and varied with town and country parts...loved the last part along the river and the finishing straight was BRILLIANT!! Faultless race, I'll be back next year...and to top it all, I got a PB :)
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Hazel Clark
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Slick organisation with really nice touches. Sets a standard for other races.
In full: A really nicely thought out course, although not flat. Nice touches like printing peoples names on thier numbers. Great medal, top and goody bag. Fantastic marshals and drinks stations exactly where you needed them. This race honestly puts others to shame it was just really well done.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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