Events

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A bit of fine tuning required but fun
In full: The entry fee was expensive, the Expo laughable and the toilets and baggage at the beginning a riot. The course was hilly but not too much but I did struggle over the cobbles towards the end. However, the marshalls were good and the atmosphere fab and I managed a PB so I am happy. The scenery along the promenade kept me going when my legs were tired. Nice unexpected goody bag at the end.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: I got a PB, so my rating is probably different to other people
In full: Personally I had no problems with the organisation except for poorly visible mile markers and some dubious distances, although I would love to believe that I can do an 8:46 24th mile!!

Its easy to forget some of the problems at London:

There were still people using fresh air toilets prior to the start;

Some of the London streets are narrow;

The mid route scenary in London is extremely boring;

Getting away from the finish this year was awful, fifteen minutes in a mass of people going nowhere fast!

As has been said elsewhere, Edinburgh is a city on a hill. If you don't like hills stick to track running, surely its the different character ofeach course which makes road running more fun than the track.

I will aim to be back next year, but a reduced fee would be nice, but then the Great North Run is also expensvie and only half the distance.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Excellent atmosphere which led to PB but more toilets at the start please.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: My first marathon, really enjoyed it, Excellent support from crowds.
In full: Found no problems with the organisation but maybe thats because I didn't know what to expect as it was my first marathon. The crowds really were encouraging and helped me get to the finish (as well as my running partner). Would like to run this again but want to experience other marathons too.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: This was my first marathon outside of London in 11 years. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. A great city and friendly atmosphere made it enjoyable. Unlike London, my family and friends could identify me around the course and at the finish.
In full: Many good points - Edinburgh is a wonderful city to visit. Not too many participants, but enough to make it feel like a big event. I think it has some way to go to live up to the hype in terms of organisation, course etc, but perhaps we expect too much now that London is so efficient. However, if they are going to continue to charge such a high entry fee it needs to improve for next year. I really enjoyed marathoning outside London - I had forgotten what it was like! Didn't think the course was too slow, although cobbles in a number of places doesn't help. I'd definitely go back.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great atmosphere, definate improvements made on last year, smal details need attention
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Lovely course, good atmosphere, below average organisation
In full: The Edinburgh Marathon bills itself as a big city race but doesn't deliver. That isnt too say I didnt enjoy myself but there were many aspects where a local town race would trump this event and with an entry fee of £39 the value for money rating is low low low.

Basic things like having a baggage tent drop off that can only accommodate 4 or 5 people at a time, placing portaloos along the start line showed a bizarre lack of forethought, a route map on the details and website that needed a magnifying glass. Mile markers that looked like they had been borrowed from a village fete 5k and worse still was only 7 drinks stations in total for the whole race a couple of which had run out of lucozade.

These moans belie the friendly atmosphere, good crowd support, lovely course, very igood medal, encouraging marshals. This does not rate as the worst race i have done, just somewhat disappointing for the money and hype.

Would I do it again - maybe. The impetus would be going back to Edinburgh, not doing the marathon.

The city and course potential deserve better event organisation and attention to detail.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Expro average, toilets and baggage a shambles, good friendly marshalls ok route but the sections of cobbles were a bit much, organisers PR was a disgrace
In full: Potential to be a very good city marathon but a course that is diverted up kerbs and across grass verges to avoid car park entrances is unacceptable. Also the same old story regarding the toilets but how many is enough ?
Date of review: June 16, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: extremely over priced compared to other so called "big" races............baggage area shambles and overal organisation to
Date of review: June 15, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Was thankful for the rain pouring on me with 2 miles to go!
In full: Was a fab event - just missed my target time having not banked for the hill in the last mile, but loved the route overall.
Agree with all suggestions regarding toilets, arrangements at the start - their longest time zone was 4 hours and over as far as I can see. And where was mile 22 marker??! Also felt it was very expensive compared to all other races I've taken part in. Hope they continue to learn and improve the event in years to come.
Date of review: June 15, 2005

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