Events

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

In short: I am rating on my 6 miles of the relay. Much fun, great for beginners. But the £20 per person is pretty pricey, though the tshirt (complete with haggis running across the front) and medal (huge and heavy) make it worth the cash....
In full: I am from Edinburgh, so am totally biased, but I think the marathon is great - and having a relay too means it is a really mixed race. Definitely be back again (I did it last year too). Though they need to sort the loo situation!!
Date of review: June 17, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		20%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Did the Relay - Too few toilets. Buses were far too early.
In full: I did the second leg of the relay. We had to get the bus at 08:15 even though the first 7 mile leg didn't start until 10:00. It was a long time to wait in the rain. The toilets didn't arrive until ~10am and there were only two! That was for the ~1000 relay teams. Queing for ~45 minutes for the toilet is not fun.
Date of review: June 17, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Elvis on tour,great to see so many kids out there supporting instead of watching telly!
Date of review: June 16, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Worthwhile
In full: In parts very stunning with a good atmosphere and the full range of weather conditions for those bored of the London Marathon's full-time sunshine this year! It was also good to start and finish at Holyrood Park. Not as hilly as feared but there are some cobbled sections.

On the minus side, there were too few portaloos at the race start and the course had too many hoops. However, it's a young event and will only get better.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: First marathon so on a high for the whole race. There could be more toilets with better location.
Date of review: June 16, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Report this rating to the moderator