Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Keith Piper
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, good water fuel stations, shame about the finish.
Date of review: May 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Wierdostomps
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good race ruined by poor organisation
In full: As a runner, I enjoyed the race, but it is definitely not a course for spectators. My family saw me at the start, then that was it for almost 5 hours. Despite buying highly priced bus tickets, they were unable to get anywhere near the finish - and the bus (the first one to leave the start) took so long to get them to the reunion area, they were unable to find anywhere before the finish to stand. So they stood in a field looking at a non-functioning screen broadcast T in the Park with no sound!
Then it took me almost 40 minutes to squeeze through the narrow passage to walk the half mile back to them. By this time they were seriously worrying that something awful had happened to me - and there was very poor mobile reception in that field.
Out on the course, things were much better, although the weather was lousy. That was hardly the organisers fault. At times, though, the course squeezed through some very narrow gates/ spaces and I had to slow down several times as there was simply not enough space - and this was well after the initial start crush. Some of the road/ path surfaces were pretty rough too, especially in the forest loop at the turning point.
There were plenty of drink stations, but the same can't be said of mile markers. If they were present, they were so small as to be invisible.
The organisers have not given much thought to transport issues. It seems that public transport into Edinburgh on a Sunday is almost none existent. I was simply unable to get from our friend's house in Fife into the city centre by public transport. We had no alternative but to drive -- but then the finish is miles away. Musselburgh is a really poor place to finish the race. Transport links are very poor - the entire town was closed and/ or gridlocked for most of the day. The race organisers' busses were miles from the finish forcing runners to walk over a mile at the end of a marathon. Whose bright idea was that.
So, despite enjoying the actual race, the organisational problems are such that I won't be back next year.
Date of review: May 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chri5B
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It'll do organisation spoils the runners hard work
In full: My first crack at a full marathon, run with my a friend who did London about 7 years and swore never again...
Some initial credit for the organisers - the London Road start seemed to be well organised. Starting in the blue wave, we actually started running well before the start and carried on over the line - no bunching or slowing (quite rare in my experience).
Course is scenic in places, industrial in others.
The finish line problems are well detailed in other reviewers, so I won't go over them again. To me, it just seemed the organisers made several decisions on the basis that "it'll do" and had little interest in delivering a good day for the runners.
No spectactors at the finish? "It'll do".
Small and very congested immediate post-race area? "It'll do".
Long walk to the (over-priced) shuttle bus? "It'll do".
Medals with no year? "It'll do".
I'm sure you get the idea.
A huge thanks to the spectactors who did go out around the course, especially around 25 miles. Having my name on the front of my t-shirt was the best £8 I've ever spent.
I would like to give the organisers a second chance but the race fee plus travel & weekend accomodation costs are just too much to stomach if they don't deliver a second time. My marathon money will go to somebody else next time.
GSI Events - you are the weakest link. Goodbye.
Date of review: May 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: richard sharpe 2
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: what a waste of time and money, arranged a weeks holiday around this event, this race disappointed me so much it spoilt the whole reason for holidaying in scotland
In full: this was my 8th and least enjoyable marathon,the start was frantic and the course too small to accommodate, a lady in front of me got pushed over almost causing a major tumble [almost mirroring the scene in run fat boy run]. the water stations where poorly set out[ i missed my scheduled drink at 12 miles because all i could see was energy drink and i'd run past before i'd noticed a small amount of water at the end of the table,the race course map indicated both drinks at this station not lucazade[which i dislike] and oh a bit of water at the end.then we were promised amazing scenery lots of support, mmmmmmm!!!!! wy wife was only able to catch me at mile 5[she said this was the worst spectator, unfriendly race she had been too!!] then the views, this was not edinburgh it was the sea, grey tarmac and a bit of country side,thank goodness i ran the 5k on the saturday, now that was a nice stroll in the park with some great views of EDINBURGH,
the weather was a bit rough but hey it is scotland. then the finish, how much fun do the organisers think it is that having ran the most boring marathan ever, we then have to stand like sheep waiting to be dipped, whilst people around me were either sick or fainting, how there was not a riot i have no idea, then the slow walk to the reunion field, it took me 40 minutes from crossing the line to meeting my wife in the re-union area, what a disgrace!!!! then that walk and queue just to get away, i have done the london marathon and the great north run, both huge events, you expect a little heavy traffic but this undescribably bad.
Date of review: May 31, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: David Brown 6
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fast but poor oragnisation at finish
In full: For the half marathon,The course was ok but it didnt stay in edinburgh instead it was outward bound couse which started nowhere near the centre of edinburgh and went out. The organisation was okay at the start but the finish was very poor, there was no atmosphere because family and friends were not allowed to watch the finsh instead they were miles away at the reunion area. Heading towards the reunion area you had to walk miles and then you had to fit through a small gap where it should of lead to the reunion area where the meeting area was but instead everyone seemed to meet where all te runners came out so you couldnt move because of all the ignorant people. The reunion aea was very poor there big screen was broken and there were hardly any stalls there. We paid for the bus tickets from the organisers and they made the bus stop miles away and where they dropped oyou off was nowhere near the start where they said the would drop you off and the price they charged was extortion!
Date of review: May 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Christian Poulton
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Must try harder........
In full: OK, the start was not the best but I can live with that however the finish was awful - no spectators allowed therefore no atmosphere! Then to top that off what seemed like miles and miles to walk for a bus back to the centre - uphill! Yes, after we had just run a marathon!
Date of review: May 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dixie Dean
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Badly organised, poorly marshalled and definitely not value for money. After running 26 miles it would have been nice to be greeted with a smile as you were given your medal and goody bag. It would also have been good to have
Date of review: May 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: RodthePlod
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Why not run through more of Edinburgh.
In full: With such a beautiful historic city, why did we not get to see it?
A route taking in the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Prince's Street, down through Leith to take in the Royal Yacht Brittania would have been much better.
Transport into Edinburgh for the start of the race was poor. The earliest train from Fife got into Edinburgh at 0900, but was 10 minutes late, making for a rush to the start line.
The race itself was organised and marshalled really well. And we should thanks all the volunteers for there hard work.
Ok the handing out of goodies at the end was a bit chaotic, but again well done to the guys there too.
However, the last thing runners want is to be standing waiting to get out of the finish area through a small gap in the fenced off area. An issue that was made worse by family and friends all gathering around blocking the way.
Keep the family and friends in the big field set up as the re-union area and keep the short walk there a runner only area.
Date of review: May 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Carly Hughes 5
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Flat course may see me back
In full: 1st ever marathon so was jazzed to be there. started off promising. Ok atmosphere to the start line and an ok route out of the city. Then along the water front things got congested and terrain was far from road worthy! boring dull and no real support bar the cheerful crowd hanging out the back of the garage showroom. 13 to 17 could have been anywhere and 17 to 19 was awful! needed trail shoes for the multi terrain and renegade animals. Up and backs galore really were off putting and slightly demoralising. 20 to 26 were exciting as the finish was nigh and I appreciate the organisers cant control the weather but man those winds nearly had me off my feet, noticeably slowing my time. Most disappointing was the finish as already mentioned and that fact my hubby and babies couldnt watch at any point.. i finished with gusto thinking my boys would be shouting at the "big screen". i actually burst into tears when i found out it wasnt working although i suspect that also had something to do with the fact I had just finishing the furthest distance ever run! i swore never again at the end but having seen my split times I think this course does lend itself to quick times (as long as the wind stays away)just needs better finish and more cheerful support crew. Over priced for the poor goody bag (Worse than most half marathons completed)and not sure of the point of having my t shirt size printed on my number if you you are going to offer 2 sizes bigger and one smaller(luckily i lost weight training so the size smaller actually fits a treat). Medal is uninspiring although my non running father commented today that it was a good weight! a good introduction to the heady heights of 26.2 but could do better.
Date of review: May 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: cosgrovey
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: should of stayed at home
In full: think its all been said before for a festival of running it was badly organised and no fun.
Spending £45 for a tee shirt and medal which was for the half marathoners was out of order we had run 26 miles for that :< Bangers said about the cheating. Our club runners are not fast and we saw some guy cross the road and go the other way. He didnt get stopped or anything so when we got back to our expensive hotel (the prices were more expensive for runners and not general tourists we found out) we figured out that his finishing time would be around 3 or 4 hours. By the looks of him there is now way hes a 3 hour runner more like 6 or 7 hours. I don't see the point in cheating in any race what's the point, it just hacks runners off who've put in the time and effort for training to do well in races. we didnt see the mens shower and had one in the hotel. We didnt see many signs telling us how to get to buses. Advertising it as the fastest marathon in the uk should of also meant a well organised marathon too but it was seriously lacking. The best part of our weekend in Scotland was going to the pub afterwards and talking about what marathon we'll run instead of Edinburgh Marathon next year. Ive known better organisation at childrens runs. Marshalls were not enthusiastic in anything and most of the time didnt look like they knew what they were doing. it looks like the oirganisers made a lot of profit on this oneand if they don't buck up their ideas they won't be getting any next year :<
Date of review: May 29, 2011
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