Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2005 race reviewed by: Paul Mac C
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race for PBs. Bad race for your bank balance.
In full: Was really looking forward to this one. This was my second marathon - my first being Cardiff last October which had the spectacular finish in the Millennium Stadium itself. Was rather dissapointed with Edinburgh, though.
I arrived the day before - thought the Expo was good and everything seemed to be well organised. But at the start it was a bit like trying to squeeze more sardines into an already tightly packed can. I made my way to the start 20 mins before the race was due to begin but couldn't force my way to the right starting time area.
The race itself started well for the first few miles and running along a short stretch of Princes Street gave the feel of a real city marathon. But then we were routed along the back streets and pathways away from the city itself which took away the magic of this fine city. The coastal route seemed to take an age. The officials did a good job apart from one in particular - nothing personal but she seemed to appear and re-appear at various points and was about as annoying as one can get. By mile 17 I had had enough, she was lucky she was on her bike that's all I can say.
The support was good and the finishing stretch was a buzz.
Overall, a good route for personal bests and I would consider it for next year but make sure that you save your pennies for this one.
Date of review: June 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Built for speed - Not
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My first full marathon and came in under 4hrs. Not as challenging as I first thought but still a nice little tester.
Date of review: June 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: slow si
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It could of been so much better!
In full: Great venue let down by a poor route, the expo and organisation was poor but the atmosphere from what supporters braved the weather was good. Missed out on breaking the 3.30 mark by 12 seconds so gutted! Poor markers and lack of water stations but where else can you get a bag of sugar for £39! A long way from Bristol but may do it again....
Date of review: June 14, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Longshanks
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging course!
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: viperman
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: good course but could have been better organised
In full: this was my first marathon the last three miles could have been flatter and the access to holyrood park was not good enough after the roads were closed leaving some people with a long walk from the city centre
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Brett Regulski
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: could have been better organised toilets were a joke many runners including myself used the bushes at the start
In full: scenery was great course was not as hard for my first marathon water stations few and far between chaotic at the end with the medal hand outs and goody bags- Expo was dissapointing
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Ian Young
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Huge Let Down!
In full: Organisation was pathetic. Why they didnt just send the numbers out I don't know. Very small changing facilities, about 10 toilets in total start was a shambles. Very expensive to enter.
They was practically no crowd, apart from one mad woman on a bike with a sign who kept appearing every 5 miles, freak!
Course was ok for the first 3 miles then it was running through a path next to a river, along the promenade doubling back on yourself all the time which I hate, then suddenly appearing at the finish. Only about 2 water stations in the first 8 miles.
This is no race to do if you miss out on London, very depressing, im suprised I didnt drop out due to sheer boredom.
Don't do it!
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Paul Ashcroft
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Managed a PB conditions good, would like to see more water stations could be difficult near the end of the race if the weather was much hotter. At the end baggage handling and changing facilities could be improved.
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: windystu
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: good fast course
In full: the expo was a little poor on saturday not many stands. the chip and number could have been sent out in the post and would have saved a 0230hrs start on saturday for my flight. good clear markers, great course, friendly marshalls, public supportive. the end was a bit of a shambles. stood around in rain to collect medal/t-shirt/ banana/ drink. tent for collection of bags too close to end and not enough room to get past the tabels quickly. some people then began getting changed in this area which made it worse. the exit from the bag collection was the packed with relatives. no room to get past and had to fight my way to changing tent. the start/ expo is not on a bus route. from the town centre a good 1.5miles and on way back all up hill. no near train/ underground stations. the day before the race not good especially as most hotels don't let you book in until 1300-1400. how about a shuttle bus from main rail station to start/ expo and back to assit next year???
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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2005 race reviewed by: Vevecca
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great - although I agree with the lack of loos!!
In full: Prettier than I expected save for the trip around the shopping centre and industrial estate near the end - and the run through people's front gardens! I know the guy with the hose meant well but we'd all just been soaked at least twice!!
Bit dissapointed with the expo but not really got anything to compare it to. Enjoyed the first 3 miles in terms of running around 'touristy' Edinburgh - Princes St etc. and hearing the bagpipes - maybe something like that would have helped at mile 22 onwards??
All in all, considering I didn't even know Edinburgh had a marathon until I didn't get accepted to London, I would def do it again but maybe a bit more for the money would be good - I don't think I'm alone in that one either!!
Date of review: June 13, 2005
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