Events

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

In short: Good once the race started!
In full: Very expensive and had to buy the magazine as well! Professes to want to be a big marathon - it has a long way to go, but can learn. Not enough toilets and amazingly the mile markers were a long way out at 23 and 25.
Date of review: June 13, 2005

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

In short: Great course, poor expo and only a small changing bag considering the rain!
In full: Overall a top race in a top city. Sadly the expo was poorly supported by running gear outlets. I'd travelled up by plane and intended to pick up my energy stuff there. Had to go to a shop in Dalry St. Also no seats in the changing tent and it was raining heavily. shame they dont use Meadowbank stadium anymore, it was a fantastic venue in the past. Still a great race just needs a little attention to the runners comfort!
Date of review: June 13, 2005

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

In short: Plenty of sport drinks en-route. Way too few toilets at the start. Some big gradients, including last 3 miles, but ok really
Date of review: June 13, 2005

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

In short: Much better course than previously, but disappointing support - long stretches with no-one there.
In full: Wasn't the course long? My GPS measured it at 26.57 miles, and it has never been wrong before. Some very long miles in the high teens and twenties, going by the mile markers. And why can I not get my chip result on the website? Are the organisers in league with The Scotsman to ensure that I buy the Evening News just to confirm my official time?
Date of review: June 13, 2005

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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: Enjoyable 1st marathon
In full: Main quibble was a lack of loos at the start but luckily there were plenty of bushes along the course itself! Took in some of Edinburgh's famous scenery and several miles of coastline. Long stretches through dull industrial estates with no crowd support were a drag though. Race is reputed to be hilly but found it reasonably flat. Supporters were patchy, perhaps due to drizzly weather on the day. My first marathon, so nothing to compare it with, but would probably do it again.
Date of review: June 13, 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: Great Race. Did Relay this year. Good fun!
Date of review: June 13, 2005

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: More or less - What's it going to be?
In full: Organisation at the expo is just not what you'd expect for £39. The kit bag is the thing that really got me - I checked the weather forecast and brought a dry set of clothes for the finish - it needs top be at least twice as big. Difficult to find your in - especially in the pouring rain (but that's not the fault of the race)Cramped, not enough toilets, poor race start - the marshalls seemed overwhelmed - mile makers practically impossible to spot until out over 5 miles, poor marker spacing later on - mile 22 no way, it was three quarters, I can't run that fast!!! Organisation at end was the worst I've ever seen I nearly didn't get a medal and had to double back for it. The park was huge and it would have been easy to have made things flow just a little more easily with just a few yards between the bottlenecks. My heart went out to the poor girl removing the chip tags - I bet her legs feel worse than mine today. Goody bag was appalling - its not just Edinburgh but I need to eat something at the end of a marathon so where will I find a microwave?? And what should we do with the sugar??!! Nice medal though.

There seems to be a total lack of a decent results service unless you live in Edinburgh. Even the little running clubs can deliver an online result - and they don't have chiptags.

However, I loved the course a chance see some sights and enjoy some wonderful countryside. Even enjoyed the run in park. There was a good challenge with the hills so you had to work for things. It wasn't easy.

Overall, a great run but a bad user experience
Date of review: June 13, 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		80%

In short: Excellent daybut steep entry fee
In full: How can people complain about lack of support? I thought there was plenty. I have run more "rural" marathons where there was no support for miles on end, Edinburgh had plenty of people out and about - probably would have been more but for the weather.
The route was pleasant in the main with the exception of the cobbles in the later stages - would mats have helped? I enjoyed the wooded cycle path and coastal parts. Drinks stations seemed OK too.
I agree there did seem to be some mile markers missing - a few people I spoke to never saw 22 & 23 - had some "jokers" pinched them?
The expo was poor - maybe as the race grows in size more companies will be interested and exhibit/offer some sponsorship. Where were the big names?
Thanks to all volunteers for a great day though - I'd do it again.
Date of review: June 13, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: First Marathon - Quick Time but lacked Supporters
In full: The drinks stations I thought were well spaced and the start was good, but some mile markers were unclear and the route left a lot to be desired (cycle paths and cobbles?!). All in all it was enjoyable but not special.
Date of review: June 13, 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		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Needs to overcome organisational and value for money problems to maximise potential
In full: Lets not get off on a bad foot. I got a sub3, a pb and a GFA for FLM 06, so i am chuffed. But a lack of major sponsorship means lack of cashflow and that leaves us runners paying the price, not just in terms of high entry cost, but in terms of poor facilities and services as well. Crap expo, poor loos throughout the course, patchy although vocal support (the weather didnt help!), terrible organisation (esp for the relay runners), crap goody bag all lead to very poor value for money. They had better get their fingers out for next year, and either lower prices, or improve what runners get for the overall package. On the plus side, the route was good, challenging but not too demanding. The volunteers were magnificent throughout the whole day. Overall - progress made, but still room for improvement.
Date of review: June 13, 2005

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