BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2004 race reviewed by: Bec xx
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: great experience - very hard to settle into a smooth pace
In full: There should be more effort made to encourage none runners to start at the back.
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Rathmann Manuel
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great atmosphere, organization needs to be improved
In full: Atmosphere was great but organization could be improved. Getting away from SShields was a complete nightmare.
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Slow Mo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant first race, friendly atmosphere
In full: First of all I'd like to say a big sorry for plodding through the race. I'll definitely go to the back in future, I was ill- advised. Other than that, this was my first race and a very welcoming one. The geordies were great including all the children who were handing out water bottles. Thankyou.
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: cycloid
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: the crowds made for an interesting experience, but not a good experience as a race.
In full: I'm really not sure I understand why so many walkers thought it OK to start up at the front. Much too congested, and not just at the start. Waterstations poorly signposted and they should have been on both sides of the road. Great atmosphere and crowd support, and I thought the logistics by Nirvana and the accommodation in Durham colleges worked well, especially being allowed to check out after returning from the run.
Maybe the promised chip timing next year will help improve things, but although overall I sort of enjoyed it, I'm afraid this isn't one I'll be in a hurry to repeat..
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: chunky.
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: I love it.
In full: Great atmosphere, good organisation, Red Arrows fantastic..a humbling experince.
Could do more to ensure those seeking a good time could get one...but this is rightly mainly for charity runners
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: GOWER
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: a cracking atmosphere for first time runners
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Tony Britt
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Too many entrants.
In full: I presume this was the "Great North Run" not the "Great North WALK" wasn't it? Walkers should start at the back or at a realistic start position. 49,000 or so runners cramed into a single road for 13.1 miles is asking for trouble. I actually found myself getting stressed by other runners cutting me up or stopping without warning. I've run this race 6 times now but am VERY unlikely to bother again.
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Richiemac
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Atmosphere but tto many runners for comfort!
In full: Organisation could improve - Buses could be marked by Start numbers (estimated Finish Times). Starts could be staggered better to give the faster runners a clear run. Finish area too spread out. I know there were 40,000+ runners and the organisers did their best but these are constructive criticisms.
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Darrin Cutting
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hope the orgsanisers take notice about the sheer volume and the walker problems.
In full: I love this race however it is well spoilt by walkers who start at the front. You never seem to get going with this one as you spend most of the race slowing down and dodging walkers? slower runners.
The course narrows down to a double carriageway after the 5 mile mark and this causes grater problems as the runners never seem to spread out sufficiently to allow this. Why dont they seperate walkers by making them walk to one side or leave the run at 4 lanes which could be maintained right up to the 10.5 mile mark. Brendan Foster please listen if you still have any power here!
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: DAVID PLUNKETT 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: To many walkers. Dangerous at times.
In full: My first GNR. I found it really enjoyable, but there was to many slow runners/walkers within the first mile and throughout the race. The uphill sections from around 9m were hard work. However, I still managed a PB of 2hrs!
Date of review: September 29, 2004
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