Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2013 race reviewed by: Wellesbourne Runner
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Testing course on a well marshalled scenic route
In full: Not quite sure why this scenic marathon only attracts 750 runners. It's far better than that. A generally well organised event which is deserving of a bigger field. The route is a two lapper and yes, there are hills; two testing ones and an incline that greets you at miles 8 and 18 which is a hill in any ones language. The best part of the day is the marshalls and the drinks station staff. They were excellent and mostly well briefed. Plenty of smiling and encouragment from them. The opening one mile lap around the town was fine for reasonable runners but my wife, who was watching the event, told me that slower runners at the back, who hadn't gone over the start line, were told to 'get out of the way' as the front runners were coming back through! Not very nice for those that were embarking on 26 miles to be treated that way. Surely a slightly longer first lap would solve this issue? One big problem with the route is at 25 miles when you have to negotiate a kissing gate at the end of the Greenway! Why wasn't the larger gate opened for runners? I had to squeeze past a child on a bike which was not ideal.
As others have said a shame no goody bag. A cereal or choccy bar would not have gone amiss.
And so to the commentator at the end... Apparently he missed the winner coming in. He also confused runners opting to do the half marathon distance instead of the full marathon coming in to finish. Marathon runners red numbers, half had white numbers on. So those with red numbers deciding to finish at half distance had supremely good times! My wife said he was congratulating marathon runners coming in at 1hr 50 mins!! Please get someone who is a bit more knowledgeable about running next year.
And finally the prize giving. A lot of runners like to see this part of the event. I do. When I asked when it would be the answer was 'ten minutes'. Half an hour went by: 'another ten minutes' Twenty minutes went by. I left. And so too I guess had most of the prize winners and vast majority of runners. I hope there is a mechanism for Runners World to feed all my fellow runners comments back to the Rotary Club as there is no local club involvement with the running of the race. 'We've been doing this for 32 years' I was told by one of the Rotary Club members. Maybe enough time to have really got it spot on then?
Date of review: April 29, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: 00matdun
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fabulous day!
In full: I had an amazing day thanks to the fantastic organisation and support provided throughout. The marshals were great throughout and offered much needed support. It was also great to have so many local people coming out to cheer us along and this was again appreciated.
Stratford is such a lovely place and it was nice to have a run around the town before heading out to the scenic countryside. I personally really enjoyed the long track, but it seemed to go on forever on the second lap!
Would really recommend this race and hope to be back again in the future.
Date of review: April 29, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Thongman 2
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: One of the best organised and great value for money marathon - Brighton take note!
In full: What a wonderful marathon. The organisation was superb and the Race Director and his Rotary Team should be congratulated on staging this race.Everything was perfect with parking, showers etc so close to the finish. The marshals were great and a special mention should be made of the people of Stratford for their support along many parts of the route. I hope this race continues to be successful and receives the support of the local council as it certainly is a credit to the town. My only disappoint was the behaviour of a number of my fellow runners whose selfish behaviour is becoming more and more prevalent at races which could jeopardise future events. Why am so angry? Well, it's so easy to follow the race route by the discarded gel packets and water bottles just thrown discriminatly along the roads without any thought of who has to collect the. One Ware Runner discarded his bottle (like many other others), along the Greenway well away from any drinks station or marshal. Surely like many others he could have carried it to the next drinks station. Gel packets were all along the Greenway and reflects badly on all runners and race organisers. Anyone found littering during a race should be warned or face a future ban as there is no excuse.
Date of review: April 29, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Mark Patton 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Reasonably flat, quick course
In full: This is a reasonable flat course with only a couple of decent size hills on the route. As it is pretty flat, I shaved 20mins of my previous marathon time.
It was fantastically organised on the day. All of the marshalls were extremley friendly/encouraging. Something which other events would benefit from.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Andrew Humphries 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very nice scenery, nice location, nice people and quick course!
In full: Back from a very enjoyable half marathon! I ran a pb, and have quickly signed up for my next one in Birmingham. The course included a few steep sections but the downhills allowed me to catch my breath! Not many people around for a few sections but then the support and volunteers helped pick you up again. Very well organised event!
Few suggestions:
- Sports drink/gel station for the longer marathon (and maybe the half if you're feeling generous!)
- A clock on the half way point or quarter points for people like me who forget their watch!
Overall, very good, see you next year!
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Stuchbury
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great trip out in the country
In full: I got a PB but missed sub four hours by 8 seconds. Plenty of toilets around the course which was very good to see - no nipping behind bushes! The Greenway was enjoyable although I found miles 14-17 tough for some reason. I might do it again but it didn't grab me completely. Something other than a medal and a banana would have been good but the route was well supported and the volunteers were excellent. Thank you all for giving up your time.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Mattyla
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very well organised, decent course
In full: Clockwork organisation, excellent and very friendly marshalls, especially liked parking simplicity, loads of water stations and top notch showers afterwards.
Maybe worth looking at a sports drink station at 20 ish and possibly a couple of goodies other than medal at end - in summary - highly recommended 4??
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: richard walsh 7
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: the strong headwinds possibly made for slower times on what would usually be quite a fast course.the hill at mile 7 and 18 certainly proved challenging but there were also very flat sections to stretch out.wouldn't say it's a definate PB course but quick times are still possible.the scenery and warwickshire countryside make it a nice marathon,and a spectacular finish along the river.Personally,i would prefer this as a regular spring marathon to london.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: John Hanson 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: forget last year
In full: Great day to erase last years memories. The only niggle I had was the early water stops were a bit disorganised. Fabulous support. May be back for the half.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Matt Broomhead
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Lovely day for a run!
In full: Well organised and friendly event. Was worried after reading about the problems from last year.
Pretty flat course with a harsh hill at mile 8.
My only gripe was the narrow streets at the start. Could they have pens for runners aiming for different times as I spent the first mile weaving in and out of slow runners/walkers.
Overall a very enjoyable event and a PB too.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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