Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: soswalker
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First marathon - recommended, great support and relatively flat course - but hasn't convinced me to do anymore
Date of review: June 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Richard MacKinnon
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast run, poor roads, no atmosphere
In full: This was my first Edinburgh half-marathon and, fairly or not, I'm comparing it to my experience just a few weeks ago at the Reading half. The Edinburgh start was scenic - Arthur's Seat, Holyrood etc - , but just a few km out, it was nothing but potholes, avoiding parked cars and running on far too narrow streets. Compared to Reading, the atmosphere was quite subdued.
The finish at Musselburgh was cramped and the journey back into town was an unwelcome end to the race.
On the positive side, the weather was great - if a little too hot towards the end - and I managed a PB. So it wasn't all bad. If only it started and ended in Edinburgh, it wouldn't have been such a logistical nightmare.
Date of review: June 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: First Loser
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hotter than hell and nothing to look at.
Date of review: June 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Christian1975
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Crowds & atmosphere made this a fantastic experience.
Date of review: June 2, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: fat-arze
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: above average race
In full: this was a very hot day, it took me more than 90 mins more than usual to complete this marathon but it is a fast course - just not for me on the day. the only points i would make is that i like to park at the finish on a point to point race then travel to the start however with the roads closing at 8.00 for the half marathon it ment a very early start for me. the half being moved to the sat would be very benificial. its also a very long walk back to the car from the finish line. all in all - would i do it again : yes. but i would take another marathon if it was closer to home. it wasn't anything special im affraid
Date of review: June 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andrew Essom
| | 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: Should it be called Firth of Forth marathon?
In full: A great weekend out in Scotland, weather was ace!
Run was OK but its not really the Edinburgh marathon, the walk to the bus and then the wait and journey back to town took the edge off the day!
Date of review: June 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: justowen1
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great weekend of races for all ages
In full: I'd lowered my expectations of the race having read previous years reviews on here, but I was pleasantly surprised, and find the amount of negativity on here a bit surprising.
I found the best bits to be the support around the course: people bothering to come out of their houses with drinks, jelly babies, hoses etc really makes a difference. Pipers, drummers and pubs with music all helped to provide a great atmosphere.
Some bits of the course were lovely and other bits so so - there was enough variety to avoid complete tedium!
It was a great weekend being able to watch the 5 and 10k races on the Saturday, along with the kids races - and it's great to see kids getting proper medals and t-shirts.
The hub was a bit of a disappoitment - was expecting more in terms of stalls, physio, massage etc.
Yes, it was a long walk back to the buses with a big queue, but it didn't take hours and was smoothly organised.
A massive thanks to the Red Cross who helped me at the finish - I was in a bit of a state and they did their job well - on a very busy day for them.
Would I do the marathon again? Not personally as it hasn't got enough pull over othere marathons, but we are definitely thinking about a family weekend away next year with the kids joining in, and my and my husband doing a race each day.
Date of review: June 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Duffs
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Much improved from last year and enjoyable race
In full: Enjoyable race despite the tropical weather. Only complaints would be lack of energy drinks and water on course was warm. Other than that very enjoyable with loads of support and well organised finish.
Date of review: June 1, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Aidan Hughes 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Getting there (so were British Rail)
In full: First time back since 2008 and its getting better!
The transport post race still needs to be improved- but that would need everyone to use the buses and leave cars miles away- doubt that will happen.
The road surface at Gosford is ok- can't see the problem for half a mile(??).
Out and back courses are not everyone's taste but that's fairly clear before entering.
Ok you could start earlier but really the weather on Sunday was unusual for Edinburgh (very unusual).
I thought getting through the finish etc was really clear and easy.
The start was relaxed without the hassle- plenty of support without the place being overcrowded.
Plenty of water and Gels plus all the local hoses and drinks etc.
Yes the relay was a bit of a pain but not too much hassle.
This is a relatively fast course (NO Hills) and a good marathon- particularly for the first timer- enough crowd without being too busy. But it could be better with either the transport being sorted or being in the city.
Date of review: May 31, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tony Roe 4
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Over inflated numbers and it's not really Edinburgh is it ?
In full: My second marathon and a hope for a personal best were dashed by the weather and the demoralising turning point. Whilst the people who turned out to support were fantastic there weren't many. Poor by comparison with Liverpool which is a proper city marathon.
It was like we were being rushed out of the city as quickly as possible.
Most of the running surface was excellent...but there were bits like th farm where you got gravel in your shoes.
Well documented too that the start time was far too late meaning the slower runners like myself were caught out in the hottest part of the day. And at the Turning point the water station was packing up. Out of supplies.
The run in to the finish was good. But had no idea where to go. No one came up to me. No one showed me where to go. Eventually found the medals and then the baggage trucks. The goody bag was a joke...bought an Angus Burger for nutrition which didn't agree with me. Then the long long march back to the bus up the hill in the heat. Was that really necessary ?
FInally, the numbers. I read 23 thousand. But it wasn't was it. That was probably runners for the whole weekend. I read 12 thousand. But it wasn't surely. Was that including the annoying relay runners who sent you flying ?
On the plus side Edinburgh is a great city and it would have been nice to see a bit more of it on route.
Date of review: May 31, 2012
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