Experian Robin Hood MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (876 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Katepina
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great for the Marathon Relay Challenge
In full: It's a shame the Marathon Relay Challenge doesn't have a higher profile, because it's a great way to take part in the event and soak up the atmosphere without having to slog the whole distance.
The relay is a team of 5 runners completing the full marathon by running about 5.5 miles each. At £50 entry, that's a tenner each - peanuts. You get to enjoy all the benefits of the day, and the best thing is each team member gets a FULL marathon medal at the finish ;)
Have done the relay 3 yrs running now and run 3 different legs; 3rd leg this year from Castle Boulevard to Holme Pierrepont was really good and quick - overtaking the full and half marathon runners all the way felt fab!:) Have also done the 2nd and the last legs previously, but think 3rd is my favourite - have deliberately been avoiding the 6mile (longest) leg round Holmepierrepont! It always looks so bleak :(
Like I said, the relay isn't very high profile, and even the marshalls don't seem to be aware of it, making you feel a little awkward when running the last leg (of only 4.2 miles) and they're giving you loads of encouragement and saying "nearly there now", when you've really only just set off!
However, I've done the half before, and plan to do it again next year. It'll mean training more, but I could run 13.1 miles just on the strength of the Robin Hood Marathon's spectators support, which is just brilliant.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
|
2011 race reviewed by: Woad Wunner
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised andgood support round the whole course
In full: Virtually faultless organisation but would prefer the race packs to be sent out slightly earlier.
Well stocked and manned water / lucozade stations.
Beginner friendly and a lot of non club runners taking part.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Alan Nelson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Super atmosphere with so mnay enthusiastic marshalls and spectators cheering you on.
In full: My first marathon so admittedly can't compare course, though as others have said- flat; that is once out of city and thus through parks and residential. Almost without exception, marshalls were super encouraging as were spectators and those out on thier own weekend jaunts. Ths was lovely especially during the wind-filled miles from Holme Pierrepoint mile 20(watersports centre). A super run in to the finish along quite picturesque Trent. Finish tents were very efficient;- Mind you not many there by the time I finished! Goody bag ok especially the mars bar...hadn't had one in years. Highly recommended.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Journorunner
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great run and atmosphere, shame about the 20mhp headwind for the last 6miles though!
In full: The first marathon I have ever run and it was very well organised. The route was well marshalled (even when the half marathoners split from the full marathoners) and the rest was well sign posted. The only problem was the gale force winds/20pmh headwind for the last 6miles, but I suppose the weather is not something you can plan for. Maybe alter the route so it is slightly sheltered near the end though? Apart from that, with a largely flat route, I'd recommend the marathon to anyone else!
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Jwheezy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race!!!
In full: Well done to the organiser, marshalls, and supporters out on the course. I did the 1/2 a few years back but forgot how early they came, although I hate hills I found the 1st half easier then the 2nd which was pancake flat, shame it was so windy around the lake (which seemed endless) loved the atmosphere running into the race village, great medal drinks and chocolate although a banana would have been heaven. Anyway no aches and pains this morning which surprised me and great memories.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Dave Williams 25
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A game of two halves
In full: My third successive year here. Many thanks to the organisers and spectators who make the day go so well. Running into a gale after 20+ miles was never going to be fun. No-one else seems to have mentioned that at least that part of the course was altered slightly this year to reduce the amount of time spent running round the waterpark. A definite improvement. The second half is always going to be tough, with so few spectators compared to the first half. Missed my target by 10 mins so will be back for another go
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Stephen Owen 11
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great until 20 miles!
In full: I'm glad that I seem to be echoing most previous comments! The mile and a half or so by the water sports centre was horrendous in such a headwind - without that I would have smashed my PB (although I can't complain as I did beat it). The first half is superb and ideal for a half marathon PB. I thoroughly enjoyed it though and although its nearly 3 hours on 3 trains for me I might be back next year!
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: PQGraca
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great First Half, Dreadful Second Half
In full: This was my first marathon and I was happy to finish it under 4 hours, although far from what I had expected due to injuring my knee around mile 15.
Anyway, the first half of the course, i.e. the half-marathon course is great and the support from the crowd is acceptable. The second half is, as many others have mentioned, soul destroying. There are less runners, there are very few and far in between supporters, runners have to compete with cyclists and horses for space and, this year, the headwind for about 6 of the last 8 miles when you most need a push was really hard.
The organisation is good and the race village was very well organised. The start and finish were smooth and runners did respect their placing at the start which was great to see and experience.
Overall, a great experience and already looking forward to beating my time on my next Marathon. Probably not in Nottingham.
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: buttscratcher
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: loved it
In full: fantastic organisation, brilliantly supported everything about this race was spot on. as this was my first marathon i didnt know what to expect now having completed this race i'm ready for more thanks to all involved great day
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Helen Hawley
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, first half great and second not so great
In full: This si the second time I have run this and although I knocked 10 minutes off my previous time, it was 20 minutes slower than I wanted! First half great but the second is soul destroying and with the wind this year horrid! I would prefer to re-loop the slightly hilly first half than the boring second! A shame and I hope those first time marathon runners will not be put off!!
Date of review: September 12, 2011
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
