Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Madlot
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 1st marathon and I loved it!
In full: This was my 1st mara and only my second race (kilomathon) so I don't have much to compare it to. That said, I thought it was very well organised and very friendly, I would definately do it again. The support was excellent throughout the course.
Only gripe was the water being in cups
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Bobby Diablo
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Didn't respect the weather
In full: Easy parking, loads of marshalls (who were very encouraging in the main) and lots of portable toilets spread across the route. As with many others, I collapsed on the Greenway. About half an hour outside my target but the sun just sucked all the energy out of my legs.
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: SlowRunningMan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A tough run, on course organisation was great,thank you marshalls and support crew
In full: The good: Parking, on course organisation by the marshalls and support crews at the water stops. Good support in Welford too.
The bad: Provision of energy drinks and water. Value for money considering you end up with a medal, banana and a cup of water at the finish.
The rest: My first marathon and despite the fact that training went well, I wasn't set for what unfolded on the day. The hills on the route sucked the life out of me, as did the Greenway, which was torturous. There was enough going on in the town for the family which was a bonus.
I may do this again, but only if I don't have an alternative. Ashby provides a 20 mile race that provides excellent value for money, a challenging course and brilliant on course drink support and proves what can be done on a budget.
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Red Williams
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hot and sunny, well organised, but not a stand-out race
In full: Having trained through the coldest winter for 30 years I wasn't too happy when the sun came out and it started to warm up!
The atmosphere was best at the start in Stratford town centre.
But it took at least three miles to unwind with thousands of half-marathon and slower runners all over the course.
Marathon competitors should have been offered isotonic drinks well before 19mls.
I'd already hit the wall in the heat and was struggling and saw a lot of other runners battling dehydration as it warmed up.
First-aid back-up was good and friendly but the 'goodie bag' consisted of a banana and bottle of water.
And we had to buy T-shirts as well as fork out £6 for parking as mean old Stratford Council refused to waive charges!!
Thanks again to marshals, supporters and hosepipe-locals who got behind us when it got tough and helped drive us to the finish.
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: gymfreak
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: My 39th marathon but 1st time here. Too hot for me yesterday, made a lot worse by the water situation. Half filled little plastic cups don't cut it on a really hot day- maybe if its a race that costs #10 or something, but this isnt a cheap marathon and it ruined the day for me. There seemed to be a lot of people suffering from dehydration.
Hillier than I expected, but at least the last 6 were completely flat even if completely soul destroying. Just didnt think the event had much atmosphere and didnt particularly like the course so doubt I'd come back, there are a lot better marathons out there for much less money.
Managed a 3 min PB, but didnt really enjoy the event.
Top marks for the hosepipe spraying!!
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: fotki.com/slonge
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised, good course witha few nice ups and downs
In full: Enjoyed this one, nice to stay with a friend that lived 5 mins from start/finish!
Drinks were all in the right places, but if it had been any warmer, maybe could have done with having more with bottles.
Nice finish on the grass and big finish funnel, shame no tshirt/goody bag.
Agree with comment about Greenway, nice to be flat and traffic free more to be the last 6 odd miles of the marathon was mind sapping, shame I walked/ran this section, or i would have got under 4!!, as it was did 4.02 !
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Damian Keen
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well-organised, deceptively tough race lacking atmosphere
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Timskitour
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautifully organised - great race
In full: Really fun event blessed with good weather. It ruthlessly exposed by under preparedness though. 26 minutes shy of my PB, because my legs fell off after a fast first half.
Date of review: April 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Tanglewood
| | 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: Refreshing to run and feel the sun on your face at last!
In full: A very well organised half marathon. Very supportive marshalls and appreciated the response through some of the villages. Sponges were very welcome. No problem with plastic cups - who drinks whole bottles anyway? Medal is super and I suppose goody bags are a bit of a waste - even though my two children wait with baited breath for my return just so that they can open them! Will definitely be back next year,
Date of review: April 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Simon Clifford 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: good weather, lovely finish, bottlenecks in parts
In full: 1st stratford half...and a super run. Great scenery, nice bit in the toen at the start and then wonderful open countryside. Top niggle must go to amount of traffic and the A road section, when runners definitely were playing second fiddle...but overall excellent
Date of review: April 25, 2010
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