Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: AlfretonRSC_77
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Got a PB, but the finish area & organisation was abysmal!!
In full: I got a PB, finished in 3hrs 10mins 16 seconds. Was well chuffed. However, if the 'marathon' had actually been 26.2 miles instead of 26.3 miles, I would have broken 3hrs 10mins. Now thats incompetence of the highest order on the organisers behalf. And there are hundreds of people in the same boat as me who measured it at greater than 26.2 miles!
The race itself, well average iam afraid. Started in the city, finished in the middle of knowhere. Surely it has to be the other way round? There were long long stretches of well, nobody. Family friends etc couldnt even get near to the finish area! The wife summed it up as a spectator that Edinburgh marathon was by far the worst event to attend for a spectator and we've done loads up and down the country and overseas. I wont even go into the finish area, family reunion, buses back to the city debacle. I felt totaly underwhelmed at the end, this just after producing the performance of my running life. I suggest the organisers visit the Robin Hood Festival of running in Nottingham to see how a big city race is organised.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: JWrun
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Coule be so much better
In full: Glad i did it but wouldn't do it again, the course is challenging, it may be quick but it sure is undulating. Start was great, but signage on the route was poor and small and the finish area was shockingly bad.
The weather on the day was horrific at points and perfect at others but theres nothing you can do about that, the route just feels a bit amateurish and tagging bits on to make up the distance - is exactly what it felt like.
I didn't hate it, i just didn't like it that much either. Its got a lot of potential but its not reached it yet.....and a fox chewed through the cable for the big screen?? Pull the other one organisers!!
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Barry Sullivan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Which bit of the race was EDINBURGH?
Many thanks to the volunteers handing out water/drinks around the course
Poor post race organisation
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: aye puffin
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I got a PB so can't be that bad!
In full: Agree with all the complaints but thought Saturday races (other members of the family were doing them) very well organised. Big shame the marathon couldn't have started and finished in Hollyrood Park as well. However thought the whole event poor value for money and a month after doing the kilomathon as well feel I have given GSI events far too much money for not much return.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Running Bhoy
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Too many problems
In full: So we all know the issues - baggage area, tee-shirts, medals, reunion area, buses. Personally no major issues for me, but being in the top 50 finishers meant it was easier for me. I feel sorry for those behind me. And for ALL the supporters at the finish. Having said that, never again. Embarrassed.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Marcus Leek
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The organisation was awful & the route away from Edinburgh needs a re-think
In full: Havent got too much to add to the all of the other comments.
The run was a massive disappointment - my only additional experience is that my race chip does not seem to have worked on the day as my result is not posted to the website.
This was my 4th marathon & this has never occurred before. I am now in touch with GSI Events (the marathon co-ordinator) but getting someone to sort this issue is proving impossible!
This is further spoiling an already disappointing experience.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: sherpa76
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Andy_B
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Pricey, fairly average jaunt through East Lothian. Certainly not "Edinburgh"
In full: Starting procedure was fine, although not enough toilets really for the number of people on the London Road start.
The route map stated there were lucozade stations throughout the course, so I hadn't taken any sort of energy drink with me. However, there was no lucozade on offer until about mile 13.
Course was scenic, but the 'out and back' leg got a bit tiresome, just watching runners coming the other way. An odd loop around some sort of farm too, along a dreadful, potholed path that was pretty sore on the ankles. And an extremely depressing run up a road for a bit, and then back down it again.
Finish was a mess - no crowds really, and then had to walk for ages to scramble for a medal (average) and t-shirt (good). Then had to wait ages to squeeze around the side of a barrier to meet loved ones.
Buses back to town cost £3.50, and were a 20 minute walk away. Even then they only took you back to the start (east end of Princes St). For this reason, we simply took the number 24 Lothian Bus (£1.30) from right by the finish, which runs all the way down Princes St to Haymarket. Would recommend this rather than wasting money on official shuttle buses.
Overall I'm happy because it was my first marathon, and I got the time I was going for. However, I can see through these rose-tinted spectacle to see a fairly disappointing run in what is a great city. Just a pity the run doesn't let you see most of it.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: RR54
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Bit of a shame
In full: Thanks to all the people working at the event on the day, at the water stations, baggage and finish.
Shame about other aspects of the race, can't really add anything new to what has already been said.
Date of review: May 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Anne Olexa
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Disappointing, particularly the finish. Race directions at start were also lame.
Date of review: May 24, 2011
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