Events

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: As a beginner I was too frustrated at the amount of slower runners at the front that got in my way
In full: I have never run til 4 months ago and what a chanllenge to start with. I met so many fantastic people on the way round and at the start.
My quibble is the slow front runners and the general logistics of the race and return to Newcastle.

Oh and doesnt that last mile need remeasuring??!!
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: needs better transport links from the finish
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		20%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: love or hate it?
In full: The course is awful, too many people start in the wrong place, and getting back at the end is horrendous.
The positives are it is well organised, there is a very nice medal, lots of money raised for charity and people who do not normally run run.
Each year say never again but continue to do. As to whether I would if it was easier to get into, I don't know.
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Slow starters held up too many. Difficult to get through at times
In full: Pity about the walkers even at the start but they have entered so you have to accept it! They could ask walkers to walk on the left or something like that. Atmosphere was good, plenty of encouragement from spectators and runners. I enjoyed the day!
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Too many walkers
In full: Why not suggest walkers go to the left (or right) - rather spoilt the day - very hard to run (and we are not talking fast here!)
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		20%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Too many slow people at the front, should have numbers with pens like FLM
In full: A lack of organisation, So many people put themselves in pens for 2hrs or less that had no chance of doing 3hours or less, subsequently dodging through walkers/slow unners was the order of the day for all 13.1 miles.

No signs for water stations in advance of them, missed one.

Atmosphere? The crowd didn't give much to the atmosphere (apart from the last mile), but the runners were making the most of it and enjoying some banter.

Baggage Buses. No wonder people were having stuff stolen, anyone on each bus had opportunity to steal from other bags.

The organisers need to talk to the London Marathon organisers about how to run a big race.

Queues afterwards? Yes, nearly 2 hours to get on to the metro
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: A run you have to experience at least once. Good fun.
In full: Well organised as usual, the spectators and mass of runners make the day but I wish runners would at least try and begin the race somewhere near they estimated mile times. I am very slow these days but was plodding past people from the beginning to end.
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great atmosphere and experience - just don't hope to get home quickly and make sure you enjoy queing!
In full: It was my 2nd year and I really enjoyed it (may even be back for a 3rd!), but:
* why do the small T-shirts always run out before I get to the finish? (Admittedly I am slow but I did request a small on my entry form)
* Could be a good idea to have water with 'sports' tops rather than lids as they become a trip hazard after 30,000+ people before you have dropped them on the floor!
* where were the Entermanns cakes @ the end - gutted!?
* shame there wasnt a water bottle or something similarly useful in the bag this year instead of a bag of sugar!
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: 1st ever race. Enjoed it a lot. only quibble the sheer size of field restricted any movement through the field.
Date of review: September 27, 2004

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A tad over-rated, but good atmosphere nonetheless
Date of review: September 27, 2004

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