Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1532 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: babciaruns
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Disappointing, poor organization, no marathon finisher shirt!
In full: There is little I can say that hasn't already been said.
I trained hard for this and was looking forward to reliving the positive experience of my first marathon at the 2006 race. Too many negatives from the lack of signage, to unclear baggage instructions, to bland medal, lack luster finish location, etc etc. I was dismayed that after doing a PB that there were NO marathon finisher shirts! Then had to walk the mile+ to the bus!
This has the potential to be an awesome race if more attention is given to the details we runners value and not just about how many events can take place on a given weekend and where corners can be cut. I sure hope lessons are learned...as the numbers may be a lot less next year by the sound of these reviews!
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: AP58
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Another fine mess
In full: This should be a great marathon, but it's ruined by disorganisation, and with the current course should be called the East Lothian marathon. The many volunteer marshals and helpers worked very hard but those at the finish were given an impossible task. What was the risk assessment of the crush at the end? Were the local residents asked or warned about what was planned? Did anybody think that queueing for 30 minutes after the end of the marathon for two small fruit bars was ideal? One can only assume that the current funding model doesn't work - that the organisers have to place the wishes of those selling to the public above the needs of runners at the finish and cannot afford to pay for the policing needed to close more roads in Edinburgh. The options would seem to be either to charge a more appropriate entry fee (this race costs half of what any large American marathon would charge) and to ask the city and its businesses whether it wants to sell out every bed in the city, and if so contribute to the event that achieves this. And an Edinburgh marathon should finish either on Princes St or in Holyrood Park.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tranent Bullet
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: As a previous runner to the Edinburgh Marathon I had to make do with cheering this year.
From this point of view it was made very difficult to access different areas of the course to cheer on Friends. One part of the course from port seton to gossford house and back is totally closed to movement of traffic making it difficult even for emergency services to reach anyone in distress.I cant understand why over the last few years there has been no improvement to make this one of the top CITY MARATHONS come on Edinburgh lets get this sorted.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: neil alford
| | 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: What a mess
In full: Where do i start.
Running head long into on coming cars not great! were where the marshalls why wasn't the road taped or closed off.
mile markers you where lucky if you spotted them.
very tight an narrow in places.
Then the finish Shambolic is an understatement. 10 mins before i got a drink then an hour to get though the mess and get my bag back before the hike to the bus.
They got to change the finish and who organized it. This is surposed to be a big city marathon! finishing in a small back street in the middle of nowhere is a joke!
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: ciarakit
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good race spoilt by shambolic (dis-)organisation at the end
In full: For non-locals wanting to do 'Edinburgh' this may be disappointing as it mostly takes place along the East Lothian coast; this makes for a lot of great scenery, though. I'd prefer if the start-finish was in Edinburgh (Holyrood Park would be ideal, they did that in previous years and it made for a great atmosphere). If Musselburgh remains as the finish, the organisation at the end needs to be severely overhauled; this year it was piss poor, as commented by many posters here, and who I totally agree with.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Luke Gow
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor organisation marks this out as one to avoid in future
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Robbochef
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Shame about the finish..and not good for your spectators - £40 plus for a medal without the year on !
In full: Overall a very enjoyable marathon, but and well documented in other comments room for improvement. Very difficult, if not impossible, for family and friends to cheer you on, other than in one position along route. They were disappointed they could not see the finishing line.
Mileage markers not always that obvious.
Great to see runners coming the other way, wasn't sure at first but gives you something else to concentrate on.
Where were the blankets to keep you warm at the end ?
The medal was very disappointing and having to pay a further £4.50 for a sticker for the year you have completed it.
Thought the text with the time on so soon after the race a nice touch.
The start was very relaxed and easy to find. Also great for spectators to stay close by.
but those last 6-8 miles with the wind in your face !
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: LancsLass
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I enjoyed it - but I'm slow so didn't suffer the congestion!
In full: I agree that the finish needs a revamp and I was disappointed to be handed a half marathon t shirt - I have emailed and requested a marathon version. However, this was my first marathon and I really enjoyed the experience. There are some advantages to being a pack of the pack runner; I didn't have to fight congestion at the finish. I'd do it again.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jazzmoose
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Event has outgrown the course. Poor organisation. 'East Lothian' rather than Edinburgh Marathon
In full: My 1st marathon so will of course be memorable for the mental journey and I enjoyed running along the coast despite the weather.
Good points:
- Stewarts beer is lovely.
- Goody-bag & T-shirt
- marshalling
- crowds on home stretch and Long Niddry loop
- liked the contra-flow - saw some friends en route and was uplifting when on return leg
Bad Points:
- expensive. Insulting having to buy bus ticket on-top and photo costs prohibitive
- only spotted about 5 mile markers - demoralising
- if it had been a hot day there wouldn't have been enough water
- treacherous surface round Gosford House - saw several runners fall and heard friends twisted ankles
- course too congested - was boxed in for 1st 15 miles then struggled with relay runners pushing past
- bottlenecks at end unacceptable - badly needed to eat and get bag from friends
- friends couldnt get to finish and big screen broken
- left in middle of nowhere - this marathon needs to finish at City Centre e.g. Holyrood Park
- disappointed that medal was same whether it was 5k or full marathon.
Overall felt slightly exploited to profit GSI but despite that had an amazing experience and raised £2500 for my charity.
Would only do again if course changes and finish organisation is sorted out.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stuart Rogers
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% |
In full: If you saw a marshall you were lucky! Start pens were a free for all, mile markers were hard to find and the queues at the end for the tee shirt etc were just a joke, my friend took nearly an hour to get from the finish line to the meeting point which again was a joke. The buses seemed like miles away. The run was nice and a PB possible apart from the very narrow areas slowing every one up. There were relay runners mixed in with everyone and I thought it would have been a good idea to let them go 10 minutes before the bulk of the runners.
Date of review: May 25, 2011
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