Taunton MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (95 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: grecian 2000
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A faultless marathon!
In full: Controllable things like pre-race instructions, parking, venue facilties, good communication and a well strutured start got the runners off.
The route of two laps took you through the town before a rural loop on minor roads. A good variation to keep the runners interested. Despite being isolated in parts, I was impressed by the numbers of supporters out on the route, and their great support helped this runner to pull through one or two bad patches.
The weather was fantastic today - warm and sunny, and a negligable wind which helped to refresh. The water stations (with bottles) and sponge stations were brilliantly organised, and handed over their wares efficiently and cheerfully. The bottles helped as it did get quite warm, so you were able to stay hydrated.
A proper finish with a big event atmosphere to bring the runners home. Enjoyed the running commentary from the race MC as I came down the home straight - thanks for that. Water readily available at the finish along with a medal and t-shirt. I was then handed a cup of warm Bovril which was consumed while I tried to get my chip off my shoe! Chip timing meant the results (gun and chip times) were up on the website tonight.
Although the bulk of the runners were doing the half marathon, I felt that the marathon was treated as equally important by the race organiser - some events tend to treat the marathon as an afterthought.
Thanks Taunton - great day out, and this runner will definately return!
Date of review: April 5, 2009
|
|
2009 race reviewed by: peter groome
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Taunton take a bow; magnificent.
In full: This was my fourth half, and first time at Taunton.
Access by car was easy. I was dropped off right outside the venue but could have parked easily. There were only short queues for the toilets so preparation was easy. Finding the correct time area to start in was no trouble at all and the race got under way on time and without incident. The course was shared with traffic, which could have been a problem, but wasn't,because of two important factors, which deserve elaboration:
1. The marshalling was simply outstanding. They were polite, friendly, encouraging, everything you could ask for. In response I found myself thanking them all as I passed them. The police, likewise, were efficient and effective at controlling the traffic, and equally deserved to win some sort of prize for politeness and enthusiasm.
2. The local people turned out to welcome us and the drivers, inconvenienced by having the roads blocked up, were patient and good-natured.
The effect of this is more than to encourage runners along the way, it presents such a positive image of the local community that money can't buy. So I say hats off to Taunton.
The route was pleasantly rural; country lanes, small villages and hamlets, cardboard signs in the verge advertising "horse manure", a little bit of up and down, but no real killer hills. Today was very warm; that and poor preparation put me well outside my PB, but no worries, a great day out.
Date of review: April 5, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: Chesilboy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First class organisation, great facilities, fantastic value and very friendlyy
In full: I'm stunned you can run the full marathon for £15 or £17 (unaff). The organisation is absolutely top notch and the college facilities are an excellent starting venue, I had no trouble parking for free in the college car park - no need for baggage drops etc.. The chip times were up within minutes of me finishing the race, medals, T-shirts - great!
The course is OK, not the most scenic, but the spectator support and enthusiasm of the stewards and volunteers at the frequent water and sponge stations more than made up for it.
Thank you Taunton for a very memorable day.
Date of review: April 5, 2009
|
2008 race reviewed by: fish and chipper
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: well run as always
In full: Well run race as usual, course change didnt hinder the potential for a PB, this course if faster than many say. The only minor problem with the course change was that I was kept in the car park for an hour and half until some of the marathon runners were in, a small problem that I am sure will be sorted by next time if this new route is continued with.
Date of review: April 25, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Kass
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Smoothly run, good atmosphere and I cut 21 mins off my PB - but then I am a newbie!
Date of review: April 11, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Jammie Dodger9
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised race
In full: Well done Taunton a well organised race.Plenty of support around the course and encouragement.The slightly altered route from last year worked well.An enjoyable run which was made possible by the effort of Taunton.See you next year
Date of review: April 9, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Graham Strang
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Everything Bath was not!
In full: So its my local race and I am biased, but what a great day, organisation was spot on, good changing facilities and the best marshalls out there.The start was a litle crowded but soon thinned out and with chip timing does it really matter unless you are going to win the race?
To top it all I set my PB on this course which came as a bit of a suprise what with the hill towards the end of the course.
If only Bath could learn from the organisers of Taunton!
Will definately be back next year.
Date of review: April 8, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Stuart Webber
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organized race with a friendly local atmosphere.
Date of review: April 8, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: buttercups1971
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic organisation and great course
In full: The organisation was great, plenty of water on route. Even hot showers for us slow ones at the back. Timing chip was good. Great day out and will be coming back next year! shame the redbull was not at the end of the race,,, never got mine!
Date of review: April 8, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: HDo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent organisation and an interesting route, especially the hill at mile 11!
Date of review: April 8, 2008
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
