Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2013 race reviewed by: Joanne Twelvetrees
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great race with variation. Would be great for a first half marathon entrant.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Richard Langton 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Wonderful day in Stratford - exorcised the ghosts from 2012...
In full: First time for me doing the Shakespeare Marathon but I'd read the horror stories from last year. I'd done the Milton Keynes Marathon on the same day so I know how horrendous it was, and was grateful that we had had the opportunity to run the full distance that those running in Stratford had not.
This was a special race for me (my 13th marathon) because it was the first ever half-marathon for my daughter, and we ran together for the first lap before going our separate ways. She finished in a creditable 02:10 and was singing the praises of the race organisation - so I can say with some authority that this race is perfect for beginners.
The marshals, water stations and local people were just superb. I loved the informality of the start and the loop of the town before heading off to the countryside. You can't really say that the course is flat, and certainly that long hill at mile 7/18 was a heartbreaker, but at least there was a nice descent for every climb, and a refreshing breeze in your face.
The weather was great, although (unbelievably) it got a little too warm in the early afternoon. The Greenway plays horrible mind games with you on the second lap as it's a lot longer, and the dust scraped up by thousands of running shoes wasblowing around mercilessly. The brave folks at the water station on the Greenway were being sandblasted all afternoon!
Loved the set up at the finish and a chance for a (free) cup of tea at the end. This was a really good day out and a great racing experience - well done Stratford!
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Bettyspaghetti
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Splendid race
In full: Lovely day, weather was kind, very friendly Marshals (I hope thanked them all on the way round), water stations well run and efficient. In all a super race.
One little comment, what happened about the medal this year, didn't seem a patch on past years?
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: ringo100
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: is that bleedin greenway getting longer?
In full: fourth time running this one a tad warmer than the hurricane we got last year. Great organization and really supportive Marshalls as well as brilliant water stops. One negative Stratford council now charge to spend a penny THANK YOU so much to the kind man who gave myself and my wife 20p as we had left our money in the car a lovely episode of human kindness thank you. Surprisingly warm once we got going but nice breeze on greenway. That second lap on the greenway how long was that? fantastic day and great to see the real Stratford marathon back on the map well done Rotary
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Duane Daugherty 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Really good organisation. Great support from marshals, spectators and other runners. I always find the bridleway part of the course challenging but overall a really good marathon. I'll be back next year.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Christopher Limmer
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautiful marathon if a tad expensive
In full: Really enjoyed this mornings run at the stratford marathon. Great course in lovely spring sunshine with a couple of hills thrown in for good measure. If I could fault it then it'd have to be on value for money, just a medal wasn't great. Even if they'd just given us a bit of cake or chocolate...
Saying that I won't hesitate from doing it again if the weather is as nice as it was today.
Date of review: April 28, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Graeme Foster 2
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Debacle!
Date of review: May 29, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lambeau
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Shame about the weather
In full: First time I've done Stratford half and was worried about it being a bit warm when I entered. No chance of that, conditions were atrocious.
In the circumstances I thought the organisers adopted a sensible approach. Though I can understand the disappointment of those who had entered the full marathon.
Marshals were fantastic as were the spectators who braved the elements. Despite the weather I enjoyed it though it was very hard work.
Date of review: May 13, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Chris Hall 19
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Seventh year running for my hometown race.
In full: Despite the truly awful weather I really enjoyed it this year. Didn't really have time to think about being sore or out of breath as was trying so hard not to be blown over! I have sympathy for the organisers who had some difficult decisions to make on the day but I think they made the right ones. I'll be back again next year. I do wish they'd knock the entry fee down just a little bit though. I know it's for charity but £30+ is quite steep and then to only get a banana and a bottle of water at the end is a bit tight.
Date of review: May 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: richard walsh 7
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: cancelling the marathon.sensible but on 2 mins notice?gave runners no preparation.in my opinion would have been fairer to postpone both events/re-schedule later in the year.racing in those conditions was a nightmare.
27 quid entry-no goody bag or t-shirt?seems a bit harsh
Date of review: May 7, 2012
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