Isle of Wight Marathon and Half  Here's how RW members rated this race (138 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: MLC
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Minimalist organisation (water only) but good marshalling all way through. Why avoiding scenery road and go for busy traffic?
In full: I'm everyone would pay few pounds more and the club could find a sponsor to provide something little more than only water in five station. Not even a banana or any food at finish.
The real disappointment was to run 90% of time on roads with busy traffic. I made the trip expecting a far more scenic route. Not really worth the trip.
Date of review: October 4, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: John Lawler 3
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Oh well, I was in the Isle of wight anyway!!
In full: Did this last year, so I already knew about the hideous medal and the fact its hard and hilly. But, this year was a bit of a big let down!!! The large field opposite was used for parking last year and was very convenient, this year it stood empty with everyone searching for elsewhere!! Then, at about mile 7 a massive group of us (Even a couple of local guys!!!) went the wrong way! I was on course to blow last years time out the water, but due to no marshall at a crossroads made the whole event a complete waste of time! As yet I have seen no apology on their website. Sorry Ryde Harriers, you had a shocker!
Date of review: August 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Alan Chan 4
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: It was my first, so for now I'm saying it was good!
In full: A really nice hilly run, not as hilly as i thought but still good to hammer the legs a bit. As with most of my long runs the first 3 miles was the worst part, some big hills near the start. We didn't get lost like some other runners, but I can see why they did, at a couple of stages there was nobody, so it was pot luck we stuck to route. Even at the very end we nearly look an accidental shortcut to the finish line across the field. The marshalls were all very friendly and supportive and had all the best intentions. I don't really have any gripes about the race or curcuit, OK the medal was naff but i wasnt running for the medal. Overall i enjoyed it a lot, slightly challenging, and i would recommend it to runners who are accepting of the quality you'll get from a smaller scale event.
Date of review: August 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: redjelly
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In full: Fairly tough course took me through some pretty places on the IOW. However this did not make up for very poor organization - namely, lack of signposts/marshalls enroute, not enough waterstations. Having made considerable effort to get there, really wondered why I'd bothered.
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Rob LA
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Disappointing
In full: I don't know the IOW particularly well but I'm sure there must be a better half marathon course than this somewhere on the island. Most of the course was on traffic clogged A-roads with no pavement and poor direction. Medal didn't even have a ribbon!!
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: keith foley
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Definitely a small scale club run
In full: Came over with the wife and kids to do this so at least I had somewhere to leave my bag which was otherwise poorly organised and it sort of went like that all round. Lack of marshalls compared to just about every other half I've ever done (and I saw several runners heading back towards us having gone the wrong way). This is fundamental to organising a race I think. Understand the traffic but didn't find it a problem. Medal is woeful - would be better to put the money to charity than provide something so poor. The route itself was challenging and there was a great atmosphere amongst the runners. Far better than running on your own in a training run but not much of an "event".
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Grayster H
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hilly course with some lovely views - worth the trip
In full: You get what you pay for - and when you pay £8/£10 don't expect goody bags, super medals and t-shirts or traffic-free roads. This is a club race and IMHO a pretty good one. Low-key can be good The course is pretty hilly for the first 10 but then has a fast and kind last 3 miles. I heard about some of the leaders going off the wrong way and I can guess exactly where - there was a left turn followed by an almost immediate right turn. I was on my own and wondered which was to go but then saw the sign but it wasn't obvious - a marshal was needed there.
I would like a ribbon added to the medal with a year on it though. And like normal, I'd like orange squash added at the water stations.
The ferry over and 1930s tube train journey is always fun with the kids and makes the event a little different.
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Duke Toblerone
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Did what I came to do!
In full: I entered this race hoping to beat my old PB back in seaford and smash 2hrs. Luckily for me I finished on 1:59 dead, which was surprising after having so many stops and also being blocked by a slow bus!
At one point the race route wasn't defined enough and had a difficult choice in deciding whether or not to trust the smiling runner in red who pointed out the next road for us.
I didn't mind the medal having no ribbon at the end, but not even having just a digestive biscuit or banana at the finish kind of put a dampener on the event for myself (This is what I got after Seaford HM. I know there was hot food in the rugby club but you still had to pay for it!).
Highs:
-Banter with other runners suggesting "slipstreaming" the bus that blocked our way!
-Beat 2hrs and set a new PB!
-Seeing the sights the day before.
Lows:
-No goody bag :(
-Traffic was bothersome at the start.
Date of review: August 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jock Itch
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Was in a group of three in 4th place at 6 miles. First two are way ahead and long gone, come to a junction, which way do we go ? no marshall, no sign. Went straight on. wrong. Ran an extra 2 miles along with around probably 10-20 others. All it would have taken was a sign, a right turn sign. Tapered for this race, paid money to come over. Not happy. Thanks to all the other marshalls who helped out.
Date of review: August 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Kathy123
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Best half-marathon I've ran so far!
In full: I thoroughly enjoyed this event. The organisation was brilliant, with plenty of drink stations and sponge stations as well which were a lovely blessing in the blazing heat!
Fantastic value as well, at just £10 for on the day entry. Quite a hilly route, and as it is all on the road, perhaps not as picturesque as it could have been if it had encompassed some off road, but nonetheless, I really do recommend it to others.
:-) x
Date of review: August 15, 2010
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