BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Cobblers Mark
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great Atmosphere
In full: This was my second Great North Run and it is always a special day. The atmosphere was again brilliant and the weather very lucky too.
Unless you are lucky enough to get near the front, be prepared to dodge in and out of the crowds whilst running.
The locals really embrace the day and the final mile into the finish greets you with a great roar as you approach the line.
If anyone hasn't ran this before, give it go. It may get you hooked.
Date of review: October 16, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: TRacey Foster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent race made special by atmosphere, with crowds lining the whole route.
Date of review: October 16, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: slaphead74
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Loved every minute of it except having to get changed in a portaloo
In full: Great race, worth the overnight coach journey with only 3 hours kip! Had no problems with baggage buses like some. Got Pb's for every distance upto and including the finish. Loved it.
Date of review: October 16, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Goldeagle
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent until the baggage bus.........
In full: Great weather, PB, fantastic crowds. It ought to be perfect but.... From reading other reviews, I was lucky to be towards the front and didn't have lots of problems with overcrowding although a certain amount of dodging from side to side was necessary. Pre-race, during, and the initial finish area were great for me, but the baggage bus experience, chaotic 40 minute wait to get bag back, and then 2 hours to get back into Newcastle, even on a supposed 'priority' coach, took the gloss off a memorable weekend. My first GNR. Not sure about another one.
Date of review: October 15, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: PMJ Willis
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great event. Relax and enjoy.
In full: Firstly, I will agree with others, not one for your PB. Not that the route is particularly hard, but you will be running through the crowd pretty much the whole way.
I will also agree with others that this is a great event though. Great crowds, well organised and the music on route gives you a little extra burst.
Highlights include running over the Tyne Bridge as the Red Arrows do their stuff overhead, and the last mile along the coast.
Unfortunately, my girlfriend decided to watch me start AND finish and try to drive inbetween. This meant a 3 mile walk at the end to find the car! But that was my girlfriends fault so lets not blame the organisers!
Date of review: October 14, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Me and the Mrs
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Will walkers join the pink group!!!
In full: Me and the Mrs managed a pb of 2hr 2:38 and 2hr 00:22 respectively. Ran together to mile 10 and Mrs was stronger at the end and went for a sub 2hr - almost. Hopefully next run out with a more even pace available. Still like the whole camoradory (sp??) of the GNR and will be back next year for No3.
Liked the extra detail available on http://raceresults.greatrun.org/results.aspx
Really well organised, but still frustrating after 200m when people in white phase are walking and chatting on their mobiles. Maybe We'll lie next year as well and move up to orange :(
Traffic home was easier this year and clear down the A1(M)
Date of review: October 12, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: still hurting
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Agree with everything said - do it for great fun and experiance not for a time
Date of review: October 12, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Mal De-Morgan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great experience but not for the serious runner
In full: I thought the organisation was fairly average. Metro trains were impossible to get on, and transport links are fairly distance. However, it does have a great atmosphere and its worth it once in your lifetime. But for the slightly competitive people like me, there are just too many runners to make any ground and found I was well short of my PB. At times I felt it was the Great North Jog. Summary, defo do it once but only for the experience.
Date of review: October 11, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Adam Wilkinson 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Special atmosphere and well organised all round considering the amount of runners.
Date of review: October 11, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Roslyn
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Everybody ought to do this at least once
In full: The route is crowded and if you want a steady pace you're going to have to jink in & out everywhere. But the atmosphere is something else & the crowds are supporting are amazing. The John Reid Road isn't as scary as it sounds if you've had a bit of hill running and the mass moving around you does tend to carry you along anyway. A bit more info from the organisers about the starting pens wouldn't go amiss - like the fact that there's areas in the pens where you can cross the central reservation. And there'll never be enough toilets, but it's still something I'd recommend to everyone.
Date of review: October 10, 2008
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