Abingdon MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (556 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Brian Matthews
 | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Flat course, good organisation, but twisty course and no hot showers
Date of review: October 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: BP1
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A very fast marathon!
In full: A great race with some good support in places. Not the most interesting of routes at times, but if you're looking for a fast course this is one of the quickest. Special thanks to the marshals who did an amazing job keeping the runners safe and offering support. Nice t-shirt, and a very shiny medal! Many thanks.
Date of review: October 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: TooManyTrainers
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A Flat and maybe fast, but not easy course -
In full: I hate to be critical as I can only imagine the huge amount of effort that must go into organising any road race; let alone a marathon that has adequate toilets at the start, showers (although they were too scaldingly hot to use) which doesn’t involve running 6 laps of a trading estate. But I found the Abingdon course to be a bit too narrow in too many places (and this was near the front end of the field), with footpaths that you couldn’t overtake on and pavements that were both narrow and interrupted with driveways every few meters. The section through the town was also quite twisty and on the way out (at 5 miles) with the number of runners around there were a few too many bollards to negotiate. Support was good through the town and at a couple of patches on the course, but the run into the finish was quite lonely – I guess everyone was waiting in the stadium.
On the plus side: the marshals were copious, friendly and helpful – advising on rough patches of pavement and aforementioned bollards, as well as offering general cheer and encouragement. Water stations every 3 miles were great – meant you didn’t have to worry about missing your mouth with the contents of the cup. Toilet queues some of the shorter I’ve encountered – although
One final point, that I’m sure many will think if not greedy, just churlish – but a small prize (vouchers from a sponsor would suffice) would be much appreciated for what was literally a marathon effort. – Oh and maybe be a bit more realistic in the race day timetable about when the prize presentation will happen. I missed having a much needed massage as I thought the presentation was imminent.
Date of review: October 21, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Laura Homer 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great marshals, great support, and flat!
In full: Had a really enjoyable run.... This race is flat and greatly organised. It had a lovely atmosphere and everyone was very encouraging. Great PB and I achieved mine... Would recommend this enough runners that you don't spend miles on your own.
Date of review: October 21, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: ringo100
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Twisty bendy route flattish
In full: Well organized run. Course is ok varied route and is flat but still feels like you running slightly up. lots of crossing of roads and some of the surfaces very hard on calfs. Great support from locals and great marshals with well organized water stations. Nice medal and excellent t shirt. Nice cryotherapy showers at the end.my third marathon of the month so fell short of a PB but well worth it.
Date of review: October 21, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: david goodwin 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Cold shower was not ideal.
Date of review: October 21, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Hackers
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Fast, flat, PB potential. Slick organisation and a varied rural route.
In full: Flat as a flat thing! Definite PB potential. Very well organised with good support and excellent marshallers. I did hear a few pre-race grumbles about having to run through and up an underground walkway!?! Alright, any incline after 25 miles isn't the best but please people...I don't think you could find a flatter race if you tried. It did feel a little bit 'clubby' but don't be put off by all those club colours, they were all very friendly which helped make the atmosphere almost like one great big group run with a lot of mates. If you want an end of year PB then book a place...although be quick this one fills up quickly, and obviously so.
Date of review: November 21, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Union Jack
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fast & Flat. Great Organisation.
In full: Have than this race twice gained a PB both times.
Great marshals, track finish is great but the little weave around the park before hand is a little unwelcome - more of a gripe than a moan.
Good feed stations this year - chocolate most welcome. Can I PB next time - back next year to find out.
Date of review: November 15, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Brian.
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Flat, fast, well organised, and the weather was great.
In full: Abingdon itself was nice too. We had a good place to stay (premier inn), only 2 miles from the start/finish. Lots of decent places to eat and drink.
Date of review: October 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: senor spam
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast, flat and fun
In full: The more time has elapsed since the race, the more I realise how much I enjoyed it. Its size (800-1000) runners is a refreshing change from the craziness and crowded nature of the big city affairs; equally it's big enough so that you feel like you are part of a special event, you are always running with somebody else and everyone is there for the duration (unlike many marathons which are run alongside the half, and most participants finish at 13.1 miles).
Great venue - easy to get to, plenty of room to keep warm before the start and to recover and get showered afterwards.
Course has a bit of everything (apart from hills), so country lanes, secluded footpaths, ancient town centre, Thames-side back streets, busier roads and a surprisingly pristine industrial estate. Oh - and the infamous subway. The last bit though is extra hard - a windy bit around the park (or was that just hard because it was at the end of the race) - although the stadium finish made up for it.
Atmosphere was great! Lots and lots of support and encouragement from marshalls and others throughout the course. Marshalls were brilliant, friendly, supportive and great at controlling the traffic. And it felt as though there was a real camaraderie (spoken and unspoken) amongst the runners.
Previously, I felt that there are too many marathons out there to want to come back and do the same one again, but Abingdon has changed my mind. Here's hoping to be back next year! Thanks to everyone involved in putting on such a quality event - a top day out.
Date of review: October 26, 2011
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