Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: ToughGuyWABBY
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it. What a fantastic experience!
In full: This is a race you must do. I almost gave up attempting to enter through the ballot but gave it one more try and got lucky.
Cannot fault the organisation. Pre race number collection took minutes and I really enjoyed the expo. On race day I attached my number to my bag and left my bag on the marked lorry with very friendly staff. I was in pen 8 so my idea of a fast time was soon dispelled. However, one I got started the pace was good enough to get on target for under 4 hours, but not much faster.
The crowds were fantastic. Great idea to have name printed on vest.
Plenty of water and lucozade stations. Pacers who kept to the correct pace. Perhaps a bit narrow at some points which caused a few issues.
When I reached the finish the brilliant organisation continued. Medal, photo with medal and bag collected all within 5 minutes! I was waiting 45 minutes at the Bath half in 2009! Can't wait to do it again!!!!
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jonathan Gale 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Amazing, emotional, inspirational, phenomanal, please let me do it again.
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Richard Bazeley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This race was one of the best experiences of my life
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Rouser
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Richard Rouse 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jill Whelan 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Awesome day
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Walls
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic run. Great crawds support! Will do again.
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Peter Hern
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Best ever
In full: Having run 17 Londons now, this one had the best crowd support ever. The marshalls as always were very supportive. Queues for toilets at the start were unacceptable and the worst I have experienced in 62 marathons all over the world. Runners finishing area, chip removal, medal, goody bag and kit bag retrieval worked very well, but then trying to get to the meet and greet area was spoiled by ignorant supporters who just pushed tired runners out of the way to get to where they wanted to go. I soon realised what kettling meant! Some sort of barrier one way system might help.
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Welsh Si
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant event, atmosphere - marred by chronic disorganisation at 'meet and greet'
In full: My third London and in terms of the race it is the best organised large marathon there is. The only BUT is the chaos then ensued in the meet and greet area, where thousands of relatives attempted to cram into what became a relatively small space - and then attempted to leave through exits that became severe bottlenecks. I ended up standing still for about an hour and rapidly cramped up and cooled to shaking levels. I reckon that there are around 4-6 supporters for each fun runner, which makes for a massive assembly at the end. This aspect of the event needs to be reviewed.
The only other gripe is the'one size fits all' finishers t-shirt. This has meant that big chested folk like me with lots of 'muscle' cannot wear it, which is a big disappointment.
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Richard Taylor 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Perfect
Date of review: April 28, 2012
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