Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: RRR_Caz
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First timer enjoyed run BUT then it all went wrong
In full: Sorry to say that I enjoyed the run more than my partner watching the race. The area for spectators AND THE BIG SCREEN failing caused chaos and a lot of frustration after many months planning for me to do this event. Got every thing t-shirt medal etc but would have been really angry if missed out like some. Shame the finish lacked control. Can only compare to half marathons but was disappointed at the finish I did think I was finishing on the horse course with plenty of seating for spectators must read the small print in the future. Shame the finish did not match what went before it and agree with others organisers advertising should be questioned.
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: George Macdonald
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good intentions but doesn't quite make it.
In full: I don't think it was as bad as many people say. I thought the start was pretty well organised and the announcers were doing a good job of creating some atmosphere. The first part of the run was literally down hill (with the wind behind us), and felt like cheating. I thought there was good support along the way and the coast road was quite nice. The last 6 miles were tough against the headwind but it had been with us for nearly 18 miles :). The finish was a little puzzling. Why was there an (empty) mini-grandstand after the finish line? Did anybody know why there was a giant screen in the reunion area? Why were there 2 drumming bands in the reunion area when they would have been better employed giving the runners on the course a much needed boost? Why did the shuttle bus drop us off at the bottom of the hill in Edinburgh? I thought the goodie bag, medal and t-shirt were good. Personally I think that selling itself as a (slightly) downhill, fast marathon is as much of a deterrent as it is an attraction; runners don't mind a challenge but do appreciate a good course. Overall the organisers should be thanked for all their efforts, but maybe start with a clean sheet of paper next year?
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: PROBLEM CHILD
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Never again.
In full: To all the wonderfull people who cheered us on through the wind and rain and the people at the drinks stations, many thanks you were fantastic.....To EMF,the finish was rediculous,the medal was poor and the tee shirt could have been given to anyone who finished any of the days events.
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Middle Clare
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A scenic race but not enough water stations.
In full: I enjoyed my first ever marathon but was disappointed by the infrequency of water stations and lack of supporters along the route. The route was picturesque but it was depressing seeing faster runners on the way back when there was such a long run out to go. Was expecting the 'Edinburgh Marathon' to begin and end in the city, not a village so far out. Many of the marshalls were very encouraging and I was grateful to them. Could've done with clearer mile markers, think I only spotted them at miles 13 and 20! I agree that the end was disappointing with it being unclear where to go and not one person saying well done. Liked the tshirt but not so impressed with my medal. Still enjoyed my first experience though.
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Alistair McGowan
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A post-race experience that will live in infamy
In full: I live in Edinburgh and know the setting of the course well, so I was happy enough with the route and knew my way around the start. I'm an experienced runner and I enjoyed myself and could put the headwind down to experience. Several marshals were good crack and joked with me about the lack of hills for a Carnethy member. Thanks to to all the people who volunteered to help. I found the water stations well stocked and had no problems with the mile-markers, although I can usually clock them from a long way off as I am tall.
I did have a wee problem with the timing chip. I read the card that came in with my number and from that thought that I was supposed to leave it stuck on my number. I was a bit puzzled, having used timing chips before, and it appears that if I hadn't been a lazy sod and actually read the race instructions online I would have found out that it should have been attached to my shoelaces as per usual. I also didn't spot any chip return stations, but chip return may have been at the reunion area. Did anyone else have chip issues?
However, I was appalled at the lack of consideration for people at the end of the race. My cousin came up from Cambridge to run the race and got to the finish in a fantastic sub four-hour time for her first marathon. She was pretty shot by the finish, but there was no food available at the finish line, no space blanket and she didn't know her way around. From what I have read on the forum today she was not the only one.
The transport back to Central Edinburgh was in considerable disarray and compared very poorly with big city marathons I have run in Germany. Scotrail showed some flexibility in stopping an extra train, but I still waited around at Wallyford Station for over an hour. I knew it was a bit of a trek up the hill, but I think it came as a real shock to many people. If it had been pouring rain at the end, people would have really suffered during the wait. There did not seem to be any planning for that eventuality.
As for value, I pay about £10-15 for trail marathons where the events are organised by other running clubs. I may not get a bag o' bits at the end, but I have invariably been well-fed and looked-out for at these events. The vouchers in the bag are fairly good for me as someone who lives in Edinburgh and works some of the time in Glasgow, but can't have been much use to the many visitors who came.
For those of you who would like to come and run within the precincts of Edinburgh, I would heartily recommend the Seven Hills Race and Challenge, which goes around seven of the volcanic hills of Edinburgh, including the Castle Rock. The views are amazing. And if you completed the marathon and also do the Seven Hills you get a mention on the 'doublers' page'.
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: stefkirl
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Very disappointing - wont be back
In full: For anyone thinking about running this Marathon in the future, don't bother. The farce at the end completely ruined a less than average race. I don't want to repeat what everyone else has said, but I think you get the message. The medal (and photos) was also very poor, on a positive note I did get a large tee-shirt and was lucky to grab a taxi back into the city.
I wont be back, and have advised all my club members who was thinking about running in 2012 not to.
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: remoh
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: dear oh dear
In full: i only got a number at the last minute so a time wasnt on my mind running the marathon is the easy part the rest is a complete joke i'm not going to say anything as its been said already but they should have a look at how Lochaber and Loch Ness are organised alright maybe smaller but 100 times better
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Cat 4
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Anti Climax finish and bad organisation especially at the finish
In full: Really Really dissapointed by this years race! The finish has been moved from the actual racecourse to a small bit of road outside!! The reunion area was being controlled by a bunch of idiots who have clearly never run the length of themselves as they refused to let tired emotional runners celebrate together as you were not allowed back through the barriers!!! Very dissapointing!!
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gary Pitman
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: GSI fraud. £50 you must be joking.
In full: UK 2nd marathon. You must be joking. Crap finish. Crap medal, no year on medal! ran out of t-shirts, bananas and no any many crowds as i thought there would be. PB potential if the wind holds off.
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Duffs
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor organisation - especially at the finish - t shirts, medals etc could be better (for those that got them)
Date of review: May 23, 2011
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