Taunton MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (95 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Charliesangel
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised local race, well done!
In full: Great race in my home town so knew the route well. Started bang on time which meant no hanging around in the cold. Quick 1st half with lots of chatting with other runners. Good support along the way and the marshals were great from those managing the traffic to the water/sponge stations. It was a cold day with snow showers at times to a big well done to them for standing out there for over 4 hours. Thanks guys! Fairly lonely 2nd lap as most of the half marathoners had finished (very jealous of them at mile 13!) but the support form locals/marshals was still fantastic. Got really hard from mile 17 onwards but the words of encouragement from other runners as I passed was amazing, a real sense of being in it together. Good spotting at the end, the commentator had my name called out within seconds of me turning the final corner. An amazing 1st marathon for me (3.39) and my sister was 1st lady! A really well organised event, couldnt have asked for better for my first time around. Should be in London next year but will definitely be back at some point to revist that awful Rumwell Hill!
Date of review: April 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Mixy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice friendly race
In full: I've been waiting to run this for years - so thank you to the organisers for going to chip timing so that I didn't have to time-keep! Thoroughly enjoyed the day, running round with a team mate for the half and then driving round to support the four Club mates in the marathon - or at least the two we could catch!
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Jack Stam
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised race - even kept the snow away
In full: A stress free race due to clockwork organisation. I last ran the race in 2006 and the new course is a great improvement by avoiding the park in the early miles. Unfortunately Rumwell Hill was as bad as I remembered which dented any aspirations for a PB.
Well done to the organisers and the marshalls. I look forward to next year.
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: jk10k
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: it's a cracker
In full: A GREAT BIG "THANKS". To all of the marshalls,and all the helpers at the sponge and water stations.A well organized race, weather a bit strange but spot on for running.This race did me a lot of damage last year,but put that to rest with a personal best this year...If Steve and Brian are reading this, "Thanks alot lads for your support and letting me tag along, Hope your legs arnt as sore as mine." Will be there next year definitely
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Lee Cowling
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Two lap course with one short hill towards end of lap consisting ofrural roads
In full: Through town at beginning of lap then out into country lanes The hill towards end of lap is short and sharp but managable even for runners towards back of field like me
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Peter Grosjean
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good course, great support, weel orgainsed & good value
In full: Left home in the snow but good conditions in Taunton. Start was a little congested but chip timimg helped. Good facilities in the college - 10 mins before start and no waiting at the loos!! Well organised and marshalled. Great crowd support. Well organised at the finish too(unlike Bath!!) - nice medal and T-shirt - great value. Slightly different course since I did this in 2006. Had hoped for a pb but was 1 minute slower. However, I was 7 minutes faster than in 2006. All in all a good event!
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ima Gazelle
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb organisation, great course and you even managed to fix the weather!
In full: Well done Taunton. First time for me at this one and it is now an annual fixture. Loved it. Great course with a good mix of town and scenery and just a couple of hills to keep it interesting. Four of us came down from Worcester and all went home with PB's so it's deceptively quick as well. All helped by near perfect weather and great facilities when you get back.
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Restlesslegs
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Once again my home town race does me proud
In full: The weather forecast was not good but in the end the weather was pretty much perfect although is it me or did it seem windier on the second lap?
I missed by PB by two minutes but put that down to being under the weather the week before. I had cramp in a calf at miles 16 to 18, but ran it off - I didn't know you could do that!!
The marshalls were really great as ever, I think they are a cut above other races and the encouragement near the end was really appreciated - thanks.
No real complaints, the start is a little crowded, and I found it impossible to start in the right place but I did arrive late. I have no complaints about the new route, theres little difference truth be told.
Once again, well done Taunton, and see you next year (hopefully my knees can't read!)
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Dave Morris
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A well organised event like clockwork [ take note Bath] .Parts of the course lacking in atmospher e
In full: The event was very well organised and started bang on time. All marshalls on the course and baggage hall were brilliant. Must learne to drink out of paper cups while moving?.The course deserves better support from local spectators as some parts of the course seemed like a training run. The hill at the end was a welcome like a hole in the head.Overall a well attended event that put Bath to shame.
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: PMG
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: This an excellent race overall, well organised, friendly Marshalls, good local support, great course and the cool sunny (with a dash of snow) weather was perfect.
In full: I was looking for PB Marathon course and I'm glad I decided to go for Taunton. It is a fairly fast undulating course with testing hills but also good downhill sections. I my opinion the run up to Oake on the second lap seemed tough but it was still possible to maintain pace through this section. You have to budget some time for the Rumwell Hill but it is fast to the finish from there. I achieved my first sub 3:30 (and some) and even shaved a few secs off my PB half.
The start facilities in SCAT were excellent with plenty of loos throughout the campus and short queues. The course was well signposted with lots of friendly Marshalls, young and old, keeping things in order. The finish line was well organised, with plenty of room & time for Marathon finishers to enjoy the moment. The Medal, T-Shirts and results were promptly posted near the finish line.
A minor suggestion: As there aren't that many Marathon runners I would suggest having water available at the sponge tables on the second lap. Hand out the water and leave the sponges, in water filled trays, as a self-service item on a nearby table. OR just drop the sponges altogether as you can always throw a cup of water over your head.
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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