Isle of Wight Marathon and Half  Here's how RW members rated this race (138 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Patrick Lines
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Get what you pay for! A good, club organised, run with decent scenery
In full: Understand the gripes about traffic and the perfunctory medal but this is a decent race amongst some good scenery and at a more than reasonable price. As long as you're not expecting a top of the range event unlikely to be disappointed.
Date of review: August 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: scoobyroo
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Busy roads; lack of marshalls; no bag drop-off; poor medal. Don't bother!
In full: When you consider the effort and expense which most participants go to in order to take part in this run, I think that we have a right to expect something better than this. The race is on some of the Island's busiest roads (mostly without footpaths), and the constant cars and caravans pay scant attention to the runners as they drive past. There's not even any reward to be had in the scenery!
It was particularly soul-destroying to then end up running the wrong way due to a lack of marshalls at a critical road junction - a whole bunch of us did this, losing several minutes in the process.
No finish clock (had punched my watch in protest at 13.1 miles on my Garmin, expecting to then at least see what my 'official' time was!). Pointless medal with no ribbon at the finish. No goody-bag. No secure organised bag drop. Very poor indeed.
Date of review: August 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Pie Addict
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Not as hard as I thought it was going to be
In full: This was the first time I had taken part in this race but assumed it would be along the lines of the Ryde 10 in Feb. Actually the hills were not as bad as I was expecting and I managed a personal best at this distance so it is possible.
The organisation wasn't great, with cars driving through the start right up to the last minute and the bag drop wasn't exactly as secure as it could be. I entered on the day and queueing to register seemed anathema to some people. Once underway there was lots of traffic, which was reasonably considerate to runners, but most annoying were some of the lead runners getting lost at a roundabout with no marshal(I think they ran an extra 2 miles!). This needs tightening up for next year.
Also Ryde Harriers seem to be conducting a crusade against MP3s, which is disappointing as it will discourage first timers and fun runners.
On a positive note, the race itself was really rewarding, with some challenging climbs which tested the legs. Thank you to all those who encouraged the stragglers up some of the final steep climbs - really supportive. I would definitely do it again but it would be improved by a bit more organisation.
Date of review: August 15, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: Neil_C
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: 1st time running this race and my only my 2nd ever marathon. Some tough hills especially the last very long one. Sometimes I was running on my own as the field spread out but the marshals and specators were very supportative. Would have like a ribbon for the medal so you can put it on when you finish.
Date of review: October 31, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Lorna Carter
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hilly but great marshalls and very nice people!!
In full: The IOW is a special place for me so I loved this race, even though it was very hilly and the last few miles were ever so slightly punishing!! Would definately recommend hill training for this one! Marshalls were very friendly and gave some really encouraging comments, thanks to you all! I liked the medal as where else would you get one in the shape of an island, cool stuff! Finally a big thank you to a very nice man who gave me encouragement in the last half mile when I really needed it, for me that summed up racing and running in general! Will be back next year for more hills!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: fotki.com/slonge
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great marshalls,organisation.
In full: Great value, nice touch with your own drink drops. nice facilities. just a little shame that the medal didnt have a dated ribbon!, will have to find one to hang up with my others medals!
Date of review: October 5, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Andy Morris 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough
In full: I have mixed views of the race, the actual course was ok but was mainly along busy A roads so there was too much traffic for my liking. The marshalls were fantastic and the race was well organised. I liked the medal at the finish and for the entry fee it was well worth doing.
Date of review: October 5, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Fenland Runner
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Undulating!!!!
In full: For a flat land Fen dweller this was an interesting race!
Date of review: October 5, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: COLEEN BIRCH
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: hard hilly course with not alot of flat but i was expecting that,Most of the race is on main busy roads with buses etc whizzing past,some without any pavemnets & quite dangerous in places & very boring.on a more positive note plenty of water & sponge stations & friendly marshals.All for a tiny medal (that didn't even have a ribbon)
Date of review: October 5, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Simon Lynch 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: An absolutely fantastic race that lived up to all the hype in many ways.
Date of review: October 4, 2009
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