Events

Overall score		20%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Too many participants
In full: Badly organised start for the "white" numbers who were a mixture of runners, walkers and those in fancy dress. Discarded black bags could have resulted in somebody tripping and falling flat bringing others down- would the 20,000 folowing on behind have been able to avoid trampling them? Also the race started too late - I had breakfast at 06.30 in order to be sure of getting to the start - no nutrition on the course and no water until 3 miles. So by the time I finished I had not eaten for 7 hrs. True I could have been better organised but how many others were like me - plenty I would guess. There were far too many participants.I spent the entire race trying to get around walkers and very slow runners. Maybe those who want to do a good personal time (however slow) should get away from the start before the fun runners and the size of the field should be limited to say 25,000. According to my wife who was a spectator the metro could barely cope and getting to the finish, including the walk from the southshields station, took 2 hrs from the airport. At the 3rd stop the train was crammed to capacity (600) and unable to take any more on board for the rest of the journey.
Date of review: September 23, 2005

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Fantastic Day, Fantastic Race, Fantastic Weather (too hot really), Fantastic Organisation and deinately coming back
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: 1st time runner had surprised myself
In full: swimmer not a runner, got a chance to run due to somebody dropping out 3 days before the race, thoughts are with the family of the ones who lost their lives.
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Such a big event that I am glad that I ran it
In full: I was lucky enough to be allowed to start at the front, so I didn't have the problems with crowds that others had and ran a respectable 1:24. Atmosphere and Red Arrows were great, but it is so expensive and so much effort getting to the start an hour early, and getting home from South Shields that I'll leave it a few years before returning.
The London Marathon is a superior event in every way.
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Fantastic event, really enjoyed myself!
In full: After watching my mates run last year I was determined to do it and trained my socks off to get there, I wasn't disappointed.

Fantastic atmosphere and loads of people cheering you on (thanks to the kids with the ice pops by the way!).

Will definately be trying for a place in next years race and aiming to beat my pb!
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Too darn hot!
In full: Apart from the weather everything was fantastic. Yes there were walkers but I'd rather have seen a lot more walkers than a lot more people getting medical assistance (very upsetting). On the day the conditions were pretty hard for some people and I think took quite a few by surprise.
It was my first time at the GNR (1st 1/2 in fact) and I was surprised by the continual upward and downward slopes and distinct lack of any nice flat stretches. I was lucky enough not to get nudged or jostled or if I did I didn't notice, worst thing for me was dodging the empty water bottles both on the ground and being hurled through the air to the sides of the road!
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Excellent Atmosphere.
In full: My first half marathon and i can say that it has definately encouraged me to continue with the longer distances.

The only thing that buggs me about the race is some of the reviews on here.....It's for Charity!! people of all abilities are out there to raise money for people who can't run it for themselves and people are inconsiderate enough to complain that they were walking! If you want to try and do a PB then make sure you qualify for the elite athlete entry or at lease get to the fron and give some of these people the encouragement they deserve.

Overall a brilliant day, the spectators were amazing, setting up their own water and shower stations and handing out sweets and ice-pops on route.

Jo. x
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: crowds are great
In full: the GNR has been going for 25 years, but it really could learn a lot in terms of Orginisation for the London Marathon. You have to be there very early to get to the baggage buses , when you get to the end the buses are order. South shields is nightmare to get away from 1 hour wait for the metro back to Newcastle. The £34 entry fee is very high compared with £26 for london and it now all down to a ballot to get in. And Brendon Foster calls it the people's race,sorry but its now the Charities race (20,000) places at £350 to raise in sponsenship
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Lack of water at some stations let it down
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: An experience not to be missed and definately to be repeated. Not the race to attempt a PB
Date of review: September 22, 2005

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