Baxters Loch Ness MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). | 31 to 40 of 59 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
2009 race reviewed by: Hoodedman
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The best marathon to ever be a part of
In full: People have mentioned the buses, well I was sat next to the toilet on one of those buses...rancid!
I was sad to leave Inverness, the event is so well organised, such a great course, such great support from organisers and local villages, great value for money. This is the second time I have ran this event and I will be back for more, I have absolutely no gripes, even had a bar at the end, a pint of sheep shaggers went down a treat....brilliant,brilliant,brilliant!!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: grecian 2000
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: You couldn't come up with a better way to get to Inverness!
In full: The marathon route takes you on a point to point journey south of Inverness on a flat/undulating in parts course through idyllic scenery with the Loch in view at most times before reaching the city's outer limits at about 23 miles. The course is quick but pacing needs to be judged correctly in order to benefit from this. A bit bumpy around 4 and 6 miles, that uphill grind at 18-19 miles, and the final little hill at about 20 miles - if you have something in the tank, you can tackle the undulutations positively and overtake many who have slowed up at this stage.
Despite the problems with the buses, this event is perfectly organised. The three events attracted over 7000 entrants - a great achievement for a location as isolated as this. There was nothing but a warm welcome from the time I stepped off the plane, the pre-race pasta party (with good quality food), a friendly atmosphere once we made it to the race start (information regularly updated re the delayed race start to reassure runners), decent facilities at the start (but you are always going to have queues here with everyone arriving together and desperate for a comfort break after 2 hours on a bus!), and a free post-race meal along with live entertainment. The race was accurately mile-marked, supported with numerous marshals, drinks stations ideally placed with isotonic drinks available about 1/2 mile before water stations (bottles) - perfect for me. Crowd support was sporadic due to the inaccessibility of the course, but the villages were out in force, the gorilla was a real star, and large numbers built up as you approached Inverness. The grandstand finish befitted such a good-feel event, and I had a tear in my eye as the commentator called out my name as I came down the home straight.
The organisers have really put along into this event, and the runners seemed to be their priority at all times. I have nothing but good thoughts on the weekend, and the weather also ended up being perfect for the day.
The marathon medal is something that will be treasured, the t-shirt will be given a good airing over the coming months, and the two tins of soup will be a good post-training run meal (having survived Inverness Airport security).
Thanks to everyone behind the event.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: bedshaped
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic. Loved every minute!!!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Tattie
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Loved every minute.
In full: Despite some of the previous comments, I think this is a definite PB course...... as long as you've trained for the hills that is (down as well as up) and run sensibly.
I've ran this twice and had significant PBs both times - also won a prize this year so very happy.
Was on the clapped out Fort Augustus bus but the pre race hill walk seemed to warm me up and calm my nerves so not so bad in the end.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Pete Beesley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Don't make it your first but make sure you run this at least once!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jwheezy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic Marathon
In full: I really enjoyed this race, I only have 2 dissapointments 1 was the start but we all know what happened so i'm not going to go into that, the other is the lack of toilets at the start, when will race organisers start using the portable urinal's which i've seen at great run race? problems aside this was one of my favorite events, once the start came everything went perfectly, drink stations were well placed and the surport for such a rural surrounding was impressive, thank you. the hills were a problem especially the last one but with more hill training I will give it another stab next year, the end in the stadium was great and all the stewards were great throughout.
THANK YOU FOR A MEMORABLE RACE WEEKEND
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Dive Boy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic scenery, Well organisde, Very Friendly. UNDULATING to say the least
In full: Still aching - definitely needed to do more hill training. Only gripe is that whilst sitting on a bus for over an hour at Inverness we weren't given any updates on what was happening. Apart from that fantatstic organisation.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Chris at no 11
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: My first marathon , couldn't have picked a better one. Yes the buses were a bit of a hiccup so I didn't really get enough time to get to the back of the start and ending up setting off too quickly but that's down to my lack of experience ....thoroughly recommend ...!
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: alasdair macleod 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Friendly runners, friendly marshalls, friendly supporters, not-so-friendly hills
In full: An absolute gem of a race. Even the walk from Fort Augustus when the bus broke down couldn't put a damper on this race. The scenery is magical, although the hills are in tricky places. Even the downhills were tough, as they were too step to really let yourself go, so you didn't get the time advantage you would expect. Water (and Lucozade)stations were excellent and the cadets manning them were extremely encouraging, as were the crowds in Dores and Inverness, as well as the smaller villages en route. I would recommend this race without hesitation, but don't expect a PB, train on hills, and pace yourself.
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mac The Lad (Graham)
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Undulating is a word not to be underestimated
In full: You read about the undulation and you hear about it but its not untill you actually do the marathon that the "undulation hits you"
Dont get me wrong this is a fantastic race and one I would seriously consider doing again but if I could reiterate just one point "Mind the early hills!!!"
Date of review: October 6, 2009
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