Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: dominic somerville
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great organisation, course tight in many places amd too crowded
In full: My 1st flm and was very impressed with the race day organsation - best ever. The last 2-3 miles where sensational and the crowds great.
Parts of the course where too tight and it didnt take too much for there to be a blockage and stride broken. Scenery great at end but average generally.
Day made very difficult by very high temperature but still emotional to turn left into the mall and stretch out to the finish.
Time was 20-30 mins outside of training which the crowds and the temperatures played a big part. Not sure about again - seems a shame to hit a training plan and then lose out to the weather.
My advice - go to New York!
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: David Guiel 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A carnival atmosphere with superb support
In full: This was my dream race. Possibly my one and only marathon and it had to be London after watching it for years on the television. I wasnt let down. The crowd were amazing, the marshalls and water tables were the most encouraging supporters you could hope for and the other runners were like friends. All this topped off with Richard Branson greeting me aty the finish line. Truly a day to remember and a near perfect experience (the sun was the only drawback and was stifling for at least 4 miles). My finish time was slightly worse than planned for, but this did not affect the smile at the end.
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Peter Morgan 7
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My 2nd marathon in a week, which made the mall even more special!
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: AF_MURPHY
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic! Unbelieveable! Awesome! Grrrrrreat Race!!!
In full: Didn't think it would be this good. With so many runners you'd think it may cause a problem, but it was very slick. Crowd support was out of this world. Water stations/Lucozade/vaseline/gel stations were manned brilliantly. Run through showers were fab. Never been to a race this big but it would take some doing to beat it. Getting to London and Excel and the start line was so easy. The views are not the best, it was stunning running over tower bridge, under Canary Wharf and towards big ben, but apart from that not a huge amount to look at. Cutty Sark not on this years route - I will be back to see it though!!! See you there soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gibbon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: emmy-lou
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Astonishing, uplifting, hot, painful, fantastic day
In full: It goes without saying that the London Marathon is simply THE one race you have to do in your lifetime. Having now done it, I have to say it lived up to all expectations. An amazing day, totally worth all that toil. Do it.
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: BIGMIKE
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Amazing!
In full: If you're after a marathon pb you're going to get it here - subject to the weather!
Cannot be faulted. As a Good For Age runner, I really appreciate this system!
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Philip Broadley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A once in a lifetime experience
In full: A personal challenge: to run my first marathon at 50 and raise some money for two great charities. I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I might just have to do it again.
As others have said, great organisation with so many little things coming together. It was great that the marshalls had a word of encouragement when you collected water -- how many thousand times did they do that? So much encouragement and entertainment from the crowd.
Thanks to the RW pacers at 10 mins per mile. They stopped my from going off too fast and I kept with them to Tower Bridge when I lost them in the crowd and settled to a slower pace. Managed 4:38 with which I was really pleased given the heat. Have little recollection of miles 21 to 25 --we were all finding it tough but Big Ben to the Mall gets you going again.
The finishing line arrangements best of any race I have done, I was through in no time but Horse Guards Parade was congested. I doubt much can be done given the numbers, but I had a miserable 20 minutes until I found my family.
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jacquie Millett
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Thought I wouldn't like a crowded, city marathon complete with characters in fancy dress - how wrong can you be?
In full: Brilliant race. Fantastic atmosphere. Wanted to thank every spectator personally. Organisation faultless. Lucky enough to be in smaller green start - crossed the line in seconds. Volunteers and marshalls so helpful all along the course - was particularly touched by baggage people clapping as we walked past at the end and this was after over 8000 finishers. Made to feel very special. Surely it doesn't get much better than this? Will definitely be back next year.
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Unsafe Breadbin
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Still the one
In full: What's there to add that hasn't been said already? The course that takes in everyhing about London, both rich and poor. Supporters that are magnificent, uplifting and can obliterate any demons sat on your shoulder. Water/nutrition whenever you need it and the most memorable finish straight of all. No wonder people keep on applying year after year just to be given a chance to take part. Top marks again.
Date of review: April 20, 2011
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