BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Stuart Wallace 5
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Proof needed for faster zones
In full: I enjoyed this race and loved every minute but I was in the front of the Green Zone H as not being over ambitious I put a 2:25 time down on my entry. I ran a 1:55 but found myself having to struggle through lots of white and even orange numbers. Surely people in the orange zone and the front white zones should have to have some proof of a time. I know this is not a great PB race but at least make it possible for people to attempt a PB by being put in with people looking for a similar time and are capable of it.
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Anna Reilly
| | 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 full: Always my favourite run of the year - started in the orange zone this year which was a little devoid of atmosphere and a bit more serious(compared to the pink and white zones of my previous experiences). That said, it was nice not to be held up by countless fancy dress outfits and people overestimating their abilities this time!
The crowds are amazing. If you could bottle that feeling you get when you come over the Tyne Bridge and have the Red Arrows fly over you....you'd never need work again.
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jimmy V
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good but could be better
In full: This is my first experience of the Greant North run and to be honest i was expecting better. The atmosphere did not quite compare to a number of other big races that i had done and also the quality of post race mementos were dissapointing given the price. However no issues with getting stuck behind runners etc as i was in the section just behind the elite club runners. In addtion the race was very well organised.
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: James Tellam 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic once again
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Claire Brazenall
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fantastic experience but if you're looking for a good time don't leave too much for the last 2/3 miles as it's too congested to put in a real kick.
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Darren Chaplin 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Andrew Tudor
| | 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: Tremendous day all round
In full: 1st Half Marathon absolutely loved it only negative was that slower runners and walkers don't always take the organisers advise and move to the left of the road so you can get slowed down at times, would have been good to see some reminders or stewards enforcing this.
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ben Younger
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Sort out overweight and fancy dress
In full: I can't understand why overweight and fancy dress runners get to go to the front in this 'fun run'. There should be some kind of system in place where they vet you before you race and if you turn up in fancy dress (not light costumes that won't hamper your run) you head to the pink zone. This race is amazing and the time of year it takes place is just about spot on. Hopefully next year I am able to get a start place past all the false placed runners and go even better.
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jill McDade
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great atmosphere
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Andy Smithsky
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: The most amazing experience for my first half-marathon
In full: I chose this event for my 1st Half marathon and trained from zero fitness in April and was able to run comfortably up to 11 miles, saving the half-marathon achievement until the day. Early morning nerves replaced with excitement as soon as I got the bridge over-looking the start and the two hour wait flew by although could do with some toilets along the outside of the pens as once you're in there's no going back!! Met some friends from RW and others before the start and the warm-up and red arrows fly past was excellent. I started on the left at the start but soon moved over to the right for more space after the Tyne Bridge, everything about the run was well organised, drinks station positions and marshalls and the crowd were exceptional. The rain at 6 miles was refreshing but the monsoon a little later made things a little harder. I won't dwell on someone being worked on by paramedics but my split time was ok for around 2hrs 2mins at 11 miles but unfortunatley my left calf stiffened up on the final climb and by the time I tuned the corner for the final mile it was a case of keeping going spurred on the magnificant crowd and other runners and finished in 2:08:56. Organisation at the end was good and meeting my wife in time for the red arrows fly-past topped off one of the best experiences of my life. I will definitely be back again but now I know that I really need to train to run the distance and introduce hill training although for a first experience completing the distance only on the day adds to the achievement and with over £700 raised for my charity I am a happy runner
Date of review: September 22, 2011
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