Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: AF_MURPHY
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Unfortunately I Woz There!!!
In full: Marshalls Brilliant During the Race. Weather Atrocious.
Lack of organisation at the start and finish though. Had to ask if the marathon had been cancelled as the anouncement was not clear and it was said much too quickly as if it was something and nothing - but to me it was a few hundered pounds in travel and accomadation, and six months of training. No medal at the end? Roll on Preston Guild Marathon - October 28th - no accomadation or travel - I live there!!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Matthew Wright`
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Clearly signed, enthusiastically marshalled but chaotic at finish and steeply priced
In full: I guess I can look back in future years and say 'I was there' !
I know I'd only entered the half marathon and would have been justifiably upset had I'd been planning to run the marathon only to have it cancelled at the last minute (literally, give or take one or two !), but yes, I'd say it was the right decision given the twin threats of exposure and drowning. However, given the state of the Greenway, and the blanket rain forecasts, could this decision have been taken earlier ?
Good points : unfeasibly cheery marshalls, palpable sense of relief at the finish
Bad points : steep price - I'm not upset at no t-shirt (got loads of those), but no space blanket and nothing at the finish save for a banana and I didn't have the money on me for a cup of tea or something hot.
Conc : On a sunny day, I can this being a very pleasant half-marathon, with runners lazing around in the field afterwards, and hence less congestion problems. As it was, with a quagmire finish, one over-crowded tent in danger of being blown away and no other facilities, it should have been no surprise that everyone scarpered asap. Better contingency planning required
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alan Mason 8
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good race - disappointed not to be able to do the full but it was a wise decision by the organisers. Supporters and marshalls in plenty despite the atrocious weather.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Van1lla
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Terrible weather, but still managed PB
In full: Conditions truly awful, but battled on to a PB, as it would have been too cold to walk/stop. Disappointed with finish area - runners didnt primarily need cold water, but warmth, but there were no space blankets or hot drinks handed out on line. Course was congested with runners and traffic at times.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alice Rosenthal
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Organisation and terrible weather let the race down.
In full: I was surprised the race went ahead at all given the weather conditions! I was only doing the half, but can see how people got confused by the full being cancelled with minutes to go. Could have done with less volunteers handing out sponges (we were wet enough anyway) and maybe some foil blankets at the finish! I was freezing and a small mug of tea and a bin bag didn't quite cut it... However I did a decent time despite the crazy wind and horizontal rain, and I'd like to come back and run it in slightly less armageddon type conditions...
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: ian ingham
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Should have been so much better - will be back as marshals and volunteers stuck with it
In full: Overall this would have been a very good route and there were plenty of very brave and welcome marshalls and supporters out. The decision to cancel the full marathon was no doubt well informed but I didn't hear as I was at the middle to back of the start line (this was really poor of the organisers). I ended up running a decent marathon pace but if I'd have know it was going to be a half, I've had set my pace targets higher and finished a happier bunny. No doubt I'll be back and hopefully the organisers can take on board all of the words of encouragement and learn from the experience of yesterday.
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Michelle Finnegan
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: the worst race ever
In full: I will try and keep this clean! I have never been so disappointed and angry in my life, they posted on the web on Saturday to say the weather is awful but we are going ahead then they cancelled the marathon with a few minutes to go, we were standing at the start, some people didn't even hear the annoucement, so we were forced to run the half and then they ran out of medals, there was no goody bag, we had to steal water cos there was no-one handing it out - utter bloody joke, fellow club members are totally appalled by the way we were treated, they should have cancelled the day before at least then we would have had a choice and chance to put our half heads on as it was I was just bewildered and unsure what to do, never ever ever gonna go anywhere near this event or the organsiers again. The total lack of respect shown for the runners and the amount of training you have to put in to do this is a compete disgrace, I hope they are ashamed of themselves!!!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jay Moody
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Terrible weather and a difficult decision to go ahead with the race im sure.
In full: The worst weather I have ever run in (including snow). The wind was brutal and it rained constantly. Organisation was good considering but im sure some difficult decisions were made the day before the event as the weather forecast was fairly accurate. Just about got away with it as the river was about to burst its banks. I have run this race in the past and this was not the same at all. Incredibly hard and I must have lost 10 mins off my target time. Hopefully easier next year!
Date of review: April 30, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: jules_perox
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: ++Great effort by all on a wicked weather day!++
In full: Standing on the start line, with more clothes still on than I've ever worn for any other race EVER,we were told that the marathon was off. At first I was a little disappointed having trained hard and was wanting an indication of where I was at time wise. However after only a few rural miles it was evident that this was the right decision. 30mph wind, horizontal rain all added to a grim day. BUT the marshalls were as wonderful as ever. Amazing generosity to stand out in the weather helping, shouting and supporting. Many, many thanks to them. Shame about the weather but I'll be back next year...again!
Date of review: April 29, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lloyd Barton
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: On a dry day sunny day you could knock 5 mins of your PB
In full: Well done to the Marshals for this race today and for standing around getting cold & wet in dreadful weather we had today and then managing to clap and cheer us all on, Wet was not the word ! My running shoes and socks were soaking before we even started, having walked across the grass to the baggage tent, but hey still managed a PB in such a beautiful part of the country ! Will do this race again.
Date of review: April 29, 2012
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