BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2004 race reviewed by: Tiggs
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Why do all the slow runners start at the front and not where their expected time was too much dodging walkers after only 5 minutes!
In full: I was really looking forward to this but was amazed at how badly organised things were right from the start with the baggage buses.
Really difficult to find family at the end and nearly falling head lond down the bank where they were waiting. And back to the baggage buses too far away from the finish.
Come on GNR you can do better than this, i know it is twice the size of the London Marathon but take a look at them and steal a few ideas!!
The atmosphere was created by us runners would be nice to see a few more locals cheering us hope.
See you next year!!!
Date of review: October 8, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Boyd Black
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My second visit to the GNR, it's just FAR TOO BIG, twice as many entrants as London Marathon over half the distance. As long as you don't want to improve on your time and accept the constant dodging of fellow runners / walkers, good fun. Never again!
Date of review: October 6, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Darnay
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great atmosphere but no PB potential
In full: 47,000 people jockeying for position makes for more of a half marathon shuffle than a run, but what an atmosphere - Superb!
Date of review: October 6, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Steven Crouch
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Were the pace markers at the start line written in a foreign language or was there an awful lot of over optimistic runners!
In full: Also when will race organisers of these mass participation events listen to the runners, that have trained bloody hard for these events and can actually complete the stated distance, when they moan about walkers? Now stopping for a breather is not a criminal offence but people running in two's and three's running in the middle of the road and then suddenly coming to a complete halt really gets my goat (you know who you are and if you came across a runner dressed as a gangster trying to shoot you out of the way! THAT WAS ME!!!)
Date of review: October 5, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: geoffrey gowing
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a great atmosphere
Date of review: October 4, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Chunks
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: If you like running in a crowd, this ones for you.
Date of review: October 4, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: CumbriAndy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Much more enjoyable on a second running. Run this as a day out and a chance to be part of a special event and you will get much more from it than aiming for a time. Yes- it's crowded, a bit pricey and a pain to get away from but well worth it
Date of review: October 4, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: John Roddan
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant - again
Date of review: October 4, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Steve Gentry
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Every runner should do the GNR - Amazing Atmosphere!
In full: My first GNR and half marathon. Fantastic atmosphere and comraderie. Only gripes would be - too many "Fun runners / walkers" at the front - constantly side stepping people from 500 yards out! and scrums at water tables not great but all in all can't wait until next year!
Date of review: October 4, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Lucy Curry 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: How about next year anyone who wants to walk moves to the outside - runners in the middle. If that was clear - wouldn't be so frustrating dodging around people.
In full: Great atmosphere, awful scenery past the Tyne Bridge. But FAB local support - especially the bloke with the garden hose. Walkers did get in the way and stop you getting a decent rhythmn going. As have said above - maybe a "slow lane" is a good idea? If you need to walk - move to the side of the road.
Date of review: October 4, 2004
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