BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2007 race reviewed by: Elaine Ferguson
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Everyone should do this race in their lifetime
In full: 2nd time I've done this race after a few years of watching it on telly in Cardiff wiping away tears at all the amazing stories of the runners! Enjoyed the race, though hillier than I'd remembered!
Finished in 1h 48- a bit slower than I'd hoped but unfortunately took a bad turn (very unexpected as a regular triathlete & road runner!) after completing the race was taken to 1st aid tent. After 2 drips, oxygen & a trip to the hospital I was sent home with no clue as to what happened to me, but the experience was only more evidence of the great organisation- I remember a fellow competitor holding my hand & helping me find my family, when I collapsed 2 spectators immediately came to help me, an ambulance turned up very quickly, the 1st aid tent was impressively staffed & equiped & the hospital had 2 full wards on standby for GNR casualties!! I can't thank these people enough!
Date of review: October 3, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: 5pints
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I just love this run!!
In full: This is my 5th GNR, 1st for a few years. The organisation in my view has improved and the pens is a much better way of making sure you get as clear a run as you possible can when running with 50,000 other people!. OK, I was lucky to be in the 1st pen and so after first mile I had clear(ish) run.
The support is amazing although did seem short on numbers at the start of the 12th mile when you really need them!
This is one race that will be on my race card every year.
Date of review: October 3, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Kathryn Nicholls 2
| | 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 short: 3rd time and still love it!
In full: I had the most fantastic day on Sunday. Organisation at the start has improved which means that runners are mainly allocated a start area which corresponds with their ability. As always the atmosphere was amazing and the camaraderie between the runners was great. Loved it and will definitely be back in 2008!
Date of review: October 3, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Waytogoyet
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: For serious ish runners its a bit of a nightmare with the pens, it would make a brilliant 1st race or 1st attempt at the distance
In full: I put down a fairly fast time, and was still put in the white section. Luckily I treated it as a long training run, but If I'd spent all year training for this I wouldn't have been very happy. Must have had to get past about 10,000 people, which meant the pen system certainly didn't work in this instance.
Good atmosphere and I think the course could be fast.
The only way I would do this again is with a first timer or if I started infront of most people and really went for pb
Date of review: October 3, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Xan
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent day once you are out running, great atmosphere.
In full: This was my 1st half marathon, the start was a little confusing as it seemed we set off earlier than stated in the magazine?, pulled my calf at 5 miles so had to slow the pace down, the crowds and the atmosphere got me to the finish, the finish was a little confusing for my other half who was waiting for me as there appeared to be no signs around South Shields. The drive out of South Shields is a nightmare and is so sloooow. I would do this race again as I didnt do it justice this year.
Date of review: October 3, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Boardgrrrrl
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A day to remember! I had a fantastic race experience!
In full: It was my first GNR and first half so I was a bit nervous, but from the start to the finish the crowd spurred you on - thanks for the lemon tip top at mile 9 yum! The Nike wall of sound was excellent although it didn't go on for long enough.
I thought I'd be queuing for ages for EVERYTHING but the longest wait was for the loos at about 9:30am. I think we waited longer for those than for the Metro at 4pm and the queue for that was 5 times as long!
Goodie bag was a bit disappointing - dried fruit and a fishermans friend urggh! The one from Help the Aged was better with a nice chunky cereal bar and some Body Shop freebies.
The only real bug bear was the rude runners who couldn't wait until there was a big enough gap to pass you and barge past and then pulled right in front of you so you're almost tripping up on their heels. But this happens in every race so it's not a GNR thing, it's a general lack of courtesy.
Date of review: October 3, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: suerunner
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Hard but great
In full: My 6th GNR (at the age of 23) and at last the start seems to be well organised.
I am not a fast runner and put an honest estimated time of 3hrs. Was near to the back, but once the gun went, it seemed to be flowing quite smoothly. None of this stop start of previous year's.
Did notice on the big screens that some coloured numbers had got into the "faster" pens. What's the point in this system if marshalls don't stick to it all the time??
One point, please respect the faster runners and let them have their day. Us slowies can still have a wicked day out without impeeding theirs. And apart from the pen gripe, the marshalls were fine.
Wicked crowds!!
Date of review: October 2, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: chris hight
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: At least I have done one.
In full: Dull Dull Dull... very little support from crowds and daul carriage ways just don't do it for me...baggae a bit of a joke..just dump your bag on a bus then walk wahat seems like a mile to get it back,if the bus number has not come off your hand..where were all the crowds..down at the last mile, my wife who has mobility problems found the finish area to spread out.. South Shileds though should be proud of their sea front..nice flower beds.
Date of review: October 2, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Lee Cunliffe 2
| | 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: Brilliant
In full: This was my first GNR and 3rd half. Managed it with a very bad ankle and just 31 mins over my pb. Great support from the crowds and the use of showers. Can't understand the number allocation though. Was in green with a last time of 1:46. I was passing less fitter and faster people than me with white or orange numbers. Not impressed with that. Respect from the walkers etc, move to the side of the road. Those with music, look where you are going, not barge past people and jump in front of them or even block them. That was my only complaint, oh apart from the guy trying to stop people getting into their pen, wake up and get some common sense fella. More toilets as well, I had to settle for the good old rocking bog, interesting. All in all I had a brill race and if I can will defo do this one again. It is a must do at least once race.
Date of review: October 2, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: SuperRunningMum
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A Great Day!
Date of review: October 2, 2007
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