Beachy Head MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (509 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Big Philly G
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I love this race, and those glorious hills, again!!
In full: This is without doubt my favourite marathon of the year as its always guaranteed to put a smile on your face even when your body wants to give up. It has to be one of the hardest marathons on the calender bar none as its relentless hills (not little ones either) and final climbs over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head are thoroughly testing even for the hardest fellow. Finishing always brings about a major sense of relief and euphoria more than any other that I know including most ultras too. I always love the jacket spud, sausage and beans at the end which is always a great finishing touch and this year they also had For Goodness Shakes on hand for recovery which for me personally I love.
The only thing I would like to say to the organisers is to get rid of the NEW chip timing as it isn't necessary for this type of race and if it was down to this that they didn't send the numbers out this year, to avoid costs spiraling, then get rid as the chaos surrounding collecting the numbers and chip timings at the start was chaotic and the only part of the organisation that was let down. If not I couldn't care less as this is one of my favorites and I'll always be back, for more punishment. Oh and maybe I'll be able to get over the Seven Sisters without having to walk the ups, just for once.
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Catharine Sowerby
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Beautiful, hilly route; well marshalled and well earned baked potato at the end - wonderful.
In full: Fantastic scenery throughout, especially on this clear, sunny day. Welcoming feeling throughout, with encouraging marshalls all the way along with a fair number of supporters. Results could be published more quickly and more women's toilets please.
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gribb0
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic race
In full: First time I have done Beachy and loved every minute of it even the last brutal miles. Glorious scenery, great organisation and food at the checkpoints - what more could you ask for. We were even blessed with lovely sunny weather. Will have to come back to get a half decent time!
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Miserable Bleeder
| | 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: First Class
In full: What a fantastic day.
Thanks to all the organisers and marshals who helped organise this wonderful event.
I was one of the last walkers to finish, but there was no complaining from the crew at the finish who must have been there since dawn.
Can't recommend this event highly enough, everyone should do it at least once.
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: The Egg
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Absolutely Brilliant
In full: Can't speak (rave?) highly enough about this event - just brilliant - as everyone says hills are killers but I knew that before I signed up - weather, views, marshalls, other competitors, organisation and just about everything make this the best event by miles
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: brendan brendan
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Makes you feel alive and in-the-moment!
In full: Fantastic set up. The course was extremely hard but awe inspiring and wonderfully scenic. The marshalls were fantastic. Only concern was a lack of water at one of the stops. My favourite albeit slowest marathon out of nine done so far but I wasn't too worried about time on this one. One to savour.
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jackie Harrison 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wonderful, even beginners should give it a go - just take your time and enjoy
In full: Loved every second of it, but would I be saying the same if it had rained? More women's loos at the start would been good.
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Matthew Barrett 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautiful views out to sea... well worth the hills
In full: Outstanding views and beautiful course with a great bunch and mixture of people. Wardens and organisers were fabulous support throughout. Lovely drinks stations and food stops (sausage roll really kept me going against the hills). Loved not having mile markers as was busy taking in the beauty and atmosphere instead of worrying about timing and pace. This was my first marathon and wouldn't have done any other. Gutted I missed out on the after race party though as didn't realise there was one. Maybe this could be better advertised next year.
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: pmo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The hills, the hills... are alive with the sound of runners
In full: I'd run on the outh Downs before, so thought i knew what I was letting myself in for. Only Id run over Beachy Head and the sisters in the opposite direction, so was suprised and horrified to find they are even worse travelling east.. And all that after 20 odd miles of all of the other hills in the area. Not for the faint hearted, or those that like a nice flat course.
Organisation was great, marshalls and checkpoints wonderful, particular favourites were the sausage rolls - though I had to stop to finish it (cant walk up hills while eating the pastry delight), and coffee and cake before tackling Beachy Head itself.
Chip timing was welcome, following what I understand was a fiasco with last years results, not necessarily for split second timing purposes, but at least everyone gets recorded :)
I'll be back next year, probably in the rain/snow to see if I can run even one of the sisters (I doubt it)
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: William Layne
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A really tough well organised race. Great scenery but hard as nails hills
In full: As another poster said, forget London, run a real marathon. This is one hard race and I swear all the way round I keep asking myself, why?
But the buzz you get from finishing makes me want t come back for more - a real sense of achievement once you cross the finish line.
Organisation was faultless. I agree with an earlier post, no need for chip timing, losing a couple seconds here or there - really doesn't matter
Date of review: October 23, 2011
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