Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: jogfatboyjog
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent experience bar the scrum at Horseguards
In full: First one for me and even though I had a bad run I had a great experience. The organisation was fantastic before and during the race and the ideal weather certainly helped.
My only issue was with the absolute scrum getting in and out of the rendezvous at Horseguards parade which took an age and for kids was not fun at all. If I'm lucky enough to get in again I'll learn the lesson and arrange to meet elsewhere.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sarah Mills 11
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic!
In full: This was my first marathon and I will definitely try to get in again. The support from the spectators was amazing and the organisation was fantastic. I was particularly impressed with the baggage lorries, I was handed my bag before I had even reached the relevant lorry at the finish.
The only negative I have is that in my opinion there weren't enough portaloos, especially not to match the amount of water stations! I think I lost about half an hour in queues!
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Cheryl Edwards
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Excellent crowd support ! thank you. The volunteers are all excellent and do a fantastic job. Does get tight, over crowded in places. Done it twice now and will give another marathon a try now and let someone else enjoy the fabulous experience of running this now.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andy C 350
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: An amazing day out.
In full: This was my first full marathon but no my first major event (I have done the GNR and Silverstone halves).
The organisation was very, very slick and the free tube transport on race day was a nice touch too so you dont have to worry about carrying change.
I found the course to be very narrow and crowded throughout the whole race which came as a surprise, i'll never be setting records but I can usually find myself in a bit of space, not here!
There were a LOT of water stations but I suppose it's because they know that there will be many one-time marathoners and beginners running.
I found the finish area VERY slick, especially the medal ramps and baggage lorries. Although Horse-guards was very busy, a guy from our charity found us and took us to their reception.
It was a fantastic day and the weather helped as it was pretty much perfect. Provided I get through the ballot, I will definately do this race again.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Slug Runner
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This is THE race
In full: I've ran every section of the race during 7 years of living in London. This race pieced together 7 years of memories. The crowd, organisers, volunteers and friends and family made it an incredible race from start to finish.
I will forever remember this race. It is the best present London could give me as a leaving gift when I relocate overseas next month. I'll miss you
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: touie2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: great big city marathon with amazing crowd support
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Shelley Basharan
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: FANTASTIC!!!! Would love to do it again some day
In full: Had a FANTASTIC day and the weather was perfect! The support was amazing...I am still boring people talking about it!Lots of water stations - thank you :0) The only thing I would say...and it's minor - is that I thought there might be more of a 'festival' feel at the start like the GNR...BUT it was great to run around my old stomping ground ;0) Defo a life long favourite!
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Dicky M
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good, but last one for me
In full: Yes, I know I've said it before, but that was deffo my last London.
Great organisation, absolutely fautless logistics. Fantastic support, smiling marshals, police asking resting runners if they're ok, St Johns doing a great job, London smiling
But, the course is now overfull of runners at 37,000 starters.
This leads to collisions and frustration for the varying paces that are being run. Spectators are encroaching onto the course, further narrowing the space available to run.
The Expo is now nothing more than a commercial opportunity and frankly, although I admire Virgin's business ethos, I don't want it stuffed down my throat - let's all focus on the running.
Finally, there used to be cheese sandwiches in the goody bag !
A sachet of salt - what am I going to do with that ?!?
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: LeeBJames
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Go for the experience alone
In full: My first and not last marathon.
Frustrating that people ignore the timing pens as they are difficult to pass, particularly those running together causing a rolling roadblock. Will do a quieter marathon for a time and come back to London for charity.
Excellent organisation and atmosphere. The people on the streets giving out sweets haven't heard of recesssion and the encouragement was immense.
Put your name on your vest if you run as the crowds love to shout out.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Smartly
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic atmosphere & organisation, but frustrating race
In full: This was my 2nd London Marathon (1st time I've managed to get in since 2007). Training had gone well & I was hoping for a PB but after only 4 miles I realised this was going to be impossible. It was far too crowded & too much of the course wasn't wide enough & just when I thought I was getting somewhere got held up again. So it was very frustrating & I got nowhere near my target (missed out by 20mins & missed out on a PB by 14 mins). Apart from that which spoiled the day for me the crowds were fantastic & the organisation was fabulous, & you cannot beat that final straight running down The Mall.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
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