Milton Keynes MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (160 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Jimbo76
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Terrible conditions, great support, ordinary organisation
In full: Undoubtedly, the marshalling on the course and general support was absolutely fantastic. A huge thank you to those that gave up their time to help, a truly unbelieveable effort in biblical rain and cold wind.
The course was perhaps more undulating then the organisers suggested (mainly due to the underpasses and the surprise hill at mile 24 - thanks guys!). Underpasses also meant some sharp 90 degree turns.
The need to adapt the course, which increased the distance by 0.23 miles, was unsurprising given the widespread flooding, but still not sure why they couldn't have moved the start line, or perhaps adjusted our finish times to compensate - after all, a marathon is meant to be 26.2 miles - I guess that technically means we all ran an ultra instead!!
The finish in the stadium was oddly underwhelming - no big finish marking - nearly stopped in the wrong place!
Goodie bag was really disappointing - where was the mars bar or fruit? No t-shirt? For the money it did seem pretty light. Also, would have been nice to have awarded people their medals rather than being in plastic bag in the goodie bag (small point, but for some, particularly those completing their first marathon, it might have been a bit of a shame).
Worst thing, and certainly the most dangerous, was the queue for our bags (and dry clothes) after the finish. Standing in the driving rain and wind for half an hour with nothing worth eating in the goodie bag and no foil blanket was excruitiating. I didn't stop shaking with cold for at least an hour after the race.
Car park was flooded, but stewards on hand to push me in and then out (big thank you to those guys) and the bus was on time for me both going and coming back, but I've heard stories from others that they had very long waits.
All in all, unbelievable support and marshalling (thanks again), very unfortunate weather, I'm sure next year will be better, but I certainly won't be risking it again.
Date of review: May 10, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: stephen turpie
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a good race, but for me to many ups and downs
In full: on such an awful day, when it rained the whole time, the organiser did do a good job, there were still plenty of people cheering you on.
a stadium finish.
Date of review: May 10, 2012
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0 race reviewed by: Russ55
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The Weather was Bad, but the Orgainisation, Marshalling, and Supporters Were Superb
In full: A real challenge for the orgainisers in their first year, it absolutely teamed down with rain all day.
Despite that the orgainisation held up really well, the marshals were superb and the support on the course was fantastic all the way round.
Lovely Medal, Stadium Finish, Lovely Route, Gels, Bottled Water and Energy Drink provided at very high frequencies.
In Summary a fantastic event that will become a classic. Minor items of constructive critisism would be, The Finish being marked with an arch or something, and if the weather is ever that bad again maybe some foil blankets.
Really looking forward to next year :)
Date of review: May 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Ben Pine 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Beautiful route, epic supporters, great organisation.
In full: I really enjoyed this race, it was advertised as all on cycle paths and through parks and that was the truth: very attractive route, despite the horrible weather. Milton Keynes people came out in droves to support. Great race.
Date of review: May 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alison Berry 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: Terrible weather, but well organised
In full: The weather was awful which tested the organisation of the race, but overall I felt it went very well. The race was on time, diversions were made around flooded areas well and the atmosphere was amazing. The marshals were extremely helpful (all smiling) :0)
The buses which ran to the stadium worked very well from the MK Bowl, but not so good after the race - probably due to traffic/bad weather.
Perhaps next time more of the stadium can be opened up to cater for more cold/wet runners.
Well done MK for a superb first marathon!!
Date of review: May 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Nick Golding 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The course was well organised and enjoyable, despite the weather, but the start and finish were somewhat chaotic
In full: Course could be appealing if a monsoon wasn't raging. It was well stewarded and water stations were frequent. However, the lack of toilets in the stadium was poor (how can there be too few in a stadium?) and there were too long queues to reclaim baggage at a time people needed to get into dry clothes immediately.
Date of review: May 9, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: trudie bird
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very well organised and all held together despite the terrible weather.
Date of review: May 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Richard Pateman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Horrible weather; good marshalling; great support
In full: Well done everyone for getting this race organised and keeping it on in spite of the weather. The marshalling was great, friendly and helpful. The support from the locals was brilliant considering the terrible conditions.
The course is good - and in better conditions it will be quite scenic I think. However, the plus point of running on the redways is countered by the fact that you have a lot of small ups and downs in the underpasses. They also get quite narrow in places (especially when waterlogged) so it gets a bit cramped. that may be a problem as the numbers increase.
I didn't have a problem with the start or finish and I was parked close enough to the finish not to bother about the baggage trucks (reading some other comments, I'm glad about that). The goody bag was completely pointless though. If you can't blag anything to put in them, don't bother - just give out the medals and be done with it. I think that a space blanket is a bare minimum. Some sort of nutrition might be nice too a banana or cereal bar perhaps? Fortunately I had all that in the car too.
I'll be back next year if I can. I want to run it in some proper spring weather!
Date of review: May 7, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: themarathonman1964
| | 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 short: My best marathon to date
In full: The organisers and marshals deserve medals for keeping this marathon going in what was the worst weather I've ever endured.
This was my 43rd marathon and definately the best so far - I'll never forget Milton Keynes.
Great goody bag and medal. Stadium finish has great potential and my family loved seeing me on the big screen.
Well done Milton Keynes. You would be getting scores in the high 90's if it had been a bright day.
Date of review: May 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tina McGreal
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, excellent atmosphere from marshals & spectators especially for the first year, shame the weather was awful!
In full: Really enjoyed this marathon even in the rain & wind! Plenty of encouraging marshals and water stations, nice scenic route around MK and then a finish into the Dons stadium. The organisers did everything they could and can't change the weather. The only slight issue was with the baggage claim at the end, abit slow but I think this was due to the terrential rain. Definately looking to do this one again next year.
Date of review: May 5, 2012
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