BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Mr. K.
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Not the biggest Half Marathon in the World without a good reason.
In full: My 3rd GNR and still the same fantastic event. Now with the City Games & Expo makes for a whole weekend experience (More needed in the expo thou). The crowds were, as usual wonderful giving huge amounts of support from the front runners to the runners at the back. Goodie bag was interesting this year - Fajitas Seasoning Mix - love it. Even with the rain coming down it didn`t damper the GNR atmostsphere. See you next year.
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Vickie Curtis 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic atmosphere - though frustrating from a 'running' point of view
In full: Overall I really enjoyed this iconic race, the local support was truly amazing (fantastic goodies on offer!) and there is obviously a great deal of pride in the event. It did feel like more of an obstacle course though, and I found myself weaving around men in tutus and superheroes and trying not to wipe out on discarded water bottles. Lots of poeple walking after only a couple of miles, and a large number of people (frustatingly) stopping on the home stretch. Glad I did it, but prob wouldn't do it again.
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: RICHARD Byrne 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My 1st GNR. I hope to come back again.
In full: Only my third half, but definately my favourite so far. The atmosphere at the start is amazing, and the support from the locals is a massive boost, everything from oranges and extra drinks to high-5s and hose-pipes. The route isn't the prettiest but that is more than made up for by the atmosphere and the organisation.
I'd have to agree with other posts that the course elevtion map seems tame on paper, but it really takes it out of you on the day, especially that last climb before the drop to the sea. That said, 45s off my PB (more if I deduct my 'pit-stop') so I was well chuffed.
My only gripe would be the unrealistic times people seemed to believe they would run. I'm no speed demon (green bib), but people allocated in my 'pen' were walking after 2 miles and really clogging up the road.
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: David McKenna
| | 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: A experience everyone should try!!
In full: My first half marathon so acheived a PB :-).
Had stood as a spectator a couple of times, and watched ordinary people of all ages, sizes and abilitiy having a great time, which gave me the inspiration to have a go. And after 3 years of missing out in the ballot, entered through a charity place last year only having to defer it to this year because injury :-(
Well worth the wait!!!!
And in the words of Arnie " I'll be back" !!!!!
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Richard Hilton
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic atmosphere and a very well run event
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Bearsted Plodder
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Awesome Atmosphere
In full: As usual atmosphere awesome (no different to 30 years ago when I did first GNR). Organisation perfect. Unique rememberance before race whilst playing Abide by Me reminds you what most people are doing this race for. The numerous people I saw crying at this stage was unique and made you want to run. At last a year where weather was cooler.
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Dermot Toberty
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: WELL WORTH DOING
In full: I would like to say a big thank you to the many thousands of people who make the GNR possible and especially to Brendan Foster for coming up with the idea in the first place.
Everyone should do it once to recognise the great people of Tyneside and their generosity - -whether it be oranges, ice pops, face wipes or even the man on the bus shelter with the hose pipe! It really does give you faith in mankind.
There were some downsides - like the number of people who told had strange views of how quick they would be - maybe vanity for them but pain for people who want to enjoy getting into their stride. Also special mention for those wearing ipods - either ban them or make people run at the back who want to wear them -they are a danger to others!
All in all great but as they say do not expect a PB.
Date of review: September 22, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Ginger Plodder
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: GNR need you say more
In full: excellent organisation in the race
metro strained for spectators and at the end but the people make this a great event, despite the rain the kids were high fiving and oogy oggy ogging forBritain and Metro staff werefriendly and helpful. Despite the travel delays I'll be back
Date of review: September 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: AnthonyQ
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My first and, hopefully, not my last -a great day out
In full: I was fortunate to be invited to join the TV Times team running for Leukaemia and Lymphoma research ("The Banana Army") so got to experience the day as a 'VIP'. A coach to the start and the hospitality tent at the end certainly make bookends of the day more agreeable, but the run was more challenging that I'd expected.
I'd run Hastings in 1'40" this Spring, and thought the GNR looked a lot less steep (at least on the elevation maps). Maybe so, but it seemed to roll - up and down, up and down, all the way to South Shields. I ran the second half seven minutes slower than the first, which speaks for itself.
Still managed to get a PB of 1:37:56 - and a great chat with Sonia O'Sullivan.
The VIP treatment was nice, but 13 miles is 13 miles - I'm proud to have done it and hope to return.
Date of review: September 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: LEE MARSHALL 7
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: ENJOYED MY THIRD YEAR
In full: This was my third year and the organization gets better and better.But its getting very busy,i was in orange D pen and it was very full where i was.In the race i got stuck behind people and was boxed in so many times.I put a time in i knew i could achive,(not like a lot of people, who like many have mentioned walked after a few miles.)Having said that i don t really come here for a PB,i love the red arrows flying over you and the support was fantastic given the weather at times.The marshalls who give there time up were fantastic also.The goody bag this year was very good with lots of content.
Date of review: September 21, 2010
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