BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Peter Tinsley 2
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: THE half marathon!
In full: Second year, and a pb, fabulous race, when are they going to get technical t shirts though? I've a draw full of cotton ones I never use, and now another one! only a minor moan though, everything else about the day was first class
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: jackie Yates
| | 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: great day out for spectators as well as runners !
In full: This was my first GNR and my first half marathon , enjoyed every minute .. Organisation was fab and considering I had no idea what to expect everything went really smoothly .Only down side to it is that its so hard to run when its so busy . Achieving a pb would prove quite hard purely for the fact that you have to dodge all the other runners (and walkers)! Having said that the atmosphere and the people supporting are amazing , the crowds cheer , bands play and the kids line up for high 5's !The route is good , some slow inclines but nothing major, in all a fab day out .. I hope to do it again next year ....:-)
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: mcs
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Atmospheric with a challenging course for a road race
In full: Enjoyed my second GNR having learnt lessons from last year and getting bag on the bus early and getting in the right pen and going to the loo against every tree possible prior to the start. Enjoyed getting water from Dame Tanni......seeing a few celebs and getting wet at the end. Emotional seeing the Red Arrows No4 lady too.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Bonty
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic day from start to finish.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Donnasib
| | 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: The biggest and the best
In full: Nothing can beat the atmosphere of the GNR. It will always have a special place in my heart as it converted me from the reluctant fund raising 'fun' runner to the racing freak that I am today. For running purists there is a lot to dissuade you from this event. Too big, too busy, too many fun runners etc etc. But for the sheer buzz and joy of running, raising money for good causes, the friendliness of Newcastle and South Shields locals who have their weekend turned upside for this event: Nothing comes close to the Great North Run.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tom F.
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I ran starting from pen B. The 1st mile was very busy as I overtook a few charity runners walking from the start. There was also a slowing down at mile 4, and from there it was a straight journey to the sea side. I managed a great PB of 1:29 on this
In full: really flat course. Organisation is great and apart from the shower 1km from the finish line, the conditions were great. I will do it again!
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: dave charlton 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: Excellent atmosphere, brilliantly run and the whole experience is Fab.
Great to see such a huge event running like clockwork, brilliant for beginners and most people fun for a charity close to their heart.
This event is the one to do if you are a beginner and will be hooked. Runners come from all over the world, and thousands of ponds are raised for charity.
The Start is well run and the finish is brilliant and scenic looking over the sea.
The Red Arrows are part of the Fixture!
Well run friendly staff, and the course markers, water stations and first aid etc is brilliant.
Well Done North East! See you again next Year
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stewart 1
| | 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: A warm welcome from the North East - as always!
In full: Excellent weekend, from the events on Saturday to a well organised race on Sunday. Ordering the rain for me to finish was really welcome, saved me going through the shower tents!
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: dhale750
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Lives up to it's name, and the hype.
In full: This was my first great north run. Atmosphere at the start was fantastic, couldn't wait to get going! I had heard so many hardcore horror stories about how bad the traffic in this race is, and how you can't move for people. I can't speak for everyone, but I was at the back of zone B (the front public zone) and had a few thousand people ahead of me when i crossed the line, and I had no such traffic issues. I finished in 1 hour 28, and was able to maintain this pace amongst the pack for the whole race; yes it was a thick crowd but everyone appeared to be up to speed!
The course was not scenic at all, with the notable exception of the Tyne Bridge, with it being mostly dual carriageway/ residential area. There was a lot of support though, as expected.
Not exactly a fast course despite getting a clean run throughout, but not exactly a fell run either. You're generally either climbing or falling slightly.
Great finish area and intense crowd support at the end, T-shirt and medal are also good. It's a long trip back to Newcastle because of queuing, but you should expect as much!
Overall a great race let down only by some bland scenery!
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Smartly
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent again. My favourite race of the year.
In full: My 4th GNR & yet again a great atmosphere & organisation. Fantastic to see the Red Arrows at the start. Struggled again miles 9 - 12 but managed my quickest GNR so far although not a PB. Only minor moan was the goody bag & quality of the t-shirt were not as good as normal.
Date of review: September 20, 2011
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