BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2004 race reviewed by: Linda Cairns
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Too many walkers starting too close to the front
In full: Came from Canada to do the race, the wait at start was too long. Might do it again some time.
Date of review: October 4, 2004
|
|
2004 race reviewed by: ginnie butler
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: terrible litter; long wait at start, shambles at end.
In full: Certainly an experience run, and I was glad to do it, but no way to get a PB as constantly dodging by walkers. Got very cold waiting before the start and wasn't able to hear the start gun so didn't know the race was on!
Date of review: October 3, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Kate Biggs 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lack of portaloos, signage and glucose drinks was a shame as was dodging slow runners and walkers for practically the whole 13.1 miles - would definitely do it again but start much nearer the front!
Date of review: October 3, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Gert Gammelin
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Too few portaloos (why??), water stations too late, no electrolyte drinks (or well hidden), I had to zigzag around slow runners for almost 5 miles. Disappointed with organisation(world's biggest half-marathon, must do better!!), but great atmosphere.
Date of review: October 3, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Paula Green
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: An absolutely amazing run - felt quite tearful at the end!
In full: My first GNR and had an amazing day. It was frustrating having to try to pass people walking within a couple of miles - made me wish I hadn't been honest (tortoise plod 10 min miles) and had stood nearer the front. Was constantly dodging round slower runners for the whole distance but still had a great day.
Date of review: October 3, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Tony Stallwood
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: World's Biggest Fun Run !
In full: My 1st GNR and although I'm only a plodder(10 min miles) I couldn't believe how people were walking after a couple of miles making it difficult to pass.
I even started at the back to avoid getting in faster runners way but I now wish I'd moved nearer the front.
But worth doing for the experience and could possibly be persuaded to do again.
Date of review: October 3, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Victoria Asten
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Too much waiting around at start but worth it at the end.
In full: Runners need to be strictly lined up according to their speed as its very unhelpful when at the 1st mile marker runners in front need to walk! And my start position was correct, 7.5 min mile marker. Make the fat slow ones start at the back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date of review: October 2, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Speedy (Not)
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: GNS Great North Spectacle
In full: Too many slower ranked people starting too far up the field then holding up the people who want to run all the way, no room from start to finish, but still a great spectacle
Date of review: October 2, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Brian Potter
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: It's the the Great North Run
In full: The price keeps going up & up & before long people are going to think is it really worth it?. I think Brendon Foster thinks its the FLM but sadly it isn't. Truthfully apart from the Tyne Bridge the course is a long stretch of boring asphalt. But it is the only chance people like me will get to take part in a world sporting event, as as I'm a Northerner & proud of it I suppose I'll keep coming back.
Date of review: October 2, 2004
|
2004 race reviewed by: Cakes
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent race for beginnres looking to complete a distance. Pants if your looknig for a time
Date of review: October 2, 2004
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
