BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: samantha george
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: back of the pack meant zig zagging through walkers but fantastic atmosphere and lots of fun!
In full: i was at the very back and struggled to pace myself how i had planned because of the shire volume of. Disappointed i didnt do nearly the time i had hoped but fantastic experience and would do it again!!
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: windy treadmiller
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great race but could be better
In full: I'm not the fastest runner (finished in 2hrs 4mins) but was at the back of the starting line up so spent the entire race zig zagging between run/walkers.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Sarah Gowers
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: An amazing event but could still be better!!!
In full: Considering you need to be in your starting areas so early definitley not enough toilets.
I wasn't allowed in to my allocated area even though I tried to get in 30 min before the start so spent the race dodging people.
But an amazing day, I will be definitley doing it again (if i can get an entry)...
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Nicky R
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A 'got to do race'
In full: but i think that once may be enough, i really enjoyed the race, spectators and volunteers were fab! Took nearly 2.5 hours to get back to Whitley Bay and T-Shirt could have been a wicking one were the downsides to the race. If i do again i won't take spectators.
Got a PB so really happy with that!!
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Artie Fufkin, Polymer Records
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Much faster this year in pen B rather than pen H last year!
In full: What a contrast to last year! In 2007 I was in pen H and was hemmed in all the way. A solid wall of slower runners blocked the way so I had no choice but to run it slow.
This year, in pen B, the road was wide open. The field had thinned out so much by mile 5 that as I passed the Nike "3 miles downhill from here" sign, you could count the number of runers in sight on one hand!
This made for a big PB but running around almost on my own did make for much less atmosphere. To all those annoyed at being hemmed in, as I was last year, the large field does have its advantages.
If you're at the front, enjoy a very quick race, if you're further back, enjoy the crowds.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: ian bar
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: best gnr ive done yet
In full: definatly my best gnr yet (done 3 so far) i do agree that the allocation of where you start needs to be more proven that would help stop the dodging quite abit. did it seem more crowded this year? i couldnt move at all at the start. i will be back next year, hopfully getting a bit quicker again.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: peter rittenberg
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: one of the best days of my life
In full: what a fantastic day ; it was my first half-marathon the people of newcastle were magnificent and got me through this wonderful run;
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: embo78
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I love this race
In full: I love this race. 2nd time of doing and i really feel quite emotional about the whole experience. A few things though:
1)I'm no speedy gonzales but really do wish that allocation in starting pens was decided on proven ability to run this distance. I was in green zone H, I assume two hours plus, and by mile 1 I was passing orange bibs who were walking. After the race somebody who was sitting behing me on the bus said that she put down that she would run it sub-2 hours, having never ran this distance before, but actually ended up doing in 2 hours 33minutes. In the grand scheme of things it's not too important but would be fairer on others.
2) Would appreciate more organisation at the end of the run. 5 guys in hi-vis jackets standing around talking to each other about buses does not help. All people want is to be told where to stand and there be some of obvious form of organistion, not an apparent free-for-all.
3)head-phones. just a general gripe I have and partly directed to the lady who swore at me at 8-9 miles. I'm sorry i accidentally nudged you however I did say excuse me before I tried to pass you. had i realised you were listening to an ipod i would have tried again. Maybe if you enter again you will consider not wearing headphones during the race and get to experinece the whole atmosphere and interact with your fellow competitors.
Otherwise, lovely, lovely awesome. thankyou Newcastle/Gatehead :)
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: brimmyy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This race was the best party I've been to in ages!
In full: Forget your time and soak up the atmosphere in the greatest fun run in the world!!!
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Anthony Blacker 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Vastly improved, but could get better
In full: The organisation has improved greatly since 2003. However if I have a gripe it is that not enough recognition is given to those runners who have completed all the GNRs. I've now done all 28, but we never get a mention by Sue Barker, Brendon Foster or Steve Cramm. As 2010 is the GNRs 30th birthday, hoe wabout giving us some sort of special reward - like free entry for life.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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