Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Dicky M
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good, but last one for me
In full: Yes, I know I've said it before, but that was deffo my last London.
Great organisation, absolutely fautless logistics. Fantastic support, smiling marshals, police asking resting runners if they're ok, St Johns doing a great job, London smiling
But, the course is now overfull of runners at 37,000 starters.
This leads to collisions and frustration for the varying paces that are being run. Spectators are encroaching onto the course, further narrowing the space available to run.
The Expo is now nothing more than a commercial opportunity and frankly, although I admire Virgin's business ethos, I don't want it stuffed down my throat - let's all focus on the running.
Finally, there used to be cheese sandwiches in the goody bag !
A sachet of salt - what am I going to do with that ?!?
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
|
2012 race reviewed by: LeeBJames
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Go for the experience alone
In full: My first and not last marathon.
Frustrating that people ignore the timing pens as they are difficult to pass, particularly those running together causing a rolling roadblock. Will do a quieter marathon for a time and come back to London for charity.
Excellent organisation and atmosphere. The people on the streets giving out sweets haven't heard of recesssion and the encouragement was immense.
Put your name on your vest if you run as the crowds love to shout out.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Smartly
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic atmosphere & organisation, but frustrating race
In full: This was my 2nd London Marathon (1st time I've managed to get in since 2007). Training had gone well & I was hoping for a PB but after only 4 miles I realised this was going to be impossible. It was far too crowded & too much of the course wasn't wide enough & just when I thought I was getting somewhere got held up again. So it was very frustrating & I got nowhere near my target (missed out by 20mins & missed out on a PB by 14 mins). Apart from that which spoiled the day for me the crowds were fantastic & the organisation was fabulous, & you cannot beat that final straight running down The Mall.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Matt Kennington
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Incredible atmosphere topping of one of the best days of my life
In full: PB potential is rubbish as it is so busy, but that simply doesn't matter as the event just grabs you completely. A day that I will truly remember for the rest of my life!
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Oompa
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: BEST RACE IN THE WORLD!!!
In full: Second time at London for me, and fair to say it was a lot better than the first. Once through the crowds, netted a 24 minute pb and the day couldn't have gone any smoother. Stunning scenery, amazing organisation (don't know how they organise 36,000 runners when i can't organise two kids to go to school in the morning!), and the support has to be seen to be believed! Thanks Virgin & London... will be back next year.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Neil Bastow 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Highlight of my life
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Frank Wood 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great support for 26 miles
In full: I mostly do small out of town marathons so lining up for the big one was quite daunting. The support was like a wall of noise for 26 miles and it was really amazing. Organisation was faultless and the hundreds of volunteers and the full time team did a fantastic job.
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: sandieh
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: fantastico - great organisation - crowd support - everything a1
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Michelle Aubin
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Challenging but worth it
Date of review: April 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Stevie H.....
| | 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: A day to remember
In full: My first marathon.. and what a day. I will never forget it. The organisation was excellent, the course speaks for itself and the crowd and support was amazing. Would recommend anyone thinking of doing the London Marathon, to go ahead an do it.. you won't regret it
Date of review: April 24, 2012
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
