BUPA Great South RunHere's how RW members rated this race (813 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: James Webb
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great day out. Some inspiring ships. Brilliant atmosphere.
In full: My second Great South and I enjoyed every minute. My time was 14 seconds slower this year, and I'm putting that down to accidentally getting stuck behind the guy in the green Borat-style mankini. Still, he definitely seemed to make the day of quite a lot of the crowd so good for him! I didn't park anywhere near the start so from my point of view the organisation was very good. Could have done with some slightly more kicking music in the last mile. Last year we had 'Eye of the Tiger' but this year it was a bit airy fairy and half the speakers weren't working. Ah well. I'll be back next year.
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
|
2008 race reviewed by: Stormforce
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first GSR ... but not my last!
In full: As a fairly novice (and not very good) runner, this was the longest distance I have ever raced. I loved it, I thought the route was suitably varied, great support all along the route, well signposted as I ticked the miles off, and I managed to keep running until the end, though I'm feeling it today. I thought the wave start for greens seemed a tad chaotic, with A's B's and C's merging, but then I was spoiled by the precision start of the Gt Capital Run. Overall though loved it.
My only complaint, and it has been said before, was one exit out of the carpark which meant I spent my race time again just trying to get onto the road.
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Ouch my piriformis
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great day out and my first ever race
In full: Probably a bit ambitious choosing this as my first race but I did it. The atmosphere around the course was great, lots of support from the residents and the bands, particularly the drummers who moved form mile 1 to mile 6 - thanks. Travel was easy using the train and I could have got there a lot later and spent less time in the rain. Nice medal and T-shirt.
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Philip Owen
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Yet another GREAT South Run. Well done to the organisers.
In full: Loved the race and well done to the organisers. Only complaint is that I received the wrong sized t-shirt. Despite collecting it from the "large" collection point got a small T-shirt (not good for a 14 stone man). Hope the Great Run Team will respond to my pleas and find me a large one for me to wear. Everything else great, even the rain eased throughout the race. Special mention to the car park team who ensured the exit from the common was swift and they were all very cheerful even though they must have been soaking and freezing. I will also mention the crowds who year after year turn out in their thousands to make it a truly memorable event. WELL DONE PORTSMOUTH
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Lil Ms Squirrel
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race, a course and 10k PB for me so I can't complain. Pretty smooth organisation as far as the running was concerned, but please, please, please, PUHLEEZE, SORT OUT THE PARKING!!!!
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Very Old Man
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good race, rain again but NO wind in last 2 miles like last year ( 2007 ).
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: SlowlyButShirley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: This 10-miler is always a 'winner'
In full: My third GSR and enjoyed it as always. My first was in 2005 when we actually had sunshine, so I know it's possible!! The rain again this year didn't dampen spirits though and at least no high winds to contend with.
I was a bit concerned about overcrowding when I read about the record numbers entered this year but needn't have been - the course still catered well for the numbers and there was sufficient space to do your own pace still. The crowd support is always wonderful and the flat route makes it perfect for PB hunters.
Aside from the dire parking situation on the common (only 1 exit - the others temporarily blocked off ... WHY?!!), the Great South Run is always a well organised event and always worth doing.
Will be back in 2009 (but won't be parking on the common next time!).
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Rob Naylor
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race for first-time 10-milers
In full: I avoided the parking hassles by parking at gunwharf. Expensive but worth it, though it does mean a 20 minute walk on tired legs to get back to your car.
I thought the organisation was pretty good really. I had thought the "waves" idea wouldn't work seeing as how predicted times didn't seem to match wave positions very well, but I maintained my position amongst fellow "Orange B" runners until about mile 8 when those doing negative splits were overtaking me in droves...we were thinned out a bit by then and I don't think I got in anyone's way. I can appreciate that fast runners starting back in White B or C might have been frustrated though.
Considering the weather, a good number of residents had turned out to support us and gave people a real boost.
I'll do it again, for sure.
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Brian Sergio-El Diablo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Top race - rubbish parking
In full: 12th time of running in the event, but the parking organisation was the worst ever. If you were parked at the rear of the common, you did'nt stand a chance of getting out as everything in front of you was getting priority. If that was an improvement on last year....then my name is Rocky Balboa - well nearly ! I was the one dressed as Rocky, thanks to everyone for their support around the course - the Rocky music spurred everyone on and your cheers of "YO !!! ADRIAN" kept me going.
RB
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: charlotte davey 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyable run with good organistaion
Date of review: October 27, 2008
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
