Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2006 race reviewed by: Little Lizard
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Brilliant day, blessed by excellent running weather!
In full: Excellent day, and wasn't the weather kind!
The crowd were absolutely fantastic all the way around, picking up on t-shirt names and shouting out encouragement. Special thanks to the mad old gent blasting out music at the end of his drive and that mad hippy woman with the whistle following the course handing out jelly babies.
Nicely undulating course, I was worried about the hills, but there really was no need, I ran them all.
On the downside, price was very steep considering no race t-shirt, no isotonic drinks and water in cups not squeezy bottles. I got all this at Cardiff for the same price.
Anyway, aside from that, fabulous day, lovely part of the world to run in and would defo do it again!
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Al Smith (www.justgiving.com/alansmith)
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well Organised. Nice scenery. Too pricy.
In full: Although it was a pleasant run, I was a bit disappointed with my meal & banana at end. Other events which cost a lot less than this provide isotonic drinks, malt loaf, cereal bars etc. I was expecting more than a banana for the high price I had paid for my entry.
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Tara Emery
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: I thought this was a good easy race adn would certainly do it again (especially as I got a PB). The one thing I think they should look at though is closing some of the roads. At times it felt like I was being chased by some cars!
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Rod Haddrell
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% |
In short: good crowds out in the country and plenty of helpful, supportive marhsalls. Thanks to them.
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: colhodg
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, undulating, nice medal
In full: First marathon, had a great 1st lap despite crowded (but friendly) start but slowed down a fair bit towards the end - found last 5 1/2 miles on the greenway tough.
View from the top of the 8/18 mile hill beautiful as was the weather. Lots of water but got squeezed onto side of the road by cars in a few places. Crowd support very good given rural setting. Maybe london next year...
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: BlackToenail
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very hard to fault the organisation, well marshalled and friendly!
In full: This was my second time on the full marathon so I knew what to expect. Nice scenery, views, support all the way round and I always like to finish in a park where there's something going on.
The only downside of this event is the fact that there is a lot of traffic in places and that some of the locals don't seem to support the event as much as others sometimes to the point of obstructing the race.
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Jim B
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised and marshalled.
In full: The earlier start made a lot of sense. Those long straight sections on the Greenway without a mile marker in sight are not pleasant.
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Gemma Morris
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Was my first half marathon and I really enjoyed it, excellent organisation and nice medals!
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: GaryEd
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, great scenery, but hugely expensive for a medal and a banana
In full: This was my first ever half marathon last year and at the time I thought it was expensive not to get a T-shirt. Now that I've completed numerous 10k and half marathons since and received a T-shirt even though they've cost me a third of the price of the Shakespeare, I was shocked that the price had gone up and STILL no T-shirt! I gave in this year and bought one, but feel pretty miffed at that.
I'm sure there were more runners this year and the atmosphere was great, although the usual walkers at the front made it a torturous affair getting a decent start through the narrow streets.
Once again the scenery was great and the earlier start made for a much more comfortable, cooler run than last year.
I set a pb, half an hour faster than last year (!!!), so really pleased with that.
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: You'll Never Do It
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised race, could be improved by less stretches along main roads, but otherwise fine.
Date of review: May 8, 2006
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