Shakespeare MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (815 votes). 2006 race reviewed by: Blobster
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I am trying to be constructive but...
In full: ...the start was an absolute shambles: it really should not be that difficult to line people up according to their predicted times.
I cannot understand why I start near the back and yet can be overtaking people walking within half a mile of the start (would love to hear from one of these)
Did not see any portaloos and whilst they may have been in existence they were not exactly well signposted
Whoever decided to put a large skip in the road after about 500 yds should be deported!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Police no parking signs all over the place
But: lovely course, very frienfdly and encoraging spectators (hearing YMCA made me go very fast)
For £22 though the organisers should visit Bristol or Bath to see how to do it properly
And I did a PB so my comments are not a result of disappointment
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Danny T
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Reasonable atmosphere but long parts without spectators. Stood at start for too long. Fun race overall.
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: buzzz
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race for my first marathon but the hill did for me 2nd time round
In full: Good overall race, my first marathon. Set out to try to get a good time which went fine until I got to the hill 2nd time round! Oh well at least I tried but it did make the last 7 miles very hard
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: loopie lou
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Only done big city marathons before so this was certainly different. I only entered week before last and hadn't done enough training so became one of those people I have moaned about - had to walk/run the last 8/10 miles.
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Plodding Hippo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: MAKE THE FIRST LAP CUTOFF 2 HOURS 30, AND IT WOULD TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF A BIT.STONKINGLY GOOD MARSHALS-THANKYOU
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Dec
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Thanks for the great organisation. The start is a bit crowded by I set off from the back (first mile 9min) and the others were 7.30mins. Really enjoyed the scenary - a few interesting hills. Really appreciated the water bottles - well done to teh
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: grecian 2000
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first stab at the Shakespeare Marathon - enjoyed the experience and will be back in 2007!
In full: Stratford upon Avon is a lovely place to stage a marathon. With the majority of runners doing the Half, this feels like a big event even though the two-lap format and loneliness after the half runners turn-off after 11 miles makes this more of a mental rather than physical challenge.
One hill of note (8miles and 18miles), which rewarded you with fantastic views once you reached the crest! Apart from that it was mainly flat anf runner friendly.
The marshaling was top-notch, the water stations plentiful (and with the choice of cups or bottles!), and the crowd support was well spread around the course and really helped in getting me my fastest marathon this year!
I note the comments about the cost, lack of energy drinks and hills, but I rate this event very highly (and particularly the time and efforts given voluntarily by all the organising team/marshals/helpers, which allows such fantastic events to take place and continue). Thanks to you all.
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Peter Wooding 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great organistion. Loved the setting, and despite a few hills and a long track section got a PB!
In full: Very well organised. Started right on time, and no queues for a parking space even though we had to pay & display. Plenty of water station. The setting is brilliant with one lap around Stratford town with lots of cheering crowds and then through lovely picturesque villages. The hills were a bit of a challenge, particularly on the second lap at mile 18, and the trail/track for the last 4 miles dragged on a bit. But the finish along the river was a great setting, and it was nice to even hear my name announced on the tannoy at the end. Loved the medal shaped as 25.
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: Richard Lomas
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: very impressive i'm looking forward to next year!
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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2006 race reviewed by: jimmy atkins
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: well organised, great for a family day out
In full: a well organised run, with lots of drink stations and portaloos. the marshalls worked hard to make things run smoothly and ensure everyones safety, a good first time half, will definately enter next year.
Date of review: May 7, 2006
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