Isle of Wight Marathon and Half  Here's how RW members rated this race (138 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Runamok
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Ill-timed start and terrible finish spoiled an otherwise well marshalled race. In full: A windy and very cold day on the IoW made for an interesting and challenging 10M race. The start was poorly executed 2mins early, with a number of runners not at the start line and caught on the hop. New route out of Ryde probably added on a little distance which resulted in the finish line being earlier than the previous year. However, there was no flab, banner or line marking the finish line, nor was there any funneling to control runners frossing the line (probably because there wasn't one). With this lack of control, many runners will have missed the lone man issuing medals and there were certainly no signs indicating the drinks station at the end. This was a shambolic finish to what was a well marshalled race. Many thanks to those marshall on the route who braved the cold and encouraged the runners every step of the way. The course itself is hilly and challenging - even more so this year given the temperature and wind. There will need to be some signifcant improvement to the organisation in future to entice runners to travel across the Solent. Date of review: February 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Sunkist
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Normally good race but poor organisation In full: Start not as well organised as last year. What was going on at the finish, I was through it before I knew it was there and had to be stopped by my team mates. May have cost me a HRRL place as I was sitting on someones shoulder for a final kick. I heard finish was moved due to being wrongly directed up the first hill, but not sure. GPS suggested it was quite a bit short of 10 miles anyway. Date of review: February 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: caroline21
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: very well marshalled considering the awful windy weather In full: I enjoyed this race but it was bitter winds thanks to everyone. Only the finish, was I the only runner to keep running after the finish line? Date of review: February 1, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: RFJ
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Finish funnel / area was poor and will need sorting. Marshalls great esp in those conditions Date of review: February 1, 2009
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2007 race reviewed by: james cheseldine
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Dire traffic stops this being a classic In full: This is an odd race.Surely there is somewhere on IOW with less traffic to run? Watching out for cars rendered much of the scenic aspect of the course redundant. Great marshalling and good water/sponge stations. Date of review: August 26, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Chris Cook 2
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: Those hills! Date of review: August 24, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Davey P
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Nice hills but the traffic is murder! In full: Marshalls did a sterling job holding back the hordes of Sunday drivers fancying a bit of runner hood ornament. The course is nice and scenic but the low numbers made it more like a training run. Worth doing but not a pb course. Date of review: August 22, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Martin Cunningham
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hills and scenic .... fantastic but tough In full: 11 o'clock start and weather was not too bad although a bit breezy. Hills were tough and it was undulating other than past Bembridge but brilliant marshalls and nice medal... thank you Date of review: August 21, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Radar Sal
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hills are my friends! Very fast race. In full: hills, hills and more hills right to the finish but that didn't stop me posting a great new PB, YAY for me! Marshalls were lovely (if sparse), one at the big intersection before mile 11 would have been great. Challenging route which I like but being on roads with vehicles was a pain. Lots of water and sponge stops which was great. Date of review: August 20, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Seebsy
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastic race yet again . Ryde Harriers were even kind enough to switch off the bad weather half way accross the Solent t. Date of review: August 19, 2007
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