BUPA Great North RunHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1517 votes). 2004 race reviewed by: Natalie Rae
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Magnificent race, a definite must!
In full: What a fantastic race, the atmosphere was brilliant and i will never forget the overwhelming feeling of running down the coast road being cheered on by such friendly onlookers! It couldn't have been a better first half marathon.
Date of review: October 2, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: PARROTKEEPER
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I am a steady runner, but even just after the first mile I was stuck behind walkers which I found both astounding and frustrating. Could they not be advised to move to the left in future races? The atmosphere was fantastic and crowds brilliant.
Date of review: October 2, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Jennifer Moffat
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor organisaton so that too many slow runners started too far towards the front & blocked everyone else. Not enough porta-loos as queues were about 40 mins long before the race.
Date of review: October 2, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Therese Welford
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great atmosphere that made up for the other shortcomings
In full: Only my second half marathon and if the people who slowed to a walk after only 3 miles or so had moved ut of the way I'm sure it would have been my fastest! Water stations too late in the race I needed a drink well before the first one. Too few loos for the ladies! wasted 11 minutes queueing for a pee. Had a hard job seeing the letters at the meeting place, could be higher please. Even aftert his whinge I'm glad I did it despite the 6 hour drive home!
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Clive Roberts 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: In the end - too many people! A great event to do once, wouldn't do again though.
In full: as long as you accept it as an excellent charity event and can put up with the massive hassle factor of getting there and getting back home before you grow a beard!, you should do well. Too many slow runners, spent too much time and effort running in and out of the pack - good experience, have done it, now move on to something else.
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Mr Bump
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Too many people. No space to run.
In full: Having run my 2nd GNR I'm seriously wondering whether to bother again.
The field is too big, and in my opinion it is bordering on dangerous. It wouldn't be such a problem if there was a staggered start. The frustrating thing is you cannot run for very long before coming across walkers who have ignored the pace signs at the start and just decided to start as near the front as possible. And why do some of those walkers have to link hands to cause more of a blockage? The water stations are chaotic with no warning that they're coming up. The road narrows down from dual carriageway to turn left at 5 miles. This causes a major bottleneck. Didn't get much chance to look at the scenery because I was concentrating so hard not to trip someone up due to having no space to run in.
The start was chaotic. You could see people with white numbers in the Orange pen. Didn't appear to be much organisation at the start. Had very little room to run in. Water bottles and tops strewn all over the road - very dangerous. Was unable to run over the finish line because there was a queue of runners waiting to be processed at the finish. Goody bag collection was chaotic. Goody bag not a patch on last year either. T-shirt poorer quality, medal much lighter, and no drinks bottle. What use is microwave pasta at the finish? You want stuff you can eat, because you know it's going to take ages to get away from the finish to somewhere you can eat. At least I used the ferry this year to get north of the Tyne, rather than wait ages for the Metro.
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Bickers
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Have to agree with others that too many slow runners at front. Spent 2 miles playing dodgems. Must have run an extra 1/2 mile weaving across the course. Still want to do it again though !!
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Spike sends Love light and peace
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Oh what a marvellous day !
In full: Yes indeedy !.My 15th and boy it just gets better and better.
I have a few ups and downs this past year an dmy running has helped me through some real bad times and the GNR is the ultimate tonic !.
The support is brilliant,the pleasure on peoples faces as you clap them them for their support is lovely to see.
A big thank you to all the people of Newcastle and South Shields.You really are the tops !!!.
P.S.Thanks to Jean as well !!!
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Ged Ruffle
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Most brilliant experience in friendliest environment
In full: Only my 2nd GNR but this is now a fixed date in the calendar from now on. Yes, it's very slow at the start. By the time you get on the Tyne Bridge your well into your stride and with the music playing and the crowds cheering you really feel like you belong there.
The undulating course makes you work hard and by the time you get to South Shields it down hill all the way - either that or the adrenalin takes over.The support all the way along is great. No wonder it's the biggest and best half marathon in the world. Here's to 2005!
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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2004 race reviewed by: Mush
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great atmosphere makes for a very special race, very congested though
In full: Having run the last two Great North Runs I now expect the slow start to the race caused by the many thousands of entrants. However, this year was much worse in that respect and it was a good mile or so before I got room to run easily. Having said that the atmosphere of this raise is very hard to beat and as such this race is more of an event than a serious race. If you want a PB choose somewhere else. If you want a very enjoyable experience and motivation to continue running (if you're a beginner like I was 3 years ago) then this is the race for you.
Date of review: October 1, 2004
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