Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1530 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Alison Ramage
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Plain dangerous
In full: I will definately run this race again, it has to improve as I don't think the organisation could get any worse. No excuse can be made for lack of water, even if the front runners took two bottles, surely that should have been taken into consideration with the weather conditions.
Massive thank you to the locals who did an amazing job at providing water, sweets and hosing people down.
Well done to everyone
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: gavin pugh
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A potentially good race spoiled by lack of water
In full: Regardless of the heat, 9 water stations aren't enough for a marathon. Last years St Albans half had stations every mile because of the heat. This lack of water must have been detrimental to many of the runners. 8000 odd finishers out of 13000 entrants tells a very sorry tale.
Lack of free transport back from the finish for runners is an embarrassment. The last thing you need after a marathon is to have to worry about transport.
The race felt like it was organised by non-runners who just don't know what runners want and need. Please listen to us!
I'd also suggest scrapping the Gosford House section (did anyone enjoy it?) and continuing on to Aberlady instead.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: amir khan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: nice waterside views and local support, ridiculously hot!
In full: Came in at 3hrs 3mins, was hosping for sub 3hours but there was no preparing for THAT heat. Apart from a dry first water station I have few negative remarks, apart from maybe the flooring at the end and difficulty in finding my family, which after 26.2 miles is hard work. Fanatstic crowds, locals very helpful, if only it was a little cooler!
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Tiggia
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I was cheated. A 24 mile marathon with lack of water and organisation.
In full: I cried as the organisers would not let me do the full 26.2 miles. They said they trimmed the course for 18+mm runners, but I had run average 14.5 mm until that point. This was to be my one and only marathon and it was a shambles. The lack of water was disgraceful and I had to rely on second hand bottles on the floor and the kindness of spectators and a policeman. I can't tell you how upset I am about the course being shortened; once I passed the finish line I went and did 2.5 miles off the course, on the road back to the hotel to make the miles up.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Matt Sears
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hot on the day, but a wonderful event.
In full: Hot on the day, but a wonderful event. Well supported along the whole route, without being a strain on the eardrums. Grandstand finish and crowds were spectacular, although the temporary running surface was hard on the legs. Would love to run it again.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Old Gwasshopper
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Glitches need attentiion
In full: I was really positive apporoaching this race - had a PB on this course last year, and communications from the organisers indicated previous problems had been addressed (rubbish expo, families in the pens etc). Unfortunately, a there were a couple of issues :
-insufficient water. I sympathise with the organisers that the conditions were unusual (and blew my chance of a decent time), but they were forecast very early in the week so there should have been a contigency. Strathmore are one of the sponsors for goodness sake, surely more could have been obtained ? Also, the gaps between stations were too great (for me at least given the conditions)
-leaving the racecourse was a bottleneck due to the vast crowds waiting outside. The reunion arrangements need rethinking - can't think many runners enjoyed several minutes queuing in the sun to get out
-woefully inadequate loos at the start
That said, there are positives :
-last years issues resolved
-great medal and T shirt
-great marshalls and local support (better than last year, no doubt due to weather)
-shuttle buses seemed to work well
-I like the relay runners being part of it
-The course is great
Sort out the loos and be prepared for a range of weather conditions please Edinburgh - you've got a potentially great event here
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Gareth Edwards 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Yes there was not enough water, but I have read that thousands of bottles of water and Gels were stolen
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Soooz
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Water shambles
In full: No water at first water station and three others one after another all dry. Ironic considering at the start line we had been told over and over again to make sure we kept ourselves well hydrated. Marshalls from one of the dry water stations were checking discarded bottles for any remnants of water and offering these out.
Fantastic support from locals though.
Post finish line a bit disorganised and bottleneck at exit meant yet more standing around in the full sun. Somehow managed to miss the free sample of ale although considering how dehydrated I was this was probably a good thing.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: emma griffiths 2
| | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: |
In short: WELL DONE TO RUNNERS WHO SURVIVED!
In full: For those who ran/finished the race, WELL DONE;-)
For the race organisers- Learn from mistakes made and apologise for letting so many dedicated runners down on a day they had ALL earned the right,(through training hard),to ENJOY and drink as much water as they wanted!!
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Xan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Poorly organised, great support from the locals.
In full: This was my first marathon, the weather on the day was beyond anyones control, the issue with the water stations was plain to see for everyone and I like others had to resort to picking up half empty discarded water bottles at one point. The finish area was a shambles, the organisers need to attend at the Great North Run to see how to arrange a finish area.
Date of review: June 3, 2009
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