Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: oraclebhoy
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Greatest race day of my life by far
In full: have to admit that this has to be by far the best race i have EVER attended,
Transport for London, the marathon Expo, The people at the water stations, the lucozade drinks and gels stalls, Saint Johns Ambulance, the crowds on the street cheering you on and handing out sweets / oranges / jaffa cakes / chocolate. they ALL make this a great advent.
being one of the slower runners i was able to see these people still hard at work 6 hours after it all began and they where still hard at work long after i passed.
One sad thing was that everything was winding down when I crossed the line, the signs for piccadilly changing rooms had been taken down so me and a number of other runners ended up walking up and down the street before we found them.
The marathon had a time cut off of 6pm so it would have been nice for everything to run up till then.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Nick Barlin
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: One of the most amazing days of my life
In full: Just for the experience alone it was amazing, you can see why this is continually over subscribed.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: crazilegs
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Expected more from this...............
In full: Came away from this run thinking "Oh was that it?"
Yes there is fantastic support all along the route - but I dont run just so I can hear lots of people telling Im doing great.
Yes it is a "major" and has that "big race" atmosphere that many seem to crave.
But peronally I thought the route to be on the whole - dull with the occasional intersting building in the latter miles.
Perhaps I'm missing the point of this event and that I should run it just to hear the uninterupted support and forget that I'm running along boring urban streets.
I'm glad I ran it just so I no longer have to listen to people waxy lyrical about what a fantastic marathon it is, because its not - I've run better.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: LMDavies
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Loved every minute (except miles 8 to 18)
In full: Still buzzing from Sunday, had a brilliant day. Fantastic supportive crowds, incredibly kind marshalls and great organisation generally. Ran with shingles (which i didn't know at the time) so didn't have the race I was expecting but the brilliant atmosphere had me grinning like a cheshire cat for the back 8 miles. The memory of Sunday will stay with me for a long time :-)
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Dougie t
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Superb
In full: Having applied (and failed) for years, I finally got a shot at the London this year - and it did not disappoint! An electric atmosphere from mile 1 to mile 26, some excellent sights and a superb sunny day made 22/4/12 a memorable marathon. Alas, there was no PB for me due to knee trouble, but the encouragement from the crowds dragged me round. Absolutely wonderful!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: michael farmer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: brilliant enjoyed the whole day so much.
In full: what a great marathon. 1st time i have done this. i was poorly from mile 8 my time was rubbish to say the least but the crowds the encouragement the people the organisation was fantastic a real credit to london, it far exceeded my expectations and i know there are other marathons but if your going to do one this is the one i would do.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Snail1972
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Magic!
In full: The spectators made it for me...a magnificent event in all respects. God bless the man handing out jaffa cakes somewhere around mile 18! An unforgettable day, I loved every minute of it, despite being a marathon "Virgin"!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: BigJLdn
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: The atmosphere is as good as it gets, and makes all the difference when the going gets tough.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: TJ38
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great atmosphere great run
In full: excellent run with fantasic atmosphere,see the sights as you jog around. lots of help if you need it
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Rebecca Chappell
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent atmosphere, but crowds frustrating at times
In full: What an amazing day, I will remember this (my first marathon) for a long time. The crowds were fantastic, and having your name on your top really lifted your spirits as the crowd cheered you on.
My only gripes are people stopping and walking in the middle of the road, especially along the blue line which was very frustrating if you want to run as much as possible. People strolling along chatting was very frustrating.
Also the meet and greet area was a joke, utter chaos and just not what you need after a gruelling 26.2 (actually ended up 27!) mile run.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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