Blackpool Fylde Coast MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (412 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Wheelbarrow
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Deserves a bigger entry - genuine PB potential and well organise
In full: Although the concrete lower walkway section is hard going in every sense, there is plenty to keep you interested considering this is a two lap race. I really enjoyed running the Golden Mile section despite the constant rain and low cloud; there was just so much to look at it nearly took my mind off the pain. The Tower itself, trams, the occasional stag or hen party wandering aimlessly around in the wet and of course, runners coming in the opposite direction on the promenade. I also enjoyed it when the half marathon runners blended back in with the full marathon field at 11 miles or thereabouts on the walkway section.
The marshalling was excellent and well done to everyone who gave their time on such a miserable morning. A PB, great medal, nice tee shirt, and malt loaf in the goodie bag completed the package for me - all in all a really good day out. If you are looking for a spring marathon with real PB potential this is the one for you. Recommended.
I only have a couple of suggestions for the organisers. Others have mentioned the energy drink problem although it did not cause me a problem as I carried my own from the start. The biggest issue was the lack of toilet facilities at the start and unless I missed something, where were the on course loo's that we were promised ? For an town centre marathon this could be better - as we all know, you are out on the course for a long time.
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Douglas F
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: I wouldn't make the trip if I didn't have relatives to stay with.
In full: "Exhibition" of one stall. No on-course loos, again. Half-the promisied Lucozade stations promised. Course confusing but it did make it marginally more interesting for runners but less predictable for the benefit of supporters. The reasons given for route change can't have been those given in the race pack - it's probably got more to do with policing costs. You know there's a problem with the course marking when the 26 mile sign comes after the 13 mile sign and the 1/2 m'thon has same finish as full m'thon. I like there being no camber on the prom but it isn't half a boring stretch. I am grateful for the staff's efforts and enthusisasm on the day.
I don't want much from a race but if you promise things then you've got to deliver - not least the distance!
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: soreshins
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: drink station problems, again. apart from that, i enjoyed a the run
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Roy Grew 2
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: short course by 0.8 - boring route - to much concrete.
In full: not excuse for the course to be short in the age of Satnavs and good course measurers - easy to rectify move the start back or the finish foreward. I feel very sorry for all the people who think they did PBs - not enough toilets at the start again easily rectified by hiring just a separate urinal only for the men - for me the course was very boring, to much concrete and considering it was in blackpool very little spectator support. Two of my friends entered the race by post and neither recieved there numbers only to be told on arrival that they had no record of this and that they had to pay again to enter- so in the end it has cost them £47 pounds, I only hope that original cheques havent been cashed and that it's the post office not the race organisers that are at fault, again I cann't see why they can't put a list of entries on the website, and also get the nubers and race details out earlier a week before is far to short a time when things go wrong like that there is not time to get it sorted.
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Durham Dawdler
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great
In full: nice flat, traffic-free course. the Organisers do a fantastic job every year and overcome any obstacles that are thrown their way. I cannot fault the organisation or the race at all.
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: 262
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good intentions - a lot of effort - poor delivery
In full: No wonder everyone had PB's - the course was
about 0.8miles short.
It was not traffic free - several of us had to stop in a couple of places to wait for the trams to pass by.
Route description - not one person understood it ?
Exhibition - one x stall with some good bargains, no route displayed.
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: DJ 56
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A surprising PB
In full: Nice to run a small marathon with room to move. Lucazade not available as often as stated. Lack of changing facilities made things a bit difficult. Organisers and marshalls did a good job
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: p.ooley
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: good race, it was my first marathon, so i enjoyed it. more toilets at the start would have been a good idea! the weather was attrocious. support was good
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: William Smith
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Some signs to the start would have helped plus more toilets! But a fast flat coursee
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: BirminghamOwl
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: fast and flat in perfect conditions
In full: Fastest marathon course you'll find. However, like everyone says, the concrete walkway is dull and when your suffering it's a real killer. Good to give out lucozade pouches and water in bottles at some stations.
Could not have expected more.
Date of review: April 28, 2008
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