Edinburgh MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (1467 votes). 2006 race reviewed by: IronChimp
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lots of little problems - could do better
In full: For a race claiming big city marathon status, it needs to get the basics right:
- toilets - not enough;
- typos in the publicity material (day/ date of race continually confused, list of runners down as 2005 etc)
- mile markers... come on guys - it's not that difficult!
People of Edinburgh very supportive with cheers and hospipes, and run has potential, but without the necessary organisational discipline, the marathon's not going to get the necessary sponsorship to keep it going - which would be a shame.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
|
2006 race reviewed by: Bill Ferguson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A definite improvement over last year. UK's second biggest marathon is trying hard and utlising most of Edinburgh's glories
In full: Did this as the relay this time round with wife, two daughters and one boyfriend( not mine) after running whole course last year. I did Leg1 , then joined my wife and eldest daughter for last 2.THe idea of a Marathon Relay is a good one , this time there were nearly 900 teams and a lot of people got to taste what its like to run a Marathon. Maybe they will do the full event next time. The route was much better this time round and the marshals + Organisation deserve full marks. The weather had brought out a lot more spectator supporters who had set up sprinklers from their gardens. This is a lovely city and the chance to run through Princes St , tHe meadows , past the castle & Holyrood before running along the seashore is at least as good as London has to offer. Where London has the Isle of Dogs & Surrey Quays , Edinburgh has the Industrial wasteland round Leith so they can match anything on offer.
With concerns over the heat, a special effort had been made to get more water available - extra stations might also have helped but this is an event that deserves to survive and keep growing.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: Chris Hall 17
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great event with superb support all the way round. Not the best for a PB, and a few dull industrial areas to run through. However, the huge cheering crowd at the finish at Holyrood more than made up for it! Fantastic Event!
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: chris bozier
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Greet scenic race and a bit hot to say the least.
In full: Well organised and plenty of much needed refreshment. Managed a PB despite the heat. Was on course to crack 3.30 but went through hell the last 3 miles.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: sandy mac
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Awesome. Great support, beautiful run in a great city.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: Stephen Pond
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic
In full: My first marathon and got round in 4 hours. I was very pleased even in the heat. I hope this race survives because I would do it again next year. As it was my first marathon it will always be special for me.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: mandy22
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good first timer marathon, but beware the hill at the end!
In full: I've completed this marathon twice now, and the hill at 23+ miles didn't get any easier the second time round! Apart from the disgraceful lack of loos at the start (same problem last year), this race is very well organised. The first energy station had run out by the time I got there (I was one of the slow ones at the back), but there was plenty of water and lucozade at the other stations. It was a nice touch that there were motorcycle marshalls going up and down the course carrying extra water and lucozade for those of use who needed it, and a minibus checking up on everyone - we were all suffering in the heat! The route between Ocean Terminal and Portobello is awful though - its completely flat but an industrial wasteland - I've often thought that the organisers should run the race in reverse so at least you've got some good views as you struggle to the end.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: Duckrunner
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hot and a little bit hilly!
In full: Either I'm going mad or I don't know what a hill is, but I did not think this race was flat! Long stretches of it were admittedly, and there also lots of nice downhill sections too, but there were plenty of gentle and not so gentle inclines (especially at 23+ miles) that were very testing in the scorching heat. Then again, I did no hill training so that may explain it. This was my first marathon, indeed my first ever race of any description, and despite the torturous conditions, I had a brilliant day. Edinburgh is stunningly beautiful, esp. in the sunshine and the start and finish locations were picture perfect.
I have no gripes really, although the energy drinks at the first station had run out by the time I got there (am a v slow runner). Plentiful drinks elsewhere though, even though most of them were warm! Got mixed up with all the relay runners at the start but it wasn't really a problem.
The marshalls and supporters were all fantastic and encouraging, the sprinklers and hosepipes a welcome relief. The worst bit for me was the industrial estate at around mile 10/11 - completely deserted, sun beating down, no cloud cover, no wind and seemed neverending. Also by the time I got to Portobello beach I had to weave in and out of daytrippers and sun worshippers - who all seemed oblivious to the fact there was a marathon going on.
All in all, I was just pleased to get round especially after reading about all the dropouts in the press today. I would definitely do this race again if I was ever considering doing another marathon, which up until Saturday, I wasn't. But you never know.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: Clozzer
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great for a first marathon
In full: Nice and flat with great views and good support from locals banging saucepans and sprinkling the runners with hose pipes.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
2006 race reviewed by: Arjay
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very well organised on race day. Lovely flat scenic run.
In full: Positively chilly after Blackpool last year, but still too hot for me. Great support from marshalls and crowd. Regular water stations.
Definite PB potential on a better day. Well done to the race day organisers.
What was the expo all about? A real pain as we could only fly up on Saturday afternoon and then my envelope had my name and address on it. A second class stamp is somewhat cheaper than a taxi ride from the airport!
Entry fee was a complete rip off and yet the race still made a big loss? Something gone wrong somewhere. Perhaps the organisers and Edinburgh Council should get together for an economics lesson.
Date of review: June 12, 2006
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
