The PicnicHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (159 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Tony Gilling
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: it more than lives up to it's billing
In full: this race is hard, very very hard. i don't recall any flat. it was either steep or steep down, both just as painful on the legs. marshalls were magnificant and great freindliness amongst runners..i got lots of encouragement when my legs didn't want to go anymore. only problem was an obscured sign meant we took a short-cut on lap one and had to make up for it on lap 2!!
Date of review: July 10, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mark Edwards 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Pulled out of the Picnic but I'll be back
In full: I was absolutely gutted after pulling out after coming round the second time round and going down those steps! Suddenly everything felt wrong and no matter how many jelly babies I stuffed down my face I couldn't get my head right again. I think I may have underestimated this bad boy in my training, I've done a number of marathons now, but nothing anywhere near as tough. However the whole experience was incredible, from the encouragement and support of the marshalls to the breathtaking views over Box Hill. I would definitely love to be back for 2011 and when I do, I'm gonna make sure I'm ready for it, everytime I see that midsummer munro medal it makes my spine stand up stiff and a new level of resolution. Certainly not a race for the faint hearted, but an absolutely incredible one.
Date of review: July 10, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: london262
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Pain is a privilege!!!
In full: I really wanted to do this race as the 'challenge' was too good to miss. With my ultimate goal of getting into the 100 Marathon Club, The Picnic was no.99...so I 'had to' finish out of necessity! It lived up to it's billing of the 'hardest marathon in Britain' and I was thrilled to cross the finish line absolutely 'cream crackered'. However, the feeling of achievement was brilliant and I would like to say a BIG thank you to the organiser and especially the great marshalls who gave us so much encouragement.
Date of review: July 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: teresa williams
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Now completed 25 marathons, NYC, London, Paris but this is the best I have ever done. Hardest but all runners, marshall ans spectators fantastic.
Date of review: July 6, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Sean Maley 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: A fantastic, enjoyable, horrible race
In full: I will remember this event for a long time. I really didn't know what to expect. The stairs were truly awful. I can't get over how much I hated climbing those stairs haha.
It was an extremelly well organised event and the marshals were very supportive to all runners.
I'm definitely going to compete in this event in 2011 and improve my time.
Date of review: July 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Avon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough race but a great run.
In full: The Picnic is a tough race and not for the faint hearted. The first couple of miles are extremely tough with the hills and steps but beyond that the race settles down to a forest type run with more gradual slopes (until you hit the same steps and hills on the way back). Some of the views on the run were fantastic.
The marshalling was excellent (some of the best I have experienced) and the atmosphere/banter between competitors was good.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Date of review: June 27, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: StephenBarnett
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Takes a couple of days to get over this one!!
Date of review: June 27, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Melcelt
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: very challenging but thoroughly enjoyable
In full: Very scenic race, very very challenging with all those steps, Good organisation and mementos afterwards. Would def. do it again, why is it every second year I would do it every year - Thanks
Date of review: June 26, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jimmy Warren
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Conjured up an incredible level of sportsmanship amongst athletes. Hard as nails race, try it if your hard enough!
Date of review: June 26, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Andrew Stalley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great event, but serious tough on your quads!
In full: I picked The Picnic as my 100th marathon and was delighted by the support offered by Dr Rob, who arranged for me to have the race number 100, which is a great thing to have. I was also supported by the marshals on route as well, verbally and handshakes on the last leg. It all helped to make it a special day for me.
Great athmosphere, with great support from other runners due to the out and back nature of the course, from the other Picnic runners and the Munroe runners as well. Thanks to all of you too.
Dr Rob gave me an extra medal for me to frame with some photos, and another t-shirt and got involved in my post race celebration. He has also been supportive afterwards.
Great event, well organised, but a seriously hard race. I'll be back in two years and again in four years when it might be my 200th! But do not tell my wife that!
Date of review: June 26, 2009
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