Virgin London MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (1962 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: charleypenguin
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Feel like a star!
In full: If you've never run a race before..
At mile 24
Your legs will be sore
But the crowd will roar
And your spirit will sore.
Though you find it hard
You'll make those final yards
And over the line
In a fantastic time.
Being cheered on all the way
You feel like a star for the day!
Wear your medal on the bus
And everyone will make a fuss.
Not always great for pace,
But definitely the best race.
:-) Love it!
ps
dress up as a cat
and you'll get wolf-whistled at ;-)
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Helen Wilkinson 6
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic as a first timer
In full: The day was well organised with trains to the start, good start areas and getting ove the start in the red zone good (didnt feel that stop start to me). Enjoyed passing the rhinos and cookie monsters!
The marshalling, water stops and crowd made the race. Could have asked for more generous support. I thought it was quite funny the folk with bbq's making a day of it! Thoroughly enjoyed my first marathon, and first London. Finish line was great and I even made the BBC red button coverage - so my gran says.
The crush after the finish was a bit overwhelming, but i found everyone in the end. My t-shirt is good, bit big but hey, I'm still gonne wear it and tell the world "I Finished VLM 2012!"
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Ratzer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My first 'must repeat' race.
In full: All I can say is that I loved it and will treasure this first time. Everyone warned me that it would be great as an event, and a few warned me it would be addictive. They were all right.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: hide the rum
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: wow!!!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Peterun330
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: great race -unforgettable experience!
In full: Well done London - probably the best marathon in the world! 9th time and the novelty has not worn off! Great organisation for such a huge event!Baggage handlers were fantastic! Well done Swanley! My bag was ready for me before I had even reached my lorry! Superb! Only real complaint- just too congested on the whole course! easy solution -stagger the 2 mass starts and set them off an hour appart and the field would spread out better over the course! Water bottles could be smaller as most runners seem to throw them after a few sips and they are are real hazard on the course. Stations every 2 or even 3 miles would probably be adequate as runners would then use all the water in their bottles before throwing them away! Liked the tshirt but too big for many people- sizing them would make the event even better. Overall fantastic event! - back next year!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Matthew Reynolds 4
| | 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: MY FACE HURTS!!! The support around the course had me smiling the whole way!!! made me forget the pain in my legs!!!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Steve T23
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: One of running's truly great experiences - are you really going to complain about a t-shirt?!
In full: Having watched the race so many times, I felt incredibly lucky to be actually taking part in my first marathon in London in Olympic year.
The first mile-or-so from the blue pen was very stop/start, but once that cleared I found it fairly easy to get into my rhythm and maintain a steady pace.
The scenery is actually quite dull for large swathes of the run, but to be honest I didn't really notice as I was swept up in the atmosphere. In any case, it was all worth it for moments like rounding Cutty Sark or turning the corner to see Tower Bridge.
The support pretty much all the way around was phenomenal and was responsible for me finishing the race despite my knee caving in at 14 miles. It seemed like every person in London was personally willing me to finish. The encouragement from the youngsters at the water stops was equally inspirational, especially considering how long they must have stood there on race day.
I find it very hard to believe that anyone would take part in this run and then make complaining about the size and quality of the finishers' t-shirt their priority. I actually think it's quite nice, but even if I didn't I wouldn't let it colour my enjoyment of one of sport's great events. I suppose some people just like to complain.
All in all, VLM 2012 will live long in my memory and I'll be back on the course in 2013 whether it's as a runner or a spectator.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: LISA LANCASTER
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The most wonderful, painful experience!
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: dean smith 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great area great race with an uplifting crowd all the way around!thanks London
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: HammersFan
| | 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: The best marathon in the world
In full: Not much else to add to the comments given other than to say thanks to all of the people who turned out to watch and cheer the runners plus to all of the marshalls who did so well.
Only change I would make would be at the green start - why do the celebs start on the front line? They should at least have a dividing line allowing the pen 1 runners to go passed on the left of right.
Other than this it is perfect - have run it many times and it is always the highlight of my year to run it again. See you in 2013 London.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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