Events

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A top ace with a great finish for supporters.
Date of review: November 6, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: An excellent race
In full: Here are all the advasntages of the Abingdon over, say, the London (or any of the mass-start, big-city marathons):-
I set out for the event a mere hour before the start. I sheltered in indoor comfort until minutes before the start. I crossed the start-line a few seconds, rather than minutes, after the gun, and was able to run at my own pace immediately without being crowded by slow, erratic runners for the first and last few miles. I had supporters exactly where they wanted to be and where they could find me and I find them; this included at the start, twice en route, and within a few feet of the finish-line (yes, the same supporters). I was in a hot shower within minutes of finishing. I was able to return to the finish to welcome (and run the last half-lap with) my daughter. I was only fifteen minutes by taxi from “home”. It was brilliant – the perfect marathon!
My only criticism is that the course was, according to my GPS and many others, too long by almost .2 of a mile. The GPS occasionally underestimates distance but has never been over before. Was it REALLY only 26.22 miles?...
Date of review: November 2, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: low-stress first marathon
In full: I should declare an interest here: I live ten minutes away from the start&finish and know several of the organisers and marshalls. Happily I can say with hand on heart that everything went like clockwork (otherwise I would have maintained a tactful silence :D). Lovely low-stress way of doing a first mara: walk from house to start; run mara (even locals can get lost but there were literally marshalls at every turn); get medal; totter home; nap & toast. Marshalls were the epitome of kindness.
However, as a sufferer of runner's trots (and there are a lot out there) ... perhaps, at least, a few buckets-in-tents scattered about next year's course? Or if people have volunteered their loos, very big signs pointing the way. We're not at our sharpest when we're knackered and desperate for a poo!
Date of review: November 2, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: My first marathon - A great experience.
In full: Great organisation and excellent finish in the athletics stadium. Very flat and well supported. I will definately do this one again.
Date of review: October 30, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Flat, fast, superbly organised - easy to see why its so popular
In full: My second marathon and I knocked over thirteen minutes off my previous time - well pleased with that.

The whole thing is superbly organised and set up for the runners' benefit. Marshalls were encouraging and in all the right places. Some traffic issues in the town itself but mostly on quiet rural roads. 'Three loop' course means its well set up for spectators too.

Only minor gripe would be the lack of provided energy drinks at the feed stations but this is advertised in advance and the chance to put out your own drinks makes the 'shortcoming' easily managable.
Date of review: October 30, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Excellent race for those looking for a quick time; good organisation and well marshalled although a lot of running with traffic.
In full: A pleasant course which provides no major challenges (other than the distance of course!)with definite potential for a PB. Organisation was pretty smooth and the course was well marshalled - which it needed to be given the amount of running with traffic. Looping through the town centre provided a good opportunity for the locals to provide some welcome support and although the support was generally thin it was fairly constant throughout and effectively kept the morale up. It's fairly sparse in terms of the trimmings, just water and the occasional jelly baby at water stops and nothing of note at the finish, but it's a quick course and the stadium start/finish tops & tails the race well. Recommended for the seasoned runner after a good time and the beginner looking for something well organised, which doesn't require too much admin effort, and a failry simple and pleasant course to run.
Date of review: October 30, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Race was excellent - but beware the over zealous officials - I returned to find that my kit had literally been thrown away in a nearby dustbin - not exactly ideal when cramp sets in!
Date of review: October 29, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great race for a first timer.
Date of review: October 28, 2006

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Good race for marathon novices
In full: Not the flat course that people make it out to be, definitely some steady climbs. Not the best supported race with many areas isolated. Water stops manned by children (which is great to see)however they do not really know what to do, i.e. not releasing the cups(not blaming the children). £20 pounds seems a little steep for the valve you get. Won the race in 2005, DQ'd after winning the race this year(so need to run 101 marathon to join the 100 Marathon Club)so cannot see myself back in 2007.
Date of review: October 28, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Hassle-free, excellent course superbly organised good marshalls
Date of review: October 27, 2006

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