Isle of Wight Marathon and Half  Here's how RW members rated this race (138 votes). | 1 to 10 of 18 ratings | Page: 1 2 |
| The big picture 2010 (18 votes) | | Overall score | | 63% | | How many would do it again? | | 58% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 71% | | PB potential | | 44% | | Atmosphere | | 51% | | Organisation | | 57% | | Value | | 74% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 52% |
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2010 race reviewed by: AlexG
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Hills, wind and rain... no one said it was going to be easy
Date of review: March 9, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Paul Clifford-Jones
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% |
In short: Excellent marshalling, well enough signed, road centric with traffic but full of bon-honie. Feels like a race organized by runners for runners
In full: If you fancy a hilly road course with the vagueries of a coastal October in the UK then look no further. I thought the atmosphere, remembering that it's a small race with little public support, was excellent. The course is certainly engaging and the last few miles offer little let up until the last. It's a challenge and a lot of fun. I see people complain about the meddle - not sure what you more you'd expect for the modest entrance fee. Congratulations to all involved, competitors and officials alike.
Date of review: October 7, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Julia T
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hard but such a feeling of satisfaction when you've finished!
In full: Yes it's hilly but we know that. But the marshalls and organisers are so fantastically encouraging that somehow you get round - I even PB'd!
Date of review: October 5, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: tpb
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: It's a tough one right enough
In full: A couple of years ago I had a moan about the loop which led back to the foot of the hill towards the end of the course which was a destroyer. This time the loop was around the 5 mile mark. Thanks to the organisors for listening and for the brilliant marshals and drink station voluntees whose vocal support made up for the complete lack of public support. I'll be back.
Date of review: October 5, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: rea1160
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The mother of all marathons
In full: The weather was dreadful on race day but a good turn out of runners none the less. At the start it was windy and rained hard and stayed that way for the next few hours. The route through the island was nice although not traffic free so high vis clothing recommended. Plenty of water stations - water only given in cups however the organisers will place drinks and food at stations for individual runners if requested. Well marshalled, probably as many marshalls as runners! The route is hilly and very hard and I was very glad to see the finish line. Got the usual cheap medal with no ribbon, however once youve run this route the medal feels like youve won the lottery. I will be back next year to beat my isle of wight marathon PB (which is 45 minutes behind my usual marathon PB!).
Date of review: October 5, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: MLC
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Minimalist organisation (water only) but good marshalling all way through. Why avoiding scenery road and go for busy traffic?
In full: I'm everyone would pay few pounds more and the club could find a sponsor to provide something little more than only water in five station. Not even a banana or any food at finish.
The real disappointment was to run 90% of time on roads with busy traffic. I made the trip expecting a far more scenic route. Not really worth the trip.
Date of review: October 4, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: John Lawler 3
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Oh well, I was in the Isle of wight anyway!!
In full: Did this last year, so I already knew about the hideous medal and the fact its hard and hilly. But, this year was a bit of a big let down!!! The large field opposite was used for parking last year and was very convenient, this year it stood empty with everyone searching for elsewhere!! Then, at about mile 7 a massive group of us (Even a couple of local guys!!!) went the wrong way! I was on course to blow last years time out the water, but due to no marshall at a crossroads made the whole event a complete waste of time! As yet I have seen no apology on their website. Sorry Ryde Harriers, you had a shocker!
Date of review: August 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Alan Chan 4
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: It was my first, so for now I'm saying it was good!
In full: A really nice hilly run, not as hilly as i thought but still good to hammer the legs a bit. As with most of my long runs the first 3 miles was the worst part, some big hills near the start. We didn't get lost like some other runners, but I can see why they did, at a couple of stages there was nobody, so it was pot luck we stuck to route. Even at the very end we nearly look an accidental shortcut to the finish line across the field. The marshalls were all very friendly and supportive and had all the best intentions. I don't really have any gripes about the race or curcuit, OK the medal was naff but i wasnt running for the medal. Overall i enjoyed it a lot, slightly challenging, and i would recommend it to runners who are accepting of the quality you'll get from a smaller scale event.
Date of review: August 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: redjelly
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In full: Fairly tough course took me through some pretty places on the IOW. However this did not make up for very poor organization - namely, lack of signposts/marshalls enroute, not enough waterstations. Having made considerable effort to get there, really wondered why I'd bothered.
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Rob LA
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Disappointing
In full: I don't know the IOW particularly well but I'm sure there must be a better half marathon course than this somewhere on the island. Most of the course was on traffic clogged A-roads with no pavement and poor direction. Medal didn't even have a ribbon!!
Date of review: August 16, 2010
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