New Forest MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (247 votes). | 1 to 10 of 34 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
| The big picture 2007 (34 votes) | | Overall score | | 86% | | How many would do it again? | | 90% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 93% | | PB potential | | 56% | | Atmosphere | | 78% | | Organisation | | 84% | | Value | | 73% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 69% |
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2007 race reviewed by: The Running Machine
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race, not an easy one but plenty of distractions en route
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2007 race reviewed by: Hollywood (busy on runsaturday.com)
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well marshalled and raced too!
In full: I've heard great things about this race so I simply had to enter this year.
The marshalling and general setup was first rate.
The race itself is a tad undulating - with some especially vicious hills in the last 7 miles.
There's some great scenery, especially in the first half, there's plenty of water stations (but be warned that there are no sports drinks or gels) and overall the race is simply charming :-)
Well organised, NFMA!
Date of review: October 15, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Kane Tobias Wilson
| | 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: One of the best organised marathons around and most probably the best road marathon in the south
In full: This is an excellent event...the organisation is second to none...other runners are exceptionally warm and friendly and the course is beautiful and promising for pbs...
Date of review: October 1, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: alison Chase 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very enjoyable race, hills not as bad as I thought!!
In full: I really enjoyed this marathon, I thought that a couple of the sponge sataions could have been replaced with water stations, especially towards the end. The supporters were great, the lady of the bike and the lady in her car, they both kept popping up at regular intervals which kept me going!!! Thanks jelly baby lady, that was very thoughtful!! I got a very unexpeacted PB!!!
Date of review: September 29, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: PiggingJog
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fine scenery, but you don't get good views without climbing!
In full: Having heard that there was about 600 foot of climbing, I was glad most of it was out of the way by 13 iles.......WRONG!
.....about a quarter was out the way by 18 miles. Contrary to other opinions expressed, I like drinking out of cups; you can get a good gulp down.Only one minus - after just 2 weeks the medal is starting to tarnish.
Date of review: September 28, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Nikki Slade 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not as bad as I thought!
In full: This was my first marathon - I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone. Parking was great, organisation at the start was good although it did feel like we were hanging round a bit and I just wanted to get going! A beautiful course which I was prepared for being hilly and was surprised that it wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined! Plenty of water and sponge stations and clear mile markers all really helped. It would be great if they could get a water sponsor for the future as drinking out of cups is a nightmare. I was well prepared for there not being any sports drinks and carried Nuun tablets to get me through but it would be helpful to have them there. The marshals were all really great and very encouraging – thank you! The local support was wonderful, young and old were out. I think I must have been the only one that missed the woman with jelly babies but I had plenty of full left (in my bumbag not my legs!). Superb day, lovely weather, enjoyable run that I would definitely do again. A goodie bag and some snacks at the end would have been nice but the facilities there were great. Although I didn’t have the patience to wait for a sports massage it was great to see they were on offer. Thank you to all involved, you all made it a very successful event in my opinion!
Date of review: September 24, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Alan W
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic scenery and superb organisation
Date of review: September 23, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Emma Gibbins 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Low on numbers and glorious scenery means you can just really enjoy the run!
In full: I booked my place for New Forest just a few days after completing my 1st marathon (London, April '07) as things felt a little flat! Didn't think I would improve but couldn't wait to see if I could do the distance again on slightly tougher terrain.
The organisation was pretty good, everyone involved was supportive and friendly... my only gripe is with the drinks.
I assumed water would be in cups (which I find hard to drink from) as there was no sign of a water sponsor, and had read that at last year's event, 'energy drinks' were given out at 20m, which seemed a bit risky, and a little too late! So I ran with a 850ml bottle in one hand with water and Nuun tablets (they got me round and saved my cramp) and a 500ml bottle of lucozade which lasted till 1/2 way.
A 1st timer may have relied on more being provided and I overheard a guy at the end say how he lost time in the last 6m as there was no energy drink... he was quite peeved.
So head out stocked up and you could have a fantastic run. I managed to shave 9mins off April's time, finishing in 3hr 57!
Date of review: September 21, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Andrew 65
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hard for a first time marathon but beatiful scenery
In full: This was the first time that I have taken on this distance so I was not sure what to expect beyond the 20 mile point. The new forest is one of my favourite places in the country, the scenery is stunning and the presence of the new forest ponies wandering free always makes you feel like you have really escaped from the city.
The organisation of the race was great,everyone involved was pleasant and helpful. The marshalls were encouraging and some of them had to deal with some very irrate drivers.
There were plenty of water stations and sponges on the course although I really could have done with another nearer the end. But that may be more a reflection on my hydration strategy rather than and organisation issue.
The free souvenir brochure is a nice touch.
The medal is not particularly inspiring but I love it anyway!
Support around the course was great. People shouting encouragement from car park, bicycles and cars was nice. The people on the water stations and sponges were all supportive. The lady handing out jelly babies by the pub at about 22 miles was a nice touch too.
The whole experience of running a marathon is certainly one that I would never forget, even though those last 5-6 miles were the toughest that I have ever run.
From 18 miles onwards, the course changes from gentle undulations to what seems like huge hills. The long climb at 19 seemed never ending. Just when you felt that you had overcome that, you turn a corner then continue up some more inclines. These just sap your energy completely. I was not expecting this and would certainly leave a little more fuel in the tank for the second half of the course if I were to do it again.
It was a learning experience for me. For a first marathon it was a toughy, but you can't deny that it is a lovely race in a very special location.
Well done to the organisers, I had a great day!
Date of review: September 20, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: uberjogger
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A game of two halves...
In full: As other people have noted, the last 6-7 miles are quite tricky! I'm glad I did it, but also glad that it wasn't my first marathon.
Lovely scenery and well-marshalled. Could have done with some squash or sports drinks at some of the drinks stations. The lady with the Jelly Babies at 22 miles was a very welcome sight.
Lots of support from spectators all the way round, and particularly good at the finish.
Also could have done with some fruit/biscuits /something at the end - I didn't see any, though.
Date of review: September 19, 2007
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