Salisbury Trail 5-4-3-2-1 Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (238 votes). | The big picture (238 votes) | | Overall score | | 82% | | How many would do it again? | | 87% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 89% | | PB potential | | 47% | | Atmosphere | | 73% | | Organisation | | 73% | | Value | | 83% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 67% |
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2012 race reviewed by: touie2
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: scenic set of trail races with a distance to suit all!
In full: I did the 50k and found it to be really well marked, the water stations were plentiful, it was well organised, great value, would definately do it again
Date of review: August 28, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: hunkydory
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic first time ultra experience
In full: This was my first running race since school, and I thought I'd make it count with an Ultra. So the 50K trail option was right for me. Being a rookie, a flat-lander, and pressed with time for training I was not racing - my goal was to finish and to survive. The long hills before halfway mark took it out of me and left me puffing until the finish line. Weather, scenery, atmosphere and organisation were fantastic on the day - I couldn't find anything to complain about, even if I haven't really got much to compare it with.
Date of review: August 21, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Tom Hay 11
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Something for everyone
In full: A brilliant race through lovely countryside. I was tempted to do the 50k but settled for 30k, thank goodness - it was hilly and hot! But the organization was great, friendly marshals, nicely varied tracks (the narrow path through bramble briars around 25k had to be someone's idea of a joke!) and the run-in past the cathedral was a fantastic way to finish. I'll try to work the 50k into my schedule next year.
Date of review: August 19, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Laudy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Training Run
In full: Travelled from Cardiff to run the 30km as wanted a training run for the Snowdonia Marathon in October. We entered the week before but the organisers posted the pre-race info out asap which was appreciated. Sending the detailed race directions out before the race or loading them onto the website in the week beforehand would be useful. I carried them with me but found the signs on the course more than sufficient, made a small error across a field that cost a minute or two but that was it. The signs did run out a little bit in the last half mile through town however I read quite a few of the reviews beforehand so knew to expect this. Plus if you keep an eye out for the tower at the fire station and keep heading towards that you'll pick up a marshal.
The organisation was very smooth, decent shelter given the intermittent rain at the start. Seats to watch the end of the mens Olympic marathon what more could you ask for??? TOILET ROLL!!! Adequate number of portaloos but none had any toilet roll left before the 30km started, only small thing that let down the start/finish, rest was great.
The marshals were all very friendly, decent number of water stations and very well stocked checkpoints. The course itself was a real mixed bag, the scenery wasn't quite as glorious as I expected but I think I have been spoilt by some of the other trail races I have done. It was nice and its charm is that its quite unique not really run such a multiterrain event, parts were really pleasant, others a bit overgrown and isolated and others super busy with tourists. Hence multiterrain rather than trail is a more accurate description and its definitely a road shoe run.
All in all if its fits with my marathon plans next year I would give it a go as it supports a very worthy cause and is useful training run.
Date of review: August 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: CAROLYN THOMSON EASTER
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: HOT HUMID HILLY -- HEAVENLY!
In full: Did the 20k last year and thought I'd challenge myself to the 30 in 2012. Firstly, it is 31 ish k, so don't be fooled into thinking (like I did) that you can speed up for the last few k!
The first 23k was glorious, the last 8 was hard going - hilly with tricky rutty tracks that destroyed my knees.
I agree with many of the other reviewers that the last few k through the town doesn;t have great signs and it is kind of hard work dodging the meandering dizzy tourists after 30k......
There is a way round that doesn;t involve running through the cathedral precinct and the town centre..but then it couldn;t be a 54321......
All the above said, it is a beautifully organised event, Ludo does a fantastic job pulling it together, his team are brilliant and it is just one of the nicest events.
Cake, fruit, jelly babies, dog bowls, smiles etc etc.....they have it all
I will definitely be back next year.
Date of review: August 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Barry Light
| | 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: The Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 has over the last few years become a regular favourite on the walk run calendar as it caters for nearly everyone who loves walking or running along footpaths, bridle-ways and quiet country roads in the Salisbury, Wessex area.
In full: Desperate situations leads to desperate measures and last Sunday morning I was about to break probably the No.1 golden rule of marathon running (this is a don't try this at home moment) running in brand new running shoes. After my very poor performances in my last few marathons - with my foot issues and legs seizing up problems, I was about to gamble on what I hoped would, if not cure the problems at least help to minimise them. During the Around the Reservoir Marathon a couple of weeks ago I noticed that multi-world record marathon runner Traviss Willcox was running in a pair of weird looking running shoes, they had extra thick soles, were very wide and looked like they weighed a ton. - If you would like to read more then check out my full blog here at http://60in60at60.com/2012/08/13/m32-salisbury-5-4-3-2-1/
Date of review: August 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: DENISE WIGHT 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: fab trail run
In full: fantastic organisation well done to ludo and team.lovely to run through estates not normally open.fruit was heavenly!!! missed cake checkpoint cos of poor signage around cathedral and after! but minor gripe for what was for my sister and I a fab run
Date of review: August 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Howard Lewis 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fab!!
In full: I only decided to do the 30k at the last minute with others from Poole Runners doing various distances. This was ideal marathon training. The organisation was excellent, despite there being a choice of 11 runs or walks on the day. A real friendly event with excellent marshalls, directions and feed stations. Really enjoyed this and may even consider the 50k ultra one day! My only very minor criticism would be to request more of the excellent info provided on the day to be on the website. Other than this, top marks and a great way to raise money for a very deserving cause. Thank you.
Date of review: August 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Chis Colby
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Lovely Ultra around rolling rural land
In full: My first Ultra and really enjoyed it, though my toes don't seem to agree!
The course is beautiful and very easy to follow until the last half mile. I read last years reviews and this was mentioned then, so really surprised a few more arrows hadn't been put out around the back end of the town. The previous 30 miles had great signage. This is my only complaint.
The marashalls did a fantastic job with smiling friendly faces, which always helps when you are knackered!
I would certainly return as this is a must do race as far as I am concerned. A very big well done to all who helped this event run so wonderfully.
Must mention the Yew tree forest which made me stop in my tracks and just take in the most fantastic surroundings. Enchanting is the best word I can use to describe it.
Date of review: August 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Possum hopper
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: Did this first in 2010 and liked it, but not as much as I do now after a second outing. Second time around you know what to expect and are not too shocked ! This is a wonderful run, so well organised and the water stations have some well worked for extras - such as bread and butter pudding style cakes !! Lovely. First time i did it I was a tad concered about the last few miles through the city centre but I loved it this year. Tough old climbs in places but I knew where the tops were !! All monies go to a great cause as well. Loved it.
Date of review: August 14, 2012
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