Manchester Marathon 2013

I've had an email about early-bird entry for next year Manchester Marathon (with a link to here:

http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/runner-information

Anyone confident that the organisers have addressed the shortcomings of this year's race?

I wish them luck. They've changed the course quite radically. Start and finish is near Old Trafford. It goes there and back from Timperley through Altrincham, I guess to make the most of all the support that was there. Misses out Dunham Massey which is a shame, but the muddy, flooded lanes nearby proved too much of a problem last time so they're just addressing that. Part of the course from Washway Rd to Urmston will still be a bit bleak - but hard to avoid I guess. I wonder if they'll sort out the underpass.

I probably won't be doing it as got a GFA place for London - but I will definately be out supporting, and may even volunteer to marshall.

Apparently no underpass next year.

I'm tempted as I can't do Chester in October due to breaking my ankle (back training soon). We have till the end of the month to decide 

I think the early bird discount is only a fiver, so I might wait until London knock me back (again!).

Can't find the actual date on the website....

found it in email - 28th April - week after VLM again.

Just have to cope with starting and finishing outside that monstrosity. Quite enjoyed the banter last year though as I marshalled in my City hat. 

I think the route is a big improvement on this year's.  Not sure whether I'll run it.  The change of route is tempting me, and I'm glad to miss out Dunham and the country lanes.

I'll be doing Manchester or Edinburgh. I will probably give Manchester one more chance.

bet they have learnt from this year and will get it right next year

For me the main problem was the baggage, and surely they will be making sure that doesn't happen again. Plus, next year the weather will be lovely.

I'm waiting to see if I've got into London but am beginning to have my doubts about training and running 3 marathons in 12 months! I may just save myself for Liverpool next October.

Sounds like they've addressed alot of the problems from this year though.

I know what you mean acp - after London next spring might take 12 months off the marathon and do shorter races and run a bit less mileage. Finding marathon training all consuming at the moment - going to need a break from it sooner or later.

It does become all consuming even at lower mileage! Not sure the other half can take much more!

Those of you that have run Chester before and ran Manchester in April, can you tell me if that hill (Chester) at 22/23 miles feels as bad as the underpass (Manchester) at 25 miles?!

ACP- I ran them both last year, the underpass at Manchester was worse only because it stopped you running,with all the twisting and turning.

The Chester hill was nothing to talk about really.

Saying that there was only a minutes difference with my times, but I did run London the week before Manchester.

How does Boston, London and Manchster sound on the trot....thinking about it.

ACP - the Manchester website explicitly says there will be no underpasses next year.

Manchester? Not a chance next year, new route or not. Baggage hell etc etc.

I am got a GFA place for London. Might do Edinburgh though also - great place for real ale!!

Jonah8 and Dan - thanks for the replies. I did notice that the email said no underpass and it just reminded me how bad it felt to come across it so near the end and I wondered if it was comparable to the 'hill' at Chester in terms of how your legs feel at that point in the marathon! 

I would have given it another go, couldn't be worse could it, but in agreement with Dan couldn't bring myself to go to that awful dump to start and finish