Taunton Marathon - Events - Runner's World

richard osullivan

01/10/2005 at 11:48

Any info about this race would be appreciated.
Sounds quite flat
Rich O

RICHARD ELSTON 2

01/10/2005 at 13:02

This is my local marathon, so perhaps a bit biased. Nethertheless, it is pretty flat apart from 2 short hills at 11-12 miles. My fastest course for 1/2 mara. If you do the full marathon there is the disadvantage of having to do the course twice, and therefore having to see most people finish after 13 miles! Definetely enter in 2006.

40 minutes

01/10/2005 at 14:00

Did the marathon this year & got a PB; never done the half.

Hill at mile 11-12 is OK, but no so great 2nd time round at mile 23. At least you get a long downhill finish.

parrotmad

06/10/2005 at 14:08

Is this any good for a first-timer? My friend wants to do his first marathon before the hay-fever season kicks in next year and I'll run it with him...it will be my 3rd marathon.

Peter Kennedy

06/10/2005 at 16:32

dull dull dull - this course is no great shakes at the best of times as a one lap event - but to run another lap when their will be virtually no support & hardly any other runners beggers belief....

It will test you

Look else were would be my advice.

40 minutes

06/10/2005 at 22:52

Peter

It was my 2nd ever marathon & I rather enjoyed the contrast to FLM (my first).

You are right about the small marathon field though, over the last 3 miles I only saw 2 other runners; they had both ground to a halt & were walking up that hill.

andy ryan

28/10/2005 at 09:41

OK 1/2 marathon. Hills at 12 mile managable, generally flat otherwise. Have ran twice and each time improved my PB at this event. Little dissapointed at number of water stations in past, but improved this year. Will be there next year.

Ye Hippo

30/10/2005 at 13:08

When I ran it a couple of years ago the organistaion was 1st class - facilities good & right on site. Two laps meant you got to look at the hard part of the course on the first lap. It is a little lonely on the 2nd lap as you are coming along the main road back into Taunton - but this a lonely mental battle time of the race anyway.

I've drawn a topo of the course at http://topology.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

Banana split

30/10/2005 at 16:22

Peter- perhaps this is a personal thing but when I'm suffering I want to be alone. My best performance in a marathon (though not my pb) was in Hereford (2:47). I have done London and other big city marathons and enjoyed the support mostly- but in the last 6 miles I'd rather they weren't there.
Hereford was a two lap course and has now bitten the dust. No doubt you would be pleased if Taunton does the same. These smaller events need support and negative comments such as yours are unhelpful. I appreciate that you are just giving your opinion but what really depresses me is that your view is obviously shared by the majority - as the ever decreasing number of marathons in the uk, and the annual hype surrounding flm bears testimony.

Wilde Rover

30/10/2005 at 19:48

This is likely to be my FLM backup. (I am determined to do my first ever marathon in the spring.)

I live is South Wales and my family life is such that it is difficult to travel away too far or too long. (Paris etc are out of the question) I can get away with being away for FLM, but apart from that it is a case of the least time away from home as possible. So its this or the Shakespeare (haven't found any others). They seem to be the only ones within 2hrs of home at that time of year.

Which brings me to my point. There aren't that many around - so lets not knock the ones that are out there.

WildeRover

Banana split

30/10/2005 at 19:53

Here Here!

Ultra Minnie

30/10/2005 at 20:41

Absolutely agree Banana Split and WildeRover!

SHADES

03/11/2005 at 15:08

Well done Banana Split on that fab posting.

I remember Hereford marathon, I really liked that one.

40 minutes

05/11/2005 at 21:30

Wide Rover

There is also Dartmoor Vale Marathon, in October next year I believe.

Banana split

06/11/2005 at 10:00

Shades :-) Pleased that I am not the only one who thinks like that...and I know there are people out there such as yourself, who have done alot more of these smaller events than I have- suppose I have talked myself into doing this one next year then:-)

Plodding Hippo

06/11/2005 at 10:03

lurk
oh
Id forgotten this has a cut off
maybe i a few years time then

Banana split

06/11/2005 at 19:23

??What are you talking about Hippo?

SHADES

07/11/2005 at 09:40

Hippo - still lots of finishers after 4.30 and quite a few over 5 hours too.

happyslug

22/11/2005 at 18:54

Hippo!!!!!!!!
how are you sweetie??
we could run it together, !!!!!!!!!

I obviously have no FLM place as no
cheque cashed, trawling for local-ish
marathon in the spring...

Wilde rover, like you, not practical to travel too far, (selfish, expensive etc)
considering duchy, nearer me than you I know..

Taunton is my local, I do my long runs around that area, but really hate the thought of 2 circuits and prob never do 4.30

bombed out of planned Snowdonia with bad leg as first( well why not) ever marathon.

shades how does 5 hrs work with 4.30 cut out? do they not scoop you up in van??

SHADES

23/11/2005 at 09:46

No, you are allowed to finish and collect your medal etc. You just don't go in the official results.