is edinburgh marathon really that bad

Hi i have just done my first marathon( London)  I am doing edinburgh at end of the month have'nt  really paid much attention to it was focused on london. I have been reading on rw race ratings and it sounds horriable is it really that bad ?

 Thanks Paula

hmm. I did it two years ago and it was a mixed bag.

Pluses:

• flat, fast course, if a bit boring in places
• it's in Edinburgh, what's not to like
• Nice blingy medal

Minuses:

• the finish area was quite badly laid out and getting back to Edinburgh took ages
• it can be hot, but you can't blame the organisers for that

I wouldn't do it again, but I thought it was "okay" - but the organisers need to sort the finish area out...

Mostly it's fine, The finish area was a shambles last year but hopefully they will sort that this year. It was very windy last year too and it can be exposed. It does not take in much of Edinburgh's sights which a lot of people moaned about. However, if you want a potentially quick marathon with a big city feel then you will get that. It is nothing like the extravaganza that is London though.

Hope you enjoy it.

Owl

The finish area was hoorendous last year but the organisers have taken that on board and it looks totally revamped this time. The issue of transport back to town is an inevitable one in a point to point course. You'll have no probs at all getting dropped off very close to the start

As Jonny B says the course has potential to be super quick if the frickin' weather would behave ie not be windy or hot

It def doesn't have the massive charity - fest that VLM has though

From mile 10 it's an out and back so there's constant stream of runners going the other way which can either motivate or depress you depending on how you're doing !

I did it in 2009 and the finish was badly organised then.  I tried to get to my family but marshals kept sending me in wrong directions.  I could see where I needed to be but just couldn't get there and after walking around for more than an hour I begged a marshal to take me there, explaining that I wanted to get to my children.  He then had a go at me for leaving my children on their own!! I told him their father and grandmother were also with them but he wouldn't believe me and threatened to report me to social services!!! I told him to f*ck off and burst into tears!!

The course itself is uneventful.  Starts in Edinburgh but then heads down the coast and doubles back to Musselburgh.  The relay runners were a bit of a pain popping in and out. 

There have certainly been shambolic elements to Edinburgh's organisation in past years... I expect they won't repeat the finish line mistake from last year. So, generally speaking, it's not a bad run, as long as you aren't expecting Edinburgh city center. This will be my 3rd emf.

re: the trip back to town... to avoid the bus lineups and trip time, go to the Wallyford Rail Station (it's the upstream/uphill one). Trains are infrequent -- hourly, I think -- so have the schedule/map printed beforehand. Allow at least 15 minutes to get up the hill on tired legs. That train will drop you happily (and quickly!) in the middle of town at Waverley Station.

In the instructions, it's also noted that they've gone to gels and water in place of the traditional lucozade/water. Try the gels beforehand to see how you feel about them and make alternate plans if you don't get on well.

Beyond that, have fun and gently ask the Met Office to deliver good weather.

I am running it for the first time and am really looking forward to it, injuries (ITB both knees, intermittent) permitting. Have heard it's slightly downhill, so great for PBing, and also that wind is really the only thing that can be against you. I'm not so bothered about running in heat, so the time of year thing doesn't really bother me. I just wish that I could take Monday off too and not have to get back to work. My flight back to London is very late afternoon. What a crazy idea I had. Tee hee. We'll see. Maybe my boss (headteacher) will take pity on me and let me come in at half 10 instead of 8... I have earnt some brownie points lately. Perhaps now's a good time to ask.

 Hope everyone's training is going super. Mine was til I hurt my left knee doing crazy Bath beat couple weekends ago with far too many stiles. (One is probably too many huh?)