Just back from a brilliant first visit to Rome, few thoughts about the marathon experience. Great value and glad I did it. Organisation could be improved i.e. stop family / friends getting into the baggage area etc., crowded enough and a few more signs at the start.
Poor crowd support compared to other big city marathons like London and Chicago. Near chaos at some of the water stations as where drinks only seemed to available at one side and people diverted across the runners to get to them. I saw a lot of people running without numbers, some joining to run with friends and others who seemed to be just on a jog along the course!
Also agree the comments with the shoppers who just walked out in front of you. My Garmin said 26.7 miles and the last 2K seemed to take forever but overall enjoyed it.
New to this marathon, would like to have done it on a sunny day as it was heads downs and keep going in the rain! I like the undulating course and run alot of offroad events, so the cattle grids and gates did not worry me. Was parked in Normanton, so it worked out just fine for me at the finish. Nice to see gels being handed out but I always carry the ones I like. Thought the cadets were very good, lots of positive comments as they stood getting soaked.
Not impressed with the non event specific vest, sure I was given the choice of a shirt (which I would wear to train in). Glad I have done it but not sure I would return,
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kaskajohn
