My Event Ratings

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Not enough Edinburgh, too much wind,
In full: Edinburgh has the potential to have a great Marathon but it just doesn't seem to ever get just 'right' Too pricey, Expo only in Western Harbour cos of money making whereas should be runner & visiting runner friendly instead!!!! Gravel at Gosford house a joke, coast route too windy, will only be a rare day when its not!!!! Run 4 marathons, this one twice, loved the other two but not this!! Not enough loos, start shambolic mass of people, goody bag just about empty!!
Sorry I won't be back, too much pain but without the pleasure!!!
Date of review: May 26, 2008

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: My 1st FLM and 3rd mara they just get better and better!!
In full: My dream of running The London Marathon came true at last!!! And boy it was everything I imagined it to be..
Crowded yes but not as crowded as I thought it would be. Got running pretty much straight away and apart from congestion at Cutty Sark and somewhere else was running freely for the rest of it. Crowd support amazing and I managed to spot my supporters at miles 13 & 25 with the help of the scottish flags they were waving so I could see them.... and the use of my mobile phone which was a godsend in knowing where they were and them spotting me.
Goody bag and t shirt fab too. I didn't get the time I was after but that was down to me and not over crowding. If I had been able for my 4.30 time then I reckon I could have got it.
I LOVED THE WHOLE DAY AND WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LOVES A BIG MARATHON.
Date of review: April 15, 2008

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Great views, longish uphill then too much downhill for the legs!!
In full: My first time after missing out last year. I ended up in the last wave (which was more for fun runners and walkers) didn't realise that till I got there and I don't know why cos I would have put my time down around 27 which was what I got. So the start was a bit crowded (same opinion as Katypie in an earlier review) Personally for me I am prone to shin slpints when running any great distance down concrete which I avoid in training so not having run it before I didn't realise there was so much downhill and in a 5K its harder to go slower!! So for me I have done it but won't be doing it again as it has now stopped my normal training for 3-4 days.
Good long sleeved T Shirt but I agree I picked a small and the sleeves are too short for me. Normally the T Shirts are too big, but hey ho that's me just nit picking, the T Shirt is still a good one though.
If you don't mind a bit of a hill climb with great views and your legs are ok running downhill then I would say DO IT.....A great wee 5K.
Date of review: January 13, 2008

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A fantastic race, day and brilliant marathon. My 2nd mara and I loved it even with the hills!!! t
In full: I had read the reviews from last year, heard from other runners how great this race was even with the dreaded hills!! But it surpassed all my expectations, the weather was the icing on the cake this year after last years torrential rain.
I LOVED IT, even though my legs were like jelly in the last few miles!!
The atmosphere was great, it felt like you were running with old friends to keep you going, talking to all different people along the way. The scenery was out of this world, I'm scottish and it still takes my breath away. The hills were hard but I just walked up them as fast as I could. One day I may manage to 'run' up them but not just yet!! But in saying that my 'fast' walking was still keeping up with some runners so a bit of walking aint all bad folks..
A great finish, amazing goody bag, great T Shirt, all in all I'll be back next year for sure. Well done to Baxters, all the marshalls and Inverness for a memorable experience and a PB.......
Date of review: October 8, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: A great 1st time marathon
In full: A great race with great organisation, marshalling and plenty/plentiful water/energy stations. My first marathon and the only two downsides for me were the wind and my slow pace due to 1st time inexperience & over caution. Both those things were obviously nothing to do with organisation!!!! So all in all a great race for all speeds with a great finish.
I'll be back next year.

Date of review: May 28, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great PB potential. plenty water stations, not much atmosphere at the start compared to The Great Run & Great Scottish Run events! Poor goody bag aswell. Scenery at sea great but rest of it not inspiring, also finishing crowd quite small.
In full: Can't grumble cos I got a great PB, but for atmosphere it lacked a lot. The final run up to the finish round the side of ocean terminal was pretty bleak even though you knew you were near the finish!! There wasn't much of an area for spectators to 'line' the finish route. No bananas and a very poor goody bag! When you compare it to The Great Scottish run in Glasgow there is no comparison. The start and finish of that race which I appreciate is a huge event is awesome.. Also next year I would park about a mile away from the start cos the traffic as usual in Edinburgh was horrendous.
BUT I would still recommend it as a good race.
Date of review: April 6, 2007

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Always my hardest race, but don't know why!
In full: Good race to do again but not one of my faves, I have realised I prefer round the big city runs or country road surfaces rather than stony paths or muddy tracks.
Also I like one complete route and not there and back routes.
Date of review: September 24, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: My first half and I thought it was great. Atmosphere at the start and great course for a first half run.
In full: Maybe the weather didn't pull in previously bigger crowds but I would rather have cool weather for running than hot weather and bigger crowds. The nearly full circle finish was rather misleading but I was definately smiling going over the finish line. Next year I will know what to expect!
Could have done with a couple of energy drinks stations but in saying that if there are none then I make sure and have some gels on me.
I have to say its one of my all time fave races cos its a big glasgow one and it was my first half!!
The long walk to get your goody bag didn't bother me, it was good to keep the legs moving.
All in all I loved it......
Date of review: September 6, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Great day, great atmosphere. Good race for a PB if you are in the front of your wave.
Date of review: May 24, 2006

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