My Event Ratings

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

In short: How it should be done
In full: This was my 6th marathon and worth every bit of the trip down from Scotland. Much has already been said about the excellent organisation but it is so important to get it right (ahem, Edinburgh!) The marshals were all really supportive and each village had spectators shouting encouragement - having the crowd cheering my name was the only thing that stopped me from walking up that hill at 24 miles! Closed roads for all but a mile or so was a real bonus. The finish into the racecourse appeared out of nowhere from round a corner which was a real boost too! Goody bag was excellent and getting a t shirt I can actually wear while running is great! Would recommend this to anyone. Chester is a lovely city for pre and post race hanging out as well.
Date of review: October 10, 2011

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: A few minor grumbles but overall satisfactory race
In full: Overall satisfied with this race, marshals did their job well and on northern half of route were nice and encouraging, water stations were fine, no problem with cups but did have issue with fizzy Lucozade (useless). I personally did not enjoy the route but thats not the organisers fault, others seemed to like the two lap/up and down prom format, it just wasn't for me. Start/finish all went smoothly but disappointed with tee and medal, others may argue they are not important but I like to have
a nice keepsake, and these efforts are not nice!
I might consider it again if the route does become an out and back at some future stage.
Date of review: April 13, 2010

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Good race compromised by exceptional weather conditions
In full: First up, this year I did an 8 mile relay stint so in no way can compare my experience to those of full marathon runners but I can only say how desperately sorry I felt for those runners between mile 15 and 21 who had no water. No water. The marshals and supported were great but would have to agree that at such a crucial stage in the race to run out of water was a disaster. Many runners were reduced to walking during that stage and I can only hope it didnt compromise their race altogether.
Date of review: May 31, 2009

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: This race is heading in the wrong direction...
In full: Ive ran this particular race for the past three years and my gut feeling is that this year the organisers seem to have taken their eye off the ball. Its a real shame as Glasgow is, in parts, very pretty and the mundane, uninspiring route nowhere near reflects that, with the exception of running through Pollok Park. The route changes meant hills in unexpected places, ie the very start, which was tough.

Otrher niggles, I collected my race pack rather than getting it posted out, there was no T shirts left and I was told I had to collect it from their booth on the morning of the race...who wants to wear or carry a spare T shirt round 13 miles? The goody bag was very poor given the high entry cost. I loved the atmosphere and support in places but overall it was disappointing compared to other races. Get yer finger out Glasgow.
Date of review: September 10, 2008

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Better than expected!
In full: This is my 2nd marathhon and I actually really enjoyed it this time. Yes the wind on the out run to Gosford House was a real challenge, as was the sun and heat on the final 8 miles but overall I thought the race was well managed and enjoyable. I agree that the finish was chaotic with supporters wandering wherever they liked, I actually got asked to move from where I was sitting by two old women walking on the grass instead of the path! The goody bag was a joke but the medal is a nice one. I'd do it again, for sure. Oh, and I did it 20mins faster, despite wind, yaay!
Date of review: May 25, 2008

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Fast, flat course but not without its problems
In full: This race had great potential, a flat coastal course and despite the head-on wind I took 10 mins off my PB, thats the good bit! The marshals were very good as was the on route organisation, but why pick Cramond as the start point, a bizarre choice, hard to find and miles from the city centre. The start was distinctly underwhelming, and enough already said about the loos. The finish in the racecourse was a bit more special but getting back out again was just a joke. Fab goody bag though, best Ive seen. And the idea of incorporating a relay into this Half looked to me to be a dismal waste of effort as only a handful of folk seemed to be doing it. Could do better, switch back to Oceon Terminal!
Date of review: March 16, 2008

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

In short: Good fun!
In full: Great idea, nice route with an unexpected long hill at 1K - where did that come from!?! Highlight of my day was knowing I was in the same race as Liz McColgan -albeit about 15 minutes behind!!!
Date of review: June 3, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: excellent flat course, perfect for newbies like me
In full: My first half so always going to be special but otherwise was well organised, route was scenic in parts and positively ugly in others, not much atmosphere as almost no crowd support until the final mile, but I still loved it!!!
Date of review: May 13, 2007

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

In short: Brilliant atmosphere for this ever special event
In full: Excellent organisation and atmosphere on the day, no chance of a PB though as way too busy, so just do it for the enjoyment of it! There could be more emphasis for those who plan to walk/run to start nearer the back, or help for inexperienced runners to predict their finish times when they apply for their place? I was in purple start, second group away, and within 5 mins had walkers in front of me! Hope they finished okay!
Date of review: May 13, 2007

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

In short: A great local, fun event
In full: A great free local event aimed at promoting physical activity in a fun way, in an area with one of Scotland's worst health stats. Definately not a serious event although once all the local kids dropped back after the first few minutes the road ahead was clear enough to get a good pace going. A sneaky hill or two added interest. Great to see kids, mums, grandads, walkers, runners one and all, cheering each other on. Well done.
Date of review: April 22, 2007

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