My Event Ratings

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: Flat, Fast, a great atmosphere, what more could you ask for?
In full: From the very moment I arrived at the start I knew this was going to be a great race. The marshalls and organisers were friendly and helpful. The course was as flat as flat can be yet it was still quirky and scenic enough to stop it becoming dull. Although the roads were still open the marshalls and police did a fantastic job of keeping the runners safe. There was plenty of water and a sponge station. Not only did the marshalls do a great job directing and cheering on I was impressed to see several of them on bikes checking on runners throughout the course - lets not forget these people have kindly given up their Sunday so that we can have this marathon.
The finish in the stadium was an amazing touch! The shiniest medal I think I've ever seen, a fabulous goodie bag filled with actually useful stuff (like chocolate and energy gels) instead of the usual leaflets etc and much needed tea and biccies after. There is no way I'm missing this one in 2009!!
Date of review: October 20, 2008

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

In short: A great race, but still a lot to improve on!
In full: BAD
- It is expensive
- The expo was ridiculous and a complete waste of time and money
- The start area was pretty badly thought out and queues for toilets/ baggage all became one huge mass of grumpy people
- Goody bags were a pretty poor effort
- T.shirt wasn't the best
- Was this actually the Edinburgh marathon or was it just any old marathon through any old town? - because that is how it felt
- The queue for the buses back was too much I sacked it off.
GOOD
- It is a flat and potentially fast course
- There was plenty of water and energy drinks on the course
- The support was great
- The medal is lovely (ther area to get your name and time engraved is a nice touch)

I think that the organisers of this marathon should stop trying to make it something it isn't. It isn't a cloned London marathon in Scotland and they should stop trying to pretend it is with talks of ballots and expo's etc. It is however a great marathon in its own right and hopefully it will do nothing but improve
Date of review: May 28, 2008

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

In short: My first time in my home town race and it was great.
In full: This is the first time I've run this half marathon as last year I ran the Bath Half. The start was a little 'interesting' but once out of the town it settled into a fun race. I was impressed with the level of support from spectators on the course. There are a couple of little hills but you are rewarded with some lovely sweeping downhills. The finish was great, on a par with some of the 'bigger' half marathons. I'm glad this little gem is on my doorstep :-)
Date of review: March 17, 2008

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

In short: A good value, friendly race on a nice course!
In full: A second year for me here and just as enjoyable as last year, no complaints at all.
Date of review: March 17, 2008

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

In short: A brilliant marathon with the best marshalls ever!
In full: This was a toughie but thoroughly enjoyable. The weather was apalling but nothing can be done about that. The course isn't as bad as I was expecting (I'd heard it was really hilly) and in slightly better weather I think I could run a PB here. A special mention to the amazing Marshalls they did a brilliant job with smiles on their faces and a frienly word when things got hard.
Date of review: December 2, 2007

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

In short: A great race, well organised and good fun!
In full: I have to say the marshalls is this race particularly on the second half of the full marathon were second to none. They were so friendly and supportive. The drinks stations were well manned and there was huge amounts of water, lucozade and Gels. The first half was was challenging enough to make it interesting and the second half was full of lots of twists, turns and quirkyness. Very windy today!!
Date of review: September 16, 2007

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

In short: Undualting enough to keep it interesting, well organised and very friendly!
In full: If you think that racing is all about chip timing, organised start pens and hordes of cheering crowds this possibly isn't the half marathon for you! What you get is a bit of a crowded start (but hey thats part of the fun isn't it?) an undulating course, friendly marshalls, lots of water and good crowd support when it was there...oh and not forgetting the delicious caramel shortbread at the finish :-)
Date of review: September 2, 2007

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

In short: A great race, well organised with a fantastic atmosphere.
In full: Despite the 10k distance not being my distance of choice this has got to be one of my favourite races. It was well organised, had a brilliant atmosphere and a nice flat course. I loved the fact that it ran alongside the school fun day as that made it more of a day out - and meant my 2yo chief supporter could bet his face painted!!
Date of review: July 2, 2007

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

In short: A Flat fast course, very hot today and not the race I wanted to have
In full: A very hot day today. Great race, friendly and organisation was okay. Spectacularly p*ssed lad (at 9am!!) who decided to join in was amusing initially but not funny when he had a 'scuffle' with a runner and proceeded to chuck his can of lager - covering me with carling :-(
Unfortunatley I didn't take on enough fluid and ended up getting a lift back in an ambulance - couldn't fault the care I was given!
Maybe one to run with your own fluids - I will be back!
Date of review: June 3, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A brilliant warm up race with a fantastic atmosphere!
In full: As a 'newbie' to racing (this was only my second race) I was very nervous about taking part here, but everyone was so friendly. It had a great atmosphere with brilliant marshalls and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The section along 'beaconside' can be a bit hairy but the rest of the scenic countryside makes up for that. I will be back in 2008!
Date of review: May 27, 2007

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