My Event Ratings

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: Still one of the world's great races
In full: The weather's not always great, the scenery's nothing to write home about, and the hills aren't easy. But the unique atmosphere, the surreal and special touches, the incredible warmth and sense of humour, and the brilliant, supportive marshals and other volunteers make this one of the best races in the UK and quite probably in the whole world. Year after year, the feedback is staggering. An amazing event.
Date of review: December 9, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great atmosphere, lovely route, highly recommended.
In full: My first White Peak marathon, I'll be back! Treated it as a training run for an ultra and enjoyed the scenery, stopped at the drinks stations, said hello to everyone on the trail, and generally took it easy and had a lovely day out! I absolutely loved the downhill at the end and would definitely like to go for a PB on this course some time. I have only ever run big-city marathons before and it was so nice to run through the Peak. Warm and friendly, low-key organisation, nice atmosphere, highly recommended.
Date of review: May 21, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Still one of the world's great races
In full: One of the friendliest, most supportive, best marshalled and all-round excellent races around. Incredible atmosphere and my friend who travelled all the way up from London to take part was not disappointed. Although I was definitely not fit and well today, I had a fantastic time as usual.
Date of review: December 12, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In full: A great first marathon for Brighton. Really good atmosphere and overall organisation very good. Some bits of the course a bit dull but when it comes to marathons, I'd rather have flat and dull than hilly and interesting. I did love the DJ in the middle of the deserted power station. It was also great to emerge from the lonely power station stretch to the crowds on the prom - even though the pier and the finish really did look a long way away. Crowd support was great and the whole town seemed to be in a good mood - helped by the sunshine.

I thought the finishing area was excellent - loads of room and plenty of drinks, bananas and extra support for runners who needed it. Baggage handling very smooth too. Also I had no problem getting out of it - just walked up the steps.

My biggest complaint would be the totally inadequate amount of portaloos at the start - spending 45 mins in a loo queue is not a good way to prepare for a race. Also I thought the first mile was very congested - it was my slowest mile by nearly half a minute - so I think the start should have been staggered more.

My second biggest complaint would be the mix-up over chip times on the website. My Garmin said 3.45.12 and I was delighted when a friend called to say my time on the site was 3.43. After all my whooping, jumping up and down and generally shouting about how chuffed I was, I got home to find it was actually 3.45.07. Which I'm still chuffed with - but just really hoping that London keeps the women's Good-for-Age limit at 3.50 for 2011.

Nobody seems to have mentioned Steve Ovett so maybe the thousands of pounds spent on him could be spent on loos next year??

Also - not enough water or energy drinks. There should be water every mile during a marathon - particularly on a warm day like yesterday.

Really, really didn't like 'The Wall' arch - had to force myself not to look at it.

Overall, a great event, and a great reason for me to travel a couple of hundred miles to see my Brighton friends and have Sunday lunch in my fave restaurant.

A Japanese tourist stpped me in the street because he wanted to buy my medal. I had to tell him it wasn't for sale.
Date of review: April 19, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Continues to improve
In full: The organisers deserve a lot of credit for taking on board participants' feedback. Over the last couple of years the introduction of chip timing, technical T shirts and sports drinks at the finish have all improved this event. Fairly flat course makes it ideal as a pre-marathon half, to predict marathon time and pace. My main gripe, which is not the fault of the organisers, is that far too many people position themselves in a faster time band at the start than they can actually achieve - totally unnecessary when there is chip timing.

Although this race is well organised, it has a very 'functional' feel to it, and lacks the special atmosphere that turns a race into a really special event.
Date of review: April 12, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Friendly event, some challenging climbs, great cakes
In full: Fantastic event, glorious countryside, great atmosphere and plenty of flat sections between challenging climbs. Nice downhill finish, then soup, tea and cakes. Brilliant.
Date of review: March 15, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Well organised, friendly and welcoming
In full: This is a great event, very well organised, friendly and welcoming. Many thanks to everyone involved.

Second time I've run this, and due to five weeks of inactivity I found it quite tough this year - what seemed like gentle undulations last year definitely felt like hills this time round. So it's been a bit of a wake-up call for me to get training properly again!
Date of review: January 18, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Surely one of the world's greatest races
In full: Fantastic conditions for what is surely one of the world's greatest races. Tremendous atmosphere, friendly and supportive marshals, fantastic goody bag including technical T shirt, energy drinks and goodies to eat at the end and overall excellent organisation. Welcoming for everyone from elite club runners to enthusiastic newcomers. Phsio on hand proved very popular too. And lovely hot food in the clubhouse. I could go on...
Date of review: December 14, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Friendly, nice location
In full: Well organised and friendly. Nice running conditions, pleasant course, got a PB so I came away happy!
Date of review: October 12, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Friendly, leafy, a bit hilly.
In full: Gorgeous day for a great race which is indeed seriously undulating. First time I've run this and I really enjoyed it - particularly as the small field meant I won a category prize for the first time ever! Would encourage more people to come along though - a well organised, friendly event.
Date of review: September 20, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator