My Event Ratings

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

In short: Tough but brilliant!
In full: What a great race! Brilliant marshalls, which made up for the lack of spectators. Lots of yummy treats along the way and a brass band at the end who continued to play whilst runners arrived in the rain!

My only minor gripe was that when I finished there were no medium T-shorts left, only large....surely it would be better to have more small and medium than large? Also, what a shame the T-tent shut so early, when some runners were still coming in?
Date of review: September 20, 2011

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Not enough drinks stations and too far to walk to collect bags and not enough signs for transport back to Edinburgh
In full: This was my first marathon and I must say I was a little disappointed. There were not enough drinks stations and to say that collecting bags and getting back to Edinburgh at the end was a shambles was an understatement. After the hottest day of the year, we had to queue to get our photos taken in the heat, still with no shelter. There was also no sheleter for runners to strech out in at the end after walking the best part of what felt like 1 mile to collect our baggage. Runners were crammed behind the lorries to get some cover. I had also allowed 4 hours to get back to my hotel and relax prior to getting my plane back home, but it took nearly 2 hours sitting in the sun with no shade to catch a bus back to the City. There appeared very little organisation to give priority to runners and before we knew it after the end of the race we were surrounded by supporters.

I know the weather cannot be guaranteed, but would it not make sense for the marathon to start prior to the 1/2 marathon say around 8.30 in case of the heat? Would it not also be bette to end the race closer to the city? I do worry that the route cannot support this number of runners.
Date of review: May 28, 2010

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

In short: Two hills, one very tough, but worth it for the views! Jaffa cakes were very welcome at the drinks stations!
In full: What a race! This was the first 21 mile race I've completed. The organisation was first rate, and we were followed by a marshall on a bike. The weather was kind and it was a fast race. The rolling start worked well for us, although having to stick to paths was a little frustrating at times. Some of the mile markers were out so it didn't feel like 21 miles at all. For a run on my doorstep I couldn't ask for more! Will be back!
Date of review: March 29, 2010

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

In short: nice race-lovely to start and end in the stadium
In full: It was great to have a 9am start to this race. My only gripe was the toilets, which ran out of paper and hand wash before the race started. I also had to download the race info from the web as very little information was sent with the race numbers. A great beginners race though, clearly marked with milage written on the paths as well as on signs. Lovely to finish going downhill!
Date of review: July 20, 2009

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

In short: Beautiful, hot and challenging!
In full: A lovely setting around Bewl water, mainly under cover through wooded sections to help with the sun and heat. Be warned about the very challenging section in the last third of the race-not for the faint hearted! All in all my best trail run yet! Great marshalling and water stops with treats on the way. Lovely goodie bag, cakes and brass band at the end; not forgetting a special 10th anniversary medal and towel....they made the last 15 miles melt away!
Date of review: July 6, 2009

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: Beatiful route, but very challenging in the hills and heat!
In full: This was the first official off road race I've completed. The marshalls were fantastic and really motiviating, which helped me get through the tougher sections. Thanks also for the sponges and hoses to cool us down! All in all a great race with brilliant organisation-and lovely homemade cakes at the end! After the effort it would have been nice to have a medal for all finishers though. Will be back :-)
Date of review: June 15, 2009

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