My Event Ratings

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

In short: Superb race, put on by our friends at Gosport. FAST, flat, yes scenic, sea views, airfield is ok, you get to see your rivals, no industrial estates, best Half around.
Date of review: November 20, 2012

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

In short: Good but could be so much better with proper oganisation.
In full: Crowds excellent again, not quite as noisy as last year, except in last two miles, also the thin crowds in Shoreham docks were just brill, so encouraging, thank you, and many thanks to all the helpers who gave up up their day to help 8,000 of us have a great race.
Positive bits first, I liked the switchbacks, I find it therapeutic to glance at the real quickies ahead of me, and the masses behind me, to wave and shout at friends as they too run. The drinks stations were excellent, numerous. I don't feel the heat was a problem, there was a breeze, but so few runners sub 3 hrs implies either the heat or course contributed? I was sub 3 at halfway, but tightened up badly from 20 miles, just my age sadly:(
Anyone moaning about crowd support must be mental. Of course there were a few quieter bits, I've never run any marathon, including London, where it's noisy for 26 miles! It made the day for me, and is probably the only thing that would draw me back in future years.
Things for the organisers to improve.
I was lucky to be in red start, it took 30 secs, but still lots of slow runners ahead!! I know it's so difficult, maybe more coloured bands as last year, or as with sub 2.45 guys proving their times, get sub 3 and sub 3.30 runners to do the same so fairly decent club runners don't trample obvious 5 hour runners!
Lots of problems, biggest for me was again massive loo queues at start, I didn't have time to count them, but really were there more than last year? Park and ride was a joke. It was poor last year, yet this year we arrived earlier and Uni of Sussex, 7.15, to join a queue for 25mins on the A27, to be told it was full, sorry that is not good enough. Then had to panic, drive into Brighton, find Preston Park and luckily found a parking space, not ideal, and had I not been lucky enough to stop in a garage for the loo, I wouldn't of had time to queue at start of race, race then ruined.
Agree with previous post, what's the point of having massage so far away?
So, the crowds are superb, the helpers are superb, the course is good, though agree no need to run that final hill at Ovingdean, the organisation could be so much better.
Sorry for rant, just be great to improve it for the runners next year.
Not sure why 5,000 didn't show? Can't really think it was some sunshine? Need to look at that, and if they had turned up, all the issues 8,000 had would have been so so much worse?
Date of review: April 11, 2011

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

In short: Organisation really should have been better, the Crowds and weather helped make the day.
In full: You have to wonder if the people organising this have ever run a big city marathon before? If so, perhaps just at the elite end. The loos at the start were a disater, waiting half an hour and then giving up. I guess a budget was given out and that was that, but as it's probably the most expensive marathon in the Country, I'd accept a few less cosmetics in the goody bag for double or treble the number of loos at the start. Just as well 4,500 didn't show!
Corrals were a good idea, but not policed where I was in the Red zone as lots of slow runners ahead. I understand if someone predicts a time that is all you can go by. Maybe proof of time for sub 3.30 runners? Take half times maybe?
Very disappointed with timing mix up. I had sub 3 on my garmin, but clock at finish said over 3? My garmin has been spot on for two years? So texted times may have been right?
Lots of pluses too.
The course was excellent, about what I had read, few small hills early on, then flat, no problem with that.As others have said, about mile 23/24 prob needs barriers as people wandering across course when runners are so tired is not good.
Personally I felt there were enough Water/Powerade points. I don't have an obvious solution (smaller bottles?)but most of the content is discarded, we only want a few sips unless you are pouring the water over you as I did towards the end. Agree with one earlier comment, shame one powerade stop near the end took off the nozzle. I'm sure they were trying to help, but nozzle on is much easier!
The medal was impressive, never sure whether to put gun time or chip time or garmin time on though!
Showers were great en route, I used all of them.
As everyone has rightly said the crowd support was amazing. It really made the day and the memories.I was mostly on my own after ten miles and getting that reception from the crowds was awesome, similar to London, but there are more around you there so even better here. I clapped the crowd as often as I could and their response was deafening. I even clapped the guys in the flats! So fantastic support, of course the weather helped, but one thing is certain that despite the very high entry fee, the incredibly naive (tight) portaloo budget, and timing debacle, I like thousands of others will be back next year, and it will be bigger and better and go from strength to strength. The course is excellent, as are the people of Brighton, just need a bit more 'joe public' input on the organising side, and I'm sure all comments good and bad will be reviewed and this will be the start of a major marathon, not just in England, but a top European race too.
Date of review: April 19, 2010

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

In short: Excellent course with the friendliest marshalls ever! Organisers right to recommend trail shoes but I managed fine with racers. Had it been heavy rain then definitely off road required.
In full: Really enjoyed the race. Agree with all the comments previously,superb course, not p.b, if you ran a p.b you are newish to running or your training is going really well and a flat road course will bring your time from Sunday down by another 3 mins. So do a road race for a time, but make time for races like this. We were lucky with the weather, facilities are superb here, although as with all races a few more loos would always be welcome. The guy and girls from Reading Uni (Tv) who did the massages were excellent, my legs barely know I ran a half!
Lastly as most have said, the marshalls were fantastic. I'd say the best I've known in 25 yrs of racing. So smiley and enthusiastic, even to the guys near the front. I guess many marshalls think if you are quite quick and near the front looking serious you don't need some help? Wrong! These guys were great. Hope to be back next year.
Date of review: March 23, 2010

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

In short: What a shame after all the planning and hard work put in by so many that the extreme weather won the day.Full marks to the Race Director for calling this off in good time.The mugs, reduced entry and esp the Charity donations are more than expected.
In full: I'm do not understand the odd comment I've read on here, whinging about money back etc? Someone even said 'disgusting'? I imagine this is an unattached runner with absolutely NO idea what it takes to put on such an event. As to re run it, have you ever tried re applying for road closures?
I'm pleased to see today far more understanding comments from knowledgeable runners who can accept their £12 has been spent on race set up expenses, their mug, Charity donations and even an entry reduction next year. That reduction alone must be an administration headache the organisers could do without! Still as I noticed a couple of comments that runners are not intending to enter next year, that should help!
Date of review: January 13, 2010

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