My Event Ratings

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

In short: A good half.
In full: A very well organised half marathon, from the parking of cars to the buses laid on to take us back to the start.
A bit narrow at the start and due to the rain the night before rather muddy, but not mush we can do about that, however the weather was very kind to us on the day.
A good route through Dundee apart from the steel poles on the path we had to look out for, a bit narrow.
The only down side to this event was no timing chips as the results had some mixed results, would have thought an event this size would have been using timing chips.
However a good event and plenty of room at the finish, and the buses to the start were very good.
Date of review: July 24, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great PB potential race, but very poorly organised.
In full: This was my second marathon and my first at Edinburgh. Great PB potential course, but due to the high winds in the last 8 miles like many others was slowed down, however was still a good time for me.

Plenty of water stations and Lucozade if you like it. Great atmosphere and plenty of support from the locals, supplying sweets etc...

However this marathon was very badly organised, which has let it down badly. I never attended the expo, and just decided to turn up on the day, and glad I did. I asked a steward on London road where the bag drop was and was sent to the wrong one, had a nice wee walk (I guess could have been part of my warm -up) and ended up at the right one.

It was fantastic to have my spectator's support on the final stretch to the finish. Although they were told they couldn't line the final route i'm glad they and many others did as the big screen in the reunion area which was supposed to be showing the finish, was broken!! Their support kept me going to the finish. What is the point in family/friends coming to support you when they have to watch you on a big screen anyway. The fact it was broken must have been a huge disapointment or those who took spectator buses to the finish then walked a couple of miles from the bus park to the reunion area. Edinburgh, this is NOT acceptable!
The Reunion area was also a shambles! Hundreds of people going in opposite directions on the pavement and entrance into the park, not enough drinks/food vendors and mile long queues. The walk to get them medal and goody bag after the finish was long enough let alone struggling through crowds to get to the park. The showers were freezing and i finished in the top 300. No where near adequate for the number of entrants.
From a spectator point of view it would have been much better if the route had been reversed. Edinburgh city center has much more facilities and amenities for spectators to pass the time and spend money which would have been fantastic for local businesses. My family spent most of the time i was running, travelling to the finish.

Come on Edinburgh you've got a great course that just needs a few adjustments, like the finish being in the main town and get a grip with the organisation.

The main reason I'd do this again is purely down to the course PB!


Date of review: May 24, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: My first Marathon - Absolutely Fantastic!!
In full: This was my first marathon and it was fantastic! Having being plagued by injuries I still managed a great time. Loved the route, but then i quite enjoy hill running. The atmosphere was great and the supporters at Dores gave a great boost just before the "hill". There were a few supporters along the route which was great to see, especially the guy playing Scottish music from his car. After that the second half seemed to go by much quicker than the first half. My kids took part in the Wee Nessie while i was doing the marathon which was a great way of passing the time for them at a very wet and muddy Bught Park! They were delighted with their medals. Once the sun came out they had a great time on the bouncy castle and slide. There was great support along the final 100mtr and the commentator did an excellent job of shouting out as many runners names as he could. The post race meal was good - a nice touch and the goody bag and medal were worth the effort. Went to the pasta party the day before which was ok but perhaps not worth the money. Doing Edinburgh Marathon in May - it will have a lot to live up to. Definitely coming back to this event next year.
Date of review: October 10, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator