My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fantastic race, great organisation, and lovely course
In full: I can't say anything bad about the 2011 race. I traveled down to do it with my sister, and had a great day out, and a new PB! Also her first race, which I think she enjoyed :-)

I still however have no idea how they make the course so good, I just hope the same team put on more events!
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: Brilliantly organised, and great course
In full: Reading isn't a city you think of as being great for running (no offense guys), but somehow this course is just fantastic. The only downer is the long slog back up to the stadium. even then though you have a closed road, and a stadium finish ahead!

Special mention should also be given to the start, where they properly put the fast people at the front to remove any slowdowns.

A huge well-done for a great race.
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: Some teething problems, but very good race. Nice job organisers
In full: Starting a race is never goign to be easy. This year there were some major issues, which mainly revolved around awful weather, leading to hypothermia at the end of a few people! Saying that though the course is mostly straight (not too twisty), and surprisingly pretty. The underpasses do get to you after a bit (they are hard come 20 miles), but it isn't the end of the world.

Comes with a positive review from me therefore. Not a dream race (Boston, London), but you coudl do a lot worse!
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: My first marathon, and what a way to start
In full: The London Marathon really is the pinnacle of running - they get it right every year. If anyone is a runner, they need to do this.

Good enough to make me go to Helsinki to try and run a qualifying time for the 2011 race!
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: Brilliant. Defines atmosphere, and great fun
In full: This particular race didn't go well for me (calf pull half way round), but that isn't the fault of the race. It was brilliantly organised, and good enough to make you want to run a qualifying time!
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: Brilliant race and organisation, my only reservation in recommending it, is that it will sell out even faster!
In full: They do a fantastic job to put on a really nice race, with friendly marshals, a nice course, and excellent value run.

It sells out every year, and now I know why!
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: Missing sign/marshall meant half a mile extra, no PB, or podium
In full: Ok so the course itself is pretty dismal. No scenery of note, and it is remarkably twisty - think the London Olympic Marathon. There were very small pockets of support, but mostly it is you and a housing estate on your own.

It was beginner friendly, with lots of water stops. However for me the worst part was a missing marshall that meant at least 20 of the front runners (positions 4 onwards), went an extra up to half a mile the wrong way. Really depressing and hard to motivate yourself, especially when you are well on for a PB. Even worse was finding out at the end that the same thing happened last year (in the same place)

I will never do it again, and I wouldn't suggest anyone else do either. There are much nicer places to run.
Date of review: September 2, 2012

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

In short: If only it were in Edinburgh... and organised... and cheaper...
In full: Should be renamed 'pikey village in Scotland marathon'. My personal favourite was the derelict factory, though the power plant does rival it. While it started so well - the pens were great, and firs few miles lovely, after 3 miles we left Edinburgh never to return. Even if you wanted to at the end there were no extra trains (Sunday service, 1 per hour), and the roads clogged. Not to mention the fact spectators were BANNED from the finish.

All this for the princely sum of £42, you couldn't make it up! Save your money and do a great half (Reading), or a well organised marathon (Nottingham), this one is not worth your time.
Date of review: June 13, 2011

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