My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fantastic event, couldn't rate it highly enough.
In full: What a wonderful marathon (if that isn’t an oxymoron). First of all, the organisers need to take a bow. Fantastic communication and organisation, you should all be proud. You can’t pick the weather but you can pick the course. Weather was slightly cold and wet to begin with but no hanging around at the start, so no purple starters! It is advertised as a challenge but although we went uphill for much of the first few miles, the gradient was never punitive and the surface was always asphalt (no puddles on the hills!). A few more hills at 15ish and 19ish miles spring to mind, but not unfair, and I was able to run the whole course and finished strong (for me!) with a wee bit more in the tank. I assure you there was wonderful scenery and if you come back next year then you might see it! For me that was the 2nd best long distance course I have ever ran. It’s not such a beast though and if you are slightly varying from a flat track pirate, then the pluses far outweigh the minuses.

Fantastic organisation led to fantastic on course support. It’s easy for the wet runners but the enthusiasm of the static helpers at the water stations was superb. Facility to have personal drinks at 10 and 18 miles was superb and made me feel like an ‘elite. I nearly overdosed on jelly-babies from well-wishers in between and Ann Summers is currently looking out for the recipe of the cake handed out at 18 miles! Whilst you are out in on your own on country roads for most of the time, you knew where you were for all of the time! Fantastic signage and even more fantastic stewardship. Every corner manned and every marshall enthused to shout you on. You are in Scotland now, so with the great signage then the few motorists played their part and were very observant and supportive of the runners.

Start and finish in an ex-POW camp. My uncle did some of his national service there and still hates it! He’d never believe the masseurs available on campus! I think that everyone was welcome yesterday and I hope that all escapees enjoyed the magnificent spread put on by the Harriers. Well done all! Look forward to next year which will undoubtedly be bigger but I doubt better. (there’s a challenge!) I have the T-shirt now, even though I need to keep the weight off if I am to continue to fit into it. Onwards and upwards for 2013. All in all, a great race, (but don’t tell everyone!)

Date of review: June 12, 2012

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

In short: Great early season race with timing good for most spring marathons. Late start is nice so therefore compatable with good weekend trip for runners and supporters alike. Well done Inverness!
In full: Organisation good but morning registration a bit of a pain for travellers on the day. Very slick regustration but unmight be worth the post-out option. Nice road running route. Not flat but I had a chunk out of my PB so couldn#t have been too bad. Great support particularly at finish. Chariots of Fire-esqe with stadium finale. Lovely route when along the river. They do it well in Inverness and this run sits well with the Loch Ness Marathon in October. Could do with a variation on the colour of the black (as Loch Ness) tech t-shirt, but that is picky! A good excuse for a off-peak trip to the Highlands.
Date of review: March 16, 2012

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

In short: Best vibes I've had in a race. Lots of support,good organisation and a excellent company all the way round. Reccomended
Date of review: September 12, 2011

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

In short: Flat but very exposed to the wind, and it blew in 2011. Hopeless for spectators and needs more stewards
In full: What a wasted opportunity to run through one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. I guess to achieve a flat, potentially fast run, they have sacrificed a start and finish on Princes Street and chosen to end in a satellite town, almost impossible to access to travelling spectators. Should be renamed the East Lothian Marathon since you will see more of the hinterland of Edinburgh than the city itself. Compulsory alternative viewing at the 'big screen' fundementally requires the screen to work but in 2011, it didn't! Signage could be improved and a few bottle necks need to be ironed out or a few less runners. You will be shoulder to shoulder with participants but can occupy the time by 'spotting the spectator'. Sufficient feeding stations but better signage and more attendants required. Got my PB but will look around for a better organised, more family/spectator friendly Spring marathon for next year. For a Scottish Marathon, Loch Ness is head and shoulders above Edinburgh.
Date of review: May 24, 2011

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