Event started very late and then there was no water available at the first water station unless you got there really quickly. Energy drinks were supposed to also be available although no station had them when I arrived.

One word to describe what should have been a fun half marathon: disgrace. Runners were kept waiting for 45 minutes in 26 degree heat while organizers explained that marshals had not arrived. The program stated that there would be 10 water stations around the course; I counted 5 and 1 of them had run out.

Between miles 6 and 9 I did not see a single marshal and several runners who could not continue were left unattended at the side of the course. The organization at the finish line was just as bad. Queues were forming at the finish line because marshals could not hand out the 'goodie' bags fast enough, yet marshals were telling runners to move along quicker. Needless to say, I won't be turning up next year.

Great race, really looking forward to this year's.

Very good start time, could have been a few more loos at start in view of the amount of 1/2 marathon runners. Not enough drink stations for the marathon runners. It was my 50th marathon on my birthday very enjoyable. What a way to celebrate - very friendly group of people. Well done.

- Nicky

Well organized marathon - all but the start, which is a bit frenzied. Fantastic support from fellow friendly runners and their spouses, but forget (sensible)support from any where else. This is Blackpool, home of 'Kiss me quick' hats, fun fairs and stag weekends!And the smell of candy floss at 20 miles isn't great, but an otherwise fab event, and a marathon I will return to.

I did this in 2002 - the main (and only) advantage is that it's the flattest run you could wish for, and starts and finishes at the same place (the Hilton Hotel). But that's about it.

However there was a stiff sea breeze which made it quite hard and also very hot, but obviously this will change year to year. I would expect a stiff breeze and sun though in this month.

Organization - Nowhere to shower or change afterwards (despite the entry form promising showers - there simply werent any - just a sink for about 2000 sweaty guys! (It was a farce.) This was a pain, and there was nowhere to store kit. The only place you could change was the hotel toilet, which was fine as long as there werent any more than abiout 5 people in it, but there were thousands of people trying to use it.

There arent any spectators at all really as I remember, and what few there were are just holiday-makers who stare at you. Toward the end on about mile 18 or so you run through the the main tourist seafront bit and you arent segregated from the public so you have to dodge kids/bikes/dogs/etc., which is the last thing you need at that point! The last 4 miles had nobody around at all, which just makes it so hard.

Its also very expensive as marathons go at either £20 or £25 to enter plus another £8 for a pasta party the night before, which I think would make it the most expensive marathon I have ever done.

All that said - I'll be doing it again as I live nearby, and it's a nice change doing a flat one.

A nice event to take the family to for the weekend, providing you book accomodation at the north of the promenade.
The course is flat, fast with plenty of water stations and well marshalled. Can be quite a warm day in June, but the seaside wind always makes it feel cooler.