May 13, 2024
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☰
London Marathon Runner Comments
Back to London Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 101 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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Kevin Allen from London, England
(6/29/2003)
 "Spectators galore!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the second year running that I've run the London Marathon, and even though I don't really like the course that much, the spectators definitely make up for that. This year the weather was nice and sunny at around 25 degrees, I think it took many by supprise. The weather didn't really affect me, and I'm glad to say that despite hitting the wall after about 22 miles, I still managed to set a new PB of 3:09:09. Every marathon runner should run London at least once in their running lifetime. | |
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Susan Marshall from Victoria, BC Canada
(5/1/2003)
 "Incredible race, once is not enough" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon and one I dreamed of doing, as London was my hometown before I moved to Canada. The organization of this race is superb. Couldn't believe it when I saw flush toilets at the start area and wash basins. Race expo was great too. What really made this race so special though were the spectators. The cheering did not stop for 26 miles. Sometimes the noise was deafening but I loved it all. Music all along the course, and every pub made a special effort to put on some entertainment. I had my name on my shirt and a Canadian flag and not only was my name called all along the course but many cheered for Canada too. Londoners are so hospitable and supportive. I cannot wait to do it again. Only slight complaint I have is that they did not send the race packets out in enough time for overseas runners to receive them before leaving. This contained your race number and a magazine with full instructions. Without this, picking up your race number was more difficult (most overseas runners I spoke to had not received theirs in the mail either). Course is special, especially Tower Bridge, the Embankment and Westminster. I highly recommend this marathon to everyone. | |
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M. D. from London
(1/23/2003)
"Great race for a first time marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the race for the first time in 2002. The organization both before the race and on the day is second to none. I had my name on my running vest so when I ran everyone was cheering me on as if I were famous. The start is in SE London in a more residential area so the crowd support is good, but nothing special - however from Tower Bridge onwards you find absolutely loads of people cheering and going ballistic. The support can be overwhelming, especially in the last couple of miles at Embankment. It can be quite an emotional experience too. I'd thoroughly recommend it. As this race is very popular it can be a bit slow to get into your pace at the start, and it's probably not a race for setting a pb unless your an elite athlete. | |
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A Runner from Hertfordshire, England
(12/10/2002)
"Support is brilliant" (about: 1996)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the greatest days of my life. The support is immense. I had my name on my top and thousands of people were calling it and cheering me on as if I was the most special person running. It was too hot when I did it in 96 but that just meant there were even more supporters than usual. My time was poor due to the heat and fighting for water at every station (many stations had none), but I know that London has now sorted out that problem and has back-up supplies in case of another heatwave. Do it - you won't regret it unless you are super-serious and hate all the razzmattazz and fun run feel. | |
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A Runner from New York, NY
(11/25/2002)
 "overcrowded, overcrowded, overcrowded" (about: 1997)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The first 5 miles were horrible. I took me over 20 minutes to do the first 2 miles (I run about 3:15) and not until after the 5th that I was clear to run a mile without side stepping and running naturally. I passed way too many slower runners and runner in costume at the beginning. There is only one start and it is the honor system. I have run NY marathon, which is beter at crowd control. The other complaint is that after mile 7, after the Cutty Sark and Tower bridge, you head out to Canary Wharf where there are very few spectators until mile 22 or so. On the positive side, the crowd is great and it is quite the party atmosphere. Never again though. | |
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A Runner from Sydney, Australia
(10/17/2002)
"Fantastic" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run it twice and would run it every year if I could - the fact that getting a place is hard is the only real negative (the cobbles aren't THAT bad). This is my home-town marathon though so I may be a tad biased... | |
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A Runner from Newhaven, East Sussex, England
(10/14/2002)
"So much support it seemed like a 10k" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first Marathon, and what a place to do it, London like I've never seen before, the support along the route was fantastic, bands playing and people screaming and encouraging. Next time I will try and keep up with the Rhino | |
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marathon enthusiast from New York City
(4/30/2002)
"Loved everything but the cobbles...." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Record breaking course!!! The roads were a tad narrow in places and the cobbles at the 23 mile mark were killers... but the elites didn't complain and neither will I. | |
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TREVOR ASKEW from IPSWICH SUFFOLK ENGLAND
(4/16/2002)
"INSPIRING MEETING THE CHALLENGE" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized event, helpful friendly staff. The crowd was amazing cheering and encouraging the runners on. There were plenty of drinks and sweets etc, only downfall I thought were the lack of partaloo's. I thought it was a pity there were not more. It was an amazing day with a great carnival atmosphere, what stands out in my mind, apart from the huge amount of runners was the noise of their feet hitting theroad surface. It reminded me of the last part of the epic film called Zulu. Thank you to all the staff behind the London Marathon for making my day. | |
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A Runner from London.
(2/28/2002)
"A great race bar the inevitable congestion" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon in 2001 and only one to date. I really think it is a great one to do for your first as the support is so fantastic, yes it was crowded but that is part of the event. I do agree with the faster runners though who get blocked by costumes and things. But they are what makes it so special- I think everyone needs a little more honesty though as to predicted time and thus what area they start in. I now plan to do a smaller low key marathon to see if I can beat my modest time of 3-51 ( 5mins to start to really 3-46- still modest though !). |
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