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May 4, 2024

Edinburgh Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Edinburgh Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 3.2

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 97 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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Mike Moak from Albany, NY (6/7/2008) "Fast course, beautiful city" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon outside the U.S., and I enjoyed it immensely. The expo was tiny and far from the city, but it was an easy bus ride and hassle-free. The set-up of the start corrals allowed me to have my family right beside me as the race began, and there is something truly inspiring about the sound of bagpipes to get you going. The first four miles are mostly downhill and very fast, which allowed me to bank some time for later on (not my strategy going in, but it worked out well). Miles 6-18 were into the coastal wind, but it was a steady, manageable breeze, rather than strong gusts. Putting that wind at my back for the last 8 miles felt great. Lots of nice, rolling hills made for a very comfortable run, as did the beautiful 50-60 degree weather. Putting the finish at a horse racing track was a great idea. I looked up at one point and saw a sign indicating that it was 3 furlongs to the finish, which was mildly encouraging, although I have no idea the length of a furlong. The stands accommodated over 2,000 people, who had a terrific view of the finish line. My goal was 3:30, and I did a PB of 3:23. Beyond the race, we found Edinburgh to be a wonderful city. I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking to run a good time and have a good time.
M. P. from Orlando, Florida U.S.A. (6/6/2008) "Excellent race, but has room for growth." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Edinburgh Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran this race in '08. Great experience overall but it could definitely mature a little. The race expo was tiny - the smallest I've ever been to of the 17 marathons I've run. Very limited booths, but they to be fair they were good booths. Was given 2 potatoes on the way out of this. Very odd, but the main sponsor is a root vegetable grower, so that explains it. Kind of a unique part of the race I guess. One point of note here too: my race bib had no holes for pinning it on, nor was I given any safety pins for this. Be sure to bring these with you if you do run this race. Also, Edinburgh uses ankle attached Champion Chips. For those very used to having these on your shoes, I recommend doing what I did: take the chip off of it's bracelet, tie it into your shoe laces, and carry the ankle bracelet in your shorts somewhere to return at the finish. Start was great as far as the build-up. It was by the Burns Memorial and many government buildings downtown. Scottish flags were waving with men in kilts, piper band, and a man on a bullhorn keeping the crowd going. The corrals were actually on 2 separate sides of the road. These were self-placed corrals too, with no bib-checking or enforcement. My particular anticipated finish time for these had 2 separate corrals - one on one side of the road and one on the other. When the race started, my side of the road was held until the other whole side passed by. Very frustrating not to immediately start moving, even just a little. If you do need to get moving and are in the same situation, be sure to place yourself on the side of the road with the elites at the front. This side will move first. Race itself was nice and flat overall, but very windy running along the coastline for about 3/4 of it. The last 1/4 of the race we had the wind at our backs though. It seemed like we had limited water stops (about every 3 miles), only about 2 of which had any sports drink of any kind, and no gel or food areas. Very different from most American marathons in this way, so bring these items with you if used to having them. Water was also in small bottles and not cups.vThe race went through a very neat old estate and grounds that took you straight through a beautiful fence-lined, green pasture with cows and sheep on either side. Finish was nice and ended in the Musselburgh horse race grounds and grandstand. Weather was perfect: About 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit and overcast skies. Definitely recommend this race as far as U.K. and Irish races go. It feels a bit young compared to large races such as Chicago or New York, but has a lot of potential to grow. Medal was also a very nice design. Nothing tacky or gaudy. Crowd support was very good, but sporadic at times. Overall though, great race I would do again if it comes up.
H. E. from Ontario, Canada (6/3/2008) "perfect if you train properly" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Edinburgh Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was very scenic; the downhill start was perfect - provided you didn't get too ambitious; the wind was strong but shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone (it told you right in the course review); and provided you had trained properly, it was nice to know that the strong wind in your face for most of the first 30K would be pushing you in when it was needed most. This was my first UK marathon, so it was wonderful to see some of the "characters" running (I ran beside Scooby Doo for a couple of miles). An expo closer to the start would have been nice, but at least it gave me the opportunity to see more of the city and surrounding area. This is one I would definitely recommend and will probably come back and do it again myself.
a. m. from wales (5/30/2008) "no problems encountered" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Edinburgh Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was a first-time marathon runner, and for me, if future races are run so well, then I will have no problems. I like to start a race as the last runner to cross the start line and I was able to do this without a problem. This turned out to be good because I found the condition of the roads to be very poor. I know this isn't the fault of the race crew, but in a mass start, the risk of turning an ankle would be high. At times the route seemed very narrow, running along parts of the course. I finished in 4:29, and the offer of drinks, etc., was great. I had no difficulty in locating luggage trucks, etc. Perhaps there were not many people finishing after 4:29, but from crossing the finish line to getting into my car took no more than 10 minutes, and about half hour after that, I was on the A7 heading back home. It would be impossible to please 10,000 people all of the time, but as a first-timer, I would like to thank all of the organizers for their hard work. I hope to be back again in '09.
G. H. from USA (5/27/2008) "Nice course and fans; poorly organized" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The course is scenic and flat and runs along the coast for most of the race. The fans, while not as many as a larger race, were energetic and supportive. The pre- and post-race management was poor. We had a terrible time at the finish finding the baggage trucks and were sandwiched amongst hordes of people. The post-race area needs to be designed better. The wait for buses back to the start took over an hour. The director should consider finishing the course in the city like other city marathons, maybe run it backwards. Also, the expo was 1/2-hour bus ride from the downtown and would be better suited in the city as well. This race is not friendly for travelers staying downtown without a car.
P. M. from Wales (5/27/2008) "Fast start, very windy, slow finish :-)" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Edinburgh Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Had a target of 3:45 and wanted to run steady 8:35-minute miles. Lots of space and downhills at the start got me sucked into clocking 8:00-minute miles for the first 4 miles. Very windy for most of the way out to the halfway marker. Think we paid the price from 22-26 and ended up clocking 3:56. Mildly disappointing, but a good lesson in pacing and dealing with elements! Very crowded at the finish, and took ages to get bags back. Why not have the baggage trucks in the middle of the course? The are they used wasn't big enough for crowds. Good transportation back to the city.
L. A. from Hampshire, England (5/26/2008) "Great crowd, reasonable course, poor organization" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 My second marathon - my first was Berlin, 2007 - a tough act to follow. Edinburgh organization was poor - the expo is miles from town and pitifully small. With 13,000 runners, the organizers could have posted numbers and chips (like some of the larger UK half marathons). The start and finish were chaotic. No "runners only" areas meant the start was very crowded with the usual lavatory issues. The finish was so packed with spectators, dogs, small children, pushchairs, wheelchairs and the like that it took 20 minutes to shuffle to the baggage reclaim: my core temp plummeted, and I felt awful. Lining for the shuttle back to town took another cold, windy 40 minutes. We were dropped over a mile from the city center, and had to walk. What was good? The crowds were great. On a cool, blustery day, the support was fantastic. The racecourse finish was a nice touch and the course itself achievable, even for a beginner like me. Better described as a coastal marathon, you pass few Edinburgh landmarks other than the new parliament building, but the coast is ruggedly beautiful - an out-and-back route means you see a lot of coast, if you can lift your head up through the wind! I knocked 12 minutes off of my Berlin time, so not all bad, but the whole thing could have been so much better. Would I do it again? I think I'll try Dublin instead....
D. B. from Kent, England (5/22/2008) "Well worth it!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Edinburgh Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having run every Edinburgh Marathon since the race started in 2003, I have seen it grow from strength to strength, and 2007 was no exception. Despite the Scottish weather being unkind at the start and the long stretch along the coast into the wind, this is still well worth running, the organization is fantastic, the people of Edinburgh are great supporters and I'm looking forward to running again in 2008.
Damien Gallagher from Dublin Ireland (10/29/2007) "Great fun marathon" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Edinburgh Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 My brother and I came over to do this marathon and we had a really super time in Edinburgh. It's a lovely city on race day; the weather at the start was awful, but once we got going, it was grand. The support on the route was very good, with plenty of water stations as well. The route is very flat and it's designed for a personal best. Some nice landmarks passed on the way and a nice 4- or 5-mile run up the coast, which was nice. They gave out a very nice old-style medal at the end. I would recommend this marathon to anyone brilliant. Also, visit the city for a few pints after; that's probably the best part. There's a great buzz around the town in the evening. DO THIS MARATHON!
P. G. from Ireland (7/26/2007) "Easier than the old course but..." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Edinburgh Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my 4th Edinburgh Marathon. Delighted to see a new course, as the old course was very tough the last 4 miles and hard to get a fast time out of. This new course was okay - very flat. I do not like out-and-back courses, but found this not too bad. Maybe all the wind and and rain we got during the race took my mind off it. The one thing I did not like about it was the pair of times you came back on your self: first at the the turnaround where they brought you to run around a house and back on to the course, and shortly after that take a left turn run approx. 500 meters up a road around a cone and back down again the other side of the road. It would be better just to stretch out the turnaround on the main road. Plenty of water stops and isotonic drinks; support was poor along course mostly because of the weather. Expo was poor, t-shirt was poor, and picking up of bus ticket at the expo was very poor, so they should look at this, as there must be a quicker way of picking up pre-booked tickets. Will run again next year.

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