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Apr 2018
2:06pm, 30 Apr 2018
1,412 posts
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Tizer
I also did the full marathon yesterday and thought the course was really pretty good. If they put more focus on the University section, promoting the fact that so many great athletes use their facilities then it would probably be quite a nice break from that long road section. As it was, you weren't even allowed to park there so it was extremely quiet. It could be a great spectator section with events on campus to keep folk entertained
The hills in the first half were manageable and there were a few downhills there to make up any lost time. The support through the various towns was good and I think this will only improve as the marathon itself grows in popularity.
I agree with Paul A on the merge of the two races. No need really, especially given the start times which meant that the faster marathoners were stuck behind the slower HM'ers. Frustrating for both sets of runners I expect, with me trying to politely ask folk to move aside and them having their focus disrupted because the marathoners are cutting a path through them.
All in all a good day, well organised, good marshalls, plenty water, gels. I'd do it again and advise others to give it a go. Given its only in year 2 I'd say they did well
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Apr 2018
2:12pm, 30 Apr 2018
4,015 posts
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DoricQuine
As a slower HM runner we got nothing but support from the marathon runners passing us - we did keep well to one side though.
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Apr 2018
2:16pm, 30 Apr 2018
15,933 posts
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Dvorak
For anyone who ran the half: how was the first section organised (start into town centre)? There weren't any road closures advertised for that section. Was traffic stopped temporarily perhaps, or only part of the road width used?
And for everyone who drove in, how was parking? I've seen little mention of it post-race, though a couple of people did report queuing for 30-40 minutes to access the official parking. Though I think that much lower runner numbers than I expected (I'd reckoned on 9000, instead it was half that) would mean it was not the bugbear I thought it would be.
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Apr 2018
2:18pm, 30 Apr 2018
4,016 posts
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DoricQuine
Roads were closed Dvorak.
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Apr 2018
2:19pm, 30 Apr 2018
15,935 posts
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Dvorak
Cheers DQ. It would have been tricky otherwise.
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Apr 2018
2:27pm, 30 Apr 2018
1,413 posts
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Tizer
That's good to hear DQ. I did feel pretty bad feeling like I had to barge my way through. Even some signs to say HM'ers keep left, in the tighter sections would probably have helped. It certainly didn't spoil the event for me, If the HM started later so the merge happened with closer paced runners it could actually come in handy to have more folk around you.
I did hear one of the HM pace group leaders telling his squad to keep to one side but loads of folk had headphones in so probably maybe didn't hear him
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Apr 2018
3:42pm, 30 Apr 2018
11,091 posts
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paul a
Nice to meet you Tizer and well done for spotting me in the last mile. I’m afraid most of the HM runners were completely oblivious to the fact that others were running. Not fair on anyone as all have paid good money for an entry and they deserve better, especially when this is avoidable. The pacers were a very poor example and, all bar one, made no effort to marshal the groups with them.
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Apr 2018
3:49pm, 30 Apr 2018
4,017 posts
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DoricQuine
Neither of us run with headphones so probably more aware of runners around us. Maybe something to feed back to organisers to make aware for next year.
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Apr 2018
3:59pm, 30 Apr 2018
11,092 posts
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paul a
Survey completed, I though 6/10 but could easily be 9/10
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Apr 2018
4:04pm, 30 Apr 2018
1,414 posts
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Tizer
Congrats on the 300 - some achievement, especially when you seem to be running them at a great pace. I expect we are talking about the same pacer, probably around the 23 mile mark who was the only one trying to stop the group from blocking the faster runners
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Scotland based runs & runners 2020
Jan 2021
