Back to London Marathon Information & Reviews
A Runner from London, England
(1/23/2002)
"Never again" (General Comments)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I ran London in 1997, my first marathon, 3:48:50. The capacity of the course on that day was clearly surpassed. I was still being boxed in at 18 miles, and I saw later on my video recording that some people had to stop and walk at the Cutty Sark (6 miles in) because of the crush. Why aren't major roads used like in other cities? Because as a mass-participation sporting event, this race isn't taken seriously. Maybe that also explains why there are so many idiots in fancy dress who decide to walk the course having started near the front. If I want to join a carnival procession I'll go to Rio, thank you. If you want to run a good time in London, make sure you have a time that will qualify you to start in front of the guys dressed as margarine tubs and rhinos. If you are an ambitious first-timer or want to improve your 3:30 plus PB, look elsewhere. And if you want to dress up and have fun, for pity's sake START AT THE BACK. | |
Tommaso Gazzoni from Bologna, Italy
(10/22/2001)
"a MUST for any marathoner" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 London is a beautiful city and its marathon is up to it. Great cheers from people all the way and very good organisation all round. My only serious remark, being a 3:45 marathoner, is that roads tend to be too narrow for the big bunch of average runners and therefore there is a lot of overtaking to do which will not, in any way, help you to better your PR. In other words, go for the venue, but don't go if you want to better your PR and are not a sub 3:15 runner. | |
A Runner from Crawley,England
(11/3/2000)
"Quite simply the best by far." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about the London Marathon is absolutely superb. Nearly as good as sex! (But not quite) | |
A Runner from London,England
(9/20/2000)
"Don't be fooled.....This is the Best!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run this race 6 years consecutively from 94-99.The atmosphere & support is completely unique, a really overwhelming experience. I've run Boston, New York, Chicago & Berlin and although these are all superb races London beats the pants off them! | |
A Runner from Laredo, Texas
(7/27/2000)
"Kudos to the London Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree, one of the best I've run. Imagine running at mile 13, still surrounded by the same runners you started with and all at the same pace, curb to curb. Spectators lined up many deep on both sides of the road. My only fear was when I'd finished drinking my bottle of water or Isostar, and tried to throw it over and behind the crowds, that more often than not I was bonking someone on the head! | |
Gary Morgan from Stockbridge, Georgia
(5/30/2000)
"Simply Awesome" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The London Marathon is the best marathon that I have run. It is very well organinzed. The course takes runners across Tower Bridge and past the Tower of London, Big Ben, along the Thames, and finishes at Buckingham Palace. Every step of the way crowds line both sides of the course. Along the way runners are entertained by brass bands, bagpipes, pubs playing music, and the singing and cheering of the crowd. The spectators cheer for the last runner as if they were the leader. This is an excellent event that every runner dreams about. The expo is one of the largest and best in the world. If possible I would run this race every year. The people of London can be proud of their world class marathon. | |
A Runner from Tasmania, Australia
(4/8/2000)
"I'm an Aussie and have run 3 London's. the best" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A great race...one of the best around. Tht |
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