New route has been announced and it looks a vast improvement over last years.
http://www.greatrun.org/stirling-scottish-marathonNot entered yet, but seriously considering it now that the new route map is available. So happy that they listened to customer feedback and have made what look like very positive changes. The long drag out to Doune is flat and unless it's into a strong wind could set runners up for a very quick time. Only the not too bad climb after Doune and the shorter climb in the Stirling Uni grounds look like the most trying part.
Anyone else doing it?
Comments
Sadly, with the date change, I can't do it this year.
It was going to be my first Marathon - I was gutted. So I have unfinished business with Stirling lol.
24 weeks to go.
They appear to be at 4,7,11,13,16,17,20,and 23.5 miles approximately. I don't see any mention of sports drinks/fuel although SIS is one of the sponsors. Last year they changed from the advertised Lucozade to another brand (can't remember the name) of sugar free isotonic drink. Not sure how that would have gone for anyone relying on it, but as I can't stomach Lucozade, I had my own gels with me.
It's not going to be terribly easy - could you get someone to drive you? Take a taxi?
I did the full, and loved the route, the weather and the support. A shower of cold, nasty, penetrative rain around mile 20 had a visible effect on the runners around me - the energy level just dropped - and from there on it was a bit of a struggle to get to the end.
Don't think I remember anything about the stretch from The Peak to the shopping centre, though I do remember cobbles featuring somewhere. The hill to King's Park was a swine, but a sub-4 finish made it all up for me :-)
Mile 0-4 are uneventful and pretty level.
Mile 4-11 the course then starts to rise until you reach Dunblane Nothing awful, but some the inclines substantial enough - this section sapped me last year so prepare for it. The high point of the course is the climb to the overpass before Dunblane. Theres a decent gradient here, I attacked this last year and boosted up it - cost me later. Theres a bit meandering to be done through Dunblane, left here, up there, turn around this and then finally you're leaving good news theres a lot of support along the way. Enjoy it.
Mile 11-15 as i remember these were mostly flat but there was the odd incline. Bridge of Allan turned out for us last year, i'm sure they will again.
Mile 15-18.5 apart from an annoying excursion into Stirling Uni campus this is flat. The annoying excursion includes a tough hill to climb and then a loop round the campus before running back down the hill you ran up, to find yourself pretty much where you started.
Mile 18.5-22.5 is a loop and as i recall flat, but pretty desolate, the support is gone and its just you and other runners. You'll see runners 4 miles ahead when you turn left, if this sort of thing bothers you try not to look up
Mile 22.5 to 25 you'll turn to head into Stirling centre. Theres a hill almost straight away as I recall but after that it levelled of (forgive me if i don't recall correctly i was suffering a bit at this point trying to chase down my goal time)
Mile 25-26.2 is designed by a sadist, you'll turn left and run into an overpass above the railway line. Then, a right turn to another climb - not awful but after 25 miles who needs it? Then a tight hairpin turn. Thankfully theres a downhill into city centre. But for the last half mile you'll be climbing and it's a decent climb. With 0.2 miles to go it levels off and you can coast in and taste the victory of completing.
I missed my goal time last year so my memories of the event are a bit tinged with irritation - but it was well organised and supported, it was easy for friends and family to be there as it started and finished in Stirling. A good event, that i had planned to do again this year, best of luck Shazza, let us know how you do!
Might be that there is less funding for UKA/EA from 2020, maybe Scottish athletics are also going to have their funding cut next year. I wouldn't be surprised if these events get some funding.
2018: marathon 1800; HM 2500 (slightly more overall than 2017)
2019: marathon 1100; HM 2400
I remember a few years ago the RD of Dingle marathon telling me that an event would take 5 years to establish itself as a success. Now Dingle wins awards, sells out quickly and is a fabulous event.