Rotterdam and Stockholm were both excellent. Rotterdam is very much a PB course (has had both the men and the women's world recrds in the past and is still, I think, the fastest time this year). It may not be the obvious tourist detsination but I enjoyed my time in the city and loved the race.
Stockholm is also a fast course and just can't be beat for atmosphere. This is my favourite marathon and I'll definitely be doing it again some time.
I did Prague in 2002 and will never do it again. It was the worst organised race ever, absolutely appalling. I know they've since upped their game and people have run it more recently and had better experiences but I just don't see it as an international standard race at all. It is flat, but starts and finishes on quite long cobbled sections which can affect your time.
Beav - Belfast is a good event (though I've only done the relay). They are re-routing it this year to make it "flatter and faster". If anyone else wants to take advantage of cheap flights & accommodation there is also talk of a half & 10k, though the organisers have not yet confirmed this.
Lochaber/Fort William flat out & back in the countryside on quiet wide roads.
Cardiff - 2 laps mainly flat, City Centre, docklands & over the barrage, rverside, parks,thro the Castle grounds and finish in the Millenium Stadium.
Abingdon - 2 different loops, mainly flat out/thro Abingdon into the countryside and return thro the town, then into countryside with a few second half undualations.
Lake Vyrnwy - bus to the start, then a mile or so steep downhill,small climb then 2 laps of the resevoir on quiet road, mainly under the trees - lap slightly undulating, with mile or mainly downhill run to return to the village.
I can't believe there's a marathon in the country that you haven't run!
I've only done Blackpool once, hated it, headwind for the first 10 miles, dreadful part of the course along the Golden Mile and a long stretch on concrete. In the right conditions it is fast.
So folks - its Blackpool for a potential PB or 2 quite undulating laps on quiet country roads at Dartmoor Vale.
Or....if anyone fancies something different, there is the Dartmoor Discovery where the organiser advises that there are only 4 significant hills and that the rest is undulating !
The White Peak marathon is a good one. I think the name kids people into thinking it is hilly - it isn't as it is an old railway track - the only real hills are 2 steep downhills near the end. The surface is ideal - firm enough to run on but more forgiving than tarmac.
Paris was my first, and still my only Marathon, earlier this year, and it was magnificent. OK, the underpass is pretty unpleasant, but everything else is magnificent. Thoroughly recommended.
Noone seems to have mentioned Madrid on this thread, also in April. I think it may be a bit uphill towards the end, but I'm trying to find out more about it. Anyone run it?
popsider, sorry if this question has been asked before, but where and when is the White Peak marathon? I adore running on old railway tracks so this one really appeals.
Yorkshire Lass - Sat 21st May. It runs from near Ashbourne to Cromford in Derbyshire - you turn up at Cromford, they lay on a coach to bus you to the start, and you run back. Details are here http://www.matlockac.org.uk/index.htm
It's quite a nice place if you've got family or something coming with you as they can cycle along the track or there are a few touristy places locally such as Matlock Bath.
Hips, I notice the last finisher was 5.31 last year - you are quicker than that aren't you.
thanks popsider it does sound lovely I spent a short few months at Derby Lonsdale College many moons ago and remember the place being very hilly but really pretty
Comments
Rotterdam and Stockholm were both excellent. Rotterdam is very much a PB course (has had both the men and the women's world recrds in the past and is still, I think, the fastest time this year). It may not be the obvious tourist detsination but I enjoyed my time in the city and loved the race.
Stockholm is also a fast course and just can't be beat for atmosphere. This is my favourite marathon and I'll definitely be doing it again some time.
I did Prague in 2002 and will never do it again. It was the worst organised race ever, absolutely appalling. I know they've since upped their game and people have run it more recently and had better experiences but I just don't see it as an international standard race at all. It is flat, but starts and finishes on quite long cobbled sections which can affect your time.
Go for Rotterdam! You won't regret it.
Lochaber/Fort William flat out & back in
the countryside on quiet wide roads.
Cardiff - 2 laps mainly flat, City Centre,
docklands & over the barrage, rverside, parks,thro the Castle grounds and finish in the Millenium Stadium.
Abingdon - 2 different loops, mainly flat out/thro Abingdon into the countryside and return thro the town, then into countryside with a few second half undualations.
Lake Vyrnwy - bus to the start, then a mile or so steep downhill,small climb then 2 laps of the resevoir on quiet road, mainly under the trees - lap slightly undulating, with mile or mainly downhill run to return to the village.
Hope the above helps.
There is no Lake Vyrnwy Marathon any more.
Really want a late spring marathon.- ( Just like LakeV... )-: Gutted about that.
Only forumite now & then !
Shame about the Lake going missing !
Would Blackpool be a PB course in June ?
- not one that I have run - yet ?
I've only done Blackpool once, hated it, headwind for the first 10 miles, dreadful part of the course along the Golden Mile and a long stretch on concrete. In the right conditions it is fast.
Dartmoor Vale is the same day.
Or....if anyone fancies something different,
there is the Dartmoor Discovery where the organiser advises that there are only 4 significant hills and that the rest is undulating !
Perhaps the best idea is to keep it quite on how good it is so it does not get overcrowded.
Everyone says it's a fantastic event.
Lochaaaaaaaaaaaberrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
If you are slow like me, no point entering
i like old railway tracks too
(
do you know where and when??
Copenhagen, a great experience
Paris, will let you know after April
It's quite a nice place if you've got family or something coming with you as they can cycle along the track or there are a few touristy places locally such as Matlock Bath.
Hips,
I notice the last finisher was 5.31 last year - you are quicker than that aren't you.
it does sound lovely
I spent a short few months at Derby Lonsdale College many moons ago and remember the place being very hilly but really pretty
((((((
and it s not a flat one
Ob
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
SA:LSA!!!!!!!!