what's the course like? It's supposed to a flat race, wondered if anyone has done it, what they thought of it, etc etc
Mrs. RM did it last year, her first marathon. She loved it and I believe it is a flat course, she got a good time. The spectating support was incredible - I think it helped being a nice day (i.e. in Manchester this means anything else but raining cats and dogs). It's a really good course for spectators too, it involved a bit of scooting around but we managed to see my other half 4 times on the course.
I think the only complaint other folk had was there was a bit of chaos with the bag drop setup - I remember there being a mahoosive queue round the cricket ground.
RM.
Not many people will have. They messed the measurement up so for years it was a few hundred metres short of the official distance!
But yes, it'll be pretty flat.
Yep did it one of those years when it was short of distance and confirm it is nice and flat. The support was excellent, I'd do it again. Some friends did it this year and didn't complain about any organisation issues.
Did it last year and loved it (but didn't use the bag drop which was a problem that year, it was much better this year). Really flat course, excellent support, and most importantly good medal and t-shirt. Supported this year after pulling out due to injury
Ah cool, sounds good, time to dig out the LD training plan..
Last year as well, as said its as flat as they come for marathon courses. Pockets of spectators around the course but some long open stretches too.
last year was a bit of a shambles organizationally (bag drop, car parking) but was supposed to be better handle this year. Not a patch on London but then you've not got the ballot/entry problems you get with London either.
All in all, a decent event and a flat course
I can echo the comments above as I ran it in 2016.
The event itself was really good. Very flat, and with good support throughout.
I parked at a park and ride and got the tram to the start which seemed to work.
The bag drop that year was a total shambles. There were two pick up points. Luckily my number meant I had to go to the quite one, not a single person in the queue. The other one had a queue most of the way round the cricket ground, some people waited more than an hour for their bag.
As mentioned above, they fixed it the year after.
Not enough toilets either, but that's standard for all races I think. I've yet to do an event with enough.
I'll do it again one year I'm sure (my brother lives near the start line now).
I did it a few years ago, very flat and generally well supported. However it went into a semi rural area at around the 18 mile mark and there was no support.... just at a key moment when it would have been good, as you were feeling knackered.
I only did it to tick the sub 3 box and would have preferred London as an experience.
I only did it to tick the sub 3 box
I see what you did there 😉
I'll be happy with 4:30.