Blackpool Marathon - Race Reviews

Cheapest marathon out there. It's ok at start with 1400 but 2nd lap with only 400 doing 26.2! You're on your own really. Big medal and with the weather in April and flat course it's a good marathon to enter if not done one before. Would do it again definitely if fit enough!!

Very well organized and enjoyable marathon. Interesting route through the town and more rural areas.

Well organized race; I expected some problems with early morning drunks, but fortunately, this did not materialize. The spectators were very encouraging. The only problem was that the toilets were all up near the start area, which was not good for those down at Squires Gate!!

It was a lonely run, I'm sorry to say. Note: drinking from cups is not a good idea; I spilled most, and on a hot day, that can make one dehydrated. The sugar drink was poor. A nice bottle at Mile 21 would have been a mood-lifter, but it never came, so I suffered. There was lots in 2008, so I didn't carry any and suffered along with others who complained on the route. There was plenty water and cheerful helpers at the stations though. Still, from past Blackpool runs I've done, something was lacking.

First of all, the weather was very nice, which is a rarity in the Northwest and might therefore affect my comments. There were no showers - not even a changing room. Bag storage was not organized at all!! Very chaotic! Maybe next time we better start/finish in the football stadium, rather then at the Hilton Hotel! The marathon and half-marathon started at the same time. No timing chips were used (I did not read it before I applied, but it has been said that "chips might be used"). You got water every 3 miles and there was also one stand (which you had to pass twice) that offered isotonic drinks. No bars or bananas were provided. The audience was almost nonexistent (and drunk when there), but well, this is Blackpool, so I guess it's normal....

A great day: perfect weather, fantastic organization and great weather. I'm really happy with my time for a first-time over-45 veteran. Many thanks to all of the organizers. Just a pity about the abuse handed out to the runners by small groups of drunken male youths, staggering about with beer bottles in their hands at 9.00 a.m. But that's Blackpool for you. Also, what sort of parents allow their children to play "chicken" and dash across the circuit in front of the runners?

Well organized, with water every 3 miles. Shame about the weather (rain).

I've done all three of these and I say the course to St. Anne's is the best. In 2004, I went 22 miles without stopping. It was cool. In 2005, it was red hot. I only made it halfway. And in 2006, the course was changed to two laps, which was tough. I only did the half in 2007, but I'm doing the full again this year. It is well run and I do every race in Blackpool. I hope it goes to St. Anne's this year.

The organizers work very hard to make this marathon work and the people of Blackpool are interested in the race. It's a shame about the louts who come to Blackpool to get drunk all weekend and spoil it all. About 1 mile from the start, 3 hooligans, well tanked up at 09:00, jumped into the mass of runners and tried to pick fights with runners who pushed them out of the way. Later in the race, the majority of people ignored the race going on around them, and if they did pass comment, it was always some "amusing" derogatory abuse. Having changed the route to a two-lap route rather than the much better previous run out to Lytham meant that we were subjected to this 4 times. On the positive side, the water stations were well staffed and the marshals were good. Weather was warm and humid, and the long run out toward Bispham was hard work due to lack of shade and breeze - a real hard test on a flat course. Only worth doing if the course is altered to avoid as much of the town center as possible.

This was my 3rd marathon, all of which have been at Blackpool. I found this one to be the best so far!!!! It was well organized, there were more people lining the route who were friendly and supportive, and the water stations were well positioned. All in all, it was a GREAT day - thanks to all who helped organize this run.

I ran this marathon last year and it was my first marathon, and I am pleased that I ran it again this year as I thought that all of the organization was much improved. My only comment was that I was not looking forward to running to Bispham twice, as I did this for the half marathon in Feb. this year, and it was challenging (I thought). Last year we ran to St. Anne's, and I thought that was best as we only ran the course once, which I thought psychologically was better. The day was great!!!!

Half Marathon Comments: A late start, the race started at 9:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. due to one of the water supply vehicles breaking down before the race. There was a lack of water stations and some of them ran out of water. Lack of water + Hot sunny day = A difficult run. On a positive note, the course was flat and the surroundings nice.

Fab first marathon. The delayed start got me edgy, the heat was difficult and the lack of energy drinks made it difficult for me as a first-timer. All that said, I thought it was great. I will be back!

A late start, and marshalls who were bussed in and obviously didn't care about the race made a poor first impression. After about 5 miles it was evident that there where going to be problems with water due presumably to the unexpected heat. At 12 miles, the marathon runners where becoming anxious as it became apparent that the much needed water stations where dry. Many like myself resorted to picking up discarded bottles for any left over fluids as heat stroke became a real threat. The was one isotonic drink provided, but my fuel plans had relied on more, as promised in the programme. On a positive note, the course was flat and it was pleasant up by Fairhaven and St. Anne's. The last 6 miles where psychologically difficult as they involve running past and 3 miles away from the finish, before returning for the final run in. This was my first marathon, and it hasn't put me off! Next year I'll be back.

Full Marathon Comments: The race was supposed to begin at 0830, but didn't start until over an hour later. The water stations were 3 miles apart, and between two of the stations, they ran out of water. People were stopping to buy water along the beach route because of the heat.

Great day. I ran in the half marathon - a shame about the delay at the start. There was no water left at the first water station, but plenty at all the others. Really enjoyed the experience and 'WILL BE BACK' next year.

My first marathon. No water for miles, late start and lack of marshals. I hope the organizers take a lesson and better themselves for next year, or runners like me will not be back...

As the winner of the first Blackpool Marathon, I find the comments for the 2005 race very sad. Over 2000 runners in the first race, and under 900 (mostly unhappy) in 2005? What went wrong Blackpool?

Same as many others - poor organization all round. Lack of drink stops, and having no energy drinks at all between 5 and 15 miles was disgraceful and possibly dangerous. Poor finish too - no shade, no offers of help.

I can confirm the other comments, late start, lack of water, etc. Spectators mostly great but spoiled by a few individuals who amused themselves by shouting abuse at runners, something I've never experienced before. Signage for the car parking was rubbish as well, took me straight into a dead end & I had to park some 2m from the start. Nice flat course though - great potential if the organizers can get their act together...

A late start, and no water for 7 miles in the middle of the race (which was run in temperautures of ~28C).

Event started very late and then there was no water available at the first water station unless you got there really quickly. Energy drinks were supposed to also be available although no station had them when I arrived.

One word to describe what should have been a fun half marathon: disgrace. Runners were kept waiting for 45 minutes in 26 degree heat while organizers explained that marshals had not arrived. The program stated that there would be 10 water stations around the course; I counted 5 and 1 of them had run out. Between miles 6 and 9 I did not see a single marshal and several runners who could not continue were left unattended at the side of the course. The organization at the finish line was just as bad. Queues were forming at the finish line because marshals could not hand out the 'goodie' bags fast enough, yet marshals were telling runners to move along quicker. Needless to say, I won't be turning up next year.

Great race, really looking forward to this year's.

Very good start time, could have been a few more loos at start in view of the amount of 1/2 marathon runners. Not enough drink stations for the marathon runners. It was my 50th marathon on my birthday very enjoyable. What a way to celebrate - very friendly group of people. Well done. - Nicky

Well organized marathon - all but the start, which is a bit frenzied. Fantastic support from fellow friendly runners and their spouses, but forget (sensible)support from any where else. This is Blackpool, home of 'Kiss me quick' hats, fun fairs and stag weekends!And the smell of candy floss at 20 miles isn't great, but an otherwise fab event, and a marathon I will return to.

I did this in 2002 - the main (and only) advantage is that it's the flattest run you could wish for, and starts and finishes at the same place (the Hilton Hotel). But that's about it. However there was a stiff sea breeze which made it quite hard and also very hot, but obviously this will change year to year. I would expect a stiff breeze and sun though in this month. Organization - Nowhere to shower or change afterwards (despite the entry form promising showers - there simply werent any - just a sink for about 2000 sweaty guys! (It was a farce.) This was a pain, and there was nowhere to store kit. The only place you could change was the hotel toilet, which was fine as long as there werent any more than abiout 5 people in it, but there were thousands of people trying to use it. There arent any spectators at all really as I remember, and what few there were are just holiday-makers who stare at you. Toward the end on about mile 18 or so you run through the the main tourist seafront bit and you arent segregated from the public so you have to dodge kids/bikes/dogs/etc., which is the last thing you need at that point! The last 4 miles had nobody around at all, which just makes it so hard. Its also very expensive as marathons go at either £20 or £25 to enter plus another £8 for a pasta party the night before, which I think would make it the most expensive marathon I have ever done. All that said - I'll be doing it again as I live nearby, and it's a nice change doing a flat one.

A nice event to take the family to for the weekend, providing you book accomodation at the north of the promenade. The course is flat, fast with plenty of water stations and well marshalled. Can be quite a warm day in June, but the seaside wind always makes it feel cooler.