Marathon 2018 ... ? decisions decisions ...

[wackojacko1234]

So ive been thinking about doing a Marathon in 2018 (it would be my 1st one) ... Below is list of main ones within Europe ... obviously being my first one has anyone done any of these before and what was the overall experinece like ? I dont think there is any easy marathons ... !

Thanks ...

April 2018

Apr 8 - Milan City Marathon
Apr 8 - Ibiza Marathon
Apr 8 - Rome Marathon
Apr 8 - Paris Maraton
Apr 8 - Rotterdam Marathon
Apr 9 - North Pole Marathon
Apr 22 - Connemara International Marathon
Apr 22 - Madrid Marathon
TBC - Siracusa City Marathon
Apr 22 - Vienna Marathon
Apr 29 - Hamburg Marathon
Apr 29 - Kharkiv International
Apr 29 - Roads to Rhodes

[mon the fish]

Italian marathons require a doctors inspection/ECG so bear that in mind...

I've entered the Vienna marathon, having done Berlin and Amsterdam previously. Foreign marathons are fabulous, there's just something more exciting about them so I would definitely recommend it.

Beware of doing a marathon early in the year though - if we have a bad winter it can be hard to motivate yourself to get out and do the distance. It's always easier to train in the summer and run an autumn marathon I find

[JimmyConwayNW]

Can anyone recommend any early marathons around Jan/Feb in the UK?

[The jiffle king]

Not answering any of your questions, but Barcelona marathon which is in early March I have done a couple of times and it's good

[dangerousB]

I've done the Paris marathon - fairly flat, fast course, great vibe and some brilliant restaurants to refuel in afterwards (if anyone is thinking of doing this one, find a restaurant that serves aligot, it is just the most amazing post race food!!). Worst thing about it (for me) was Paris itself - the vast amount of which I found to be a bit of a sthole. Certainly wouldn't put me off doing it again though.

Any reason you were you thinking of April in particular? Are you in reasonably good nick at the moment?

Didn't know until now that Ibiza hosted a marathon!

[Willy Nilly]

Are you an experienced runner?

[wackojacko1234]

I did a few half marathons this year and also plenty of 10k's.... half marathon time in around 1hr 45 so hoping transition to the bigger distance shouldn't be too extreme ... dreading having to cut back on a fav hobby tho ... 🍺
Barcelona does sound good.

[Highway Star]

JimmyConwayNW said:

Can anyone recommend any early marathons around Jan/Feb in the UK?

Colleague at work is doing a marathon in Gloucester in January/Feb next year. Should be pretty flat.

[cslwannabe]

wackojacko1234 said:

so hoping transition to the bigger distance shouldn't be too extreme ...

I found it tougher than I was expecting and I'd done quite a lot of half marathons before running a marathon - was pretty comfortable running HM distance in training at close to race pace without taking on any drinks and even without breakfast, if needs be. Long training runs of 18+ miles are all about fuelling and having a 'bail out' strategy, just in case. Out and back runs are all well and good but when you're having a bad day and have no phone etc and still find yourself 5-6 miles from home you might consider doing a figure of 8 type loop centered around home next time! Definitely worth doing one however and I enjoyed mine but had a few low points along the way in training. Maybe look for a 20M race to use as a training run and take advantage of the drinks stations etc and a bit of company as 3hr solo training runs can be mentally tough as well as physically tough...

[Challo]

wackojacko1234 said:

So ive been thinking about doing a Marathon in 2018 (it would be my 1st one) ... Below is list of main ones within Europe ... obviously being my first one has anyone done any of these before and what was the overall experinece like ? I dont think there is any easy marathons ... !

Thanks ...

April 2018

Apr 8 - Milan City Marathon
Apr 8 - Ibiza Marathon
Apr 8 - Rome Marathon
Apr 8 - Paris Maraton
Apr 8 - Rotterdam Marathon
Apr 9 - North Pole Marathon
Apr 22 - Connemara International Marathon
Apr 22 - Madrid Marathon
TBC - Siracusa City Marathon
Apr 22 - Vienna Marathon
Apr 29 - Hamburg Marathon
Apr 29 - Kharkiv International
Apr 29 - Roads to Rhodes

In the same boat as you, and while looked at going abroad I decided on the Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May. Running on behalf of Stroke Association instead of a normal place.

Run a half in 1.40 - 1.45 so going to work over the winter on stepping up the distance.

[john2443]

mon the fish said:

Italian marathons require a doctors inspection/ECG so bear that in mind...

I believe France still require doctors note, some docs charge on the grounds that it's outside their normal work, a mate asked his doc who said he'd do it for nothing because by being fit he was saving the practice money anyway!

[Cybertronian]

john2443 said:

I believe France still require doctors note, some docs charge on the grounds that it's outside their normal work, a mate asked his doc who said he'd do it for nothing because by being fit he was saving the practice money anyway!

A friend of mine who recently ran the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon as his first 13.1 required such a doctor's note. Curiously, his registered GP refused to sign him off, even when my friend said he would pay for the inconvenience! The doctor said he wasn't willing to accept the liability of signing him off, should my friend drop down dead due to over-exertion or similar (unlikely, despite being his first half marathon)! In the end, I think he went via a university sports science doctor or some such.

[Gaz3376]

I'm doing the Greater Manchester Marathon in May 2018 (My first marathon). Started running again this week after 6 months off.

[BenLowden]

Berlin was my first and I'd thoroughly recommend it. Awesome city to spend a long weekend in and it was pretty flat from memory. Gebrselassie beat his own world record the year we ran it.

My favourite though has to be Loch Ness. Incredible scenery and one of my favourite places to spend my time. Pretty undulated so not ideal for your first, but should be on your list if you get into it.

[bigandclever]

wackojacko1234 said:

So ive been thinking about doing a Marathon in 2018 (it would be my 1st one) ... Below is list of main ones within Europe ... obviously being my first one has anyone done any of these before and what was the overall experinece like ? I dont think there is any easy marathons ... !

Thanks ...

Apr 9 - North Pole Marathon

Since you asked, I did that last year. Probably not one that you'd think was for the inexperienced but there were a few marathon virgins - there usually is at this type of trip I've done all three of Richard Donovan's races and this was the 'easiest'.

It's a ball-shrivellingly expensive trip, mind, but you probably know that already if it's on your list of possibles. Having said that, short of being paid to get up there, it remains the cheapest way to get to the geographic pole. Any specifics, just ask, but I'd highly recommend it.

[anonymous-user]

Also signed up to my first - Brighton next April. £73..

You have to faff about collecting your race pack on the beach the day or two before. They don't post, which is a pain.

[mon the fish]

RaymondVanDerDon said:

Also signed up to my first - Brighton next April. £73..

You have to faff about collecting your race pack on the beach the day or two before. They don't post, which is a pain.

There's a few do that - I suspect it's a ruse with the council, to make you stay the night before and spend money in the area

[kiethton]

I've done the Edinburgh marathon - with the first 10-15k being decidedly downhill and the remainder flat it's got to be a fair shout for one of the easier marathons...