133 replies to this topic

[DontStop]

Obviously, this is only one person's opinion. But I have an emotional attachment to this event, given the Big M was the first race I ever did... and I'd love it to be the best it can be.

Also, because a for-profit organisation is running it, and making money off the back of it, I only think it reasonable that as their paying customers, we can make comment on the service we receive for our money. Smaller races like Sri Chinmoy/etc... I wouldn't dream of being critical because the level of expectation is so different.

Anyway, this is my take on the MM '10. More good than bad, but I've tried to give an honest assessment:


Bouquets:

The course is great. Very scenic and if the weather plays nice, it’s fast. Although I personally don’t like the MCG finish, I reckon you couldn’t design a better course for a Melbourne marathon that had to start/finish there. Well done.

Good numbers of quicker runners. With well over 200 people going sub-3, it’s not too hard to find a small pack of runners to go along with, no matter what your pace. This makes the journey a more enjoyable one.

Preferred start for the quicker (but certainly not elite) runners. A great touch, and a nice way to support the quicker club-level runners and help them avoid the crush a field of 6000+ creates. Makes sense on a lot of levels, and other big fun-runs like R4TK could learn from this.

Good volunteers. But I wouldn’t expect anything else from Melbournians!

Race office people helpful over the phone and via email.

Water sachets. Love, love, love them. Makes it easy to get good fluids in without slowing down. I know they’re a bit of a clean-up hassle, but they’re a huge bonus for runners.

The ‘girls in pink’ cheersquad. Just a pity they couldn’t be every couple of kilometres. Great to have some colour.

The run up Birdwood Avenue. Sure it’s a bit of an incline, but it’s so nice to get away from the shitfight of slow half marathoners and have a bit of road to yourself with the other marathon runners. Also nice to have such an iconic Melbourne running route as part of Melbourne’s marathon. Probably wouldn’t feel so charitable if they made us run up Ando, though.

The fact that the organisers TRIED to go some way to fixing the merge problem. They may have failed, but at least they know there's a problem.

Bringing out good African runners for our best local guys to run against. Nice to be in a race that's won in 2.11.




Brickbats:

No surprise. The Merge. No-one busting a gut trying to run out a full marathon should have to concentrate on dodging their way through a crush of shuffling, i-Pod wearing half marathoners going way slower than they are. I don’t care WHAT the solution is, but there surely has to be one.

The last 3km. Related to The Merge, but the last 10-15 minutes of a marathon you should feel like you’re in a bit of a special place… not like you’ve accidentally intruded into a different race altogether. After running 39k of a marathon, it’s like you’re transported into someone else's fun-run, where 95% of runners aren’t doing a marathon. Hugely anti-climactic.

Toilets. The MM website is at pains to tell us to “take advantage of the AMPLE toilet facilities inside the MCG”. Well, if their idea of “ample” is a single row of cubicles for men and women respectively… amongst 6000 marathon runners and nearly 10000 halfies, they’re crazy.

Marathon numbers doubled since 2008 – but no more toilet facilities unlocked for us inside the MCG? That’s just piss-poor planning. You shouldn’t have to queue up for 20 minutes to go to the toilet an hour before the start, when there are heaps of dunnies inside the Member’s stand that we weren’t allowed to use. Note: double the entrants (who all need to go at the same time) means double the toilets will be needed. That ain’t rocket science.

A drink at the end. Not such a huge deal, but after running a marathon, you’d reckon you could get your hands on something better than small plastic cups of  warmish water with black bits floating in them. Powerade was the sponsor, but no Powerade at the finish? There was a couple of years ago. So now there are more entrants, paying more money, but we get less? Hmmmm… that doesn’t quite add up.

The Showbag. Get rid of it. There’s nothing of worth in it (a handtowel with no marathon branding) a tin of tuna, a warm powerade, a single blister-patch and some leaflets). But some people see the promise of a “marathon gift” and think it’s actually worth going out of their way to get to the MCG for their bag. Waste of time, waste of money, waste of resources. Make it worth having, or just ditch it entirely. In its current form, no-one would miss it.

Running out of medals for the slow finishers. I know how this happens: medals would be ordered months in advance, to make it cost-effective. Fair enough. But when you then expand entries, and take people’s money, those people should expect to get what they’ve paid for. Gotta do better than “sorry we’ve run out, we’ll stick one in the mail”.

[jud4nat]

As one of the 'slow' runners who was absoluely rapt to finish in 6.05 and cross the line with my 4 year old baby girl, I was devastated not to get my medal.  I had told all th ekids in my class that I would bring it in and show them, and inspire them cos I  am 110 kgs and trying to do something about it, and they had been following my progress from 125kg down. We had no water for the last 8kms or so, and it is depressing seeing all the aid stations being packed up as you trudge along. You feel totally unloved. The finish is fantastic and I was proud of myself for getting there, but there were no drinks there either. Lucky my wife thought what I did was worth a drink and had one for me. That didnt cost $130 though. Maybe next year when I am 80 kgs I might feel like I belong a bit more.

[moh]

DontStop, on Oct 11 2010, 12:25 PM, said:

Obviously, this is only one person's opinion. But I have an emotional attachment to this event, given the Big M was the first race I ever did... and I'd love it to be the best it can be.

Also, because a for-profit organisation is running it, and making money off the back of it, I only think it reasonable that as their paying customers, we can make comment on the service we receive for our money. Smaller races like Sri Chinmoy/etc... I wouldn't dream of being critical because the level of expectation is so different.

Anyway, this is my take on the MM '10. More good than bad, but I've tried to give an honest assessment:

DontStop - that is a very good and balanced summation of the good and bad.  I agree with your observations - very astute and I'm sure many others would also agree with you.  As a Sydney-sider and this being my first Melbourne marathon - I thought I'd add a couple of other observations.  


The "bouquets" for this event were numerous - I liked the course, quite scenic and reasonably flat - I can see how PBs could be attained for many (as long as they didn't run into half marathoners at critical parts in the race).  I thought the bag dropoff was excellent - if you remembered where you dropped it off approximately, you could walk straight up there, give them your box number, and grab your bag within seconds - much different to the find-a-bag game that vollies play at the Sydney mara:)  And personally I loved the finish at the "G" - especially turning in and running into the tunnel, then out into the daylight on the ground...felt like I was running on for an AFL grandfinal... Very special.

The wheelies started at 7.55am - after the mara start, but before the half marathoners.  That would have been good for them as they might have missed the 10,000 odd half marathoners, but the merging of the 2 crowds at various points I dont think would have been good for them.  I know I ran up the back of plenty of half marathoners, and I did notice 2 wheelies coming past me and trying to fight through some crowd.  I only hope that they managed to get past all the runners, because that would have been quite unfair if not given they are way faster than any of us runners.  Solution - need to give them the space and time - perhaps they could start first before the marathoners - but even then, not sure if they wouldnt run up the back of the halfies at some point.  Again, back to one of your points - need to fix the merging problem.

Transport - as a Sydneysider and someone who has relied on public transport in the past to get to the start of the Sydney marathon - I now realise we are somewhat blessed to be able to get transport in the early hours to the start line. Furthermore, its free.  I was surprised to see the announcement on the website that for all marathoners, halfies, and 10km runners that public transport was NOT an option.      I'm sure everyone managed to find their way there somehow (staying in town - I walked for 15minutes then caught a cab..) but public transport would be an effective way of reducing traffic around the area.



Cheers
moh

[courtlylove]

I agree with everything DontStop said except, being a slow runner, I personally have no knowledge of the merge problems, though I can imagine them. It was also annoying to see on the news last night the sight of the winning woman marathoner half concealed as she crossed over the finish line, by a half-marathoner. It sort of takes the gloss away.

As for the other brickbats -

Showbag = FAIL; as above do away with it instead of insulting us with its contents.

Lack of water/drinks, etc = BIG FAIL, especially on a warm-hot day; especially for the slower runners, who are out there for longer and in the hotter part of the day. If nothing else this is a health issue. As others have said, we all pay the same amount, we all expect the same service.

Medals = MAJOR FAIL! The folks who have gritted it out over five or more hours deserve their medals ON THE DAY as much as those who power home more quickly.

Singlets = FAIL. I saw people running the half wearing marathon singlets. With no way to check, just anyone off the street could have fronted up to the merchandise stall on Friday or Saturday and bought a singlet. They could plan it like the Gold Coast Marathon, where the cost of the souvenir top is incorporated into the registration fee and is appropriate for each distance, or like the Canberra Marathon (was) where you can order a top when you register for a reasonable cost. This means that only people who are actually registered for the run can obtain the top.

As for all the bouquets - I agree with them too, but was most impressed with the wonderful attitude and support from the volunteers - magic!

By the way - does any of this feedback get to the organisers? Do they listen?

CL

[SirPlod]

A slow half marathoner here.

My comments are based more on the collective “Half Marathoner bashing” that seems to go on whenever the merge issue is raised, rather than at any individual posters.

We’re all doing our best, and it’s not our fault that the merge is there. I don’t like getting in your way any more than you like it – blame the organisers for that. Ok, and maybe the inconsiderate half marathoners who don’t get out of the way.

As far as I’m concerned, I’m considerate and aware of the faster runners out there – and it may not look like it to you, but I certainly felt like I was busting a gut out there – not shuffling.

In a few years time, who knows, maybe I’ll be as fast as you, and will hate the merge just as much - but I will certainly have more of an appreciation that everybody had to start somewhere.  

Totally agree about the showbags – an insult to showbags and a waste of time going all the way to the MCG to collect it. I’ve had better showbags from local fun runs. My wife commented that the show bag itself was better quality than the “Half marathon gift” bag that came in it.

Loving the medal though – I really feel for those of you that did not get one! That’s poor organising and I agree – if you paid for the race, you should get the full race package – including properly manned water stations til the end! Same goes for the showbags - as crap as they are, each entrant should be entitled to one, not "while stocks last"...

Loved the kids giving out high-fives along the way. And all the "Run fast daddy" type posters that they had made. I've gone soft since becoming a dad.

And forgot to add - thank you to all the supporters, volunteers and amazing people who cheered along the way.

Edited by SirPlod, 11 October 2010 - 02:16 PM.

[DontStop]

SirPlod, on Oct 11 2010, 03:05 PM, said:

A slow half marathoner here.

My comments are based more on the collective “Half Marathoner bashing” that seems to go on whenever the merge issue is raised, rather than at any individual posters.

Absolutely agree. It's no fun for the marathoners having to yell out and get frustrated, and it's no fun for the half-marathoners getting yelled at by frustrated marathoners. No-one wins, and it's no-one's fault except for the organisers.

[courtlylove]

SirPlod - not 'bashing' the half-marathoners ... except the thoughtless ones who spread out across the path and/or wear earplugs and/or refuse to move over. Like you, I'm a slow runner and I try always to be aware of the people coming past faster than me ... which didn't happen yesterday, but often does in other races.

In fact I think I've made myself very unpopular in a couple of places, asking slow runners, and walkers to move to the side for fast runners coming through and overtaking us all.

At the Healesville to Yarra Glen run recently there was a young woman with a much older man, slowly making their way right in the middle of the finishers chute, with a very fast runner coming towards the finish in very muddy conditions. I could see the potential for a very nasty spill and called out to these people to move to the side of the track. I got a snarly response and was told that 'We are in it, too!' This was not at all clear as neither had their bib showing, so there was no way of telling who the h*ll they were! It's that sort of ignorance that makes me cross.

CL

[Gideon247]

My brickbat - biggest of all...

finishing with a personal best - which I have been training all year for (toenails black or non existent) - and logging on today to check my net time and being told that I withdrew during the race!

Now considering I have Garmin evidence, DNA (of my vomit) just after the timing mats in the MCG, recall having photos taken (from marathon photos) in the last km of the race....absolutely gutted. Might even have placed highly in my age category.


Followed all the rules, the course etc...always do...(didnt have an Ipod and watched for the marathoners in the merge....)

....definitely their mistake not mine.

Have emailed administrators...hopefully can be rectified.
Absolutely Gutted!

[SirPlod]

courtlylove, on Oct 11 2010, 03:30 PM, said:

SirPlod - not 'bashing' the half-marathoners ...

Not you CL, I’ve never seen/read of you bashing anyone at all, especially not Half Marathoners  

Totally agree about inconsiderate ones though. They actually do deserve a real bashing.  

[okeenok]

courtlylove, on Oct 11 2010, 01:13 PM, said:

Medals = MAJOR FAIL! The folks who have gritted it out over five or more hours deserve their medals ON THE DAY as much as those who power home more quickly.

Singlets = FAIL. I saw people running the half wearing marathon singlets. With no way to check, just anyone off the street could have fronted up to the merchandise stall on Friday or Saturday and bought a singlet. They could plan it like the Gold Coast Marathon, where the cost of the souvenir top is incorporated into the registration fee and is appropriate for each distance, or like the Canberra Marathon (was) where you can order a top when you register for a reasonable cost. This means that only people who are actually registered for the run can obtain the top.

Yes I was one of those SLOW Halfies running with god forbid a Marathon singlet, But I stayed to the left and got out of the way of all faster runners including the all important Marathoners.  I ordered the singlet online just wanting a souvenir of this great event, I too lined up hoping to exchange for a larger one.  I couldn't believe nearly everyone wanted a singlet, they could have made a small fortune on the expo days just on singlets.  I agree however that they should have had singlets for each category or just have one like the Sydney Running Festival, maybe this would confuse the organisers too much but please I didn't buy one to p*** u off!!

I also can't believe the medal saga, I would be devastated if I didn't get mine. If u av x entrants, u need x medals, whats so hard about that??

[ican]

Goldcoast marathon and Melbourne got similar numbers this year.  Melbourne is a great event but it needs 'tweaking'. Now is the time to improve Melbourne if they want to compete with GC.  Once the novelty of running onto the G wears off people will talk with their wallets.  I've done Goldcoast the last 3 years and we do some things better, some things worse:

Course: prefer Melbourne, much more picturesque and more variety although some prefer the PB flat nature of GC.

Toilets: prefer Melbourne, you can find more open ones if you venture further through the MCG.

Parking: prefer Melbourne, although I stay walking distance from GC.

Water: it is good to offer people the choice of sachets.

Merge: prefer Goldcoast.  They have just as many competitors but organise this aspect much better.  Don't know why.  I know a lot of people complain about the half starting such much earlier than the full at the Goldcoast and don't know if this creates a better finish situation.  I watched the marathon finish from the stands at the G and it was embarrassing.  The marathon winner should come into that stand by themselves not with hundreds of other half and 10k finishers.

The 'SHOWBAG' - If you want people to come to the expo entice them!  I imagine a lot of people don't come cos they a)don't need to (they have their race bib) and don't want to (the expo is sh!t and the freebies are non-existent.  I don't think you do this half-arsed.  Either don't do it or do it better and make people come eg. to get their bibs!!

It seems to me that Melbourne has a lot of things going for it that other cities can't do.  But the organisation, it seems, is better done up north.

[alisonjc]

post deleted becuase it was far too sooky and angry and I need to focus more on the positives

Edited by alisonjc, 11 October 2010 - 08:01 PM.

[MCHammer01]

This is my first post and I felt compelled to add to this topic in the hope that the Melb Mthon organisers do read /listen to or pay attention to this type of feedback with the view of improving the event...I totally agree with many of the previous posts about many of the things mentioned but thought i'd add my 2cents worth.

Firstly I need to acknowledge that mass participation events must not be easy to get everything right but when you are trying to get a record field you need to at least be adequately prepared for this and consider these challenges. This was my 2nd Melbourne Mthon & the 2nd time I've been disappointed in the organisation of the event.

No drinks at the finish: MASSIVE FAIL.  I was absolutely smashed when I crossed the line and felt like my blood sugar was v low and to be herded down into the carpark like cattle only to be told there were no sports drinks or bananas.etc left was terrible.  A volunteer told me there would be a powerade in my showbag but wherever they were I have no idea as i didn't even get one...? I then had to queue up at a food van and spend $18 buying a couple of drinks and some food.  Just what you feel like doing after running 42k...

MCG finish: while it is nice to be allowed onto the hallowed turf, personally I am not a fan as it restricts the race too much and creates too many logistical challenges.  Finish chutes in big events are special and don't need the MCG to create this.  Furthemore, it is really hard for spectators to see their competing friends/family and as a competitor you can't embrace your loved one to share the finish emotion until 15mins later after you exit the G and find them. Lastly, whilst I don't take anything away from people finishing the 1/2mthon as this is still a significant achievement for many people, I don't want to share the finish chute with a gazillion of them so please separate these races and finish lines.

Pre-race toilets:MASSIVE FAIL.  The MCG has a million toilets but to have to queue up for ages because only about 3 of these toilet blocks were open was disgraceful.

Merge: FAIL.  I don't blame the 1/2 mthoners for getting in the way, I blame the organisers for putting them there in the 1st place.  This must be fixed.  Last time I did the event (2008) the 1/2 was started before the Mthon and this also created mass chaos as the fast mthoners caught the back of the 1/2 field.  IMG need to do some research about how other big events manage this problem.

Showbag: FAIL.  Get rid of it, nobody cares about it or gains from it in any way.

Drink Stations:Moslty positive here as the volunteers do an amazing+ job! However, can someoone please try to ensure that the powerade is mixed to its proper concentration as it is almost useless when it is so weak that there is no sweetness in it.  Plastic cups are crap as you can't fold them to make drinking from them easier like paper cups. Wouldn't paper cups be better for the environement anyway??? Water sachets are great!

Volunteers:Big tick.  This is a thankless task and you did a great job.

Course:Big tick.  Has a bit in it for everyone.  Is certainly challenging enough whilst being mostly flat and scenic (not that I was admiring or thinking about this scenery!).

Weather:Big tick.  Whoever organised this, you are a star!!

After yesterday Melbourne will certainly claim this as the biggest Mthon in Aus but IMHO they are a long way from being the best.  I am a passionate Melburnian but ran the Gold Coast Mthon in 2009 and was blown away at how good that event was run.

[thinkpink]

I agree with all of the above comments. The herding at the finish meant I somehow missed the fruit.

My first marathon  I had no intention of getting one until after I had completed the marathon. Several weeks ago, asked my husband to meet me after the race with it, singlets had all gone by 9:30 am sat. Last year when I was a spectator I remember there still being singlets available after the event.

It must have been devastating not to get a medal as you finished alisonjc. Sounds like they have not coped with the increase in competitors.

[wombatoutofhell]

DontStop, on Oct 11 2010, 01:25 PM, said:

Running out of medals for the slow finishers. I know how this happens: medals would be ordered months in advance, to make it cost-effective. Fair enough. But when you then expand entries, and take people’s money, those people should expect to get what they’ve paid for. Gotta do better than “sorry we’ve run out, we’ll stick one in the mail”.

How does this happen?  You have 6000 entrants, you get 6000 medals-it's pretty easy.  Ok, you're going to have some DNF's and DNS's but they still payed their money so the event isn't out of pocket getting the right number of medals.  If there's some left at the end, so what?  Either take them for recycling or hand them out to some of the vollies.  They may not have run, but without them we don't run so they deserve a souvenir as well.

courtlylove, on Oct 11 2010, 02:13 PM, said:

Lack of water/drinks, etc = BIG FAIL, especially on a warm-hot day; especially for the slower runners, who are out there for longer and in the hotter part of the day. If nothing else this is a health issue. As others have said, we all pay the same amount, we all expect the same service.

This is to me the biggest fail of the day.  The medals and showbags are disappointing, this could be downright dangerous.  Last year was bad but at least there were a couple of boxes of sachets left out-this year there was nothing.  Mrs Wombat was at least 8km without water stations.  Yes she could stop at the bubblers up Birdswood Ave, but after 6 hours on the road, that's not as easy as it sounds.  The back of packers paid the same as the rest of us so should get the same support we do.  There were last minute course changes that seemed to be made up as they went along-some were directed across the Swam St Bridge instead of coming back up past Fed Square.  The ones after them were left to their own devices as there was no one left to tell them where to go.

Showbags are an insult-either fix them or drop them.  Gold Coast is a cheaper event, but it includes a shirt-and a different one for each event.  Ok-the shirts are crap, but they are a genuine race memento-our towels are just getting the sponsors logo out.  Take a leaf from Samsung when they sponsored-That was a towel!

I don't blame the runners in shorter events for buying the singlets-I would have done the same.  I actually saw it as a melbourne marathon shirt encompassing all the events, and I think that's how it was intended.  Just do more of them!

On the plus side, the course was mostly good, the vollies were fantastic, the ambo/first aid people were likewise fantastic, there were plenty of toilets along the course (normal public toilets as well as portables) water sachets are great and the event has a great atmosphere.  There's nothing here that's hard to fix, and if that was done this would be the best marathon event in Australia (in my experience).  Until then it's Gold Coast I'm afraid.

[BigAl5000]

The course was great.
The Volunteers impeccable.
The drink stations including the water bags splendid.

The running out of water at one or two stations was an annoyance, but I always carry something to drink just incase. I feel bad for those who were behind me who missed out, but most of you ran the last 7k past my limping.

I had the merging fun only with over excited kids and walkers in to the 'G', but something needs to be done about the problems with the HM runners merging.

SHOWBAG lived up to its name Full of useless crap.

The "Festival" if i could call it that. A few marques is not very festive.

I know the transport is not part of the organisers problem but come on Connex woops Metro. Sunday timetables need to be bought up to date it is the 21 century.

I loved the day apart from my body falling to crap and would do it all again. Just not right now. This was my first time at the MM festival and first Mara. I do prefer less people but what can you do about that.

To all who didn't get their medals. My heart goes out to you. I think I might have cried and then gone feral at every one around. I did have some expectation of a medal being placed around my neck as I limped over the line mind you...

And a cool Poweraide would have been handy after the race too.

[wombatoutofhell]

ican, on Oct 11 2010, 06:00 PM, said:

It seems to me that Melbourne has a lot of things going for it that other cities can't do.  But the organisation, it seems, is better done up north.

Gold Coast don't have a merge as such-the marathoners head south and the 1/2 runners head north.  By the time the leaders of the marathon get back to the shared finish, all but the 3 hour + 1/2 runners are finished unless they run a 1:50 marathon.  It's not bad although it means the marathon starts later and the full runners have more heat to deal with.  With the way the Melbourne course is done, I can't see how they could do it this way.
Gold Coast do have a great expo.  But it's a major event for them, it's not here.  As you have to go there to pick up your bib, pretty much everyone has a walk through as well-good for the sponsors!
I agree-Melbourne is a better course.  I fine GC very uninspiring.  But it has atmosphere-so many people spectating and cheering.  Melbourne has as well-but not as many.

I don't think the Melbourne organisers listen very hard to feedback.  They were made aware of the water situation for the back of packers last year (I know a couple of people wrote to them), so this year they made it worse.  They have tried to fix the merge though-that's something.

Any back of backers been contacted by a rival ( to the sponsor)newspaper yet?  I know a couple who have been asked for comment.  Maybe that's what's needed to get some action.

[Davealcock]

Don't Stop,

Well done for your summary, I must admit I have similar feeling to the event.

The day was great, the weather was perfect and for the most part was an amazing day.  Did a 14 minute PB, and getting only 4 minutes from the big 3 hour barrier makes me eager for more.

Unfortunately for me a few things could of been better....

Why couldn't we get the show bags for the marathon in the tunnel with the medals.  I really can't believe they didn't have enough medals on hand as well.  I feel so sorry for the poor buggers that have run the full distance, they deserve the medal as much as the guy that came in first.  I was so keen for the showbag, and for what...definately wasn't worth the trouble of walking around to collect.

The merge wasn't great either.  Would love to them enforce the no headphones..even better no other events besides the marathon...that would be great.  Not sure what the best answer is..but there definately should be seperation for the entire course.  I had to shout...but weaving was really the only way through when we came back in St Kilda rd.  It isn't fair on anyone.

Anyway, was a great day besides..can't wait till the next marathon!

[alif]

Gideon247, on Oct 11 2010, 03:59 PM, said:

My brickbat - biggest of all...

finishing with a personal best - which I have been training all year for (toenails black or non existent) - and logging on today to check my net time and being told that I withdrew during the race!

Now considering I have Garmin evidence, DNA (of my vomit) just after the timing mats in the MCG, recall having photos taken (from marathon photos) in the last km of the race....absolutely gutted. Might even have placed highly in my age category.


Followed all the rules, the course etc...always do...(didnt have an Ipod and watched for the marathoners in the merge....)

....definitely their mistake not mine.

Have emailed administrators...hopefully can be rectified.
Absolutely Gutted!

I am so sorry to hear that, but let me tell you you're not the only one that this happened to. Someone I know ran thier first marathon and there is absolutely no evidence of it from the results website - same thing as you mentioned saying withdrew before race.  If I was you I would demand a refund, you paid big money for a service and you didn't get what you paid for. I really feel for you, that is an abolute disgrace!!!

[Grechy]

Although I can be a touch biased as this is my favourite race in the world, I think people are voting with their feet and they will never be able to please everyone.

There are some valid points being made and I didnt experience what you all did so I suppose I cant say a great deal but just on the medal issue, regardless of how many entrants you have, there will always be a percentage that will not make the finish line and I think that has a lot to do with why there may not have been enough medals. That said, I would have been very upset if I didnt get a medal back in 2006 when I ran my first marathon in almost 5 hours.

I have my fingers crossed that I will be back racing the full marathon next year. I hope most of you will be in the race with me, for the ones who wont, well hopefully you will be on the sidelines cheering for everyone like I was for you all at the finish line yesterday.

[wombatoutofhell]

Grechy, on Oct 11 2010, 08:33 PM, said:

Although I can be a touch biased as this is my favourite race in the world, I think people are voting with their feet and they will never be able to please everyone.

There are some valid points being made and I didnt experience what you all did so I suppose I cant say a great deal but just on the medal issue, regardless of how many entrants you have, there will always be a percentage that will not make the finish line and I think that has a lot to do with why there may not have been enough medals. That said, I would have been very upset if I didnt get a medal back in 2006 when I ran my first marathon in almost 5 hours.

I have my fingers crossed that I will be back racing the full marathon next year. I hope most of you will be in the race with me, for the ones who wont, well hopefully you will be on the sidelines cheering for everyone like I was for you all at the finish line yesterday.

No they wont be able to please everyone-the merge problem is very tricky, but either providing a real memento or dropping the idea altogether (don't mind which) is pretty easy.  Having enough medals is also easy-6000 people handed over their money, there should be 6000 medals.  It wouldn't worry me so much, but for a first timer to cross the line and not have anything to sow for it in a big city event-well that's just wrong.  Pink Lady ran a very respectable marathon, and would have appreciated one I'm sure.  A friend of ours (she's on CR but I can't think of her handle) ran her first marathon and missed out-so she should just show off her towel?  And then I hear on the grapevine (and I read a post in another thread here) that some half marathoners were seen to be taking a marathon medal as well as the 1/2 medal-if that's true, it's just a low act.  No excuse for taking something you haven't earned, especially when people who have earned it miss out.  I hope those bottom feeders are happy with themselves.
It's also not too hard to have water available-in fact I'd say it was a requirement.  It boils down to this.  If you don't want to cater for people running 6 or 7 hour marathons, have a 5 1/2 hour cut off.  Don't sell a service you aren't going to provide.  I feel my wife should pay for a 1/2 marathon-because that's about the level of support she got.  At least she got a medal though.

[moby]

Gideon247, on Oct 11 2010, 03:59 PM, said:

My brickbat - biggest of all...

finishing with a personal best - which I have been training all year for (toenails black or non existent) - and logging on today to check my net time and being told that I withdrew during the race!

Now considering I have Garmin evidence, DNA (of my vomit) just after the timing mats in the MCG, recall having photos taken (from marathon photos) in the last km of the race....absolutely gutted. Might even have placed highly in my age category.


Followed all the rules, the course etc...always do...(didnt have an Ipod and watched for the marathoners in the merge....)

....definitely their mistake not mine.

Have emailed administrators...hopefully can be rectified.
Absolutely Gutted!

I expect there is a strong chance the timing mechanism in your bib was faulty.  With 27,000 something entrants unfortunately it would be absolutely amazing if at least a few didn't fail.

The event has done a great job to get the results up so quickly, but the downside of this is there are probably a few errors in there to straighten out.

I would fully expect that having contacted them they will sort it out for you as there will be photo evidence of you participating.  Unfortunately you probably won’t get a net time if the timing mechanism failed, but I don't think this is the fault of the organisers so long as they satisfactorily respond once advised.

[moby]

Grechy, on Oct 11 2010, 08:33 PM, said:

There are some valid points being made and I didnt experience what you all did so I suppose I cant say a great deal but just on the medal issue, regardless of how many entrants you have, there will always be a percentage that will not make the finish line and I think that has a lot to do with why there may not have been enough medals.

I think it's  more likely to be because they increased the field from 4,500 with only a couple of weeks to go and so didn't have enough medals. They must have more on order if they are saying they will be mailed out to people.

[TynoMite]

I didn't experience any "issues" with merging. I thought for an event with 6000 in the marathon, there was room enough for everyone.
If you enter an event like that an expect to just run your own line the whole way, you're kidding yourself.
The signage for the whole event was pretty good too.

I had issues at the first water station, because I didn't see any signs and was expecting it to be on the left.
I think a lot of people were surprised there.

I liked running into the G, but that was more me pretending I was running on for the Tigers than any Marathon thing

The finish area was easily the weakest part of the event.
The medal collection needs better organising. A bunch of people yelling out with bunches of medals isn't much of a system.
Something like GC, where you go through different chutes to get your TShirt and medal is about as good as I've seen.

The Post Run area needs a big re-think.
It seems designed, if anything, to get you out of the MCG as quickly as possible.
I would have liked to mingle with some runners for a bit, but it didn't seem like an option in a carpark with a granny smith apple.........

Overall, I thought the event was great, but can see where improvements could be made.
If they send a participant survey round, I'll fill it out for sure.

[wombatoutofhell]

moby, on Oct 11 2010, 09:26 PM, said:

I think it's  more likely to be because they increased the field from 4,500 with only a couple of weeks to go and so didn't have enough medals. They must have more on order if they are saying they will be mailed out to people.

they are saying 4 to 6 weeks apparently-my guess is they had to work out the exact number to order

TynoMite, on Oct 11 2010, 09:31 PM, said:

The Post Run area needs a big re-think.
It seems designed, if anything, to get you out of the MCG as quickly as possible.
I would have liked to mingle with some runners for a bit, but it didn't seem like an option in a carpark with a granny smith apple.........

Overall, I thought the event was great, but can see where improvements could be made.
If they send a participant survey round, I'll fill it out for sure.

You got an apple? Wow!  Actually I'd like to see oranges-I really like an orange after an event.  Bananas are good too

[funky1]

Pros:
It was great to see ample water at the drink stops. (Although doesn't it make sence for Powerade to be given out in the cups labelled "Powerade" and water to be given out in the plain white plastic cups?) Unfortunately this wasn't done. Something simple, but makes it easier to identify which one to grab.


Cons
The lack of toilets at the start line. When I'm about to run 42km's, the last thing I want to do is walk all the way over to the MCG. Can the tennis centre be opened up somehow for toilet use only???
There was no food (fruit etc) given out at the finish area by the time I got there. (I finished in 4.26).

It was my 8th Melbourne Marathon and by far the best organised one, but still a bit to go to be as well organised as Gold Coast.

Just my opinion...

[IsthatAlex]

I’ve had a day to reflect on yesterday’s MM (I did the 10k and my son Harry did the 2.5k) and offer this candid assessment of the whole set up. MM is a private entity and is a “for” profit organisation. It appears a little unfair to me that a profit making machine like IMG relies on hundreds of volunteers – how does that work?

The Good:

    * The volunteers – just brilliant
    * The course – perfect and within 110m of my Garmin – I don’t run in straight lines!
    * Water sachets -  much easier than drinking out of cups
    * The spectators – I reckon Melbournians would cheer paint drying!
    * Started bang on time – great effort that

The Bad:

    * The goodie bag – the only useful thing is the bag it comes in
    * The website timing was way out – had me at over a minute more than my Garmin
    * The water in the cups at drink stations – there’s less chemical in my swimming pool – yuck
    * The 180 degree turn on Brunton Ave – far too tight – the last thing I want at 9k is to walk around a tight corner only to run again
    * $12.95 for a 15 second video

The Ugly:

The ugly part only really affected the minority – the parents/friends of the kids 2.5k run. There were 600 odd runners ranging from 7-14 year olds. Understandably the parents couldn’t run with the kids so from a security viewpoint the child had a wrist band with their race number on and a parent had  one also. Child couldn’t leave the area without a matching wrist band. This is good – having only one person checking 600 kids and adults wristbands – Ugly – very ugly.

Access to the seating near the finish line for the parent without the wristband was only by requesting a duplicate band at the venue – problem being the list of names weren’t in alphabetical order, so each request took a few minutes – ugly

Seating near the finish line was about 100m away – far too far and there was supposed to be no access to the ground for parents although there were plenty on there. You had parents and friends walking up the stand where they handed out the medals – it was disorganised chaos.

For the last 3 months I had visions of watching Harry run into the MCG and up to the finish line – it was to be my proudest moment to date as a father, yet I was denied (as were others) because we were so far away.

Overall a great day – just soured at the end, although Harry would be none the wiser.

[MadGirlRunning]

Just in terms of the volunteer arrangements...

My Dad was a volunteer yesterday. He didn't receive any money, but his club will for each volunteer that they provided. I think they picked about $1600 last year - so a funding boost for them. Works out at around $40-$60 per person - can't remember exactly.

[KnockoutMouse]

MCHammer01 : You have absolutely nailed it.

[Kathymac]

I agree with Don't Stop and a lot of the comments posted above. Hopefully the organisers are listening.

Positives:
Results were up so quickly
The results booklet (presuming it is like previous years) is a great memento - I can't think of another marathon I have done that provided something like this.
Bag drop off and pick up is the most efficient of any run I have ever done (just compare to Run Melbourne this year!) - no queues, under cover, great volunteers, pretty much just after the finish line.
Loved the design of the clothing this year - the best of any year I have run.

Negatives:
Merge is the big one - it needs to be fixed, but enough said about this.
I would like a bit of MCG grass roped off after the finish line where runners can spend some time recovering while soaking in the atmosphere. To finish and be quickly herded into a concrete dungeon is a bit anticlimatic and not ideal for recovery, either.
The expo is pretty ordinary. I think the big problem here is the exclusivity deals done with the sponsors. It really is very limiting. Now when I went to Boston, Adidas was the sponsor but all the major sports brands were there and that expo was just AWESOME. I couldn't believe my eyes - I was just walking around with my eyes popping out of my head and my jaw dropped (and greenbacks rapidly disappearing from my wallet!). I don't think Adidas suffered at all for having their competitors there - they had the biggest floorspace and by far the biggest queues of people lining up for the official stuff.

I would love to see this race grow over the next few years and gain more community support. Hopefully the little problems can be smoothed out so this can happen.

[ben86]

Hi guys,
I've read quite a few posts here and on other forums that were v.disappointed with the MM organisation last sunday. Many people have said that it'll be their last MM which is sad because I can't think of a city I'd rather run through/around more.

I was one of the faster runners that were blocked by the literally thousands of half marathoners using the same course and running about 2min/km slower. I found myself weaving through gaps, accelerating to pass people and yelling (polite) warnings at people, all after the 30km mark!

I will never do another MM either. And i'm so annoyed by the situation that I've actaully joined and posted here, a site where i normally just read anonymously!

I want to encourage anyone that is equally dissatified (be it my problem, the (non-existent) medals for the slower runners or another problem) to tell IMG - genevieve.dunn@imgworld.com so that maybe they'll realise that this event is about more than just their profit margin.

Thanks

[walker1st]

ben86, on Oct 12 2010, 07:08 AM, said:

maybe they'll realise that this event is about more than just their profit margin.

keep dreaming

[SteveNorden]

Brickbat:

For the ruinners who throw their rubbish on the streets all along the course.

[trailblazer777]

This was my 4th melbourne Marathon and my best one in 4.05, I missed my PB by 10minutes mostly due to a calf strain injury 20km into the race, but struggled on to the finish, I think its in the top 5 courses that I know of in Australia to try for a PB in...and I should have got it last year and this year )...
Its been the main annual goal race for me for 3 years now.
Its been the most memorable special race for me for 3 out of 4 years, although its a tough call this year, as i got to run with the Kenyans at the start in the Perth City to Surf Marathon this year, and thats pretty special...like going to Mecca for a moslem or seeing the Pope in the flesh for a catholic...or chatting with Mick or Eddie if you are a Pies supporter... (I agree with the preferred start regime though as long as the pacer groups are there too, both those two things I think are very,very good...)
Its been my only interstate trip for a race from Western Australia for the past 4 years.
Ive gone to a lot of trouble (a) to get myself there, and b to get my family there the previous 2 years.
Why? cos its just so incredibly amazingly awesome! This year was probably even more so.

the course is fantastic. Totally love it. Mostly flat or downhill, 3 very minor hills, with The Tan bit probably the hardest because its late in the race, (for sure if it was Anderson st, I'd be wondering whether Gold Coast is a much better PB option...) but once you get to the top its all downhillto the finish and as world record holder Haile said in current Runners World issue interview, any marathon with a downhill finish is always nice...It gives you momentum to bring it home strongly in the last couple of km even when you are hurting... incredible views, big majestic city. beach views. The Tan, the Yarra FEd square, Flinders st statin, Rod Laver Arena Olympic Park and of course the G one of the most incredible sporting places in the world. I got to race into the Sydney Olympics stadium in 2000 and I never thought I'd find something 7 years later that compared, but this is right up there. For me, that feeling of running through the tunnel, and then around the MCG its just incredible. I'll never forget it.

Agree the showbag is a joke, but I dont really care that much... The shirts however are pretty awesome. I liked the mug from last year too.  
The medals have been excellent, and this years one it was something special, like the ribbon on the marathon one two...will treasure that one! Feel sorry for people who didnt get theirs at the end.

The sachets are totally awesome, but I see its an almighty mess to clean up after us all, but, its only once a year, and Im sure there are heaps worth things to clean up around the city like broken glass for starters...It was awesome! having the powerbar sachets in years gone by, but I guess we wont see that now powerade are sponsoring things. Dont get me wrong I think powerade is an excellent product for this event, and glad they are sponsoring it, and I drink it often, and I know its an AFL sponsor, so its appropriate, but I cant help missing the powerbar sachets.
Good to see some jellybeans out there.

Feel sorry for slower runners who get to drink stations with not much left, also reckon its a big thing not to have a drink at the end, especially powerade, as its vitally important at the end to get that, and someone is going to go to hospital due to it not being there...especially if its hot and/or humid...I fortunately had money with me in my spibelt (excellent product that, thankyou R4YL), and settled for a coca cola at the expo outside instead...which was enough to keep me going until I managed to hobble to a tram with my injured calf (after icepacking it for 20minutes), and get a tram into the CBD to get a gatorade. I got my showbag the day b4, and I had no family with me this time, so self-reliant.

Biggest gripe for me, is related to one of the biggest positives for me. The personal drinks option for me makes it easier to get on with the business of going for a PB, and not have to rely on drink stations, plus ensure I get exactly the same hydrations I get in training...so helps a lot! I didn't drink any powerade at the drink stations at all, although in hindsight maybe I should have. Big problem for me was that the personal drinks tables seemed to be at 36.5km and 16.5km instead of 16km and 35km...the 35km one was especially annoying as it was after the hill, and I didn;t have much glycogen in the tank...totally wolfed down my sports drink when I finally got to it...
if it says 35km in the book, it should be at 35km on the course...so that was my biggest brickbat for the day....also with interstate flights etc, it can be a bit hard getting there between 9am-2pm, if that could be extended to 4pm or 3pm that would make it easier for flights and checkin times especially as most hotels check you in at 2pm...unless you come the day before and pay for an extra night...in the end I came in on the redeye 3hr sleep special, carted my luggage to a supermarket in the city, bought my drinks, marked them, walked/ caught trams (thanks God for the trams!, its so cool having the trams in Melbourne...) from the cbd with my luggage to the MCG should have got a taxi, but thats a big cost, and then headed to my accomodation...
Anyhow I'm not so fussed with that, as long as that option is available I dont mind doing whatever it takes to use it, and I understand it must be big job to get them out there...must say the peoplehelping with the boxes at the G were very very helpful too and its an excellent system...

agree that after we finish the procedure there could be better, some of my friends who have done Boston and Sydney etc commented on that...And i give big recommendations about this event to all my marathoning friends in west australia...given we are also an AFL-mad state, (wore my Freo Dockers stuff while in Melbourne of course, while one of my mates is a pretty big West Coast fan), we really look forward to coming to the MCG...

Some of my friends who went sub 3 hours had trouble with the merge, interestingly we have trouble with the merge in the Perth City to Surf Marathon also, (they improved it a lot by putting up 7ft wire barriers for much of the course length this year (I did 4.15 in that one) maybe the organisers could get together from both those two runs...The Female winner Seboka was the same in both events this year as a point of trivia)...
I think the merge was a lot better this year, and the signage on course helped a lot. As I am one of the slower marathoners still (but only just, and trying to become one of the faster marathoners) , the merge has been a minor thing for me in both years...usually just after the tunnel before you climb the hill is the only point I notice it, and not really a problem for me at all, but sounds like its pretty bad for others...

Toilet queues is an issue...maybe yucky portaloos...like we do in the Perth city to Surf which has 30,000+ in total over the marathon, half, 12k and 4k events, so similiar in total size of number of people...this year I managed to better in that department and although I took emergency toilet paper, didnt need it, as I managed to finish the dump at the apartment before the stroll to the start line...

be interesting to compare the prizemoney of marathons in australia, and what is on offer for State runners and Australian Runners...and how much of the prizemoney goes to athletes from other countries...don't get me wrong I think its awesome that we have these incredible people from Kenya, Ethiopia etc, showing us how its done, raising the bar, giving the event excitement, and more media image etc etc, and just the buzz of having these people in the race is incredible, makes guys like me feel like we are at the Olympics or something, but what about the elite/or a-grade state level runners, national level runners, the spartans, age-group winners, etc...what monetary incentive is there for them...good to see the australian champion gets $3000...I haven't checked exactly what is on offer, so maybe there is heaps already there, I havent done my homework on that, just thinking aloud....but suspect there is heaps of big issues with that, and whenever sport goes semi-professional, that brings in all sorts of new issues, but still maybe worth thinking about how thats going australiawide in the bigger marathons in Australia...

music at cnr domain rd and st kilda rd was cool, and also the guitar at Albert park, and the crowd support is awesome...cheer squads tooo...of course the pacers awesome to see them out there helping so many people, I ran with the 3hr pacer early and later used their groups as markers motivators to keep at it, without really joining in, although I did try a few times to get on the back of the bus, but couldn't due to the calf, although the 4 hr pace bus really helped me a lot to get going again from about 26km onwards, before they surged past me at about 33km...

So thanks again 3hr pacer (David?), Clarkey and Mal, John and Gavan (4hr pacers), Digger and all you wonderful people...

anyhow hope there is something useful in my comments there, and  its fantastic to see 2.11 and 2.32 happening at the fast end of the field. i also very much like the variety of distances, and something for walkers fun runners, weekend warriors like me, and the serious club runners, and now the elites too...something for everyone this event...may it continue to develop!!!!!
awesome event! fast becoming a major marathoning destination in the world IMO...

Edited by trailblazer777, 12 October 2010 - 10:32 AM.

[Emrun]

trailblazer, having manned a personal drinks station in '08 and '09 I can tell you there is a very good reason why they are just past the normal drink stations, that is to stop people taking your drink.

In '08 the personal station was just before the main station and I was literally chasing after people to retrieve drinks that had been taken because desperate people thought it was the public drink station (even though I was told to just stand back and let it happen I felt somehow duty bound).  In the end I couldn't stop everyone and there were some disappointed people who would turn up and find their drink missing, talking to mates who manned some of the other personal stations it happened all around the course.

So, we provided this feedback to the organisers and from last year these stations were placed just beyond the normal station and although I wasn't there this year there was a definite improvement last year.

Edited by Emrun, 12 October 2010 - 08:41 AM.

[blatant]

I think we all agree on all of the points, so organizers take note for next year:

Fix the merge (its not the runners fault but we all suffer - both the half and full marathon runners)
Water sachets were a godsend.
More toilets - the MCG has heaps but most were off limits - the queue for the mens was huge (usually its the womens queue) I went in the womens toilet (I'm male).
The results were up so fast. I was supprised at that.
Either scrap the showbag or put something worthwhile in it. Otherwise it's a waste of resources better used for things such as more water stations etc
In all honesty the towel isnt too bad - I'd use it in the gym. It would be better with no zip, and a marathon branding would be nice.
seperate merch for the half/full etc. Its a little bit of a false statement for a 10k runner to have a marathon shirt.
You don't run out of medals. It's simple math. it'd be such a let down to miss out and you probably lost people from re-entering next year.

and gotta love the hot girl cheer squad at the 30+km mark. Just as I was about to give up, a huge cheer and wolf whistles got me back on game.

over all, it was a great day, and it would be a huge logistical nightmare to run but I hope the organizers take heed because with a few tweaks it could be so much better for everyone.

[Perseus]

SteveNorden, on Oct 12 2010, 07:10 AM, said:

Brickbat:

For the ruinners who throw their rubbish on the streets all along the course.

Agree. Is it really that hard to throw rubbish in bins or, at the very least, throw rubbish in a pile around km markers? I went for a walk around Fed Square yesterday afternoon and it was pretty grotty. Thousands of water sachets will surely wash down the drains into the Yarra.

[trailblazer777]

Emruns thanks for the info re personal drinks being past the normal stations that makes sense...sounds good...but maybe I got this wrong in my 35k late in the marathon daze, but I think there is a world of difference between 35.5k and 36.5k...and at that stage of the marathon that 1km is a lonnnng way....!

I tried to throw my drink bottles in a bin, not sure my aim was perfect every time, but I tried...same with sachets...
Cool to see the results up pretty quick,and the photos and video/dvd's too...

Edited by trailblazer777, 12 October 2010 - 09:25 AM.

[pjay]

I would be interested to know if anyone tripped or nearly tripped on the ventilated grey rigid plastic runway used on the course in the MCG.  I tripped one metre past the finish line falling on an elbow and dislocated and fractured my dominant shoulder. This plastic surface doesn't have any energy-absorbing qualities. Perhaps next year the organisers could use a more runner-friendly surface covering. If the runway had been concrete, bitumen, or grass, I may not have tripped.

[Deaky]

...posted this in the MM2010 powerade thread, but thought this should be added as a Brickbat.

Quote

same here, right from the 3KM marker to the carpark under the MCG......(water) tasted like plastic.

By the way, for the people complaining about running out of drinks...Even though i wasnt drinking Powerade, the most frustrating part of the run was seeing a volunteer at the domain rd interchange (probably the 33km marker?) stacking empty (non-used) cups of powerade into a pyramid at least 6 or 7 levels high (at that stage) and he syill had a good half resevoir left of the stuff and heaps of cups left. I felt like running my hand across it and yelling out some encouragement to actually help these runners, but was too far to the right hand side of the road to come across.

Anybody else see this muppet?

Also, my Bouquet would have to go to the Pacers, especially the 4:00 group (I think Digger was one of them?). Coming into the run, i was very sceptical of pacers in general, considering I had only used the service once in R4TK and it massively backfired. I didnt really use the pacers for the first 33Km or so, since I had my garmin and knew more or less where I had to be and wanted to control my own pace. I think the above was due to seeing the 3:50 pacer in front of the 3:40 pacer at one stage (albeit only 2km into the run). However, when I started backing off around the botanical gardens and coming back onto St Kilda Rd for the last time, the front pacer of the 4:00 group sprinted off and told everyone they were 4mins up (what my watch had as well), and kept sprinting off into the distance until i couln't see him anymore (it was at least sprinting relative to my speed at the time) then backed off to the very back of the 4 hour group. This must have happened at least 3 times over the last 7KM. Needless to say, I was very impressed by their help for as many people as possible, considering that, even at the end, the sub-4 group still had large numbers

Edited by Deaky, 12 October 2010 - 09:39 AM.

[Tiger Boy]

Agree with most of what has been said so far.
I liked the start time. Especially with daylight savings, it meant that the bulk of the marathoners were done before it got really hot.
I liked the course for the most part, but some bits need fixing (I'll come to that later)
The bag drop and pick up are well organised.

BUT:
The merge is a nightmare. I'm not blaming the halfies, even the iPoders, because they are, for the most part, more inexperienced runners that find themselves among the quicker, more experienced runners. Both groups have different expectations of what they want out of a race, and neither group needs the aggravations caused in the merge.

Pit Lane - coming along into Albert Park was shocking. The course narrows dramatically and there are too many runners funnelled into a tight spot. Plus they throw in a drink station at the narrowest point. WTF?? How more people didn't fall and get hurt is amazing. The pushing and stumbling as the roadway got narrower was chaos.  

The showbag. St. George have their name everywhere touting that they are a major sponsor, but that snotrag they put in the showbag is an insult to marathoners. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Toilets - simple, twice as many peope means twice as many toilets.

Parking - While I managed to get a spot at Fed Square, the booklet advertised that parking was $8. It was actually $10, but because we got there early for the marathon, it was $20 because apparaently 5.15a.m. on Sunday is regarded as Saturday. (Apparently Sunday starts around 8.00a.m.)

Treatment of slower runners.  Absolutely deplorable. If you are offering a 7 hour cut off, then you must provide the same full service for those that need the 7 hours as for those running 2.10 or thereabouts. To have no drinks, no medals, be pushed on to footpaths BEFORE the advertised cut off times is a disgrace. As WOOH said, if you accept 6000 entries, you strike 6000 medals. And if you're not prepared to cater for the slower runners, don't take their money. Bring in a 5 hour cut off if you're only going to cater for 5 hour finishers.

This was likely to be my last marathon for quite some time anyway as I have a dreadful track record running them, but I would have to think long and hard before I ran MM again. It just doesn't provide value for money.

[Grechy]

Just one comment regarding showbags.

If you want a good showbag you go to the Royal Melbourne show. Unfortunately you are all a few weeks too late.

I also think running a marathon in September through the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds would not be too great either. I go to the show to get a good showbag and I run a marathon because I want to run a marathon.

I have never finished a marathon and been too fussed on whats in the showbag. My mind has always been on other things after such a long run.

Not saying that several of you have not made good points on other issues but as for showbags? You wont make much progress with your marathon running if you are focused on that.

[essaytee]

Tiger Boy, on Oct 12 2010, 10:33 AM, said:

Parking - While I managed to get a spot at Fed Square, the booklet advertised that parking was $8. It was actually $10, but because we got there early for the marathon, it was $20 because apparaently 5.15a.m. on Sunday is regarded as Saturday. (Apparently Sunday starts around 8.00a.m.)

I was in town nice and early, about 5.30 am, got a car park at the Riverside Quay car park, Southbank (along the Yarra, the opposite side of Flinders Street Railway Station) cost me $7 all day parking.   I considered the walk to the G as a sort of warm up, wasn't that far and really not much further away than Fed Square.  

I was hoping to use the car park's toilet facilities but sadly there were none.   Previous years, other events I've used the Arts Centre car park, used their toilet facilities, no queues, no pressure.

[DontStop]

Grechy, I think the main feedback on show bags is get rid of them and spend the savings on something that runners actually need/want. Like a cold sports drink at the end of the marathon, or medals for all finishers.

So I think most of us agree on that score.

[trailblazer777]

re the last couple of comments. blunt blatant in your face straight to the point. wish i could be that concise sometimes...and utterly correct. whinges and kudos ;-)

Edited by trailblazer777, 12 October 2010 - 11:11 AM.

[Davealcock]

Grechy, on Oct 12 2010, 11:18 AM, said:

Just one comment regarding showbags.

If you want a good showbag you go to the Royal Melbourne show. Unfortunately you are all a few weeks too late.

I also think running a marathon in September through the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds would not be too great either. I go to the show to get a good showbag and I run a marathon because I want to run a marathon.

I have never finished a marathon and been too fussed on whats in the showbag. My mind has always been on other things after such a long run.

Not saying that several of you have not made good points on other issues but as for showbags? You wont make much progress with your marathon running if you are focused on that.

I think your missing the point Grechy, I would of been happy with a couple pieces of fruit and a powerade bar.  I think that's not too much to expect, and I'm surprised that this wasn't done.  The event has got much bigger, but the organising and the promotion of the event has gone out the window.

[Louie]

Grechy, on Oct 12 2010, 11:18 AM, said:

Just one comment regarding showbags.

If you want a good showbag you go to the Royal Melbourne show. Unfortunately you are all a few weeks too late.

People wouldn't care if they got no showbag.  Giving them a bag with a few pamphets from a sponsor is a waste of time.  

I don't go to the show expecting to run, but if they advertised a running track and they gave me a treadmill I would be upset.  People don't run the MM for a showbag but their expectations have been raised, only for them to get something which is of no value at all and only appeases the sponsors.

Edited by Louie, 12 October 2010 - 12:12 PM.

[hezza]

Davealcock, on Oct 12 2010, 12:02 PM, said:

I would have been happy with a couple pieces of fruit and a powerade bar.  I think that's not too much to expect,

I think everyone would agree, oh and a medal is a must of course.
Too much rubbish in showbags like pamphlets etc which does cost money so why don't the sponsors get back into people's good books by piling this wasted money into the official charities.
On that point, I think people would feel better about themselves if some of the entry fee was donated to the charities and we were informed of the fact. I think people are sometimes 'conned' a little into thinking some of their entry fee goes to charity. The words 'Official charities of the St George Melbourne Marathon' seem to imply that.

Note: If I missed the small print and some of the entry fee does go to charity then I apologise, it's just that it isn't advertised.

Food for thought..........................

Edited by hezza, 12 October 2010 - 12:29 PM.

[slowaz]

What about the fact there are gun times rather than the chip times in the paper!

[DontStop]

Thats fair enough. Gun time is always the official time, and chip time is the one you take for your personal records and qualifying times for other events.