UKC

I was going to run Manchester, but injury took a good six weeks out of my preparation and as I would be running for a PB rather than just completing, it had to fall by the way side.

I am looking for an Autumn Marathon and I am open to suggestions. My criteria is as follows:
1. In the UK.
2. Fairly fast course.
3. No going to be a pain to get a place.
4. Not Chester, I've done it, wasn't keen on the course.

All suggestions welcome.

In reply to The New NickB:

I'm running Amsterdam in October which fulfils all your criteria except (1). The aim is to go as fast as possible and have all summer to train for it (too snowy here in the winter to get the long runs in so Spring maras suffer).

I always understood Abingdon to be a good attempt for a fast autumn marathon (at least other runners at races have always raved about it). I've never run it but know the town well and its flat, and I hear people generally get good times there. Its a small field though so you might want to move quick.

In reply to The New NickB:

Do you need crowds and people to chase? Can you cope with laps? Newcastle Town Moor is the most contrived affair possible, but is a reasonable event at negligible cost. It has the potential for being exposed, but most flat events will do.

In reply to The New NickB:

Loch Ness? Arguably not a very fast course though, but it's not as slow as many say.

In reply to yorkshireman:

Adingdon fails on criteria 3 I'm afraid, entries have already closed.

In reply to The New NickB:

Berlin... I hate running, but loved doing the marathon there last year.

In reply to Liam M:

A mate had a complete nightmare at Town Moor, which does put me off, also whilst I don't mind running on my own, 4 laps would get to me.

In reply to Chris L Hill:
From last year, Loch Ness is now classified as DH ( ie downhill ) on Power of Ten, and your time wouldn't count towards any of their rankings - which may or may not bother you, but thought I'd mention just in case.

I've not ran it, but know loads who have - although it's net downhill, there are a couple of not insignificant uphills, and combined with the battering the quads can take on the downhill sections, most folk reckon you're better with a flat course.

In reply to steelbru:

Hmm, wasn't an option anyway as the girlfriend as done it twice already and wants to do something different, but yes I want a course that will give me an official time on Po10.

In reply to The New NickB:

Bournemouth?

http://www.run-bmf.com/?marathon_eventinfo

In reply to Chris L Hill:

One to do a little more research in to, thanks.

In reply to The New NickB:
Highland Perthshire ( Aberfeldy ) is supposed to be pretty flat, and is nice scenery around there.

Rural country roads and 2 laps, which may or may not be what you're looking for.

6th Sept http://highlandperthshiremarathon.co.uk/

In reply to steelbru:

Another possibility, cheers.

In reply to The New NickB:

When I had pretty much the same criteria, although didn't do the marathon in the end, my decision was Mablethorpe.

In reply to The New NickB:

Nottingham is a good one. Good atmosphere. 30th Sept

In reply to The New NickB:

I'm doing the Yorkshire Marathon in October - not sure if it's sold out. Starts/finishes in York, so easy enough to get to, even on public transport (as I will be.) York is a nice place to visit as well. A flatter course than London, Paris, Chicago and Berlin, so the website says anyway.

In reply to lizard-16-07: yorkshires full i think..

thought berlin was pancake flat? certainly about the fastest in the world.

Dublin? OK not the UK but easy to get to from Manchester.

In reply to IainRUK:

Berlin is full as well, apart from charity and tour-operator places.

One of our club members did Dublin last year and thoroughly enjoyed himself, and got a good-for-age time for London.

In reply to The New NickB:

Kielder (5 Oct) is absolutely delightful, though not fast!