The race that has frequently marketed itself as an alternative to London has old-school characteristics and a coastal route that makes running conditions unpredictable, says Leo Spall.
Fun Factor
Overall, it all felt pretty old school and low key for a 'big city marathon' and, while that was fun for me, that might not be to everyone's taste.
The route for the marathon runs outside the city centre for most of the race after the stunning downhill start and there are some pretty quiet, spectator-free sections along the East Lothian coast. I found some of the landscape impressive and the colourful bunting in the small towns and villages uplifting.
The blasting out of Underworld's Born Slippy from a front garden not far from Prestonpans brought a broad smile and felt somehow appropriate, even though the original Trainspotting film was mostly filmed in Glasgow, and the older guys on trombone and an electric keyboard trying to belt out Eye of the Tiger on a windswept stretch certainly kept my family entertained.
If there was one disappointment it was the relatively sparse support, which became noticeable after the turn point - when the going got tough.
How was it for loo?
In a word: great. I was lucky enough to have been given a place up near the front of the close-to 8,000 runners who made the start line and was supposed to use the facilities at the Edinburgh University Students' Association in Potterrow. However, I lucked out thanks to a recce the day before: a church cafe I'd visited for a cuppa near the start was open on Sunday morning and allowing runners in to use the loos and keep warm.
Inevitably, there were queues for some of the event toilets on the way to the start line, so while my trick might not always work, it's an approach worth trying if you have time to suss out the start area options before race day.
Bling - Fiddy Cent or tuppence ha’penny?
The gong for this one comes in a nice presentation box with the T-shirts that were being proudly worn around the city in the week after the race. It looks like it could be a generic medal for all the Edinburgh Marathon Festival races with a 26.2 tag attached, but I like it.
The medal is substantial, has a tartan lanyard and the EMF logo works for me. I'm also old enough to remember dancing to the one famous song of the early 90s band (pictured) known by the same initials, which adds resonance - Unbelievable!
Good Grub or Cruel Gruel?
Edinburgh became the first marathon to leave me feeling hungry after the finish line. There was the apparently obligatory muesli bar and a bottle of water but that was never going to cut it. Sometimes I can't take too much on immediately post race but I like the option and, in my slightly befuddled state, it took me a while to get to my bag in the far corner of the baggage and meeting point area and retrieve my favoured nutrition supplies.
There were no sports drinks available on the course (gels were regularly available). This isn't that unusual and was made clear in advance but the water bottles didn't have sports caps either, so weren't well suited to running along with. Minor gripes, I admit, but coming from the London Marathon - which Edinburgh works hard to get rejected runners from - the nutrition was a definite step down.
Flat Stanley or Humpty Dumpty?
The race organisers supply a handy course profile (below) on the marathon site so, like the fact that the course runs out of Edinburgh pretty quickly, there should be no surprises here. They also trumpet the fact the race was voted the UK's fastest way back in 2008 and I had no complaints.
I found trying to get the pace right at the start - taking advantage of the quite dramatic downhill but not over-exerting - quite tricky, but the mildly undulating route thereafter kept me engaged without being testing.
Having a turn point, so you run back for a few miles along the route you've just completed, some people really don't like but I saw it as a chance to finally get the wind on my back rather than in my face!
Cool and calm after London's fearsome furnace: Leo's race story
I entered Edinburgh late after a disappointing day in the English capital the month before (which was possible because of a previous better marathon time). The heat warnings and stories in the build up to the hottest London Marathon on record had me beaten mentally before I'd even started, so I had Edinburgh as a plan B and needed it.
If the people I met after the finish line were anything to go by, I don't think I was unusual in running the Scottish event as an addition to my main target, either, but it's a race worth running in its own right.
The atmosphere is friendly but not full-on, congestion didn't seem to be a problem for the most part, supporters can easily get around some parts of the course to cheer you on more than once and the old-school approach - no timer clocks out on the course, small mile markers - had its own appeal.
I had considered running the race without my watch as an experiment and it would be a great marathon for that. It is also a good race if you like your weather unpredictable. I checked it out beforehand, and Edinburgh has had everything over the years. The Scottish coastal element of the route makes that inevitable and we had a foggy start (Arthur would have been hard pushed to find his seat) that gave way to wind and drizzle on the coast before a sunny finish.
I used the race as an excuse for a family trip away and we had a great time in Scotland after the race. Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit and the marathon is one I'm definitely tempted to run again.
If you are thinking of entering this or any other race, we can help with regular training planning and guidance. Happy running!
The Edinburgh Marathon took place on May 27, 2018. Details for 2019 are available here. #RMracereviews
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