While I think this is a great event to take part in - good course, lovely scenery, fantastic marshals - the parking situation is a bit of a joke! I travelled locally and it took us what should have been 15 minutes, over 40 minutes to arrive (late!) at one of the entrances to the car park. Like others fortunate enough to have someone else doing the driving, I was able to hop out the car and run to the start. Delaying the race was almost a given, as the tailback was ridiculous and the system just too slow. I don’t actually agree with the £6 parking charge, given the cost of entry (worse case, this should be incorporated into the entry cost, so that people were not trying to pay as they arrived, which clearly caused a huge problem.) Equally I had friends use the station shuttle bus, which clearly got stuck and is a complete rip off at £5 one way (£7.50 return). The course itself is good, although very congested for the first three miles (this may not have been an issue it you’d started further forward, but owing to the traffic congestion there was a huge amount of latecomers who had no choice but to start quite far back ) The organisation definitely needs to be reviewed.

One of the best races I’ve been to by far. The goodies at the end were amazing, the warm up and the entire event was insane. I’ve never been to such a well organised event, going to be one I return to. Sadly the weather wasn’t kind today. My only complaint is I don’t think the 10K is overly accurate, my mum has done it two years in a row and it was 10.7K and mine matched hers this year so we aren’t only sure what our official 10K time really is. Medal was amazing, nice to have a real decent thick metal medal. Hopefully next year the top and medal will be different to the ones this year. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event.

If you're not used to trail runs, this might not be for you. I'd never done a trail runs before and I struggled quite a bit. You really have to watch your footing so you don't twist an ankle. Beautiful scenery though and a couple times managed to see some of the wild horses. The medal is outstanding quality, puts my Loch Ness marathon medal to shame

Have read a few reviews with similar thoughts on the race. Good -best bit for me was the marshals, really encouraging and friendly. -the parking and logistics was also good. Bad -the aid stations, basically just water...some had "sports drink" but very weak so basically water! -I personally wasn't a fan of being called to starting point 30 mins before race just to spend 25 mins hearing about sponsors and organisers etc but seemed like I was in a minority as most people seemed OK with it.

I ADORED this race! The fact that the half has a five hour cut-off meant I didn't have to panic about my time and could focus on having a good time! The marshalls were incredibly supportive, the route was scenic and easy to follow (though a friend went wrong and did the 10K instead of the half as someone was standing in front of some signage!) and the fact that the full marathon merged with the half marathon meant I could run with others at least some of the time. My only gripe is the fact that there is barely no race nutrition - other races provide really good snacks (crisps, chocolate, cookies, gels etc) so why not this one? The entry fee should cover it. Loved the camping too. Thanks so much for staging an epic race - I've already entered for 2024!

This is an easy, mostly flat course through the wonderful New Forest. It’s a big event, with a festival atmosphere and plenty of places to get coffee, food, even beer, before and after They’ve done well to merge four distances: Marathon; Half Marathon; 10k and; 5k into one event. Everything was well organised, however two points: Not enough water stations during the race. During the HM there was about a 6k stretch without seeing one, which is not great in temperatures of 24c Secondly, you need more seating. I had to go back to my car to sit down, last thing I want to be doing is standing for an hour before my race. There were a few picnic tables by the eateries, but insufficient for numbers. I enjoyed it and congratulate the organisers but I won’t be coming back next year for one reason only; the New Forest roads and traffic. It’s not the organisers fault, the NF is a busy place, but it took me an hour to simply get out of the venue and then another 30 mins get through Lyndhurst. For me that’s insufferable after a HM, so out of personal preference I will avoid it unless they manage to find another NF location with better access (Lyndhurst is an infamous bottleneck!)

After two years away due to the Covid-19 outbreak, I was delighted to see the race return to its home of Brockenhurst in the New Forest. Don’t get me wrong, the 2020 and 2021 events at St. Giles’ House were great fun and very well organised, but knowing that the New Forest Marathon would be back in the forest itself filled my family and I with excitement and we could not wait to get back. The race has become a staple in our family calendar for a number of years now, and the welcome we receive and the enjoyment we get out of the New Forest Marathon cannot be understated. The course itself is gorgeous and after 31 marathons, I still cannot find another event to compare to this. The natural beauty, running alongside the New Forest ponies, cows, donkeys etc. is something you need to see to believe and the hard work from the staff, volunteers, marshals and anyone else involved with the running of this event is exceptional. Just the way these people treat you is incredible, and they make you feel like part of a family before you’ve even crossed the start line. 26.2 miles is hard, no matter how many times you do the distance, but seeing these wild animals and seeing the forest literally change colour throughout due to the different flowers and trees is something that could affect your race time due to the stopping and wanting to get a photo or two. When you come up the home straight to the finish line, you have the South Coast legend of Jon-On-The-Finish-Line-For-You cheering you over the line, and you feel a spring in your step that you find from nowhere. The Event Village itself post-race is the best I have been to, and from experience I know people who make the trip to the New Forest Marathon just for the Event Village alone. I cannot put into words just how great a day and weekend this is, and cannot recommend enough. Conclusion: Every year the New Forest Marathon feels perfect, but they always find a way the following year to top it. Thank you to all involved.

I love this race! I’ve done the half each year since the weekend started up again. Really well organised, the marshalls are fantastic and the medal and t shirt are great. Plenty of food and drink stalls at the end and live music. Weather was good this year and the finish area felt more like a festival. Took a while leaving the car park as the roads around the forest are notoriously busy. I’ve already signed up for next year!