Gaelforce 2010

yop wrote: »

Can't say I am mightly impressed with the changes, considering they made a complete sh*! of last years with 2100 people.

Couldn't agree more...Not impressed. But not one bit surprised either with the increase in cost and entrants.

The changing of the road up to the reek definitely bad news, that road is very bad, and not suited one bit for racers unless they resurface it, very doubtful as its a bog road filled with ruts and pot holes.

Despite my complaints, I will probably do both...


EDIT: But I'd like to know how they justify upping the price! And how much they are donating to the volunteers like the Mountain Rescue too? Because they gave them sweet FA this year.

The new elite wave real time race is fantastic.
40 kayaks will be plenty - if you're not in the first 40 to the kayaks you probably won't be winning:) First past the post is where it's at.

I'd like to see some checkpoints up and down the reek at the zig-zag to;

1 - keep erosion to one place
2 - ensure everyone runs the same course

Ditto for the open bog section from the kayak to the road.

Assuming the new organisers have taken all the other feedback on board I'm sure they have a workable plan to cope with the numbers envisaged.
It does not matter where they route the bike leg - the bike choice remains an important part of overall race strategy - if they take us up a bad boreen you'll have to think about your skinny roadbike..

I cannot believe they are upping the numbers for this next year after the total fiasco that was last years race.

Anyone who competed in it will know what im talking about. Very poorly organised registration, shocking bike drop facilities (some bikes stacked 6-7 deep), spam "goody bag", not enough checkpoints and overcrowding on the reek to mention only a few.

It was one of the best races i have ever done despite this as the scenery and course is fantastic.

With the improvements they have indicated hopefully they will rectify all of the problems from last year. I just dont know can the course handle that many competitors,if its a wet day i doubt it. ( remember the first offroad hill this year?).

The price i have to say is crazy expensive. With the increase in numbers i would expect a drop in cost per person resulting in a cheaper race for the competitors. What do we get??A price increase,they gotta be kidding!!

Last year throughout the weekend i felt like the organisers we just lining their pockets,and by the looks of it they are at it again.

Next year i will be doing War, the ballyhoura blitz and Achill Roar.
GFW??????Just dont know is it worth it when accomidation, travel from cork and everything else is considered.

CKWPORT wrote: »

but screw it, I have a time to beat, so I'm going back.

The course is likely to change in at least one or two ways (Different cycle route to CP and/or different foot route up & down CP) so beating your PB may not be very applicable.
Granted, it gives you a nominal target time but the course will (Probably) be different.

Having said all that I'll be in the same boat (/kayak!)...

Have also just entered... I know that last year's organisation was a bit of a mess but the event itself was fantastic, plus it seems to be taken out of the hands of the event management company that looked after it in 2009. Here's hoping for relatively dry weather the week beforehand, and a cycle route that won't destroy my shiny new bike :eek:

skuz wrote: »

I'm just after finding out about this race, it sounds amazing! Can anyone give a bit of advice as regards training for the 65km gaelforce race? I've done a couple of half-marathons and the DCM this year, and can cycle reasonably well, what kind of training effort is needed for an event like this?

Hill running, road running, road cycling, mountain biking, kayaking, orienteering, puncture repair, First Aid....you should be covered with all that!!
Seriously though, The main part of the running is through offroad and bog, so the more you train in those environments the better. If you stick to road running you'll manage it also but your time may be a little slower.
Last year the best choice for bike I felt was a road racer. This year though it sounds like there'll be more offroad cycling involved so a mountain bike may be the better choice...
Breakdown of race distances per discipline should be available from the event's homepage.