Samsung Run Dublin @ Night 28th April

vitani · 07-03-2013 3:15pm

menoscemo wrote: »

How do you know there won't be a different T-shirt this year?

Very true. And knowing my luck, I'll sign up and they'll have replaced it with a cotton monstrosity.

chinguetti wrote: »

Begod, if you want a tshirt that much i can sell you mine from last year's at the reasonable price of say €31.50. :pac:

Sorry, i just couldn't stop myself!!

That made me laugh.

I'm holding off on entering because I'm doing the Great Ireland Run two weeks beforehand, and that'll be my first 10k. Two in two weeks might be pushing it. There's a 5k in Leixlip the following Saturday which I might go for instead. No tshirt, but it's half the price and apparently the cake afterwards is amazing.

menoscemo · 07-03-2013 4:35pm

vitani wrote: »

There's a 5k in Leixlip the following Saturday which I might go for instead. No tshirt, but it's half the price and apparently the cake afterwards is amazing.

Now that IS a top quality race.

I am very picky about the races I do nowadays. This Samsung one was one of the worst races I did last year (I only did it because i got a free entry). It's a pity that the most hyped races and the ones promoted by the AAI are almost always the most expensive and badly organised ones...

vitani · 07-03-2013 4:54pm

menoscemo wrote: »

Now that IS a top quality race.

I am very picky about the races I do nowadays. This Samsung one was one of the worst races I did last year (I only did it because i got a free entry). It's a pity that the most hyped races and the ones promoted by the AAI are almost always the most expensive and badly organised ones...

Next year, I'll be picking races more carefully. As it's my first year racing, I had it in mind that I'd go for more of the commercial, fun-run type events this time around like the GIR and the Rock'n'Roll Half.

I'm looking forward to running them, but I don't see myself going for the higher-priced events next year. Apart from DCM, of course :cool:

menoscemo · 07-03-2013 4:57pm

vitani wrote: »

Next year, I'll be picking races more carefully. As it's my first year racing, I had it in mind that I'd go for more of the commercial, fun-run type events this time around like the GIR and the Rock'n'Roll Half.

I'm looking forward to running them, but I don't see myself going for the higher-priced events next year. Apart from DCM, of course :cool:

Yeah but the smaller events are even more fun, plus you know all the money is going to a local athletics club rather than multinational company.

DCM is an exception to the other events you listed, it's a great event and not for profit.

vitani · 07-03-2013 5:05pm

menoscemo wrote: »

Yeah but the smaller events are even more fun, plus you know all the money is going to a local athletics club rather than multinational company.

Oh, I agree with you! I'm more excited about the Dunboyne 4mile in a few weeks than the GIR. Unfortunately, I picked out most of my races for the year and signed up for them before reading the race reports on here.

Ososlo · 07-03-2013 5:18pm

I know this won't go down well but this was one of my favourite races last year. It was also only my 3rd or 4th race i think so maybe that was part of it. Racing was still very new to me. But I found it really fun and exciting running through the streets of Dublin at night time on a flat course and getting a pb. I know the route has changed a bit this year so sounds like that'll make it a bit of a difference.
I also got a running top that I wear more than any other top I own and it was well worth 30 quid or whatever the race entry was. I know it was probably a lot different for the guys at the front of the race but if you've already entered/committed to this race and are a mid/back-pack runner, don't be regretting it. Bet you'll really enjoy it. I was definitely going to do it again this year except it's too close to a half I'm doing. Hope you get the same shirt as last year

nerraw1111 · 07-03-2013 5:37pm

It’s a lovely area to run around in the evening and there was a great atmosphere in the surrounding cafes and bars at previous races in the area. It seems to be a more social event with friends running it together. It’s part of Dublin City Council’s efforts to put on events in the area.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Samsung makes any profit from the race, unless Samsung has given up on making billions in tech and going down the route of organising one off races.

Ososlo · 07-03-2013 6:52pm

nerraw1111 wrote: »

It’s a lovely area to run around in the evening and there was a great atmosphere in the surrounding cafes and bars at previous races in the area. It seems to be a more social event with friends running it together. It’s part of Dublin City Council’s efforts to put on events in the area.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Samsung makes any profit from the race, unless Samsung has given up on making billions in tech and going down the route of organising one off races.

couldn't disagree more with this part of your post. Not from my experience anyways. It was just as much a race as any other race I've done. Far from just a social event. Again, maybe at the top of the field it was a different story.

nerraw1111 · 07-03-2013 7:13pm

Ososlo wrote: »

couldn't disagree more with this part of your post. Not from my experience anyways. It was just as much a race as any other race I've done. Far from just a social event. Again, maybe at the top of the field it was a different story.

My point was that race is aimed as more of a social event to the area.

Given the ridiculous weather last year, no-one was going to hang around.

JustAThought · 11-03-2013 8:04am

Murpho - seeing as you can tweet - could you ask them to confirm if is the same top as last year! Seems to be the decider! Thanks!

NiallG4 · 11-03-2013 1:51pm

menoscemo wrote: »

The BHAA Kclub 10k is on the week before. Way better price (€15) better course, better level of competition, better organisation and a savage feed afterwards for free.

I agree with all of the above but I just wish they would add about 200m to the course and make it a 10K. I have done it the past 2 years and that is my only gripe. BHAA as a whole is brilliant. Keep up the good work.

doughef · 11-03-2013 3:25pm

JustAThought wrote: »

Murpho - seeing as you can tweet - could you ask them to confirm if is the same top as last year! Seems to be the decider! Thanks!

I seen a thing on FB. Same sort of top as last year but now it has a snazzy little pocket on the arm for your phone.

I presume your only allowed keep Samsung phones in there.. No iphones

gigtown · 12-03-2013 1:54pm

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gigtown · 12-03-2013 1:56pm

Got it to work! Nice one. That's the top for this year they have up on their facebook page. Looks like there's a doohickey for the phone on the sleeve alright.

Gillo · 12-03-2013 2:45pm

Jesus it's bright! Ok it's a night run so I can see the idea behind the colour.
I think I'd stick with my trusty skins top instead.

Noob question, but what's the craic with leaving a bag at the start / finish, I don't run with my phone but am cautious with leaving it stashed in a bag for a hour in the middle of town.

KeenRunner · 12-03-2013 5:14pm

Shirt looks deadly! Still using mine from last year!

Last year there was a baggage area which was secured so I presume it'll be the same again this time. Looking forward to it now

senordingdong · 15-03-2013 10:53pm

I wonder what sort of effect all the planned extra runners will have on the night.

Shoxsdub · 15-03-2013 11:03pm

The top is cool, the route is flat, I like running at night. SOLD

gigtown · 09-04-2013 10:17am

Timelapse of the route. We need more vids like this for Irish events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgg-LGFowss

shane1981 · 09-04-2013 2:16pm

senordingdong wrote: »

I wonder what sort of effect all the planned extra runners will have on the night.

I wonder what sort of effect cutting all those 90 degree corners will have on overall distance? I assume distance was measured on the road...

crisco10 · 13-04-2013 11:50pm

gigtown wrote: »

Timelapse of the route. We need more vids like this for Irish events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgg-LGFowss

Pretty good video!!

sort of lost track of the course when it looped back past the Ferryman but hopefully its well marshalled!

Up and down the liffey, past the o2, Custom house, spire, grand canal theatre lots of nice places to be running past!

senordingdong · 14-04-2013 12:30pm

Didn't care for that video too much.

Maybe it will look better on the night.

onedip · 14-04-2013 6:11pm

Just signed up for this , i prob should have logged on here first for some feed back judging from all the negative comments ,, its my first time racing and have only ran 10k twice before so im just really looking to get one under my belt , looking to do it in 55-60 min so at that rate i dont think any of the shenanigans at the front will bother me !!

If anybody has any tips for a novice they would be muck appreciated

murpho999 · 14-04-2013 6:30pm

menoscemo wrote: »

Now that IS a top quality race.

I am very picky about the races I do nowadays. This Samsung one was one of the worst races I did last year (I only did it because i got a free entry). It's a pity that the most hyped races and the ones promoted by the AAI are almost always the most expensive and badly organised ones...

Seriously how could it be so badly organised as you say?

Race night, I turned up handed in my bag which was well run , waited for start and then ran the 10k which was well marshalled and an impressive route through the city.

What more do you expect? Cocktall sausages and cake kind of defeat the purpose of the run for me.

Yes, I agree about the price and also registration was poor but the night itself was very enjoyable, apart from the weather (which is not their fault).

menoscemo · 14-04-2013 7:01pm

murpho999 wrote: »

Seriously how could it be so badly organised as you say?

From memory:
No food or tea/coffee after the race (standard at club races), nowhere to go inside or shelter.
Course was poor with many 180 degree turnarounds.
Also there was a particular place on the course (O'Connell st) where people where taking a shortcut and cutting up to 300m off the course. Nobody seemed to be marshalling that, in fact it was poorly posted. I guess one guy cut the course at the spire and everyone else followed. I ran the full course up to the end of the street and then had to pass tons of people who had cut the course.... a bit annoying.

Minor gripes: the KM markers were next to invisible, and there are some suspicions that the course was a bit long (those that actually ran the full course).
Also I think the first few runners were pointed the wrong direction a few times by marshals or at best had to guess the route, obviously for those behind it's not such an issue as we just follow the guys in front, but for the leaders that's a bit of a pain.
Prizes is another thing actually: for a race of this magnitude with so much money taken in entry fees, it's a bit of a joke that the winner gets a samsung phone..

murpho999 · 14-04-2013 10:17pm

menoscemo wrote: »

From memory:
No food or tea/coffee after the race (standard at club races), nowhere to go inside or shelter.
Course was poor with many 180 degree turnarounds.
Also there was a particular place on the course (O'Connell st) where people where taking a shortcut and cutting up to 300m off the course. Nobody seemed to be marshalling that, in fact it was poorly posted. I guess one guy cut the course at the spire and everyone else followed. I ran the full course up to the end of the street and then had to pass tons of people who had cut the course.... a bit annoying.

Minor gripes: the KM markers were next to invisible, and there are some suspicions that the course was a bit long (those that actually ran the full course).
Also I think the first few runners were pointed the wrong direction a few times by marshals or at best had to guess the route, obviously for those behind it's not such an issue as we just follow the guys in front, but for the leaders that's a bit of a pain.
Prizes is another thing actually: for a race of this magnitude with so much money taken in entry fees, it's a bit of a joke that the winner gets a samsung phone..

I think you are asking too much for an event of this size to offer tea/coffee/food to thousands of people as that would be a major operation.
Much easier to organise at smaller club events.

I only remember 2 180 turns, at O'Connell St after GPO, which is logical and then down by Point/O2. Wasn't that bad.
As for people taking a short cut on O'Connell St, then I think it was just people who cheated who were being followed, as for me it was clear at the bottom where we had to turn.

Also, don't find it strange that the event has Samsung equipment as prizes, but I think you run at much more serious level to me as I'm not worried about winning anything

Agree with you about the KM markings, they were poor, and also I found the course a bit long too.

Still I really enjoyed, it was great to run past Dublin landmarks and I'm looking forward to this years, hopefully the weather is better!

macinalli · 14-04-2013 11:52pm

murpho999 wrote: »

I think you are asking too much for an event of this size to offer tea/coffee/food to thousands of people as that would be a major operation.
Much easier to organise at smaller club events.

I only remember 2 180 turns, at O'Connell St after GPO, which is logical and then down by Point/O2. Wasn't that bad.
As for people taking a short cut on O'Connell St, then I think it was just people who cheated who were being followed, as for me it was clear at the bottom where we had to turn.

Also, don't find it strange that the event has Samsung equipment as prizes, but I think you run at much more serious level to me as I'm not worried about winning anything

Agree with you about the KM markings, they were poor, and also I found the course a bit long too.

Still I really enjoyed, it was great to run past Dublin landmarks and I'm looking forward to this years, hopefully the weather is better!

I think that you're missing Meno's point. If you compare the Samsung run to a club or BHAA race, there's a world of difference. Take the BHAA 10k in the K-Club next week:

The cost is 10 euro (15 for non-BHAA members)
The course is well thought out and properly marshalled - no opportunity for taking short-cuts
Clear km markers
No 180 degree turns
As much food as you could possibly eat afterwards

I know that the Samsung run is on a bigger scale, but there are lots of races on the calendar where you get a lot more for a smaller entry fee.

vinsanity · 15-04-2013 9:43am

Odikyo - Live Runner Tracking app for android/iOS is available.

www.odikyo.com

How to use: http://www.odikyo.com/about/

The Tracking page for Samsung Night Run is available here: http://www.odikyo.com/runs/snr2013.html

wobblemouth · 15-04-2013 1:10pm

Wow. This race sounds rubbish.

Should have read this thread before I just paid out my €30 to sign up yesterday!

Can't be that bad.

murpho999 · 15-04-2013 2:58pm

macinalli wrote: »

I think that you're missing Meno's point. If you compare the Samsung run to a club or BHAA race, there's a world of difference. Take the BHAA 10k in the K-Club next week:
The cost is 10 euro (15 for non-BHAA members)

The course is well thought out and properly marshalled - no opportunity for taking short-cuts

Clear km markers

No 180 degree turns

As much food as you could possibly eat afterwards

I know that the Samsung run is on a bigger scale, but there are lots of races on the calendar where you get a lot more for a smaller entry fee.

I'm not missing the point but think they are poor comparisons.

When operating within a city centre there would be restrictions that would not be faced by a local club run.

Eg, shortcuts on O'Connell St, that was done by cheaters initially, other sheep followed. and you can expect the organisers to have closed off the median in the street. It was marshalled and clear to me where I had to turn.
If people cheat then that's there own responsibility in my opinion.

180 degree turns, I'm sure they are restricted with the route choice through certain streets so they are unavoidable.

I agree about the costs etc but I'm sure it does cost a lot more to stage than a local club run, insurance for example must be a factor.

Genuinely don't think it's feasible to feed so many at an event like this.

No doubt it is expensive, but I did enjoy running through the city centre last year and look forward to it next year. The top you get is also good quality.

tHE vAGGABOND · 15-04-2013 3:00pm

Not running this, but helping out the club and doing some marshalling

statss · 15-04-2013 3:01pm

...if you help out with your club do you get a free shirt ?!!

average_runner · 15-04-2013 3:05pm

murpho999 wrote: »

I think you are asking too much for an event of this size to offer tea/coffee/food to thousands of people as that would be a major operation.
Much easier to organise at smaller club events.

I only remember 2 180 turns, at O'Connell St after GPO, which is logical and then down by Point/O2. Wasn't that bad.
As for people taking a short cut on O'Connell St, then I think it was just people who cheated who were being followed, as for me it was clear at the bottom where we had to turn.

Also, don't find it strange that the event has Samsung equipment as prizes, but I think you run at much more serious level to me as I'm not worried about winning anything

Agree with you about the KM markings, they were poor, and also I found the course a bit long too.

Still I really enjoyed, it was great to run past Dublin landmarks and I'm looking forward to this years, hopefully the weather is better!

For the price they are charging for a 10k, i expect a three course meal with it

average_runner · 15-04-2013 3:07pm

murpho999 wrote: »

I'm not missing the point but the think they are poor comparisons.

When operating within a city centre there would be restrictions that would not be faced by a local club run.

Eg, shortcuts on O'Connell St, that was done by cheaters initially, other sheep followed. and you can expect the organisers to have closed off the median in the street. It was marshalled and clear to me where I had to turn.
If people cheat then that's there own responsibility in my opinion.

180 degree turns, I'm sure they are restricted with the route choice through certain streets so they are unavoidable.

I agree about the costs etc but I'm sure it does cost a lot more to stage than a local club run, insurance for example must be a factor.

Genuinely don't think it's feasible to feed so many at an event like this.

No doubt it is expensive, but I did enjoy running through the city centre last year and look forward to it next year. The top you get is also good quality.

You get the same kinda top in lidl or aldi for under a tenner

average_runner · 15-04-2013 3:07pm

statss wrote: »

...if you help out with your club do you get a free shirt ?!!

Dont think so, just the club gets a fee for your service.

statss · 15-04-2013 3:13pm

average_runner wrote: »

Dont think so, just the club gets a fee for your service.

no worries. shirt looks handy with the added pocket this year, don't see many of them around.

PaulieC · 15-04-2013 3:32pm

statss wrote: »

don't see many of them around.

Take a run down Sandymount strand or Clontarf seafront any evening and you'll see hundreds of them. Bet you don't see many others in a Connemara tee. I know which I'd prefer

rasher_m · 15-04-2013 3:35pm

wobblemouth wrote: »

Wow. This race sounds rubbish.

Should have read this thread before I just paid out my €30 to sign up yesterday!

Can't be that bad.

The only real compaint I heard about last years race was the weather.
I read about a lot of pb's and the t-shirt being nice.
...If I was to go to the Kclub and run, it would cost me at least a 10 tener in petrol plus the travelling to and fro.
The Samsung race sounds about even stevens when its all weighed up plus I really like the t-shirt.

tunguska · 15-04-2013 5:22pm

rasher_m wrote: »

The only real compaint I heard about last years race was the weather.
I read about a lot of pb's and the t-shirt being nice.
...If I was to go to the Kclub and run, it would cost me at least a 10 tener in petrol plus the travelling to and fro.
The Samsung race sounds about even stevens when its all weighed up plus I really like the t-shirt.

I dont know what your interpretation of real complaint is but I think theres been some very good points made comparing this race to the K club for example.
I ran the samsung race last year, I've run a lot of races across the country and this race comes out last in every dept. Its over priced for a start but I wouldnt mind that so much if you got something back, which we didnt. There was no gathering point afterwards for a cup of tea and a few biscuits, which is standard. The course was awful, way too many twists and turns. But the biggest issue of all was the marshalling. I finished fairly high up and myself and the lad I was running with were sent the wrong way several times during the race. Now this may not seem like a real complaint to you but to me and a lot of other club runners, this is a big deal and it says everything about the organisers and their motives behind putting on a race like this that they couldnt be bothered with details like directing the runners the right way. I ran the k club last year and the marshalling was perfect, ditto for ballycotton and a lot of other races I've run. The weather was bad that night and I have sympathy for the volunteers who gave their time to help out. My gripe is with the organisers and their motives. I know the main guy behind this race and to say that hes in it for the money would be an understatment. He doesnt care about sport, athletics or runners. He cares about making money, not for a club mind you, for hmself. Thats the difference between a race like this and say the bohermeen 5k. The latter orgainse their race for their club, their community and for the good of the sport. The former for their own personal gain.

statss · 15-04-2013 5:30pm

PaulieC wrote: »

Take a run down Sandymount strand or Clontarf seafront any evening and you'll see hundreds of them. Bet you don't see many others in a Connemara tee. I know which I'd prefer

I meant as a long sleeve technical top with a pocket...I see loads of people wearing last years ones alright

Van.Bosch · 15-04-2013 6:41pm

tunguska wrote: »

I dont know what your interpretation of real complaint is but I think theres been some very good points made comparing this race to the K club for example.
I ran the samsung race last year, I've run a lot of races across the country and this race comes out last in every dept. Its over priced for a start but I wouldnt mind that so much if you got something back, which we didnt. There was no gathering point afterwards for a cup of tea and a few biscuits, which is standard. The course was awful, way too many twists and turns. But the biggest issue of all was the marshalling. I finished fairly high up and myself and the lad I was running with were sent the wrong way several times during the race. Now this may not seem like a real complaint to you but to me and a lot of other club runners, this is a big deal and it says everything about the organisers and their motives behind putting on a race like this that they couldnt be bothered with details like directing the runners the right way. I ran the k club last year and the marshalling was perfect, ditto for ballycotton and a lot of other races I've run. The weather was bad that night and I have sympathy for the volunteers who gave their time to help out. My gripe is with the organisers and their motives. I know the main guy behind this race and to say that hes in it for the money would be an understatment. He doesnt care about sport, athletics or runners. He cares about making money, not for a club mind you, for hmself. Thats the difference between a race like this and say the bohermeen 5k. The latter orgainse their race for their club, their community and for the good of the sport. The former for their own personal gain.

Interesting, I thought it was run by Dublin City. Another thing that annoys me (and its not specific to running) is the fee being 31.50, including 1.50 booking fee. The way it's put on is as if its a charity donation or a govt. tax or something, it's still 31.50.

I did it last year and felt some of the criticism was unfair, perhaps I judged it based on a council event and was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt as I thought it was a good idea for Dublin and it was their first year etc but the Marshalling was a joke. Putting the fee up this year shows the profit making goal. I have no problem with races being run for 100% profit at all, fair play to them but you have to provide a excellent service.

Hopefully he has learned from 2012 and these issues will be addressed. I wonder how numbers are this year? It sold out early last year but that was @25 quid.

rasher_m · 15-04-2013 6:43pm

tunguska wrote: »

I dont know what your interpretation of real complaint is but I think theres been some very good points made comparing this race to the K club for example.
I ran the samsung race last year, I've run a lot of races across the country and this race comes out last in every dept. Its over priced for a start but I wouldnt mind that so much if you got something back, which we didnt. There was no gathering point afterwards for a cup of tea and a few biscuits, which is standard. The course was awful, way too many twists and turns. But the biggest issue of all was the marshalling. I finished fairly high up and myself and the lad I was running with were sent the wrong way several times during the race. Now this may not seem like a real complaint to you but to me and a lot of other club runners, this is a big deal and it says everything about the organisers and their motives behind putting on a race like this that they couldnt be bothered with details like directing the runners the right way. I ran the k club last year and the marshalling was perfect, ditto for ballycotton and a lot of other races I've run. The weather was bad that night and I have sympathy for the volunteers who gave their time to help out. My gripe is with the organisers and their motives. I know the main guy behind this race and to say that hes in it for the money would be an understatment. He doesnt care about sport, athletics or runners. He cares about making money, not for a club mind you, for hmself. Thats the difference between a race like this and say the bohermeen 5k. The latter orgainse their race for their club, their community and for the good of the sport. The former for their own personal gain.

I'm sorry that happened to you, never read or heard anything about that type of thing but then again I would've been reading from novices and non club runners who probably never encountered that problem being behind a bit.
I'm sure if this was the first time organising this race then they will have ironed out that problem this year, though it should never have happened.
As for the tea etc, it is too big a race and in the city centre too which is an awkward aul spot.
I'm not a club runner so I'm not really plugging the smaller races but I can empathise with the lot of you.
The problem doesn't lie with this greedy geezer though, its the ones above him who give the permission. Sorry I'm not in with the rules and authorities, they probs fall under Athletics Ireland though - I may be wrong!
To me at the moment 30 quid is not the end of the world, its a nice t-shirt, a handy location and im not out to win the race so I have no real complaints except my fking calf :mad:

By the way...I'm not sure why you're saying you don't know what my interpretation of a real complaint is when I said the only real problem I heard about was the weather.
Seriously like, am I supposed to be a mind reader and know who went the wrong way in a race.

gigtown · 17-04-2013 1:02pm

I find the cup of tea argument hilarious. I've run events (slowly) in 4 different countries and never have I been invited for a cup of tea! There's just no comparing big events with club races. There's loads of things that big races have going for them that club races couldn't possibly hope for. Closing down O'Connell St and a high quality top being just 2 examples. Big v Small race meets should probably be another thread IMO.

Personally I love the big events. MASSIVE buzz. Decent clobber. Fun warm ups. And for the plodders like me, the feeling that there are...well...lots of plodders like me.

And I can't speak for last year's event as I didn't attend. But I do think the point is fair about this year that any possible kinks could be ironed out. And the long range weather forecast looks good!

vitani · 17-04-2013 2:33pm

I've been going back and forth on this for months but eventually signed up. I put €50 aside for something earlier this week that I no longer need, so technically, I'm up €19.50 :pac:

rasher_m · 17-04-2013 4:05pm

IMHO this arguement is coming from club runners trying to plug the club races. im guessing that if they get enough of a turnover then in turn that will go into the club fund maybe reducing club membership fees or other expenses which the club runner has to pay which will benefit the club goer.

menoscemo · 17-04-2013 4:10pm

rasher_m wrote: »

IMHO this arguement is coming from club runners trying to plug the club races. im guessing that if they get enough of a turnover then in turn that will go into the club fund maybe reducing club membership fees or other expenses which the club runner has to pay which will benefit the club goer.

Total Rubbish.

The race I was comparing was the Kclub race which is not a club race, it is a BHAA race. I have no affiliation with BHAA and have only run one of their races before (the same KClub race last year). Truth be told like Tunguska I am just against the big market capitalism that races like this have become, nothing more nothing less.

For the record, My club are providing some of the volunteers for the Samsung Night Run (of which I will be one) for which the club will receive a fee from the organisers. Therefore what you are saying could not be further from the truth.

RayCun · 17-04-2013 4:21pm

sure, if the club runners were plugging races run by their own clubs instead, but they're not

I think the point about food afterwards is a little unfair - there is no meeting point after the marathon or the race series, because there is no suitable location to have one, and too many runners. But if you don't get that, there should be something else for your money.

Take four races for comparison - Dunshaughlin 10k, race series 10k, BHAA Knocklyon 10k (the K Club is something special), and this Samsung 10k

Dunshaughlin 10k has closed roads, a good course (no 180s, no confusion), hassle-free registration, lots of food afterwards, t-shirt for participants, decent prize fund, and costs 25 euro IIRC

Race series 10k in Finglas has hassle-free registration and number collection, t-shirt for participants, decent prizes afaik, and 23 euro to enter. Haven't run it, but from what I know the course and organisation on the day are faultless. No meeting point afterwards, I think, but a goody bag of food.

Knocklyon 10k is a much smaller affair. No t-shirt and roads aren't closed, but it's cheaper - 15 euro for non-members, tenner for members. Food afterwards for everyone.

The Samsung run has two things going for it - running in the city centre, and the long-sleeved tops. But the course, the number collection, the start line and finish line organisation were all bad, the prizes were poor, and the fees were high.

Ososlo · 17-04-2013 4:35pm

RayCun wrote: »

The Samsung run has two things going for it - running in the city centre, and the long-sleeved tops. But the course, the number collection, the start line and finish line organisation were all bad, the prizes were poor, and the fees were high.

I think that by far, the impost important thing the Samsung run and other runs of this ilk have above club races are that it allows us mid to back-pack field runners feel less intimated and more comfortable in a race situation when we know there are hundreds behind us, aswell as in front of us. I don't feel so much like this anymore, but I certainly did when I started running last year. You're less exposed in a large race like this. Plus it's flat:D Enjoy the race everyone. I did it as my second 10k a few weeks after GIR last year and pb'd nicely.

tunguska · 17-04-2013 4:41pm

rasher_m wrote: »

IMHO this arguement is coming from club runners trying to plug the club races. im guessing that if they get enough of a turnover then in turn that will go into the club fund maybe reducing club membership fees or other expenses which the club runner has to pay which will benefit the club goer.

How many club races have you actually run?
You're jumping to all sorts of conslusions about people who are members of clubs. Myself and the others who've posted negatively about this race are speaking from direct experience. I've run commercial races like the samsung run and I've run club races. Can you say the same thing? Because the difference between the two experiences is massive, its the difference between donkeys and race horses. When I first started racing I, like a lot of people did commercial races. They were ok but always strangely vacant affairs, there was no sense of community or comradery. But then I did a club race and it was an eye opener. I realised I'd been getting ripped off at the commercial races, not just financially but more so the atmosphere was 1000 times better, before during and especially after the race. It was a nicer, more welcoming experience. And this was before I was even a member of a club. I did the 10mile in craughwell and it was magic. We were fed and treated so well afterwards by the locals it was such a contrast to what you get from a commercial race, at half the price.
This is my direct experience of the two types of races. I have no agenda other than to inform people because of lot of folks literally dont know that theyre being ripped off. They've experinced one kind of race and thats it. That there is an alternative to commercial races and its a far better option, for everybody. Not just for club runners because people seem to be making the assumption that club races are only for club runners. Theyre not theyre for everybody. Theres no elitism, theres no looking down noses at slower runners, theres no "Us" and "Them" its all the one.

If you like the samsung race and have no problem forking out 31 bills, thats great, go and enjoy the night. But at the very least make an informed decision based on driect experience, not what you think or imagine but what you've actually experienced.

menoscemo · 17-04-2013 4:49pm

Ososlo wrote: »

I think that by far, the impost important thing the Samsung run and other runs of this ilk have above club races are that it allows us mid to back-pack field runners feel less intimated and more comfortable in a race situation when we know there are hundreds behind us, aswell as in front of us. I don't feel so much like this anymore, but I certainly did when I started running last year. You're less exposed in a large race like this. Plus it's flat:D Enjoy the race everyone. I did it as my second 10k a few weeks after GIR last year and pb'd nicely.

I can understand that people would feel like that but if you actually look at the results of the likes of Dunshaughlin 10k of Kclub 10k you will see that there are still loads of runners between 1hr and 90 minutes.
There is no reason to be intimidated by club races. They are much better value for all levels of runner and most importantly (in my opinion) any profitswill be going to a good cause....

Samsung Run Dublin @ Night 28th April

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