Achill half-marathon

sillysocks

Well seeing as its the New Year and all that the resolutions are starting to hit home..... myself and a friend have decided that a half marathon is our aim for this year.
Last year we took up running as our new years resolution, and the aim there was for the Bupa 10k which we both completed (just about!). After that we kinda let the running slip by the wayside, still doing the odd bit, but not huge amounts. So this year we've decided another year.... another goal.

We we looking at doing a half marathon and the Achill one seems to be the best option from a time of year point of view - I reckon the ones in Sept/Oct would maybe be very far away to keep motivated for.

So ..... basically I'm looking for any info people might have on the Achill half marathon - what is the course like? is it very hilly or fairly flat? Any comments would be glady received!

At the moment we're only running tiny distances, maybe about 2 - 2.5 miles once or twice a week, but going to be stepping that up from this week when we go back into the Bupa 10k training for April.

deadlybuzz

Hi there,
I ran the Achill Half last year, and really enjoyed it. It was very well organized, esp. considering it was the inaugural race. Unfortunately, although it was the height of summer, it fairly p*ssed down, and the wind battered us from pillar to post. It certainly wasn't the best place to achieve a PB! The course is "undulating", with two significant climbs, one around 2 miles, and another around 10 miles from what I remember. There's very little in the way of ground cover, so it was a struggle to run in a straight line in some parts, due to the windy conditions.... but that's coming from a city slicker like myself. It was probably just a "soft day" in Achill parlance. I stayed in the Achill Head hotel, which the night before the race, had a "new ownership party" in the pub, with free wine, grub and live music, so I guess that added to my difficulties on race day! That said, it was a great run, I would certainly recommend it. It's not as easy as say, the Phoenix Park Half in September, but it's well organized, for a good cause, and the Achill scenery is stunning. Go for it.

sillysocks

Thanks deadlybuzz..... sounds like you enjoyed it anyway!

Think we are going to go for it - although I'm still very sceptical as 13 miles sounds like an awful long way when we're dying doing just 2 at the moment....

Would still love to hear any other stories or opinions anyone else might have on the half marathon in Achill......

daymobrew

To prepare for the BUPA 10k you could consider doing the MSBAC 4 mile race on St Patrick's Day.
After the BUPA 10k is the BHAA RTE 5 mile race in Donnybrook (28 April).

I don't know what date the Achill 1/2 is on, but the Adidas Race Series is on early July (5mile), mid August (10 mile) and late September (half marathon).

irishgeo

daymobrew wrote:

To prepare for the BUPA 10k you could consider doing the MSBAC 4 mile race on St Patrick's Day.
After the BUPA 10k is the BHAA RTE 5 mile race in Donnybrook (28 April).

I don't know what date the Achill 1/2 is on, but the Adidas Race Series is on early July (5mile), mid August (10 mile) and late September (half marathon).

they are trying to make the achill marathon a full one.

no idea when its on which is bad considering i live there.

copacetic

achill is 7th of July afaik.
haven't heard about them making it a full one though, any link irishgeo?

hunnymonster

There was a plan to make it a full one but those plans have been canceled. The details are available on the website

http://www.achillmarathon.com/index.html

broders3

Hey guys,

I am heading down to Achill for the half marathon this year. Bit of a late decision and all accomodation seems to be booked. Anyone know of a room somewhere available? Even if its someone who is renting a house and needs 2 extra people to fill it that would be fine.

Happy Training!

Sean

catweazle

If you dont find anywhere broders have a look at staying in Mulranny, its a nice place and is maybe 18-20k from Achill