Ballinasloe 10k short??

pudgey22

Hey, anyone know how short the Ballinasloe 10k was? Anyone run it with a gps thingme and know how far it actually was?
Did 45mins and thought i was doing great but it did seem a bit short.

spurscormac

You must have come in about the same time as me - I clocked 44:48, but knew it was well short.
As I said in another thread, the first marker I saw was at 3k, and I went past it in 12:10. There's no way on earth I was running that fast.
the rest of my splits looked even enough and around a good time.

Some people were estimating it at 9.5, but I don't know. There's a post on the athenry AC site about results to follow, and it does mention that it was short, but not by how much.
http://www.athenryac.com/deirdre-hassett-wins-ballinasloe

Disappointing after a couple of months training not to get an accurate measurement on my improvement.

Krusty_Clown

Here's a GPS log from the Trail Network on Motionbased.com, clocked at 5.9 miles (9.49kms). That's very short!

aburke

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

clocked at 5.9 miles (9.49kms). That's very short!

Very Very short. A GPS should measure a properly measured course as 'long'.
The racing line is the absolutley shortest line, so most people don't get to run quite that tight.

lecheile

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Here's a GPS log from the Trail Network on Motionbased.com, clocked at 5.9 miles (9.49kms). That's very short!

That's very disappointing that the course was out by that much. I know it was primarily a charity event but they surely could have found 500m somewhere to complete the course. There's a lot to be said for IAAF certified courses ;-)

--amadeus--

Myself and DP had a heated discussion about "mini-marathons" over the weekend (for some strange reason he won't just accept that I am always right!) and this is one of the arguments that links into that discussion.

The latest running boom is very closely linked to charity and fundraising and what is happening now is that more and more people are setting up local races to raise money. Which is all very admirable but they are not always runners or racers themselves - thier objective is raising funds. And as such they don't get the runners obsession with proper race measurements - "sure it's just for teh craic!". The UK's Race for Life series is a good example of that philosophy.

Don't get me wrong there is a place for that kind of event. Fun runs and mini-marathons are a really important part of the running world and a gateway to clubs and more serious stuff. But if you are looking for accuracy and organisation then check if the course is AAI accredited. If it is then it will have been properly measured.

DAVE_K

yeh - i hear you amadeus.................there's even been a trend in hotel groups setting up a "running" weekend, where you can stay in the particular hotel and get to run 10 k on the Sunday as a bonus. I went down to see one of these a couple of months ago and the run was twice around the hotel grounds cutting through the car park twice with the hotel staff handing out water!!!!! This to me stinks

Krusty_Clown

I have just signed up for one of these mini-marathon 10K charity runs in Roscommon Town, as it's where the OH is from, and I've run those roads a few times. If the course is short, would it be rude to just barge through the people trying to hang medals around my neck, and just keep on going, until my watch registers the full 10kms? I know the watch isn't 100% accurate, but it would never be out by 5% as in the above example!

On a related note, I understand the principles of using a Jones' counter and wouldn't mind investing in one. How do I become an official race measurer? I wouldn't mind offering this as a part-time service. Even if the race isn't AAI affiliated, at least race organizers could advertise that accurate measuring tools have been used to measure the distance. Hmm, time for google.

lecheile

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I have just signed up for one of these mini-marathon 10K charity runs in Roscommon Town, as it's where the OH is from, and I've run those roads a few times. If the course is short, would it be rude to just barge through the people trying to hang medals around my neck, and just keep on going, until my watch registers the full 10kms? I know the watch isn't 100% accurate, but it would never be out by 5% as in the above example!

On a related note, I understand the principles of using a Jones' counter and wouldn't mind investing in one. How do I become an official race measurer? I wouldn't mind offering this as a part-time service. Even if the race isn't AAI affiliated, at least race organizers could advertise that accurate measuring tools have been used to measure the distance. Hmm, time for google.

Krusty - PM me and I'll pass on details of contact for IAAF course measurer. They are always looking for people to become course measurers. Its an interesting and very precise science.

lecheile

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Myself and DP had a heated discussion about "mini-marathons" over the weekend (for some strange reason he won't just accept that I am always right!) and this is one of the arguments that links into that discussion.

The latest running boom is very closely linked to charity and fundraising and what is happening now is that more and more people are setting up local races to raise money. Which is all very admirable but they are not always runners or racers themselves - thier objective is raising funds. And as such they don't get the runners obsession with proper race measurements - "sure it's just for teh craic!". The UK's Race for Life series is a good example of that philosophy.

Don't get me wrong there is a place for that kind of event. Fun runs and mini-marathons are a really important part of the running world and a gateway to clubs and more serious stuff. But if you are looking for accuracy and organisation then check if the course is AAI accredited. If it is then it will have been properly measured.

I also agree with amadeus regarding the need for accurately measured courses, a core issue being people relying on the time and being disappointed with subsequent time over the 'same' distance. This can give the subsequent race a bad name for being slow!

Its not that difficult to get a course that will be 'close enough' so that those with GPS watches will put it down to tolerance, a simple €10 bike computer properly calibrated will do - if you go to the trouble of finding the right distance.

ChickenTikka

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

On a related note, I understand the principles of using a Jones' counter and wouldn't mind investing in one. How do I become an official race measurer? I wouldn't mind offering this as a part-time service. Even if the race isn't AAI affiliated, at least race organizers could advertise that accurate measuring tools have been used to measure the distance. Hmm, time for google.

My understanding is that all AAI-permitted races are measured by volunteers within athletic clubs who are official course measurers and are IAAF-certified. You should get in touch with your local club or county board to see about becoming an official course measurer in your area. I don't think there are too many in Connacht, for example a chap from Tuam had to travel to Achill to officially measure their half-marathon course when it first came into being a few years ago. So I'm sure there's plenty of opportunity to get involved!

buck65

This is a disgrace. Shame on the organisers.

plodder

DAVE_K wrote: »

yeh - i hear you amadeus.................there's even been a trend in hotel groups setting up a "running" weekend, where you can stay in the particular hotel and get to run 10 k on the Sunday as a bonus. I went down to see one of these a couple of months ago and the run was twice around the hotel grounds cutting through the car park twice with the hotel staff handing out water!!!!! This to me stinks

I saw one of these advertised, and I didn't like the sound of it. Not against them in principle, just so long as they are open about what they are at. I'd always like to know who it is organised by, where the money is going, if the course was measured properly etc.

axer

I was involved in helping at this race but not directly involved in organising it. I know the race organisers are working on the race being AAI accredited next year so it will be measured by a qualified course measurer and runners will be involved in organising it.

The race is not part of a hotel group running weekend - the hotel where the race started (Carlton Shearwater Hotel) and finished generously provided facilities (for changing clothes and showers etc) which are great to have at a race.

There were about 380 entrants (about 175 runners from my count).

Monies raised were for the Stargazer Lily Foundation, Cancer Research Ireland, Galway Hospice Foundation and Portiuncula (Ballinasloe) Hospital Patient Comfort Fund.

I know the organisers want constructive criticism as the more the better since there are always improvements that can be made - send comments to stargazerlilyfoundation@gmail.com.

ManFromAtlantis

pudgey22 wrote: »

Hey, anyone know how short the Ballinasloe 10k was? Anyone run it with a gps thingme and know how far it actually was?
Did 45mins and thought i was doing great but it did seem a bit short.

i did the ballinasloe 10km and clocked it as 5.92 miles on garmin 405. most people i spoke to had it very close to this also. so i reckon race was about between 450 and 500m short.

whilst the race was a first timer it was really annoying that it could be out that much. i know its for charity etc but for some its a chance to train for and get a pb.

its not something that cant be fixed and good luck with the race next year hope it keeps going as the race numbers were decent, plenty of stewards (thanks to all involved). bet ya next year there'll be sign posted q's for pre registered and non registered !

but how did it happen? did someone think a 10km was 6 miles, drove around and clocked it near enough to taht ? just curious.

axer

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

but how did it happen? did someone think a 10km was 6 miles, drove around and clocked it near enough to taht ? just curious.

From what I know an official course measurer was contacted to measure the course with a jones' counter but due to unforeseen circumstances it could not be done before the race and an engineers wheel had to be used at the last minute thus the inaccuracy which was very unfortunate.

The course (a different course) will be measured exactly and AAI accredited next year though - there is no doubt about that.