man v horse ra

violator13

Just been chatting to Basil Phibbs, organiser of the Man v Horse, a 30km race (2 x 15km loops) around Donard on Sat April 25 (12pm start). Entry is Eu25 (not Eu50 as on website) and entries will be taken on the day at 11am.
If you beat the horse, you win Eu1,000;. Relay teams of either two or four are welcome.
To give the organisers an idea of numbers, they would appreciate a call in advance. Basil's number is 087-2521940; website is www.donardglenequestrian.ie, but it hasn't been updated in a while.
This is from imra site-could be interesting..

Peckham

Surely a horse would easily cover 30km faster than a runner/team of runners? Wouldn't it?

Frank3142

Peckham wrote: »

Surely a horse would easily cover 30km faster than a runner/team of runners? Wouldn't it?

I would definately think so.

thirtyfoot

Jesse Owens once raced a horse or was it a zebra?

T runner

In 2004, a man beat all (300 human and 40 equine opponents) for the first time in the Welsh version's then 25 year history.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/3801177.stm

Peckham

Wow - mind you, that's 2:20 marathon pace and he only won by 2 minutes!

thirstywork

has it been run in Ireland before?

Running Bing

violator13 wrote: »

Just been chatting to Basil Phibbs

What a great name.

T runner

thirstywork wrote: »

has it been run in Ireland before?

This is the first time as far as I know

violator13

The horse has to stop midway for vet check, so its very possible to beat it.Happened recently in the uk..

--amadeus--

Is it restricted entry? The application form wants a summary of your athletic experience, surely thats only relevant if it's not open to all?

Is it cross country or on trails?

uglyjohn

this could be an urban legend....and make me look pretty stupid.....but i remember watching a history program on ancient greece...and the battle or marathon. The presenter talked about why they sent a runner instead of a horse. apparently over that sort of terrain and distance a runner is generally faster than a horse. it could also come down to temperature and how humans (sweaty and hareless) can keep up a decent pace for longer.

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September in Greece would be pretty hot.

so the race could be interesting...but only if they gave the runner a head start or put it over terrain that suits running more than riding.

lecheile

T runner wrote: »

In 2004, a man beat all (300 human and 40 equine opponents) for the first time in the Welsh version's then 25 year history.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/3801177.stm

I know a guy who ran this a few years back - it is run on fairly mountainy tracks which are narrow. Horses don't do the climbing on uneven ground very well and are worse descending. As the paths can be narrow it can be difficult for horses to pass. So in the right set of circumstances on the right course the horse is at a disadvantage.

My buddy tells a story of being stuck behind a horse on a narrow path, when the horse lets out an almighty fart (seeing the other thread on farting, perhaps some horses have contributed here!). The rider being a very civilised lady offered her apologies to which my buddy offered "you should have said nothing, I presumed it was the horse" - true story - honestly!

climbhigh

During the course of the race, each horse will be timed and time will be allowed at the vetting station.

I think rule 6 means the clock stops for the horse during the vet check.

Enduro

The longer the distance, the better the chance the humans have. We're better at big endurance stuff at speed.