Run The Gauntlet

gaelforce09

Apart from website has anybody took part in this before and what sort of information have you on it?

I havent seen a thread regarding this and would be interested in getting some feedback back.

Thanks

GF

gaelforce09

moved to where?

any body have some info on this race?

RacoonQueen

This is it's first running. It's organised by the same guy who does the mooathon and cupids dash so maybe drop him an email. Sounds like it'll be a real toughie was considering it myself but think I deserve a little rest after the marathon.

Poncherello

Why of a Sunday
Why oh why oh why

belcarra

Poncherello wrote: »

Why of a Sunday
Why oh why oh why

Why do race organisers do this???
Most of the races I've enjoyed the most are the ones where you can relax afterwards and enjoy the rest of the day without having to return across the Country (Achill Half, GFW, etc.)
It also manages to bring in extra income to the local area.
Surely with the location of this race there shouldn't be any issues with traffic control either?

bagus

Anyone got more info on this? The website is very vague:

http://www.runthegauntlet.ie/info.html

Is it cross country? trails? roads?

Enduro

Without doing any more than reading the website, I would say it's a half marathon distance road running race from Kate Kearney's cottage, through the gap of dunloe down to the balck valley and back. Reasonably hilly but straightforward enough for a regular hillrunner.

bagus

Where does it say it's a road race?

groovyg

judging from the photos and the map it looks like its following the road up over the gap and down to where lord brandons cottage is which is all road.

Enduro

bagus wrote: »

Where does it say it's a road race?

It looks like I've been subconciously using local knowledge to draw that conclusion... but from the route description it most certainly is.

TFBubendorfer

Enduro wrote: »

It looks like I've been subconciously using local knowledge to draw that conclusion... but from the route description it most certainly is.

Same here. The course map accurately matches the road through the gap. I would be very surprised if it was off-road.

Does anyone know the closing date for signup? I can't seem to find it on the (rather sparse) website.

Slogger Jogger

50 quid for a road run in the hills:eek:

For 7 quid you can do the terrific Powerscourt ridge race on 7 Nov. Check out imra.ie Offroad is the only way to run the hills.

Enduro

Couldn't agree more!

uaithne

I agree that it is expensive, but the scenery I hear is awesome in the park. I contacted the organisers and they informed me that the entire distance is on road, none of it is on trails. I have entered and will give it a go. However, I do agree as a member of IMRA that trail is the way to go. I joined last year and the value for money is excellent. Does anyone know how this clinmb compares to any of the IMRA summer league races.

Uaithne

TFBubendorfer

uaithne wrote: »

Does anyone know how this clinmb compares to any of the IMRA summer league races.

Uaithne

Compared to a proper IMRA race, this is as flat as a pancake.

Bashon

A road race and a mountain race are 2 different animals and as such should not be compared in such a manor.

MrCreosote

Anybody do this in the end? How was it?

I was away myself although probably would have been to close to DCM for me anyway.

estariol

yeah, gave it a go! really nice course over and back the gap, think there were about 130 participants in all. The weather was pretty awful for the first half, rainy, windy and cold but cleared up later. I was running it injured so wasn't trying to do any sorta time, the winner came home in just over 1:24.

The road surface was reasonbly good, slightly slippy on the descents but certainly road and not trail. Can't remember enjoying a half as much truly beautiful scenery, just a shame its so close to the DCM. Will def. be doing this one next year.

TFBubendorfer

Same here, and I took it reasonably easy as well due to the proximity to Dublin.

The run itself was fantastic thanks to the stunning scenery, even in the lousy weather (which improved considerably on the return leg). From that point of view I had an absolute blast and enjoyed every single step.

I wasn't overly impressed with one point of the organisation though, namely the fact that they just sent out an email to everyone containing everyone's email and postal address in clear view for all and the world to see. That's definitely not the way I like things to be done.

groovyg

I couldnt' agree more with Thomas - a great run, lovely scenery, I didn't mine the rain and wind either - think it made running it easier for me.

Was very pissed about that e-mail though- talk about a total breach of confidentiality, if I did that in my job I would get the sh**te eaten out of me if not a formal warning. pure laziness on their part:mad:

uaithne

I also ran this. Honestly the natural beauty of the route is breath taking and mother nature certainly chastised us for entering her domain. However, the organisation left a lot to de desired. Among the problems were a failure to provide the promised T/shirts on the day. I believe that at €50 per entry and no charity benefiting every entrant deserved a tee, which incidently have only been ordered after the event. The failure to provide any refreshments at the finish other than water and fruit. A voucher for tea/coffee or soup would not have been a lot to ask at €50 a pop. The promise to post out the prizes (vouchers for a shop in Dublin/online shop irishfit.ie) is bizzare. Not much use to a person from Cork or Kerry I think. A first prize of a €75 voucher was paltry considering the aforementioned fee. There was no chip timing which also saved costs for the organiser. I chose to spend €50 to run this race and the scenery alone made it worth it but I feel all participants were cheated on this one, especially when the race pack (a twix and a few leaflets) contained a card promising age category prizes which were not awarded. Finally the sending of a email containing every participants personal details was unprofessional and a disgrace.

Scholesy1981

Just wondering what the feedback from last year is like? Obviously alot of people not impressed with '09 so curious to know if last year was an improvement.

anymore

I had considered doing this in 2010 but as a newcomer I was put off by the fact that the site said t shirts would be given out only to runners finishing under 2 hours. I dont like that kind if meaness so i didnt go. In view of previous comments re 2009, i am very glad I didnt.

Zuppy

I did the race last year. Lovely race and setting. Very expensive for what you got. It took ages to get the t shirt too. We all know there are hidden costs with every event but I for one couldn't see where it went other than the profit column.

I signed up for it so, fair enough. I won't be doing it again without good reason. But the views were stunning.

anymore

Zuppy wrote: »

I did the race last year. Lovely race and setting. Very expensive for what you got. It took ages to get the t shirt too. We all know there are hidden costs with every event but I for one couldn't see where it went other than the profit column.

I signed up for it so, fair enough. I won't be doing it again without good reason. But the views were stunning.

I did two runs over summer, one a 5 mile and one a 7 mile, run by voluntary clubs and charging around € 8/10 euro entry and both gave out T shirts on the night. I hadnt expected it and would not expect clubs to give out t shirts for very modest entery fees. But professional organisations charging high fees are different. If Professionals charge high entry fees, they must provide professional services and standards.

TFBubendorfer

Zuppy wrote: »

I did the race last year. Lovely race and setting. Very expensive for what you got. It took ages to get the t shirt too. We all know there are hidden costs with every event but I for one couldn't see where it went other than the profit column.

I signed up for it so, fair enough. I won't be doing it again without good reason. But the views were stunning.

I ran it 2 years ago and my thoughts are exactly the same. The scenery is incredible and I'm happy enough that I ran it, but for the amount they are charging I'd expect a much better organisation and a few more amenities.

Doing it once was enough. The organisers are clearly treating this first and foremost as a money spinner for themselves.

Zuppy

As an aside, it is a route well worth running with a few mates.

RacoonQueen

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

The organisers are clearly treating this first and foremost as a money spinner for themselves.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a recurring comment in threads about races organised by these guys and they don't appear to have improved over the years.