Dublin marathon - drink stations

poskantor

Anyone know how water is handed out at the dublin marathon? i.e. is it in cups, 300ml bottles with open top or sports caps etc

Reason I ask is because I cant drink out of cups when I'm running, most of it ends up spilling and soaking my runners! I'm sure its a decent setup in Dublin but I have been handed cups of water in races before and felt like throwing it back at them!

gaffo7

think they have a waiter who takes your order!
ha only messing, was just wondering the same as I had an unfortunate nasal wash experience in phoenix park 10 , not very pleasant.
With 12,000 people cant imagine they will provide bottles??

RacoonQueen

The water is usually provided in 250 ml bottles in the marathon.

Peckham

Water in bottles, Club Energise in cups (although latter was in bottles last year).

Also - everyone should really learn how to drink from cups when running. Bottles are rare in races, so rather than people giving out about cups, they should learn a few tricks.

One method is to hold the cup about half an inch below the rim with your thumb and forefinger pointing towards you. Pinch the cup which effectively seals it and stops it sploshing around. Also creates a funnel which pours a steady flow into your mouth.

Also, when approaching the water station where people are handing the cups to you. Point and make eye contact with one of the volunteers, and take the cup by moving your arm backwards as you take it. (Remembering to thank the volunteer!) This makes sure you don't lose half the water when taking the cup.

Get a few plastic cups, fill them with water, place them on your car bonnet, and run past it a few times practicing picking up cups and running and drinking from them. You'll look a bit silly, but it pays huge dividends.

poskantor

Cheers for the info peckham.

I'm toying with the idea of running with a bladder pack with 1.5litres of energy drink, it'll be added weight but it means I wont have to slow at as many aid stations plus i'll consume more energy drink. If I use the cups at the stations I'd say the max I'd actually drink is 500ml + the water. Decisions, decisions....

911sc

+1
I always bring a camelbak for distances over 25km..so nice to be have fluid on demand, but i think i always end up over drinking. Was out last night for 20miles, and almost drunk the 2litres the bag contained.
During marathon race, i also take an energy drink bottle if/when available but don't touch the cups.

Thanks Peckam for the tips..
A simple one: grab a cups, run pass the station, stop on the side, drink and go again.
no spill, no mess, fluid in. Cost: 5second, which is less than what you would lose shall you not hydrate properly.

village runner

When in berlin 2 weeks ago everytime i had water i stopped. 2 cups in 3 seconds and then sped up to my pace within a min according to garmin. Still achieved my time. In Rotterdam last year i didnt stop and got dehyrated and hit the wall.
Wont be an issue in dublin though.
2 years ago i took 2 bottles at every stop. Drank one immediately.
Good idea for anyone willing to carry a sponge. Pour one of the bottles over it and from 10 on use it. Invaluable in berlin although it was warm but something i will do from now on.