Jingle Bells 5K

az2wp0sye65487

http://www.activeglobal.com/Events/index.cfm?AC=EventDetails_V2&E=82746

http://www.donoreharriers.com/home_nav_9.html

Anyone else on here entered this or even have any info on it they could share with me? I've only started running recently and this will be my first ever event. I was looking at the list of times for last year's one and it looks as if everyone finished in 16 - 20 mins.....

I'm only running 5km in 25 - 26 mins at the moment! Am I gonna be left at the back on my own?

meathcountysec

They seem to have only provisional results for 2008 up. If you look at the 2007 results they stopped recording times at 500 finishers (27 minute mark) and a further 400 runners crossed the line after that.......

So, you should be in good, and plentiful, company

rainbow kirby

Charlie Many Smack wrote: »

I'm only running 5km in 25 - 26 mins at the moment! Am I gonna be left at the back on my own?

If you're at the back at that sort of pace I'll be joining you!

Seriously though - at that sort of pace you're far from being the slowest in the race.

Killerz

I did this last year - its grand. Assuming its the same course - little bit of a hill towards the end (coming out of furry glen) from what I recall, but nothing too bad.

The only results they put up were the top 120, which was a bit annoying, altho there was no chip timing I suppose, and the accuracy levels wouldn't be the best with loads of people all coming in around the same time.

c.25-26 minutes is great going - no way you'd be at the back with that.

Good luck!

rovers_runner

Killerz wrote: »

I did this last year - its grand. Assuming its the same course - little bit of a hill towards the end (coming out of furry glen) from what I recall, but nothing too bad.

The only results they put up were the top 120, which was a bit annoying, altho there was no chip timing I suppose, and the accuracy levels wouldn't be the best with loads of people all coming in around the same time.

c.25-26 minutes is great going - no way you'd be at the back with that.

Good luck!

Just registered for this today.
25-26 mins will be bang in the middle of the pack OP, enjoy.

az2wp0sye65487

rovers_runner wrote: »

Just registered for this today.
25-26 mins will be bang in the middle of the pack OP, enjoy.

Will do! Does anyone know where the race numbers should be picked up? I'm not familiar with where the running club is...

Also, is it just the registration fee or are there sponsors/donations to be made too?

rovers_runner

Charlie Many Smack wrote: »

Will do! Does anyone know where the race numbers should be picked up? I'm not familiar with where the running club is...

Also, is it just the registration fee or are there sponsors/donations to be made too?

Clubhouse is on the Chapelizod Rd. just before the village on the river side of the road, left as you head away from the city.


"Race numbers will not be posted out, they will be available for collection at the race HQ in Donore Harriers sportscentre in Chapelizod from 8.30am on morning of race."
http://www.donoreharriers.com/home_nav_12.html

Reckon that fee just covers registration, think you can donate via the activeglobal link by choosing a donate and entering your own fee.

Running Bing

Anybody have a map of the route for this?

Also I assume its ok to just turn up and pay on the day?

Woddle

Running Bing wrote: »

Anybody have a map of the route for this?

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/7593398

menoscemo

Woddle wrote: »

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/7593398

Cheers Woddle. looks like quite an easy course, with a nice downhill at the end. Any tips on parking the car? In the Park itself or Chapelizod Villiage?

RacoonQueen

menoscemo wrote: »

Cheers Woddle. looks like quite an easy course, with a nice downhill at the end. Any tips on parking the car? In the Park itself or Chapelizod Villiage?

You should be good for parking in the park, it's a pretty small field so even parking along chesterfield avenue would give you a nice warm up jog but I think numbers have to be picked up in the clubhouse. Don't be fooled by the route, it's largely flat but you come into the furry glen then have to climb out of the furry glen at 4k or so...so if you've given your all before that you have to really pull out all the stops for the climb out.

ecoli

Anyone know if you can enter on the day? still in two minds about whether to race or keep training so i dont wanna register if i not gonna end up running

Racing Flat

ecoli wrote: »

Anyone know if you can enter on the day? still in two minds about whether to race or keep training so i dont wanna register if i not gonna end up running

Fairly sure you can.

daymobrew

menoscemo wrote: »

Any tips on parking the car? In the Park itself or Chapelizod Villiage?

Last year I parked on Acres Road and had a warm up down to the clubhouse (just outside the gates on Chapelizod Road) to collect race number, then jogged up to the starting point, leaving my souvenir mug at a tree near the finish line.

petermijackson

Can the race numbers be collected the evening before? Something in me makes me think that I heard that you could. Can anybody confirm or deny?

PS : How bad is the Hill at the end, aiming for a sub 20 but this could affect that target....

chinguetti

Can't remember if you could pick it up the night before last year but then it was on a Sunday.

Sub 20 is possible, did it last year. The start is mad and finding space is a problem until you're past the picnic tables on Acres Road. Don't go out too fast or you'll pay for it as you'll need to keep something back for the last 1.5 kms as there's one very small hill and the nasty hill at the finish.

petermijackson

Thanks...always my problem, starting out too fast - gotta pace myself especially with that hilly finish in mind.

Roll on Saturday, looking forward to it as last few runs have been 10K

menoscemo

petermijackson wrote: »

Can the race numbers be collected the evening before? Something in me makes me think that I heard that you could. Can anybody confirm or deny?

PS : How bad is the Hill at the end, aiming for a sub 20 but this could affect that target....

Yeah you can definately pick up the numbers at the clubhouse between 2pm and 8pm on friday.

petermijackson

menoscemo wrote: »

Yeah you can definately pick up the numbers at the clubhouse between 2pm and 8pm on friday.

Race numbers will not be posted out, they will be available for collection at the race HQ in Donore Harriers sportscentre in Chapelizod from 2pm to 8pm on Friday 4th December and 8.30am till 10.30am on morning of race. NOTE: There is very limited parking at the Sportscentre on race day so leave yourself plenty of time to find parking and collect your number.

From the website..... http://www.activeglobal.com/Events/index.cfm?AC=EventDetails_V2&E=82746

h8 runnin

petermijackson wrote: »

PS : How bad is the Hill at the end, aiming for a sub 20 but this could affect that target....

its a very fast course in my opinion. if your looking for a 5k pb then this is the race you should do.

there is a hill towards the end but once you come over that hill there is a nice down hill leading up to finish line

kennyb3

im not madly familiar with the area, will be driving from malahide via the quays and can get as far as the gate from the quays of the phoenix park. anyone care to advise if i i should park as close to that gate as possible and make my way by foot or how would be be best getting there? can i get closer by going up towards the papal cross and taking a turn somewhere?

Thanks

menoscemo

kennyb3 wrote: »

im not madly familiar with the area, will be driving from malahide via the quays and can get as far as the gate from the quays of the phoenix park. anyone care to advise if i i should park as close to that gate as possible and make my way by foot or how would be be best getting there? can i get closer by going up towards the papal cross and taking a turn somewhere?

Thanks

I'd imagine your best bet is to drive up the main rd (chesterfield Av) past the cross and park it up just before Furze Rd (You know the Rd that all the adidas race series race finished half way down). The race starts and finishes over at the other end of the Furze rd from what I can gather so that should give you about a 3/4 mile warm up/warm down.

kennyb3

menoscemo wrote: »

I'd imagine your best bet is to drive up the main rd (chesterfield Av) past the cross and park it up just before Furze Rd (You know the Rd that all the adidas race series race finished half way down). The race starts and finishes over at the other end of the Furze rd from what I can gather so that should give you about a 3/4 mile warm up/warm down.

if rather than taking the left for the cross i go straight through the roundabout, pull in and park somewhere there, in which direction am i going for the clubhouse.

thanks

menoscemo

Sorry kenny, thought you meant getting to the start line with your number....for the clubhouse, continue from the quays straight on. Don't turn into the park at all. You pass the main entrance to the park on your right, go straigh through the traffic lights about a mile and you will see another gate to the park on you right (chapelizod gate- the gate you left the park in the marathon), Donore harriers is a few hundred yards furhter on on the left just as you come into chapeilzod villiage. Pick up your number and park up just inside the chapelizod gate. Apparently parking at the club house is v limited.

http://www.donoreharriers.com/home_nav_12.html

mloc123

Anyone know if they'll have a clock at the finish line? Can't remember from last year.

daymobrew

mloc123 wrote: »

Anyone know if they'll have a clock at the finish line? Can't remember from last year.

I'm quite sure I remember one from last year.

To those driving, watch for potential traffic restrictions on Chesterfield Ave as per the race route map.
Most people seem to park on the cycle track (grrr) on Chapelizod Road.

BTW, here is a photo of the final climb from 2007.

rainbow kirby

What's the easiest way to get the clubhouse via public transport - I'm guessing get a 25A up from town?

anfearruaaris

Get the bike out and pedal up the quays you'll be there in about 15 mins from O'Connell St. This is a great race to be a part of and fingers crossed for a dry morning, that downward hill into the glen can be very slippery when wet!!!!

xebec

rainbow kirby wrote: »

What's the easiest way to get the clubhouse via public transport - I'm guessing get a 25A up from town?

25, 66 & 67 all run past the clubhouse afaik...

petermijackson

Just collected numbers - took a while though. Hopefully for those of you collecting numbers tomorrow that it is faster. Give yourself a bit time for collection

Killerz

Looking like its gonna be a bit wet out there tomorrow morning.... shame.... but bring it on anyway:D

gmurran

Hamstring injury has me out of this and the novice cross country this weekend. I had hoped to take some time off my Rathfarnham PB.

Enjoy the race everyone I'll be out to watch.

Dotcomdolly

Great info here, thanks everyone.
All dressed & ready to head soon. Quite excited, my 2nd 5k and hoping to knock 2+ mins off my Rathfarnham time.
Looks like we'll be rain free too, yay!

daymobrew

Temp seems okay too (7 deg in Dublin 15).

I'll be cycling down and locking my bike to the bench near the finish - I did a recee after collecting my number last night (no queue at 7:30).

Good luck to all.

tunguska

Great conditions. Had a howler though. 17:02(my timing). Shouldve well gone under 17mins. Suppose its not too bad, first race since marathon so definitely still some cobwebs there. Gonna do Bhaa 5k tomorrow just as a matter of interest, to see if I can do better.
Overall a great race in terms of atmosphere, really friendly and nice crowd.

Stupid_Private

Anyone know what John Travers' winning time was? I got to the finish just after the first few women were finishing.

daymobrew

I was quite happy with a PB of 18:55.
Perfect temp and no wind.
I saw some good sprint finishes as I walked back to my bike.

My first 1k took 4mins because of severe congestion at the start - I was at the "Sub 16" sign but there was obviously hundreds ahead of me. Each year I tell myself to go further forward because I always struggle over that first 1k, but this year was the worse.

tunguska

daymobrew wrote: »

I was quite happy with a PB of 18:55.
Perfect temp and no wind.
I saw some good sprint finishes as I walked back to my bike.

My first 1k took 4mins because of severe congestion at the start - I was at the "Sub 16" sign but there was obviously hundreds ahead of me. Each year I tell myself to go further forward because I always struggle over that first 1k, but this year was the worse.

I think I was talking to you before and after the race daymo. Did you lock your bag and bike to a bench near the finish?

Ol' Donie

Really enjoyed this today. Finished in around 21.09, which is slower than i wanted (and slower than my pb from rathfarnham), but it was a great morning for it, and it was well organised as far as i could see. Looking forward to aware 10k now.

Running Bing

Ran 18:14 by my Garmin so a new PB which I was delighted with.


Felt the start was a bit dodgy. It just seemed like nobody paid any attention to the signposted starting positions, it was amazing to see some of the people standing in the sub 16 section.:rolleyes: I was on the grass for the first 100 metres or so.

For a race as big as this with a start on such a narrow track chip timing would make the experience a lot better. It must take ages for everybody to actually cross the line and the clock is already ticking.

Aside from that it was a great race. Very fast course and very friendly. The atmosphere was great and Im looking even more forward to the aware 10k next Saturday.:D

rainbow kirby

24.04 by my watch, am absolutely delighted (PB by 2.18!)

Would also agree with Running Bing that chip timing would make the experience better, but the other side to that is that it's nice to only pay €15 for a race!

petermijackson

Chip timing is a must...the start was a joke. Somebody could have got hurt with the congestion, people need to start in the correct areas. It was my first run in the park with this amount of people and would really have to think hard about doing one again there.


What exactly does the 15euro entry fee pay for?

Hard Worker

petermijackson wrote: »

Chip timing is a must...the start was a joke. Somebody could have got hurt with the congestion, people need to start in the correct areas. It was my first run in the park with this amount of people and would really have to think hard about doing one again there.


What exactly does the 15euro entry fee pay for?

Chip timing would make no difference to the congestion at the start. There were time zones marked out but nobody paid any heed to them. I think there were a lot of people there who only race once a year and have no idea of race etiquette.
I really don't know what to make of your question at the finish. I think if you were in a club and organised a race you might have some idea. If you are not in a club, then there's a list of things longer than my arm that incur costs. At the end of the day, after paying those costs and even giving some money to charity, any balance leftover goes into the running costs of the organising club. Go along to that club any Tuesday or Thursday evening and see how many kids they are keeping off the streets.

aero2k

Hard Worker wrote: »

Chip timing would make no difference to the congestion at the start.

+1^^.
It's purely a function of the number of people entered, and especially the number that think they can run sub 16 or sub 18, or have no idea but think they should go up the front anyway. There was plenty of pushing and shoving but all good natured stuff - I'd rather push/be pushed than fall or have someone else do likewise.
I have no problem with the entry fee - those who picked up their numbers at the clubhouse may have noticed the 5-lane track beside the Liffey, plus the building is pretty big so I assume there are weight training facilities etc too. Might be where the entry fee goes...
On a related matter the organisers did a great job getting the course ready. I ran up Furze Rd on Thursday and saw a "mature" gentleman (think his name is Harry, he's at the start of all the races) sweeping a huge pile of leaves off the corner of Furze Rd / Chesterfield Avenue. Also I ran up the Glen during the week and it was covered in muck, but all nice and clean today, so they obviously got that sorted too.
And finally, being in a race started by a living legend - well that doesn't happen every day. Thanks Ronnie!

tunguska

Hard Worker wrote: »

Chip timing would make no difference to the congestion at the start. There were time zones marked out but nobody paid any heed to them. I think there were a lot of people there who only race once a year and have no idea of race etiquette.
I really don't know what to make of your question at the finish. I think if you were in a club and organised a race you might have some idea. If you are not in a club, then there's a list of things longer than my arm that incur costs. At the end of the day, after paying those costs and even giving some money to charity, any balance leftover goes into the running costs of the organising club. Go along to that club any Tuesday or Thursday evening and see how many kids they are keeping off the streets.

Well said Hardworker. There'll always be a few people you just cant please and who'll complain no matter what.

petermijackson

I did not mean anything by my question about the entry fee, it was just a query. If it goes back to the club then I do not have a problem with this. Clubs need to raise money.

ecoli

:mad:

petermijackson wrote: »

Chip timing is a must...the start was a joke. Somebody could have got hurt with the congestion, people need to start in the correct areas. It was my first run in the park with this amount of people and would really have to think hard about doing one again there.


What exactly does the 15euro entry fee pay for?

I was at the sub 16 section and was so annoyed when people were talking of trying to break 20. When i asked them why they were this far down reply was i dont want people getting in my way. between ducking and weaving for the first k cost me over 30 seconds compared to my other k times and basically ruined my race 20e down the drain for what was more like tempo pace because people are so egocentric i mean santa and his rudolf at the sub 16 section come on what a joke granted i was aiming for 16.30 and popped up to sub 16 but only because i forsaw this kind of thing thouh not as bad as that:mad::mad::mad::mad:

tunguska

ecoli wrote: »

:mad:

I was at the sub 16 section and was so annoyed when people were talking of trying to break 20. When i asked them why they were this far down reply was i dont want people getting in my way. between ducking and weaving for the first k cost me over 30 seconds compared to my other k times and basically ruined my race 20e down the drain for what was more like tempo pace because people are so egocentric i mean santa and his rudolf at the sub 16 section come on what a joke granted i was aiming for 16.30 and popped up to sub 16 but only because i forsaw this kind of thing thouh not as bad as that:mad::mad::mad::mad:

How did you get on in the end ecoli? I see Thomas came 2nd. He's a beast isnt he. You should do the marley park race tomorrow, exorcise the demons from today. Im doing it for definite.

Stupid_Private

Jingle Bells Photos

Christmas drinks contributed to making me a tad late to the finish and a bit shakey with the camera today! Still got some pictures mind. Some more, that weren't taken by me, will be uploaded later.

Running Bing

I think on the whole today's event was excellently organised and for the most part it was a credit to Donore but if you just ignore problems nothing will ever improve.


I believe chip timing would help the situation because then people would'nt be so eager to get as near to the front as possible.

If your trying to break 20 if you line up at the right post its going to be the guts of 30 seconds before you cross the line.....now if somebody is timed by a chip this is'nt a big issue so they'll be more inclined to line up at the right point.

I lined up at sub 18 today....I would've had no problem lining up at around sub 19 if it was chip timed.

The second thing they could do is possibly move the start to a better area. The place where it started today was very narrow and it was only natural it would get congested.

Finally, more of an effort needs to be made to inform/remind people of the system. It should be everywhere in bold letters...on the website...at the clubhouse...on the entry forms....on the race numbers...the announcer should constantly remind people.....and stewards should police the area and remind people of the system. Its a major problem and it can ruin peoples races (as Ecoli highlighted above) so more of an effort needs to be made to address it.

If those three things were changed next year I could guarantee it would not be anywhere near as big a problem.

ecoli

tunguska wrote: »

How did you get on in the end ecoli? I see Thomas came 2nd. He's a beast isnt he. You should do the marley park race tomorrow, exorcise the demons from today. Im doing it for definite.

17.10 was just behind you but was not happy with it so in the end i did an hour run after so it wasnt a ruined day but worst mistake i ever made not lining up at the front was too far behind and it cost me. I think a long run will benefit me more so just an LSR tomorro afternoon as i really have to put in a bit of college study for exams on monday been procrastinating a little too much