Galway City Marathon - anyone know any details?

BJohnson

A little birdie this week told me that planning is underway for a Galway City Marathon at the end of August.The website for the Galway 50k race is mysteriously labelled www.galwaycitymarathon.com - it looks like they're going to be holding an ultra and a full (and maybe a half?) on the same day as the Longford Marathon (29th August).

Does anyone have any insider info on this?

Enduro

Official announcment/launch will be quite soon, I believe.

Oisin11178

BJohnson wrote: »

A little birdie this week told me that planning is underway for a Galway City Marathon at the end of August.The website for the Galway 50k race is mysteriously labelled www.galwaycitymarathon.com - it looks like they're going to be holding an ultra and a full (and maybe a half?) on the same day as the Longford Marathon (29th August).

Does anyone have any insider info on this?

Same day as longford. Surely there are other days they could have had it.

hunnymonster

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Same day as longford. Surely there are other days they could have had it.

+1

Enduro

It's first and foremost a World championship (50km) race. It also has a Marathon as part of the same event (amongst other things). From what little I know of the process the IAU (The international governing body for ultrarunning), they tend to sort out the calendar by taking into account how all the various championship ultrarunning races slot into the calendar together, which wouldn't include the longford marathon, or any other local race for that matter.

Woundedknee.

The date is unavoidable, the organisers can't put it on other dates because of conflicts with existing races in the Galway area, other festivals and related accomodation availability in Galway City and their successful application to bring the World 50km Final to Ireland.

With so many Marathons and Half-Marathons on the calendar now (which is great) it must be almost impossible to avoid events occuring on the same dates, sure doesn't the Limerick Marathon clash with the Belfast Marathon and the Cork Marathon clash with the Flora Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin. *If Marathons / Events were a month apart from one another some would say they clash because it doesn't allow sufficient recovery time to do them all. I think it's great news that a top quality Marathon event will be coming to Galway at this time of year.

Moycullen1

I've been keeping an eye on this one as it would be nice to do a marathon in my home town before my body eventually says enough is enough. As it happens there is a good bit in the media this week about it and I'm told the website goes live later this week but the general bones of it are as follows:


The entry fee for the half-marathon is €45 and the full marathon is €55. There will also be a relay marathon and the world 50km championships on the same day. All entries within the first month will be eligible to win a prize of a trip to the Antarctic Ice Marathon, the southernmost marathon in the world. The course is fast and mainly flat - starting and finishing at Galway Harbour and encompassing all of Galway's main landmark features. It's a two-loop course for the marathon, with full road closures. There will also be a series of road miles in the city centre streets the day before the marathon. The intention is to make the event a quality, signature marathon event and running festival for Galway City, with an emphasis on also having fun. Runner's World magazine, the world's biggest selling running magazine, is evidently going to be a partner of the event, the first such partnership in Ireland.

catweazle

Is this from the same event organisers that ran the 10k and half marathon in Galway in October, Moycullen?

At least the prices seem to be coming down, 45 for the half and 55 for the full puts in perspective the outragous 60 euro charge by the organisers to run a 10k charity race there last year

Moycullen1

Is this from the same event organisers that ran the 10k and half marathon in Galway in October, Moycullen?

No but the guys behind this event have organised a lot of different events including the South Pole Marathon, the Celtic 100km race held in Galway last year and loads of different Ultramarathons.

BrokenMan

Just had a look at the website.

I really hope it's not an indicator of the overall standard of organistaion. Absolutely no information just a link to register.

catweazle

Marathon spelt marthon as well :rolleyes:

littlebug

Methinks somebody has been reading this thread :cool:

edited...Sure no harm if it means they put accurate info up there. Did I read earlier that there is a half marathon the same day. I had been thinking of the longford half but if this is reasonably flat it will get my vote.

sideswipe

From today's Indo-

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/marathon-race-for-galway-2093266.html

--amadeus--

The Galway City 50k will be staged on 29 August 2010 and is part of the new Galway City Marathon running festival weekend. The marathon event will involve two loops of the City while 50k participants will run through the marathon finish line and then continue onto a short circuit through the city centre streets.

From here

That's going to be unusual. Not sure how it will work logistically, be interesting to find out

TFBubendorfer

About 10 years ago I was a spectator at the Canberra marathon, and they had a 50k going as well, with the same logistics: the 50k runners ran the marathon, went through the finish and then did another loop to make up the rest of the distance. It worked perfectly fine.

BrokenMan

Not a bad looking route. Its definitely going on the possible list. Reckon it will take a fair few from Longford.

--amadeus--

BrokenMan wrote: »

Not a bad looking route. Its definitely going on the possible list. Reckon it will take a fair few from Longford.

Probably will, which is a shame since Longford is one of the older and more established marathons but lacks the PR buzz of the bigger races.

On teh route, has anyone ever done a biggish marathon with laps? I was looking at a load of races this spring and avoided anything with laps on the assumption that you'd end up running into the tail end of the field if it has any volume of walkers (or run walkers). An awful lot of people ran 6hrs+ in Dublin and they'd all be going through half way in 3hrs and over.

hot to trot

I have to admit that the chance of being in the draw for an all expenses trip to do the antarctic marathon swung it for me when choosing between Longford and Galway.
How shallow am I :rolleyes:

gizmo73

--amadeus-- wrote: »

On teh route, has anyone ever done a biggish marathon with laps?


I ran in Benidorm a few years back, and if i can remember correct it was 2 and half laps for the full marathon. The laps didn`t bother me, but everyone has their own view. I`ve signed up for this and looking forward to doing a marathon on the streets i run every day. Plus if the amount of people i`ve seen pounding the pavements in recent months is anything to go by i`d say numbers could be high enough.

hot to trot

I didnnt look at the route..is the galway city marathon laps?:eek:
Gulp.

RacoonQueen

hot to trot wrote: »

I didnnt look at the route..is the galway city marathon laps?:eek:
Gulp.

Yeah it's two loops as far as I know.

brutes1

Two laps marathon!!

Course map here

http://www.galwaycitymarathon.com/media/i/GCM-RouteMap.pdf

Many interested/doing this??

hot to trot

Am not overly familiary with the streets except for driving- are there any significant hills? Was going to try for a pb at this one , but perhaps with the relay and any major lumps it might not be the best one?

Speedy44

hot to trot wrote: »

Am not overly familiary with the streets except for driving- are there any significant hills? Was going to try for a pb at this one , but perhaps with the relay and any major lumps it might not be the best one?

2 loops for the marathon, a few rolling hills in the first few miles and a drag just after 8mls.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/ie/galway/454127607723698645

brutes1

Yes few rough spots no doubt, the 8/21 mile mark hill will be tough as will hill up to Bohermore...not sure if i like the spin out to mutton island if im reading the map right ..mental hell at 24/25 miles...

Speedy44

brutes1 wrote: »

Yes few rough spots no doubt, the 8/21 mile mark hill will be tough as will hill up to Bohermore...not sure if i like the spin out to mutton island if im reading the map right ..mental hell at 24/25 miles...

Agree about the mutton island jaunt brutes, may have made more since to take it out around the swamp and try and add the remaining few metres that were lost somewhere else. If its a rainy, windy day, that could be brutal.

tunguska

Was going to run Longford marathon but this is the same date(29th August)so might give this a spin instead. Ive heard Longford can be quite an isolated run, with very little support out on the roads. I know this is the first year of the Galway marathon but I have a feeling it'll be a big deal with good support. Im not crazy about the two lap thing though. Anybody else run a marathon where it was 2 laps(or more)of a course?


Plus the entry fee is a bit steeper in Galway than Longford.

hot to trot

Not sure how many entries they have for the marathon at this stage. Perhaps Tunguska that you may still be in the draw for an all expenses paid trip to do the antarctic marathon

yungwan

Gulp, this will be my first half and I am very scared at the prospect!! Its seems so long!! It will be lovely to do an event in Galway though. Its such a beautiful city!

onemorechance

Is this the first year of this event?

Will the roads be closed to traffic?

The route looks great, if it's traffic free!

Speedy44

onemorechance wrote: »

Is this the first year of this event?

Will the roads be closed to traffic?

The route looks great, if it's traffic free!

Yes, this is the first year. Well, it was held way back in the 80's but its the first year under new management, so to speak!
I believe that the roads are closed to traffic. Its been put on by Richard & Paul Donovan, who know a thing or two about running. Paul is a former olympian and world silver medalist & Richard is the organiser of the North Pole marathon and holder of many ultra records.

yungwan

Anyone training for this?

And if so how is it going?

I havent heard too much about it, and havent heard many Boardies doing it?

Speedy44

yungwan wrote: »

Anyone training for this?

And if so how is it going?

I havent heard too much about it, and havent heard many Boardies doing it?

I'm doing the half. I know there is a load of people from around Galway, and the Wesht in general doing the half as well. Not sure of too many other boardies doing it, I think their afraid to travel across the shannon

runsalot

I'll be doing it.
Was injured from Nov '09 till May '10.
Started doing the Lydiard marathon program but cut out the hill phase as it didn't give me enough time to do the program from start to finish.
After the 8 weeks of base and not much hard running,just twice a day at a comfortable pace i did the national seniors 10k and 5k.Both were Pb's 31:47 and 15:21 on back to back days.
3 weeks ago i did a 15 miler in Killarney 1:20:43 (5:23 pace) but that took alot out of me as it was the week after nationals,could barely run the legs were so sore.Did a 3hrs run(last long run over 18 miles) on the bank holiday Monday and will do the streets of Galway 8k this weekend as a blow-out before starting to ease down for the Galway City Marathon.
Course looks flat enough and there is always a great atmosphere in Galway,so i'm looking forward to it.Plan on breaking 2:30.Probably setting myself up to be shot on this board but we need to set tough goals for ourselves.

brutes1

runsalot wrote: »

I'll be doing it.
Was injured from Nov '09 till May '10.
Started doing the Lydiard marathon program but cut out the hill phase as it didn't give me enough time to do the program from start to finish.
After the 8 weeks of base and not much hard running,just twice a day at a comfortable pace i did the national seniors 10k and 5k.Both were Pb's 31:47 and 15:21 on back to back days.
3 weeks ago i did a 15 miler in Killarney 1:20:43 (5:23 pace) but that took alot out of me as it was the week after nationals,could barely run the legs were so sore.Did a 3hrs run(last long run over 18 miles) on the bank holiday Monday and will do the streets of Galway 8k this weekend as a blow-out before starting to ease down for the Galway City Marathon.
Course looks flat enough and there is always a great atmosphere in Galway,so i'm looking forward to it.Plan on breaking 2:30.Probably setting myself up to be shot on this board but we need to set tough goals for ourselves.

Impressive stuff, you will be right up there with that target time of 2.30 - not too many local club runners taking on the full , virtually all i know are going for the half , including myself, just a bit too soon , dublin beckons..

The 50k lads will all count for marathon times, and could be good to pace off , would imagine a good few would be close to 2.30 pace for the 26.. plus 5 miles more !

It looks like the streets will be fairly wide open this year too, so give that a right crack

All the best with the training, its good to see someone with a bit of ambition and talent.

ultraman1

Speedy44 wrote: »

Not sure of too many other boardies doing it, I think their afraid to travel across the shannon

must wear me doubalin jersey so.....

5h4mr0(k

Tempted to have a go at the half - would be my first - but €65 seems quite steep (or is it just me?). Can't find on the site what's included for that. Anyone got more information on that?

littlebug

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

Tempted to have a go at the half - would be my first - but €65 seems quite steep (or is it just me?). Can't find on the site what's included for that. Anyone got more information on that?

I've just registered for the half and it was 55 euro.
It's 65 after 15th august.

5h4mr0(k

littlebug wrote: »

I've just registered for the half and it was 55 euro.
It's 65 after 15th august.

Not what it says on the webpage...

(01 Jan - 30 April) (01 May - 30 Jun) (01 Jul - 15 Aug)
STANDARD MID LATE
MARATHON €55.00 €65.00 €75.00
HALF MARATHON €45.00 €55.00 €65.00
RELAY MARATHON €85.00 €95.00 €105.00

littlebug

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

Not what it says on the webpage...

True... I was looking at it wrong....but that was after my payment went through and it was 55

runsalot

The 50k lads will all count for marathon times, and could be good to pace off , would imagine a good few would be close to 2.30 pace for the 26.. plus 5 miles more !

It looks like the streets will be fairly wide open this year too, so give that a right crack

All the best with the training, its good to see someone with a bit of ambition and talent.[/QUOTE]

So i did the Streets of Galway on Sat night and finished 3rd in 24:59.
Great atmosphere around the course and it would give you goosebumps running through EYRE SQUARE.
This has to be one of the best races in the country with regards to course,atmosphere and organisation.
The last 4 races have yeilded pb's from 5k to 15 miles so hopefully it bears well for 3 weeks time.

ChristyOC

Galway is a great place to run! This will be my first event there but I'm familiar with the Salthill section of the race, a great place to stretch the legs! Sounds like a good line up of events as well over the entire weekend, I heard that Sonia O'Sullivan will be putting in an appearance at a Q&A session during the expo!! C'mon Cork...

I'm only going for 13.1 as well due to commitments to Dublin, but I'm looking forward to it...

mrak

runsalot wrote: »

The 50k lads will all count for marathon times, and could be good to pace off , would imagine a good few would be close to 2.30 pace for the 26.. plus 5 miles more !

It looks like the streets will be fairly wide open this year too, so give that a right crack

All the best with the training, its good to see someone with a bit of ambition and talent.

So i did the Streets of Galway on Sat night and finished 3rd in 24:59.
Great atmosphere around the course and it would give you goosebumps running through EYRE SQUARE.
This has to be one of the best races in the country with regards to course,atmosphere and organisation.
The last 4 races have yeilded pb's from 5k to 15 miles so hopefully it bears well for 3 weeks time.

Super running I was watching you there on Sat night and you looked very comfortable. If you're going for sub-2:30 (which I think you'll get) you will be right up there though someone told me that Gary Thornton might be doing it in which case you may have your work cut out. Good luck!

runsalot

It would be great to see Gary doing it and see what he can do.Not enough top elite Irish lads do this distance.He could knock out sub 2:18 with the current shape he is in and that would be a big carrott for the rest to follow.
As for me,i just want to break that 2:30 barrier and wherever that gets me position wise i couldn't care less.
The breathing was fine till the last 2k where i had to work that bit harder with the breeze into the puss.
Should be a great weekend for the sport.

Sonia O Sullivan,Marcus O Sullivan and Ray Flynn will be in town on the Sat to hold a forum.
http://www.galwaycitymarathon.com/news/148-9-aug-sports-conference

niall1980

very doubtful gary will run in galway

theneed2rock

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

Not what it says on the webpage...

(01 Jan - 30 April) (01 May - 30 Jun) (01 Jul - 15 Aug)
STANDARD MID LATE
MARATHON €55.00 €65.00 €75.00
HALF MARATHON €45.00 €55.00 €65.00
RELAY MARATHON €85.00 €95.00 €105.00

Those prices seem quite steep...is there any other marathons/ half marathons coming up in around the Galway area?

hot to trot

If you check the www.runireland.com calendar, the west of ireland race series has a marathon on that weekend,. Cant remember if it is the day before or the day after. They are cheap. Not a big event with lots of crowd support but they have their own merits.

MarathonRunner

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6 posts, all pushing the great value of one race? Not how we do things around here.

catweazle

It is very expensive if you were quick on the draw they had cheaper prices earlier in the summer.

The Galway Bay on October 2nd is 50 euros and the 10k is 45:eek:

A bargain compared to their prices last year

MarathonRunner

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onemorechance

I think the race is starting at 9am. Is that not unusually early? I can never run so early in the morning!