The Great Limerick Run - Can you help??

--amadeus--

Hi Folks,

As you know the May Bank Holiday weekend is shaping up to be a great one with Riverfest this year also including the first running of a marathon in Limerick in decades.

For the first time in Ireland runners of all abilities will have the opportunity to tackle one of three simultaneous races; 10km, half and full marathon. Top quality sponsors are on board, the route is measured and certified and thousands have already signed up.

But even if you aren't running (this year ) you can still help make this event a success. Having raced in marathons I can tell you that the one thing every runner agrees on it's the importance of good crowd support. You might not think it means a lot but having a random stranger clap you or give you a call out can make all the difference, so if you are around it would be great if you could make it to the route to give a roar for teh poor eeijits slogging thier way round!

An even better way of making sure that this event takes off and becomes teh success that this city deserves would be by volunteering. Volunteers are absolutely vital for an event of this scale doing everything from manning the bag drops, marshalling the route, handing out water or dishing out the medals. No prior experience is needed and I can promise you a memorable experience. We're very quick around here to moan about the bad things in the city or the negative publicity we get. Well here is a chance to give thousands of people a really positive impression of teh town and for the cost of a few hours of your time.

If you are interested just pop over to the Great Limerick Run Website or email volunteer@greatlimerickrun.com

Thanks!



(and a big thank you to the Mods for letting me post this in here)

Jigga

What idiot scheduled it for the same day as the heineken cup semi final? As well as that its on the same day of the Joey hannon triathlon

krudler

We're very quick around here to moan about the bad things in the city or the negative publicity we get.

What idiot scheduled it for the same day as the heineken cup semi final?

sigh...


I know two people running,well walking in it. If it goes ahead again next year I will, cant at the mo for medical reasons, but its definitely something good for the city, should be a great weekend with all thats going on, roll on that BBQ

Amazotheamazing

Jigga wrote: »

What idiot scheduled it for the same day as the heineken cup semi final? As well as that its on the same day of the Joey hannon triathlon

Whatever about the Joey Hannon tri, Munsterh ave no God-given right to get into HEC semi-finals, and the Riverfest weekend is the obvious weekend to try and start it.

Rather then getting unduly negative about it, why not go out, get involved and try and make it a success? Go on, give up a few hours of your time to help support something happening in Limerick. Who knows, some young hot running chick might catch your eye. Could be the beginning of a beautiful story...

billy the squid

Jigga wrote: »

What idiot scheduled it for the same day as the heineken cup semi final? As well as that its on the same day of the Joey hannon triathlon

I would strongly advise you tone down your language young man. such statements have a tendancy to bring out the angry in me

Itsdacraic

Jigga wrote: »

What idiot scheduled it for the same day as the heineken cup semi final? As well as that its on the same day of the Joey hannon triathlon

Typical Munster Rugby attitude. Here's a big a shock for you, a lot of people in Limerick and Munster actually don't care all that much for Munster Rugby PLC. Just to put it in perspective, they cater for a population of about 1 million people and their home stadium has a capacity of 26k. Do the Maths.

Riverfest has been on the May Bank Holiday weekend for years and it would only be natural to incorporate the run into that weekend. The fact that the Munster match is on should only add to the event given that it's an away game so won't have a massive amount of people attending it, so those who do want to watch the game will also be converging on the city to watch it in the pubs (because they can't watch the games at home apparently), and will add to the atmosphere around the place.

Hopefully the weekend is a roaring success and Munster win as well.

concussion

What idiot scheduled the Heineken Cup semi-final for the same weekend as Riverfest???


OP, good to see your post, would volunteer, or even run if it wasn't for so much college work. Next year, I'm in

Berty

I would have run myself but it is very expensive for what you get out of it.

Kess73

I am running in it, so will be trotting along happy at being able to run a marathon in the town I live in. It will also be my 10th marathon so it is nice for the Limerick run to be the one that will be a personal landmark.

Some aspects of the organisation I think could have been done better, but then again the mistakes made this year will be ironed out for future runs.


Where the entry fee money goes is a bone of contention with me though, but that was highlighted in a few national papers a few weeks back so no need to go into too much detail. I just think that charities should be benefitting from the entry fees (after the costs of setting up the event etc is deducted of course) rather than a big fat 0% going to charity.

I know a huge number of people taken part will be doing their own thing for charities of their choice, myself included, but it would have been nice if local charities gained a bit extra.


So is the race set up perfect? No not at all, but I would sooner have it happening in a flawed format that can be improved upon than for it not to be happening at all.

As for the Munster game I could not care less. Everything in the town cannot be arranged around a game on tv, and those travelling to the game will see it anyway.

krudler

Itsdacraic wrote: »

Typical Munster Rugby attitude. Here's a big a shock for you, a lot of people in Limerick and Munster actually don't care all that much for Munster Rugby PLC. Just to put it in perspective, they cater for a population of about 1 million people and their home stadium has a capacity of 26k. Do the Maths.

Exactly, I hate this attitude that the almighty Munster rugby should take priority over everything in Limerick, like everything else should just stop or reschedule because a match is on, it'll only add to the weekend having so many things on,anyone who wants to watch the match can, wheres the issue?

Berty

krudler wrote: »

Exactly, I hate this attitude that the almighty Munster rugby should take priority over everything in Limerick, like everything else should just stop or reschedule because a match is on, it'll only add to the weekend having so many things on,anyone who wants to watch the match can, wheres the issue?

The Munster match might bring €10 million to the city and that dang riverfest will only get in the way.

Millie

What time does the race start on Sunday, can't find it on their site.

georgem25

Marathon 9am
Half marathon 11am
10k 12.30pm

Jigga

Having it on the same day as the Munster game is obviously going to have a big impact on the amount of people competing and watching the marathon. I think they have only failed to get to the semi finals twice in the past decade so not as if it is a surprise that they made it.

Awful bad form to have it clashing with the Joey Hannan Triathlon, whoever did that must have no knowledge of local athletics.

Its just a money making scheme by a commercial organisation, €50 for a mini marathon FFS. A lot of abd feeling with local athletics clubs in Limerick about the whole thing

--amadeus--

Jigga wrote: »

Having it on the same day as the Munster game is obviously going to have a big impact on the amount of people competing and watching the marathon. I think they have only failed to get to the semi finals twice in the past decade so not as if it is a surprise that they made it.

Awful bad form to have it clashing with the Joey Hannan Triathlon, whoever did that must have no knowledge of local athletics.

Its just a money making scheme by a commercial organisation, €50 for a mini marathon FFS. A lot of abd feeling with local athletics clubs in Limerick about the whole thing

It'll be long over by the time the match starts and well out of UL long before Joey kicks off.

As for teh race, it is what it is. I'm just glad it's here and I hope it does well. Maybe if it does the local athletics clubs will club together and run a competitor event with lower prices that doesn't clash with anything and that way we all win

Stab*City

Shouldnt be a problem as the match is away.. and well crapfest is crapfest.. dont really consider a bar b q and a market a festival anyway.

phog

Jigga wrote: »

Having it on the same day as the Munster game is obviously going to have a big impact on the amount of people competing and watching the marathon. I think they have only failed to get to the semi finals twice in the past decade so not as if it is a surprise that they made it.

Awful bad form to have it clashing with the Joey Hannan Triathlon, whoever did that must have no knowledge of local athletics.

Its just a money making scheme by a commercial organisation, €50 for a mini marathon FFS. A lot of abd feeling with local athletics clubs in Limerick about the whole thing

When was the Limerick run decided because it's only in the last few weeks that the S/F schedule was agreed.

Can't see the two clashing having a huge impact either way.

Amazotheamazing

Jigga wrote: »

A lot of abd feeling with local athletics clubs in Limerick about the whole thing

The Limerick Athletic clubs have had plenty of chances to arrange something, anything, like this in Limerick. They have no interest (nor should they) in guys who just want to run to stay a bit fit and have a bit of a jog. Other clubs arrange events for all standards, Limerick never bothered and they shouldn't bother cribbing about it now.

Reaganomical

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

The Limerick Athletic clubs have had plenty of chances to arrange something, anything, like this in Limerick. They have no interest (nor should they) in guys who just want to run to stay a bit fit and have a bit of a jog. Other clubs arrange events for all standards, Limerick never bothered and they shouldn't bother cribbing about it now.

As a member of one of the athletics clubs, I'd refer you to the Limerick Ladies Mini-Marathon, organised by Limerick AC. About 4,000 ladies entered last year, the vast vast majority of whom just want to run to stay a bit fit and have a bit of a jog.

In fairness, resources are very tight, athletics is not exactly a majority sport and the clubs are more interested in preserving their meagre resources developing young athletes and organising kids' athletics as opposed to going to the enormous expense of running a marathon.

I'm delighted that there is a marathon/half marathon/10k being run in Limerick this weekend. I'm running the half myself. I hope it's a tremendous success, goes according to plan and makes a shed load of money for the lads who are organising it. Fair play to them for taking the initiative. The prices are no more than similar events like Cork and Dublin. The earlier you entered, the cheaper it was to run.

I also hope that everyone who has been out training for the Great Limerick Run is well and truly bitten by the running bug and comes along to their local club to see what they can do next I can assure you that clubs are not just for elite runners, they are for every class and calibre of runner/jogger/shuffler/walker.

talkingclock

schnellimbiss wrote: »

As a member of one of the athletics clubs, I'd refer you to the Limerick Ladies Mini-Marathon, organised by Limerick AC. About 4,000 ladies entered last year, the vast vast majority of whom just want to run to stay a bit fit and have a bit of a jog.

on a one-off mini marathon?

Berty

talkingclock wrote: »

on a one-off mini marathon?

where men were told to refrain from entering. :rolleyes:

sma2008

any idea how many are taking part in the run? I've heard organising were expecting 10,000 plus but only 2000 have registerd so far!!

--amadeus--

sma2008 wrote: »

any idea how many are taking part in the run? I've heard organising were expecting 10,000 plus but only 2000 have registerd so far!!

My understanding is between 700 and 1000 for the full marathon (allowing for no-shows), and that of course would be the smallest of all of the fields. No idea about the others but if the figures I have for the marathon are correct then I would expect a lot more than 2,000 but a lot less than 10,000.

I find it hard to believe that they were "expecting" 10k runners - Dublin is the biggest marathon in the country and it only got above 10,000 recently. Cork is now in year 4 or 5 and it's a long way short of that too.

Berty

Well like was mentioned before they priced themselves out of it.

The private business entity earning all the money instead of a charity being aided in some way is a major turnoff for a riverfest event.

I will be in the city to see it myself so best of luck to anybody entering as I know a lot of people from the ages of 18 right through to 55.

swim2

Some charities are benefiting I think.
St. Gabriels, Milford Hospice and Crumlin Children's Hosptial are named on the website as official charities. I don't know how much each will get.
I am taking part in the 10k and hopefully it will be great for Limerick. I do think the timing was bad with the Joey Hannon on the same day. As far as I know the Joey Hannon is booked out so it didnt loose out.

sma2008

From today's Limerick Leader
Over 2,400 people have signed up for the 10km race, 1,500 will be running the half-marathon, and another 700 people at least will be running the marathon. Many are also planning to run the race in fancy dress.


So approx 5000, seems a pretty good number..

cian_s_obrien

Any idea who will be providing medical cover for this event ?

Limerickgal82

Stab*City wrote: »

Shouldnt be a problem as the match is away.. and well crapfest is crapfest.. dont really consider a bar b q and a market a festival anyway.

I am over people being so negative :mad:
The bank holiday schedule is a great showcase for our fab city and should be looked at with pride. The great Limerick run is brilliant and fair play to any one doing it. I will be cheering on all the runners/ walkers and as a Munster fan i will then go watch the match. So HAVE PRIDE IN YOUR CITY

sma2008

cian_s_obrien wrote: »

Any idea who will be providing medical cover for this event ?

St John's Ambulance and the Civil Defense are involved.

baza1976

Berty wrote: »

Well like was mentioned before they priced themselves out of it.

The private business entity earning all the money instead of a charity being aided in some way is a major turnoff for a riverfest event.

I will be in the city to see it myself so best of luck to anybody entering as I know a lot of people from the ages of 18 right through to 55.

WHat price would it have to be to enter in order for you to sign up? If you signed up early I think it cost €45. It is normal for 20 weeks training before completing a full marathon, so it you had signed up 12,16,20+ weeks ago it would have been a lot cheeper than now.

If you want money to go to charity, why don't you run for a charity?

I also know lots of people between 18 & 55!!???!!!? but I don't know what that has to do with the price of potatoes.

Aesop

Does anyone know what the traffic plans are for the morning of the run. I assume there will be some road closures?

Reaganomical

Aesop wrote: »

Does anyone know what the traffic plans are for the morning of the run. I assume there will be some road closures?

All the details are here: http://www.limerick.ie/Roadworks/Name,19003,en.html

Road Traffic Notice - The Great Limerick Run

Limerick City Council advise motorists, residents and road users that the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking on Sunday, 2nd May, 2010 between 7.00am and 2.00pm.
 Catherine Place
 Pery Square
 Barrington Street
 Hartstonge Street


The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking between 7.00am and 5.00pm

 O’Connell Street (between Sarsfield Street and Cecil Street)
 Lower Cecil Street (between Henry Street and O’Connell Street)
 Bedford Row
 Thomas Street (between O’Connell Street and Little William Street)
 Roches Street (between Catherine Street and O’Connell Street)

Parking restrictions will operate on the following streets for periods from 7.00am.


 Mona Tce.
 St. Lelia Street
 New Road, Pennywell
 The Crescent
 S. C. Rd (between Quin St and St. Gerard St)
 Ennis Road (between Sarsfield St and Union Cross)
Upper Gerald Griffin Street
 Parnell Street
 Davis Street
 Upper Gerald Griffin Street
 Lower Gerald Griffin Street
 O’Connell Ave (between Quinlan St and Punches Cross)


Motorists can expect some traffic delays in the City Centre, Ennis Road and
O’Connell Ave between 11.00am and 4.00pm also on the Dublin Road between
9.00am and 12.00 noon.

Local diversions will be signposted.

Businesses/residents and institutions affected by parking prohibitions will receive
additional notices with full details.

Kess73

schnellimbiss wrote: »

All the details are here: http://www.limerick.ie/Roadworks/Name,19003,en.html

They have left big chunks out of their list of road closures and traffic restrictions.

They have only listed the ones within the city limits. They also have not notified a lot of business as to the exact details like they claimed they would, but then again it is the City Coucil that is involved so half assed jobs is about right for them.

The race routes, especially the marathon, will be going through Rosbrien, Dooradoyle etc and there will be restrictions in those areas also.


Best thing to do is to check the maps and see what is going through your local area to see if it impacts on you.


10K route

http://www.greatlimerickrun.com/tenk.html





Half Marathon route




Marathon route










To the folk of Dooradoyle. Your King shall be running in the marathon at the weekend so I expect you all out in great numbers to wish me well (or throw eggs) as I pass by :P


Get working on your Kess The King banners and you may receive a royal wave as I trot by.



To anyone who is running in any of the three runs, best of luck and enjoy the day. If you are just running for fun, could I be so bold as to suggest that you try to raise some money from where you work/from friends/from a local business etc and use your run to help some of the local charities. It is never too late to raise a bit.

There are so many good causes out there and plenty who would be delighted to have the extra help.

GChild76

Best of luck to everyone running on Sunday. Hope the training has been going well! It's a great weekend for Limerick with Riverfest, the Munster match and the run. About time Limerick got the good side out

I'm a novice runner myself but I'll be running the 10k. Have enjoyed the training, hoping to keep it up after this! I work in Angel Lane and I'll be working on the night but for the rest of ye there's a complimentary drinks reception in Angel Lane for all runners who show their medal.

Stab*City

Limerickgal82 wrote: »

I am over people being so negative :mad:

Obviously your not.:cool:

PaudieMac

Pictures from the Limerick marathon

http://www.runningpictures.blogspot.com/

Kess73

PaudieMac wrote: »

Pictures from the Limerick marathon

http://www.runningpictures.blogspot.com/

Did you take all the pics yourself?

You have me in two of them

Kess73

I would like to say a big thanks to all the people who cheered on the runners and walkers today. It can make a big difference for runners, especially to some of those who were running their first marathon today. That cheer or friendly encouragement gave a lot of people the boost they needed to get across the line.

Kudos also to those who gave up their free time to help out at water stations and the like, and who helped with the medals etc. You guys and gals played a huge part in today, and I hope you were told that a lot by all involved.




Today was my tenth marathon and it was pretty cool to have what is a landmark run for me in this town.


To the scrote with his tracksuit pants tucked inside his socks who thought he was being funny with his vile comments towards some of the women running and by trying to jump out in front of runners at the last second, now you know what it feels like when a 6'3 16.5 stone man does not change direction to avoid your underfed carcass, hope it hurts. You were in the minority today in terms of not supporting the runners, and the crap you were doing was dangerous, so again I hope landing on your arse hurt.


This event will get better and better now that the first one is done. I am already looking foward to running in next year's marathon here. Well done Limerick, your people did you proud today.

grasscutter

Kess73 wrote: »

I would like to say a big thanks to all the people who cheered on the runners and walkers today. It can make a big difference for runners, especially to some of those who were running their first marathon today. That cheer or friendly encouragement gave a lot of people the boost they needed to get across the line.

Kudos also to those who gave up their free time to help out at water stations and the like, and who helped with the medals etc. You guys and gals played a huge part in today, and I hope you were told that a lot by all involved.

Yep

did the half and I would certainly like to say thanks to all the volunteers and race organisers because it was a great day. Pipe Band by Johns Castle and the Brass Band on the Ennis Road certainly gave a weary runner a lift. I will certainly give it a go next year

Favourite memory would be the big crowd of runners heading up O'Connell Street at the start. I would be interested to know the final numbers. What about that bridge at the Crescent.... certainly alot easier in the car:-)

Kess73

grasscutter wrote: »

Yep

did the half and I would certainly like to say thanks to all the volunteers and race organisers because it was a great day. Pipe Band by Johns Castle and the Brass Band on the Ennis Road certainly gave a weary runner a lift. I will certainly give it a go next year

Favourite memory would be the big crowd of runners heading up O'Connell Street at the start. I would be interested to know the final numbers. What about that bridge at the Crescent.... certainly alot easier in the car:-)

I live not too far from that bridge so am well used to it as I use that area as part of one of my training routes. Also I do a fair bit of training in hilly areas in the county coupled with in Clare and Kerry so the Creek bridge is no challenge at this point.


My favourite memory was hanging around for a few hours after I finished to watch a friend of mine finish her first marathon. Was so proud of her when she finished as she had put in a hell of a lot of effort into her training despite some recent setbacks in her life, and the smile on her face when she knew she had done it was awesome.

thesimpsons

certainly it was a great day - the sheer volume of walkers/runners on the Ennis Road which I saw was fairly astounding. Fair play to everyone, and the city looked great in the sunshine too. Surely this will be an annual event now.

Only disappointment is that I took a visitor up to see Thomond Park this evening and there are hundreds of water cups left behind right outside the entrance. I guess this was a water zone - pity it wasn't tidied up afterwards.

MissHoneyBun

thesimpsons wrote: »

Only disappointment is that I took a visitor up to see Thomond Park this evening and there are hundreds of water cups left behind right outside the entrance. I guess this was a water zone - pity it wasn't tidied up afterwards.

You think that's bad? I was on O'Connell Street at about 8pm this evening and I literally couldn't believe my eyes at the state it was in. Literally hundreds and hundreds of Ballygowan water bottles, banana skins, cardboard boxes and crisp bags, sweet wrappers strewn across the full length of both footpaths on each side of the road. It was absolutely disgusting. I did see Limerick City Council vans out trying to address the situation as I was leaving the area and a good job they were because the entire area looked like a Third World scrap heap.

--amadeus--

thesimpsons wrote: »

Only disappointment is that I took a visitor up to see Thomond Park this evening and there are hundreds of water cups left behind right outside the entrance. I guess this was a water zone - pity it wasn't tidied up afterwards.

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

You think that's bad? I was on O'Connell Street at about 8pm this evening and I literally couldn't believe my eyes at the state it was in. Literally hundreds and hundreds of Ballygowan water bottles, banana skins, cardboard boxes and crisp bags, sweet wrappers strewn across the full length of both footpaths on each side of the road. It was absolutely disgusting. I did see Limerick City Council vans out trying to address the situation as I was leaving the area and a good job they were because the entire area looked like a Third World scrap heap.

Ahh give them a chance!! They were out at 5am coning the roads off and teh clean up and strip down will be going on long after the runners are all tucked up in bed tonight - in fairness if you saw LCC cleaning up the mess why not give them a chance to finish the job before coming on here and slagging off the state of the place?

Aidric

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

You think that's bad? I was on O'Connell Street at about 8pm this evening and I literally couldn't believe my eyes at the state it was in. Literally hundreds and hundreds of Ballygowan water bottles, banana skins, cardboard boxes and crisp bags, sweet wrappers strewn across the full length of both footpaths on each side of the road. It was absolutely disgusting. I did see Limerick City Council vans out trying to address the situation as I was leaving the area and a good job they were because the entire area looked like a Third World scrap heap.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Millie

My OH ran the full marathon today and I am so proud of him!
Kudo's to all and it was great and quite emotional waiting for someone you knew to cross the finish line.
I met a lovely woman who's daughter and son were running and she was as proud as punch so it was nice to feel like that in Limerick (for a change).

Well done Johnny

PaudieMac

I did indeed. Enjoyed it to. Would have prefered to be running but hey cycle around and take pictures and give out some water is something to do this time.

MissHoneyBun

Aidric wrote: »

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Er, Aidric can you and your rolleyes stop stalking my posts? It's getting kind of pathetic.

Millie

For once can this not turn into a you versus me thing and just wish all who made it a great day be celebrated.

OwenM

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

Er, Aidric can you and your rolleyes stop stalking my posts? It's getting kind of pathetic.

If a post ever deserved rolleyes that was it.

Aidric

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

Er, Aidric can you and your rolleyes stop stalking my posts? It's getting kind of pathetic.

Stalking your posts? Don't be codding yourself. I, along with many other have pulled you up time and again for your consistent negative attacks in this forum. Your last comment about a 'third world scrap heap' was quite frankly laughable and deserved every rolleyes it got. You do realise that there was approx 5k people competing in a marathon around the city as well as their families, supporters, volunteers. Throw in to the mix the Munster match and the Riverfest and that's a lot of foot traffic. Of course there is going to be rubbish but it will get cleared eventually. You honestly expected the place to be spotless a couple of hours after the marathon finished? Get real.

Sorry for taking this ot but it needed to be said. Congratulations to all who took part in the marathon today.

thesimpsons

I wasn't giving out about the council not cleaning up, it was the people manning the water tables I thought should have cleaned up after themselves - assuming they had some kind of surface/tables for the water cups. Surely when taking away the tables they should have seen the mess themselves. Any private group hosting an event should have cleaning staff organised for straight away afterwards to clean up, not just rely on the council (unless they have actually contracted/paid the council to do it). It would have only taken a few minutes to clear the cups at the entrance. Didn't see O'Connell st but guessing it was probably more spread out and harder to clear up.

I still think it was a great event. I wasn't slagging it off - just disapointed at the mess left behind afterwards.