Boards Athletic Club - Race?

Van.Bosch

Hi,I was just wondering if the Boards Athletic club have ever considered putting on their own 5 mile (for example) race similar to other atlethic clubs? With the amount of experience people on here have, I would imagine it would be an excellent event, but obviously it would take a lot of organisation.Just curious if it has ever been looked at?

Daithi BC

At least you could be guaranteed that it would be 5 miles, and not 4.9.

Mick Rice

Think this is an excellent idea!

What about a nice central location now :-)

tunguska

Great idea. I nominate Woddle to organise it!!!

RayCun

Of course, to make everyon happy, it would have to be a sprint section in Cork, then a cycle to Galway, followed by a run over to Dublin.... stopping off for a few lengths of a pool along the way.

Krusty_Clown

RayCun wrote: »

Of course, to make everyon happy, it would have to be a sprint section in Cork, then a cycle to Galway, followed by a run over to Dublin.... stopping off for a few lengths of a pool along the way.

You forget the hill-run in Wicklow.

shels4ever

The idea has popped up a few times but never seems to be a runner...

donothoponpop

shels4ever wrote: »

The idea has popped up a few times but never seems to be a runner...

An informal race, (without insurance, closed roads, etc), might work, but a proper AAI-sanctioned event would be much harder to organize. The volunteer base isn't there. At a physical club its easier to "press-gang" volunteers into roles (organizing/marshaling, etc.), difficult to get people involved when they only meet on the internet.

It's a great idea all right, but everyone* would want to run, and not organize, and as the race directors on here will tell you, there's a hell of a lot of organization involved.

*ok, not everyone, but a tipping-point majority.

BeepBeep67

donothoponpop wrote: »

An informal race, (without insurance, closed roads, etc), might work, but a proper AAI-sanctioned event would be much harder to organize. The volunteer base isn't there. At a physical club its easier to "press-gang" volunteers into roles (organizing/marshaling, etc.), difficult to get people involved when they only meet on the internet.

It's a great idea all right, but everyone* would want to run, and not organize, and as the race directors on here will tell you, there's a hell of a lot of organization involved.

*ok, not everyone, but a tipping-point majority.

+1, informal guerilla type event (like the base jumpers), location only know through a private boards forum - turn up 5 mins before the event, run and discuss at the nearest pub. Off roadish is probably easiest to orgainise - trail, Marlay, Shanganagh for example.
Other ideas could be orgainsed 20 mile runs in advance of DCM, etc.

SharkTale

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

+1, informal guerilla type event (like the base jumpers), location only know through a private boards forum - turn up 5 mins before the event, run and discuss at the nearest pub. Off roadish is probably easiest to orgainise - trail, Marlay, Shanganagh for example.
Other ideas could be orgainsed 20 mile runs in advance of DCM, etc.

Excellent idea....." Flashmob" just turn up and run. Mile race around St.Stephen's Green on a Saturday morning.We could start outside Anglo Irish Banks, close the road off with cones and run run run!!!

Mick Rice

I'm not so sure it'd be that hard.

I've RD'd a few races before and with a core group of 5-6 people and a well chosen course it's not impossible to do. a number of events I've organised or helped at have been 50% organised over email.

The key issues are insurance, location, distance and numbers participating and there are way's around all of these issues.

If there was sufficient enthusiasm here generally, I'd be more than happy to lead the charge on the organisational front. There are a lot of people here, including myself who've done this before and know all the pitfalls. We'd also have access to much of the equipment needed gratis.

Woddle

A lap of Marlay park is 2 miles, a nice distance for all levels, it would be informal and on a Sunday morning the park does be empty enough alternatively an evening race would suit also.

christeb

The cycling lads are doing a Boards TT on the hill in Howth, there are lots of little routes up there that would work.

And convenient pour moi of course!

TheRoadRunner

I'd be up for organising this. I have a course and have organised races on it before. The route is closed to all roads and is quite picturesque (anybody who has ran BHAA maynooth xc race would know it.

Race could be xc or road (my preference). We have access to showers and changing facilities also. If people would like refreshments we could put a small cost of 3-5 euro per entry and I could sort these also.

TheRoadRunner

One other thing because the loop is closed to roads and impossible to get lost on there would be no requirement for marshalls.

Peckham

Nice one RoadRunner.

Is there a good pub near this route? That should be the deciding factor.

Brianderunner

Great idea, this should happen. preferably not on the same weekend as other races or too close to DCM etc. Maynooth is grand, on the rail line and generally easily accessible. The universities road relays are on there every year.

Van.Bosch

What kind of distance suits the route you have in mind?Does anyone have any idea of dates? I guess it might be best if after DCM?

BeepBeep67

Van.Bosch wrote: »

What kind of distance suits the route you have in mind?Does anyone have any idea of dates? I guess it might be best if after DCM?

Sounds like a potential for the first Boards Hash House Run

Krusty_Clown

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I'd be up for organising this. I have a course and have organised races on it before. The route is closed to all roads and is quite picturesque (anybody who has ran BHAA maynooth xc race would know it.

Race could be xc or road (my preference). We have access to showers and changing facilities also. If people would like refreshments we could put a small cost of 3-5 euro per entry and I could sort these also.

And finally revenge for the WW relay can be yours.
Seriously though, it's be great to get something like this organized, and the simpler the better. I'd be happy to help out.

How many live Boards AC members do we have at this stage? (Obviously the race would need to be open to all, but we should be hitting up BAC for volunteers (think cucumber sandwiches!)).

lecheile

Great location for the proposed event;). If you are planning to open to all I will round up a band of 20-30 to make the short journey west! Regardless of open access, happy to help with any equipment that you may need like cones, shelters etc.

TheRoadRunner

Peckham wrote: »

Is there a good pub near this route? That should be the deciding factor.

There are indeed. 5 minutes walk

Brianderunner wrote: »

The universities road relays are on there every year.

This is the loop I'm suggesting. It's 1,604 metres or nearly a mile:)

Van.Bosch wrote: »

What kind of distance suits the route you have in mind?Does anyone have any idea of dates? I guess it might be best if after DCM?

5k or 4 miles is what I had in mind.

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

And finally revenge for the WW relay can be yours.

That's why I'm proposing to organise this on my home turf:D

lecheile wrote: »

If you are planning to open to all I will round up a band of 20-30 to make the short journey west! Regardless of open access, happy to help with any equipment that you may need like cones, shelters etc.

Open to all should be fine as long as I have an idea of the numbers before the day. Cones and shelter would be much appreciated. If anybody has a connection for a clock that would be great. The BHAA may be able to help with that ????

How about we provisionally say the last weekend in November first in December. I need to the sports officer here to make sure all of the above is fine. Would people be willing to pay a fiver, this would cover facilities/refreshments and small prizes?

Krusty_Clown

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Would people be willing to pay a fiver, this would cover facilities/refreshments and small prizes?

Absolutely. An absolute bargain. particularly if we could a fixed distance, like 5k or 5 miles or something. Moderators: could we get a poll to check out potential attendance?

hunnymonster

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Moderators: could we get a poll to check out potential attendance?

done.

TheRoadRunner

Just looking at the poll and it's not clear if the race will be road or xc. I had envisaged a road race but xc is possible also.

hunnymonster

I'll add 2 options
1. I'd prefer XC
2. I'd prefer road
multiple choices are possible so people can say independently if they would take part and then what surface they would prefer? That ok?

shels4ever

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I'd be up for organising this. I have a course and have organised races on it before. The route is closed to all roads and is quite picturesque (anybody who has ran BHAA maynooth xc race would know it.

Race could be xc or road (my preference). We have access to showers and changing facilities also. If people would like refreshments we could put a small cost of 3-5 euro per entry and I could sort these also.

I'd tried to get a series of events like this going and maybe having 3-4 races over the winter, moving around dublin but didnt seem to take off at the time. Lots of parks around there that could hold 5k races.. have a route in corkagh too that...

So hope your course will be 5k and not 5.9873211 k

TheRoadRunner

OK things are getting a little complicated. It has been pointed out to me that a permit may be necessary for the race also national novice is first week of December so now we're looking at last week in November. I have also had some kind offers to get a permit if need be so many thanks for that.

Here's my question if this is just for BOARDS ac members I guess we don't need a permit as it is a club race for club members. If runners who are BOARDS AC members (like myself) are allowed to run we probably need a permit. I guess that is why this race has never taken place but can be easily overcome IMO

hunnymonster

Am I correct in saying that AAI permits are applied for through county boards? Is there a standardised procedure for applications?

shels4ever

hunnymonster wrote: »

Am I correct in saying that AAI permits are applied for through county boards? Is there a standardised procedure for applications?

Course needs to be measured , then form submitted to county board to be approved at the monthly meeting (advised to be 6 months before the event ) Then its passed to the AAI head office to be approved .

Woddle

Would we need a permit for a race comprised of boards ac members and selected guests.
Clonliffe do sth similar doubt they get a permit but I could be wrong

shels4ever

Woddle wrote: »

Would we need a permit for a race comprised of boards ac members and selected guests.
Clonliffe do sth similar doubt they get a permit but I could be wrong

I know Raheny have a permit for all their 2 mile series, and I think clonliff do also but not 100% sure.

But if it was an internal club cc race then i'm not sure if it is needed (guests can be invited).

BeepBeep67

Woddle wrote: »

Would we need a permit for a race comprised of boards ac members and selected guests.
Clonliffe do sth similar doubt they get a permit but I could be wrong

I'd take the Raheny Lord Mayor's series approach - I doubt they have permits for those - maybe christeb can confirm?

shels4ever

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

I'd take the Raheny Lord Mayor's series approach - I doubt they have permits for those - maybe christeb can confirm?

Yep they do, was at a meeting last year when the application went in for the whole series.

smmoore79

I like the flashmob style idea. Just turn up at a prearranged spot and run!! No permits, insurance etc.... Somewhere like the back of the Phoenix park where there are only deer to bother you would be good. From 1 end of the 15 acres to the magazine fort and back XC style

shels4ever

smmoore79 wrote: »

I like the flashmob style idea. Just turn up at a prearranged spot and run!! No permits, insurance etc.... Somewhere like the back of the Phoenix park where there are only deer to bother you would be good. From 1 end of the 15 acres to the magazine fort and back XC style

Sounds like some sort of fight club now.. there is only one rule of running club and thats........

I think if a club started to do something like this it wouldnt be very wise to write about it on a public forum

smmoore79

shels4ever wrote: »

Sounds like some sort of fight club now.. there is only one rule of running club and thats........

I think if a club started to do something like this it wouldnt be very wise to write about it on a public forum

Was just thinking out loud, maybe not an official boards race. Just a bunch of boardsie's turning up and racing each other.. If its a success, then you could always make it official at a later date. I like your fight club angle though

gerard65

smmoore79 wrote: »

Was just thinking out loud, maybe not an official boards race. Just a bunch of boardsie's turning up and racing each other.. If its a success, then you could always make it official at a later date. I like your fight club angle though

Just happened to be in the same place at the same time and decided to have a race.;)

Woddle

Anyone fancy a 2 mile race on Sunday morn, 10am in Marlay?

Van.Bosch

Wow - I only posted this as a random thought that came into my head. Then I go back to work and log back on there is a poll etc and a lot of kind offers from numerous people. Fair play to you all.I would be well up for it in the last weekend in November.

BeepBeep67

Woddle wrote: »

Anyone fancy a 2 mile race on Sunday morn, 10am in Marlay?

If there's volnteers to looking after the kids - yes, the OH is away.

sarsfieldsrock

Great idea but it would be even better if it came to fruition.
The last weekend in Nov should give plenty of time for planning it.
Maybe it would be easier to organise as a club race first?

TheRoadRunner

sarsfieldsrock wrote: »

Great idea but it would be even better if it came to fruition.
The last weekend in Nov should give plenty of time for planning it.
Maybe it would be easier to organise as a club race first?

I agree with everything said above. I can see how this has lost steam in the past. How about it's run as a Boards AC club race open to Boards AC runners only. I'll leave it to yourselves to invite a small number of people. This should circumvent race permits (I think).

Woddle

Sounds excellent RR, if you need any help let me know.

shels4ever

Maybe a poll to see how many BAC runners will race, Actually how many BAC members have siad they would in the thread?
I like the idea of a race and would help out... even if i am a BAC splitter..

Would give a hand too on this.

TheRoadRunner

Woddle wrote: »

Sounds excellent RR, if you need any help let me know.

OK so any non-Boards runners should PM Woddle to seek an invitation to this Boards club race.

ronanmac

This race is an absolutely fantastic idea. If nothing else, it would give me an excuse to meet fellow Boards AC members who I've never met, there being few BAC members west of the Corrib! Also, perhaps it would be a good idea for BAC members to contribute to some sort of post-race snack/food, all on a voluntary basis. Bringing sandwiches from Galway would probably result in very soggy sandwiches, but I'm sure I could provide a carbohydrate-laden cake or energy-boosting biscuits... I hope this goes ahead, looking forward to it already!

TheRoadRunner

ronanmac wrote: »

Also, perhaps it would be a good idea for BAC members to contribute to some sort of post-race snack/food, all on a voluntary basis.

If people are happy with the fiver contribution I should be able to look after this. Of course cakes etc would be welcomed as well

Woddle

I'll bring the bikkies
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=67424350&postcount=22

madon

Does anyone know if you can hire the track at ALSAA- if so could that be an option?
Boards AC v the rest of the world- distance easily measured- could run 5k and 10k- would need less to marshall?
Plus I'm nearly sure theres a bar there.

meathcountysec

Ok, this is a BAC organised event so it is up to yourselves how/where/when it is organised, and who gets to take part etc.

I think it’s a great idea and wish you all well. (Might even take part subject to date/time/etc.)

Just a few points though.

You are an AAI registered club and should not be seen to be actively trying to circumvent the race permitting process.

If you do not have an AAI permit then you must ensure you have adequate insurance cover in place. As club members you would be covered by virtue of your registration with AAI, as would any other AAI registered athletes who took part. However, if any non-AAI registered persons (whether guests or not) take part they will not be covered.

The insurance issue may also impact on the availability or otherwise of any venue.

Getting a permit is not a major task (cost €50.00). It’s more a matter of not clashing with a similar event.

@TheRoadRunner, in my experience if you are passionate about it and push it on people will come on board. If you sit back and wait for people to put up their hands then nothing will happen. Go for it.