Kildare Marathon/Half Marathon/10K 15/5/2011

kit3

Half marathon course
Race website
Last years thread



Hi,

I've just entered the half again. Reduced fees if you enter before Octboer 31st for anyone who's interested.

tang1

Entered the 10km myself the other day, €20 is not bad for what you get for your money.

delta_bravo

Anyone doing this? I have been thinking about doing a marathon and think I might go for this one as its nearby to me. I think this will be the first ever Kildare marathon as last year was a half marathon. Anyone know if it will be a difficult course for a complete novice? I'm starting training now (furthest distance I have done so far is 10k in about 55mins)

The Full Marathon starts and finishes at The Curragh Racecourse and you will experience some of the best scenery that Kildare has to offer. Once you leave The Curragh Racecourse the course will take you through parts of the Curragh and lead you through to Milltown and then onto Newbridge Town. After you run through Newbridge you then pass through quaint Kildare villages then onto the outskirts of The Curragh once again.

The course then takes runners back to the beautiful landscape of the Curragh where you will pass by the famous Donnelly’s Hollow. Once arriving back to the Curragh you will meet up with the Half Marathon course and runners at mile 1 and continue by passing by some of the famous Stud Farms of the world.

Anyone else doing it or know how many participants are expected?

clawless

I'd do the half marathon as I've only done 10ks before, think I'd need to get it under the belt before I attempted the whole thing.
It looks good though

Cooldog

I am thinking of doing this, just wondering if anyone who done it last year has any information on the course. (Harder, easier than Dublin, Cork marathons ?)

cwgatling

4 stars (good)

Didn't do it last year, but I have it on good authority that it's hillier than Dublin. No map on the site yet.

Cooldog

cwgatling wrote: »

Didn't do it last year, but I have it on good authority that it's hillier than Dublin. No map on the site yet.

Thanks for that, will give it a skip so. Will probably head to Edinburgh or Rotterdam. Anyone else know of any good fast flat ones??

ultraman1

cwgatling wrote: »

Didn't do it last year, but I have it on good authority that it's hillier than Dublin. No map on the site yet.

as in hillier than dublin marathon??

sarsfieldsrock

I did the half last year and it wasn't that hilly. About the same as Dublin. Now I haven't seen the full marathon course but the half wasn't exactly a killer. Bit of a drag for the last two miles but nothing that would kill you.

lecheile

3 stars (average)

cwgatling wrote: »

Didn't do it last year, but I have it on good authority that it's hillier than Dublin. No map on the site yet.

cwgatling.. if its the half you are referring to - Kildare is more flat than Dublin - Kildare course last year here, and Dublin Half here. Kildare showing an elevation gain of 93m (Dublin 100m) and an elevation loss of 107m (Dublin 100m)

Don't know what the exact route for this year's event is, but there is plenty of flat land around the curragh. It was a very well run event last year and I expect 2011 to be no different.

cwgatling

4 stars (good)

I was talking about the full. A guy who is going to be pacing it told me it was fairly hilly. It doesn't bother me, I'm signed up anyway.

Agreed about the organisation, I have praised it on here before.

anymore

cwgatling wrote: »

Didn't do it last year, but I have it on good authority that it's hillier than Dublin. No map on the site yet.

Dublin couldnt be considered hilly !

cwgatling

4 stars (good)

I don't consider it hilly. I didn't say it was

Krusty_Clown

3 stars (average)

cwgatling wrote: »

I was talking about the full. A guy who is going to be pacing it told me it was fairly hilly.

Who was that? Sure they all post here.

cwgatling

4 stars (good)

I don't think so, but I'll PM you his name.

I didn't mean that post to be controversial! I was running with the guy and he asked me if I had any marathons planned. I told him about the Kildare one and he said that it was hilly. I asked him if it was hillier than Dublin and he said yes!

Fluorescence

Hmm.. Thinking of doing the half marathon. I'm only just finishing up C25k at the moment though, do ye all think it'd be ok for me to train for it? Don't wanna do too much too soon, but I don't have any other goals atm besides a new year's 5k, the mini marathon in June and the Dublin marathon in 2012. Decisions, decisions.

That said, the Hal Higdon novice programme is only 12 weeks. I'd have plenty of time to build up to a 10k before starting it.

shazkea

2 stars (poor)

fluorescence wrote: »

Hmm.. Thinking of doing the half marathon. I'm only just finishing up C25k at the moment though, do ye all think it'd be ok for me to train for it? Don't wanna do too much too soon, but I don't have any other goals atm besides a new year's 5k, the mini marathon in June and the Dublin marathon in 2012. Decisions, decisions.

That said, the Hal Higdon novice programme is only 12 weeks. I'd have plenty of time to build up to a 10k before starting it.

The Kildare Half was my first last year and I would recommend it highly. I was in a similar position to you last year. After my C25K, I used a 5 mile plan to build up the Raheny 5 Mile race at end of Jan and then started Hal's novice half after that. My goal was to get around it and not worry about time. If I can do it, you certainly can . I'm still a novice though so others with more experience may be able to advise you better.

Fluorescence

Thanks! I think I might go for it. I'll need to check when the UCD semester 2 exams are scheduled for before I register though, as I think they may be around the same time.

Was just out for my W8D3 run of c25k this evening - 2.15mi in 28 minutes. Boy does the 13.1 seem a long way off right now! :eek:

anymore

cwgatling wrote: »

I don't consider it hilly. I didn't say it was

OK !:D

smmoore79

Not sure if this has a thread, couldnt find one anyway. Might give this a try in May. Its in and around the Curragh, anyone have any idea about the course? Im imagining that it'll be relatively flat due it being horse country! Link below...

http://www.kildaremarathon.ie/

jacquib

A few of the guys in my running club done the half marathon of this last year. It wasnt as flat as they thought it was going to be. Im not sure if they are going with the same course as last year but im sure they should have maybe a course map on their website. You should enter as early as you can if your thinking of doing it as I was only looking at the website the other day & the price goes up a few times as you get nearer to the date.

kennyb3

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056073424&highlight=kildare

ger34

4 stars (good)

Course is up on website now http://www.kildaremarathon.ie/full_marathon.html

rainbow kirby

Sharp downhill from the start, could be very easy to go off too quickly! :eek:

Nialler73

Whilst not an expert, that course gradient looks a bit more challenging than I expected. I'd presumed this would be reasonably flat. I know the marathon is a new addition this year but does anyone know if that last few miles is as rough as it looks?

ultraman1

Nialler73 wrote: »

Whilst not an expert, that course gradient looks a bit more challenging than I expected. I'd presumed this would be reasonably flat. I know the marathon is a new addition this year but does anyone know if that last few miles is as rough as it looks?

its not as rough as the elavation suggests,.....to quote Frank Mc "is not a hill its an incline"....

menoscemo

Nialler73 wrote: »

Whilst not an expert, that course gradient looks a bit more challenging than I expected. I'd presumed this would be reasonably flat. I know the marathon is a new addition this year but does anyone know if that last few miles is as rough as it looks?

Most of the inclines are only 1 or max 2% which is not very steep. I'd say that graph makes it look worse than it is.

I would be interested in knowing the total ascents/decents in the course in metres.

I think I might give this marathon a lash to establish where I'm at interms of marathon times.

Runner_11

Im doing this and it will be my first half marathon, what do people think of the course??as far as half marathons go?

Seres

heard good things bout this one last year , if im back on form i will consider doin it , will they have pacers ?

curraghyid

2 stars (poor)

Nialler73 wrote: »

Whilst not an expert, that course gradient looks a bit more challenging than I expected. I'd presumed this would be reasonably flat. I know the marathon is a new addition this year but does anyone know if that last few miles is as rough as it looks?

Last few miles are fine, climb out of athgarvan cross to the top of hill approx .8mile and ballysax hills which are fairly gradual are the only "hills" I can see on course apart from that a few inclines nothing too serious.
loking foward to it now:)

Oisin11178

3 stars (average)

Runner_11 wrote: »

Im doing this and it will be my first half marathon, what do people think of the course??as far as half marathons go?

Yes there are pacers. 30 min gaps. 1 per group for the marathon. There are pacers fnr the half to but im not sure how many. Anto "ultrarunner" or le cheile are the men to ask

SnappyDresser

3 stars (average)

Planning my 8th marathon and generally I prefer the rural type marathons. Looked at Kildare marathon and it seems a very good setup and appear to get your bang for your buck (is this true with Kildare from those who have done the 10k/half/full ?). Belfast is cheaper but the feedback I see is generally not great, the route uninspiring...going to make a decision sometime today...

elvis jones

I'm looking at the half but 45 quid:eek:

I think i'll be looking elsewhere.

yungwan

Training for the Half myself.

2nd 1/2 marathon for me, hoping to do better than my last one in Aug.

Hope its as good as I hear.

elvis jones

Good to know your back on the trail, i have my 1st triathlon in April and i'll focus on the half then ( if i can justlfy 45 sqiud )

pistol_75

Hoping to do half as well. Did the 1/2 as part of the race series for DCM last year so looking to see what I can do training specifically for a 1/2.

Price is steep but that is what you get when being run by an event management company I suppose

jacquib

I was looking at the prizes that they are giving. They are only giving to the 1st 3 men & women. There doesnt seem to be any age catagories which a lot of races would have, which is a bit much considering how much they are charging. There seems to be a lot of these races popping up lately & can charge what they like & make a tidy profit. I suppose if people are going to pay these prices they will continue to do so.

tang1

Know there is conflicting opinions here in relation to t-shirts in regards races, but when i signed up for the 10km in this back in December i was asked what size technical t-shirt i was. Just checked website and see the 10km runners are only getting cotton t-shirts now and half and full marathon are getting tech shirts. I would get alot of use from a technical t shirt in regards training and such, cotton one will only gather dust in a drawer. I know there is a price difference in all races, but Dunboyne 4mile is giving you a technical t shirt for 15 euro. Not be coming back here next year. Only entered it cause of the reduced rate back in December. I know i'll be told i'm stupid and its a pointless argument, but i was told i was getting a tech t shirt and now getting something totally different than what i paid for.

ultraman1

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Yes there are pacers. 30 min gaps. 1 per group for the marathon. There are pacers fnr the half to but im not sure how many. Anto "ultrarunner" or le cheile are the men to ask

1:30...1:45...2:00...for the half
3:00...3:30...4:00....4:30....for the full

sarsfieldsrock

tang1 wrote: »

Know there is conflicting opinions here in relation to t-shirts in regards races, but when i signed up for the 10km in this back in December i was asked what size technical t-shirt i was. Just checked website and see the 10km runners are only getting cotton t-shirts now and half and full marathon are getting tech shirts. I would get alot of use from a technical t shirt in regards training and such, cotton one will only gather dust in a drawer. I know there is a price difference in all races, but Dunboyne 4mile is giving you a technical t shirt for 15 euro. Not be coming back here next year. Only entered it cause of the reduced rate back in December. I know i'll be told i'm stupid and its a pointless argument, but i was told i was getting a tech t shirt and now getting something totally different than what i paid for.

I am doing the marathon and I hate the technical tshirts. If I want training gear then I will buy it myself. I just threw a tonne of those technical tshirts into the clothes bank. I liked the old Dublin marathon cotton sweatshirt.
If you get a large cotton tshirt I will swap with you and we will both be happy!

tang1

That would be excellant, thanks SarsfieldRock, i have large ordered in the cotton t-shirt alright.(Apologies for sounding like a kid)

Seres

elvis jones wrote: »

Good to know your back on the trail, i have my 1st triathlon in April and i'll focus on the half then ( if i can justlfy 45 sqiud )

havin second thoughts after readin that, 45 smackers !

The Hammer

2 stars (poor)

sarsfieldsrock wrote: »

I just threw a tonne of those technical tshirts into the clothes bank.
:eek::eek:

Next time you build up a surplus of technical t-shirts from the races - you can throw them into a friendly boards.ie clothes bank - AKA my wardrobe

Actually that could be an idea ... race t-shirt exchange on here?

ultraman1

Seres wrote: »

havin second thoughts after readin that, 45 smackers !

it was 30quid and then up to 38 ,still a cheaper option than conn,cork and achill(not giving out about races mentiond as i have done them all and will be doin them again)

elvis jones

ultraman1 wrote: »

it was 30quid and then up to 38 ,still a cheaper option than conn,cork and achill(not giving out about races mentiond as i have done them all and will be doin them again)

Was and is are tweo different things if your honest.

Currently the price is 45 and will only go up.....................

Not everyone can put a race in their diary months in advance and if you can't you end up paying more.

kit3

3 stars (average)

Did the half here last year & it was very well run. The organisers looked for suggestions after it and seem to have taken them on board eg earlier starting time, water in bottles etc. I availed of the early price (€30) so no complaints from me on price - a lot of other races don't give this option. Looking forward to it.

elvis jones

Correction on the price of 45 euro

There is an online booking fee of 8.7% (from our online booking provider)

So 48.90......................................;):rolleyes:

ultraman1

If you think its not good value or not for you,do what i do ,dont enter,or contact the race organiser if you have any issues....

(for the record i am not part of the race organisers and cannot speak for them,i know the RD,and answer any queries i can on here,if i cant answer i ask the RD.i have organised the pacers and measured the course as an AAI course measurer)

Fluorescence

I'm registered for the half, but I'm not sure if I should still go for it or not. I only started running last October, and I'm only just back from an extended break (thanks to a misbehaving tendon in my knee) now. Is it too late to hop back into a training plan and still do the race?

jacquib

Ease back into your training for a few weeks and then go back to your plan. You should be ok for your half marathon. If nearer the time you dont feel that you are up to the half, use it as a training run & pick another half marathon if your looking to do a time

tphelan

Hi - anyone close to the race organisers have any idea of the profile of the entrants for the marathon. This will be my first marathon and I am now worried that there will be a smaller/faster field for a new event like this [no particluar logic, just a thought] and they'll all have packed up and gone home by the time I've finished!! Hoping to finish in the 4-4:30 mark.