Is walking a Half-Marathon ok ?

Soul Stretcher

Hi All - minor decision to make:

Basically have a place booked to run Half-Marathon in Connemara this weekend.

For various boring reason, I'm not fit to run a half-marathon but I see from their website they have a walkers section for the half.

Is this a totally wussy thing to do ? I mean to be out walking as the suffering masses overtake you ? It kind of feels like not showing solidarity with those who do make the effort to run.

I would actually love to do the walk as the course is supposed to be very scenic and the exercise would do me the world of good. Just don't want to take away the atmosphere of the event for the runners is all.

What would you do ?

Thanks

--amadeus--

No offence but the runners won't even notice the walkers! If you want to do it then do it but please start from the designated walkers section so that you don't get in anyones way.

Krusty_Clown

If I remember correctly, the walkers start an hour before the runners, so make sure you take advantage of the early start. I also remember they will disqualify anyone they find running, and recommend that walking the course should take 3 hours+.

Don't worry about getting in the way of the runners. The only people who frustrate the runners are those who prevent the runners from making progress, e.g. walking three abreast with no room to pass.

It's a fab course and it would be a huge waste to not participate in the event, so go for it. You'll be in good company.

zico10

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

If I remember correctly, the walkers start an hour before the runners, so make sure you take advantage of the early start. I also remember they will disqualify anyone they find running, and recommend that walking the course should take 3 hours+.

I'm not so sure that do, at least I don't think anybody was disqualified when I did the full two years ago. Lots of supposed walkers were running/walking and even if nobody had seen them, common sense would have told you that they didn't get the times they did by walking.

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Don't worry about getting in the way of the runners. The only people who frustrate the runners are those who prevent the runners from making progress, e.g. walking three abreast with no room to pass.

It's a fab course and it would be a huge waste to not participate in the event, so go for it. You'll be in good company.

But Krusty is right it's a great course, you paid a lot for your entry and it'd be a shame to waste it.

Ruu_Old

Better than sitting your backside on the couch, enjoy.

Soul Stretcher

Thanks folks - I think I will do it.

Time to me is totally irrelevant - it takes as long as it takes. I won't be running at all.

I've recently took up hill-walking and I'm going to look at it as a hill-walk of sorts through Connemara. Hopefully will be able to enjoy the scenery more without feeling the discomfort of running especially in the later stages.

Good Luck to all who are running !!

Krusty_Clown

zico10 wrote: »

I'm not so sure that do, at least I don't think anybody was disqualified when I did the full two years ago. Lots of supposed walkers were running/walking and even if nobody had seen them, common sense would have told you that they didn't get the times they did by walking.

I think that's more of a threat (like shaking a big stick!). Obviously if you're walking, you shouldn't be taking a finishing position from the folks who started an hour later. Chip-timing should really look after this though.

Anyway, enjoy it Soul Stretcher. It saddens me not to make it this year (for the first time in 5 years). I'd gladly walk with you if I could!

BrokenMan

YOu might want to check with the organisers if you can go off witht he walkers group. you may need to have preregistered as a walker. If you cant just start at the back of the normal field and enjoy yourself.

sarsfieldsrock

You will be grand. Anyway you can get around is okay.
Just let the organisers know that you will be walking or the hours start might raise some eyebrows if you do run a bit of it.