19th June: Battle of the Curlews 10k - Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Krusty_Clown

The inagural Boyle Battle of the Curlews.. 10km road race and walk in Aid of the Roscommon Branch of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland. This very challenging and different 10km race and walk is,.. as in the beer add.." probably"the toughest 10km you may encounter for sometime. This race is designed to re-trace some of the steps where the Irish famously defeated the invading English Army in 1599,the Irish led by Red hughO'Donnell caught the invading English by surprise ,and today the story still lives in local folklore. ......Lets try it in period costume (optional)... Today for your 10.00 entry fee you can retrace some of those steps on this course which is steeped in history and enjoy some of the most magnificent views, this side of the country. After there will be a presentation & refreshments available in The Royal Hotel Boyle.

Anyone up for this? I understand that it's quite hilly, but would make a good training run for a future 10k PB attempt. Could be good for the laugh. I doubt there will be chip-timing, but for €10 it's hard to go wrong.

Seres

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Anyone up for this? I understand that it's quite hilly, but would make a good training run for a future 10k PB attempt. Could be good for the laugh. I doubt there will be chip-timing, but for €10 it's hard to go wrong.

ah sure its only in the road from me so will prob do as a training run as well , def not chipped and dont expect it to be accurate either , definitely a well testy run though , looks like the kids Birthday party will be shoved back to the saturday !

dna_leri

Seres wrote: »

ah sure its only in the road from me so will prob do as a training run as well , def not chipped and dont expect it to be accurate either , definitely a well testy run though , looks like the kids Birthday party will be shoved back to the saturday !

There is a route here which looks a bit long on mapmyrun, so may be subject to change, but looks steep uphill for 5K then back down again.

Good training for someone considering the real Warriors Run in August, that's my plan anyway. Hope to see a few more of you there.

DULLAHAN2

It looks like a nice run, i am very tempted to do it, if i can presuade the other half to let me

Krusty_Clown

dna_leri wrote: »

There is a route here which looks a bit long on mapmyrun, so may be subject to change, but looks steep uphill for 5K then back down again.

Looks like approximately 11.6kms (google maps). They could lop off around 1.5 kms by turning off at Comaneelta down to the R295, but that might not follow the original battle route.

Do you have a link to the mapmyrun route you created?

DULLAHAN2

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Looks like approximately 11.6kms (google maps). They could lop off around 1.5 kms by turning off at Comaneelta down to the R295, but that might not follow the original battle route.

Do you have a link to the mapmyrun route you created?

Just checked that on google maps, the start is up a nice big hill the first five or so km looks very slow while its all down hill back into boyle. Should be fun

Krusty_Clown

DULLAHAN2 wrote: »

Just checked that on google maps, the start is up a nice big hill the first five or so km looks very slow while its all down hill back into boyle. Should be fun

Yes indeed, the starting area is on a steep climb, which should be amusing indeed. Still, if they had someone at the 5k mark calling out splits, you could be guaranteed a PB for the second 5k!

dna_leri

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Looks like approximately 11.6kms (google maps). They could lop off around 1.5 kms by turning off at Comaneelta down to the R295, but that might not follow the original battle route.

Do you have a link to the mapmyrun route you created?

Here's the link. I also assumed a left at Cornameelta to make it 10K.

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Yes indeed, the starting area is on a steep climb, which should be amusing indeed. Still, if they had someone at the 5k mark calling out splits, you could be guaranteed a PB for the second 5k!

The first hill only shows as a bump on mapmyrun, the real hill comes between 1K & 5K.

Krusty_Clown

dna_leri wrote: »

Here's the link. I also assumed a left at Cornameelta to make it 10K.

Thanks. It's a private link at the moment though.

dna_leri wrote:

The first hill only shows as a bump on mapmyrun, the real hill comes between 1K & 5K.

Can you imagine the physiological impact of actually starting on a hill though?! Instead of burning out at the 3k mark, there will be runners grinding to an ugly halt after just 250m. I could be one of them.

dna_leri

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Thanks. It's a private link at the moment though.

Fixed.

Krusty_Clown

dna_leri wrote: »

Fixed.

Thanks. That's rough all right, but the back 5 really does look like a lot of fun!

Seres

gonna go a spin on the course morro , will let ye know my opinion after !

Krusty_Clown

Seres wrote: »

gonna go a spin on the course morro , will let ye know my opinion after !

Cool. Do you have a working Garmin to bring with you?

Seres

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Cool. Do you have a working Garmin to bring with you?

ya i do ! hard to read the screen while running but no problem with the recording

Seres

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92656117

heres the link

pretty much climbing for the first 5km , very steep in places , then next two k aredown hill , the road from 7-9km is quite windy , backward and not in great condition . There were km markings on the road up to six km , which were bang on , after that i didnt see anyway , there are markings on the road giving directions where to turn etc , there are a few extra places they need them so i will prob ring them morro bout these
Very tough course , some really lovely scenery if your into that during a race !

Krusty_Clown

Seres wrote: »

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92656117

heres the link

pretty much climbing for the first 5km , very steep in places , then next two k aredown hill , the road from 7-9km is quite windy , backward and not in great condition . There were km markings on the road up to six km , which were bang on , after that i didnt see anyway , there are markings on the road giving directions where to turn etc , there are a few extra places they need them so i will prob ring them morro bout these
Very tough course , some really lovely scenery if your into that during a race !

Thanks very much Seres. Much obliged! The hills don't look too bad. Do you reckon they'll have marshals on the day, to point the right direction? (bad experience in my last Roscommon race!).

By the way, 1:42/km is pretty nippy in the build-up to a race. Are you sure you're not over-doing it?

Seres

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Thanks very much Seres. Much obliged! The hills don't look too bad. Do you reckon they'll have marshals on the day, to point the right direction? (bad experience in my last Roscommon race!).

By the way, 1:42/km is pretty nippy in the build-up to a race. Are you sure you're not over-doing it?

not too sure if ill be able to do it but just wanted to go over the course in case , might have my own and other kids to look after but will drag them in to watch it with me anyway
ya i was told there will be marshals but im gonna ring them morro and just mention a few things i noted . I heard there is a great prize up for grabs too , €800 voucher for kilronan castle , dont let that birthday party wear ya out too much

dna_leri

Seres wrote: »

I heard there is a great prize up for grabs too , €800 voucher for kilronan castle ,

I'm sure that's not true, otherwise you would have loads of foreigners coming in from Dublin trying to win it

Krusty_Clown

dna_leri wrote: »

I'm sure that's not true, otherwise you would have loads of foreigners coming in from Dublin trying to win it

Lol. This will be my second weekend in a row in Roscommon, wich must at least classify me as a blow-in. I'll settle for not getting lost and adding an additional 5 miles to my race. This will be a training run for me, and judging by my form this week, I'd be better off aiming for the best period-costume prize. I was thinking of wearing an aran jumper, and putting a colander on my head. What are you going to wear dna_leri?

dna_leri

I have ordered one of these. Not sure about the historical accuracy but hope it arrives on time. Costumes are compulsory, aren't they?

brian77

Seres wrote: »

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92656117

heres the link

pretty much climbing for the first 5km , very steep in places , then next two k aredown hill , the road from 7-9km is quite windy , backward and not in great condition . There were km markings on the road up to six km , which were bang on , after that i didnt see anyway , there are markings on the road giving directions where to turn etc , there are a few extra places they need them so i will prob ring them morro bout these
Very tough course , some really lovely scenery if your into that during a race !

Hi Guys,

I am partecipating to the race, just paid the 10 euro fees!

Hope we wont have heavy rains :-)

Thats my first race in Ireland.

DULLAHAN2

I did this race today really enjoyed it. The last few hills near the end where a killer, there was a nice section in the middle of the race, where it was downhill legs got a nice rest from the hills at the start.

dna_leri

DULLAHAN2 wrote: »

I did this race today really enjoyed it. The last few hills near the end where a killer, there was a nice section in the middle of the race, where it was downhill legs got a nice rest from the hills at the start.

Was that you in the boards top? I said hello at the start but you were busy with your family. Looked for you afterwards but did not see you.

Tough race especially kms 8 & 9 but really enjoyed it. Will do a report later.

DULLAHAN2

dna_leri wrote: »

Was that you in the boards top? I said hello at the start but you were busy with your family. Looked for you afterwards but did not see you.

Tough race especially kms 8 & 9 but really enjoyed it. Will do a report later.

Yeah that was me, never heard ya sorry, my wee one was mad to get out of the buggy. I didnt stay long after the finish needed to get home. Good win By KC 38 mins i think he said

dna_leri

DULLAHAN2 wrote: »

Good win By KC 38 mins i think he said

Ya, stuck with him for as long as I could, about a mile, before he put the foot down. Held on for 2nd, in about 40 mins, better than I expected.

Emer911

dna_leri wrote: »

Ya, stuck with him for as long as I could, about a mile, before he put the foot down. Held on for 2nd, in about 40 mins, better than I expected.

Great race by both of ye. Congrats on that.

Tough course, but really enjoyed it myself. My race report is here (in case anyone is interested).

Top notch race, really well organised, lots of marshals, and a burger hot off the BBQ after. Super! And all for a tenner too. Sure where could you get better?

brian77

Emer911 wrote: »

Great race by both of ye. Congrats on that.

Tough course, but really enjoyed it myself. My race report is here (in case anyone is interested).

Top notch race, really well organised, lots of marshals, and a burger hot off the BBQ after. Super! And all for a tenner too. Sure where could you get better?

I Did the race too! very happy, completed in 49mins, it was tough but on of the best race ever!!!do you guys know if they will be sending us the time and maybe pictures?

Krusty_Clown

DULLAHAN2 wrote: »

Yeah that was me, never heard ya sorry, my wee one was mad to get out of the buggy. I didnt stay long after the finish needed to get home. Good win By KC 38 mins i think he said

39:17 (39:18 official). Delighted to bag my first ever win and really nice to put a face to the Boards monikers. Thanks too to dna_leri who kept me honest during the race (always had a sense that you were breathing down my neck).

A really well organized race, and as Emer911 suggested, excellent value for €10. The course was really well marshalled (army personnel, volunteers, paint markings on the road), a couple of water-stations (should you need them) and even drummers at various points in the race. The race distance was spot-on, at 10.01kms, by my watch. Throw in a burger, and as many chicken wings as you could eat, and it's a great recipe for a future race and all for a very good cause.

The prize-giving afterwards was a bit of fun. Lots of people had left soon after the food, and the organizers struggled to give away their vast array of spot-prizes. There was practically one for everyone in the audience, if you stuck around. Great fun, and I hope to make it back next year, to try and better this year's time.

dna_leri

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

The prize-giving afterwards was a bit of fun. Lots of people had left soon after the food, and the organizers struggled to give away their vast array of spot-prizes. There was practically one for everyone in the audience, if you stuck around. Great fun, and I hope to make it back next year, to try and better this year's time.

I nominate this race as the unofficial annual boards regional get-together-race.

brian77

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

39:17 (39:18 official). Delighted to bag my first ever win and really nice to put a face to the Boards monikers. Thanks too to dna_leri who kept me honest during the race (always had a sense that you were breathing down my neck).

A really well organized race, and as Emer911 suggested, excellent value for €10. The course was really well marshalled (army personnel, volunteers, paint markings on the road), a couple of water-stations (should you need them) and even drummers at various points in the race. The race distance was spot-on, at 10.01kms, by my watch. Throw in a burger, and as many chicken wings as you could eat, and it's a great recipe for a future race and all for a very good cause.

The prize-giving afterwards was a bit of fun. Lots of people had left soon after the food, and the organizers struggled to give away their vast array of spot-prizes. There was practically one for everyone in the audience, if you stuck around. Great fun, and I hope to make it back next year, to try and better this year's time.

HI Krusty_Clown & dna_leri,

Let me know if you run from time to time in Phoneix park, not sure if you living in dublin though.

I wasnt good like you, but very happy for my time, ill get a better time soon.

Talk soon,
Tony

Krusty_Clown

brian77 wrote: »

HI Krusty_Clown & dna_leri,
Let me know if you run from time to time in Phoneix park, not sure if you living in dublin though.

Well done on a cracking time on a tough course Brian (Tony!). I'd say best bet to get photographs will be the Roscommon Herald on Wednesday. There's a few pictures here of the start-line and the walkers. I like this one showing the hill at the start:

T runner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Well done on a cracking time on a tough course Brian (Tony!). I'd say best bet to get photographs will be the Roscommon Herald on Wednesday. There's a few pictures here of the start-line and the walkers. I like this one showing the hill at the start:

Thats a fierce steep hill.
Good to see a local TD supporting the race. He did Boyle duathlon aswell i think.


Did this runner make the town boundary before his untimely death, I wonder?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/realboyle/5848587795/in/set-72157626997756612

Krusty_Clown

T runner wrote: »

Thats a fierce steep hill.
Good to see a local TD supporting the race. He did Boyle duathlon aswell i think.


Did this runner make the town boundary before his untimely death, I wonder?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/realboyle/5848587795/in/set-72157626997756612

Nope! I think the top 5 finishers were all in the third or fourth row in the starting line! Ming did very well, finishing in the top 10, I reckon.

Conman1

Well done on your win Krusty. Just getting back into the running myself after 9 month lay off. Found it quite challenging. Delighted to get to the finish! Do you know is there official results knocking around. Interested to know where I finished. Cheers.

Krusty_Clown

Conman1 wrote: »

Well done on your win Krusty. Just getting back into the running myself after 9 month lay off. Found it quite challenging. Delighted to get to the finish! Do you know is there official results knocking around. Interested to know where I finished. Cheers.

I'd say if you dropped the organizers an e-mail they might have them handy. Chris (on this list) was the 'runner-type' I was talking to before and afterwards. Nice guy.

brian77

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Well done on a cracking time on a tough course Brian (Tony!). I'd say best bet to get photographs will be the Roscommon Herald on Wednesday. There's a few pictures here of the start-line and the walkers. I like this one showing the hill at the start:

Thanks a lot for the email Krusty!! Yes im tony, im gonna change this Brian77 :-)

PJEGAN

Congrats Crusty a great win for a great race.
I will have results and pics up on site later Google Curlew Warrior Challenge.