Wexford Half Marathon & New 10km April 22nd 2012

eoin ryan

Wexford Half Marathon & 10km is now open for the 22nd April

Most of you are aware that we changed the course last year to a flatter, faster and scenic course which was really well recieved.
We have made more changes this year which will hope will make it a 'must consider race' for the future. Some of the changes were based on the survey we did and some just enhanced things so we pursued them.

- We have introduced a 10km to the event.
- We have moved the finish area to the Faythe. This is an enclosed Tree lined area with grass and a long straight run in. Should be a nicer finish area for everyone.
- This means more running in Johnstown Castle grounds
- Water bottles for Half Marathon
-The early bird applies until Jan 31st then a group discount of 15% for 5 or more kicks in until end of March
- There is a video of the course on the website to give you a goo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPgWTncBOlo&feature=youtu.be
- The survey results from the new course in 2011 are on the website
- New look website that is easier to navigate

All told we look forward to welcoming new and previous participants to Wexford Town. I doubt we'll have the same winds as last year so we'd hope there will be even more PB's this time around than the 58% in 2011...

Our theme is - Helping you achieve your Goals
www.wexfordhalfmarathon.com

Last year's thread

Seanie_H

Worth a bump I reckon Eoin.

Looks like a good event. I think this will be my aim for the coming months.

Slightly worried about the elevation map. More so because I find it hard to picture it. Sure Winter/Spring hill sessions will be great.

fitness fan

Ran it last year - well run event, nice flat course plenty of water great finish line.....scenery is helpful to keep your mind off the pain !
Definitely on my list this year

glennhysen

I've signed up for it today. Ran it in 2009 & 2010 but missed it last year. Looking forward to the new route.

Podge83

Hey Eoin, how's the training going for Enniscorthy. Hope your'e doing plenty of speedwork! You should be able to get me easy as i'm worn out with marathon high mileage!!

eoin ryan

I think your doing Jedi mind tricks on me...
Yep - I've begun training. Not as much as i'd like to as i'm double jobbing at the moment but loving it to be honest. Needed a Goal to get me off my ass. I've entered the race so its my focus. I think this is going to be a close one...

On the Wexford race front we have secured a traffic diversion away from the new finish area which I'm delighted about. This makes it a sweet run in.
For those in the know traffic coming up from the Folley will be diverted down Parnell St. They can't turn right at the Faythe Guest House because our finish area is going to be there on the road. I'm buzzing about that! Long straight clear run in - will be great for spectators.

Wouldn't worry too much about elevation Seanie imo
You climb 75mtrs spread over 4km. Think of a 100m sprint track and imagine it vertical subtract 25m and thats the sum of it. Then the top of the elevtation is the section around the Castle grounds and lake. Plan on having a music station in the Castle this year.
Hope that helps

eoin ryan

Just a reminder that the early bird ends on the 31st of January.
Thanks

eoin ryan

FREE ‘Train Smarter not Harder’ 1 hour seminar will take place in Whitford House Hotel, Wexford Town on the 01st of february at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

You will learn the basic tricks of the trade via the presentation including Equipment, setting Goals, Nutrition and a Training plan. Ideally suited to beginners but there are nuggets here for everyone. This could be the kick start for your New Years resolution! No booking required. Pls pass onto your friends


(there will be one in Dublin too - date tbc)

eoin ryan

Podge83 wrote: »

Hey Eoin, how's the training going for Enniscorthy. Hope your'e doing plenty of speedwork! You should be able to get me easy as i'm worn out with marathon high mileage!!

Podge did good.
I beat him by 7 sec's but he beat me by 8 mins.
Good running

Bahanaman

Decided to give London a miss this year! Signed up for the Wexford half marathon instead. Anyone know much about it? Says on the website that its a fairly fast course.

tang1

Thread open on this race already, have a quick search using search engine first if you want to avoid the wrath of the mods!!!

fitness fan

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056417018

Podge83

eoin ryan wrote: »

Podge did good.
I beat him by 7 sec's but he beat me by 8 mins.
Good running

And Eoin true to his word paid up - Thanks. (Don't tell the Taxman though)

webpal

Just ran the course "75mtrs spread over 4km" and its suprisingly easy. Have to say that this really is the only hill so PBs are a certainty on this course.

Eoin, just a few questions based on what I've read. I'm guessing the course is open to traffic (bar the finish) is that right?

Also on the website it states the course will be marked in KM, is that every KM? And no mile markers at all?

Where exactly is the start, judging from map my run its up the boardwalk from the Talbot and back down the quay?

cheers

eoin ryan

Hi Webpal,

We are going to start both races in the carpark along the Quays (same as last year - its not on the boardwalk). Good area to warm up off the road.

It will be all Km's on every Km. I won't commit to putting out mile makers. But its on the list now...

Couple of things on the course:
I checked out the Traffic mix v's clear road. 10km of the half marathon is on clear road. This includes running through the grounds of the castle, a diversion that we have on the road and the hard shoulder back to the finish line on the N11. The bit mixed with cars is a country road. Not very busy but not closed either.
Finish shoot is closed in the Faythe. I'm excited about this finish area!!

You are right the elevation can't be called a hill. Maybe a low gradient. It is handy and very subtle. Plus its inside shealtered roads so that also helps.

It is a PB course. We did a survey in 2011 and 58% of participants achived a PB (despite really high winds). On a calm day I reckon that could go to 75%. Naturally its not a gimmie... but its all to play for.

The 10km is a zipper as well btw

eoin ryan

Reminder closing date is April 15th of April for the Half marathon & 10km
Hoping the weather will be kind.

2 bits of news....

We have a rather popular author Ruth Field from the UK who wrote the bestseller 'Run Fat B!tch Run' taking part in the 10km. It's her first race in Ireland. You can run with Ruth and get your book signed afterwards if you wish.

Garrett Doherty is going to attempt to beat the Guinnes World Record for running a half marathon backwards. This is retro running and he is the current 3k world champion amongst other accolades
www.wexfordhalfmarathon.com

Cabaal

Thinking of doing this as feeling ok after Connemara Marathon, only one big concern would be hows parking as I'd be aiming to drive down the morning of the race

adamski8

Cabaal wrote: »

Thinking of doing this as feeling ok after Connemara Marathon, only one big concern would be hows parking as I'd be aiming to drive down the morning of the race

on a sunday, should be loads id say 5-10mins away from the start

eoin ryan

Adamski8 is spot on.

But to make things easier I'll do up a map and include it in the pre race info being sent out showing the bigger car parks.

I'll stick it up here too in case anyone is on the fence so you have the script

We are putting a 4th water station on the half. Gonna be optimistic about getting good weather. Sunny south east, Costa de la Wexforda and all that jazz....

average_runner

Best of luck with it this year Eoin, hope there is no wind like last year.

Giving it a miss this year as doesnt fit in with my plans, but maybe next year.

eoin ryan

Thanks.
We're all working hard on it at the moment

Woddle

eoin ryan wrote: »

Reminder closing date is April 15th of April for the Half marathon & 10km
Hoping the weather will be kind.

Is this for online entry only?

eoin ryan

yes, online entry closes on 15th.

But we will take entries on Saturday in Whitford House hotel 3pm - 6pm
And Sunday morn in the Faythe (Billy Doyles Bar) 8am - 9am

If you enter after online is closed we will either charge an extra €5
or charge standard fare and you won't get a Tech top (subject to availability)

webpal

eoin ryan wrote: »

And Sunday morn in the Faythe (Billy Doyles Bar) 8am - 9am

Billy Kelly's, I assume! Ah manys the night I spent in there. Always fascinated me how a gun shop, pub and creche can operate so closely together. Theres irony in there somewhere.

eoin ryan

Sorry - tis Billy Kelly's.
And the best part is that there is an Undertakers across the road :eek:

fitness fan

Only a few days left :eek:
Hopefully the weathe will be settled by Sunday
Best of luck everyone !!

average_runner

eoin ryan wrote: »

Sorry - tis Billy Kelly's.
And the best part is that there is an Undertakers across the road :eek:

And an old barracks!! Just to make it better pub has darts and pool tables for drunken gambling beside it all

Dilbert75

So who's pacing this tomorrow? Looks like it could be a nice day for it...

Cabaal

Good luck to everyone tomorrow,

upthe19th

cant wait....bring it on

Dilbert75

Dilbert75 wrote: »

So who's pacing this tomorrow? Looks like it could be a nice day for it...

Actually no - now sounds like its going to be somewhere between rainy and thundering rain at various times. :-(

Cabaal

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Dilbert75 wrote: »

So who's pacing this tomorrow? Looks like it could be a nice day for it...

Actually no - now sounds like its going to be somewhere between rainy and thundering rain at various times. :-(

It's sunny alright and not too windy but it keeps raing off and on so far this morning

Cabaal

Back home and happy with my time

Race Report Of sorts....
Got down to Wexford a lot earlier then I had planned, so there was hardly anyone around. Made my way down to registration then dropped the shirt back up to the car and got ready.

Aim for this race was to stay with the 1:45min pacers until perhaps 19 or 20km mark and then put things into high gear as previous pb was 1:44:51, instead i felt pretty good so from Johnstown Castle (10km mark) I started putting a small amount of distance between me and the pacers as I wanted a comfortable PB over the Woodies Half-Marathon which was my last half marathon.

As the race went on I reeled in a good few people which was a great boost as very few people passed me out...I could pretty much count the amount that did on both hands after the castle.

Overall i think i could have done better as I certainly wasn't knackered when i got to the finish so I likely could have pushed things down into 1:41 or 1:40...but who knows at this stage.

Garmin: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/170606066
Official time: not posted yet....

Enjoyed the day

belcarra

From the garmin route it looks like as if you got lost in Johnstown castle!!

AJCOT

Enjoyed it & well done to all concerned, hills were tougher than I expected & the rain showers were energy sapping but this race very well organised & had a good vibe to it.

GoingForIt

anyone know when the official/provisional results will be on the web???

menoscemo

GoingForIt wrote: »

anyone know when the official/provisional results will be on the web???

Results are up now
http://www.wexfordhalfmarathon.com/results/WexfordHalf_2012_Provisional.pdf

I must say the pacers did a nice job

Dilbert75

Well happy with my time too. Started off with the 2 hour pacers (thanks guys) and,as it was my first time running this distance, I had planned to stay with them all the way round. But... I was feeling good and when they paused for a drink at the first station I kept going. Gradually pulled away as I went, got talking to a few people and that shortened the distance for me (though maybe not for them!) by a good stretch. Ended up getting home in 1:55:55, which was well ahead of my expectations.

My Garmin profile:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/170787157

upthe19th

upthe19th wrote: »

cant wait....bring it on

Well thats my first half marathon under the belt.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Felt really good but the last mile killed me. Just a few seconds over 1 hr 50.

Happy enough though, considering I only took up running 5 months ago and had an appendectomy 8 weeks ago.

Have to say it was some eye opener for dublin city marathon....so much to do.

Thanks to all involved.

Dilbert75

upthe19th wrote: »

Well thats my first half marathon under the belt......Have to say it was some eye opener for dublin city marathon....so much to do.

Ditto - well done on your first. Its a great feeling. Know what you mean about the full - unfortunately mine is in 5 weeks, so my opportunities for doing much better are limited. Still it'll be an experience.

upthe19th

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Ditto - well done on your first. Its a great feeling. Know what you mean about the full - unfortunately mine is in 5 weeks, so my opportunities for doing much better are limited. Still it'll be an experience.

I don't think you need to improve too much...looks like you have a good base already. The very best of luck with it. Where is it?

Oh and I just noticed my chip time was under 1hr 50...delighted...that was the target.

And a big thank you to the young chap that gave me the banana after the race. Nearly hugged him and them proceeded to nearly eat it without peeling it...I kid you not.

NoGutsNoGlory

good run today.. wasnt expecting the gravel trail in Johnston castle. made it hard on people.. i have a wardrobe full of t shirts, but i must say the medium sized T shirt is tiny.....

Dilbert75

upthe19th wrote: »

I don't think you need to improve too much...looks like you have a good base already. The very best of luck with it. Where is it?

Thanks - hope you're right. I was out injured for 6 weeks so I'm chuffed to be as far as I am. My wife and I are running Edinburgh and we're trying to raise money for Aware (see my sig).

upthe19th wrote: »

Oh and I just noticed my chip time was under 1hr 50...delighted...that was the target.

Sweet!

upthe19th wrote: »

And a big thank you to the young chap that gave me the banana after the race. Nearly hugged him and them proceeded to nearly eat it without peeling it...I kid you not.

LOL

upthe19th

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Thanks - hope you're right. I was out injured for 6 weeks so I'm chuffed to be as far as I am. My wife and I are running Edinburgh and we're trying to raise money for Aware (see my sig).

Fair play to ye...the very best of luck with it

Aimman

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Well happy with my time too. Started off with the 2 hour pacers (thanks guys) and,as it was my first time running this distance, I had planned to stay with them all the way round. But... I was feeling good and when they paused for a drink at the first station

Paused??? :eek: We never paused.... you trying to get us fired??

Glad you had a good run. Did you get to the finish line before the heavens opened on the last stretch?

Dilbert75

Aimman wrote: »

Paused??? :eek: We never paused.... you trying to get us fired??

Glad you had a good run. Did you get to the finish line before the heavens opened on the last stretch?

LOL - things were a bit of a blur around then. Maybe I got an extra spurt of energy...

No I was passing the VW garage when it hit - was like having cold lead shot fired at us relentlessly for a few mins.

coalshed

Hi All,

I enjoyed the race yesterday, my second half marathon. The going was lovely when the sun came out, the run around the park section was enjoyable and Wexford town itself was looking well.

I don't think the course was quite as flat as described though

Does anyone know if the 1'45 pacers came in in less than 1'45? I got 1'45"18 and I reckon I was up to two minutes behind them...I just couldn't quite keep up with them and they gradually but steadily slipped away from me.

menoscemo

coalshed wrote: »

Hi All,

I enjoyed the race yesterday, my second half marathon. The going was lovely when the sun came out, the run around the park section was enjoyable and Wexford town itself was looking well.

I don't think the course was quite as flat as described though

Does anyone know if the 1'45 pacers came in in less than 1'45? I got 1'45"18 and I reckon I was up to two minutes behind them...I just couldn't quite keep up with them and they gradually but steadily slipped away from me.

Hi coalshed. We came in at 1:44:35 and 1:44:42, so you obviously weren't 2 minutes behind!

coalshed

menoscemo wrote: »

Hi coalshed. We came in at 1:44:35 and 1:44:42, so you obviously weren't 2 minutes behind!

Ah, well I put the boot down for the last two k so I must have caught up more than I thought.

I'm delighted with that.

eoin ryan

2nd year the weather didn't play ball....
Bit still many people reporting PB's.
Many thanks to the Pacers. Solid stuff as always folks

Garrett broke the Guinness World record for Half Marathon retro running.
Delighted for him. Great buzz when he finished...
Very positive for the course and its growing PB reputation!!

Great team effort.

Oryx

Fair play Eoin twas a great race yesterday. Sure who minds a bit of rain?