Run the Gauntlet - 20/11/11

Half marathon through the Gap of Dunloe on again the 20th November. Anyone here doing it?

Have seen mixed reviews in the past. Think the general reaction was stunning scenery, but at €50 it's not cheap and think the organisation also took some criticism here.

Between two minds. Think I might go for it, while it's not cheap it's near enough for me and so by the time fuel is taken into consideration it probably will work out cheaper than others. But hope there is a crowd there, the Gap of Dunloe might be a lonely place if the field gets strung out...

GKiraly

Ive signed up for this, looking forward to it, although I'd say it will be a serious challenge, how far down into Black Valley does it go does anyone know, before the turnabout point?? Ive seen reviews for this from previous years, got a slating two years ago for some issue with everyones address on a mail to all competitors. Thankfully theyve the good sense to offer tshirts to everyone and not just the sub 2 hour finishers this time too. As for a crowd, wasnt the biggest field last year going by the results. Hope the weather isnt too bad either.

TFBubendorfer

Deleted User wrote: »

Have seen mixed reviews in the past. Think the general reaction was stunning scenery, but at €50 it's not cheap and think the organisation also took some criticism here.

That pretty much sums up the entire event.

GKiraly wrote: »

Ive signed up for this, looking forward to it, although I'd say it will be a serious challenge, how far down into Black Valley does it go does anyone know, before the turnabout point?

The turnaround point is Lord Brandon's cottage.

I did it 2 years ago, was happy enough to have done the race thanks to the stunning scenery, but decided that the organisers are treating this first of all as a money spinner for themselves and won't do it again.

By all means, run the race if you want to, the scenery makes up for a lot of shortcomings.

GKiraly

GKiraly wrote: »

Ive signed up for this, looking forward to it, although I'd say it will be a serious challenge, how far down into Black Valley does it go does anyone know, before the turnabout point??

As said above, right down to the Upper Lake. Would imagine the stretch from the church to Lord Brandon's Cottage must be lovely, but the run up to the Head of the Gap from Dunloe side, and the return from the Church to the Head, might be testing.

GKiraly

but the run up to the Head of the Gap from Dunloe side, and the return from the Church to the Head, might be testing.

Testing?!?! Jesus Conor, thats been generous!!!!! i know them roads like the back of my hand, its gonna be one hell of a run/walk/crawl, most likely occurring in that order :pac:

but ya, the scenery will make up for the hardship

GKiraly

GKiraly wrote: »

Testing?!?! Jesus Conor, thats been generous!!!!! i know them roads like the back of my hand, its gonna be one hell of a run/walk/crawl, most likely occurring in that order :pac:

Just checked up the historic 6 inch maps and there are spot heights around Lord Brandon's Cottage of 83 and 84 feet, and the Head of the Gap it's 790 foot!

Head The Wall

There's climbs like that and tougher in most IMRA/adventure races.

Head The Wall

Head The Wall wrote: »

There's climbs like that and tougher in most IMRA/adventure races.

True, and hot air balloonists climb to mighty heights altogether...but they're all different sports!

I have nothing but respect for mountain/adventure runners, I know a few of them and they are bloody tough, the type who love the mud and blood and laugh off the snap of the broken bone, and hate all those tarred roads and rules and signs and good weather!

But for a novice road runner like myself, 780 foot is a good climb.

Head The Wall

You know the old saying no pain, no gain. Think about how much you will gain i.e satisfaction

GKiraly

sounds like it could be fair to say its a tougher gallop than Connemara then? Tshirt and medal looks alright too, couldnt imagine it being any fun a few years ago to finish just outside 2 hours only to be told you didnt do enough to deserve the tshirt, ouch! hopefully there'll be a few water stations in it and decent grub after.

BobMac104

how much slower than a regular half marathon would this be do ye think?

TFBubendorfer

BobMac104 wrote: »

how much slower than a regular half marathon would this be do ye think?

Very much depends on your hill running abilities. 5-10 minutes, I'd say.

BobMac104

Thanks !

I really am divided about doing this.It sounds like great fun but €50 is alot of money and if its not well run i will be really pi$$ed off (hate that ripped off feeling)

tang1

The crew behind this aren't the best at organising events. Did the Cupids Dash organised by them early in the year, course was way short and its wasn't the cheapest. Be steering well clear of it, plus €50 is crazy for a half marathon. €20 for the one in the park and its a far superior run race.

BobMac104

How were the water stops last year? 3 6 and 9(3 again) i assume?

groovyg

the year I did it think there was water at the top of the gap and then at the turnaround at lord brandons cottage.

BobMac104

great stuff thanks groovyg!

TFBubendorfer

groovyg wrote: »

the year I did it think there was water at the top of the gap and then at the turnaround at lord brandons cottage.

Same the year I did it (maybe it was the same year)? You'll be passing the one at the top of the gap twice, of course.

GKiraly

You'll be passing the one at the top of the gap twice, of course.

minus your soul, as it will have well and truly deserted you half way back up out of Black Valley

GKiraly

Well, that went smoothly, apart from the hills! Well done to the organisers, hard and all as the route was yesterday, somehow I enjoyed it, challenging, dont think your mind could wander for too long as it was either negotiating getting up a hill or going flat out down a hill. Tshirts and medals were nice - especially the sub 2 hour tshirts enough munchies for after. Only thing is I would have preferred bottles at the water stations, cups meant I had to stop, which probably wasnt a bad thing at the mile 3/9 station, but at least bottles you can carry for a bit, even though I suppose the clean up of bottles after wouldnt be fun especially going down the valley coz theres always a few eejits who like to test their ability as to how far away they can throw bottles once finished with them!! anyways, once again, kudos to the organisers

Thinking of doing this.

Have had a few months off with ankle problems, but have been to the gym a few times in past couple of weeks and seems to be no twinge or niggle. So gonna do maybe 10 miles or so on a road this weekend and if that goes without pain think I might sign up.

JohnDozer

Gonna have a cut at this too, was going to enter last year but didn't due to some football game or something. I disagree with the price but I'll do it once and leave it at that!

Major fear is protecting the quads enough going down the hill while making enough time to get back up on target for time! Any other advice from previous entrants?

Any garmin link floating around, to help get the head around all the other 'undulations'?

TFBubendorfer

JohnDozer wrote: »

Any garmin link floating around, to help get the head around all the other 'undulations'?

That's not a Garmin link, but you'll get an idea of the the little undulations.

JohnDozer

Never again do I want to see the Gap of Dunloe, my quads are screaming, more to follow...