New Half Marathon for Dublin 2012

itsalltrue

http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2011/1117/rocknroll_marathon.html

This sounds like a good event which might rival the marathon for atmosphere

Brianderunner

Clashing with the olympics, genius planning there :rolleyes:

The race series won't like the timing either.

dev123

This was just announced this morning:

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/dublin

Anybody run in one of these before?

Are they much cop or is it a bit of a gimmick with the live bands?

It's a half mararthon where

"Runners will experience:

• Live Music Every Mile
• A Scenic City Centre Course
• A Fantasic Finish Line Concert
• Rock-Solid Operations
• A glorious Finisher’s Medal"

Couldn't see info on the course but it says its through the city centre.

RacoonQueen

They've only expanded to Europe this year I think. They've a half marathon in Edinburgh next year as well. Not sure how well the happy clappy American thing will go down well in this part of the world.

The timing of that would suit me much better than the national half next year though and €33 is a great price for a half marathon.

dev123

Yeah, it might suit people doing Berlin or another earlier Autumn marathon

On a different note, why do organisers chose the Monday of a Bank Holiday to hold a race?

People would be much more inclined to spend their hard earned money on a few beers and feed after the race on a Sunday night and have the Monday to recover, than getting home early enough for work in the morning.

And from an international point of view is the August Bank holiday Monday an international thing, or would punters have to take the Monday off?

itsalltrue

There are a few evenets on that day but the following are the Athletics

6 August
10:00 - 12:20
Athletics Olympic Park - Olympic Stadium
Men's 800m: round 1
Men's Discus: qualifying
Women's 100m Hurdles: round 1
Women's 1500m: round 1
Women's Shot Put: qualifying


I imagine the Frank Duffy 10 mile race will be on 2 weekas after it

sideswipe

Excellent, competition is always a good thing. The race series half has become too big for the park anyway. Less people doing that will only be a good thing and could end up improving the race.

I wonder where the course will be?

chinguetti

On a bank holiday Monday in peak holiday time during the Olympics seems is in one sense wise but in another a bit silly. Could be a good or bad idea but too early to say.

I agree with Brian, they're aiming for the Race Series people. And i guess it will be in the Park.

Regardless of the event, i'm away at the Olympics at the Men Olympics handball that day i think so i'm not entering.

Brianderunner

itsalltrue wrote: »

There are a few evenets on that day but the following are the Athletics

6 August
10:00 - 12:20
Athletics Olympic Park - Olympic Stadium
Men's 800m: round 1
Men's Discus: qualifying
Women's 100m Hurdles: round 1
Women's 1500m: round 1
Women's Shot Put: qualifying


I imagine the Frank Duffy 10 mile race will be on 2 weekas after it

Its not just what's on, our top athletes won't even consider this race, there's no chance of tv coverage and it will struggle to get any media attention, etc. Can't believe the organisers overlooked something like this.

The series seems to do well stateside and and the timing would suit anyone targeting Berlin etc. The race series will only mildly be affected but races like the Dun Laoghaire 10k are fairly shafted by this.

RacoonQueen

The olympics won't effect uptake whatsoever.

I'd imagine there's big prizes as well.

RayCun

(Will start a thread in events forum when registration is open and there are more details available, merging the discussion here until then)

Look at the price! I think it's clear what market this is aimed at

RacoonQueen

Registration is open.

WithCheesePlease

dev123 wrote: »

It's a half mararthon where

"Runners will experience:

• Live Music Every Mile
• A Scenic City Centre Course
• A Fantasic Finish Line Concert
• Rock-Solid Operations
• A glorious Finisher’s Medal"

Couldn't see info on the course but it says its through the city centre.

Don't forget the cheerleaders!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2011/1117/rocknroll_marathon.html wrote:

The event features live bands performing at every mile along the route, cheerleaders encouraging runners, themed water stations and a finish line concert headlined by a major act.

dev123 wrote: »

On a different note, why do organisers chose the Monday of a Bank Holiday to hold a race?

I would imagine because traffic is lighter on the bank holiday Monday than it would be on the Sunday so easier for road closures? Still a pain though, I agree.

RayCun

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Registration is open.

Doh!
I can move this whole discussion into an Events thread if people prefer? It's just right now there doesn't seem to be much detail to discuss, just the date...

huskerdu

dev123 wrote: »

On a different note, why do organisers chose the Monday of a Bank Holiday to hold a race?

People would be much more inclined to spend their hard earned money on a few beers and feed after the race on a Sunday night and have the Monday to recover, than getting home early enough for work in the morning.

And from an international point of view is the August Bank holiday Monday an international thing, or would punters have to take the Monday off?

I am guessing, but I think that they don't have a lot of choice. Dublin City Council are pretty fussy about when they allow the roads to be closed for sure an event. Many years ago, the Womens Mini-Marathon was moved to the Bank Holiday for that reason.

Minister B

I think it's a great idea, combining atmosphere and entertainemnt with a race can only be a good think for all those who compete and those who come out to support.

I really dont think the Olympics will impact on numbers that much, perhaps it could reduce the elite competitors but i stand for correction on that one.

It's good timing for me anyway, i'll use it as a warm up for my 3rd attempt at the Warriors run.

AEDIC

I did the Damloop in Amsterdam back in October and it was very much like that....live bands and dj's (europop....go figure) every mile or so and people out on the course having bbq's and setting up beer tents etc etc....

It made for a good enough atmosphere at the start but to be honest towards the end when you really should be busting a gut, last thing you want is the sound of Glady's from Tesco murdering a Kylie tune or DJ Spangly 'mixing' like a 5 year old with Tourettes...

Its a month after the Cork half for me...suppose the 2 are doable so might have a look at it but no real desire at this stage....Olympics is more of an interest at this stage.

Seres

Live music and cheer leaders every mile , i would find that annoying !, too much for me ! €33 , race series HM is €13 less and in the park .
I understand what they are aiming , mass participation , wont be doing it but anything that gets the masses out taking exercise has to be good .

xebec

..

ThePiedPiper

I'm not going to get too excited abou this one just yet. €33 is not particularly cheap for a half marathon really. And at that, who wants to enter an August half marathon in November. The price will be €40 from December rising every few months.

The whole thing sounds a bit OTT American for me with live bands, etc. It could turn out to be a great event but I'd prefer to wait until May/June to be entering August half marathons and at that stage, the price is too much.

tunney

RacoonQueen wrote: »

They've only expanded to Europe this year I think. They've a half marathon in Edinburgh next year as well. Not sure how well the happy clappy American thing will go down well in this part of the world.

On the run in IM Frankfurt I nearly stopped to deck a yank woman who kept roaring "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN". This was at 2km, 14km, 26km and 38km on the run.

CorkRunning

The €33 entry fee is a bit misleading as it closes in 2 weeks.

The reality is that most people will end up paying €45-€50

Half Marathon Registration Fees
€ 33 – Promotional price when online registration opens
€ 40 – December 1 – February 28
€ 45 – March 1 – April 30
€ 50 – May 1 – July 31
€ 60 – Expo Registration (if available)

menoscemo

dev123 wrote: »

Yeah, it might suit people doing Berlin or another earlier Autumn marathon

Yep the date would really suit me as I'm doing Berlin. I would ideally like to see what the course was before registering, but I get the feeling it will cost €50 to register by the time they have defined a route. :rolleyes:

dev123

menoscemo wrote: »

Yep the date would really suit me as I'm doing Berlin. I would ideally like to see what the course was before registering, but I get the feeling it will cost €50 to register by the time they have defined a route. :rolleyes:

What is the delay in detailing the route?

Surely they will have to differentiate themselves from the Race Series half by having it anywhere but the Phoenix Park?

If its in the Phoenix Park it will die on its ar$e what with it being possibly twice the price of a similar race being held a few weeks after.

rainbow kirby

Meh, the timing actually suits me well if I want to have a decent crack at a half next year. Only risk really is the weather - though a bank holiday in this country is pretty much an excuse for loads of rain!

It being on during the Olympics is a bit of a problem though, considering the enforced couch taper that will probably be taking place... :pac:

Minister B

There's also a service fee of €3.26 on top of the registration.

Krusty_Clown

This unforgettable course will feature a scenic tour of the city centre, passing many famous landmarks and showcasing the city’s natural Celtic charm.

The major selling point is that it is through the streets of Dublin. I for one, welcome our new American overlords, as I reckon more choice is always a good thing, and it will likely encourage some additional tourism.

If it clashes with the Olympics - Don't do it.
If it's too expensive - Don't do it.
If you'd rather do the race series - Don't do it.
If you don't like cheerleaders and bands - Don't do it.
Personally, I wont'be doing it either , but it's good to have the choice.

dev123

"This unforgettable course will feature a scenic tour of the city centre, passing many famous landmarks and showcasing the city’s natural Celtic charm"

Have they been to Dublin or did they read that of the back of a box of Lucky Charms?

Krusty_Clown

dev123 wrote: »

"This unforgettable course will feature a scenic tour of the city centre, passing many famous landmarks and showcasing the city’s natural Celtic charm"
Have they been to Dublin or did they read that of the back of a box of Lucky Charms?

Maybe the route goes past Carrol's on Westmoreland Street, where they play the diddley-iddley music and sell the Shillelaghs.

Murta

RacoonQueen wrote: »

The olympics won't effect uptake whatsoever.

I'd imagine there's big prizes as well.

Granted not significantly. Just a few bods like my good self that'll be in London cheering on Katie.

Having seen the price of the race, I'm perfectly happy to be missing it!

RayCun

...ducks into Trinners for a look at the Book, then up Dame street to pass Christchurch, aid station at St James Gate, first aid station when they get out of the Liberties....

nerraw1111

The only problem I might have is the idea of a company coming in and sweeping up race entries that were largely created by the DCM folks. Feels a bit like a smash and grab. ‘Thanks for the all hard work lads, but we’ll take it from here.’ Bit cheeky staging just a few weeks before an established half marathon. Why not stick on in April or June?
I wonder does it balls up any plans DCM had to take the half marathon out of the park next year? I can’t see the council or the public, putting up with road closures just a few weeks apart.
Personally I don’t get the music aspect of the race. Hearing snippets of music every mile? Sounds horrendous.
I can’t see the Olympics having any effect whatsoever on the race.

Murta

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Bit cheeky staging just a few weeks before an established half marathon. Why not stick on in April or June?

No point having loads of half marathons in the same month. Kilkenny half normally concides with Dublin half. If memory serves me, June seems to be a threadbare month. Makes sense to spread the half's across the year rather then lumping loads together. The half is after all the most popular distance.

menoscemo

Dublin half is the third saturday in September, this race does not clash with it at all really. It does clash with the Frank Duffy 10 miler though.

meijin

Way too expensive if you don't register this year. And the music would be annoying for me.

I prefer the race series - 3 races for 50 euro - hard to beat that.

RacoonQueen

Looks like it's an AAI affiliated race. You can sign up seperately as an AAI registered athlete. They don't usually ask that on active europe, or is that a new feature? If it's a city centre race I'd imagine it'd be quite flat aswell. Probably be a good course.

Race series probably rejected them as a partner, they've taken over Edinburgh's normal half marathon so I'd guess they tried the same here. Better time to have a half marathon for anyone aiming for Dublin as well really. The race series half is too late to race before DCM.

TheRoadRunner

Aai race therefore good possibility this could be national half? I can only see the positives associated with this race. Cost is a little high but compared to the going rate of other halts it's not bad

shels4ever

Murta wrote: »

Granted not significantly. Just a few bods like my good self that'll be in London cheering on Katie.

Having seen the price of the race, I'm perfectly happy to be missing it!

What distance does Katie run?

menoscemo

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Looks like it's an AAI affiliated race. You can sign up seperately as an AAI registered athlete.

Just saw that. I wonder will the price stay down for AAI members? Or does it just mean getting to the front pen?

shels4ever

Looks like a good addition to the summers events, can't see it having a problem with a quality field as most of the winners of the usual race series won't be at the olympics anyway.
Could be a nice summer target depending on holidays.

Krusty_Clown

nerraw1111 wrote: »

The only problem I might have is the idea of a company coming in and sweeping up race entries that were largely created by the DCM folks. Feels a bit like a smash and grab. ‘Thanks for the all hard work lads, but we’ll take it from here.’ Bit cheeky staging just a few weeks before an established half marathon. Why not stick on in April or June?

It's a fair point, but the race series still represents good value for money, when bought as part of a three-race deal, and it was hitting saturation point in terms of numbers. I'd be more worried about the impact on other races like the Clontarf Half and the Achill Half Marathon (both on the same day, three weeks previous to this race). This one is designed for mass participation, so will pick up a lot of the 'one race per year' runners, that you would get in Achill.

RacoonQueen

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Aai race therefore good possibility this could be national half? I can only see the positives associated with this race. Cost is a little high but compared to the going rate of other halts it's not bad

That's what I was thinking, would they change the date of the national half though? Always the first Saturday in September isn't it?

rom

The bay run in bantry gets about 2k runners every year. Its 40+ for a half. zero atmosphere. Lucky to get water at the water stops to be honest. Also is in the middle of nowhere so you have to stay overnight or drive down really really early as it starts at 9.

It doesn't stop people so I can see this race being very popular as it will probably be heavily advertised. So no reason that they won't have a great turn out.

Personally I like the music for the Cork marathon. Nice street performers. Was not gone on radio station <fill in name here> playing black eye peas/ lady gaga really loud in DCM. Live performance or don't bother.

But as Irish people are not too fond of rules I can't see it being run as well as DCM etc. American's follow rules, most europeans do but irish think they are there to be broken. There will be people with buggy's,bikes, dogs and all other crap that you don't and have seen in a race.

Race will probably go through the park as it will have the least impact on traffic if it does.

jack presley

I didn't like the bit about the event starting with a 2 day Expo "where the athletes will pick up their numbers". So we'd have to make our way into town (or to Dublin for those not from here) to get our numbers? That could be inconvenient for a lot of people. Could they not just post them instead?

I haven't tried registering so maybe the option of posting is there but I'm just going on the wording in the article

rom

jack presley wrote: »

I didn't like the bit about the event starting with a 2 day Expo "where the athletes will pick up their numbers". So we'd have to make our way into town (or to Dublin for those not from here) to get our numbers? That could be inconvenient for a lot of people. Could they not just post them instead?

I haven't tried registering so maybe the option of posting is there but I'm just going on the wording in the article

Expo's are just ways for them to charge vendors huge fees to set up stalls. They serve no purpose not with all the information online.

jack presley

rom wrote: »

Expo's are just ways for them to charge vendors huge fees to set up stalls. They serve no purpose not with all the information online.

Exactly. Which is why it'd be a pain to have to go to it the day before the race just to pick up your number

Pronator

While I think its costly and timing could be better, this is badly needed. Running is on the up and numbers are too. The race series is great but has far out grown the park.

Running on the streets of Dublin is the way to go. DCC will make a few quid out of this no doubt.

I'm wondering if the DCM organisers were consulted on this? I'd say it will become the national half if it takes off. Look at the money that will go into the local economy with this event, sure we need to understand exactly were the dosh (which we will never find out) is going but I'd say overall its a good idea.

I'd say there are a few people who's noses will be put of joint on this one:rolleyes:

average_runner

I think this is great.
Over the last few years the Run series in the park has gone backwards.
Real problems with their chip timing, goody bags getting worst but still charging the same price.
Safety at the start of races is poor in my opinion, too narrow of roads for the start etc.


If this new race can raise the standards I am all for it.

village runner

tunney wrote: »

On the run in IM Frankfurt I nearly stopped to deck a yank woman who kept roaring "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN". This was at 2km, 14km, 26km and 38km on the run.

But you are ? I bet she was ugly.:D:D

belcarra

If anyone is interested in this race there is a full €3(!!) off with the discount code for this race = 'ROCK'

Dotcomdolly

Just saw on their Facebook page it's been cancelled, or postponed to 2013.