Dundalk Half Marathon & 10k - 9th May 2012

beeduybe

Anyone else thinking of doing this? Seems to have got the thumbs up from the boardsies who ran it last year although it does seem unusual for a half marathon to be ran on a Wednesday evening. I'd imagine it would reduce the numbers who might participate if it was held at the weekend.

Website
Last year's thread

pconn062

Yup this is my goal race for the first half of the year, ran it the last two years, great course, two laps for the half marathon so plenty of crowds. Was very windy last year which killed a lot of PB's, but it'a a very flat course and good for fast running if the conditions are right. I think the reason it's on a Wednesday evening is because they have to close the roads and can't get permission to do that at the weekend.

huskerdu

pconn062 wrote: »

Yup this is my goal race for the first half of the year, ran it the last two years, great course, two laps for the half marathon so plenty of crowds. Was very windy last year which killed a lot of PB's, but it'a a very flat course and good for fast running if the conditions are right. I think the reason it's on a Wednesday evening is because they have to close the roads and can't get permission to do that at the weekend.

Personally, I think they run it on a Wednesday to keep the Dubs out !

Apart from the wind, it was a great race last year.
Might be back this year, if I can organise it.

pconn062

huskerdu wrote: »

Personally, I think they run it on a Wednesday to keep the Dubs out !

It's as good a reason as any!

beeduybe

pconn062 wrote: »

Yup this is my goal race for the first half of the year, ran it the last two years, great course, two laps for the half marathon so plenty of crowds. Was very windy last year which killed a lot of PB's, but it'a a very flat course and good for fast running if the conditions are right. I think the reason it's on a Wednesday evening is because they have to close the roads and can't get permission to do that at the weekend.

The date falls nicely for my plans for the year too. Not familiar with the route but passing other runners on the Newry Road for a good chunk of the race could be a nice distraction

pconn062

beeduybe wrote: »

The date falls nicely for my plans for the year too. Not familiar with the route but passing other runners on the Newry Road for a good chunk of the race could be a nice distraction

The route starts in the town, then out the Newry road to the Ballymac roundabout, then back in by the river, you do that twice so plenty of time for checking out the other runners! It's actually great getting to see the leaders fly by on the other side of the road.

huskerdu

pconn062 wrote: »

The route starts in the town, then out the Newry road to the Ballymac roundabout, then back in by the river, you do that twice so plenty of time for checking out the other runners! It's actually great getting to see the leaders fly by on the other side of the road.

Last year the 10K was won by Freddy Kiprotich in 31.10 (I believe he was disappointed in his time, but the Limerick Marathon had taken a lot out of his legs).

It was a very impressive sight when he ran past us plodders.

ThePiedPiper

I did this one last year. It was well organised and good value. I don't think the odd starting time had too much impact to be honest. There's massive support for the race from the clubs from the surrounding counties.

The course is an ok one. There's too many twists and turns at the start of it for my liking but once you're heading out of town, it's good and flat.

I won't make it this year unfortunately but would recommend it to anyone looking for a good value race with PB potential. I wonder what mad slogan will be on the T-shirt this year!

pistol_75

Did this last year as well and would recommend it from a course point of view. Couple of tough spots with the wind but mostly ok.

One thing to note though is having to pick up your number in Dundalk the weekend beforehand. From what I remember this was the only option which made it a bit akward.

beeduybe

pistol_75 wrote: »

One thing to note though is having to pick up your number in Dundalk the weekend beforehand. From what I remember this was the only option which made it a bit akward.

Sounds like it would be awkward for a lot of people alright. Would make sense if they offered an alternative way of collecting your number when registering.

huskerdu

beeduybe wrote: »

Sounds like it would be awkward for a lot of people alright. Would make sense if they offered an alternative way of collecting your number when registering.

Last year, you could pick up your number on race day, but only before 4pm or something like that, 2.5 hours before race start, which was a pain.

More evidence for my theory that they are discouraging Dubs.

Seriously, it is not good policy and I would suggest contacting the organisers about this. Maybe they need to hear plenty of complaints to convince them to make it easier this year.

dingonerd

huskerdu wrote: »

Last year, you could pick up your number on race day, but only before 4pm or something like that, 2.5 hours before race start, which was a pain.

More evidence for my theory that they are discouraging Dubs.

Seriously, it is not good policy and I would suggest contacting the organisers about this. Maybe they need to hear plenty of complaints to convince them to make it easier this year.

You can contact them on their facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dundalk-Half-Marathon-10K/170919279597720

Just be aware prices go up after 29th Feb...

And also be aware that if, like me, you are old, there are no vet categories.

pconn062

Just thought I'd give this a bit of a bump to remind people that prices go up after the 29th of this month so if you're thinking of entering put it in now and save yourself a few quid, I'm putting mine in tonight.

belcarra

I intend doing this race but the website seems to be pretty much last year's data...
Anyone know if there was a change to having to pick up the number in advance of the race??

pconn062

belcarra wrote: »

I intend doing this race but the website seems to be pretty much last year's data...
Anyone know if there was a change to having to pick up the number in advance of the race??

AFAIK there is also an option to pick up on the race day before a certain time Belcarra, I'm sure they will announcing all that info soon though. Check out their Facebook page for updates. If you get stuck let me know, I'll be picking mine up on the Sunday and can sort you out.

menoscemo

belcarra wrote: »

I intend doing this race but the website seems to be pretty much last year's data...
Anyone know if there was a change to having to pick up the number in advance of the race??

I was studying this on saturday and I think I saw it mentioned on a twitter post that it was pick up on sunday or else up to 4pm on race day. I think the HM starts at 6.30pm and the 10k at 6.45pm.

They did say you can get someone else to pick up your number.

dingonerd

This has just appeared on their facebook page

PACK PICK- TOWN CENTRE MANAGERS OFFICE(directly across from Talk to me Mobile Phones)

AKA `Da Square`
--

... Sunday 6th may- Monday 7th -Tuesday 8th

10am-3pm and

Wednesday(race day) 9am-2pm
--
Packs can be picked up by relatives and friends. Make sure you pick up before race day. It will leave it easier for you. Registration has been difficult with an evening start so we hope this will solve the issue.

DHM TEAM

belcarra

pconn062 wrote: »

AFAIK there is also an option to pick up on the race day before a certain time Belcarra, I'm sure they will announcing all that info soon though. Check out their Facebook page for updates. If you get stuck let me know, I'll be picking mine up on the Sunday and can sort you out.

Hey Pconn that would be great if you could pick up my number.
I'll PM you with the details!

Cheers man!

Dundalk

The big day is tomorrow, good luck everyone

theduke1

just picked up my race pack
pink t-shirts?
website says lots of goodies! no goodies in bag
crap race pack

event

I don't know what is with the t shirts.
last year illuminous yellow, this year pink. are they taking the piss? I really hope next year they just pick a normal colour

theduke1

event wrote: »

I don't know what is with the t shirts.
last year illuminous yellow, this year pink. are they taking the piss? I really hope next year they just pick a normal colour

they must be getting them for nothing

pconn062

Ah lads, at least wait until the race is over before you start complaining! :D

Seriously I'm a man and have no problem with the t-shirt, in fact last years yellow one is still one of my favourites, perfect for late evening and night time running. And everyone knows pink is in!

estariol

dingonerd wrote: »

This has just appeared on their facebook page

PACK PICK- TOWN CENTRE MANAGERS OFFICE(directly across from Talk to me Mobile Phones)

AKA `Da Square`
--

... Sunday 6th may- Monday 7th -Tuesday 8th

10am-3pm and

Wednesday(race day) 9am-2pm
--
Packs can be picked up by relatives and friends. Make sure you pick up before race day. It will leave it easier for you. Registration has been difficult with an evening start so we hope this will solve the issue.

DHM TEAM

I hope this is not the case, no way I can be there before 5pm on race day!

event

pconn062 wrote: »

Ah lads, at least wait until the race is over before you start complaining! :D

Seriously I'm a man and have no problem with the t-shirt, in fact last years yellow one is still one of my favourites, perfect for late evening and night time running. And everyone knows pink is in!

ah im not complaining (well sorta am)

but im spending 25e to enter then getting an incredibly luminous tshirt again?

and last year there was other things in the pack, such as free pass to felda, voucher for eno, voucher to get medal engraved etc.

none of that this year

pconn062

Agree that the pack is a bit stingy, I don't mind if races don't offer goodies but if you are going to offer a goodie bag as part of the package, there should be something in it. (Apart from free flyers that is!)

Phibsboro

This will be my first half marathon. I've been ill off and on for the last couple of weeks so missed out my long runs, got as far as 11.5 miles before that so I'm hoping I'll be ok on the night

I was wondering what I should do re eating tomorrow - I have tended not to eat at all when I am doing a morning weekend long run but obviously with it being such a late run I can't imagine I should do that. Any tips on what/when to eat tomorrow?

Thanks

theduke1

Phibsboro wrote: »

This will be my first half marathon. I've been ill off and on for the last couple of weeks so missed out my long runs, got as far as 11.5 miles before that so I'm hoping I'll be ok on the night

I was wondering what I should do re eating tomorrow - I have tended not to eat at all when I am doing a morning weekend long run but obviously with it being such a late run I can't imagine I should do that. Any tips on what/when to eat tomorrow?

Thanks

well you wont eat anything out of the "goodie bag "anyhow
make sure you eat a good dinner early tomorrrow and hydrate well

pconn062

Phibsboro wrote: »

This will be my first half marathon. I've been ill off and on for the last couple of weeks so missed out my long runs, got as far as 11.5 miles before that so I'm hoping I'll be ok on the night

I was wondering what I should do re eating tomorrow - I have tended not to eat at all when I am doing a morning weekend long run but obviously with it being such a late run I can't imagine I should do that. Any tips on what/when to eat tomorrow?

Thanks

Yeah I agree with theduke, just have a good lunch around run one or so and then have something small to eat around half four or 5, race starts at half 6. So maybe just a banana or a granola bar with some water. Hydration is important as well but you don't want to drink too much or you'll be looking for the toilets all during the race! Don't eat or drink anything you have never eaten before, race day is not the day for experimentation. Good Luck.

Dundalk

Overall a good race but what was with the change in the course at the start of the half marathon? There was nothing on the website and a lot of people I spoke to where complaining about that. Also there was supposed to be 13 mile markers, I seen about 6 in total which was a bit off putting.

The course itself was good, plenty of water stations and the marshalls did a great job. Great medals as well and the support was amazing in town

theduke1

any sign of the results?

Pighead

theduke1 wrote: »

any sign of the results?

www.chipit.ie should have them.

sportfanatic

Done the 10km last night, felt it was well organised and did enjoy it to some degree.

The route was nice and flat, but i'm not sure if its the most scenic route that could be chosen.

A few of my mates done the Half Marathon and felt that having to go for the 2nd lap when you saw the 10km race finishing was a bit soul destroying. I think a 1 lap system would be better, either out around Ravensdale or taking in some of Blackrock (I know this would cause some logistical problems).

From the looking at the results it looks like the numbers are down? Not sure if it was the same last year with it clashing with the race in Drogheda last weekend?

Phibsboro

Had a disaster here

There was a *very* small half marathon field. My aim was to jog the race, given that I had never done the distance before. In the event the field took off a fair old clip and I felt I had no choice but to keep up with the last bunch, who were doing about 9' 30" a mile (about a minute quicker than I had planned to do it ). I am actually capable of keeping that pace for 10+ miles but the problem is that for some reason that pace plays havoc with my knees. Sure nuff by mile 5 both knees were playing up. By the time we came back into town I was the last of the half marathoners (from having stopped to try and stretch out my knees a few times) by a fair bit and wasn't up to the mortification of looping round Market Square on my own - so back to the car with me

As stated elsewhere, the marshaling and crowd support was excellent but with such a small field it probably isn't a race for the beginner. If they run it again next year (which I suspect they mightn't given the minimal effort put into the website and the "goodie" bag this year), it would be great if they started the 10K significantly later so that the joggers/walkers from the 10k would be out on the course for the half marathoners second loop (instead of the first loop as was the case with only a 15 min delay). I know that is probably the opposite of what a good runner would want but as a beginner I was looking for more bodies on the road for the second loop

Anyways, onwards and upwards, 2 weeks off I think then pick a half later in the summer to aim for...

BTW, thanks for the advice re food, that worked perfectly, no upset at all during the 10k i did do.

pconn062

Phibsboro wrote: »

Had a disaster here

There was a *very* small half marathon field. My aim was to jog the race, given that I had never done the distance before. In the event the field took off a fair old clip and I felt I had no choice but to keep up with the last bunch, who were doing about 9' 30" a mile (about a minute quicker than I had planned to do it ). I am actually capable of keeping that pace for 10+ miles but the problem is that for some reason that pace plays havoc with my knees. Sure nuff by mile 5 both knees were playing up. By the time we came back into town I was the last of the half marathoners (from having stopped to try and stretch out my knees a few times) by a fair bit and wasn't up to the mortification of looping round Market Square on my own - so back to the car with me

As stated elsewhere, the marshaling and crowd support was excellent but with such a small field it probably isn't a race for the beginner. If they run it again next year (which I suspect they mightn't given the minimal effort put into the website and the "goodie" bag this year), it would be great if they started the 10K significantly later so that the joggers/walkers from the 10k would be out on the course for the half marathoners second loop (instead of the first loop as was the case with only a 15 min delay). I know that is probably the opposite of what a good runner would want but as a beginner I was looking for more bodies on the road for the second loop

Anyways, onwards and upwards, 2 weeks off I think then pick a half later in the summer to aim for...

BTW, thanks for the advice re food, that worked perfectly, no upset at all during the 10k i did do.

Don't worry about what people think of you, just run your own race and ignore all the distractions. Most people would be very supportive of your efforts, running a half marathon is no mean feat so just take your time and get round and next year you will be much further up in the field.

jogging woman

Did dundalk 10k wed evening great weather lovely course and lots of water if you needed it not like boyne 10k last sunday tough course and it was a warm day but they still ran out of water disgrace especially for fun runners like me who only do it to keep fit and im pretty slow as well ha ha:

Rossin

its a pity its so close to the boyne 10k, would've ran it otherwise

belcarra

I see on Facebook that this Half Marathon is being discontinued and the 10km is being moved to the weekend instead of mid-week. Pity about the HM - it was a good race last year.

neacy69

New dates for this years 10k

http://dundalk10k.com/

Wednesday April 2nd starting from the DKIT Campus (although the route map is quite confusing)

Reg fees are also in dollars (?):


Individual Age group/open $20.00
student Price $15.00
early bird $18.00