Race Series Change - new 10km!

shazkea

Did anyone else get the e-mail on the race series for 2012?

Quoting...

" new event is added this year with a 10K in Swords on Sunday July 22nd. All other events will be held in the Phoenix Park starting at the usual time of 10am. The 5 Mile will now be held on June 30th, with the new 10K next on July 22nd, the 10 Mile is next on August 25th and the series will finish on September 15th with the Half Marathon"

Seems a bizarre choice for a 10km to be added in Swords. Is this an existing race that they've changed the name and added in?

<mods> feel free to move to events if it is more suitable.

donothoponpop

shazkea wrote: »

Seems a bizarre choice for a 10km to be added in Swords. Is this an existing race that they've changed the name and added in?

I believe this is the first effort to take the race series out of the Park, which has outgrown that venue.

shazkea

donothoponpop wrote: »

I believe this is the first effort to take the race series out of the Park, which has outgrown that venue.

Absolutely agree with them doing this as the series is too large for the park. Swords seems to be an odd choice for it though and am wondering why a 10km has been added. Was it not possible to have it in the city centre?

I'm not being negative about this and am supportive of their efforts to expand it, just genuinely curious. Tbh Swords is a stones throw from me so it would suit me better than the park

donothoponpop

shazkea wrote: »

Absolutely agree with them doing this as the series is too large for the park. Swords seems to be an odd choice for it though and am wondering why a 10km has been added. Was it not possible to have it in the city centre?

I'm not being negative about this and am supportive of their efforts to expand it, just genuinely curious. Tbh Swords is a stones throw from me so it would suit me better than the park

There's a lot of wrangling that goes on behind the scene's...;) from what I gather, the Race Series would love nothing better than to host all races through the centre of Dublin, as a showcase for the city, but there's obviously going to opposition to this from different groups (given that they shut down the city for the DM). For the moment, though, adding a 10k in Swords is a step in the right direction.

Brianderunner

Saw the email from national lottery this morning and i was like wtf? It's a bit of a strange one no doubt. The race series have stopped becoming enjoyable in the park (for me at least) so something had to be done. This seems to scream out "we'll give it a shot and let's see how it goes". Will be interesting to see the numbers in this compared to the other 3 in the park alright.

Peckham

I am really intrigued about the Swords addition. As I live in the general area it suits me perfectly, but am wondering two things:

a) where in Swords are they going to run it? If it has outgrown the park, I can't see where in Swords it would be suited to.

b) Swords isn't exactly blessed with public transport (especially in off peak hours), so will this discourage people from doing the race. Especially given that for many southsiders anything north of the airport is a land of mystery!

Will be watching this one closely....

RacoonQueen

There's somewhere North of the airport?

I assume this is being run on roads? Always baffles me that rural races manage to get roads closed yet in Dublin we generally have the choice of the phoenix park or eh the phoenix park. Only a couple of races are run outside the park in Dublin, even with that Sportsworld have to do laps because they can't get enough roads closed. Locals are always very supportive of races down t'country as well.

meathcountysec

RacoonQueen wrote: »

There's somewhere North of the airport?

I assume this is being run on roads? Always baffles me that rural races manage to get roads closed yet in Dublin we generally have the choice of the phoenix park or eh the phoenix park. Only a couple of races are run outside the park in Dublin, even with that Sportsworld have to do laps because they can't get enough roads closed. Locals are always very supportive of races down t'country as well.

Fingal stretches as far as Balbriggan and beyond. Ardgillan Park?

plodder

Peckham wrote: »

I am really intrigued about the Swords addition. As I live in the general area it suits me perfectly, but am wondering two things:

a) where in Swords are they going to run it? If it has outgrown the park, I can't see where in Swords it would be suited to.

b) Swords isn't exactly blessed with public transport (especially in off peak hours), so will this discourage people from doing the race. Especially given that for many southsiders anything north of the airport is a land of mystery!

Will be watching this one closely....

Me too, as Swords is local for me as well. It couldn't really be in the built-up areas though could it? There would be chaos if you tried to close any of the roads in the town.

Having said that, I do a lot of my long runs in the rural roads to the North of the town and you could probably close some of them I think. You could use Balheary park as the start/finish area.

[edit] It's actually quite a nice spot to run in. The route I'm thinking would be very flat and fast. The country road surfaces would need a bit of work in places though.

BeepBeep67

RacoonQueen wrote: »

There's somewhere North of the airport?

I assume this is being run on roads? Always baffles me that rural races manage to get roads closed yet in Dublin we generally have the choice of the phoenix park or eh the phoenix park. Only a couple of races are run outside the park in Dublin, even with that Sportsworld have to do laps because they can't get enough roads closed. Locals are always very supportive of races down t'country as well.

The DLR Bay 10k should be back on again this year on August 6th and despite 67 junctions will have full road closures

thirstywork2

With more and more new people running i think the 10k is added for people who want to increase their distance ie 5miles 10k/6.2miles 10miles ect ect

Swords seems strange but nice to get away from the park for a change.

tunguska

I think its a good idea to add another race. Personally I'd rather see them add a 20miler instead of a 10k.

5 mile in june
10 mile in july
1/2 in august
20 mile in september

NiallG4

tunguska wrote: »

I think its a good idea to add another race. Personally I'd rather see them add a 20miler instead of a 10k.

5 mile in june
10 mile in july
1/2 in august
20 mile in september

Agree. 20 mile would be perfect. Maybe I am being pedantic, but could it be viewed as a money making exercise. It would be a massive jump in revenue.

Krusty_Clown

tunguska wrote: »

I think its a good idea to add another race. Personally I'd rather see them add a 20miler instead of a 10k.

5 mile in june
10 mile in july
1/2 in august
20 mile in september

50k in December?

RacoonQueen

NiallG4 wrote: »

Agree. 20 mile would be perfect. Maybe I am being pedantic, but could it be viewed as a money making exercise. It would be a massive jump in revenue.

4 races for €65 a money making exercise? These races aren't all about making money for the organisers like other ones are. They do provide a great race experience, are well organised and are great value for money. They've grown massively in the last 5 years and their popularity is largely down to how well organised they are.

Where would they put on a 20 mile run in Dublin. There'd be uproar if we closed of 20 miles+ of the roads 6 weeks or so before DCM. The Irish don't know how to support things like this when it inconveniences them.

bart simpson

RacoonQueen wrote: »

There's somewhere North of the airport?

I assume this is being run on roads? Always baffles me that rural races manage to get roads closed yet in Dublin we generally have the choice of the phoenix park or eh the phoenix park. Only a couple of races are run outside the park in Dublin, even with that Sportsworld have to do laps because they can't get enough roads closed. Locals are always very supportive of races down t'country as well.

Just throwing this idea out there....would a 10k race around mondello park be an idea?

ThisRegard

I would imagine that would be very very boring.

rovers_runner

RQ is right, these races are the blueprint to mass participation road races in Ireland and without them we would be left open to money making companies to fill a huge void.


Entry is open for the Race Series.
Still 50 for the 3 park races.
Will have to miss the 10k in Swords, have a honeymoon commitment

If they plan on taking the series out of the park I think Swords is a bad choice to test the waters with.

Brianderunner

bart simpson wrote: »

Just throwing this idea out there....would a 10k race around mondello park be an idea?

I'm doing a half in on the Silverstone F1 course on Sunday week. 10,000 runners and it's the official half marathon for the London Marathon. I don't see why it couldn't happen in Mondello tbh. Zero road closures required, easy to set up a race village and it's a bit of a novelty running around the track. Easy for drivers to get to and loads of parking too.

ThisRegard wrote: »

I would imagine that would be very very boring.

Maybe so but it would almost certainly be flat and fast.

shazkea

HardWorker has started a thread on events about it

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056564388

ThisRegard

Brianderunner wrote: »

Maybe so but it would almost certainly be flat and fast.

We're come from two very different viewpoints on what makes a good course, a flat fast boring run around a racecourse does not appeal to me at all, whereas an undulating and sweeping course, doesn't have to be fast but needs nice scenery is what I would prefer, probably the reason the last time I ran a road race was about 2 years ago. I must do one though as I'm constantly asked what my 10k time is.

Krusty_Clown

Brianderunner wrote: »

I don't see why it couldn't happen in Mondello tbh. Zero road closures required, easy to set up a race village and it's a bit of a novelty running around the track. Easy for drivers to get to and loads of parking too.

Public transport = Zero. You would have to organize buses from Dublin (or Naas). Also, it is a 3.5km loop, so you're looking at a three lap race, where the leading runners will start running into runners at the rear of the race. Same is true of Silverstone too though, however, they have more options in terms of different tracks/routing.

Actually, thinking about it a little more, there are lots of examples of road races where public transport is limited, e.g. Kildare, etc.

shels4ever

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Public transport = Zero. You would have to organize buses from Dublin (or Naas). Also, it is a 3.5km loop, so you're looking at a three lap race, where the leading runners will start running into runners at the rear of the race. Same is true of Silverstone too though, however, they have more options in terms of different tracks/routing.

Actually, thinking about it a little more, there are lots of examples of road races where public transport is limited, e.g. Kildare, etc.

We can all take metro north .. oh wait....

plodder

A shuttle bus from Malahide Dart station wouldn't cost the earth and might help win over some of the nervous uncertain Southsiders. :pac:

bart simpson

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Public transport = Zero. You would have to organize buses from Dublin (or Naas). Also, it is a 3.5km loop, so you're looking at a three lap race, where the leading runners will start running into runners at the rear of the race. Same is true of Silverstone too though, however, they have more options in terms of different tracks/routing.

Actually, thinking about it a little more, there are lots of examples of road races where public transport is limited, e.g. Kildare, etc.

how wide is the track at mondello? first lap could be done on left hand side and 2nd lap done on right hand side if its wide enough, and you could incoprorate approach roads into the course also. Is the anywhere else in or near dublin besides the park that has closed roads that are longer?

Krusty_Clown

bart simpson wrote: »

how wide is the track at mondello? first lap could be done on left hand side and 2nd lap done on right hand side if its wide enough, and you could incoprorate approach roads into the course also. Is the anywhere else in or near dublin besides the park that has closed roads that are longer?

Leopardstown Race course?

Brianderunner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Public transport = Zero. You would have to organize buses from Dublin (or Naas). Also, it is a 3.5km loop, so you're looking at a three lap race, where the leading runners will start running into runners at the rear of the race. Same is true of Silverstone too though, however, they have more options in terms of different tracks/routing.

Actually, thinking about it a little more, there are lots of examples of road races where public transport is limited, e.g. Kildare, etc.

Public transport to Silverstone is also nil. Unusual for somewhere so famous. It's in the middle of nowhere the way Mondello is. Yet it seems to work. 2 shuttle bus routes from London going but everyone else drives or gets a lift. Ask me again on Sunday week and i might not be so complimentary :pac:

You have the pit lane too and the infield etc so you could get a 10k route out of it surely. Running a road race on a famous motoring track would appeal to a lot of people i would think, guys especially.

bart simpson wrote: »

how wide is the track at mondello? first lap could be done on left hand side and 2nd lap done on right hand side if its wide enough, and you could incoprorate approach roads into the course also. Is the anywhere else in or near dublin besides the park that has closed roads that are longer?

Silverstone are doing the first lap clockwise, the 2nd lap in the infield/pit lane and the 3rd lap counter clockwise. Makes it up to 13.1 mls. Same thing could work for Mondello up to 10k or even 10 miles.

NiallG4

RacoonQueen wrote: »

4 races for €65 a money making exercise? These races aren't all about making money for the organisers like other ones are. They do provide a great race experience, are well organised and are great value for money. They've grown massively in the last 5 years and their popularity is largely down to how well organised they are.

Where would they put on a 20 mile run in Dublin. There'd be uproar if we closed of 20 miles+ of the roads 6 weeks or so before DCM. The Irish don't know how to support things like this when it inconveniences them.

"Fingal 10K
This is the new event in the Race Series. There will be three athletic clubs in Fingal ( Clonliffe Harriers, Fingallians and Metro St Brigids ) who will assist in organising it and they will receive the financial benefits. The 10K will get every support needed from Fingal County Council, who are delighted with this venture.
The course hasn't been fully finalised yet but it will finish in Main Street."

I take back the increased revenue quip. Great to see Athletics Clubs benefiting from the extra cash.

RacoonQueen

Nice to see Fingal County Council being co-operative as well. Easier to deal with than DCC possibly? Could be the reason for bringing it out that far.

louthandproud

Peckham wrote: »

b) Swords isn't exactly blessed with public transport (especially in off peak hours), so will this discourage people from doing the race. Especially given that for many southsiders anything north of the Liffey is a land of mystery!

Will be watching this one closely....

Corrected that for you!

Brianderunner

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Nice to see Fingal County Council being co-operative as well. Easier to deal with than DCC possibly? Could be the reason for bringing it out that far.

You just know it's somebody that knows somebody else, pulling a few strings, scratching a few backs. Everything in Ireland works like that and this one smells of that for me at least.

Hard Worker

Brianderunner wrote: »

You just know it's somebody that knows somebody else, pulling a few strings, scratching a few backs. Everything in Ireland works like that and this one smells of that for me at least.

Yeah, definitely some insider dealing going on here