Parkrun..

Toblerone1978

eliwallach wrote: »

Not the point.
Do it properly or don't do it at all.

On that basis, your friend shouldn't be going for a sub-25 but a World Record. Like, do it properly or don't do it at all.

eliwallach

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

On that basis, your friend shouldn't be going for a sub-25 but a World Record. Like, do it properly or don't do it at all.

Seriously?
This is your contribution?

And who said he was my friend?

And @Plodder who said that it was only one persons time that was missing?

Enough said on this , ye think it's ok, I don't. It's all about expectations and standards.

Murph_D

Eli, I think you will find that when things go wrong at a parkrun, the people who are most disappointed and upset are
the volunteers.

I'm a regular parkrunner and volunteer and I've screwed up a couple of times. I've always been amazed at how calm the run directors are In dealing with problems and getting the results out as accurately as possible.

I think it's ok to hold parkrun to a high standard, even if it's free and even if the vast majority of runners don't bother volunteering, placing more pressure on the core group that every event needs to keep going. But if standards slip, maybe you should take it as an opportunity to add your own efforts and expertise.

eoinín

eliwallach wrote: »

Not the point.
Do it properly or don't do it at all.

Not sure if you know how parkrun operates but its usually the case that a volunteer will get a few minutes training on a piece of equipment. So it's not like a paid event with chip timing, where those operating the equipment are professionals, and able to deal with any situation or malfunction. Volunteers do their best to make sure a good service is provided but very occasionally things can go wrong due either to human error or equipment fault.

I think your expectations of 100% perfection are way too high for what is a free fun run. Thankfully the vast majority of the many parkrunners I've talked to over the last 2 years don't take things quite as seriously as you and are forgiving of the very rare occasion that something goes wrong. If everyone had your unforgiving attitude towards volunteers then no one would step forward to volunteer and parkrun would not function.

diego_b

As someone who had a similar issue with not getting a recorded time back in August in one of the Dublin area park runs I'd like to add my two cent.

I was disappointed at the time not to have my PB recorded (it was both my actual and park run PB by a good 2 mins but I have it on my Nike + anyways). At the event which averages 140 plus runners a week the majority of the volunteers for that week were 11/12 year old kids so that gives an idea how these events are being stretched.
How could I even dream of complaining?! I sent a mail to the feedback address with my info to see if I could get the results updated but unfortunately not. I had made a mistake also in filling in my details at the event for those who have finisher tokens that do not scan.

The only thing to do is set that new time as your target and get out there to beat it.
In my case I haven't beat it yet but got within two seconds of it at my home event in Naas a week ago so very happy to have an almost equivalent time recorded on park run.
If the person was able to get sub 25 this week, he or she can certainly do that again in the not too distant future.

eliwallach

eliwallach wrote: »

Two major cock-ups with the results on consecutive weeks at Macroom Parkrun. One guy who had been trying to break 25 mins since Macroom Parkrun started finally managed it in one of these weeks but no record of it for him.
Things are slipping.

Did the Macroom Parkrun a couple of weeks back.

Came second, so checked the results afterwards purely for my own ego - it's not often I get on a podium! I wasn't there. No big deal, a chance to stretch the legs in a group on a crisp morning and push oneself is always good. I had my stopwatch time anyway, so knew how I had done.

Dropped them an email, they explained there was a few issues, and they sorted it out and put my name in. So posting here in praise of them. I mean, if it was a competitive run and I had paid some entry fee and it was never corrected, I think I might be a very small bit annoyed. But have to give credit to them and their efforts.

edisonolmy

Finnt wrote: »

I wonder will 4 laps of clarisford get a bit congested?

Only other four-lap parkrun I did was Comber and it got a bit congested by the 3rd lap but still enough room to pass people. Looking forward to Clarisford.

edisonolmy

A few weeks ago at my local run someone forgot to re-set one of the barcode scanners meaning people who didn't run were given times, and people who ran didn't get times. The volunteer team happily added times for those who emailed them. I somehow managed to end up being moved up two places, so wasn't complaining.

While there have been occasions when there might have been a timer malfunction and everyone gets 59:59 or they give you someone else's time (faster or slower) - these are few and far between.

By and large volunteers do a fantastic job, and we are taking part in these runs for free. If things go wrong, there's always next week.

robinph

My regular parkrun is almost a four lapper, it's three laps around a tarmac path and then the last bit you move onto the grass just inside that for a slightly shorter lap. It copes OK most of the time with upto around 200 people doing it. The only times I've noticed any issues are when they have people running pacemaking groups for certain times and you then get bigger groups of people to lap at some points, but it's really not too bad. Just have to take the wide line around people at points.

Another local one is three laps and works a lot better for most of the route, a few less people run it at the moment and the path is less twisty so easier to negotiate your way through when lapping people as you can see the gaps from a long way out and people tend to not switch side of the path unexpectedly...but there is one section towards the end of the lap where you have to run between a series of gaps in a fence and a very tight bend around a flowerbed. Get unlucky with the timing of when you catch people on that and it could get messy.

edisonolmy

I got unlucky in Comber with the timing. The course is four laps on a figure of 8 course, so you cross a narrow bridge 8 separate times. I got caught behind someone pushing buggies in opposite directions, but hey, it means I have an excuse to go back there some day.

edisonolmy

I can't post links but Hartstown's page is now live on the official website

"The course starts at the park’s entrance behind Hartstown Community School next to the park’s parking lot. The route heads north towards the all-weather pitch and continues around the entire border of the park in a clockwise direction for its entirety until reaching the starting point once again.

"From there, participants need to do an additional loop around the centre section of the park in order to complete the 5k.
Follow the route past the all-weather pitch again and take a right on the path between the rows of trees and another right heading south, adjacent to the Woodvale estate.

"Follow the path for about 450 meters and then take a right alongside the railings which will lead you to the finishing line."

Amigaman

http://www.parkrun.ie/hartstown/course/
allow me :-)
Way to go Hartstown
Hartstown parkrun starts 15 November 2014

bouli73

Have to say i think Parkrun is a fantastic idea. I only wish we had one in Limerick.

MaggotBrain

bouli73 wrote: »

Have to say i think Parkrun is a fantastic idea. I only wish we had one in Limerick.

One in Killaloe, which isn't a million miles away, starting this Saturday (Oct 25th) in Clarisford Park. See FB or the park run site for more details.

who_ru

MaggotBrain wrote: »

One in Killaloe, which isn't a million miles away, starting this Saturday (Oct 25th) in Clarisford Park. See FB or the park run site for more details.

Hi

Is it run on Tarmac or grass?

Thanks

bisso

From the Clarisford page on parkrun website

The flat course starts at the entrance to Clarisford Park and heads south towards the River Shannon on a woodland road before turning left onto the Clarisford Park trail path and doing 4 anticlockwise laps. On the fourth lap, turn right into the main carpark and pavilion area

edisonolmy

who_ru wrote: »

Hi

Is it run on Tarmac or grass?

Thanks

Did Clarisford in Killaloe today. It is entirely trail path and mostly flat. A few small rises and falls. It is 4 laps so can get congested if you are aiming for 20 or under.
Lovely park. Really enjoyed today.

edisonolmy

bisso wrote: »

From the Clarisford page on parkrun website

The flat course starts at the entrance to Clarisford Park and heads south towards the River Shannon on a woodland road before turning left onto the Clarisford Park trail path and doing 4 anticlockwise laps. On the fourth lap, turn right into the main carpark and pavilion area

Despite what the website says, it was most definitely a left turn into the car park at the end.
There was talk after the run today that they might change the course slightly.
Keith Wood was running today. Joked that the whole "run not a race" idea wasn't for him.

edisonolmy

According to FB, Sligo is hoping to start in Doorly Park outside Sligo Town in January 2015. They say: "We have a core committee organised to bring parkrun to Sligo. It will be a free 5k run taking place in Doorly Park, Sligo every Saturday morning. Funding is in place and we are putting together the final touches."

edisonolmy

The course map for Ballina can now be found on Google maps. They updated it just a couple of hours ago. Appears to be an out and back starting near Castle Road and running along the banks of the River Moy.

woody1

cant see it or any link to it ?

edisonolmy

woody1 wrote: »

cant see it or any link to it ?

I can't post links, but will try my best to explain how to find it.

Go to any existing `course' page - say Ardgillan for example.

Under the course map you'll see "View Ardgillan parkrun in a larger map" written in blue. Click that link.

On the left hand side under the name of the map, it will show you how many views the map has had and when it was created etc. It will say `created by parkrun HQ'. Click that link and it takes you to all maps uploaded recently by parkrun HQ.

Ballina is the most recent one.

jfh

edisonolmy wrote: »

The course map for Ballina can now be found on Google maps. They updated it just a couple of hours ago. Appears to be an out and back starting near Castle Road and running along the banks of the River Moy.

What was the route like? Is it on trail?
Thanks

hollypink

edisonolmy wrote: »

I can't post links, but will try my best to explain how to find it.

Go to any existing `course' page - say Ardgillan for example.

Under the course map you'll see "View Ardgillan parkrun in a larger map" written in blue. Click that link.

On the left hand side under the name of the map, it will show you how many views the map has had and when it was created etc. It will say `created by parkrun HQ'. Click that link and it takes you to all maps uploaded recently by parkrun HQ.

Ballina is the most recent one.

Just posting the link from the above:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=216765682921523600325.0005067ab90c3ea8ea291


Looks like a nice route - along the river and into Belleek woods. Looking forward to trying it.

edisonolmy

jfh wrote: »

What was the route like? Is it on trail?
Thanks

No idea although looking at the area around Castle Road and the river on Google satellite, it looks like it would have to go through trees, which suggests trail paths.

It appears to start on a gravel track before heading along the river.

edisonolmy

I'll miss the inaugural on Nov 22, but hope to get there soon enough.

woody1

thats great , thanks
i run in belleek woods fairly often, ran there at the weekend, hence i was curious about the route, a small bit of it, from the running track to the entrance to the woods is on road, after that its trail, a lot of the main trails have been re-done in the past year and a bit and are hard packed gravel and are nice and level surface , at a guess about 4k of it or thereabouts is on trail, will be a nice run,

edisonolmy

Sonia O'Sullivan is going to be running the Bere Island parkrun on Sat Dec 6. Good excuse to get down there, if you haven't already been.

edisonolmy

The Ballina event page is now on the official site - no pin on the map as yet.

"Leaving the Ballina AC track we will start our run down towards the soccer pitch with the beautiful River Moy on your right, where we will enter the woods along the main avenue also known as "The Heritage Trail", this takes you to the duck pond where you will hear lots of quacks as you run past.

"Keeping the River Moy to your right as we continue down to where the wood opens out to a big picnic area, and it is here you will see the ruins of the stone ship SS Creteboom (one of 12 ships constructed during the 1st world war for use as tug boats).

"Continuing for another 50 metres we will then take a left which will take us on a small loop before coming back out onto the picnic area again. We will continue our run back up the same way as we came down finishing on the Ballina AC track."

pointer28

Hi everyone,

Heading to Dublin next Saturday and thinking of taking in a Parkrun along the way, the two most convenient ones are Girffeen Valley and Waterstown.

I've done Griffeen before and was thinking of doing Waterstown for a change. When I look at recent results there seems to be a large difference in finishing times with Waterstown being the slower of the two.

Is Waterstown a particularly tough course or is it just less competitive?

yaboya1

pointer28 wrote: »

Is Waterstown a particularly tough course or is it just less competitive?

Haven't been there yet myself, but I think it's a bit of both.

yosser hughes

pointer28 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Heading to Dublin next Saturday and thinking of taking in a Parkrun along the way, the two most convenient ones are Girffeen Valley and Waterstown.

I've done Griffeen before and was thinking of doing Waterstown for a change. When I look at recent results there seems to be a large difference in finishing times with Waterstown being the slower of the two.

Is Waterstown a particularly tough course or is it just less competitive?

I've done Waterstown. There are a few tough inclines,one at the end is particulalry hard when you're bursting a gut. Compared to St.Anne's which is the only other one I've done; it's harder in my opinion.

PS: Yes, I'd say it's less competetive as well.
It's a lovely course though and well organised.

SamforMayo

edisonolmy wrote: »

The Ballina event page is now on the official site - no pin on the map as yet.

"Leaving the Ballina AC track we will start our run down towards the soccer pitch with the beautiful River Moy on your right, where we will enter the woods along the main avenue also known as "The Heritage Trail", this takes you to the duck pond where you will hear lots of quacks as you run past.

"Keeping the River Moy to your right as we continue down to where the wood opens out to a big picnic area, and it is here you will see the ruins of the stone ship SS Creteboom (one of 12 ships constructed during the 1st world war for use as tug boats).

"Continuing for another 50 metres we will then take a left which will take us on a small loop before coming back out onto the picnic area again. We will continue our run back up the same way as we came down finishing on the Ballina AC track."

That's a lovely route, finishing on a hill though! Looking forward to it, hope it's well supported.

Wubble Wubble

@pointer28: Yes and yes are the answers to your questions. Of the four parkrun courses I've run on at the time of typing (St Annes and Malahide being the others), Waterstown is the most difficult, with even the flattest part being into the wind, and a tough uphill finish. Numbers are a lot smaller, to the extent that although my times were slower than my Lucan efforts, I still comfortably made the top ten in Waterstown on both occasions...which has yet to happen anywhere else! Best of luck.

who_ru

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

@pointer28: Yes and yes are the answers to your questions. Of the four parkrun courses I've run on at the time of typing (St Annes and Malahide being the others), Waterstown is the most difficult, with even the flattest part being into the wind, and a tough uphill finish. Numbers are a lot smaller, to the extent that although my times were slower than my Lucan efforts, I still comfortably made the top ten in Waterstown on both occasions...which has yet to happen anywhere else! Best of luck.

The route has changed at waterstown to take out the particularly sharp uphill finish, it's still uphill to a point but not the gut busting one that was there. Just follow the yellow signs. There is still a good deal of incline along the route, but it's a great track imho.

Wubble Wubble

Cheers, I ran there last week, when it was a different finish to the one on my first attempt (mid July). I think in the first 2 weeks they ran the loops in the opposite direction, in other words all the way up from the river to the finish line at the top corner !!

RonanP77

I did my first ever Parkrun this morning in Cootehill, it was well organised and I really enjoyed it. I'm still struggling with ankle and calf injuries so it took me around 25 minutes, that's over 2 minutes off my PB. There are a few hills on it but nothing serious, I was glad to see such a good turnout for its official launch. Some of the lads that are runing it will be finishing around 16 minutes so I haven't a hope of ever getting a decent result, I'll just push for full fitness and go for a PB. I'd love to eventually get below 20 minutes.

gerard_65

Over 500 at Marley Park this morning. Great numbers. I thought they would ease off with more runs around Dublin, including Tymon which is very near, but the numbers just keep showing up ever week. Brilliant to see. 'Build it and they'll come'.

AdpRo

Surprised Tymon starting hasn't taken some of the crowd from Marley. 503 at Marley this morning and 86 at Tymon and in my opinion Tymon is the easier course.

TheBazman

RonanP77 wrote: »

Some of the lads that are runing it will be finishing around 16 minutes so I haven't a hope of ever getting a decent result, I'll just push for full fitness and go for a PB. I'd love to eventually get below 20 minutes.

With events like this I would worry about placing, better to concentrate on improving your times gradually. I would much prefer to run a PB and be down the pack, than finishing in the top 10 with a much slower time. My times tend to get me around 12th in Naas but I know if I ran somewhere like Marley park I would struggle to get in the top 100.

RonanP77

I got an email of the results, I was 41st out of 110, if I run my PB I'll be top 20 based on todays results. Concentrating on my own times is definitely the way to go though.

Wubble Wubble

I went back to Malahide today, in amongst a 400+ runner field. I spent most of the first lap stuck in traffic, having started way way too far back. I used up far too much energy sprinting around and between pockets of runners, to the extent that I was pretty much stuffed after 3k. Even so, my time was quicker than last week's Waterstown effort, although the finishing position was nowhere near as good....

Did anyone here try out Poppintree this morning? I might give it a whirl next week.

belcarra

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

Did anyone here try out Poppintree this morning? I might give it a whirl next week.

I ran Poppintree this morning alright (only a few minutes from my place). It's very flat but the current layout means 1 small lap followed by two bigger laps which means lots of sharp corners. It was a little greasy this morning and with leaves meant it was necessary to slow down taking corners. We had about 95 turn out so decent enough.

As an aside, Frank Greally from the Irish Runner took part also. Before the run he mentioned something about a club that used to be based in the area - Poppintree AC - and unless I heard wrong it sounds like he's gonna try reform it with the support of a few locals. Would be interesting...
HelenAnne/Eoinin - Did ye get the same understanding as me?

paddybarry

Weetabix wrote: »

Surprised Tymon starting hasn't taken some of the crowd from Marley. 503 at Marley this morning and 86 at Tymon and in my opinion Tymon is the easier course.

I have run both a fair few times and think that Marley is much the quicker. There are a lot of turns in the 1st mile of Tymon and a long drag over last mile.

Once you crest the hill at half way at Marley, you are in a great place psychologically and can really fly towards the finish.

I'd reckon Marley is about 30 seconds quicker than Tymon.

Both are great courses. I find Tymon to be a great workout.

eoinín

belcarra wrote: »

As an aside, Frank Greally from the Irish Runner took part also. Before the run he mentioned something about a club that used to be based in the area - Poppintree AC - and unless I heard wrong it sounds like he's gonna try reform it with the support of a few locals. Would be interesting...
HelenAnne/Eoinin - Did ye get the same understanding as me?

That seemed to be what he was saying but I was unclear at what stage plans are at, whether it was a vague aspiration or if more concrete work was being done.

I had a really enjoyable morning - it was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the first run - and so nice to see a few familiar faces from the other Dublin parkruns who had traveled over for the morning. In terms of the course, I think all the corners and junctions will take a bit of getting used to - i was never quite sure which way I'd be turning next. But another run or 2 there and I'm sure I'd know it better. The muddy corners did require a wide berth, often sending you out in to the path of oncoming runners! But there was talk afterwards of reworking the course a little to reduce the numbers of junctions / corners, so I'd like to go back at some future point to check it out.

AdpRo

paddybarry wrote: »

I have run both a fair few times and think that Marley is much the quicker. There are a lot of turns in the 1st mile of Tymon and a long drag over last mile.

Once you crest the hill at half way at Marley, you are in a great place psychologically and can really fly towards the finish.

I'd reckon Marley is about 30 seconds quicker than Tymon.

Both are great courses. I find Tymon to be a great workout.

I have only done Tymon once (Marley over 20 times I think) but I really liked it. Crowds are much smaller so 1st lap turns are ok. I always find the first concert field loop in Marley very crowded and once you leave it and enter the woods you are climbing for a full mile to the top of the main hill. Completely agree that once you crest the hill it is a great last 2k!

I must go back and try Tymon again soon.

edisonolmy

I've run three Dublin events so far - St Anne's, Tymon and Waterstown. I'd rank them in that order too. I did the inaugural run at Waterstown and really struggled up the final hill. I think it was about 400 metres of a climb, which is nothing compared to Ardgillan, which I've still not done.

I hope to get down to Cootehill next weekend.

edisonolmy

I'd like to do Marlay some time but the numbers involved put me off a bit. I ran Cardiff once and it had 500 or so runners. You can spend an age just even reaching the start line.

I'm told there are plans for an event in Bushy Park starting next year, with the aim being to take runners away from Marlay, but then I thought Tymon might have taken some runners away as well.

gerard_65

edisonolmy wrote: »

I'd like to do Marlay some time but the numbers involved put me off a bit. I ran Cardiff once and it had 500 or so runners. You can spend an age just even reaching the start line.

I'm told there are plans for an event in Bushy Park starting next year, with the aim being to take runners away from Marlay, but then I thought Tymon might have taken some runners away as well.

Marley's not bad despite the numbers. Wide start area so only a few rows. It then spreads out quickly.
Not too sure if it would work in Bushy. Its a fairly small park even using the woods and I wouldn't like either hill. The field is 1200m around so it'd be laps.

edisonolmy

Cardiff's issue is the start area is quite narrow. As for Bushy, laps and hills could make it quite tough. Falls in Belfast has a hill that you have to do twice and it reduces you to tears the second time up it.