Dublin Marathon 2013: Mod Note #316 NO RACE SWAPS

pointer28

Hi all,

Just about to enter my first marathon and strongly considering Dublin as work tends to be busiest from June to Early August and I could miss a lot of quality sessions during that period.

I think late October would be the best date as that would leave most of August and September pretty much uninterrupted in terms of quality training.

However, I'm not that pushed on Dublin itself, I'll enter and do it if it's the best choice but I'm quite happy to enter another race if it meets my criteria.

Can anyone recommend an alternative race around the same time? Also, does Dublin sell out early if I take my time deciding?

popebenny16

it doesnt sell out, but gets more expensive to enter the longer you leave it.

because it is so popular there are many training plans set up around it and the entire dublin race series is set up to bring you from zero to the big day itself.

its not a bad race at all, plenty of people lining the streets and roads, only a few wearying bits (I found the endless Crumlin Road worse than Roebuck Hill or under the Chapilizod bypass) and lots of fun and music going on at lots of places. Also, the finsh around Nassau Street and College Green is the nearest we will ever get to a stadium type surrounding.

RayCun

There are no marathons in Ireland around the same time (except maybe 100 marathon club self-supporting races?) because race directors are not stupid.

webpal

Go for it, make a decision and then you can focus on it. I did it last year after a 7 year gap and as the pope says there are lots of races designed to aid your training throughout the autumn. I've already booked the hotel for this year and will focus my training around it again. You won't regret it. It's a good course and the support is amazing especially if this is your first.

Airtel31

I'm currently training for Cork in June and really looking forward to it, I'm from Cork but live in Dublin, as its my first one I felt I had to do my home one first, but all going well I hope to do Dublin and compare the two, but go for it I have to say the sense of achievement already is brilliant and I'm only at the 10 to 12 mile, also can I suggest you try Hal Higdon training programme there is all levels catered for

pointer28

Thanks everyone for the help.

I think I'll just bite the bullet and go with Dublin so. It will be my first marathon but I'll have done a couple of 10k's and halfs by then.

I'm seriously considering doing two halfs of the Stone Mad ultra in July as a good training weekend as well so hopefully I'll be well able for the training. Already doing a 20k lsr most weekends so fingers crossed.

Mr. CooL ICE

Did the DCM last year as my first marathon and can't recommend it enough. I want to do another marathon this year (depending on current injuries) and would usually vary it a bit by choosing a different marathon, but am probably gonna end up doing Dublin again. And that's nothing to do with convenience

dekbhoy

Sign up for Dublin you wont regret it. Support you get is both uplifting and inspiring. Great to see kids out with banners etc.
was my first last year and certainly wont be my last...

911sc

I ran DCM 5 times, love it and really looking forward to it each year.

You have almost 3 months from the end busy period at work to DCM. That's plenty of time to "polish" your training, considering you are already doing 20kms at week-end.
Go for it and enjoy.

BTW, I started a thread here about Stone Mad

Cabaal

As a first marathon Dublin is a good choice, the crowds will help you along as its very well supported. 2013 will be my third Dublin Marathon.

Ruu

I'll be running at DCM this year, looking forward to it. Any know if there will be a pace team? Shooting for 3:40 or a little under.

Kurt Godel

Ruubot2 wrote: »

I'll be running at DCM this year, looking forward to it. Any know if there will be a pace team? Shooting for 3:40 or a little under.

There'll be pacers again, as there have been for the past few years, sourced from this forum. A call for pacers will go out in June/July.

***This is totally unofficial, just getting soundings***

Previous years have had pacers every 15mins from 3:00, 3:15, ..., 5:00. What would people think about having pacers every 10 mins (so 3:00, 3:10, 3:20,...,5:00)?

I stress this isn't necessarily something they are actively considering, I'm just personally interested in people's views?

Ruu

Cool, seem to remember a few boardsies pacing over the last few years. every 15 minutes seems to be the norm in marathons I have run in. That said, running a marathon in April that has some pace groups between 5 and 10 minutes apart like 3:40 and 3:45 and others.

Sara2002

I can't wait for DCM! I'm doing Paris on April 7th so will decide after that what pacers to follow. I did Dublin last year, my first marathon and I can honestly say it was one of the best days of my life! I don't care if that makes me sound sad. I never dreamed I could run that distance and I never dreamed it would be such an amazing well supported marathon. The people of Dublin were a real credit in the way they supported and cheered us on :-) Roll on October!

Gavlor

Kurt Godel wrote: »

There'll be pacers again, as there have been for the past few years, sourced from this forum. A call for pacers will go out in June/July.

***This is totally unofficial, just getting soundings***

Previous years have had pacers every 15mins from 3:00, 3:15, ..., 5:00. What would people think about having pacers every 10 mins (so 3:00, 3:10, 3:20,...,5:00)?

I stress this isn't necessarily something they are actively considering, I'm just personally interested in people's views?

I think it's a good idea, more pacers = less congestion with each pacer. Apparently the numbers following pacers from 3.30 out to 4.30 was unreal last year

BonBon75

The beauty with training for DCM is the race series working up through the miles, plus you are doing some training in summer. Training for Paris at the moment and the training through the winter has been tough. Almost there now and can't wait for it.

lrak

pointer28 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just about to enter my first marathon and strongly considering Dublin as work tends to be busiest from June to Early August and I could miss a lot of quality sessions during that period.

I think late October would be the best date as that would leave most of August and September pretty much uninterrupted in terms of quality training.

However, I'm not that pushed on Dublin itself, I'll enter and do it if it's the best choice but I'm quite happy to enter another race if it meets my criteria.

Can anyone recommend an alternative race around the same time? Also, does Dublin sell out early if I take my time deciding?

I ran Dublin last year as my first marathon and cant recommend it highly enough, great crowd support and not too hilly.
I would have thought that your more serious training will be in Aug and September and you will have the opportunity of running the race series 10 mile in Aug and half marathon in Sept as target goals, so your work commitments shouldn't interfere, but everyone is different.
I think the other marathons around the same are abroad and they may not be an option. Best of luck if you do sign up and I seem to remember other runners leaving it till Sept before entering Dublin so you could probably make a decision then.

Bahanaman

Would love it if the pacers were in 10 min blocks but it's probably not feasable.

michaelReed

Bahanaman wrote: »

Would love it if the pacers were in 10 min blocks but it's probably not feasable.

Good Idea, Even 15min Blocks would be a big improvement, 30mins is a bitmuch

Id actually think this would easy the congestion around pacers

village runner

michaelReed wrote: »

Good Idea, Even 15min Blocks would be a big improvement, 30mins is a bitmuch

Id actually think this would easy the congestion around pacers

It currently is 15 min. 10 min would be great. Depending on experience etc I would say go for it. How many inexperience runners go for 3.45 because they feel 4 is too slow. Runners like to run with pacers. Plus qualifying times for certain marathons are 3.10 for male and 3.50 for female....

kit3

Kurt Godel wrote: »

There'll be pacers again, as there have been for the past few years, sourced from this forum. A call for pacers will go out in June/July.

***This is totally unofficial, just getting soundings***

Previous years have had pacers every 15mins from 3:00, 3:15, ..., 5:00. What would people think about having pacers every 10 mins (so 3:00, 3:10, 3:20,...,5:00)?

I stress this isn't necessarily something they are actively considering, I'm just personally interested in people's views?

Can't see how this can be anything but good - will ease congestion and will give the choice of 6 slots per hour rather than 4. Went with the pacers for the last 2 years and for someone inexperienced and at the slower end it was great. Will be looking to do the same this year and would welcome a broader choice if it is there. Thanks

pistol_75

Irish Times article today explaining lack of sponsors linked to reduced prize money, money for attracting elites and €5 increase in entry fee.

TRR

I appreciate why the organisers have paid to assemble an elite field in recent years but I see this as a great opportunity for one of our top national marathon runners to really try and win the event. I suppose a couple of uk elites would also be interested as the 10k prize money is still attractive.

mush500

Yeah two interesting articles. They do make out the package on offer is value for money for any potential sponsor. I wondered was the last line almost hint/nudge to Guinness?

Despite the frowning on alcohol sponsorship, the latter is not averse to say, knocking at St James’s Gate.
“The funny thing,” he says, “is that if I got €1 each time someone asked us if we were providing Guinness at the water stations, especially the American entrants, then we wouldn’t need a sponsor.”

Pacing Mule

Kurt Godel wrote: »

There'll be pacers again, as there have been for the past few years, sourced from this forum. A call for pacers will go out in June/July.

***This is totally unofficial, just getting soundings***

Previous years have had pacers every 15mins from 3:00, 3:15, ..., 5:00. What would people think about having pacers every 10 mins (so 3:00, 3:10, 3:20,...,5:00)?

I stress this isn't necessarily something they are actively considering, I'm just personally interested in people's views?

Hi Kurt

Last year IIRC there was a gap from 4:30 to 5:00 pacer wise. If an extra set was available to slot into 4.45 that would be beneficial IMO.

Also again thinking of the slower end of the scale there was no corresponding pace group in the half marathon - the slowest pace group for the half was too fast for anyone aiming at anything over 4:30 (again IIRC). If pacers in general are being looked at it would be good to address that to give the pure novices a chance to practice a paced race before the big day.

randomCluster

I would be happy to pay an extra €5, a tenner even, if it meant a drinks company didn't sponsor the event. I'm not a tee totaler but the more we reinforce our national stereotype (i.e. throwing a pint of the black stuff into Obama) the harder it is to break.

tHE vAGGABOND

re: pacers - maybe we could do something like have slightly more frequent pace groups to the slower end of the race?

I think folks going for a good for age time dont really need [or want?] a pace group quite so much as the person doing their first marathon at the rear end of the race?

average_runner

randomCluster wrote: »

I would be happy to pay an extra €5, a tenner even, if it meant a drinks company didn't sponsor the event. I'm not a tee totaler but the more we reinforce our national stereotype (i.e. throwing a pint of the black stuff into Obama) the harder it is to break.

No harm having drinks company sponsoring it. If we are happy to have McDonald's at Olympics.

randomCluster

From a financial perspective it makes perfect sense for both parties. If profit is the bottom line then go for it. If the race organisers are motivated by factors outside of maximising profit, such as community participation, promoting a healthier lifestyle, and generating an alternative image of Ireland other than a Guinness sponsored check point - then perhaps not. At the end of the day though I guess money talks - The Guinness Dublin Marathon here we come.

average_runner

randomCluster wrote: »

From a financial perspective it makes perfect sense for both parties. If profit is the bottom line then go for it. If the race organisers are motivated by factors outside of maximising profit, such as community participation, promoting a healthier lifestyle, and generating an alternative image of Ireland other than a Guinness sponsored check point - then perhaps not. At the end of the day though I guess money talks - The Guinness Dublin Marathon here we come.

Who else can afford to sponsor it if not a beer firm or unhealthy food company

RacoonQueen

When did pace groups become a 'right' in marathons? It's an added expense and a luxury, personally don't get the attraction to running with a pace group at all. That's just me...don't see any benefit to having pace groups every 10 minutes in a marathon with a relatively small field. 14000 is small compared to major marathons.

Pacing Mule

RacoonQueen wrote: »

When did pace groups become a 'right' in marathons? It's an added expense and a luxury, personally don't get the attraction to running with a pace group at all. That's just me...don't see any benefit to having pace groups every 10 minutes in a marathon with a relatively small field. 14000 is small compared to major marathons.

As a matter of interest how much do the pacers cost the DCM ? I know they are volunteers as such but I'm sure there are some expenses and at least goodie bags etc to pay for.

Ol' Donie

average_runner wrote: »

Who else can afford to sponsor it if not a beer firm or unhealthy food company

A lottery company? An international sporting goods company? :-D

Any idea how much cash is actually involved?

RayCun

Ol' Donie wrote: »

Any idea how much cash is actually involved?

200k for the headline sponsor, says the article.
Also say the problem is partly that companies don't have the 200k + the marketing budget to promote their involvement

TFBubendorfer

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

As a matter of interest how much do the pacers cost the DCM ? I know they are volunteers as such but I'm sure there are some expenses and at least goodie bags etc to pay for.

They get €50 expenses, a pacers' top and out-of-town pacers get one night free accommodation in a hotel. Plus free entry into DCM itself (which should go without saying).

The goodie bag is the same as for any other runner.

mrak

“We certainly haven’t thrown in the towel just yet, but right now we’ve had to cut our elite athlete budget completely. For the past number of years we’ve invited up to 30 runners, many Kenyans and Ethiopians, paid their way here, and put them up for a couple of days. That’s gone.

Okay perhaps a bit controversial here.. but to me this could be a good thing.. Hopefully RTE will leave the cameras hover on the good irish lads that we know about as they battle for placings instead of the elites that we've never heard of. , or probably won't again.. Would also love if the camera stayed on the finish line until the 3 hour finishers get home.. nice chance to see familiar faces on the telly (same thing goes for the great ireland run imo.. instead of cutting straight from Bekele's sprint finish to a chat between Peter Collins and Sonia, can we not leave it focused on the finish line so we can see which of our mates got under 35 mins, etc..)

Pacing Mule

mrak wrote: »

Okay perhaps a bit controversial here.. but to me this could be a good thing.. Hopefully RTE will leave the cameras hover on the good irish lads that we know about as they battle for placings instead of the elites that we've never heard of. , or probably won't again.. Would also love if the camera stayed on the finish line until the 3 hour finishers get home.. nice chance to see familiar faces on the telly (same thing goes for the great ireland run imo.. instead of cutting straight from Bekele's sprint finish to a chat between Peter Collins and Sonia, can we not leave it focused on the finish line so we can see which of our mates got under 35 mins, etc..)

There was no tv coverage of the marathon last year nor will there be this year if no sponsor is found. RTE charge for showing the marathon.

The fact is that most people interested in the marathon will be either running it themselves, volunteering at it or out on the course watching / supporting it. It's not for want of a better phrase good telly for the majority of people at home on the day. Granted there will be people at home with an interest in seeing their mates cross the line etc but there isn't enough demand to justify it even with a sponsor. RTE sees the marathon as a kind of infomercial.

shels4ever

average_runner wrote: »

Who else can afford to sponsor it if not a beer firm or unhealthy food company

Maybe a Bank or a property developer .. NAMA Dublin city marathon has a nice ring.

shels4ever

Signed up today for this Price was basically the same that I paid for London last year. London was pure class but with the 75 for Dublin I can see the work that they have done through Marathon mission etc I dont mind the increase of €5.

Ruu

Can anyone recall there being any timing clocks on the course, maybe at 10k or around the half point? Thanks.

menoscemo

Ruubot2 wrote: »

Can anyone recall there being any timing clocks on the course, maybe at 10k or around the half point? Thanks.

As far as I remember there are generally time clocks at 10k, half way, 20 miles and at the finish. There are also timing mats and official cameras at these points.
Bear in mind there are 3 waves at the start with the last wave going 20 minutes after the first. The clocks on the course are for the first wave. Last year there were 3 seperate clocks at the finish, 1 for each wave start.

rasher_m

RacoonQueen wrote: »

When did pace groups become a 'right' in marathons? It's an added expense and a luxury, personally don't get the attraction to running with a pace group at all. That's just me...don't see any benefit to having pace groups every 10 minutes in a marathon with a relatively small field. 14000 is small compared to major marathons.

Well I followed them last year to 8 miles but it was too congested so went just a few hundred metres ahead of them for the remaining time.
My reasoning was that I didn't want to have to think about timing and pacing myself. It was handy to have it done for me and I agree it is a luxury but its also part of the whole event and adds to the atmosphere for many.

DonKing

rasher_m wrote: »

Well I followed them last year to 8 miles but it was too congested so went just a few hundred metres ahead of them for the remaining time.
My reasoning was that I didn't want to have to think about timing and pacing myself. It was handy to have it done for me and I agree it is a luxury but its also part of the whole event and adds to the atmosphere for many.

Which pacing group did you start with?

rasher_m

DonKing wrote: »

Which pacing group did you start with?

I was with the 4.15 group. I don't know if it was coincidence or but every time I tried to find a gap there was this same woman beating me to it and squeezing into the gap before me. She was even in my marathon photos :eek:
I tripped slightly at one stage cause of it and I decided the only way I'd cope without losing the cool would be to run on my own in my own little world but I could always hear the banter of the pace group around me so I knew I wasn't losing the run of myself and flying off too fast. Thats another good thing about a pace group, when you feel good early on its tempting to race off too fast and then suffer later as you've probably read loads of times. The pace group keeps you honest and you know that you're on track.
I would advise anyone running with one of the larger groups to hang back or run just ahead of them cause it can get pretty snug and water stations etc can be a bit of an obstacle course.
The 10 minute idea might solve some of those issues though!

mrak

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

There was no tv coverage of the marathon last year nor will there be this year if no sponsor is found. RTE charge for showing the marathon.

The fact is that most people interested in the marathon will be either running it themselves, volunteering at it or out on the course watching / supporting it. It's not for want of a better phrase good telly for the majority of people at home on the day. Granted there will be people at home with an interest in seeing their mates cross the line etc but there isn't enough demand to justify it even with a sponsor. RTE sees the marathon as a kind of infomercial.

yeah.. only saw that other thread on the tv coverage now.. that's a pity..

If you live away from Dub, it's hard to justify the whole day off to go to watch the race, tv coverage would be nice. I don't see why it has to cost so much - about 8 cameras - 4 stationary and 4 on bikes should cover it (male/female overall, male/female irish). Don't see the major need for helicopter cams, etc.. don't know much about live tv, but I'd guess someone is milking it if it costs 200k+!

Hard Worker

mrak wrote: »

yeah.. only saw that other thread on the tv coverage now.. that's a pity..

If you live away from Dub, it's hard to justify the whole day off to go to watch the race, tv coverage would be nice. I don't see why it has to cost so much - about 8 cameras - 4 stationary and 4 on bikes should cover it (male/female overall, male/female irish). Don't see the major need for helicopter cams, etc.. don't know much about live tv, but I'd guess someone is milking it if it costs 200k+!

A highlights program is not that expensive to make. Once you go to live, you are on a different planet altogether. In order to relay live footage back to a control cabin ( OBU ), you need a lot more hardware and you also need the helicopters. €200,000 comes nowhere near covering the cost of live coverage.

average_runner

Hard Worker wrote: »

A highlights program is not that expensive to make. Once you go to live, you are on a different planet altogether. In order to relay live footage back to a control cabin ( OBU ), you need a lot more hardware and you also need the helicopters. €200,000 comes nowhere near covering the cost of live coverage.

I dont think we need full coverage. A highlight of the elites and irish top runners is enough.

rom

menoscemo wrote: »

As far as I remember there are generally time clocks at 10k, half way, 20 miles and at the finish. There are also timing mats and official cameras at these points.
Bear in mind there are 3 waves at the start with the last wave going 20 minutes after the first. The clocks on the course are for the first wave. Last year there were 3 seperate clocks at the finish, 1 for each wave start.

Look at any of the video's from 2012 results and you can see them.

10k,1/2, 20M all mounted on top of skoda estate cars.

Murph_D

There was a clock on the Stillorgan flyover too, let's not forget that one.

jmcc99_98

Have just signed up for the DCM - It is my first Marathon and really looking forward to it. I would love to dip in under the 4hour mark. I did the Connemara Half Marathon a few weeks back in 1hr 56m - Is this in the "zone" to allow me get in under the 4 hr mark?? It should be pointed out Im a big lad, just over 16stone.

pistol_75

jmcc99_98 wrote: »

Have just signed up for the DCM - It is my first Marathon and really looking forward to it. I would love to dip in under the 4hour mark. I did the Connemara Half Marathon a few weeks back in 1hr 56m - Is this in the "zone" to allow me get in under the 4 hr mark?? It should be pointed out Im a big lad, just over 16stone.

Will a 1:56 convert into Sub 4 for a first timer most likely not.

However given,

The course in Connemara,
The time you have between now and the Marathon

If you want to there should be no reason why you can't achieve it with the right/sensible training.