Great Ireland Run announces elite field

ecoli

Looks like the have managed to get a few more big names after Bekele last year. Great to see races in this country able to attract this calibre of athlete after last years success both on road and in track competitions

http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/2011-world-champion-jeilan-continues-his-come

rasher_m

ecoli wrote: »

Looks like the have managed to get a few more big names after Bekele last year. Great to see races in this country able to attract this calibre of athlete after last years success both on road and in track competitions

http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/2011-world-champion-jeilan-continues-his-come

They've had great stars before last year too...I got to see my favourite Jo Pavey the year before last.

tunguska

Dont know if Mark Keneally is definitely running this. He's been having knee trouble and hasnt been training to any great effect.

average_runner

Its all a better race to watch than run!

walshb

Excellent. I think they will be great pace makers for my first crack at 10 k. If I can just stay wil Jelian for the first 2-3 ks I think I can go on to get sub 40!

footing

Wonder how much they all get in appearance fees?:rolleyes:

ecoli

footing wrote: »

Wonder how much they all get in appearance fees?:rolleyes:

Prefer to see the money go to athletes considering this is a commercial race run by a UK based company. Its either that or its lining their pockets.

footing

ecoli wrote: »

Prefer to see the money go to athletes considering this is a commercial race run by a UK based company. Its either that or its lining their pockets.

You're reading my mind...

Hard Worker

ecoli wrote: »

Prefer to see the money go to athletes considering this is a commercial race run by a UK based company. Its either that or its lining their pockets.

This is a silver label road race. Athletes of that calibre are entitled, under IAAF rules, to get appearance fees. I don't see an issue with that.

ecoli

Hard Worker wrote: »

This is a silver label road race. Athletes of that calibre are entitled, under IAAF rules, to get appearance fees. I don't see an issue with that.

Sorry that was the point I was trying to make. I am all for more money in athletics and it seen as a viable avenue financially for athletes. My reference to lining the pockets was more a case of private limited companies using the sport as a way of generating money that is taken out of the sport (this is not in particular about nova international ltd but more a generalization)

rasher_m

ecoli wrote: »

Sorry that was the point I was trying to make. I am all for more money in athletics and it seen as a viable avenue financially for athletes. My reference to lining the pockets was more a case of private limited companies using the sport as a way of generating money that is taken out of the sport (this is not in particular about nova international ltd but more a generalization)

It would be great if they spent a bit of money on a developer to update their website so that you can use a Debit Laser.

I had to go to the bank, write a cheque and send a stamped address envelope in the year 2013. Surely they could spend some of their money investigating what cards they use in Ireland and catering for their customer instead of sending endless emails about entering the race.

28064212

rasher_m wrote: »

It would be great if they spent a bit of money on a developer to update their website so that you can use a Debit Laser.

In fairness, Laser is a dying format. There's only one bank still issuing them (Danske Bank), and they have said they will be moving to Visa Debit in the coming months. No site is going to put the work into accepting Laser

tHE vAGGABOND

To be honest I dont think I know many people who still use laser to be honest? I think many banks have moved a lot of people to visa debit type cards?

The fact Laser only works in Ireland was always a failing of that system, and one of these things which stopped many sites taking them online [cost of supporting it and getting code written etc versus what they would make from it].

rasher_m

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

To be honest I dont think I know many people who still use laser to be honest? I think many banks have moved a lot of people to visa debit type cards?

The fact Laser only works in Ireland was always a failing of that system, and one of these things which stopped many sites taking them online [cost of supporting it and getting code written etc versus what they would make from it].

Yeah I know what you mean, thats why I said 'Debit' Laser...this is the change that AIB made. They took away the cashsave laser and made all accounts current and call it Debit Laser. So this is the most current card in that regard.

I've been running that race for years and it was always a problem even when Laser was all the go.

You have a point about supporting it though when the race is only once a year, whats the point.

28064212

rasher_m wrote: »

Yeah I know what you mean, thats why I said 'Debit' Laser...this is the change that AIB made. They took away the cashsave laser and made all accounts current and call it Debit Laser. So this is the most current card in that regard.

AIB's most current debit card is Visa Debit. They're in the process of rolling them out, and I believe you can get one on request if the roll-out hasn't reached you yet

rasher_m

28064212 wrote: »

AIB's most current debit card is Visa Debit. They're in the process of rolling them out, and I believe you can get one on request if the roll-out hasn't reached you yet

Havn't received any kind of info about this at all so forgive my ignorance.
I only got changed over to a current account last August.
I don't know if I want to request it, probably more charges somewhere or other :rolleyes:

yosser hughes

The entry fee seems to be €29. Does anyone think that's a lot? Where does the money go anyway? How much goes on prize money/appearance fees? how much if any goes to charity if any?
I've no issue with athletes getting money,I'd just like to know what the breakdown is?
i was going to run in this but I must say the €29 is making me pause for thought. I think it's a lot. Or am I being unreasonable?

footing

yosser hughes wrote: »

The entry fee seems to be €29. Does anyone think that's a lot? Where does the money go anyway? How much goes on prize money/appearance fees? how much if any goes to charity if any?
I've no issue with athletes getting money,I'd just like to know what the breakdown is?
i was going to run in this but I must say the €29 is making me pause for thought. I think it's a lot. Or am I being unreasonable?

For a commercial race, it's almost cheap - the Fit Magazine 10km also in the Phoenix Park is €32.50.

Pherekydes

Bekele is defending his crown. That's some coup for the organisers.

Racman

ecoli wrote: »

Prefer to see the money go to athletes considering this is a commercial race run by a UK based company. Its either that or its lining their pockets.

ecoli wrote: »

I am all for more money in athletics and it seen as a viable avenue financially for athletes. My reference to lining the pockets was more a case of private limited companies using the sport as a way of generating money that is taken out of the sport (this is not in particular about nova international ltd but more a generalization)

yosser hughes wrote: »

The entry fee seems to be €29. Does anyone think that's a lot? Where does the money go anyway? How much goes on prize money/appearance fees? how much if any goes to charity if any? I've no issue with athletes getting money,I'd just like to know what the breakdown is?

The Great Ireland Run is part of the Great Run series which is operated as a profit-seeking venture by a company controlled by UK running legend Brendan Foster and his family (>54%). They are obviously doing very well. The group had sales of £14.5 million in 2011 and a profit after tax of £1,017,578. Only two directors including Brendan Foster and they took £476,363. In addition, there was a dividend payout of £600,000.

Total prize money is €4,800 according to the race booklet.

rasher_m

Racman wrote: »

The Great Ireland Run is part of the Great Run series which is operated as a profit-seeking venture by a company controlled by UK running legend Brendan Foster and his family (>54%). They are obviously doing very well. The group had sales of £14.5 million in 2011 and a profit after tax of £1,017,578. Only two directors including Brendan Foster and they took £476,363. In addition, there was a dividend payout of £600,000.

Total prize money is €4,800 according to the race booklet.

Thats very interesting, I had no idea that Brendan Foster was involved in that kind of thing. I was wondering why he was commentating on a smallish race in Ireland.

average_runner

Britton is now out of this race.

T runner

rasher_m wrote: »

Thats very interesting, I had no idea that Brendan Foster was involved in that kind of thing. I was wondering why he was commentating on a smallish race in Ireland.

An interesting point. He has worked for the BBC since '80. The great north run started in '81. I'd imagine the amount of promotion/coverage that is given on the BBC has contributed to the massive numbers and the ability to close down cities for these events. Perhaps, thats why he still commentates at all/why hes commentating on the smallish race/and maybe thats why the smallish race is being covered in the first place. Ill admit, Im biased there, I dont like him.

rasher_m

T runner wrote: »

An interesting point. He has worked for the BBC since '80. The great north run started in '81. I'd imagine the amount of promotion/coverage that is given on the BBC has contributed to the massive numbers and the ability to close down cities for these events. Perhaps, thats why he still commentates at all/why hes commentating on the smallish race/and maybe thats why the smallish race is being covered in the first place. Ill admit, Im biased there, I dont like him.

Hes better than most of the Irish commentators it has to be said. Some of the crap that was being commentated at the World Cross Country was cringe worthy.
I used to love him commentating when Paula Radcliffe was running, he used to make it sound so exciting. Although after hearing that hes in charge of this profit org, it has turned me a bit. I always thought he looked like a geezer with no money who just gets the odd gig here and there.

ThisRegard

Watching on tv and there was some silly cow walking along the course as the elite women went by. She then thought it would be great gas to jump into the middle of the course to wave at the camera proceeding to jump straight into the path of the runner just behind the lead group.

FrClintPower

ThisRegard wrote: »

Watching on tv and there was some silly cow walking along the course as the elite women went by. She then thought it would be great gas to jump into the middle of the course to wave at the camera proceeding to jump straight into the path of the runner just behind the lead group.

i saw that, i was shouting at the telly telling her to get out of the way! having said that though surely there should have been stewards telling people to keep off the road though?

pconn062

ThisRegard wrote: »

Watching on tv and there was some silly cow walking along the course as the elite women went by. She then thought it would be great gas to jump into the middle of the course to wave at the camera proceeding to jump straight into the path of the runner just behind the lead group.

Seen that as well, mindboggling stuff. I also think there needs to be a standard put in place for the elite women's/National 10k race, proof of a certain time from a previous race or something. The amount of women shuffling along the course getting in the way of the leading men was a bit of a disaster IMO, I know there in a club but that shouldn't mean automatic entitlement to be in the elite/National 10k race.
Just to add, the same should be done for the mens race, there was probably some quite slow men in the club runner pen right at the front getting in the way of some of the faster runners behind.

mikehammer67

rasher_m wrote: »

Hes better than most of the Irish commentators it has to be said. Some of the crap that was being commentated at the World Cross Country was cringe worthy.
I used to love him commentating when Paula Radcliffe was running, he used to make it sound so exciting. Although after hearing that hes in charge of this profit org, it has turned me a bit. I always thought he looked like a geezer with no money who just gets the odd gig here and there.

ya he's a businessman

from wiki:Brendan joined the sports company Nike International Limited in 1981 as UK Managing Director

good commentator i thought
always enjoyed listening to him and 'crammie'


like whos's better out there??

yosser hughes

I was there today, as a spectator. The stewarding appeared to be minimal. I saw several people cycle up the road facing in to runners. Daft stuff. It was also extremely muddy at the finish after the runners were funneled through to the goody bag collection area. The ground was absolutely wrecked there.
Do the organisers pay the OPW for use of the park? I hope they are at least required to make good on damage done to the park

Tipp man running

Watched it on TV and have to say two very good races especially the ladies race. But agree with some previous comments, I think they should have some kind of qualifying time to enter the national championship even if your in a club..looked really bad as the lead men dodged around stragglers from the ladies race, nearly knocking a few of them over, and that was a long way from home.
And the commentary was tough to listen to...if your not in the first bunch your a "fun runner" doing your bit for charity. The line about why people bother with watches when they were chip timed was cringe worthy... apparently people don't trust the chip and have to see the time they finish in on their wrists....nothing to do with pace or anything else. Very little footage of the good club runners that finished behind the Elites.

RacoonQueen

Tipp man running wrote: »

Watched it on TV and have to say two very good races especially the ladies race. But agree with some previous comments, I think they should have some kind of qualifying time to enter the national championship even if your in a club..looked really bad as the lead men dodged around stragglers from the ladies race, nearly knocking a few of them over, and that was a long way from home.
And the commentary was tough to listen to...if your not in the first bunch your a "fun runner" doing your bit for charity. The line about why people bother with watches when they were chip timed was cringe worthy... apparently people don't trust the chip and have to see the time they finish in on their wrists....nothing to do with pace or anything else. Very little footage of the good club runners that finished behind the Elites.

Couldn't disagree more. If one club had two 34 minute runners a sub 45 minute runner (Bekele wasn't far behind that, 48:xx on that clock when he finished) could still win the team a medal.

It's the National 10k Champs, if it's going to stay that way the idea that a qualification time is needed is absurd and very unfair, all AAI athletes are entitled to run in Championship races. Either it's the National 10K Champs or its not, can't have it all.

pconn062

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more. If one club had two 34 minute runners a sub 45 minute runner (Bekele wasn't far behind that, 48:xx on that clock when he finished) could still win the team a medal.

It's the National 10k Champs, if it's going to stay that way the idea that a qualification time is needed is absurd and very unfair, all AAI athletes are entitled to run in Championship races. Either it's the National 10K Champs or its not, can't have it all.

What should happen (and I say should, but it won't) is that the National 10k should be removed from this event and be run with another race or separately as it's own race. This would mean no TV coverage and there would be no need for a separate women's start, eliminating any issue. In the present set up having runners that take 1 hour+ to do a 10k in a separate section and then causing problems for the runners coming behind them is not ideal.

Tombo2001

ThisRegard wrote: »

Watching on tv and there was some silly cow walking along the course as the elite women went by. She then thought it would be great gas to jump into the middle of the course to wave at the camera proceeding to jump straight into the path of the runner just behind the lead group.

Saw that as well.

Think its more than a bit unfair to call her a silly cow. Its not her fault the two races clash the way that they do, I very much doubt that the female competitors were given instructions to watch out for the mens race overtaking them, and she's perfectly entitled to give a wave to the folks back home.

Tombo2001

Have to say, to have bekele and the reigning world 10k champ in the same race is some going for Dublin.

Bekele ran a minute slower than last year, but the more striking thing for me was that jeilan was couldnt keep near him even at that pace. Watched it last year and it was striking that Bekele ran past and it was a good minute and a half before the next runner came through. This time, it wasnt close, but he did at least have to look over his shoulder.

pconn062

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Saw that as well.

Think its more than a bit unfair to call her a silly cow. Its not her fault the two races clash the way that they do, and she's perfectly entitled to give a wave to the folks back home.

She wasn't running, just spectating from the side lines and then jumped out in front of the elite women as they were passing. A bit disrespectful.

ThisRegard

She was a pedestrian out for a Sunday stroll walking within the cones with who was presumably her husband walking on the grass beside her.

vitani

Tipp man running wrote: »

And the commentary was tough to listen to...if your not in the first bunch your a "fun runner" doing your bit for charity. The line about why people bother with watches when they were chip timed was cringe worthy... apparently people don't trust the chip and have to see the time they finish in on their wrists....nothing to do with pace or anything else. Very little footage of the good club runners that finished behind the Elites.

I'm watching it on RTÉ and I've just had to pause it half way through because I was swearing at the screen too much.

Could they be any more patronising? All of the 'fun runners' getting a 'day out in the Park' before we go home and watch the footage on our 'videos', looking at our 'stopwatches' because *chuckle* we don't trust the hi-tech chip times.

I'm well aware that's what I'm actually doing right now... but I'm offended on behalf of the people who are faster, more experienced and more serious about their training than I'll ever get.

hawkwing

Was it me or did they fail to mention even once that Siobhán O'Doherty was in the lead women's group for the first 5k

Krusty_Clown

Just flicking through Peter Mooney's class photos from the day, and saw this one. Isn't that Rob Heffernan? Was he race walking, or just out for a jog?

pconn062

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Just flicking through Peter Mooney's class photos from the day, and saw this one. Isn't that Rob Heffernan? Was he race walking, or just out for a jog?

Judging by his form in the previous few photos, he looks like he is racewalking. He's well up with some of the club runners.

yosser hughes

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Just flicking through Peter Mooney's class photos from the day, and saw this one. Isn't that Rob Heffernan? Was he race walking, or just out for a jog?

pconn062 wrote: »

Judging by his form in the previous few photos, he looks like he is racewalking. He's well up with some of the club runners.

Yep,I saw him at around the 5k mark.I thought I was seeing things!
Keeping well up with club runners and he was walking yes.

Ceepo

hawkwing wrote: »

Was it me or did they fail to mention even once that Siobhán O'Doherty was in the lead women's group for the first 5k

Your right there. But they did say Angela McCann was in it (she wasn't) Siobhan finishedb 4th Irish lady.

footing

pconn062 wrote: »

What should happen (and I say should, but it won't) is that the National 10k should be removed from this event and be run with another race or separately as it's own race. This would mean no TV coverage and there would be no need for a separate women's start, eliminating any issue. In the present set up having runners that take 1 hour+ to do a 10k in a separate section and then causing problems for the runners coming behind them is not ideal.

Completely agree. This race is an annual circus that comes to town for the benefit of Nova International. Tying a national championships into it is faintly embarrassing. As if we couldn't organise one of our own (and preferably not in the over-used Phoenix Park).
Same goes for the National Half that will be tied into the Rock 'n' Roll franchise.
Thought: How about having a "Not the National Half Marathon" on the traditional date in September?

Krusty_Clown

footing wrote: »

Thought: How about having a "Not the National Half Marathon" on the traditional date in September?

Something like the Charleville Half marathon on the 22nd September?

RayCun

or the Dublin Half the day before

Clum

The National Road Championships is not just for senior runners, it's the masters championships too. There's no way you can expect a F50 or F65 or anybody else to run a qualifying time that will ensure they don't get passed by the elite leaders in the mass race. If there's an issue with the elites passing the ladies it's a scheduling problem, not a qualifying problem.

I'm not sure what the benefit for Athletics Ireland is in having the national championships included in the Great Ireland Run, maybe they get the race organised for them by somebody else which saves them lots of hassle, but for Nova International it ensures a quality field. This in turn helps get the IAAF bronze or silver label status and with a high profile status it's easier to sell the race to elite athletes. With elite athletes running it sounds even more tempting to the mass participants and sponsors which means more money for Nova International.

I've run the GIR about 4 times. I've also watched it live on tv and live in the park. Although it's a money making enterprise I think it's great. Granted whenever I run I start with the club runners and avoid the congestion but the size of the event really brings athletics on to a bigger stage. We don't get many grandstand races in this country, and while the locally organised club events are probably friendlier and even more appealing, I think 2 or 3 of these types of events are needed throughout the year to help promote athletics. With the GIR, the Dublin marathon and maybe the Rock n Roll Half or the Morton Games people who have nothing to do with athletics clubs get a good introduction to high profile athletics. Joe public doesn't normally sit on the side of the road and watch a local 5k, whereas they might stand in a terrace and watch the local team play in another sport. But when there's a high profile race in town they may well stand on the side of the road or watch it on tv to see what it's all about.

Racman

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Just flicking through Peter Mooney's class photos from the day, and saw this one. Isn't that Rob Heffernan? Was he race walking, or just out for a jog?

Indeed it was Rob and he finished in around 39m 50s, (yes, sub 40 - and race walking), although since he doesn't appear to have a number or chip, you won't see him in the results. Said hello and congrats on his London performance to him afterwards and he appeared delighted with his time.

Edit: In fact Rob Heffernan is shown in the results at 39.41 (bib 4126).

RacoonQueen

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Something like the Charleville Half marathon on the 22nd September?

That's mine I think. Seems like a fab course based on last years results.

RayCun wrote: »

or the Dublin Half the day before

If it wasn't in the park Watching yesterday I remembered how much I despise racing in the park.

walshb

That course looked very challenging. Extremely hilly.

Krusty_Clown

Good to see Catherina McKiernan with a handy 135th place for 37:41. Nice to see the legends still out competing, rather than hanging up the shoes.

walshb

Mate ran a 34:36. Almost a 90 sec improvement from his last PB at 10k.