Positive spin for lack of marathon sponsor

BenMicheal

They may have no sponsor and money may be tight, but they sure know how to put a positive spin on things!!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/sponsorship-cloud-has-silver-lining-for-home-elite-29292626.html

average_runner

Thats one way of looking at it.

Another way looking at it is that the marathon will drop down to the third or fourth tier in the list of marathons. This is because of the poor elite lineup and times will be slower. If the mens finishing time is slower than 2:11:30, Brighton will be ahead of it!!


The quality of the elite field determines how good the marathon is and determines the marketing pull it has. Think cutting this funding will backfire but hope I am wrong.

pistol_75

average_runner wrote: »

The quality of the elite field determines how good the marathon is and determines the marketing pull it has. Think cutting this funding will backfire but hope I am wrong.

I don't think the elite field has any effect on normal runners entering a marathon, especially Irish people. I also doubt all of the Americans or British that travel do so because of the elite field, the same way we wouldn't check who is in an elite field before entering an overseas Marathon.

If there was a fallback in how the race was run and the overall experience for the ordinary Joe Soap I think this would have a bigger impact. The fact remains that Dublin is the No. 1 Marathon in the country regardless of which top end elites run it.

I'd be more interested to hear how the route will change from next year and what they have in store with Nassau St & O'Connell St out of the equation?

TRR

average_runner wrote: »

The quality of the elite field determines how good the marathon is and determines the marketing pull it has. Think cutting this funding will backfire but hope I am wrong.

Yeah I agree with you. When I look at a marathon I've never ran before I can kind f make a judgement if it's fast or not based on the winning times from previous years. Having fast elites can help this and by not having them it could have the reverse effect. However, the course record is 2.08 something (I think) so that is a good indicator it's a decent course. I'm guessing the elite funding was cut due to necessity. It's a big chunk of change and in the grand scheme of things has no negative impact on the other 14,000 runners who will be taking part.

From a purely selfish point of view I'm happy with the arrangement for this year. Last year my aim was to finish top 50 which I just about did. Without the elites this year I think a top 35 or 30 could be possible. I'd love to be able to say that in years to come Obviously I won't be telling the grandkids the Africans didn't turn up!

TRR

pistol_75 wrote: »

I'd be more interested to hear how the route will change from next year and what they have in store with Nassau St & O'Connell St out of the equation?

Is that due to Luas works?

average_runner

TRR wrote: »

Is that due to Luas works?

It could go down by the IFSC and take the left turn at the pub after Connolly station!

pistol_75

TRR wrote: »

Is that due to Luas works?

See below. Sounds like a permanent change as well?

But Aughney feels the real pay-off for that work will come in 2014 when the course will have to be altered due to the new Luas line.

This year's course is the same as 2012, but, from 2014, the race will no longer be able to access Nassau and O'Connell Streets.

average_runner

pistol_75 wrote: »

I don't think the elite field has any effect on normal runners entering a marathon, especially Irish people. I also doubt all of the Americans or British that travel do so because of the elite field, the same way we wouldn't check who is in an elite field before entering an overseas Marathon.

If there was a fallback in how the race was run and the overall experience for the ordinary Joe Soap I think this would have a bigger impact. The fact remains that Dublin is the No. 1 Marathon in the country regardless of which top end elites run it.

I'd be more interested to hear how the route will change from next year and what they have in store with Nassau St & O'Connell St out of the equation?

Maybe not effect normal runners but it can effect the image of the marathon outside Ireland. Look at the big marathons, they are what people want to run!

shels4ever

average_runner wrote: »

Maybe not effect normal runners but it can effect the image of the marathon outside Ireland. Look at the big marathons, they are what people want to run!

I don't think it will have that big effect, most people outside Ireland wouldn't know much about the Dublin marathon or who won it the last 5 years. Once the Marathon is on the same date each year you will still get the crowd form the UK over and the usual Americans. If the times at the elite level went from 2:08/9 to 11/12 that wont be an issue at the sub elite level. Just hope that they use the marathon as the 2016 Olympic trials which would be great.

RayCun

shels4ever wrote: »

I don't think it will have that big effect, most people outside Ireland wouldn't know much about the Dublin marathon or who won it the last 5 years.

+1
It's not like the elites are the kind of names that would attract attention anyway.
I would say that the quality and depth of the elite field is determined by the size of the marathon, not the other way around. The biggest races have the biggest prize funds and can attract the best runners.

Younganne

they could have gotten the important details right!!! The article states that the race is Oct 23rd .....the one i want to run in is on October 28th!!!;)

Gringo78

A Fluence ZE car is a pretty good prize - you're talking 15-20k there? Thats a lot more prizemoney than the national elite would usually be racing for. I presume this would therefore mean a lot of guys changing their focus to Dublin which can only be a good thing.

For non-elites looking to travel to a marathon I think the biggest factor is numbers participating rather then winning time - i.e you want a 'big city' marathon feel and Dublin gives you that, at 13,000 participants its well up there amongst the biggest marathons in Europe (I think 7th largest in 2012?)

robinph

TRR wrote: »

Yeah I agree with you. When I look at a marathon I've never ran before I can kind f make a judgement if it's fast or not based on the winning times from previous years. Having fast elites can help this and by not having them it could have the reverse effect. However, the course record is 2.08 something (I think) so that is a good indicator it's a decent course.

I have found that looking for someone in the results on RunBritain around about the time I'd think to aim for, and then trying to find another of their results from a race that I have done or have a fair idea about is a good source of info about what a course I'm considering racing will be like. A random Kenyan winning a race isn't going to tell me a whole lot about it, other than you'll never hear of that guy running anywhere else.

omicron

Gringo78 wrote: »

A Fluence ZE car is a pretty good prize - you're talking 15-20k there? Thats a lot more prizemoney than the national elite would usually be racing for. I presume this would therefore mean a lot of guys changing their focus to Dublin which can only be a good thing.

I think they start at 26k, so it's a pretty big prize!!

nerraw1111

My initial reaction was that they'll attract the same standard of elites they were attracting in the past due to the prize that is on offer.

Only this time, they won't have to pay for them to come.

Krusty_Clown

nerraw1111 wrote: »

My initial reaction was that they'll attract the same standard of elites they were attracting in the past due to the prize that is on offer.

Only this time, they won't have to pay for them to come.

The problem is that it's a great prize for the winner. I doubt there'll be a smaller car for second place and a moped for third. So if you were going to fund an elite runner to travel to the race, you'd want to make sure that they could win. You could probably expect to see the elite-line-up change a good bit, right up to the start of the race, when they realize that 'x' with a PB of 2:07:xx is travelling and there's no point in funding a trip for 'y', with a PB of just 2:09.

Hard Worker

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

The problem is that it's a great prize for the winner. I doubt there'll be a smaller car for second place and a moped for third. So if you were going to fund an elite runner to travel to the race, you'd want to make sure that they could win. You could probably expect to see the elite-line-up change a good bit, right up to the start of the race, when they realize that 'x' with a PB of 2:07:xx is travelling and there's no point in funding a trip for 'y', with a PB of just 2:09.

That's not how it works. International athletes have to be given an invitation, whether you are paying their airfare or not. They must get clearance from their governing body. They will not get that clearance without an official invitation. Similarly, they will not get a visa without a letter of invitation. There will be no invitations going out this year.

Krusty_Clown

Hard Worker wrote: »

That's not how it works. International athletes have to be given an invitation, whether you are paying their airfare or not. They must get clearance from their governing body. They will not get that clearance without an official invitation. Similarly, they will not get a visa without a letter of invitation. There will be no invitations going out this year.

So it sounds like we have the potential for a really strong Irish field, which is great news. Hopefully it will provide a greater incentive for those who have trained as part of the marathon mission to race in the national event.

Out of curiosity, is there anything preventing an international athlete from signing up for the race, running a winning time and claiming the top prize? Are these prizes specific to an elite-only race?

spurscormac

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Out of curiosity, is there anything preventing an international athlete from signing up for the race, running a winning time and claiming the top prize? Are these prizes specific to an elite-only race?

I'm not sure, someone suggested internationals would need to receive an invitation, but surely that's just for countries outside the EU, where they previously would have "earned" an appearance fee for running.

Also, I heard a piece about this on the radio yesterday evening. I can't remember if they said the prizes were for the winners of the races (mens & womens) or the winner of the national championships.
My guess its overall winners, so I can't see anything to stop a top British or European athlete register & challenge for the car.

Again, without knowing the details of this particular prize, I think in a lot of fundraising raffles, where a car is to prize, there's often an option of taking the car or cash alternative, so if that's there, I can see it attract non-Irish elites even more.

timchapman

When you invite the elites do they manage to cover all the costs with the sponsorship? I imagine that lack of elites will effect the chances of sponsorship for future years.

Hard Worker

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Out of curiosity, is there anything preventing an international athlete from signing up for the race, running a winning time and claiming the top prize? Are these prizes specific to an elite-only race?

If you look at the prize results for the past numerous years, you won't see any Belgians, Italians etc. They didn't come over in the past and they won't be invited this year, although there's nothing stopping them entering online. There are probably four Irish men who can run 2.13. How many Brits are running sub 2.13? The cars are valued at around 30,000 and it's up to the Irish athletes to go for it. The car prizes are for the first man and woman accross the line.

Hard Worker

timchapman wrote: »

When you invite the elites do they manage to cover all the costs with the sponsorship? I imagine that lack of elites will effect the chances of sponsorship for future years.

It's for one year only. It won't affect chances of a sponsor.

seanmacc

I'd have more interest in the Dublin Marathon if they didn't have invited foreign elite athletes. Seeing "average Joe" who runs to and from work every day and runs thousands of miles every year in the howling wind and pissings of rain we have in his spare is more encouraging for myself if he wins. Not to take it away from the Kenyans/Ethiopians but most of them are only using Dublin as a practice race for bigger marathons and of course for the money.

Krusty_Clown

seanmacc wrote: »

I'd have more interest in the Dublin Marathon if they didn't have invited foreign elite athletes. Seeing "average Joe" who runs to and from work every day and runs thousands of miles every year in the howling wind and pissings of rain we have in his spare is more encouraging for myself if he wins. Not to take it away from the Kenyans/Ethiopians but most of them are only using Dublin as a practice race for bigger marathons and of course for the money.

+1. I'll be particularly looking forward to Dublin this year. If the first 50-60 runners take a wrong turn, I'm in with a real shot of winning a car.

average_runner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

+1. I'll be particularly looking forward to Dublin this year. If the first 50-60 runners take a wrong turn, I'm in with a real shot of winning a car.

Or you could train even harder:D

gerard_65

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

+1. I'll be particularly looking forward to Dublin this year. If the first 50-60 runners take a wrong turn, I'm in with a real shot of winning a car.

Its a Renault, you're welcome to it:pac:

opus

Looks like Airtricity have stepped up to sponsor it....

Airtricity announced as new Title Sponsor for 2013 Dublin City Marathon

BenMicheal

That's great news! Loving the renewable energy feel to this years event with the prizes of electric cars for the winners and now the sponsor!

sydneybound

This can only be good news, so do you reckon Airtricity will stump up the cash for RTE to broadcast the event?

tHE vAGGABOND

do you reckon Airtricity will stump up the cash for RTE to broadcast the event?

I hope not, but that is an old debate, done on this forum many times before

christeb

Will entry costs be brought down in the wake of this announcement, I wonder?

blockic

christeb wrote: »

Will entry costs be brought down in the wake of this announcement, I wonder?

People have already entered at the existing price so can't see that happening. Will be interesting to see what this means for the event in general though.

tHE vAGGABOND

I would guess it means the event is not at risk at running at a loss overall tbh

clubcard

The Marathon is a commercial marathon and even without a sponsor they are making money.
What will a sponsor add to the event for the runner?
Will there now be tv coverage?
Do you see anyone on the marathon committee driving a poor man's car?

Entry fee is now up even with a sponsor.

Kurt Godel

clubcard wrote: »

The Marathon is a commercial marathon and even without a sponsor they are making money.
What will a sponsor add to the event for the runner?
Will there now be tv coverage?
Do you see anyone on the marathon committee driving a poor man's car?

Entry fee is now up even with a sponsor.

You can't attack the poster, so I'll just say that is a retarded, ignorant, post.

I've seen a couple of their cars, usually with 1000 water bottles on the back seat on the way to an event, or a heap of smelly pacers gear shoved into the boot and strewn in the back. The insinuation that the DM marathon committee are living off the fat of money made is so far off the truth as to be laughable. Easy to have a rant and make stuff up: back up your rant and don't enter if you believe the nonsense you've spouted.

Krusty_Clown

clubcard wrote: »

Entry fee is now up even with a sponsor.

I see they have dropped the entry fee for the Fingal 10k (part of the race series) for the next week to celebrate the new sponsor.

overpronator

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I see they have dropped the entry fee for the Fingal 10k (part of the race series) for the next week to celebrate the new sponsor.

Just entered it there, €15 is a great price in fairness to them.

tunguska

BenMicheal wrote: »

That's great news! Loving the renewable energy feel to this years event with the prizes of electric cars for the winners and now the sponsor!

Yeah its very positive and healthy, its a really good fit and sends the right message. Delighted the new sponsor isn't an alcohol company.

Does this mean though that they'll have the budget to recruit runners from Kenya/Ethiopia?

Peckham

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I see they have dropped the entry fee for the Fingal 10k (part of the race series) for the next week to celebrate the new sponsor.

What was the entry fee before yesterday's announcement? €25? Is it tough luck if you entered before the announcement?

Great news though.

tHE vAGGABOND

Does this mean though that they'll have the budget to recruit runners from Kenya/Ethiopia?

I was really looking forward to seeing who would run it and win, and in what kind of time without paying pro's to run tbh

I know thats not great for the race as a worldwide brand but still...why not have a race which is run without an east african no one has heard of before or again winning it?

Its like TV, I know its needed for the IAAF certification and some people believe it is good for the event and getting folks out running - like BBC's coverage of the VLM is excellent - but I thought the RTE coverage a couple of years ago was outright terrible and was a complete waste of money.

The DCM team are amazing, and I have 100% confidence we will have a brilliantly organised race as always, I think its excellent value for money [personally, and if you disagree, to and run a marathon somewhere else, plenty to pick from these days], and I'm very glad they wont have sleepless nights working out how to do this or that, or what has to be cut next etc etc

Hard Worker

tunguska wrote: »

Yeah its very positive and healthy, its a really good fit and sends the right message. Delighted the new sponsor isn't an alcohol company.

Does this mean though that they'll have the budget to recruit runners from Kenya/Ethiopia?

The decision was already made not to send out invites internationally this year. We are sticking to that.

hawkwing

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I see they have dropped the entry fee for the Fingal 10k (part of the race series) for the next week to celebrate the new sponsor.

Major drop in the number of 5 mile finishers this year :
2007--2350
2008-2905
2009-4437
2010-4866
2011-5095
2012-4044
2013-2750

There seems to be a race in the park every second weekend these days and it was pricey enough as a one-off entry i thought.I didn't expect that much of a drop though,looks more like the house price crash or something.

Hard Worker

hawkwing wrote: »

Major drop in the number of 5 mile finishers this year :
2007--2350
2008-2905
2009-4437
2010-4866
2011-5095
2012-4044
2013-2750

There seems to be a race in the park every second weekend these days and it was pricey enough as a one-off entry i thought.I didn't expect that much of a drop though,looks more like the house price crash or something.

Certainly a major drop in numbers. However, there are now three parkruns on in Dublin every Saturday, plus there was another race on in the Park today.
The other races in the Series are on a par with last years entries.

average_runner

Hard Worker wrote: »

Certainly a major drop in numbers. However, there are now three parkruns on in Dublin every Saturday, plus there was another race on in the Park today.
The other races in the Series are on a par with last years entries.

I think the numbers dropped because there isn't that many first timers now and more experience dont see 5 miler as marathon prep.

Ten miler will do well because not many of them. Can't wait for it but would love a fast ten mile course.

tunguska

Hard Worker wrote: »

The decision was already made not to send out invites internationally this year. We are sticking to that.

I can understand the angle of wanting an Irish winner but at the same time I think we should have an Irish winner on merit not by nature of exclusion of overseas athletes. I mean if the budget isnt there then thats fair enough but I personally would like to see an Irish winner when the field is loaded not when its devoid of certain athletes.

average_runner

If we do have a Irish Winner, will there be any extra PR done on it to push it out to the general public, or will it just be like all the previous years winners and people forget?

Considering the marathon has sponsors now, so the money is there to promote this opportunity if it occurs.

tHE vAGGABOND

at the same time I think we should have an Irish winner on merit not by nature of exclusion of overseas athletes

I think we will have loads of folks from abroad, both fast and less fast - paying their way like me, thats all

RunMD

christeb wrote: »

Will entry costs be brought down in the wake of this announcement, I wonder?

No chance

PVincent

Been thinking a bit about the race series recently and in particular about the 5mile and the 10k. The initial idea was that it was a build to the marathon. And when they started back then, in all honesty there was not a huge amount certainly of commercial races. Nowadays though there are so many shorter races that you can skip the 5mile and 10k and do something handier in your own area because you have the choice. So I am wondering if there is an appetite for the race series to be modified, to say the 10miler, a half and then a new race like the kilo marathon (26.2k) . Would it be a better build up, a better prep , for the marathon. It would require some tweaking on dates, but just think it would be a far better intro for less experienced runners into the long runs. I do accept that racing a half and a 16 miler can be demanding but what do other more experienced runners think. I know I do like to get a marathon pace 15/16 miles in my schedule about a month before a marathon so it would be something that might appeal to me.

average_runner

PVincent wrote: »

Been thinking a bit about the race series recently and in particular about the 5mile and the 10k. The initial idea was that it was a build to the marathon. And when they started back then, in all honesty there was not a huge amount certainly of commercial races. Nowadays though there are so many shorter races that you can skip the 5mile and 10k and do something handier in your own area because you have the choice. So I am wondering if there is an appetite for the race series to be modified, to say the 10miler, a half and then a new race like the kilo marathon (26.2k) . Would it be a better build up, a better prep , for the marathon. It would require some tweaking on dates, but just think it would be a far better intro for less experienced runners into the long runs. I do accept that racing a half and a 16 miler can be demanding but what do other more experienced runners think. I know I do like to get a marathon pace 15/16 miles in my schedule about a month before a marathon so it would be something that might appeal to me.

These longer runs already exist at end of sept and start of oct. One in athlone and one in eastpoint business park dublin. Also think there is a kilo one in kilcock.

PVincent

I know they exist , but as part of the race series , the marathon would be improving their offering . ? Or would they ?