DUNE Half Marathon 16/03/2014

NiallG4

Point to point half marathon from Newry to Dundalk on 16/03/2014. Anyone who knows Newry will know the first 2 miles are nasty uphill miles but it is basically gradually downhill from there to Dundalk. Krusty and RFR did this last year so maybe they can shed a little light on the organization of the race and general experience. I know it was from Dundalk to Newry last year but any info. on good/bad experiences of the race would be great. They have a facebook page and entries are open. Not sure of the price of entry. There was a big field last year. Any info, tips, garmin etc would be great. PS Krusty, there is a burger king in Dundalk as well.

Krusty_Clown

Despite signing up early, I never did get my technical T-shirt (which didn't bother me unduly), but if this is something that would concern you, best to pick up your race pack before race day. No toilets at the race start (apart from an old broken loo at the back of the race-pack pick-up point), but that should be sorted with the race starting beside the Newry Shopping Centre (if it's open that early). Hope they organize some toilets at the finish though!

Organization for the race itself was absolutely spot-on. Couldn't fault it. Lots of marshals, plenty of water in cups, everything went perfectly. I'd definitely recommend it, if you don't mind that a headwind or tailwind may influence your target time. Those first two miles will be tough, but after that, it's a nice downhill drag for almost 11 miles.

gammy_knees

Krusty, As it's point to point, how adequate was the transport availability for such a large field? Was there much waiting/queuing? Are you bussed at the beginning of the race from the finish area to the start line or at the end of the race from the finish line back to the start area. Would prefer to do the bussing at the start rather than at the end. Thanks.

Krusty_Clown

gammy_knees wrote: »

Krusty, As it's point to point, how adequate was the transport availability for such a large field? Was there much waiting/queuing? Are you bussed at the beginning of the race from the finish area to the start line or at the end of the race from the finish line back to the start area. Would prefer to do the bussing at the start rather than at the end. Thanks.

Hi gammy_knees, we organized our own transport, so I'm afraid I can't answer that one. There did seem to be some buses at the start (which I assume must have come from Newry). Perhaps RunForestRun might know more?

ThePiedPiper

The bus situation wasn't bad really. Last year they had buses running from newry to dundalk before and after the race. Think it was about 2 euro. They operated on the basis of leaving when the bus was full, I was waiting a good 40 minutes last year to get the bus back to Dundalk. I think most runners were from the North..

I'm not sure changing the route direction is the best idea, that first two miles will be very tricky.

Long bus wait apart, I thought organization was very good too, loads of volunteers helping out, good atmosphere.