Carlingford Half Marathon 2014

SliM Dedalus

Signed up for this - first time running this event, Any veterans got advice on the course? Hills, water stations, pacers ... etc.

First 1/2 in over a year so aiming for a sub 2:00 but won't be too disappointed if I don't make it.

€20 a fair price for the 1/2.

Wubble Wubble

Not signed up yet but intending to take part. My PB for the half is 1:47, hoping for 1:45 or less if all goes well in the meantime...

Firedance

I've signed up for this too, it will be my first half marathon :eek:, I'm looking forward to it though but would likewise would love to hear if anyone's done this previously what the course is like, the organisation etc etc.

Fraggle00

I just signed up for this. Should be a fantastic race with stunning scenery. It'll be my first time doing over 20k since the Dublin marathon. Can't wait.

Tarakiwa

Do any of you know, from experience, if there are pace runners at this event?

Firedance

Tarakiwa there are no pacers, I emailed them earlier to ask that very question. Am a little worried now that if its small field made up primarily of experienced runners I'll end up running at the back of the field and alone. Hopefully the views will make up for it if it happens .

ChuckProphet

Firedance wrote: »

Tarakiwa there are no pacers, I emailed them earlier to ask that very question. Am a little worried now that if its small field made up primarily of experienced runners I'll end up running at the back of the field and alone. Hopefully the views will make up for it if it happens .

ran the 1/2 last year...was a good crowd of all levels. if it's same route as last year most of the hills are around miles 2/3...pretty flat after that...lovely course along the coast

One problem from it was it showed as 12.88 miles on my app!! so not great if u thought u had a PB

Tarakiwa

Firedance wrote: »

Tarakiwa there are no pacers, I emailed them earlier to ask that very question. Am a little worried now that if its small field made up primarily of experienced runners I'll end up running at the back of the field and alone. Hopefully the views will make up for it if it happens .

Don't worry - if that is true then I will end up right at the back with you!! The reason I wanted a pace runner is to help drag my sorry ass around!!

Firedance

Tarakiwa wrote: »

Don't worry - if that is true then I will end up right at the back with you!! The reason I wanted a pace runner is to help drag my sorry ass around!!

hopefully there will be a few more to join the back runners... if its raining I'm just going straight to the pub though!

vinny1313

I ran it 2 years ago, so this is assuming nothing has changed. It's pretty hilly early on, the worst of it is over by around 6-7k which is followed by a nice long downhill section until you reach the coast, where it flattens out. The stretch along the coast is nice, but I remember being thankful the wind was behind us. It would be tough into the wind as it's so open. Nice course overall, nice spread afterwards and for the use of the hotel gym's changing rooms was most welcome.

doughef

I ran this last year too..

A great race for people of all levels.
As another poster said though,.. I was very glad that the wind wasnt in my face when we got down by the coast.

A small gripe if I had one would be that they gave medals instead of tshirts. Medals are a waste of money imo but I would gladly wear the tshirt.

Might be because its for charity though and medals are cheaper? (and a very worthy charity btw!)

Thinking of this or Meath the day after..

Wubble Wubble

I've signed up for this, my third HM and last race before Paris. Looking forward to it, a lovely area to race in.

neilc

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

I've signed up for this, my third HM and last race before Paris. Looking forward to it, a lovely area to race in.

Both the half and 10k measured short last year. I plan on doing the 10k as a marathon prep race, hopefully they'll measure it right this year!!

Tarakiwa

have they marked the course out with Km or Mile markers? I need to try and figure out my anticipated pace ......

Wubble Wubble

Anyone get an email from the organisers yet? Seemingly they have had to change the route somewhat, due to the coast road being damaged by storms...

Firedance

no email from them yet

NiallG4

In fairness, there is a bit of damage

Tarakiwa

Wow! That looks pretty rough alright!
Any idea of the predicted weather conditions for Saturday? If it is as windy as this (particularly if it is into your face) then I cant see it being much fun ....

Green&Red

start times changed I think, HM at 10 and 10k at 10.30 AFAIK

Wubble Wubble

New route is up. Looks to be a bit more hills involved?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps?t=h&ll=54.0117033,-6.1882375&spn=0.0251633,0.0570971&geocode=;Ff6UOAMdBq6h_ymvOG-RxtZgSDH1BHiDixjc5g;;FT4fOAMdyJeh_ylhGpaDAdRgSDE4qsXt8V2RoA;FXEDOAMdkNCh_ykfZXSRGtRgSDE3WhGfNQM1_g;FbbdNwMdgdOh_ymVMrLoEtRgSDG-028itglvqw;;;FWA4OAMd4oOi_ylb03Mu1tVgSDH1kw5YzcwJVw&saddr=54.0394889,-6.1798708&via=1,3,4,5,8&daddr=54.0398063,-6.18137+to:54.033426,-6.1819896+to:54.0096621,-6.1870635+to:54.0025448,-6.1725284+to:53.9928861,-6.1717754+to:53.9826666,-6.1606216+to:54.0026153,-6.1259128+to:54.0160958,-6.1266224+to:54.0394875,-6.1798648&dirflg=w&output=classic&dg=ntvo

Tarakiwa

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

New route is up. Looks to be a bit more hills involved?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps?t=h&ll=54.0117033,-6.1882375&spn=0.0251633,0.0570971&geocode=;Ff6UOAMdBq6h_ymvOG-RxtZgSDH1BHiDixjc5g;;FT4fOAMdyJeh_ylhGpaDAdRgSDE4qsXt8V2RoA;FXEDOAMdkNCh_ykfZXSRGtRgSDE3WhGfNQM1_g;FbbdNwMdgdOh_ymVMrLoEtRgSDG-028itglvqw;;;FWA4OAMd4oOi_ylb03Mu1tVgSDH1kw5YzcwJVw&saddr=54.0394889,-6.1798708&via=1,3,4,5,8&daddr=54.0398063,-6.18137+to:54.033426,-6.1819896+to:54.0096621,-6.1870635+to:54.0025448,-6.1725284+to:53.9928861,-6.1717754+to:53.9826666,-6.1606216+to:54.0026153,-6.1259128+to:54.0160958,-6.1266224+to:54.0394875,-6.1798648&dirflg=w&output=classic&dg=ntvo

I don't know the area at all but "more hills" does not sound great for me! This is only my 2nd ever HM!

Any idea on what the weather is predicted to be like?

kennyball

Hi All,

I am entered into the HM but can't make it tomorrow - so there's an entry there for someone if they don't mind running under my name!

Let me know if you'd like it...

Wubble Wubble

Freezing bulldogs tomorrow by the looks of it...and probably a bit of rain thrown in for good measure..

http://www.accuweather.com/en/ie/carlingford/210299/morning-weather-forecast/210299?day=2

Good luck to everyone taking part....plenty of layers to go on for the warmup!!

Elver

Hi
Lovely race, well organised and almost perfect conditions but did anyone who did this today find it measured a bit short?

neilc

Elver wrote: »

Hi
Lovely race, well organised and almost perfect conditions but did anyone who did this today find it measured a bit short?

10k measured 9.93 for me, for 30 quid should do better!! Second year in a row short for me.

Fraggle00

It was even measuring short on the google map route they posted.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps?t=h&ll=54.0117033,-6.1882375&spn=0.0251633,0.0570971&geocode=;Ff6UOAMdBq6h_ymvOG-RxtZgSDH1BHiDixjc5g;;FT4fOAMdyJeh_ylhGpaDAdRgSDE4qsXt8V2RoA;FXEDOAMdkNCh_ykfZXSRGtRgSDE3WhGfNQM1_g;FbbdNwMdgdOh_ymVMrLoEtRgSDG-028itglvqw;;;FWA4OAMd4oOi_ylb03Mu1tVgSDH1kw5YzcwJVw&saddr=54.0394889,-6.1798708&via=1,3,4,5,8&daddr=54.0398063,-6.18137+to:54.033426,-6.1819896+to:54.0096621,-6.1870635+to:54.0025448,-6.1725284+to:53.9928861,-6.1717754+to:53.9826666,-6.1606216+to:54.0026153,-6.1259128+to:54.0160958,-6.1266224+to:54.0394875,-6.1798648&dirflg=w&output=classic

My runtastic and iPhone 4S measured it at 20.95km. I checked the map trace and there are no obvious errors or cut corners.

Fraggle00

Elver wrote: »

Hi
Lovely race, well organised and almost perfect conditions but did anyone who did this today find it measured a bit short?

Not wanting to be picky but we started late and the business of motor traffic pushing through the waiting runners at the start line could have been better managed.

runsir

Fraggle00 wrote: »

It was even measuring short on the google map route they posted.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps?t=h&ll=54.0117033,-6.1882375&spn=0.0251633,0.0570971&geocode=;Ff6UOAMdBq6h_ymvOG-RxtZgSDH1BHiDixjc5g;;FT4fOAMdyJeh_ylhGpaDAdRgSDE4qsXt8V2RoA;FXEDOAMdkNCh_ykfZXSRGtRgSDE3WhGfNQM1_g;FbbdNwMdgdOh_ymVMrLoEtRgSDG-028itglvqw;;;FWA4OAMd4oOi_ylb03Mu1tVgSDH1kw5YzcwJVw&saddr=54.0394889,-6.1798708&via=1,3,4,5,8&daddr=54.0398063,-6.18137+to:54.033426,-6.1819896+to:54.0096621,-6.1870635+to:54.0025448,-6.1725284+to:53.9928861,-6.1717754+to:53.9826666,-6.1606216+to:54.0026153,-6.1259128+to:54.0160958,-6.1266224+to:54.0394875,-6.1798648&dirflg=w&output=classic

My runtastic and iPhone 4S measured it at 20.95km. I checked the map trace and there are no obvious errors or cut corners.

20.95 is hardly something to crow over....22 metres FFS.

Elver

My runtastic and iPhone 4S measured it at 20.95km. I checked the map trace and there are no obvious errors or cut corners.

That's not so bad. My Garmin measured 12.92 miles. Anyone else have any measurements?

neilc

runsir wrote: »

20.95 is hardly something to crow over....22 metres FFS.

I think what you're missing here is it's 22 metres short for Fraggle00 only if he's running the perfect racing line. Most of us don't so really you expect it to measure a bit long. I'd say allowing for GPS error it was probably a fair bit shorter than 22 metres. Only my opinion, I did the 10k and it measured 70 metres short on my garmin!!

SliM Dedalus

For what it's worth, the 10k came in on distance by the finish on my garmin but the markers were 100m off through the race.

I thought it was relatively well run for a small race - I had to step down to the 10k and this was done on the day with little hassle. Given the base was in a hotel the lack of a bag drop was a bit of a disappointment.

Nice course and a perfect day for it too.

Green&Red

100m short for the 10k on my Garmin. Not complaining, PB!
Nice route

Blarney92

Had it in at 13.04 miles myself

Great race though- perfect conditions and nice route (albeit the hills for the first few miles were worrying)

PB as well by 5 mins for the half- delighted!!

PaddyOisin

A bit short on my Garmin too but what a great day for it and congratulations to the organisers. For a small community based race it was very well done. A PB by 6 minutes was a big bonus.

Jmcmen

It was a wee bit short but I am not complaining. I really enjoyed it. Fabulous route. I'll be back hopefully

Tarakiwa

Seems like there were a lot of PB's on the day.
This was only my secong HM so no surprise that I got a PB too. 1Hr 37 Mins. More than hapy with that.

I think that the traffic at the start line was a little manic, but the route itself was perfect. The hills were not too steep and the scenery was really beautiful.

All in all ........ I think that I would sign up again for next year!

Firedance

it was my first half marathon so I got a pb too unfortunately my garmin conked at the finish line & didn't save, boo hoo, so will just have to go out and do another one now. Anyway, very well organised I thought, lots of stewards and water stations etc. I would say though it was not a flat course... scenic but not flat!! I'm not sure why they changed the start time so close to the day and then did not start on time anyway, would have been much better to leave it at 10.30 especially for people traveling to it.

Tarakiwa

Firedance wrote: »

it was my first half marathon so I got a pb too unfortunately my garmin conked at the finish line & didn't save, boo hoo, so will just have to go out and do another one now. Anyway, very well organised I thought, lots of stewards and water stations etc. I would say though it was not a flat course... scenic but not flat!! I'm not sure why they changed the start time so close to the day and then did not start on time anyway, would have been much better to leave it at 10.30 especially for people traveling to it.

Congrats on the PB.

I agree about the start time. I got the message that they had rescheduled and were due to start at 10am. I felt a little sorry for the serious athletes who had done their warm up and were ready to go at 10am. They were left waiting, and cooling down, until we eventually got underway.

I was just doing it for fun, and for a very worthwhile charity, so I didn't mind so much - but I did feel sorry for those that were going out to run a seriously quick time.

What I heard from folks who ran previous years, was this this route was far nicer than the usueal one. Maybe they will keep it like this for future years?

Wubble Wubble

Carlingford HM 2014 Race Report


This was my third half marathon, having raced both the Clontarf ones last year. However, I suspected my PB of 1:47 was a bit soft, having done a 10 mile in 1:16 last year. I hadn't been feeling well in the lead up, but eventually (Saturday morning!) decided to make the trip. Arrived shortly before 9 o'clock to a quick and easy registration process. Not sure why the start times kept changing, but at 10 past ten we were off and running.

I deliberately started way back towards the rear of the field, not knowing how long I would last before I had to pack it in, but the start was easier than expected, and even with the steep hills early on, I made smooth progress through the backmarkers. At this stage I tagged on behind a couple of Sperrin Harriers runners who ran a decent pace up the hills, so much so that it transpired I was well ahead of schedule very early.

Turning the sharp left and on the steep downhill, I dropped the Sperrin lads to see if I could improve any further. Just around the right hander at the church I spotted a tall guy in a blue Airtricity marathon top who I'd seen well ahead of me in various races, along with two other lads alongside him. I decided to keep them in sight hoping that this would help me to a good time - I reckoned 1:35 or 1:36 if I could keep it going. The next few miles were easier than expected, as I worked my way past more and more runners on narrow country lanes. It was around mile 8 that the really tough bit started. At this point it felt like my quad was on fire, and although I was still keeping pace behind Airtricity, making the required effort to do so was becoming more and more difficult as the pain increased.

We reached the coast a little after the 9 mile marker, and slowly Airtricity began to disappear into the distance as my pace decreased. Although I was still passing people, the short steep little hill immediately on turning left away from the coast took a lot more out of me than I expected. But all the while I knew I still had a major PB on my hands, provided I could stay on my feet!

The last 2 miles after recrossing the Dundalk road should have given some extra momentum, but if anything I got even slower. The metre numbers on the road seemed to take ever longer to come up, and I wasn't passing people any more; a few people went past me in the last mile, where a major pain in my side added to the discomfort. Eventually the finish came into view, and even trundling over the line as slowly as I did, I still managed to bag what turned out to be a PB of almost 11 minutes with a 1:37:07 chip time, and let out a big "YES!!" just after going through. It was (and remains) a great feeling, making the trip to sunny Carlingford a more than worthwhile one. Hopefully next year I can return and try to improve further. Well done to all who took part and helped out on the day.