Great Ireland Run 2014 - Getting to the start line

Eiresheis

Hi folks;

I'm participating in the Great Ireland Run in Dublin for the first time this year. I was just wondering how any of you who might also be participating plan on getting to the start line in Phoenix Park - judging from a map of the park, the start line is quite a trek away from entrances to the park!

I don't have a car, so am going to either take the bus or Luas to the park.

I'd be happy to walk to the start line from a park entrance, but am just concerned about wearing myself out before even starting the race! Can anyone who has done the race before shed some light on this situation?

Thanks!

colin32

the start line is about a 10 minute walk from the gate entrances off Blackhorse avenue

RayCun

It's about a mile from the main park gate to the start line, just leave yourself plenty of time

Birdie Num Num

Get the train to Ashtown. A handy 10 min jog to the start from the station.

RubyK

Approx how long would it take to get from Heuston Station to the park?

colin32

there's this thing called google maps, which would give you all these details

it will take approx. 30 minutes from heuston to the top of chesterfield avenue, close to the start

RubyK

colin32 wrote: »

there's this thing called google maps, which would give you all these details

it will take approx. 30 minutes from heuston to the top of chesterfield avenue, close to the start

Thanks, but I don't know Dublin well at all, and didn't know what gates into Phoenix Park would be open.

colin32

it's virtually a straight walk from the station so you should be ok

pistol_75

RubyK wrote: »

Thanks, but I don't know Dublin well at all, and didn't know what gates into Phoenix Park would be open.

I'm not doing the race but I know previously there has been courtesy buses running from near Heuston up into the Park, and back out afterwards.

RubyK

pistol_75 wrote: »

I'm not doing the race but I know previously there has been courtesy buses running from near Heuston up into the Park, and back out afterwards.

Cheers for that info

Pink11

pistol_75 wrote: »

I'm not doing the race but I know previously there has been courtesy buses running from near Heuston up into the Park, and back out afterwards.

Sorry for bumping this thread. I was trying to save myself making a new one. Never done this race before.

Does anyone know if the shuttle bus option is running this year? Where are the pick up points?

Also, where do we pick up numbers/pack?

Pink11

There is no info on the site or am I blind!?

I saw the timetable, where does it explain the 'waves'. How do I make sure I can enter the right one etc?

Sorry for all the questions but the website is not clear to me!

Pink11

Nevermind I found the FAQ section:

http://greatirelandrun.org/Information.aspx?ctid=359#10

Joeseph Balls

Might do this. Website is tricky enough, when is closing date for entries?

Pink11

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

Might do this. Website is tricky enough, when is closing date for entries?

Website is very badly laid out for info. FAQ page I provided is the best bet. I think the majority of the info will be in the info pack they will send out to us (around end of March).

I think online entry finish mid/late March. (going on previous years info).

Pink11

Registration discount at the moment guys for 200 people. If you have a spar card (go and get one if you don't!):

Reg and follow this link to access it:

http://grtrun.org/GIROffer

Sara2002

I was just about to enter this until I noticed the start time. A bit late isn't it?

Sunny Dayz

Tis pretty late. Kinda tempted to do this - we normally as a family do a 5k in April in the Phoenix Park organised by a society I am a member of, but they are not doing it this year. Actually missing it cos we used to make a day of it - do 5k in the morning and go to the zoo for the afternoon.


I like that they are doing a kids race, but then the young lad and my hubbie would have to wait for ages for me after or go around the zoo themselves.

skittles8710

Sara2002 wrote: »

I was just about to enter this until I noticed the start time. A bit late isn't it?

Half 1 isn't late really considering it's a national event and many participants will be travelling a few hours. Saves an overnight stay and a few bob.

Pink11

For anyone still waiting on their packs to arrive in the post. They told me if it hasn't arrived by Fri 3rd of April (next week) to contact them immediately.

Pink11

Race is fast approaching. Can't wait for this! Anyone else on here doing it? How is the training going? I hear the course is quite difficult with lots of hills so looking forward to the challenge! Handy that they are posting everything to you prior to the race so I don't have to organise a pick up.

Only concern is getting to the start line. I'm not too familiar with the area. I was going to get the LUAS to Heuston. Would I easily be able to walk to the start line from there?

RayCun

The course is flat for 4k, downhill for 1k, and then up and down for the remaining 5k.
Yes, easily walking distance from Heuston, maybe a mile? Just leave yourself plenty of time.

Run and Jump

RayCun wrote: »

The course is flat for 4k, downhill for 1k, and then up and down for the remaining 5k.
Yes, easily walking distance from Heuston, maybe a mile? Just leave yourself plenty of time.

From Heuston up Chesterfield Avenue to the Furze Road start area is closer to 2 miles - a nice 45 mins walk maybe, or you could use some of it as a warm-up jog. There's always a great buzz going up Chesterfield Avenue to a race.

amcgee

was entering this race today , only to find out that i would have to call to blanchestown to collect my race pack. i know i have entered late , but this is off putting. will leave it this year. Pity , i live in the midlands, too much of a drive to collect
The only reason i left it so late was primarily because i was unsure of my plan, will know better next year
amcgee

Joeseph Balls

amcgee wrote: »

was entering this race today , only to find out that i would have to call to blanchestown to collect my race pack. i know i have entered late , but this is off putting. will leave it this year. Pity , i live in the midlands, too much of a drive to collect
The only reason i left it so late was primarily because i was unsure of my plan, will know better next year
amcgee

I'm still unsure but wouldn't mind ya grabbing a lift to Blanch with me. IM giving it till thurs to decide if I'm doing it. Not as fit as I should be.

Pink11

Run and Jump wrote: »

From Heuston up Chesterfield Avenue to the Furze Road start area is closer to 2 miles - a nice 45 mins walk maybe, or you could use some of it as a warm-up jog. There's always a great buzz going up Chesterfield Avenue to a race.

Thanks guys.

Another stupid question but I presume it'll be obvious on the day how to get there from Heuston on the day. I imagine there will be lots of crowds? I just have no idea of the area.

Sorry for dumb questions just want to be prepared. I always get nervous before races so like to plan ahead to help calm my nerves!

Run and Jump

Pink11 wrote: »

Thanks guys.

Another stupid question but I presume it'll be obvious on the day how to get there from Heuston on the day. I imagine there will be lots of crowds? I just have no idea of the area.

Sorry for dumb questions just want to be prepared. I always get nervous before races so like to plan ahead to help calm my nerves!

Not a stupid question at all! Out the front of Heuston Station, turn left (following the LUAS tram lines) to go across the river, then left again up Parkgate Street, straight through the traffic lights and the Park entrance is on your right. Then straight up the road through the park.

And yes, there'll be loads of other runners heading that way!

Krusty_Clown

Here's a map: Getting from Heuston Station to Chesterfield Avenue

Duanington

Pink11 wrote: »

Thanks guys.

Another stupid question but I presume it'll be obvious on the day how to get there from Heuston on the day. I imagine there will be lots of crowds? I just have no idea of the area.

Sorry for dumb questions just want to be prepared. I always get nervous before races so like to plan ahead to help calm my nerves!

There'll be tonnes of people walking from the LUAS stop at Heuston over to the race so don't worry - follow the runners and you'll be fine !

Pink11

Thanks a mil guys - didn't realise Chesterfield Ave would show up on the map!

Looking forward to it now. Number arrived in the post today.

amcgee

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

I'm still unsure but wouldn't mind ya grabbing a lift to Blanch with me. IM giving it till thurs to decide if I'm doing it. Not as fit as I should be.

thanks, in the end when i entered via the section for club members it said that you could collect on day, so i am ok thankfully entered and should be ok for collecting my pack.

born2bwild

Hard to know how to run this one - the first 5k is pretty much down hill and heading east, that is with the wind most likely behind you)
The next 4 k are (probably) into the wind and there are 3 tough uphill stretches.
I've run it twice in the last few days and gained a minute on the second run but those into the wind uphills are killers.
Hard to know - run like the clappers for the first 5 so as to build up a cushion of time or hold back on the first 5 k to keep enough in the tank for the hills?

Pink11

born2bwild wrote: »

Hard to know how to run this one - the first 5k is pretty much down hill and heading east, that is with the wind most likely behind you)
The next 4 k are (probably) into the wind and there are 3 tough uphill stretches.
I've run it twice in the last few days and gained a minute on the second run but those into the wind uphills are killers.
Hard to know - run like the clappers for the first 5 so as to build up a cushion of time or hold back on the first 5 k to keep enough in the tank for the hills?

Think I'll try and run fast to get time on my side. I'm hoping the usual adrenaline I get in a race will get me through the hills!

Run and Jump

born2bwild wrote: »

Hard to know - run like the clappers for the first 5 so as to build up a cushion of time or hold back on the first 5 k to keep enough in the tank for the hills?

You don't need to go out like the clappers - you'll gain time anyway going down the Furze Road (4K), and the second half of the race has descents and climbs so it balances out. Go out too hard and you'll blow up on the first hill anyway.

Pink11

Really love the custom race numbers with our county printed on them. Will make a wonderful souvenir.

born2bwild

What a difference a breeze makes - I ran the course again this evening and took 1.5 mins off my time on Wednesday - no wind, no bother.
Still ran as close to flat out as I could for the first 5 - I figure 10k is not such a distance that pacing really matters.
I will try one more just in case - though - a deliberately slow first 5k on Sunday

event

What will parking be like in the park on the day? The site says none but I remember there were cars parked along the big middle road last year.

What time would ye need to be there at to get a spot?

KingMambo26

The race pack says there'll be no parking in the park. Don't remember if last year it said the same but I still found a spot on the main road. Mind you, with the kids race starting at 11:30 you'd probably need to be there by 10-ish before they close the access. Considering the adults race doesn't start till 13:00 you may want to go for a pre-race picnic to kill time.

Joeseph Balls

Is there another fairly big 10k on the same day? I seem to remember someone mentioning it

Run and Jump

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

Is there another fairly big 10k on the same day? I seem to remember someone mentioning it

The BHAA have a 10K at the K Club in Co. Kildare earlier the same day.

Fiona44

Does anyone know if we can collect our race number on the day?

Their facebook page seems to say you can collect it from 10am on the day but their website seems to say you cant.

Pink11

Fiona44 wrote: »

Does anyone know if we can collect our race number on the day?

Their facebook page seems to say you can collect it from 10am on the day but their website seems to say you cant.

I would email them to confirm but I thought if you didn't receive the pack by now you must go to Lifestyle in Blanch to collect?

Fiona44

Pink11 wrote: »

I would email them to confirm but I thought if you didn't receive the pack by now you must go to Lifestyle in Blanch to collect?

I emailed last night and they confirmed that race numbers can in fact be collected from 10am on the morning of the race, just in case anyone else is wondering.

There will be a marquee set up near the start/finish area.

youngrun

Some good fields in for Saturday , hopefully Mary cullen and Ava H run . Christie for the mens Irish or hanrahan? http://www.greatirelandrun.org/Information.aspx?ctid=355

demfad

youngrun wrote: »

Some good fields in for Saturday , hopefully Mary cullen and Ava H run . Christie for the mens Irish or hanrahan? http://www.greatirelandrun.org/Information.aspx?ctid=355

I think Christie: Not a fast time in Dunboyne but being able to drop Mark Kenneally in that wind shows he is in good shape.

tang1

youngrun wrote: »

Some good fields in for Saturday , hopefully Mary cullen and Ava H run . Christie for the mens Irish or hanrahan? http://www.greatirelandrun.org/Information.aspx?ctid=355

Sergiu, bazman & Thomas Fitzpatrick will be in the mix to, should be a good Irish race.

menoscemo

youngrun wrote: »

Some good fields in for Saturday , hopefully Mary cullen and Ava H run . Christie for the mens Irish or hanrahan? http://www.greatirelandrun.org/Information.aspx?ctid=355

Prize money is pretty poor there. Only €500 for the winners?

tang1

menoscemo wrote: »

Prize money is pretty poor there. Only €500 for the winners?

Poor, thats brutal. Is it still a silver ranked IAAF event?

event

Fiona44 wrote: »

I emailed last night and they confirmed that race numbers can in fact be collected from 10am on the morning of the race, just in case anyone else is wondering.

There will be a marquee set up near the start/finish area.

Would have been nice if they had publicised that beforehand, instead of me changing work to drive up and back this morning

Pink11

I had to email them 2/3 times with queries but they replied very fast with solid solutions. It's like they had all the info and it's all planned - just been communicated badly.

Kinda feeling down - I've a tingly shin splint at the moment. So anxious I won't be on good form for this one...

FBOT01

Best of luck to all those running this tomorrow. ENJOY!!