Istanbul Marathon 2014 - November 16th

fredo1664

I'm considering running the Istanbul Marathon this year. Starting in Asia and finishing in Europe is quite tempting

I've checked wikipedia: it seems to be a growing event, and it even has an IAAF Gold Label.
Also, the weather seems to be cool enough in November there, which is a plus.

I was wondering if anyone on Boards has run it, or will run it this year?

PaulieYifter

Had it on a shortlist last year but went to San Sebastián instead. Considering it for this year - easy direct flight options and all.

Likewise I'd be interested to hear if anybody has first hand experience of the event.

dizzymom

Hi there I ran it in 2013. It's a great race. Quite flat except one hill. It was very hot in 2013. The course is nice. You are bussed to the start and race starts on other side of river. Support along route was not good in parts. It was a massive race. It was cheap to enter medal and goodie bag good. One fault the bag drop was a nightmare. U had to jump over barriers to get to bag drop. Toilets porta loos were appalling. There was not enough of them and they were awful.
Good value for money race though. If you are a tourist the website should advise that race pack pick up is near the airport !

fredo1664

Thanks a million for the feedback dizzymom! A lot of valuable information here!

There is something I don't understand in the Wikipedia article : "[...] The groups were not allowed to run on the bridge rather than to walk only." Did you actually have to walk across the bridge??

dizzymom

U are bussed out to other side of the bridge.
The race starts literally on the bridge this bit is pretty awesome but u definitely jog or run on the bridge
There was a good few MCI ppl in Istanbul. The hotels are pretty good . We stayed in best western but there s plenty of other cheaper hotels the tram system makes traveling to race easy
If uv not done it b4 ! Do it. From ireland it's cheap with ryanair

PaulieYifter

fredo1664 wrote: »

Thanks a million for the feedback dizzymom! A lot of valuable information here!

There is something I don't understand in the Wikipedia article : "[...] The groups were not allowed to run on the bridge rather than to walk only." Did you actually have to walk across the bridge??

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/thousands-warned-to-cross-continents-carefully-in-istanbul-marathon-.aspx?pageID=517&nID=57996&NewsCatID=371

AFAIK there are other races over the weekend and one of them is a 'fun run' across the bridge - due to the volume that showed up they were worried it might cause structural damage so all had to walk. This was not the marathon.

Brenner65

Did San Seb with PaulieYifter last year but as he mentioned this was on the short list. Have been struggling since San Seb but I would love to do this. The bridge and two continents appeals to me. We have had tentative discussions about doing it. If I do, might do Dublin as final training session for istanbul but its all a bit tight as far as I can recall

fredo1664

I'll blame the endorphins high from the Great Limerick Run, but I've registered for Istanbul.
Now I'm going to have to sort out the flights and the accommodation, and maybe train a little.
I'm planning on running the Great Scottish Run and probably Athlone (both are Half Marathons) as part of my training for it.

fredo1664

Hi guys,
Training is nearly over now, the marathon is getting very close.
Anyone else running it?
I'm flying from Dublin on Friday week. Can't wait!

tunguska

Best of luck with the race fredo. Be great if you could throw up a report when you're done, always interesting to hear about the less well known marathons.

PaulieYifter

Yeah - best of luck. Almost signed up on deadline date but let it slide in the end. Be interested to hear about it.

fredo1664

Flying tomorrow morning.
Thanks guys, I'll write something when it's done!

ThePiedPiper

Best of luck Fredo, I'd say it'd be a ecru interesting marathon destination, looking forward to the report