2015 Manchester Marathon - April 19th

Lex Luther

Just wondered if anyone else here is thinking of doing this in April or if anyone has done in previous years and has an opinion either way about the race.

I havent run Manchester before but am 90% sure I will this year and would welcome any informed views, experiences of it.

Many thanks
Lex

plumber77

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057013310&page=15

Lex Luther

plumber77 wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057013310&page=15

Brilliant, had missed this, many thanks !

AuldManKing

My race report here.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Overall a great race and would do it again.

Lex Luther

AuldManKing wrote: »

My race report here.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Overall a great race and would do it again.

Thanks a million, thats a great race report and really helpful ( I have to ask , did you get the sub 3 in Dublin in the end ?)
Lex

AuldManKing

Lex Luther wrote: »

Thanks a million, thats a great race report and really helpful ( I have to ask , did you get the sub 3 in Dublin in the end ?)
Lex

Nah, was one of the pacers this year - not doing a marathon until '16 - all short stuff for this year.
Might actually do Manchester in '16.

Lex Luther

Just in case anyone else gets caught the way I just have (sigh) , please note that this year (unlike last year) number collection is NOT allowed on the morning of the race !
So the options are , fly over early enough on Saturday to collect your number or (as I am now doing) contact the organisers and ask them to post the race pack to you in Ireland , they will charge you £7 for this apparently....
Lex

vinny1313

I ran this last year, it was great, I've nothing bad to say about it at all. A spring marathon doesn't suit me this year, but if I'm in the market for one next year I'll certainly consider this again.

Lex Luther

Lex Luther wrote: »

Just in case anyone else gets caught the way I just have (sigh) , please note that this year (unlike last year) number collection is NOT allowed on the morning of the race !
So the options are , fly over early enough on Saturday to collect your number or (as I am now doing) contact the organisers and ask them to post the race pack to you in Ireland , they will charge you £7 for this apparently....
Lex

but note this can only be done until the 28th February ( and its £7.50) ( and you have to call them between 9 and 2 Monday - Thursday to pay over the phone)
Lex

Lex Luther

Hi, would appreciate any help from any Manchester runners past or present ! I cant get a room in a hotel for love nor money - all the usual suspects I've seen on previous threads ( Ramada, Ibis, Holidy Inn, Copthorne etc etc are booked out it seems)...I'd pay a £100 for a night but I cant find anywhere that looks anywhere close and having spent a lot of time on google, last minute, best deals etc I'm now starting to lose the will to live ...I wondered would anyone have any suggestions ?
All and any help really appreciated.
Lex.

plumber77

Not a whole pile for sure, some crazy prices too. This was the best I could find. It's past Old Trafford, near a train/metro stop though which should be it handy to get around. Best I could do anyway.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ivy-mount-guest-house.html?aid=397645;label=bin859jc-index-XX-XX-XX-brand-ie-com-L%3Axu-O%3Aunk-B%3Aunk-N%3AXX-S%3Abo;sid=e1b5820ee0e3555cebe5368ace959f11;dcid=1;checkin=2015-04-18;checkout=2015-04-19#map_closed

Lex Luther

plumber77 wrote: »

Not a whole pile for sure, some crazy prices too. This was the best I could find. It's past Old Trafford, near a train/metro stop though which should be it handy to get around. Best I could do anyway.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ivy-mount-guest-house.html?aid=397645;label=bin859jc-index-XX-XX-XX-brand-ie-com-L%3Axu-O%3Aunk-B%3Aunk-N%3AXX-S%3Abo;sid=e1b5820ee0e3555cebe5368ace959f11;dcid=1;checkin=2015-04-18;checkout=2015-04-19#map_closed

plumber77 thanks a million for troubling to send this , really appreciate it.

Jnealon

I ended up getting an AirBnB, 40 euro for the night and the reviews were good.
Plus it was only 5 mins walk from the start

frankeee

Lex Luther wrote: »

Hi, would appreciate any help from any Manchester runners past or present ! I cant get a room in a hotel for love nor money - all the usual suspects I've seen on previous threads ( Ramada, Ibis, Holidy Inn, Copthorne etc etc are booked out it seems)...I'd pay a £100 for a night but I cant find anywhere that looks anywhere close and having spent a lot of time on google, last minute, best deals etc I'm now starting to lose the will to live ...I wondered would anyone have any suggestions ?
All and any help really appreciated.
Lex.

Don't know if you're still looking but I just booked ibis budget Manchester Salford Quays, appears to be reasonably close to the start and cost me 182 (172 if you pay up front, no cancellation) for Sat and Sun nights for a twin room. Haven't ran Manchester before but have heard only good things

SnailsPace

Did you get your number by post yet? I paid the £7 a few weeks back.

frankeee

SnailsPace wrote: »

Did you get your number by post yet? I paid the £7 a few weeks back.

I haven't anyway. I've actually had to pull out so hadn't been thinking about the number but yeah they're leaving it very late.

McWotever

No I'm still waiting. Kinda forgot about it.

Lex Luther

No neither me nor a couple of guys I am travelling with got their numbers in the post yet....I'll probably call tehm tomorrow but looks like none of the Irish numbers have arrived ! There's strength in numbers so lets keep in touch here in case there's a problem with the organisers ...Lex

McWotever

Lex Luther wrote: »

No neither me nor a couple of guys I am travelling with got their numbers in the post yet....I'll probably call tehm tomorrow but looks like none of the Irish numbers have arrived ! There's strength in numbers so lets keep in touch here in case there's a problem with the organisers ...Lex

I got mine in the post today, so did my mate. It's registered post, so maybe it's in the sorting office? It's literally just the race number in the envelope.

Lex Luther

McWotever wrote: »

I got mine in the post today, so did my mate. It's registered post, so maybe it's in the sorting office? It's literally just the race number in the envelope.

The same for me and my friend yesterday thankfully.

Hopefully everybody has got sorted ...good luck to everyone running and look forward to reading the race reports next week.

Weather forecast is good, training is done and course is flat ..what could possibly go wrong..:rolleyes:
Lex

SnailsPace

Got mine yesterday, Best of Luck to all , let's hope the Ibis budget Hotel isn't too cheap on the breakfast front

AuldManKing

I ran this last year.

3 things stand out for me.

(1) Mile markers are not always obvious - so keep focused on where you are on the course!!
(2) The water was given last year in pouches - take one early in the race and learn how it opens as some are temperamental and take a bit more pressure to open.
(3) Trust the pacers if using them.

Couple of good Irish pubs around too!

40whit

Just seeing this thread now and running sunday.

Best of luck to everyone

Anyone here planning <2:55 and want a running buddy?

McWotever

Think the organisation of this left a lot to be desired. The first 8 miles or so we're very congested. The erdinger at the end was a plus!! So was the PB.

Jnealon

McWotever wrote: »

Think the organisation of this left a lot to be desired. The first 8 miles or so we're very congested. The erdinger at the end was a plus!! So was the PB.

Agree totally here, the out and back sections were poorly thought out, It reminded me of a triathlon course. I seen guys fall over cones and stubble over the traffic islands.

Lex Luther

My thoughts...the positives for me were plenty of water, a mostly flat course, good support in sections, a well organised finish area, the Erdinger and the very friendly and helpful marshalls.
Negatives - road surface was very poor in parts, mile markers were erratic and agree the cones on the out and back were a bit dangerous.

Overall I'm glad I did it, I had a good time for me ( my 3rd best out of the 14 I've done) but I probably wouldnt do it again.

Great run by Irishman Eoin O'Callaghan who came 2nd in 2.18 something (a huge PB and just outside Rio qualification).
Lex

PS the medal is ridiculously big