A/R Awards 2015 - Race of the Year

RacoonQueen

Voting will stay open until Friday December 18th

Chivito550

Tón Le Gaoithe - Night of Sprints in Waterford is the winner for me. Naturally I am biased towards my own discipline, but the main reason I am voting for it is down to the fact somebody in Irish athletics had to balls to try something different. It created a lot of excitement, and the event is back again next year as a result. We need more of this kind of innovation, and if such a thing happened in a distance event I'd 100% be voting for it. The Highgate Harriers meet is exactly what is needed in this country, but it should not be allowed in this to be honest, as it is an overseas race. Definitely something Irish track and field is crying out for though. Hopefully Myles will post a bit more about it, for those who are unaware about what the event is.

As for those not in the know, the Tón Le Gaoithe - Night of Sprints was a meet this year for 100m and 200m, and sprint hurdles, where the start and finish lines were set according to the wind direction on the day, therefore allowing athletes the chance to run PBs and possible qualification times. This was an event organised with the athlete in mind. More of this please.

ultrapercy

Dublin City Marathon, for me a rival for all big city races in terms of support on course and atmosphere.. Ticks most other boxes too. We should be very proud of DCM.

tang1

ultrapercy wrote: »

Dublin City Marathon, for me a rival for all big city races in terms of support on course and atmosphere.. Ticks most other boxes too. We should be very proud of DCM.

For me it was Donadea 50k, I marshaled on the day for Anto but it was the sheer unity and come-together-ness of the running community that makes this race so special. Every runner had a smile on there face, be it GOH who won on the day or the last place runner, they all had a kind word to say regardless of there position in the race. A proper runners race.

kit3

tang1 wrote: »

For me it was Donadea 50k, I marshaled on the day for Anto but it was the sheer unity and come-together-ness of the running community that makes this race so special. Every runner had a smile on there face, be it GOH who won on the day or the last place runner, they all had a kind word to say regardless of there position in the race. A proper runners race.

+1 Absolutely loved this race (leaving aside my own performance :rolleyes:). Really well organised, great atmosphere and the opportunity to see the business end of the race at close quarters (if you are lapped). Great encouragement from both marshalls & fellow runners no matter what your ability. Everyone should try to experience this one at least once.

pconn062

The Morton Games for me, it's the best night of athletics in the country.

Dubgal72

Road relays all the way. Can't WAIT for this...17th April



Of course DCM a very close second....

adrian522

mmm, wasn't around for nominations so I guess I'll have to vote for my second favourite race of the year, even if it nearly cost me a finger.

Myles Splitz

Chivito550 wrote: »

The Highgate Harriers meet is exactly what is needed in this country, but it should not be allowed in this to be honest, as it is an overseas race. Definitely something Irish track and field is crying out for though. Hopefully Myles will post a bit more about it, for those who are unaware about what the event is.

I nominated this race for one reason.

If the nomination could entice one person to give it a try next year it will be worth while. The atmosphere was absolute fantastic and the way a race should be combining top level talent with being spectator friendly.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=95498806

Thread here sums up some of the main points but having the crowd right up beside you meant there was no opportunities to hide and gave it your all.

Unfortunately was coming back from illness so didn't get the PB I was hoping for but have my whole year training built around this race again this year.

Murph_D

I listened to the organiser talking about this on Marathon Talk - sounded like a brilliant event. Is it true they built a bar around the track that you had to run through? Sounds mad but strangely appealing!

Myles Splitz

Murph_D wrote: »

I listened to the organiser talking about this on Marathon Talk - sounded like a brilliant event. Is it true they built a bar around the track that you had to run through? Sounds mad but strangely appealing!

Haha not through but had to run by, bar had to be restocked (twice!) but there was nothing more satisfying than running a top quality race and grabbing a burger, a pint and sitting back enjoying a top quality race afterwards (British Trials were for World Championships were incorporated into the A races)

mathso

You can keep the big city runs and all the travel that goes with the international marathon scene , Donadea 50k gets my vote for the best race , hands down.

rainbow kirby

Murph_D wrote: »

I listened to the organiser talking about this on Marathon Talk - sounded like a brilliant event. Is it true they built a bar around the track that you had to run through? Sounds mad but strangely appealing!

Myself and Brianderunner were happily sipping pints in lane 3/4 during the men's A race. It's a fun evening

Brianderunner

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Myself and Brianderunner were happily sipping pints in lane 3/4 during the men's A race. It's a fun evening

They used to have it on a Wednesday night with an old man and his dog there but the last 2 years it's been a Saturday night. Last year they started selling cans of beer and added a big screen and this year they had a full blown bar in lane 7, a DJ with his decks infield and dancers!

Can't wait for next year!

Tombo2001

pconn062 wrote: »

The Morton Games for me, it's the best night of athletics in the country.

Second this.

A highlight for me this year was the Mile event itself. Just a personal thing really, but at the end of the mile the crowd had cleared and I found myself standing at the barrier near the steps, just close the where the finish line.

The race itself was I suppose not bad, I was mostly watching John Travers and the leader, and didn't know much about Tomas Cotter.

The race finished and Tomas had finished in I think 6th place. My friend mentioned to me that they thought he had broken the 4 minute mile, and that they were waiting for times to come through.

He was there with his coach and his family; and when the time did come through, it was 3.58 something, they were obviously delighted. With the history of the venue, and history of 4 minutes as a landmark in athletics, and having at least some appreciation of the work that must be required to get to that level.....all in all, it was a nice thing to see close up.

Chivito550

pconn062 wrote: »

The Morton Games for me, it's the best night of athletics in the country.

It's a good night alright, but could be made an even better experience for spectators to be honest.

1) It didn’t matter in the end this year (though did last year) as he pulled out with a niggle, but putting Thomas Barr in the first race of the main programme at 7pm is stupid. He’s our best track athlete right now. He should be towards the end of the programme. Obviously the mile needs to be last given the history, but the best Irish athletes need top billing. Why is this important? Because Dublin is a nightmare of a city to get around at peak hour on a Friday. I left work in Dublin 2 at 5:30pm, and just about (after getting a bus and taxi combo) made it to Morton Stadium at 7pm. At this point there were tons of people outside, all who ended up missing the race. The previous year I actually missed Barr beating the world champion.

2) It’s a Friday night. Some beer and burgers which you can take up to the stands with you wouldn’t go astray. If we are trying to attract the casual sports follower to these events, then it must be made attractive relative to the alternative (going to the pub). People work all week, and many would like to relax with a beer on a Friday evening. They do this on the continent at athletics meets, and at the Highgate Harriers meet. Proper food and drink options would enhance the experience IMO.

Also, not spectator related really, but I think Morton Games should be putting on more than the bare minimum of 2 field events, both which are pretty much over before the main programme even starts. No wonder we suck at field events when this is the attitude towards them.

Best night of athletics in the country, but so so much that could be improved upon to make it even better.

TRR_the_turd

Chivito550 wrote: »

It's a good night alright, but could be made an even better experience for spectators to be honest.

1) It didn’t matter in the end this year (though did last year) as he pulled out with a niggle, but putting Thomas Barr in the first race of the main programme at 7pm is stupid. He’s our best track athlete right now. He should be towards the end of the programme. Obviously the mile needs to be last given the history, but the best Irish athletes need top billing. Why is this important? Because Dublin is a nightmare of a city to get around at peak hour on a Friday. I left work in Dublin 2 at 5:30pm, and just about (after getting a bus and taxi combo) made it to Morton Stadium at 7pm. At this point there were tons of people outside, all who ended up missing the race. The previous year I actually missed Barr beating the world champion.

2) It’s a Friday night. Some beer and burgers which you can take up to the stands with you wouldn’t go astray. If we are trying to attract the casual sports follower to these events, then it must be made attractive relative to the alternative (going to the pub). People work all week, and many would like to relax with a beer on a Friday evening. They do this on the continent at athletics meets, and at the Highgate Harriers meet. Proper food and drink options would enhance the experience IMO.

Also, not spectator related really, but I think Morton Games should be putting on more than the bare minimum of 2 field events, both which are pretty much over before the main programme even starts. No wonder we suck at field events when this is the attitude towards them.

Best night of athletics in the country, but so so much that could be improved upon to make it even better.

You still giving out