BHAA Super Thread 2016

emerald007 · 05-01-2016 4:32pm #1

Peterx · 05-01-2016 11:18pm

emerald007 wrote: »

Happy New Year to all our members and friends. We are delighted to give you details of our forthcoming races and we encourage you to put them in your diary. We have a strong mix of cross country, road and track races planned for the upcoming year.

Race|Date|Location|Distance
BHAA Eir cross-country|Saturday 23 January 2016|Cherryfield Park, Firhouse, Dublin 24|2/5 miles
BHAA Garda cross-country|Saturday 06 February 2016|Phoenix Park, Dublin|2/4 miles
BHAA Dublin Airport cross-country|Saturday 20 February 2016|ALSAA, Dublin Airport|2/5 miles
BHAA AIB/NUI cross-country|Saturday 05 March 2016|National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare|2/4 miles

We are trying to encourage all members and day members to pre-register using the website, which now supports email login and stripe payments. At the recent AGM, it was agreed that the 15e Day Membership would only apply to online registrations, and that registration on the day for Day Members will now cost 20e for all events in 2016.

Cheers for the heads up on the dates, looking forward to the first one.

nodgie86 · 06-01-2016 10:10am

Is the race in Tymon Park going ahead this Saturday? I know its on the BHAA website just didn't see it above?

Thanks in advance

emerald007 · 06-01-2016 11:03am

nodgie86 wrote: »

Is the race in Tymon Park going ahead this Saturday?

Yes the race is going at ahead on Saturday, I've updated the table.

We're encouraging all members and new runners to pre-register via the website. Note - Day members looking to turn up and run on Saturday will be charged 20e, so use the online channel and pre-register for 15e.

nodgie86 · 06-01-2016 12:13pm

Thanks for the above, sorry to be annoying you further but is the distance 4 mile or 5 miles?
Cheers

highchap · 06-01-2016 9:23pm

The mens race is 4 miles, the ladies 2.

KielyUnusual · 07-01-2016 1:03pm

With the short course cancelled, I might run this instead although I'm none too happy about the jump from 4k to 4 miles

. Have to shake off the Christmas cobwebs somewhere though.

emerald007 · 09-01-2016 3:47pm

Results are online now at https://bhaa.ie/events/bank-of-ireland-cc-2016/

https://bhaa.ie/bank-of-ireland-2016-early-video-and-pictures/

Wubble Wubble · 10-01-2016 12:01pm

I presume that was the first lap, so it could only have deteriorated afterwards. Well done to all who competed. I might leave it till the Garda XC for my seasonal reappearance.

glacial_pace71 · 10-01-2016 12:51pm

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

I presume that was the first lap, so it could only have deteriorated afterwards. Well done to all who competed. I might leave it till the Garda XC for my seasonal reappearance.

That was one of the safe stretches, where there was a path upon which Paul could venture forth with a camera to capture the race without experiencing the conditions.

Here's another image, from just around the corner:
http://greatwarproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3rd-Ypres_stretcher-bearers-in-mud_1917.jpg

It measured nearly 4.5 miles for most, but I think that'd partially be accounted for by some of the swimming, mudbathing, or the attempts to weave around some of the splashier stretches. Certainly a 7km race in the end. Very enjoyable though, and I'd imagine that most will run the 5 mile race in Templeogue in the same time (or faster) than the 4 mile race yesterday.

KielyUnusual · 10-01-2016 3:14pm

glacial_pace71 wrote: »

That was one of the safe stretches, where there was a path upon which Paul could venture forth with a camera to capture the race without experiencing the conditions.

Here's another image, from just around the corner:
http://greatwarproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3rd-Ypres_stretcher-bearers-in-mud_1917.jpg

It measured nearly 4.5 miles for most, but I think that'd partially be accounted for by some of the swimming, mudbathing, or the attempts to weave around some of the splashier stretches. Certainly a 7km race in the end. Very enjoyable though, and I'd imagine that most will run the 5 mile race in Templeogue in the same time (or faster) than the 4 mile race yesterday.

I think I have a case of trench foot after that race actually

It measured long because they had to change the course last minute due to unrunnable conditions in parts. Pity they didn't make it shorter because I had another absolute mare in the mud. I need this rain to stop soon because I can't hack this plodding through bogs for much longer.

AJCOT · 11-01-2016 5:09pm

Great race and a super start to the BHAA 2016 calendar, mucky but that's why we wear metal things on our shoes.

Kissy Lips · 11-01-2016 8:04pm

If I remember correctly there used to be as many as 11 cross country races. Why are there only 7 now? What happened to the rest?

RacoonQueen · 11-01-2016 8:14pm

Kissy Lips wrote: »

If I remember correctly there used to be as many as 11 cross country races. Why are there only 7 now? What happened to the rest?

I was going to do the one out at the ward the year of the big snow and couldn't get out with the weather. Don't think they've done it since. THAT sounded fun.

Kissy Lips · 11-01-2016 9:28pm

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I was going to do the one out at the ward the year of the big snow and couldn't get out with the weather. Don't think they've done it since. THAT sounded fun.

I did that one. Remember thinking no way they will run this. Was great fun.

aoboa · 11-01-2016 10:51pm

When are the 2016 road race dates announced?

emerald007 · 12-01-2016 3:12pm

Racman · 12-01-2016 8:57pm

Kissy Lips wrote: »

If I remember correctly there used to be as many as 11 cross country races. Why are there only 7 now? What happened to the rest?

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I was going to do the one out at the ward the year of the big snow and couldn't get out with the weather. Don't think they've done it since. THAT sounded fun.

Kissy Lips wrote: »

I did that one. Remember thinking no way they will run this. Was great fun.

(a) Number of races - one race in November was cancelled as the course (Santry Demesne) was not available during the month. Otherwise, it was decided to reduce the number of races to ensure that quality could be maintained and to avoid having cross-country races well into March. Some people feel that the season should end in early March. Also, life sometimes gets in the way: race organisers are not able to get enough helpers and can't do it on their own etc.

(b) The race in The Ward? November 2010. That's getting like the GPO in 1916 - everyone claims to have been there, even though there were only 15 women and 97 men there on that very snowy day. One of my fondest running memories is finishing my "cool down" and seeing the last finisher come in. I asked him how he felt and he said he was absolutely thrilled. He had given up smoking but was in a bad way a year before and was now able to keep up with his small child. That's the thing about running, everyone can run their own race against themselves - and win. The same man is now doing marathons - not very fast because of the lung damage, but finishing them nevertheless. Unfortunately no video that I can find.

This one here was 2008 and great to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEQ01L1NGqY

Chartsengrafs · 22-01-2016 7:37pm

Anyone know what shape the ground is in for tomorrow's Eir XC race in Firhouse? Doing it either way but it'd be good to know..

Chartsengrafs · 23-01-2016 5:52pm

Good race today, the ground was absolutely fine. Fantastic value as usual. Looking forward to two weeks time.

Wubble Wubble · 02-02-2016 8:00am

Next up is the Garda XC, which I ran last year, and have signed up for again. However, I imagine the ground will be much heavier this time around. Anyone else up for it?

https://bhaa.ie/events/garda-cc-2016/

emerald007 · 02-02-2016 9:22pm

Jump back to 7 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Db7VPL06tc

How many runners who appear in this video do you think will be running this weekend?

glacial_pace71 · 03-02-2016 8:25pm

The conditions underfoot will be a lot different from those in the 2009 video.

But don't let that put anyone off: it's a great race. You're down a hill near the Magazine, a climb up/down and then up the Khyber. The flat part is usually splashy underfoot, so you never make up the time you need, then back down the hill near the Magazine, gaining no time on the downhill on account of the sliding downhill effect.

Overall it's a great race for giving the impression of being a continuous uphill climb!

Chartsengrafs · 03-02-2016 9:00pm

glacial_pace71 wrote: »

The conditions underfoot will be a lot different from those in the 2009 video.

I did a session there last Saturday morning and it was absolutely fine.

clear thinking · 03-02-2016 10:35pm

Always a good race this one, the Park is deceptively tough.

Wubble Wubble · 06-02-2016 5:31pm

Tough going today all right. I found the hills tricky enough, and even on the straight the wind was against us. Still, I managed to knock nearly a minute off last year's time, so can only be delighted with that!

racheljev · 06-02-2016 6:09pm

First BHAA race this morning, in fact first ever cross country one

Really enjoyed it, and would probably have enjoyed it a bit more if I had a pair of spikes. Quite mucky and slippy but good fun. Finished in 19:20 which I'm very happy with - and I didn't need to use my inhaler afterwards, which I'm even happier with

Caprica · 07-02-2016 1:17pm

Great turnout yesterday, over 500 finishers. I don't ever remember the women's race having more finishers that the men's. The inclusion of the Lord Mayors Series really added to the atmosphere, I think the general consensus was that they enjoyed the XCountry experience.

It was tough out there, I thought it was going the rain but luckily it held off. You had to work all the way round, uphills, downhills and the wind in your face on the straight.

Caprica · 07-02-2016 1:17pm

Double post

KJ · 08-02-2016 11:55am

The Garda cross country was my first ever cross country. I found it quite tough, especially that hill 4 times. Still managed a reasonable time though. I did the RTE 5 mile last year and enjoyed that too so I decided to join BHAA this year and hopefully will get a lot more of their races under my belt, including more cross country.

Photos from the day are here if anybody is interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordmayor/albums/72157663786689290

KJ · 08-02-2016 11:56am

The Garda cross country was my first ever cross country. I found it quite tough, especially that hill 4 times. Still managed a reasonable time though. I did the RTE 5 mile last year and enjoyed that too so I decided to join BHAA this year and hopefully will get a lot more of their races under my belt, including more cross country.

Photos from the day are here if anybody is interested. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordmayor/albums/72157663786689290

Peterx · 08-02-2016 3:59pm

Really enjoyed the Garda CC course there. Thanks to all involved in organising.

Both the weather and the course held up well and there were enough sugary treats at the afters to bring on the diabetes. Lovely hurlin!

Wubble Wubble · 19-02-2016 9:30am

Tomorrow the yellow van rolls up at ALSAA for a 2 mile/5 mile XC double bill. Anyone from here heading out? Course map is a bit confusing, in that it's hard to tell how many laps are involved.

https://bhaa.ie/events/dublin-airport-cc-2016/

adrian522 · 03-03-2016 3:02pm

Is the date change for the K-club confirmed at this stage? Any reason for the change?

jake1970 · 03-03-2016 3:22pm

adrian522 wrote: »

Is the date change for the K-club confirmed at this stage? Any reason for the change?

the date change has been confirmed here https://bhaa.ie/2016-bhaa-race-calendar/. I dont know the reason why.

Racman · 07-03-2016 10:26pm

adrian522 wrote: »

Is the date change for the K-club confirmed at this stage? Any reason for the change?

The K Club race has been rescheduled for Saturday 9th April, a week earlier than originally planned.

As with all of its other race venues, the BHAA is reliant upon the goodwill and availability of a number of parties. These include venue owners, course owners, race organisers and their work colleagues, first-aid providers, An Garda Síochána and others. If any one of these is not "on side", for whatever reason, then a race can be under threat. We do a lot of work behind the scenes to have everything in place for the scheduled date.

In the case of the K Club race, the race organiser is a senior member of the K Club staff who has had the generous co-operation of the venue owner over the last few years. In this case, the owner reluctantly asked the organiser to facilitate him by moving the race date. What could the organiser and the BHAA do?

As a voluntary organisation, the BHAA does not pay people to put on races. Race organisers regularly make modest donations to venues such as GAA clubs etc in return for making their facilities available for registration and changing but this has never been necessary in the case of the K Club. (In fact, although the BHAA does not organise races for charity, the organiser of the K Club race has, through support and sponsorship from the K Club and its suppliers, managed to generate a surplus each year which he has generously presented to some very deserving charitable and voluntary causes.)

We recognise that the new date is somewhat less attractive than the original date but we expect that the race itself will be better than ever and we hope to have the usual high turnout on the day.

adrian522 · 07-03-2016 10:32pm

Thanks for your response, I wouldn't argue with anything you say. If this date had been known earlier I'd certainly been hearing to the K club, unfortunately having already committed to the GIR I don't be able to make this.

It's a pity as it's possibly my favourite race of the year .

Caprica · 30-03-2016 10:56pm

The Dublin City Council Road Race is on in St. Anne's Park Raheny on Saturday 2nd April. The Ladies 2 mile race is at 11am and the Mens 4 mile race is at 11.30am. It's the final race of the Lord Mayor series, so there should be a big turnout. For BHAA regulars, it's the start of the summer league.

https://bhaa.ie/events/dcc-road-races-2016/

glacial_pace71 · 03-04-2016 9:51am

The BHAA/DCC race went really well: great ad for both - Dublin City Council have resurfaced quite a few of the paths around St Anne's Park, making it much better underfoot than a few years ago.

Much of the route would be familiar to those who do 'park run' events, but although there were a few tight bends there were plenty of long straight stretches into which you could put the foot on the pedal.

The incorporation of the Lord Mayor's series into the run was worthwhile: many who participate in that series might only normally do 5k distances, so upping them to 4 miles for the two BHAA events (i.e. the Garda XC and DCC road race) gave them a broader range of experiences. (Having said that, most women opted for the 2 mile distance).

The race was well-stewarded but good to see so many spectators to cheer on others, e.g. the guys during the gals' race and vice versa.

My only complaint would be about the hall in St Paul's College: someone has shrunk it. In my day (and not trying to sound too much like an auld Mr Brennan and the days before sliced bread) the hall was much bigger! The Grove on a Saturday night fitted hundreds into that confined space.

Slogger Jogger · 03-04-2016 10:59am

5th year in a row for me doing this. Great race and fast in good conditions like yesterday.

Minor peeve. Hung around for the results which took a long time and were a bit stop-start which contrasts to results giving at other BHAA events I've been at. Not helped by the organisers doing an impromptu quiz beforehand which was unnecessary. There was a dwindling no.of people who held out til the end of the results.

Wubble Wubble · 08-04-2016 8:24am

The top BHAA event of the year for many takes place tomorrow morning in Kildare.

https://bhaa.ie/events/k-club-10k-2016/

This was my official BHAA debut back in 2013, and it still remains my favourite race of theirs, with the best post race spread I've ever experienced. If you're not in Connemara/Rotterdam/the GIR etc, I highly recommend it! Unfortunately, as a result of its rescheduling, I won't be there myself.

Best of luck to all taking part.

Racman · 08-04-2016 9:34am

Note that if you are not a member of the BHAA, you will not be able to enter the race on the day. Online entry only up to this afternoon if you are not a member (€15).

Members can, as usual, turn up, pay €10 and run.

Slow_Runner · 09-04-2016 3:09pm

A big thank you to the K club and BHAA today for a fantastic race. Loads of marshals and guards on the route made for a great day. Some spread afterwards too:D
And a 1 min PB to boot - happy days!!

Birdsong · 09-04-2016 4:04pm

Great event at the K Club, great race and I think a PB so happy out. Found the finish a bit hard to figure out, when I was coming in there were people walking around & it wasn't corned off. Only negative.

aoboa · 09-04-2016 4:24pm

Superb race and absolutely perfect weather.
And the food...

PB here but only cos it's the first 10k I ever raced.
When do the results go up? I was too wrecked to even see a clock at the finish.

JackieChan · 09-04-2016 4:46pm

My first 10k race and loved it. Great spread at the end!!

Only (minor) thing I didn't like was the finish line was in the car park....an extra 100/150m I wasn't prepared for.

aoboa · 10-04-2016 9:12pm

Hmm... still no results on the site.

rdunne · 11-04-2016 9:12am

aoboa wrote: »

Hmm... still no results on the site.

results will go up as soon as the volunteer who processes them is able. We are all volunteers at BHAA.

Thanks

JackieChan · 14-04-2016 8:31am

I appreciate that bhaa is a voluntary effort but will it be this week that the results are posted?

At least if I know this I will stop checking several times a day!!
thanks

Racman · 15-04-2016 3:38pm

The results of the K Club 10km are now online. We are sorry for the delay with this. We have a small number of entries who are unaccounted for. Some of these dropped out (and hence were unrecorded at the finish) but if you have any queries (or indeed comments, suggestions or offers of help!), the best advice is to send an email to info@bhaa.ie and we will investigate. Might not be over the weekend as some of us have to do family stuff that we put on hold last weekend!

In relation to the finish line in the car park: Although not ideal, this seems to be the best solution to the start line problem. In the past, a different start line led to crowding at an early stage in the race so we had to bring the start away from the clubhouse. Our measuring showed that we had to make up the distance by doing that curve in the car park. It doesn't seem much when you drive in but it is definitely tougher when you have 9.8km done! Continuing straight on past the clubhouse caused other problems in the past.

DubOnHoliday · 15-04-2016 3:50pm

I've 15 people in work ready to go for the Sandymount 5k. We did it last year and it was a great event.

BHAA Super Thread 2016

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