Loop Head: Wild Atlantic Way Run

kkcatlou

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, I don't see any thread on it.

Did Ballycotton at the weekend and really enjoyed it, so thinking of doing the Wild Atlantic Way Half Marathon Paddy's weekend. My sister is doing the 10k and we've a house booked, so would be a bit of craic.

Anyone know much about it? They are saying it's almost sold out, but with entry at a whopping €60.87 this to me sounds like the most expensive race in Ireland, and with no mention of it here, I assume it's not getting much interest or attracting an elite field?

Also wondering do people think it's mad doing a 1/2 so soon after Ballycotton without additional training (had done up to 9 miles pre Ballycotton), aiming to do 5k today, 8k Friday, 5k Sat, 13k Sun, Mon rest, 8k Tue, 4k Wed, rest Fri & Sat...does that seem like enough? Really aiming to just finish the course and enjoy the scenery as I'll be down there anyway. But just not sure if it's worth the €60!!! :eek:

kkcatlou

Sounds like nobody else has even heard of it? And it's not even mentioned in the sticky up top! So am assuming it's not going to be one of the high calibre races of the year??

Still think I'll give it a go, as I'll be there anyway and hate watching these things from the sidelines knowing I could be there taking part...

demfad

kkcatlou wrote: »

Sounds like nobody else has even heard of it? And it's not even mentioned in the sticky up top! So am assuming it's not going to be one of the high calibre races of the year??

Still think I'll give it a go, as I'll be there anyway and hate watching these things from the sidelines knowing I could be there taking part...

Hi. They had a Wild Atlantic Way race in Sligo last year. There was a thread here but don't know if anyone did it. Its quite pricey. Id try and find how people found that one on the net. My impression was the value wasnt great. I grew up beside the Sligo route, most of it was on tarmac.

kkcatlou

Thanks a million. Yeah, they are the the same group - there is one in Loop Head, one in Westport and one in Sligo.

I got a discount code, so signed up, so will feed back on how it is. Don't have great expectations, but it'll probably be my last chance of a half marathon this year, so just going to do it to hopefully enjoy it!

Training wise - should Ballycotton be enough to get me around the course, or would I need to have gone beyond 10 miles in training?

demfad

kkcatlou wrote: »

Thanks a million. Yeah, they are the the same group - there is one in Loop Head, one in Westport and one in Sligo.

I got a discount code, so signed up, so will feed back on how it is. Don't have great expectations, but it'll probably be my last chance of a half marathon this year, so just going to do it to hopefully enjoy it!

Training wise - should Ballycotton be enough to get me around the course, or would I need to have gone beyond 10 miles in training?

If you recover quickly from the longer stuff you could chance an easy 11.5 miler or so. If youre not sure then you could do less but finish the run hard.
If you've done longer recently then no need, but im guessing you haven't?
Just pace it well on the day. Always start waaaaay easier than you think in these races. After a couple of km youll have a feel for the race and will naturally get into it.

mel.b

kkcatlou wrote: »

Sounds like nobody else has even heard of it? And it's not even mentioned in the sticky up top! So am assuming it's not going to be one of the high calibre races of the year??

Still think I'll give it a go, as I'll be there anyway and hate watching these things from the sidelines knowing I could be there taking part...

Did you end up doing it? How was it? I'm in Clare, so interested to hear

kkcatlou

mel.b wrote: »

Did you end up doing it? How was it? I'm in Clare, so interested to hear

It's this Saturday, so I'll let you know how it goes!

kkcatlou

So thought I'd feed back in on how this went.
Despite my cynicism, it was a really enjoyable and for the most part, well organised event. I think in time, if this series develops, it could go on to be something pretty amazing.

There was very little buzz in Kilkee for the thing, nobody really knew it was on, and on Paddy's Day, we seemed to be the only tourists in town. Registration on the Friday was quick and painfree. Lovely t-shirts. Asked the organiser a few questions - he was quite patronising when I asked would roads be closed (apparently that only happens for races of 20k+:rolleyes:) and would there be a chip v pin time. 200 signed up for the 10k and 200 for the half, which I thought would be tiny, but actually during the run, felt fine.

No toilets at either the bus collection point or the start line was a major no no - especially as it started on the edge of a cliff with no ditches around!!

That said, the fact that you had to get a bus to the start, and it started on the edge of a cliff, was both beautiful and gave a brilliant atmosphere. I was alone, but everyone was very chatty and excited.

Race itself was great. Really well marshalled. Start and end were on beautiful cliff edge. The middle 8 miles were a bit long and boring, but I got in a pack with 2 others and we kept each other going. It definitely felt like there was a lot more uphill than downhill. It's the first point to point half I've done, and really enjoyed it - you really feel like you've accomplished one hell of a distance.

Conditions on the day were perfect. Support was minuscule, but it is very rural and as I said, no locals even knew it was taking place.

I ended up doing a PB of 1.46 (50 seconds PB) which totally shocked me as the course was tough and I hadn't put in the training. I would definitely put it down to my two running buddies as I felt we all pushed each other along! I also did a PB in Ballycotton of -1min, so I must be fitter than I think! The official results still haven't been posted though, which is a bit odd 2 days after the event!

Finishing at the Lighthouse was amazing (apart from the jeep which got stuck in the gate of the Lighthouse and meant we actually had to climb over it with 100m to go!!) - fab scenery and atmosphere. The soup back in the pub after and well organised busses were also much appreciated. T-shirt and medal also really nice. Sounds like most people travelled from all over the country to do the race, and many people seem to have signed up for all 3. If you are looking for an enjoyable day out and to see more of our beautiful country, I would definitely recommend the series. If you are looking for a competitive, high calibre race, stick to the well known, but less beautiful events!!

Neady83

Hi kkcatlou, thanks for the detailed info. I'm from near that area and was wondering how it would go. Unfortunately it clashed with a 10mile and 10km road race in New Market on Fergus that has been running for 7 years and has a loyal following so I think most of the runners East of Kilrush, myself included, headed to that.

I know the route you ran, it's breathtaking on a sunny day and hilly. Well done on the PB, that's nice going on that course.