Clare Burren Marathon Challenge

robinph

Looks like I'm going to be in the right part of the country at the right time to give this event a go:

http://www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com/

I think I'll only be able to spare the time to do the half version rather than the full. Anyone done this before? How hilly are the hills? Is it trail running, how off road is is the off road-ness of it?

tang1

I done the half a few years back, it's hilly to say the least. First few miles are on road heading out of Ballyvaughan towards Lisdoonvarna. You start climbing then up a farmers dirt road and up into the hills of the Burren. It was very warm the year I did it so just wore normal road shoes, but with all the lose stones underfoot it would be quiet dangerous if wet.

There is a bit of road running atop of the Burren but mostly stony trail. Similar to Fell running in England. It's a great race and nice atmosphere about Ballyvaughan after, distance may be a bit off as no roads to work off for the whole route. Year I done the half it measured 13.5 miles but don't let that put you off, on a good day the scenery is stunning.

ger664

Have done the both the half and full. Will be doing the full again this year so I hope to catch up again. Half is a more technically difficult course then the full, there is a steep climb and descent between 9 & 11 which is off road. On a dry day its okay but I done it on a very wet day and trail shoes really where needed in the conditions.

aside from that its a great race, walking club do a great job especially with the aid/food stations along both routes. I would highly recommend it but maybe leave the buggy with herself at the start

robinph

The plan is to leave the buggy with a grandparent whilst we both run one of the different distances (10km and half), assuming the weather is nice enough to leave a grandparent roaming the streets of Ballyvaughan alone for a while.

How much of a time deficit ontop of your flat course time would you reckon the half course is?

Just want to get a vague idea of how long I'd be out for. The last trail distance race I did ended up taking nearly twice my marathon PB time, partially down to weather as well as the course profile. I'd not want to be out for too long as we'll have birthday cakes to get back to eat and blow a candle out on.

tang1

I ran 1.53.xx I think and was averaging 1.35.xx on a normal half route then. But I did take it easy atop of the Burren taking in the scenery, say lost 2-3 mins there looking around running easy. As ger664 said the climb/decent between 9-11 miles is tough and tricky. I didn't mention it as I presumed you were doing the full.

robinph

Would like to do the full, but I think that wouldn't be fair on the support crew on this occasion so we're figuring that I'd get round the half in a time that's not too annoyingly much longer than herself doing the 10km for the supporters.

tang1

robinph wrote: »

Would like to do the full, but I think that wouldn't be fair on the support crew on this occasion so we're figuring that I'd get round the half in a time that's not too annoyingly much longer than herself doing the 10km for the supporters.

It's a great race & one I want to do again in the future, plenty of water stops to up in the mountains. If you have the chance and fancy some liquid refreshment take a trip to the Roadhouse in Lisdoonvarna, they do there own beer, Burren Red, it's magic stuff!!

ger664

Agree with tang1 as well 10 to 15 minutes slower depending on conditions

Burkie_Fi

I did the Half last year as part of a one half a month personal challenge I was doing. I'm pleased I did it but it was very challenging for me, a relatively new runner. It starts off climbing and keeps going up for about 7k. The off road but was slippy as it was quite misty on the day. I knew I wasn't going to get a PB and added 12 mins on to my usual time so I enjoyed the view around the 17/18k mark and took a few pics. I did feel like a badass after it though because I really wasn't expecting to literally run across the Burren!

Oh and side note for the grandparents there isn't a huge amount on the streets of Ballyvaughan to see/do. The beach and the pub are about it.
Enjoy it though, it's the best challenge once it's done 😀

rodge68

Hi all, would this be too tough for a first time Marathoner ? I have the miles under the belt and a little hill running( I can do more in the next 5 weeks)
Time isnt a concern, just finishing !
Thanks

tang1

rodge68 wrote: »

Hi all, would this be too tough for a first time Marathoner ? I have the miles under the belt and a little hill running( I can do more in the next 5 weeks)
Time isnt a concern, just finishing !
Thanks

It's more mountainous than hilly, some decent climbing involved. I certainly wouldn't advise as doing it as a first marathon but I don't know your level of fitness so you could well be able for it.

rodge68

tang1 wrote: »

It's more mountainous than hilly, some decent climbing involved. I certainly wouldn't advise as doing it as a first marathon but I don't know your level of fitness so you could well be able for it.

Thanks Tang1, Not sure how to gauge my fitness but I can run 20 miles but slow enough..
Might do some hill work over the next week and see then before signing up....

pete_mcs

Will be doing the full marathon.First in ten years. Been throwing in a few trail runs. Am wishing for a calm day dry, would say the weather will have a huge affect on this run!

kookiebrew

Just signed up for the half, did it two years ago was actually my very first race so looking forward to see how I'll get on two years down the line with a lot more miles into me.

snailsong

I've signed up for the full. No notice, very little preparation. What could possibly go wrong?

Doing it as a training session for the Western Way 50 miler in July. Hope to meet a few Boardsies there.

Neady83

snailsong wrote: »

I've signed up for the full. No notice, very little preparation. What could possibly go wrong?

Doing it as a training session for the Western Way 50 miler in July. Hope to meet a few Boardsies there.

Me too, me too Just signed up, we're going to mountain bike the course backwards before running it forwards.

I know the peeps in the club that's organising it and they've said that it's great fun with lots of food and water on the course.

robinph

Seem to have got myself a bit of an injury since a 10km race last week. Took a week off except for parkrun, which was never going to be missed, but touch and go for if I'll be able to run as hard as I'd like to at the weekend and may need to take it easy.

snailsong

Neady83 wrote: »

Me too, me too Just signed up, we're going to mountain the bike the course backwards before running it forwards.

I know the peeps in the club that's organising it and they've said that it's great fun with lots of food and water on the course.

Are you doing Western Way too?

I've also heard good reports about this event. Looking forward to meeting you.

snailsong

robinph wrote: »

Seem to have got myself a bit of an injury since a 10km race last week. Took a week off except for parkrun, which was never going to be missed, but touch and go for if I'll be able to run as hard as I'd like to at the weekend and may need to take it easy.

Won't be going hard myself, either. I'll keep an eye out for you. Mind that injury.

Neady83

robinph wrote: »

Seem to have got myself a bit of an injury since a 10km race last week. Took a week off except for parkrun, which was never going to be missed, but touch and go for if I'll be able to run as hard as I'd like to at the weekend and may need to take it easy.

I'll be going easy too so you'll have plenty of company. Looking at the results from last year, there's many people walking it so it will be a mixed field. At least it's not all on road, it might give some relief to the injury.

snailsong wrote: »

Are you doing Western Way too?

I've also heard good reports about this event. Looking forward to meeting you.

Ditto, I haven't registered for the Western Way yet but I'm pretty sure that I'll do it, taking it easy. I'm trying to convince one of my friends who's doing the Burren on Sat to do it with me.

We'll have to figure out a way or recognising each other. If you see a girl with plaits in her hair on a mountain bike, that's me

snailsong

Neady83 wrote: »

We'll have to figure out a way or recognising each other. If you see a girl with plaits in her hair on a mountain bike, that's me

I can picture the scene....

Girl passes on bike...middle aged man shouts after her, "Are you needy?"....cops are called...

Second thoughts I'll send you a pm with a detailed description :-).

jfk247

Last time I took part was 2012, scorching weather that day and was nursing a slight hangover after sampling all the pubs Ballyvaughan has to offer!!!

looking forward to this on Saturday, wont be in the same condition this year!!!

robinph

For some reason my email isn't connecting whilst roaming, although boards is for some reason. I did see an "urgent" email come through but can't see anything of the email itself. Did it say anything important that I need to know about?

Neady83

robinph wrote: »

For some reason my email isn't connecting whilst roaming, although boards is for some reason. I did see an "urgent" email come through but can't see anything of the email itself. Did it say anything important that I need to know about?

Nothing too important. This is the gist of it.

We would appreciate if you could check your registration details.. If you would like to change Distance please inform us of the distance change

robinph

Thanks for that.

snailsong

Hoping to hit Bally V late this evening if my ancient camper can make the journey, by no means certain .

For anyone looking out for me I'm tallish, grey haired and devilishly handsome .
Don't know what I'll be wearing but I have rather bright green Solomon speedcross shoes. Please say hello.
P.

kookiebrew

Dunno what I'll be wearing but I'll give you a Hi if I see you, I'll be the person at the carpark when the race is over having the wife pouring a 5 litre bottle of water over me as a shower, for anyone doing the full if you hear what sounds like a woman's high pitched scream, fear not its just me

jfk247

Just down to in Ballyvaughan now picking up my number. #584 for the half. Ominous looking dark clouds hanging about but nice looking evening.
Hopefully it'll stay dry over night and morning.

kookiebrew

Phew that was a lot tougher than I remember. Came in at 1:47 for the half, happy out with that considering the course. Coming down off the mountain was the hardest, lethal in places but what an enjoyable run, parked up at fanore beach now having a bite to eat, watching the marathon runners pass me by, well done to everyone who finished the race was a toughie.

jfk247

That was warm today....1:46 few mins faster than 4 years ago! Love the course but tough as he'll in the legs. Downhill section at the end was torture on the knees.
Well done to the organisers.

ger664

Finally cracked 4 Hours for the full. 3:58:49. Its a great race lovely day plenty of aid stations and twix, mars, crunchies, apples and oranges. Oh yes water in bottles and cups. You could not ask for more.

Neady83

kookiebrew wrote: »

Phew that was a lot tougher than I remember. Came in at 1:47 for the half, happy out with that considering the course. Coming down off the mountain was the hardest, lethal in places but what an enjoyable run, parked up at fanore beach now having a bite to eat, watching the marathon runners pass me by, well done to everyone who finished the race was a toughie.

Nice one kookiebrew especially with the heat and the course, well done. The views were spectacular weren't they?

You might have seen me pass by at Fanore beach, yellow Achill top on, long plaits, was in too much of a hoop to enjoy the views of the beach at that point

jfk247 wrote: »

That was warm today....1:46 few mins faster than 4 years ago! Love the course but tough as he'll in the legs. Downhill section at the end was torture on the knees.
Well done to the organisers.

Well done jfk, I couldn't believe how well organised it all was, they're a super walking club to pull it off.

ger664 wrote: »

Finally cracked 4 Hours for the full. 3:58:49. Its a great race lovely day plenty of aid stations and twix, mars, crunchies, apples and oranges. Oh yes water in bottles and cups. You could not ask for more.

You cracked 4 hours on that course? Really good going, plenty to shave off that PB in a road marathon?

I was switching between mars and twix at each stop No shortage of anything at any stop.

ger664

Neady83 wrote: »

You cracked 4 hours on that course? Really good going, plenty to shave off that PB in a road marathon?

I was switching between mars and twix at each stop No shortage of anything at any stop.

It was a course PB and a training run for 50K in Portumna. Still happy with it as my two previous runs where 4:01 & 4:00:xx

snailsong

Really enjoyed this event today. The scenery was truly spectacular. I'd love to come back and see it with a bit less suffering involved.:)

Neady83, it was lovely to meet you, likewise robinph.
Good to put faces to the names.
Kookiebrew, we'll done.on your time, maybe meet you again.

Ger664, congrats on the time, I must have seen you on the course. I was running with my friend, a woman of similar age. We were aiming for Sub 4. Stopped to walk at most drink stations and let a few past us then caught up again. We finished in 3:55/3:56, I went on and stretched my legs in the last mile. Which one were you, we were probably talking.

I thought the organisation and atmosphere were first class. Well done all at the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club. We'll be back.

ger664

Had BMOH Blue singlet on you probably passed me around mile 3 I think I caught up with you just before the second climb. After that I didn't get going until blasting home in the last road section.

snailsong

ger664 wrote: »

Had BMOH Blue singlet on you probably passed me around mile 3 I think I caught up with you just before the second climb. After that I didn't get going until blasting home in the last road section.

I think I spotted you alright.

robinph

Very impressed with the event. Well organised and marshalled, but in a very minimalist way. Those walkers know how to signpost a route, but without leaving loads of bits of red and white tape across the countryside. Very happy with today's run as well seeing as I've done no running for the last two weeks effectively, the legs were complaining a bit, but don't seem to have caused my shin pain to return.

Great to see a couple of you before the start. Had to make a quick get away afterwards to get to a couple of children's birthday parties so missed out on my free soup.

On the final run into Ballyvaughan whilst I was passing the 10km walkers, who all looked to be having a great day out as well, I was serenaded by a few guys on motorbikes for half a mile. They rode alongside and were singing Born To Run at me. Was very funny and unexpected at mile 12 of a mountain half marathon.

pete_mcs

That was a fantastic event. Ran the marathon. Really challenging course, especially the downhill between fanore and Ballyvaughan. Finished just over the 4 hour mark which I was delighted with. The volunteers at the water stations were superb. Will be back next year with a little more course knowledge to crack the 4 mile marker.

pete_mcs

Seen ger664 well ahead of me coming down the hill into Fanore, and snailsong I was just behind you and your running partner until the last trail section then you left me in your dust. Was she 2 or 3rd woman?

El Caballo

robinph wrote: »

Very impressed with the event. Well organised and marshalled, but in a very minimalist way. Those walkers know how to signpost a route, but without leaving loads of bits of red and white tape across the countryside. Very happy with today's run as well seeing as I've done no running for the last two weeks effectively, the legs were complaining a bit, but don't seem to have caused my shin pain to return.

Great to see a couple of you before the start. Had to make a quick get away afterwards to get to a couple of children's birthday parties so missed out on my free soup.

On the final run into Ballyvaughan whilst I was passing the 10km walkers, who all looked to be having a great day out as well, I was serenaded by a few guys on motorbikes for half a mile. They rode alongside and were singing Born To Run at me. Was very funny and unexpected at mile 12 of a mountain half marathon.

Did I spot you running a 10k as well today?

robinph

El Caballo wrote: »

Did I spot you running a 10k as well today?

Yep, seemed like a good idea at the time. Legs really didn't like the inclines on the relatively flat Adare 10km after the hills of the Burren. Legs are now properly knackered though like after a tough full distance and I can't get down stairs forwards.

snailsong

pete_mcs wrote: »

Seen ger664 well ahead of me coming down the hill into Fanore, and snailsong I was just behind you and your running partner until the last trail section then you left me in your dust. Was she 2 or 3rd woman?

Third woman. The second passed us at the start of the last off road section. We were browsing in the "sweet shop" or feed station. She looked very strong and less than half our age. Met her later, well done her. First woman was quite a bit ahead apparently. I think Neady83 from here was close behind us in fourth.

pete_mcs

snailsong wrote: »

Third woman. The second passed us at the start of the last off road section. We were browsing in the "sweet shop" or feed station. She looked very strong and less than half our age. Met her later, well done her. First woman was quite a bit ahead apparently. I think Neady83 from here was close behind us in fourth.

Yeah, she passed me going down the hill into fanore. I ran with the 4th placed woman until we got back onto the tarmac, she pulled away at the last water station. Tried to catch her but got cramps in my left calf so eased back.

Neady83

snailsong wrote: »

Third woman. The second passed us at the start of the last off road section. We were browsing in the "sweet shop" or feed station. She looked very strong and less than half our age. Met her later, well done her. First woman was quite a bit ahead apparently. I think Neady83 from here was close behind us in fourth.

I was well back in 8th position I finished in 4:37. Crikey, well done everyone here, ye did phenomenally well on that course and in that heat. Snailsong, it was lovely to meet you, well done on a great time, I'm in awe.

I'm fueling on mars & twix for my next long run, they were the business. Those guys certainly know how to put on a race, I'll definitely be back.

snailsong

Neady83 wrote: »

I was well back in 8th position I finished in 4:37. Crikey, well done everyone here, ye did phenomenally well on that course and in that heat. Snailsong, it was lovely to meet you, well done on a great time, I'm in awe.

I'm fueling on mars & twix for my next long run, they were the business. Those guys certainly know how to put on a race, I'll definitely be back.

Sorry, my mistake. Same first name. Well done in any case, good going after mountain biking it first!

Loved the aid stations. Ditching gels in favour of peanut kit kats for my next marathon. I think it's the first race where I managed to put on weight.:)

kookiebrew

robinph wrote: »

Yep, seemed like a good idea at the time. Legs really didn't like the inclines on the relatively flat Adare 10km after the hills of the Burren. Legs are now properly knackered though like after a tough full distance and I can't get down stairs forwards.

Haha know the feeling did a six mile recovery run yesterday evening to stretch out the legs, felt stiffer than after the marathon four weeks ago, not too bad this morning though. Got a handy 7miler to do shortly but not lookin forward to intervals tomorrow...

philroche

snailsong wrote: »

. I was running with my friend, a woman of similar age. We were aiming for Sub 4. Stopped to walk at most drink stations and let a few past us then caught up again. We finished in 3:55/3:56, I went on and stretched my legs in the last mile. Which one were you, we were probably talking.

@snailsong I am writing to thank you. You passed me about 8-10km from the finish. I was seriously struggling after over cooking it in the first half and was hanging on to a less than average pace for dear life.

I said something like "good running, keep it up" as you passed. I had headphones on so didn't really hear your reply but I heard "4 hours" in there somewhere. I had written off a sub 4 hour finish at Fanore beach but spurred on by your encouragement (?) I tore after you an your partner like a rabbid dog, an outsider looking on probably noticed a very very slight increase in pace but to me I was sprinting.

I managed to catch your partner at about 1km from finish and crossed the line in 3:55.

You mightn't have been replying to me at all but either way it helped, so thank you.

Phil

snailsong

philroche wrote: »

@snailsong I am writing to thank you. You passed me about 8-10km from the finish. I was seriously struggling after over cooking it in the first half and was hanging on to a less than average pace for dear life.

I said something like "good running, keep it up" as you passed. I had headphones on so didn't really hear your reply but I heard "4 hours" in there somewhere. I had written off a sub 4 hour finish at Fanore beach but spurred on by your encouragement (?) I tore after you an your partner like a rabbid dog, an outsider looking on probably noticed a very very slight increase in pace but to me I was sprinting.

I managed to catch your partner at about 1km from finish and crossed the line in 3:55.

You mightn't have been replying to me at all but either way it helped, so thank you.

Phil

Thanks, Phil. Well done on toughing it out. I probably said something to the effect of 'hang in there, we're well inside 4 hours'. I hate to pass someone at the tough end of a race without saying some small word of encouragement. Hard to know what to say though, when someone passes me and says ' you're doing great' when clearly I'm not I have mixed feelings.:)

Great event though, wasn't it? Was I talking to you at the finish?

BTW, it was Betty's idea that I should push on at the last mile and let her suffer in silence!

philroche

@snailsong It was indeed a great event and one I will definitely be doing again. The feed stations were the best I've ever come across.

We didn't speak at the finish, I was in too much of an emotion and adrenaline depleted mess on the ground to speak to anyone.

Neady83

philroche wrote: »

@snailsong I am writing to thank you. You passed me about 8-10km from the finish. I was seriously struggling after over cooking it in the first half and was hanging on to a less than average pace for dear life.

I said something like "good running, keep it up" as you passed. I had headphones on so didn't really hear your reply but I heard "4 hours" in there somewhere. I had written off a sub 4 hour finish at Fanore beach but spurred on by your encouragement (?) I tore after you an your partner like a rabbid dog, an outsider looking on probably noticed a very very slight increase in pace but to me I was sprinting.

I managed to catch your partner at about 1km from finish and crossed the line in 3:55.

You mightn't have been replying to me at all but either way it helped, so thank you.

Phil

I read this earlier and thought how nice it was, of both of you, and how a few words at the right time can do so much for a person. A bit like passing someone in the street and smiling at them - you never know the effect you might have on someone. Well done on sub 4, bloody hell, yer all hard core.

snailsong wrote: »

Thanks, Phil. Well done on toughing it out. I probably said something to the effect of 'hang in there, we're well inside 4 hours'. I hate to pass someone at the tough end of a race without saying some small word of encouragement. Hard to know what to say though, when someone passes me and says ' you're doing great' when clearly I'm not I have mixed feelings.:)

I wondered about this. I passed about 15 people who were walking in the last 7 or 8 miles. I wondered coming up to them if I should say something but I kept quiet because I was thinking to myself that I might be walking in 200meters and I'd look like a right ejit (because I felt how they looked).

I wondered if they thought I was a stuck up so and so for not saying something to them.

pete_mcs

So what is everyone else doing for their next challenge? I am thinking maybe about the Longford Marathon, but I don't think it could be as good as the Burren!