Rotterdam marathon April 8th 2018

RayCun

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Starting this now, so Krusty can get in early and nominate a pub that serves decent beer

healy1835

Looking forward to this one. What races have people targeted in the build up?

OOnegative

healy1835 wrote: »

Looking forward to this one. What races have people targeted in the build up?

Trim 10 mile in my build up for it, that was it. Was no Half Marathon suitable build up wise in 2016.

RayCun

healy1835 wrote: »

Looking forward to this one. What races have people targeted in the build up?

there's a Carlingford half marathon at the beginning of March, which doesn't sound great but so far seems to be my best option for a half in the buildup ...

Also Raheny 5, maybe Trim 10

dublin runner

healy1835 wrote: »

Looking forward to this one. What races have people targeted in the build up?

Depending on where you live I guess. Highly recommend - Raheny 5, Trim 10 Mile, Bohermeen 1/2 if Leinster based.

I signed up again, hopefully making it my 4th time heading over (touches wood!). It's a great race.

Sorry Ray, tradition is tradition! We will be in Murphy's, a pretty woeful Irish pub!

healy1835

RayCun wrote: »

there's a Carlingford half marathon at the beginning of March, which doesn't sound great but so far seems to be my best option for a half in the buildup ...

Also Raheny 5, maybe Trim 10

Yeah had Raheny pencilled in alright, but hadn't really looked at anything else.....

Krusty_Clown

RayCun wrote: »

Starting this now, so Krusty can get in early and nominate a pub that serves decent beer

So that everyone can ignore it and go to the Irish pub anyway. Actually, the Irish pub was pretty decent. So while there are better options, no complaints from me. I'll have some decent beer tucked away in my bag for afterwards, but perhaps I'll skip the 10% Westy this time around.

Derco

I'm considering doing a spring marathon next year as I don't think I can wait a whole year to get last Sunday's debacle out of my system. This looks to be a popular one so would anyone know how soon I would need to register before it sells out?

Krusty_Clown

Derco wrote: »

I'm considering doing a spring marathon next year as I don't think I can wait a whole year to get last Sunday's debacle out of my system. This looks to be a popular one so would anyone know how soon I would need to register before it sells out?

This year (2017) was the first year it sold out, if memory serves. I think it sold out around February, but I'd imagine it'll be a bit sooner for this year's cycle (seems to be the way these things are going). You can avail of an insurance option (for an extra €10 if memory serves), whereby you can defer your entry for a year, if it doesn't look like you're going to make the start line.

Ryanair flights via Amsterdam are around €90 return at the moment, so it's a good time to book flights.

Annie get your Run

RayCun wrote: »

there's a Carlingford half marathon at the beginning of March, which doesn't sound great but so far seems to be my best option for a half in the buildup ...

Also Raheny 5, maybe Trim 10

Would Bohermeen be any use date wise? Info here https://www.myrunresults.com/events/meath_spring_half_marathon__10k/2427/details.

Carlingford is hilly but a great race (my first half).

Derco

Thanks KC. Might give it a week or two before deciding as the prospect of having to train over Christmas isn't too appealing.

Btw I read the thread on last years race - that was savage running well done.

Derco

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

This year (2017) was the first year it sold out, if memory serves. I think it sold out around February, but I'd imagine it'll be a bit sooner for this year's cycle (seems to be the way these things are going). You can avail of an insurance option (for an extra €10 if memory serves), whereby you can defer your entry for a year, if it doesn't look like you're going to make the start line.

Ryanair flights via Amsterdam are around €90 return at the moment, so it's a good time to book flights.

Thanks KC. Might give it a week or two before deciding as the prospect of having to train over Christmas isn't too appealing.

Btw I read the thread on last years race - that was savage running well done.

RacoonQueen

I really should leave this thread and avoid entering this race again until I know for sure I'll be able to do it. Exam the following week...hmmm...

RayCun

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Would Bohermeen be any use date wise? Info here https://www.myrunresults.com/events/meath_spring_half_marathon__10k/2427/details.

Carlingford is hilly but a great race (my first half).

yeah, Bohermeen is an option, but its a week later, only 3 weeks from the marathon...
I don't know, one to think about...

druss

I haven't done a marathon before and I always thought I'd have Cork or Dublin as a "debut" at some stage. Must say, I'm considering this though.

Plus points: I can get there by train handy easily enough. Flat course.

Minus points: Flat course! (In some ways, I wouldn't mind having a few more excuses with a first race. And a flat course might encourage me to be over-ambitious).

Hmmmm.

Annie get your Run

Derco wrote: »

Thanks KC. Might give it a week or two before deciding as the prospect of having to train over Christmas isn't too appealing.

Btw I read the thread on last years race - that was savage running well done.

Depending on what you want, training over Christmas can work very well for zero hangovers :pac:. I trained for Rotterdam the winter before last, much easier than training through the summer TBH and although I never made the start line this is a superb race by all accounts.

adrian522

RayCun wrote: »

yeah, Bohermeen is an option, but its a week later, only 3 weeks from the marathon...
I don't know, one to think about...

For me that's too close for a flat out half, might work for some people. I'd probably do it at MP or some other sort of session though.

ultrapercy

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

So that everyone can ignore it and go to the Irish pub anyway. Actually, the Irish pub was pretty decent. So while there are better options, no complaints from me. I'll have some decent beer tucked away in my bag for afterwards, but perhaps I'll skip the 10% Westy this time around.

Murphys doesnt serve Guinness, it serves Murphys which means for me drinking Heineken which as everyone knows is piss. The alternative to Heineken of corse is sobriety because I wouldnt force Carlsberg on someone as a form of punshment. Apart from this Rotterdam is a great event. Every bit as good as Dublin except no McGrattans with their excelent Guinness and entertainingly ignorant bar staff. I hope to make it to the start line next April myself. Fingers crossed.

dublin runner

druss wrote: »

I haven't done a marathon before and I always thought I'd have Cork or Dublin as a "debut" at some stage. Must say, I'm considering this though.

Plus points: I can get there by train handy easily enough. Flat course.

Minus points: Flat course! (In some ways, I wouldn't mind having a few more excuses with a first race. And a flat course might encourage me to be over-ambitious).

Hmmmm.

No offence to Cork but it's unfair to compare the two races, they are on different planets in terms of organisation, course and atmosphere. In fact, I think the race is a good notch above DCM, again in terms of organisation and atmosphere. The only downside is the chaotic nature of the start but that's probably most down to my own preperation!

The Dutch just do marathons very well in general. I really like the water in cups, especially as when again reminded of the danger, never mind the waste, seen on the streets of Dublin on Sunday. The only negative with the course is the hairpin turn. Asides from that, it's a cracker.

druss

dublin runner wrote: »

No offence to Cork but it's unfair to compare the two races, they are on different planets in terms of organisation, course and atmosphere. In fact, I think the race is a good notch above DCM, again in terms of organisation and atmosphere. The only downside is the chaotic nature of the start but that's probably most down to my own preperation!

The Dutch just do marathons very well in general. I really like the water in cups, especially as when again reminded of the danger, never mind the waste, seen on the streets of Dublin on Sunday. The only negative with the course is the hairpin turn. Asides from that, it's a cracker.

No offence taken! Cork is my "home-town" marathon. Dublin is the big Irish event, so I had them both on the wish list accordingly!

BTW, and I presume many will have noticed this already, the registration price for Rotterdam is €65 until midnight (CET time) tonight and then goes up to €72.50 until January 2018 and then up to €81.50.

So I might pay up now (and the €5 insurance/cancellation fee).

Unthought Known

Great. Only 2 days since DCM and now I'm tempted by this.
Where do people normally stay?

Krusty_Clown

ultrapercy wrote: »

Murphys doesnt serve Guinness, it serves Murphys which means for me drinking Heineken which as everyone knows is piss. The alternative to Heineken of corse is sobriety because I wouldnt force Carlsberg on someone as a form of punshment. Apart from this Rotterdam is a great event. Every bit as good as Dublin except no McGrattans with their excelent Guinness and entertainingly ignorant bar staff. I hope to make it to the start line next April myself. Fingers crossed.

Would be great to see you there. Also, I know for a fact that they keep some nice beers tucked away in a sneaky fridge, under the counter.

noelearly

This might not suit work wise, has anybody ever done Dusseldorf or Mannheim. Seem to be smaller set up which I like, or I might just wait for Cork.

Krusty_Clown

noelearly wrote: »

This might not suit work wise, has anybody ever done Dusseldorf or Mannheim. Seem to be smaller set up which I like, or I might just wait for Cork.

I find the Search box really handy for finding feedback on a particular marathon. Just search up a level [Athletics / Running] and include sub-forums.

Dusseldorf Marathon
Mannheim

Not much there for either race, I'm afraid.

charkee

I ran Rotterdam three times.

Excellent marathon.city centre start and finish,

fast train from Amsterdam airport only 25 mins.

any hotel near Rotterdam central train station is walking distance to marathon.

great buzz in the city after the race.

flat course.

slightly later start then normal marathons, so on a warm day ,you are running in the midday sun.

noelearly

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I find the Search box really handy for finding feedback on a particular marathon. Just search up a level [Athletics / Running] and include sub-forums.

Dusseldorf Marathon
Mannheim

Not much there for either race, I'm afraid.

Yeah doesn't seem to much info about on either.

Different start area in Rotterdam this year according to the website.

snailsong

healy1835 wrote: »

Looking forward to this one. What races have people targeted in the build up?

In 2016 and 2017 I ran the Kinvara half marathon as prep for Rotterdam. Iirc there's about 5 weeks between them.

Rotterdam is a great event in a lovely city. Not impossible that I'd be back next year. Possibly a sub 3 attempt.

Podge83

Anyone got any info on the start pens for this. I see they have A B and C pens at the start for sub 2.30, sub 2.45 and sub 3.00 respectively. How big are the pens? If you are in C or behind are you likely to get delayed at the start?

dublin runner

Podge83 wrote: »

Anyone got any info on the start pens for this. I see they have A B and C pens at the start for sub 2.30, sub 2.45 and sub 3.00 respectively. How big are the pens? If you are in C or behind are you likely to get delayed at the start?

I guess that depends a lot on the time you are targeting. Any ballpark figure?

Podge83

I qualify to be in Pen C and will be aiming for under 2.50. The thoughts of being 3 pens back seems like a long way but I imagine A and B would be fairly small pens. Don't want to go to the effort of going if I'm stuck in a crowd!!??.

tony1980

Accommodation is starting to fill up quick over there for that weekend! Does anyone have any recommendations for decent accommodation that is still available? I saw that the Easy Hotel is still available in the City Centre, looks very close to the start line, anyone have any experience with that hotel?

charkee

I recall that pens are both sides of a dual carriage way

eg A then C behind

B then D behind,

so it moves quickly.

also have portaloos within pend ,which is a plus!

ultrapercy

snailsong wrote: »

In 2016 and 2017 I ran the Kinvara half marathon as prep for Rotterdam. Iirc there's about 5 weeks between them.

Rotterdam is a great event in a lovely city. Not impossible that I'd be back next year. Possibly a sub 3 attempt.

If you go Il go. Its like the magnificant 7 getting the crew back together only theres just 2 of us and we're not magnificant. The mediocre 2 ride again!!

EC1000

I'm in again and hoping for the elusive sub 3 this time. I'm going to make a point of moving up to the front of wave 1 (the wave with the sub 3 pacers) as I got caught a long way back last time (the sub 3 wave is huge). When I eventually caught the pacers after about 5 miles I realised I had caught the 3.10 pacers.....

shane1981

Hi folks , Im considering Rottterdam 2018 myself. I ran it a few years back but recall it as very windy day and struggled alot with pace. How have conditions been the past couple of years?

wrstan

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

You can avail of an insurance option (for an extra €10 if memory serves), whereby you can defer your entry for a year, if it doesn't look like you're going to make the start line.

I've bitten the bullet, looks like a merry band planning on it. Flights still look like great value.

The insurance option seems to be just €5 and it allows you exercise a full money back cancellation up to a date in February - must have a different underwriter!

From their website:
If you are unable to participate in the ‘Marathon’ and you’ve opted for a cancellation insure, you can claim the paid fee and any paid extras till February 19, 2018. If you are unable to participate in the ‘1/4 Marathon’, ‘4.2 km’, ‘2.5 km’ or ‘1 km’ the registration fee paid will not be refunded.

snailsong

ultrapercy wrote: »

snailsong wrote: »

In 2016 and 2017 I ran the Kinvara half marathon as prep for Rotterdam. Iirc there's about 5 weeks between them.

Rotterdam is a great event in a lovely city. Not impossible that I'd be back next year. Possibly a sub 3 attempt.

If you go Il go. Its like the magnificant 7 getting the crew back together only theres just 2 of us and we're not magnificant. The mediocre 2 ride again!!

Remember the Blues Brothers getting the band back together. I'm sure we'd get a few, what about your new wife for starters?
Seriously, I have many options and don't know what I'll do next year. Also a very annoying injury that won t go away.
You should deffo sign up anyway. Sure you only need 42 seconds and you'll have Krusty to pace you.

snailsong

shane1981 wrote: »

Hi folks , Im considering Rottterdam 2018 myself. I ran it a few years back but recall it as very windy day and struggled alot with pace. How have conditions been the past couple of years?

Conditions were perfect in 2016. No wind. 9 degrees at the start and 14 by the finish. Very sunny.

Also very good in 2017. Sunny and flat calm again. 12 degrees starting rising to 20 by the finish. Some found that very hot having trained in the winter.

Krusty_Clown

snailsong wrote: »

Sure you only need 42 seconds and you'll have Krusty to pace you.

My mere presence on the start line would all but guarantee Ultrapercy a sub 2:30, as I've never beaten him in a race, and you can be sure he wouldn't let it happen in Rotterdam either. Hard to pace someone when he's two minutes further up the road!

snailsong

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

snailsong wrote: »

Sure you only need 42 seconds and you'll have Krusty to pace you.

My mere presence on the start line would all but guarantee Ultrapercy a sub 2:30, as I've never beaten him in a race, and you can be sure he wouldn't let it happen in Rotterdam either. Hard to pace someone when he's two minutes further up the road!

Well there's one second per kilometre between ye on most recent showings in Rotterdam. Maybe pace each.other to 2:25!

Derco

Decided to run Manchester next April. Might do Rotterdam in 2019 if the body holds together. The very best of luck to everyone making the trip

boydkev

Just signed up to do this, But paid the €5 cancellation fee as will have to see how things are going.
Now to look for accomadation, Flights etc.
Planning to go for a sub 3.15.

boydkev

Looking at the accomodation, Anybody have any suggestions?
Seems like most places closer to the start/Finish are booked up or are very expensive.

OOnegative

boydkev wrote: »

Looking at the accomodation, Anybody have any suggestions?
Seems like most places closer to the start/Finish are booked up or are very expensive.

Stayed at the citizenM in 2016 & would not fault the pace, 1k or so to start and finish and central to all the pubs/restaurants. Currently going at €492 from Friday to Monday for two.

and still ricky villa

I'm in for this again.
I'd a horrible time last time round but when the dust settled it was a great race weekend.
Hotels seem to be at a bit of a premium but I booked the Bilderberg today. I was in the Nhow last time but I'm finding most places won't take one nighters

EC1000

I'm in the NH Atlanta. Stayed there last time too. It's literally at the start line.

Shane12

I have signed up for this, booked the orion hotel little bit outside the centre. Looking forward to it.

Slow_Runner

Stayed in Delft this year, 15 mins on train from Rotterdam -loads of trains, beautiful town with nice bars/restaurants for post marathon celebrations and could be a good alternative to Rotterdam itself.

wrstan

A group of us are all booked into Hotel Rotterdam, seems to have reasonable value still

dublin runner

Yeah, prices year-on-year are on the rise. What I do is book a place with free cancellation now. Then I take a quickly weekly/fortnight check and hopefully I can get a better place for the same price (or even less money with better location ideally). Hasn't failed me yet! Use the link below to get $40 dollars back off a $200 spent (one time user per account). Just make sure to spend over the 200 dollar mark. Used it before, very handy.

https://www.booking.com/index.en-gb.html?aid=1311838;label=refer-UmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YfnS6M1f7d9dHX2CVRsc9GIvD64gVE0yP_ZTwIbN6OnHtjv6IjTWHRvzJ-pSnCE31Q;sid=5b184ed162bf99cab4439326a5710b88;sb_price_type=total&

PeterParker100

Just entered myself, thanks in no small part to the recommendations on here, cheers guys!

I was looking at Cork or Belfast for a possible spring marathon, however, when adding up the costs, including train travel from Dublin, it's not costing much more to choose Rotterdam.

This will be my 7th marathon and I'll be aiming to crack 3:30, my previous best is 3:48 at DCM 2015, but I've done a lot of running since then, so here's hoping.

I'm also signed up for the Donadea 50k, so will be a busy start to the new year!