royal canal run longford sat april 21st 2018

charkee

I am looking at an April half to complete my spring training.

The date suits .I find saturday races suit even more.

Anyone does this one before??

loudymacloud

ive signed up for the full, would also be interested to hear about this one.

The O

An enjoyable, well-organised chip-timed event run on a flat 5.2k canal loop (therefore 8-and-a-bit laps for the marathon). Because of that, with different distances being ran concurrently and runners lapping other runners, it doesn’t have the ‘normal’ race feel.

With a couple of small bridges to cross, there are a couple of really very short inclines but you immediately get that back once you cross the bridge.

A good set up at the finish line with a guy on PA drumming up an atmosphere, an ice bath available and also post-run refreshments located a stone’s throw from the finish line. Parking available <2 mins walk from finish line. A good quality race t-shirt. No showers provided though.

TFBubendorfer

I did the ultra last year.

It's a lovely event, well organised, very friendly and due to the loop format it's also a very social event as you are always running close to others.

I do have to say, though, that running up one side of the canal and down again the other side did get a bit old after a while. It's not the most stimulating of courses.

kiloecho15

Signed up for it as part of 12 marathons in 12 months. Will be running in limerick 2 weeks later. Was looking for a sub 3:30 this year and was targeting limerick or Longford canal run for it. Somehow unexpected managed 3:28 in Lusk in February. So the pressure is off for 3:30. Just wondering what way to run Longford and then Limerick. Run the 2 races easy or run Longford and ease off for limerick. what do you think. Did 3:35 in limerick last year. Also running in Longwood (EOI) this weekend.

charkee

Run the first one harder and the second easier would be my preference?

kiloecho15

charkee wrote: »

Run the first one harder and the second easier would be my preference?

That's what I was thinking. thanks

charkee

what is the parking availability for arriving to run the half?

will the ultras and mara runnners have blocked the parking areas?

I am slighty paranoid re busy car parks!!.

TFBubendorfer

charkee wrote: »

what is the parking availability for arriving to run the half?

will the ultras and mara runnners have blocked the parking areas?

I am slighty paranoid re busy car parks!!.

There was plenty of parking available last year, though I had to wait until people had left before being able to get out again as I was completely parked it.

The O

charkee wrote: »

what is the parking availability for arriving to run the half?

will the ultras and mara runnners have blocked the parking areas?

I am slighty paranoid re busy car parks!!.

To be honest, parking will be quite tight when you're arriving mainly due to the 10k runners who will still be running. Their race starts at 10. You could park in an estate called Prospect Wood. Upon entry into it, drive straight down and you'll see a small entrance to walk in onto the canal path (i.e. race route). It's then about 500m to the finishing area where the registration is.

judeboy101

Running the full but not sure what time I start at :

Ultra Marathon starts 8:30am
Full Marathon Walkers and Full Marathon Early starts  8:30am
Full Marathon starts 10:00am
Half Marathon starts 10:20am
10k starts 10:20am.


Can I choose to run at 8:30 or 10:00?

The O

Yes, you can turn up and start the full marathon at 8.30.

Half marathon to start is 11.15 according to:

https://www.active.com/longford-longford/running/distance-running-races/royal-canal-run-longford-2018

judeboy101

The O wrote: »

Yes, you can turn up and start the full marathon at 8.30.

Half marathon to start is 11.15 according to:

https://www.active.com/longford-longford/running/distance-running-races/royal-canal-run-longford-2018

What's the advantage/disadvantage of early start never done marathon start that early?

The O

If you don't have too far to travel getting to Longford, then the early start could be more favourable. 8.30 isn't too early, Dublin Marathon starts at 9.

You'll also have a quiet course for the first 1.5 hours to focus on your own pace before things get busier from 10am.

judeboy101

The O wrote: »

If you don't have too far to travel getting to Longford, then the early start could be more favourable. 8.30 isn't too early, Dublin Marathon starts at 9.

You'll also have a quiet course for the first 1.5 hours to focus on your own pace before things get busier from 10am.

I'm staying with friends about 5mins drive from town so ill do early. Any other observations etc. ?

The O

Previous posts have given a good lowdown of what to expect. Also there’s a table with water bottles/gels/jellies/bananas that you pass every lap (i.e. every 5.2k), so that’ll be welcome as the laps go by. A very small section of the route is a bit narrow for running two abreast, but its fine overall.

Even though over 500 in total ran last year, it has a nice low-key event feel as the distances have staggered starts.

judeboy101

Still can't find an actual map of the loop, link on webpage just shows the lane b down side of slashers. A
Link to mapmyrun gives august Longford marathon route. Anyone whose has run it before do you have a pic of route

TFBubendorfer

judeboy101 wrote: »

Still can't find an actual map of the loop, link on webpage just shows the lane b down side of slashers. A
Link to mapmyrun gives august Longford marathon route. Anyone whose has run it before do you have a pic of route

Here's the link on strava for my run last year: https://www.strava.com/activities/953314115

For the marathon you'll do 8 laps instead of my 10, but the loop is the same

judeboy101

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Here's the link on strava for my run last year: https://www.strava.com/activities/953314115

For the marathon you'll do 8 laps instead of my 10, but the loop is the same

Thanks a million. Great time for ultra. Did u park in slashers?

TFBubendorfer

judeboy101 wrote: »

Thanks a million. Great time for ultra. Did u park in slashers?

Yes I did, though I had to wait until plenty of people had left because I ended up being parked in.

judeboy101

Best of luck to everyone today, looks to be a lovely morning for it.

loudymacloud

Great event yesterday. Really well run. Especially the loop the loop that everyone got at the end .

Had not had one of them in years. Fantastic treat after a marathon

loudymacloud

Any sign of results?
Can’t seem to find them on active.com

d.runs

Excellent race. Results are on myrunresults.com since Saturday.

FinnC

Sorry about reviving such an old thread but didn’t want to start a new one.

I see this is going ahead next April. I can’t find anywhere to actually register for it though.

rovers_runner

https://www.njuko.net/royal-canal-run-2023/select_competition

Entries open this evening for what I've found to be one of the best race days you can get.

Multiple races going on over the morning with a great buzz about the place, be quick as numbers are limited.

Edit: FB page https://m.facebook.com/100063560948707/