Cork City Marathon 2019

deisedude

Anybody else signed up to run Cork?

I'm signed up to do the full. Sounds like a bit of a sh1tshow from the organisers, they only recently posted on Facebook to confirm it's going ahead after a lot of runours circulating it was in trouble and they are looking for an event company to run it!

colin32

Did the half 2 years ago, and was a disaster from the organisers. Sent us the wrong way at the start, heading in to the marathon runners. Added on bout 0.7 miles to the course

Murph_D

I’d hate to see it go. Have done the full twice and put together a team for the relay last year which was great fun. It’s a super route in my opinion, full of variety - challenging but fair. The numbers doing the full seems to have been declining however, possibly due to the awkward time of year. I think people are choosing to do spring marathons abroad in greater numbers, possibly to the detriment of Cork’s June bank holiday date. It’s a well organized race as far as I can see - couple of problems with the half alright in recent years, but the ‘lesser’ race in simultaneous events often gets shorter shrift (like the 5 Mile that accompanies the Clontarf HM, or used to anyway). Cork has a fabulous road racing scene and it would be terrible to see the CCM go the way of Ballycotton (although the latter was arguably a victim of success, not failure).

Itziger

It would be a terrible shame to see it go. My hometown and marathon PB and so far only sub 3. They would want to decide what they are doing though and then do it properly. The year I ran the marathon I must say, it was very well organised. No complaints at all. But it's a bit of a mess with the Full/Half/Relay. I understand that if they haven't the numbers for the Full, then they have to spread the love. As Murph says, there's a great road race scene in Cork/Munster. I think they need to promote the bloody thing more. This means money, yes but c'mon use a bit of imagination as well. A few Facebook posts can't cost that much!

Scream out to people that this is THE marathon to do where you can train in the mild months of March/April/May.

opus

Didn't hear those rumours about it being in trouble, must ask around. Signed up to run the half with a friend myself.

deisedude

opus wrote: »

Didn't hear those rumours about it being in trouble, must ask around. Signed up to run the half with a friend myself.

I don't think it's actually in trouble just a damning indictment of how bad they are at promoting it

Murph_D

http://www.corkcitymarathon.ie/2019/02/20/event-management-services/

See what you mean about bringing in an external provider to run the event. Good and bad, I guess. I bet the price will be increased for a start, and probably goodbye to the concession entry and generous deferral policy.

purelike

I do either the full or the half here every year. It is a really good event. Great that you finish right in the centre of the city. Usually a good athmosphere.

sixpack's little hat

Any indications yet on whether the courses are changing from last year?

I ran most of the course for the half on Saturday, no sign of the mile markers being painted yet but it can't be too far off now.

opus

There's keeping it vague on the website anyway

The half-marathon course will probably follow more-or-less the same route as in 2018 but that will be confirmed here as soon as possible.

Doing the half myself to provide a bit of moral support for a friend. Bit early for the markers, normally towards the end of May.

useurename

Hello there. I'm doing the full and was just wondering about the Pacers. I would love to finish under the 4 hour mark. I've done a 21 miler in 3:11 and a 20 in just under 3 hours in the past 2 weeks. I was wrecked after them and am worried that I will struggle badly in the unknown of the last 5 miles.
I don't know whether I should try and hang onto the 3:45 paces or go with the 4 hour pacers.
I was looking it up online and it said to aim for 1:52 for the first half and hope to get home in 2:08. I think this might be an OK strategy for me.
Just wondering is this the kind of splits the 4 hour Pacers would also be doing?

Kellygirl

useurename wrote: »

Hello there. I'm doing the full and was just wondering about the Pacers. I would love to finish under the 4 hour mark. I've done a 21 miler in 3:11 and a 20 in just under 3 hours in the past 2 weeks. I was wrecked after them and am worried that I will struggle badly in the unknown of the last 5 miles.
I don't know whether I should try and hang onto the 3:45 paces or go with the 4 hour pacers.
I was looking it up online and it said to aim for 1:52 for the first half and hope to get home in 2:08. I think this might be an OK strategy for me.
Just wondering is this the kind of splits the 4 hour Pacers would also be doing?

The pacers will be doing even splits. I’d go with the 4 hour pacers if you really want to use pacers and if you are feeling strong at the end then you could push on. If you go with the 3:45 you could burn out early and make the last few miles very painful.

deisedude

useurename wrote: »

Hello there. I'm doing the full and was just wondering about the Pacers. I would love to finish under the 4 hour mark. I've done a 21 miler in 3:11 and a 20 in just under 3 hours in the past 2 weeks. I was wrecked after them and am worried that I will struggle badly in the unknown of the last 5 miles.
I don't know whether I should try and hang onto the 3:45 paces or go with the 4 hour pacers.
I was looking it up online and it said to aim for 1:52 for the first half and hope to get home in 2:08. I think this might be an OK strategy for me.
Just wondering is this the kind of splits the 4 hour Pacers would also be doing?

I'd agree with Kelly, you could burn out if you go with the 3:45 pacers and you aren't sure you can last the pace. If the plan was to finish under 4 then stick with that.

From past experience changing the goal in the weeks leading up to the marathon from what you initially trained for can be a dangerous road to go down

yaboya1

useurename wrote: »

Hello there. I'm doing the full and was just wondering about the Pacers. I would love to finish under the 4 hour mark. I've done a 21 miler in 3:11 and a 20 in just under 3 hours in the past 2 weeks. I was wrecked after them and am worried that I will struggle badly in the unknown of the last 5 miles.
I don't know whether I should try and hang onto the 3:45 paces or go with the 4 hour pacers.
I was looking it up t and it said to aim for 1:52 for the first half and hope to get home in 2:08. I think this might be an OK strategy for me.
Just wondering is this the kind of splits the 4 hour Pacers would also be doing?

If you were wrecked after 20/21 miles at that pace, you've virtually no chance of running 3:45. That's 30secs per mile faster for another 5 odd miles. Go out and that pace and you're likely to have a very, very unpleasant experience.
I wouldn't fancy sub 4 hours either for the same reason. You need to slow your long run pace down. If you're targeting 4 hours, those 20 milers should be 10min/mile pace at least.
As for what you'll run, who knows? Almost certainly 4+ hours, but you might learn something

Kellygirl

yaboya1 wrote: »

If you were wrecked after 20/21 miles at that pace, you've virtually no chance of running 3:45. That's 30secs per mile faster for another 5 odd miles. Go out and that pace and you're likely to have a very, very unpleasant experience.
I wouldn't fancy sub 4 hours either for the same reason. You need to slow your long run pace down. If you're targeting 4 hours, those 20 milers should be 10min/mile pace at least.
As for what you'll run, who knows? Almost certainly 4+ hours, but you might learn something

I’d tend to agree. Especially considering you were wrecked after the 20 and 21 milers. I’d even consider starting with the 4:15 pacers and if you are extremely comfortable then you could pull ahead a bit. There’s a massive sense of achievement in finishing a marathon really strongly no matter what the time and it would give you a good line for another marathon later in the year. You’d have such a buzz after the time wouldn’t matter. Blowing up and walking is miserable and finishing in a world of pain is awful.

useurename

Thanks for the replies. I'll go out with either the 4:00 hour or the 4:15. I'll decide closer to the day.
I know I must to do my Long runs at a slower pace but I'm doing my training with faster friends and it's easier having the company than heading out on my own.

I have been following this plan as best I can
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/marathon/a760131/rws-ultimate-marathon-schedule-sub-400/

Nearly there now. Looking forward to it

Kellygirl

useurename wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I'll go out with either the 4:00 hour or the 4:15. I'll decide closer to the day.
I know I must to do my Long runs at a slower pace but I'm doing my training with faster friends and it's easier having the company than heading out on my own.

I have been following this plan as best I can
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/marathon/a760131/rws-ultimate-marathon-schedule-sub-400/

Nearly there now. Looking forward to it

It’s a nice one. I’ve done it the last 2 years. Best of luck.

yaboya1

I'd say the 4:15 pacers may be the way to go alright. Far nicer experience to finish strong than to blow a gasket a long way out and crawl home. Enjoy the race.
More intelligent training and you could be blowing the 4 hour target out of the water next time. No matter what happens, you'll be wiser afterwards.
Good luck!

Ron Scott

sixpack's little hat wrote: »

Any indications yet on whether the courses are changing from last year?

I ran most of the course for the half on Saturday, no sign of the mile markers being painted yet but it can't be too far off now.

Confirmed on the website now that both courses are unchanged from 2018.

opus

For anyone looking for a bit of parkrun action on the Sat, nearest event to the city centre is Glen River parkrun.

SwordsRunner

opus wrote: »

For anyone looking for a bit of parkrun action on the Sat, nearest event to the city centre is parkrun.

You don’t think a parkrun the day before would sap the energy out of your legs a bit too much?

deisedude

SwordsRunner wrote: »

You don’t think a parkrun the day before would sap the energy out of your legs a bit too much?

If you trot along at a relatively easy pace for you to loosen the legs then that would be ok but I personally wouldnt be racing it

Itziger

deisedude wrote: »

If you trot along at a relatively easy pace for you to loosen the legs then that would be ok but I personally wouldnt be racing it

Ah, Jaysus, nobody would be racing a 5k the day before a marathon!!! I'm sure Opus was just highlighting this as an option for a light jog. This Park Run needs a bit of TLC as well as the numbers are low.

Give it a go, folks.

opus

Exactly this ^^^^^

I'll be doing North Beach parkrun the following Saturday just before Comrades as am used to running most days.

purelike

You would have to treat the Parkrun as a shakeout with a good runny buzz. Could do the last part of it at race pace.

TFBubendorfer

purelike wrote: »

Could do the last part of it at race pace.

Don't!

deisedude

Itziger wrote: »

Ah, Jaysus, nobody would be racing a 5k the day before a marathon!!! I'm sure Opus was just highlighting this as an option for a light jog. This Park Run needs a bit of TLC as well as the numbers are low.

Give it a go, folks.

I know its fairly obvious advice but just in case!

Itziger

deisedude wrote: »

I know its fairly obvious advice but just in case!

Fair enough!

The absolute only alternative to a pure 5k of easy stuff would be to chuck in a few 50 metre strides in the last km. Maybe 4 or 5x50 metres. Otherwise, joggedy jog all the way.

rainbow kirby

SwordsRunner wrote: »

You don’t think a parkrun the day before would sap the energy out of your legs a bit too much?

I would nearly always do a parkrun the day before a race, but do it at a very easy pace.

SwordsRunner

rainbow kirby wrote: »

I would nearly always do a parkrun the day before a race, but do it at a very easy pace.

Might try it. I have never run the day before a marathon; even a mile. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

Itziger

SwordsRunner wrote: »

Might try it. I have never run the day before a marathon; even a mile. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

You go over on your ankle, it swells up badly and you can't run the next day.

deisedude

Itziger wrote: »

You go over on your ankle, it swells up badly and you can't run the next day.

Or a zombie outbreak in the Glen River park

opus

deisedude wrote: »

Or a zombie outbreak in the Glen River park

Don't worry, they mostly come at night... mostly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrVZHxH2O1I

If anyone needs any help to get there, I could meet you by the Opera House that morning to head to the park. Or alternatively there's the 207 bus to the park from the city centre.

opus

sixpack's little hat wrote: »

Any indications yet on whether the courses are changing from last year?

I ran most of the course for the half on Saturday, no sign of the mile markers being painted yet but it can't be too far off now.

Spotted this afternoon on a trip to check out the newly opened Tramore Valley Park, almost on top of last year's sign.

jackc101

That's just after coming up off the link road (on the course)? - I'll have strategically placed cheering section there, that's probably one of the steepest bits of the course

opus

100% correct!

I'll keep a look out for you on the day, running the half with a friend of mine. Both of us should be wearing Sanctuary Runner t-shirts and will be well back the field.

jackc101

opus wrote: »

100% correct!

I'll keep a look out for you on the day, running the half with a friend of mine. Both of us should be wearing Sanctuary Runner t-shirts and will be well back the field.

There'll be 300+ of us wearing those tops

jackc101

A question for all;
I'm doing my first ever marathon & planning on sticking with the pacers (also in Sanctuary runner singlets!)
Recently did
16/05/2019 Half 2 hr 02 mins
04/05/2019 Half 2 hr 03 mins 05 s
Thinking to head with the 4 hr 30 min pacers or is that being a bit too relaxed and should I push for the 4 15 min?

Treviso

jackc101 wrote: »

A question for all;
I'm doing my first ever marathon & planning on sticking with the pacers (also in Sanctuary runner singlets!)
Recently did
16/05/2019 Half 2 hr 02 mins
04/05/2019 Half 2 hr 03 mins 05 s
Thinking to head with the 4 hr 30 min pacers or is that being a bit too relaxed and should I push for the 4 15 min?

What time did you set when you started your training plan? If it's 4.30 then stick to the pacers and push on towards the end if you feel comfortable. Don't change to 4.15 on a whim as you may burn yourself out and struggle towards the end.

Difference between running 4.30 & 4.15 marathons is half a minute faster pacing per mile. Normally, calculating marathon time off a HM is 2xHM plus 20 mins - but thats only a guide.

opus

Given it's your first marathon I'd probably suggest the 4:30 gang although 4:15 certainly wouldn't be out of the question given your time for the half. You could always split the difference & stick with 4:30 'til halfway & then up the pace a little if you're feeling good.

Itziger

jackc101 wrote: »

A question for all;
I'm doing my first ever marathon & planning on sticking with the pacers (also in Sanctuary runner singlets!)
Recently did
16/05/2019 Half 2 hr 02 mins
04/05/2019 Half 2 hr 03 mins 05 s
Thinking to head with the 4 hr 30 min pacers or is that being a bit too relaxed and should I push for the 4 15 min?

How did these two runs feel? Were you pushing it or was it nice and easy?

Kellygirl

Given that the 2nd half of Cork is slightly harder due to hills I’d be saving yourself for that. I’d be going out with the 4:30 guys and you should be able to push on then later on. Also, if it’s very hot and high humidity (which we had last year) you would be better off taking it handy at the start.

jackc101

Thanks all, that settles it for me, 4:30 pacers it is

Kellygirl

jackc101 wrote: »

Thanks all, that settles it for me, 4:30 pacers it is

Most important thing is to enjoy your first marathon and blowing up or hitting the wall because you went out to fast is not pleasant.

opus

Guess what I stumbled across this evening

Homesick Alien

Doing my first half in Cork this weekend and looking forward to it. Only ever done 10ks up to now and my pb is 39:55. I'm aiming to go with the 90 min pacer. Is that ambitious and would I be better off hanging back and then picking the pace up later on if I've got it in the legs? Conscious of not blowing up as many on here have warned of!

Kellygirl

Homesick Alien wrote: »

Doing my first half in Cork this weekend and looking forward to it. Only ever done 10ks up to now and my pb is 39:55. I'm aiming to go with the 90 min pacer. Is that ambitious and would I be better off hanging back and then picking the pace up later on if I've got it in the legs? Conscious of not blowing up as many on here have warned of!

That 10km time would certainly indicate you should be doing a 90 minute half marathon time .... assuming you have fully trained for it. There’s a big difference between 10km and 21km in terms of endurance and the race time calculators such as runfastcoach and McMillan tend to have a larger margin of error the longer the distance. It’s hard to tell you go for it without knowing your training but if you have followed a good plan and have plenty miles in the legs then I’d guess you would be fine with the 90 minute pacers.

Edited to add that if you do go with the pacers I’d tend to leave them go going up the hills and reel them back in afterwards again. They are used to running much faster times.

Homesick Alien

Kellygirl wrote: »

That 10km time would certainly indicate you should be doing a 90 minute half marathon time .... assuming you have fully trained for it. There’s a big difference between 10km and 21km in terms of endurance and the race time calculators such as runfastcoach and McMillan tend to have a larger margin of error the longer the distance. It’s hard to tell you go for it without knowing your training but if you have followed a good plan and have plenty miles in the legs then I’d guess you would be fine with the 90 minute pacers.

Thanks. Training has not been nearly what I'd hoped between holidays, illness and whatnot. Did 10.5 miles last Sunday and that's the longest I've gone. I have been getting out a few times a week but in fits and starts and not got nearly as many longer runs in as I should have.

Feck it I think I'll just go with the 90min pace and see how I hold up!

Kellygirl

Homesick Alien wrote: »

Thanks. Training has not been nearly what I'd hoped between holidays, illness and whatnot. Did 10.5 miles last Sunday and that's the longest I've gone. I have been getting out a few times a week but in fits and starts and not got nearly as many longer runs in as I should have.

Feck it I think I'll just go with the 90min pace and see how I hold up!

Have a good think about it. You could hold back a little and once you get to the top of Farranlea road / Mount Mercy area, you are downhill and flat all the way. You’ve a nice 4.5/5 miles to speed up then and catch up on yourself.

useurename

I had a look at the route description. It is described as fairly flat. There are hills at 7, 17 & 21.
Just wondering if someone who has run the course before has a few more descriptions.
It is really a good fair flat course?
Is the hill at 21 miles hard?

Itziger

useurename wrote: »

I had a look at the route description. It is described as fairly flat. There are hills at 7, 17 & 21.
Just wondering if someone who has run the course before has a few more descriptions.
It is really a good fair flat course?
Is the hill at 21 miles hard?

The course isn't crazy tough by any stretch but it's not 'flat' either. There are lots of flat stretches, it's just not Rotterdam/Berlin.

The thing about the last climb is a) quite obviously the distance you've run by then and b) the mental challenge that is running away from the finish. You'll have to be in good shape physically and tough mentally. Tell yourself that this is the last climb, just hang in there and get to the end of Model Farm rd. At least it's not literally the end anymore. Then, once you turn down Inchagoggin Lane (sp??) you're heading for home.