Run Galway Bay

Sussex18

Hi thinking of entering the Half-Marathon here in early October. What's the course like, is it flat? Cold by the sea etc? 🙂Thanks

Fenster

What distance? The 10k and half routes are laps of Salthill. The course is flat as a a plank of wood. It'll be chill and windy, but not overly so.

Sussex18

Thanks Fenster, is there anywhere I could shower in the vicinity?. The half I'm thinking of.

Fenster

The start and finish lines are at South Park, so OTTOMH no.

lukeeman

Sussex18 wrote: »

Thanks Fenster, is there anywhere I could shower in the vicinity?. The half I'm thinking of.

Leisreland is about 10/15 min walk from finish, €10 for shower and sauna

Sussex18

I assume that in a place like Salthill that there is plenty of places for a good refuelling meal? Near Leisureland I mean?. Are taxis likely to be easy to come by?. Looked up directions from the finish area to leisureland and there seems to be an awful lot of turns, could I miss it walking or jogging? Thanks

lukeeman

Leisureland is in the heart of Salthill, you will run past it twice at least depends what race you are doing. There is plenty of places in Salthill to eat, from takeways to italian.

kave2

Hi folks, as there will be no pacers this year, I'm going to try using Garmin pacepro to get sub 1:40 in half.

Anyone got gpx file from last year? I assume the course will be the same.

Thanks a lot.

Murph_D

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121180218#Comment_121180218

From 2021, looks like same course.

Galway_Bay_Half_Marathon_1_34_23_2nd_M60_.gpx.zip

JimmyChew

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121180218#Comment_121180218

Just keep a tidy 7:30 min/mile and you'll be alright.

Murph_D

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121191171#Comment_121191171

Well sometimes you have to take the wind into account. The year I did it there was a considerable headwind from the west, so it was a good idea to dial back a bit on the effort levels (and enjoy the tailwind back towards town). There's also the hill up towards the turn at the gold course - many runners will dial back a bit there, you can make up for it after the turn.

kave2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121191171#Comment_121191171

Eesier said then done :-)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121181001#Comment_121181001

Thanks a lot.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121192644#Comment_121192644

Agree, I will try to use pace pro on my garmin.

TBH, shouldn't even attempt PB considering I have DCM coming up but it will be difficult to not try. I'll make a call on this on Saturday morning.

CassieManson

Just wondering if anyone has received their race number in the post yet?

shano_88

I received mine on Tuesday

Quitelife

Where exactly is the starting line ?, it says Claddagh, is that near Eyre Square ? and where are people parking nearby for those of us not from Galway ?

JimmyChew

Start line is near the club house in the bottom marked section, can't miss it. I park near the Cathedral but you may get closer, particularly if running the Marathon. @Quitelife

trevchenko8292

Anyone with a half marathon ticket/number to sell? Last minute race decision here😊 Cheers

Sussex18

I'll be doing the full, at a Conservative pace, that's the plan. Wind was horrendous last year, looking much better tomorrow!

kave2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121193085#Comment_121193085

Went very well, managed to go sub 1:40. New PB 1:38:49. First time tried Garmin PacePro and its excellent, really helps with pacing.

Thanks again @Murph_D for gpx file.

MattressRick

I did the 10k today. Course was way too narrow bar the first few k where we were running on one side of the road. But the remainder was on footpaths that had general walkers, kids on scooters. I normally spend the first maybe 2k of races overtaking until I find everyone at the same pace. Today I was the whole race overtaking others, even the last 500m I was out on grass getting around people out for their Saturday morning walk. The causeway out to mutton island was so narrow to overtake and still had the general public walking on it.

Start too was a complete narrow bottleneck. 10k started before hundreds were able to access the back of where everyone was gathered.

Way too few stewards there to stop the public walking on the route. They really need to pay more for stewards for keeping the route only for runners, felt like they spent on the minimum on that.

MattressRick

I did the 10k today. Course was way too narrow bar the first few k where we were running on one side of the road. But the remainder was on footpaths that had general walkers, kids on scooters. I normally spend the first maybe 2k of races overtaking until I find everyone at the same pace. Today I was the whole race overtaking others, even the last 500m I was out on grass getting around people out for their Saturday morning walk. The causeway out to mutton island was so narrow to overtake and still had the general public walking on it.

Start too was a complete narrow bottleneck. 10k started before hundreds were able to access the back of where everyone was gathered.

Way too few stewards there to stop the public walking on the route. They really need to pay more for stewards for keeping the route only for runners, felt like they spent on the minimum on that.

MattressRick

I did the 10k today. Course was way too narrow bar the first few k where we were running on one side of the road. But the remainder was on footpaths that had general walkers, kids on scooters. I normally spend the first maybe 2k of races overtaking until I find everyone at the same pace. Today I was the whole race overtaking others, even the last 500m I was out on grass getting around people out for their Saturday morning walk. The causeway out to mutton island was so narrow to overtake and still had the general public walking on it.

Start too was a complete narrow bottleneck. 10k started before hundreds were able to access the back of where everyone was gathered.

Way too few stewards there to stop the public walking on the route. They really need to pay more for stewards for keeping the route only for runners, felt like they spent on the minimum on that.

Sussex18

Limped home just under 4 hours, more than half an hour slower than my pb. Had done Cross Country the Sunday before and was hurting badly in the second half, rarely passed by so many people.

But t'was still an enjoyable weekend, the looped nature of the course meant I seen friends quite a bit 😊

Snodge

Recommended routes/ loops (pref flat and road/path surface) in Galway city for a run/speed work?

shalclon

Hi all. I do apologise for reviving an old thread but I am wondering if anyone knows if there is some kind of cancellations list for this 10k event? Emailed organisers but no reply. Husband and I been training for 2months for this and today realised neither registered for It and now its sold out. We both booked the hotel. Communication breakdown. Very disappointed as have done 2023 and 2022 and loved the experience. If anyone registered but cant go we be happy to use your number and refund you. Any help be greatly appreciated.

Sussex18

Best bet would be to contact the Galway clubs, like Athener, Craughwell or Galway City Harriers, they might have members who've entered but no longer doing. Perhaps 'Running in Ireland' FB group also.

Does seem strange that it's sold out and so early, don't ever remember it selling out before.

I wonder have they reduced the numbers?

CassieManson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122611249#Comment_122611249

It has sold out in previous years. I think they have to be strict with numbers due to impact on traffic in the city on a Saturday morning.

Sussex18

I can understand that, traffic is difficult to manage at the best of times up there. It just does seem to have sold out earlier than usual this time and without warning, which a lot of events do provide.

I have my entry anyway for the Half after the full marathon in consecutive years..

quintain

Hi, I was going to enter the 2024 Galway half marathon, but it's sold out - it was going to be part of my training schedule for the Valencia marathon later in the year.

Would I be a total nuisance if I just rocked up and joined in? I don't want a medal or a tee-shirt, just want to judge my pace against other runners.

quintain

scrap that last comment, there is a half marathon in Roscommon on the Sunday - will suit my purposes !!

CassieManson

Just got my race number…looking forward to my trip to Galway!

niallo27

Weather looking bad for this one on saturday, lot of rain

CassieManson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122679931#Comment_122679931

Yeah saw that, hopefully will change before the day!

justfortherecor

Man that forecast looks rough - an authentic Galway experience though I guess!

niallo27

It’s always windy enough on a normal day. Be unreal I’d say.

niallo27

Anyone do this on Saturday, it was horrendous. Last 5K into a storm.

CassieManson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122692374#Comment_122692374

I did the marathon, it was very windy but luckily as it started at 08:30 managed to miss the rain. I think the half marathoners had the worst conditions - wind and rain 😖