What makes a good or bad race

Trampas

So what do you like or don’t like in a race. My own one is a tough finish. I don’t like courses that stick in a dirty hill near the end. Especially if they could have done it the other way around.

Cups and still treat water stations like they use bottles. You simply can’t hydrate in a race using cups and have the same gap as you did with bottles. I know some people can do a marathon on fresh air but the vast majority can’t

marathon2022

Paper cups was the first thing that came to mind. Races that don't offer transfers, in this day and age it's just lazy.

bullethead

Yep agree with not having paper cups, it's a right pain.

What makes a good race is..

good pre event information

accurate course

Well organised start area

Good spread afterwards

Lazare

Some things that make a race good for me.

Organised start corral with areas for predicted finish time - doesn't eliminate the issue of people being out of position but helps reduce it.

Multiple timing mats - if you've ran well it's great to see how many people you've passed.

Finish line commentary - Raheny 5 mile do this really well and it adds so much atmosphere to the event. I absolutely adore Liam Moggan at the Dub race series events.

'Against the flow' section - Most likely totally alone in this one 😃 but I love racing alongside runners going in the opposite direction. Think the hairpin at Raheny or the sections in the Dublin half. Find it inspiring on the out watching faster runners, and confidence building on the in watching fast runners who are behind you.

Souvenir T-shirt - Not massively important but I do like to add to the collection. Meh to medals, gimme a t-shirt.

A good standard - You can't beat a race that attracts the cream of Irish club runners. Love watching them, how they warm up etc

Track Finish - Not essential for a good race but always makes for a great finish.

Social finish area - You need a nice space to sit around and share war stories.

py

I'm actually the opposite on the t-shirt. I'll hang any and all medals at home but there are very few event t-shirts that will make it into the running clothing rotation.

Good visible pacers. I feel like DCM and race series always lead the way on this point. Others have been good too but these always stick out as leaders on this point.

Well organised finish funnel(s) - I've just run either fast or far. The medal and t-shirt can wait a few moments. Give me some water/fuel as soon as I have crossed the line please.

artanevilla

Not really the difference between a good and a bad race but on the above, the trend of not giving a "free" t-shirt after the race anymore and having to pay extra for in (despite the race fee remaining the same).

It being well organized is huge, not having to worry about anything other than just running is a big benefit, well organized start area, bag drop, well placed and well organized water stations, well marked and managed course (particularly when running on open roads).

Outside of the race organisation, being familiar with the course can be huge, if you feel you have a bit left in the tank, you'll know exactly where you are and when you can empty it.

pc11

A fast course but a fair one. I don't want a crazy downhill or a short course or long. I want it accurate and I want it flat and I want a good surface. A decent field helps. I have nothing to aim for except a time target.

Good parking with little fuss and able to get away easily.

Option for refund or transfer would be great.

Sunday not Saturday. Saturday is parkrun day.

Not too late in the day. That's the one quibble about Raheny, would much prefer to have it at 11 or 12 instead of 3pm.

A gluten-free option in the feed afterwards (yes, I'm one of those).

Murph_D

All good points. Why do you think Raheny 5 happens so late in the day?

Nuttzz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122308542#Comment_122308542

Tradition from the 80s, it couldnt be held before 1.30pm because Mass was still ongoing and then to hold it at 3pm meant that by the time people had finished holy hour was over and the pubs were open again for that post race pint.

Thats just my 2c but from growing up in the 70s & 80s nothing happened on Sunday mornings because of mass, GAA etc was all afternoon schedules while the pubs where closed, once the game was over then it was back to the clubhouse for a pint (or many pints 🙂)

Murph_D

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122356734#Comment_122356734

Another important point is that the later time suits people travelling to Dublin - you can get there from anywhere without having to leave too early, and home again afterwards. So there is always a large and diverse club representation from all over the country. That’s the way it always has been, and it would be foolish to change that aspect of it anyway (there are obviously other aspects that could be improved of course).

essdee

When selecting races, the criteria that matter most are:

I've run it before (can compare times with previous performance).

Not too many runners (had a tumble at the start of Jingle Bells year before last and was lucky no-one stepped on me).

It's relatively local to where I live.

Funds raise go to a worthy cause (e.g. school)

MY BAD

Usually races organised by athletic clubs are the better ones but its not always the case.

What makes a good race for me it must be a accurate course with chip timing. A good depth of quality runners is important too. I prefer flatter courses myself unless it's very local or some random distance.

The finish line atmosphere helps too, nothing beats a finish line where there are good crowds around. Compare that to finishing in an industrial estate with a handful of people hanging around. I do prefer races where there is a hall with soup and sandwiches after, the athletic community is small enough so its great to meet up and chat after the race.

I prefer races in the evening and late afternoon but maybe not in the summer months if its too warm. I seem to race better the later the race.

T shirts and medals are something that I'm not bothered with, but I see the appeal and I know from our own race its quite important to many runners. I think that money should be spent on good prize money to attract more quality runners as often prizes can be poor enough.

Trampas

Antrim half marathon seems to not go a year without some sort of issue https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/running/antrim-coast-half-marathon-organisers-issue-apology-after-being-inundated-with-complaints-from-runners/a48214453.html

walshb

Courses that are too hilly should be effing banned. They are in now way a reflection on how good a runner you are.

FlipperThePriest

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122554596#Comment_122554596

I tend to disagree. The only reflection on how good a runner you are is how you fared against the field. If you're only interested in breaking PBs then fair enough, but I think you're missing out on a big part of racing, and the improvements that come with preparing for hills.

Fionnuala McCormack was interviewed after the Olympic marathon, where there was a 400m+ climb in one section and a gradient of about 14% said she wished there were more marathon courses like it 🤣 Bit extreme for me, but I'm all for the hills.

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122554596#Comment_122554596

the ones that say it’s flat and pb course when far from it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122558908#Comment_122558908

Found it funny. Even more so when she was on the flight over and back to Valencia to get her time. Where they would say a speed ramp is a climb

event

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122554596#Comment_122554596

One thing I'll ask here: Whats too hilly?. Thats a very relative issue, as hilly to you might not be hilly to someone else

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122582311#Comment_122582311

Courses with hills/inclines that break you in half..

Butterbeans

Speaking of hills, the Stook 10 mile race in Kilkenny is a great race. Well organised, great spread afterwards and you get a cow bell instead of a medal for your troubles.

The Stook is the hill you have to overcome in the latter half of the race, what you ascend in 2 miles, you descend in 1, known as the "flying mile", prize money for fastest descent. It's a tough mother of a run but you know that signing up for it.

Murph_D

Yes, love The Stook, a quality race. It’s a b@stard of a hill alright but it’s the main attraction, up and down. I especially like the bit where it levels off then you round a bend and see it stretching away up again. Or did I hallucinate that bit in my gasping delirium?

Butterbeans

You're spot on, although I'd say there's been many an hallucination up there! They should have swear jars along the way up, they'd make a killing.