The Great Limerick Run, 2 May 2010

Reaganomical · 25-01-2010 01:03PM

RedB wrote: »

The rugby match will hopefully be on the Sun afternoon which would make it a nice way to spend the day with your feet up watching it (or even at it if its in Thom Pk )!

Unfortunately not, if we beat Northampton again, we'll be on the road for the semifinal that same weekend...either to Cardiff if it's the Ospreys or to France if it's Biarritz. It's probably going to be on the Sunday afternoon as well...

Dunno what effect that will have on this event. Personally I've entered for the Half and I think it's a very pb-friendly course. A couple of days in the south of france supporting Munster is tempting though...

Nialler73 · 04-02-2010 05:02PM

Is this event going ahead? I haven't heard a peep about it, apart from here!! Anyone got a heads up?

MarieC · 04-02-2010 05:21PM

yip still going ahead as far as Im aware, they need to get their asses in gear though and get alot more publicity going for the event.
website doesnt seem to be developing much at all http://www.greatlimerickrun.com/fm.html

you'd wonder if anyone outside of limerick even knows this is happening?

baza1976 · 04-02-2010 07:42PM

Tis true. Not many people know about this event. Wasn't there someone on here recently saying they knew alot about the running of this even, as in who was involved and how "experinced" they were at these events!????!!??!!?? I wouldn't mind hearing from this guy now

mitresize5 · 05-02-2010 08:30AM

there has been a lot of advertising put up in the last week or so on the roundabouts going into the city

RedB · 05-02-2010 11:04AM

I'm not involved but I was speaking to an 'informed source' last week and its definitely going ahead. They're starting to push the 10k training groups for the mass participants but are probably getting a title sponser finalised before the PR blitz. I was a bit concerned previously about the lack of that PR as obviously I've started my training plan but wasn't sure if it was going to happen. I'm reasonably confident now but it'd be nicer still to hear from any of the organisers

.

KerryJogger · 05-02-2010 05:13PM

Nialler73 wrote: »

Is this event going ahead? I haven't heard a peep about it, apart from here!! Anyone got a heads up?

The only thing i've heard are the daily sports quotes on their facebook which are providing a entertaining start to my day! They seem to be running competitions on it which tells me its still on..

Surely they cant think pure word of mouth will make it an national event??

--amadeus-- · 06-02-2010 12:09AM

Take this as you will, it's a bit of gossip that I heard a few months ago and I'm passing on now for you to make your own minds up...

I know someone locally who is very, very well connected to the whole Limerick running scene. They tell me that the main organiser of this race is an experienced athlete and triathlete (IM level) and a prominent local businessperson. But that they have never organised any event themselves before and that they do not (or did not at that time) have any support from the local athletics clubs. In fact the way they had secured the event had alienated the local running "establishment".

Now the person I was talking to wouldn't have an axe to grind or an agenda to push. And just because the main promoter has no race experience doesn't mean that the management team has no experience. And there was plenty of high promises and expectations set at the launch so the organisers clearly know what they want to achieve.

But for the good of the city I hope they follow through with the promises.

redved · 06-02-2010 11:58AM

I hope this isn't completly off topic:o. Equally i've no axe to grind re. Limerick Athlethics clubs. However does anyone find these clubs a little less pre-active than other clubs around the country.

For example I see Athenry and Craughwell have mass participation events all year round. I can only think of two run by clubs in Limerick. The Christmas 10 miler and the Womens mini-marathon.

Surely this marathon is an opportunity for the clubs to offer their services/help?

Anyway I hope this event turns out to be a great success.

donothoponpop · 06-02-2010 05:02PM

Just got an email from the organizers that the course will be Jones Counter measured and certified. Good news.

--amadeus-- · 06-02-2010 06:48PM

donothoponpop wrote: »

Just got an email from the organizers that the course will be Jones Counter measured and certified. Good news.

Thats good news - if it's getting an AAI cert they must have either built bridges to the clubs or the local gossip was misinformed!

donothoponpop · 06-02-2010 07:01PM

To be clear, they said it would be "measured using Jones counter and certified as such"- I haven't a clue what this means in terms of AAI certification or not.

Cartman78 · 09-02-2010 10:45AM

re: Redved - fully agree. I really hope that petty local infighting doesn't jeopardise the success of this event. This is a great opportunity to promote the city so hopefully everyone can pull together and get behind it.

I guess we won't really know how well the organisation is until shortly before the big day but I'm satisfied with the PR and advertising so far. Yes, a lot of it is locally orientated (running groups in the community, billboards on roundabouts etc) but I don't see any races in Ireland being massively advertised outside their immediate environs. I think most runners are well informed these days (thru sites like this, e-mail newsletters and good old word of mouth) so anybody with an interest in road racing (and broadband) should have no excuses for not knowing about the race at this stage.

Great to see people out & about too in massive numbers around the place. Running around UL now for about 10 years and have never seen so many people out

meathcountysec · 09-02-2010 11:45AM

donothoponpop wrote: »

To be clear, they said it would be "measured using Jones counter and certified as such"- I haven't a clue what this means in terms of AAI certification or not.

Just because a course is "Jones counter measured and certified as such" does not necessarily mean it is or will be AAI permitted.

In order to get an AAI permit the application must be made through the local county board.

If there are "issues" with the local athletics clubs then this may not be forthcoming, if indeed sought.

donothoponpop · 09-02-2010 11:51AM

meathcountysec wrote: »

Just because a course is "Jones counter measured and certified as such" does not necessarily mean it is or will be AAI permitted.

In order to get an AAI permit the application must be made through the local county board.

If there are "issues" with the local athletics clubs then this may not be forthcoming, if indeed sought.

Thanks for this Meath. I presume if there is no AAI permit, there will be no AIMS accreditation either (as AAI is a subset of IAAF)?

meathcountysec · 09-02-2010 12:36PM

donothoponpop wrote: »

Thanks for this Meath. I presume if there is no AAI permit, there will be no AIMS accreditation either (as AAI is a subset of IAAF)?

Not necessarily. AIMS just seem to require measurement by an IAAF/AIMS certified measurer, don't mention sanction by a NGB as a prerequisite.

--amadeus-- · 09-02-2010 01:04PM

Word direct from the organisers is that they with certify with "Athletics Ireland" (I assume the AAI) and the permit will be issued 1 month prior to the event.

If I were running it I would be more worried about accurate measurment than the cert - I know that you can't have a cert without the measurment but you can have the measurment without the cert. AIMS certification is really only an issue if you plan to use your result for entry to Boston / London ? New York, I would have thought?

donothoponpop · 09-02-2010 01:07PM

--amadeus-- wrote: »

AIMS certification is really only an issue if you plan to use your result for entry to Boston / London ? New York, I would have thought?

--amadeus-- · 09-02-2010 01:12PM

donothoponpop wrote: »

:eek:

I doff my cap, impressive.

Or in a more appropriate jargon my brother from another mother done got my 'spect, y'all.

Reaganomical · 10-02-2010 02:17PM

Article in this week's Limerick Independent http://www.limerickindependent.com/local-news/local-news/thousands-up-for-%91great-limerick-run%92/

AROUND 2,000 runners have already signed up to take part in one of the three events in the Great Limerick Run this May Bank Holiday weekend. Organiser, John Cleary, told a strategic policy committee at City Hall this Monday that the aim is to have between 5,000 and 7,000 participants across the 10k, half-marathon and marathon. “This will be the first time since 1984 that such an event will take place in Limerick. The starting point will be People’s Park; the route goes all around the city and ends on O’Connell Street. The three events make it very inclusive; it’ll have top class athletes right down to people who haven’t done exercise in a while!,” he explained.

“Last year, the Dublin Marathon had 13,000 participants and the Flora Women’s Mini-Marathon had 41,000. If we could get anywhere near those kinds of figures in Limerick, the event and the spin-offs would be fantastic. We’re setting the stall already, looking to forge partnerships with similar events in the UK, Europe and the US. We’re working to attract sponsors for all aspects of the event.”

Mr Cleary added that the run is scheduled for the Sunday of the weekend-setting it apart from other bank holiday events-and this is to encourage people to stay in the city and enjoy Riverfest. “On Saturday, we have a big expo, which will involve local companies, and athletes can register and collect their details there. Riverfest has lots going on and we hope participants and supporters will stay on Sunday night and see the fireworks. We are hoping to have tie-ins. We have asked the Belltable to consider putting on a show the night before; Limerick Racecourse will be offering discounts to participants for the bank holiday Monday and local hotels will be doing deals for the weekend too.”

He thanked all the city council staff; the mayor; Limerick Co-Ordination Office and Limerick City Sports Partnership for the help given to date.

Mayor Kiely said that with the Mayors Ball and the Munster Vs Northampton match also taking place over the May Bank Holiday, it is set to be a “bumper weekend” for the city. Cllr Kathleen Leddin asked organisers to consider having open air bars for the event, as well as street entertainment.

Cllr Cormac Hurley asked if there would be an opportunity for wheelchair users to participate-which was supported by sectoral member, Stephen Casey of the Mid West Spina Bifida Association. Mr Cleary said that wheelchair users can participate in the 10k and organisers hope to expand this to all three categories in future events

2,000 signed up so far...they'll be doing very well to get close to 10,000 at this stage.

Also, someone should tell the Mayor that the Munster v Northampton QF is on in April and that it is the semifinal which will be on the May Bank Holiday weekend...if we get there.

--amadeus-- · 11-02-2010 09:27AM

Just had an email from the organisers:

Pacemakers will be used for the marathon course.
The time zones are 3:15, 3:30, 3:45 and 4:30 time zones

Oisin11178 · 11-02-2010 10:11AM

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Just had an email from the organisers:

Brilliant, ill head out with the 3.30 guys. Great crack in Dublin last year.

--amadeus-- · 11-02-2010 10:13AM

Oisin11178 wrote: »

Brilliant, ill head out with the 3.30 guys. Great crack in Dublin last year.

Meh, I heard the 4hr pacers were better looking

Actually on that it's a bit strange they don't have a 4hr pace group. Wonder who the pacers are?

Oisin11178 · 11-02-2010 11:52AM

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Meh, I heard the 4hr pacers were better looking

Actually on that it's a bit strange they don't have a 4hr pace group. Wonder who the pacers are?

First thing i thought was why no 4hr group. Possibly the most aimed for time?

buck65 · 11-02-2010 03:57PM

Sorry if this was posted already but to me the prices are way too dear for the half and 10k.

kerry4sam · 14-02-2010 12:01AM

Newbie here, be nice

in both this forum and doing a 10k

I've signed up to do the 10k and at the moment without any serious training I am walking the 10k in 1hr10mins (being 5ft10 helps i suppose) ...

Could anyone tell me is this good/bad/average?
also, with regards the time-zones a poster stated, which would I be better off starting at?

Hope someone replies with helpful info for me please guys

RedB · 14-02-2010 09:30PM

kerry4sam wrote: »

Newbie here, be nice in both this forum and doing a 10k

I've signed up to do the 10k and at the moment without any serious training I am walking the 10k in 1hr10mins (being 5ft10 helps i suppose) ...

Could anyone tell me is this good/bad/average?
also, with regards the time-zones a poster stated, which would I be better off starting at?

Hope someone replies with helpful info for me please guys

I'm not a walker but it sounds good to me. I'd have been happy getting under 60mins for a 10k when I started jogging so 70mins sounds great for a walk.

Do you plan on walking it, running it or a mixture of both?

The time zones were for the marathon:)

kerry4sam · 14-02-2010 10:52PM

RedB wrote: »

...
The time zones were for the marathon:)

my whoops!

RedB wrote: »

I'm not a walker but it sounds good to me. I'd have been happy getting under 60mins for a 10k when I started jogging so 70mins sounds great for a walk.

Do you plan on walking it, running it or a mixture of both?

Thanks for replying. You know I was thinking of mixing it up, depends on how my training goes over the next number of weeks being honest. I have signed up for another 10k for the week before this one so that will be my judge. I would really like to run it, so that would be my ultimate aim for 2nd May.

RedB · 15-02-2010 03:00PM

kerry4sam wrote: »

I was thinking of mixing it up, depends on how my training goes over the next number of weeks being honest. I have signed up for another 10k for the week before this one so that will be my judge. I would really like to run it, so that would be my ultimate aim for 2nd May.

Good strategy. Its 10 week away so you've plenty of time. This is a link to a plan http://www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm or they have one on the Limerick run website. Enjoy.

Cartman78 · 11-03-2010 09:03AM

Have noticed that the Irish Times have come on board as sponsors for this one...good to see a major sponsor at last.

Lots of signs up around the place in the last week and think i caught the tail end of a radio ad on Newstalk the other night.

Amazed at all the people out running in the city - whoever is selling hi-viz vests in town must be making a fortune

The Great Limerick Run, 2 May 2010

Comments