The Great Limerick Run, 2 May 2010

Despite the occasional hiccups in organization along the race route, I found the day to be superb. And to the people of Limerick, a well done is in order - whether through cheering or just setting up extra water points outside their homes, they gave the city a very warm and welcoming feel.

First actual marathon time.....but unofficially a PB none the less! Wish i had met some of ye boards folk, but sure there's always next time....

Munster_Gal wrote: »

I actually laughed out load reading your report ha ha! Well done yesterday! Would have been nice if you waved at us while we were shouting at you though :P lol

lol Thanks munstergal, I was told you were shouting for me. Thanks;)

--amadeus-- wrote: »

I spoke to the race director this morning and he's holding his hands up on the route around teh potato market, teh steps and congestion. I hadn't heard about teh water but I'm sure they know about it and will address it.

I think he's on the same page as us generally. He's a runner and knows the routes *must* be accurate above all.

I've told him that I would attempt to corall feedback - good and bad - and send it on to him (although everyone should feel free to mail him directly as well of course). I think that we have a direct line in now and should attempt to use it to make as many positive changes as we can.

One thing I would ask though. The "fun run" comment was made in a semi private meeting and it's one thing having it on here but I wouldn't like it being used as a stick to beat the organisers with. There are plenty of concrete improvements that can be asked for and issues pointed out without repeating that.

What I would suggest is that we batter out stuff for another day or two and then I'll put up the text I propose sending here. If we get general agreement I'll send it on.

Having a "fun run" associated with the event mightn't be a bad idea, to attract people who are just beginning running, or just want to experience the atmosphere. But it should be advertised like that, not as a 10km race. There are races that can attract big numbers such as the Cork Women's "mini-marathon" that don't make any mention of the distance.

Other things to mention are the narrowness of a lot of the route. I only know about the 10km, but it was often necessary to go out around the cones (after checking no cars were coming) to overtake people. This isn't ideal.... More significant road closures are probably needed.

Maybe the structure of the three races should be looked at. They could be routed differently or the time between starts could be changed so that people doing ~6min/miles won't be passing people doing ~9min/miles. Maybe start all the races together?

The website could have been updated more often. There was far more information about the event here, than on the website. Even now, it's still highlighting that the registration date has been extended...

It might be good to give everyone two numbers, one for the front and one for the back. Then you can see who is the same race as you.

The pricing of the different races could be tweaked a little. 60euro was very expensive for a half-marathon. More people might have done it if it was maybe 40/45 (especially if the cheaper race isn't going to be an accurate 10k).

Maybe for the other races they had predicted-time markers at the start, but there wasn't any for the 10k. For large races I think these are ncessary to ensure a good start (even though they're often ignored )

I might sound a bit negative, but overall I thought it was a great event, and very impressive that it went so well in the first year, and a good advertisement for Limerick.

OdettiSpaghetti wrote: »

Hiya,

Anyone know where we get official times and pics from?

Tkx

Times were texted out yesterday and will be in the Irish Times tomorrow (Tues).

Photos will be on www.marathonfoto.com from Wed (?) if you use the 'select race' pull down menu for Great Limerick Run 2010.

My initial thoughts on the Great Limerick Run are mixed. As a fun day out I would score the race quite highly, but as a race to be taken seriously I would have reservations. Thankfully I was only doing it as a blow out, but feedback I would have includes:
- Mile/km markers required in the half marathon. If you pay 64 euro to enter a race, you expect a top quality race.
- Not enough marshals, particularly by the river - the lead group in half marathon made a few silly mistakes here. There was also a couple of unmanned junctions - a car drove directly into my path on one occasion. Would consider changing this part of the route - really slows people down and there were a couple of congestion bottlenecks.
- Online entry process on Friday was problematic. If you're extending the entry date then you need to be able to back it up with service. To top it all off I get the Irish Times today to see myself referred to as Runner 8424. I entered online, so I cannot understand how they cannot put my name to a number.
- Marathon disqualifications. I'm not sure what happened here, but I heard that #1 & 2 in marathon were disqualified. Would like to know what happened, but if it's because they did not do correct route I would again blame the organisation.
- Prizes & presentation for the races also poor. Well, to be more accurate the presentation was non-existant. I believe they were waiting to get results confirmed. There are no cash prizes which is bad for a race with ambition - I knew this going into race, but still don't think it's right when they charge up to 80euro for entry. Hope I'm not coming across as elitest, but races get more respect when top athletes run & there was very few reasons for top athletes to run this race.
- This is the only race in my memory that weren't able to confirm top results with a couple of hours of the finish. Results still not available online from what I can see & I didn't get any text.
- 10k race not being 10k is absolutely not on - it's disrespectful to athletics, but think this one is covered above

It seemed that everything went through the race director - my main feedback would be that delegation is the key to success. Each race needed it's only director - instead my perception was there was one person trying to organise 3 races on the same day and making a bit of a mess in the process.

Despite all the above, I really enjoyed the experience. This race series has great potential so I hope organisers take feedback on board to turn this into something special next year.

Jim you did 3:21:59

JimWhoIs50 wrote: »

As I am an over-seas visitor, I didn't get a text result. I can't buy the Irish Times so where do I get my result? I think I did about 3:22 (forgot to stop my Garmin - Doh!)
If anyone reading this has the Irish Times, can you look me up and post my result?
Jim O'Donovan - Race number M1136
Many thanks. See you all next year.

Hey Jim,
your time in the Irish times is 3.21.59

ULstudent wrote: »

In a boards singlet? if so it was me who shouted the old boards at ya!! Had to be you - blondish girl in a boards singlet at that same time!

That was me in the singlet ya! Where were you?? Were you running or marshalling?

Im sorry but this is going to be quite a long dear diary entry, consisting of my race report, and feedback for the race director.

Sunday was a day that I will always always remember. I have spent pretty much the last 11 years in Limerick so to get the opportunity to run a marathon here was fantastic.

Saturday evening was spent going through my plan for the race with the b.f, deciding where to meet him along the route, and what supplies to have where. It was eerie drving to my apt. saturday evening in castletroy, passing mile markers, realising I was going to be running by them the following morning. Anyway, Sunday morning I arose at 7, tasty breakfast of scrambled eggs and bread. Realised how nervous I was once the stomach started doing cartwheels as I tried to eat.

Headed then to meet the brother who was going to be running his first marathon. He got me into running years ago so was really hoping for a good run for him. Met Hunnymonster and DoNotHoponPop at the start line. I decided to position myself near the 3:30 balloons, and hope for the best. My main goal was to enjoy the race, and I knew that if that happened the time should work itself out also. The start was fantastic, I found it very surreal to be lining up for such an event in Limerick. Off we went anyway and I luckily found that I eased into my pace fairly fast.

The first half of the marathon was in the territory most familiar to me so it didnt feel like a half marathon, just running around UL and down by the river! no biggie! There was great support along the route. I ran a mile or two from 4-6 with Baza1976, it was lovely to meet the boardsies after all of the virtual conversations. I left Baza1976 off at the 6mile mark, where himself was waiting with water. First 10km in 52:06, not amazing but sure a marathon is all about pacing yourself.

The run down by the river was beautiful and it was fantastic to see that being incorportated in to the marathon. In fairness to them, every pole in the ground had red tape wrapped around it, every dodgy side of the path had yellow paint around it, and then when there was no fence between the path and the river, the search and rescue boat were there watching and waiting! The heavy rain shower I must say was very apt, it would have felt almost wrong to not run some part of it in the rain! At least we were cool and well hydrated for that part. Himself was waiting under the bridge for me with water and my first gel. Running through town then for that half way mark was cool cos there was loads of distraction and we were passing everyone that was warming up for the Half. Halfway mark in 1:48:32. I was happy with that as it put me in the sub 4hr category for the full.

Off we went out to west side of the city, the less familiar territory for me. I was feeling fine, just chugging away, had had one or two girls in my sights up to that point and caught them in town so I felt my pace was good and I wasn't slowing too much. I wasn't gone too far beyond the 15mile mark when the fastest half marthoners were trotting along doing their thing. It made it harder to know postion wise how you were doing but at least it kept things interesting. The route out along rossbrien was the hardest as the roads weren't amazing and there was little support as we were well out in the countryside. By mile 17 I was starting to feel it, and not in a good way, but I kept chugging along. Got another gel and water at the 18mile mark and luckily the cuz, and himself were wating for me only a mile later again so that was great as it broke up the hardest part of the route for me. I was pleasantly surprised to see 2:37 at the 30km mark so I knew I was doing respectably enough. By now I was dying to go to the toilet, and didnt get to a portaloo until mile 20. I think this is when HM made up her distance on me, and the 3:45 balloon passed me. Was glad actually to miss it passing me, otherwise Id probably have got disheartened.

I passed friends walking into town for the 10km and that spurred me on again, plus himself was there again at mile 21 for me (he sure did get around!). We were back in the city again so that was cool - familiar territory, great buzz and the sun was coming out. I loved the last 6 miles of it. It was like a victory lap, just soaking up the amazing atmosphere, knowing I was enjoying it, irrespective of time. Contrary to what some thought, I liked having the leading people passing me out at the other side of the ennis road, it was great to be able watch them running, it added to the atmosphere, and I knew in a mile or two I would have the same opportunity. Running passed friends and himself along the ennis road, and then the shelbourne road was fantastic, hard to put in to words really. I didnt mind the stretch, hills or turns on any of this part, partly cos I was on a high, and partly because of alot of runs up the golf links road in castletroy!

The run back in over the bridge was fabulous, and the turn then on to o'connell street was class. I saw my time, as the clock turned to 3:46:00 and I just started beaming. I enjoyed that run to the finish line so much, don't think there was anyone between me and the line so it was class. Was home in 3:46:19, 13th girl home, thrilled to say the least. Still re-living sunday morning and will be for a while I think.

I know that there is definitely room for improvement with my time, but saying that I dont know if I will have the opportunity to run another marathon where I had so much support on the route, and himself cycling the entire route to keep me hydrated and motivated!

As someone who ran the marathon, I have very few complaints about the day itself. I will try to list here the postives and negatives.

Postives:

• Unbelievable atmosphere and start.
• Excellent to have the pacers. Even though I didn't use them I could hear them chatting and supporting their crews along the way.
• Mile markers were always very clear.
• The route was very good, very varied and it showed limerick in a great light.
• Brilliant support from the marshalls, especially in around King John's castle.
• The finish line location. Turning the corner onto o'connell street, seeing the clock and finish line was brilliant. Lovely then to be able walk back along the route to cheer people home.

Negatives:

• Webstite really was not good enough. But for this forum here I think we would have been alot more in the dark.
• Surely the results should be up by now? We shouldn't have to go out to buy the paper to see where we finished.
• Appalling that there was no map that could be easily printed off. The b.f. had to take photos of it on his phone, at the expo and work off that.
• Race pack was probably the poorest I've ever got. I did the plassey 10km the week previous, for €15, with some proceeds going to TWO charities and this race pack was by far better. Plus the race pack was a plastic bag!! Id prefer to have just had the stuff handed to me.
• Cups cups cups! I know it is a growing trend to have cups rather than bottles at water stations but I just cant see how you are meant to get as much water out of a cup as you do with the bottle.
• Not really the fault of the race, but just some people, I couldnt get over impatient people trying to nudge their cars out through a stream of runners! Could have easily caused an accident.
• They should have recruited volunteers earlier than the week of the event. You can never have too many.
• Disappointed with the medals/t-shirts. No distinction between what you got whether you did the full, half or "fun-run".
• Just after the Finish line was very congested, no-one moving people along trying to keep it clear. No-one told us race chips were disposable, so I walked around for ages trying to find someone to give it to.

For an event in its infant year it needs to be nurtured, cut a bit of slack, supported and promoted. I for one would recommend this event to anyone, probably for the longer distances though. If we support our local events it can only be a win-win situation for everyone.

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi Jim, the problem with the balloons was mostly (entirely!) my fault, if you're referring to the two floppy black meager things I had to carry around. I didn't tie my proper helium filled balloons properly, so before the race started, they floated away in the distance. So in a last minute gasp effort to try to restore some of my lost dignity I grabbed a couple of the spin 103.8 girls balloons (that sounds very rude!), which, while better than nothing, were not filled with helium and so didn't float and had to be carried.

Glad you got a great time, and it was great running with you during the race. Pity we didn't get to stop into your mother's house for some tea and biscuits as we passed it this year, but there's always 2011!

Ah Krusty, this happened before :-)
One area that the Race Director delegated to someone else was the Pacers. Look at the great job done there.
Well done the Pacers.

Hard Worker wrote: »

Ah Krusty, this happened before :-)
One area that the Race Director delegated to someone else was the Pacers. Look at the great job done there.
Well done the Pacers.

Ah, but that was a completely different scenario (it wasn't me. ). Seriously, the race organizers should at a minimum be providing an official balloon string knot tie-person. Until they do, I think we should all boycott all races. How they think they can delegate this most important of responsibilities to any ol' eejit, I just don't know.