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Rotterdam Marathon - 7th April 2019

  • 28-09-2018 3:26pm
    #1
    Cartman78
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,714 ✭✭✭


    Registration opened for this yesterday - it doesn't seem to sell out until February/March usually so plenty of time to decide.


    Would be interested to hear some travel & accommodation tips from anyone who's done it before.


    I haven't done a marathon since 2012; starting to slowly build a base now so if everything goes to plan I should be in good shape by the spring :pac:




    Website



    2018 Thread


    2017 Thread


«13

Comments

  • #2
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    Travel was no problem - flight to Amsterdam
    train to Rotterdam from the airport took about an hour
    maybe 20 minute walk from train station to expo

    Accommodation I used AirBnB
    Public transport around the city is very good, so you don't need to stay near the start/finish area


  • #3
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    https://www.citizenm.com/destinations/rotterdam/rotterdam-hotel

    Stayed here in 2016 when ran it, about 1km from start line. We flew Friday, back Monday flights were very reasonable, can’t remember exact figure we paid. Great marathon on pancake flat route with super support. Plenty of Irish always run it.


  • #4
    martyboy48
    Registered Users Posts: 2,140 ✭✭✭martyboy48


    It's a good one. As previously posted, fly into Amsterdam and get the train to rotterdam from there. Public transport is excellent so you have plenty of options accommodation wise as you can stay a bit away from start area if you wish. I stayed in a hotel for my trip and it wasn't expensive, I paid €300 for four nights. I forgot how much the flights were though....

    I'm starting to see Facebook posts about it now that registration has opened and I'm doing my best to resist!!!! I'll probably be going back to limerick I think, as I'm trying gather some money for my new car fund..... Trying to resist!!!!!

    Edited to add I stayed in the Art Hotel. Metro stop right outside. Start area about 7-8 stops away.... Grand.....


  • #5
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    The race itself is very good - what I saw of it anyway :pac:

    One corner in the first km that was a bit cramped (not stop in your tracks cramped, but slow you down a bit), but lots of wide roads in the early miles. Big water stations, giving out both water and sponges. Water in cups, but with the sponge in them to make them easy to drink from. Lots of support on the way. Very flat.


  • #6
    Cartman78
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,714 ✭✭✭Cartman78


    Limerick would be the logical choice for me too as I live about 15 mins drive from the start line :-)

    Hoping to be in shape for a sub-3 hour effort....a long long way to go but happy with where I'm at right now. Avoiding illness will be the key....the last couple of winters have been disastrous on that front.


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  • #7
    Slow_Runner
    Registered Users Posts: 601 ✭✭✭Slow_Runner


    Great race, only congestion I recall was the 1st water stop (i just went around thw crowd and picked up water at the end table ) and the stretch along the canal can be tight but nothing major, heat can be a big factor and was in the 20s when I ran it.
    As others have said public transport is excellent, we stayed in Delpht which is about 20 minutes away on the train - beautiful town which I'd describe as the romantic vision we all have of Amsterdam with quite canals.
    Will definitely come back to this one.


  • #8
    Dub13
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,254 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dub13


    Thinking of doing this myself as looking for a spring marathon.


  • #9
    Cartman78
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,714 ✭✭✭Cartman78


    Well I haven't signed up yet but I've just bought a gel belt online so edging ever closer to committing to actually doing it :D


    Training going pretty ok at the moment - still slowly building a base and mainly trying to avoid injury and illness.


    I've got a half-marathon coming up on December 2nd in Corbally (Limerick) - I've never really targeted a half properly and never ran well in one so hoping to set a PB (<1:34) and get down as near as possible to 1:30.


  • #10
    Unthought Known
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 854 ✭✭✭Unthought Known


    Edging towards this myself rather than Manchester. Booked the Art hotel last night for a couple of nights and flights look really cheap. Am I reading the FAQ's correctly? Do I need to book the bag drop for €1.50 or is that charge just for changing rooms?
    Pasta party sounds interesting.

    More important, looks like I'll be travelling alone so do people generally hang around in Rotterdam for a few pints on the Sunday?


  • #11
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Unthought Known wrote: »
    More important, looks like I'll be travelling alone so do people generally hang around in Rotterdam for a few pints on the Sunday?

    http://www.paddymurphys.nl/

    Spot of choice most years for Boardsies/Irish.


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  • #12
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    Unthought Known wrote: »
    Am I reading the FAQ's correctly? Do I need to book the bag drop for €1.50 or is that charge just for changing rooms?

    The FAQ is not clear, but last year the extra charge was for the changing rooms only.

    The bag drop was the only poor element of the race last year. They had a series of bays for bags 1-500, 501-1000 etc, same as Dublin, but they only went up to 10,000 while the race numbers went up to 15,000, so loads of bags were thrown into the last bay, weren't sorted, and it took ages to find them afterwards.


  • #13
    AuldManKing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,236 ✭✭✭AuldManKing


    Unthought Known wrote: »
    Edging towards this myself rather than Manchester. Booked the Art hotel last night for a couple of nights and flights look really cheap. Am I reading the FAQ's correctly? Do I need to book the bag drop for €1.50 or is that charge just for changing rooms?
    Pasta party sounds interesting.

    More important, looks like I'll be travelling alone so do people generally hang around in Rotterdam for a few pints on the Sunday?


    Why R'dam & not M'Chester??


  • #14
    Unthought Known
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 854 ✭✭✭Unthought Known


    AuldManKing wrote: »
    Why R'dam & not M'Chester??

    Only because I ran Manchester this year so thought I might try something different. I'm not 100% sure yet though, I did enjoy it and it's not every day you get to run through Karl Pilkington's home town!


  • #15
    AuldManKing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,236 ✭✭✭AuldManKing


    Just signed up for Rotterdam myself. Race, flights & hotel booked.


  • #16
    healy1835
    Registered Users Posts: 2,191 ✭✭✭healy1835


    RayCun wrote: »
    The FAQ is not clear, but last year the extra charge was for the changing rooms only.

    The bag drop was the only poor element of the race last year. They had a series of bays for bags 1-500, 501-1000 etc, same as Dublin, but they only went up to 10,000 while the race numbers went up to 15,000, so loads of bags were thrown into the last bay, weren't sorted, and it took ages to find them afterwards.

    Yeah my mate got stung there. We never found out if we just couldn't find the bay in question or it just stopped at 10000! He just ended up asking to put his bag in with mine and they were ok with that.


  • #17
    healy1835
    Registered Users Posts: 2,191 ✭✭✭healy1835


    https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/rotterdam/parkhotel-rotterdam/

    Stayed here, excellent hotel. Couldn't ask for a whole lot more, 1k from bag drop, great breakfast, close to supermarket and some nice bars :)


  • #18
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    healy1835 wrote: »
    Yeah my mate got stung there. We never found out if we just couldn't find the bay in question or it just stopped at 10000! He just ended up asking to put his bag in with mine and they were ok with that.

    It just stopped there, it was crazy.

    I should have put my bag in one of the earlier bays, that last one was a mess at the end, I hate to think what it was like when the 4 hour gang came through


  • #19
    Derco
    Registered Users Posts: 194 ✭✭Derco


    Thinking of giving this one a go this year although that bag drop does sound like a fiasco. Would it be worth just finding accomodation near the start area and just walk to and from?


  • #20
    Mr Jinx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 434 ✭✭Mr Jinx


    Derco wrote: »
    Thinking of giving this one a go this year although that bag drop does sound like a fiasco. Would it be worth just finding accomodation near the start area and just walk to and from?

    Done Rotterdam twice, small enough city. most hotels within 10 mins walk of the start/finish


  • #21
    RayCun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,704 ✭✭✭✭RayCun


    Derco wrote: »
    Thinking of giving this one a go this year although that bag drop does sound like a fiasco. Would it be worth just finding accomodation near the start area and just walk to and from?

    The bag drop was the only thing about the event that didn't run like clockwork, so it will probably be better next year.


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  • #22
    djemba djemba
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭djemba djemba


    Has anyone done the quarter marathon over there. A friend of mine is running the full. I will be over there for the weekend as support so would be nice to get some running in myself.


  • #23
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    Sod it. I'm in. 3rd time lucky here.
    If I die of something it may as well be optimism


  • #24
    AuldManKing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,236 ✭✭✭AuldManKing


    Bumping this up.

    Who's doing Rotterdam this year?


  • #25
    Cartman78
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,714 ✭✭✭Cartman78


    Not me anyway :-)

    The curse of the thread starter strikes yet again.

    Haven't been able to get a consistent few weeks of training together so will have to give it a miss


  • #26
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    Things are going pretty well.
    I had a couple of monster weeks (for me) that set me back a bit cos I was doing more than my limit.
    Back to reality now and not targeting a specific time, just want to have a decent race. The last two efforts were not happy experiences


  • #27
    dublin runner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    I'm back in. Chasing fitness but currently on the upward curve, hoping to kick on from here on in. No races planned - every weekend very busy.

    This build-up has been very different. Starting, tentatively, in looking forward to April. Always great to see how races and events should be organised, with a city given over to running for the weekend.

    P.s The first person to mention we@ther is getting an old-fashioned blocking!


  • #28
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Perfect marathon running weather currently in Holland!!!


  • #29
    dublin runner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭dublin runner


    OOnegative wrote: »
    Perfect marathon running weather currently in Holland!!!

    ......and blocked! Haha


  • #30
    Dub13
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,254 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dub13


    I am booked up and looking forward to it.


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  • #31
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    Less than a month to go,
    How are we all feeling?

    22 miles on Sunday for me and then it's taper hell


  • #32
    AuldManKing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,236 ✭✭✭AuldManKing


    24 last Sunday (3WU/4x1m tempo / 10m Easy / 4x1m tempo / 3CD) - went very well.

    Thinking of doing Balbriggan HM on Sunday as a MP run.

    All going well so far - looking fwd to getting it over with.


  • #33
    browne_rob5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭browne_rob5


    AuldManKing wrote: »
    24 last Sunday (3WU/4x1m tempo / 10m Easy / 4x1m tempo / 3CD) - went very well.

    Thinking of doing Balbriggan HM on Sunday as a MP run.

    All going well so far - looking fwd to getting it over with.

    Is it possible to sign up for the Balbriggan half on the morning of the race? Or even sign up now and pick up the number out there.


  • #34
    AuldManKing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,236 ✭✭✭AuldManKing


    browne_rob5 wrote: »
    Is it possible to sign up for the Balbriggan half on the morning of the race? Or even sign up now and pick up the number out there.

    No Idea - I'm hoping that I can pick my number up out there as I signed up too late to have it posted.


  • #35
    browne_rob5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭browne_rob5


    AuldManKing wrote: »


    No Idea - I'm hoping that I can pick my number up out there as I signed up too late to have it posted.

    Cheers I've sent them an email and will let you know if I hear back.


  • #36
    browne_rob5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭browne_rob5


    browne_rob5 wrote: »
    Cheers I've sent them an email and will let you know if I hear back.

    They said you can pick up the number on the morning but to be there early. Think I'll get out there early and do 10k or so easy and run the half marathon at MRP like yourself.


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  • #37
    Dub13
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,254 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dub13


    Doing a 20 mile tomorrow and will be doing the Balbriggan 10km as a recovery run with one of my kids who has to do a 10km as part of some awards program in school.


  • #38
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    Nice. Down with a cold since Thursday. Perfectly timed if I can shift it this week


  • #39
    AuldManKing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,236 ✭✭✭AuldManKing


    How are you guys treating the next 3 weeks or so?


    Mileage for the last few weeks;
    76 (peak)
    67 (Week just gone - inc 2x18 mile sessions)
    61 (4x2m / 17 easy)
    49 (2 easy sessions / 10-13m 'long run')
    Race week


  • #40
    healy1835
    Registered Users Posts: 2,191 ✭✭✭healy1835


    AuldManKing wrote: »
    How are you guys treating the next 3 weeks or so?


    Mileage for the last few weeks;
    76 (peak)
    67 (Week just gone - inc 2x18 mile sessions)
    61 (4x2m / 17 easy)
    49 (2 easy sessions / 10-13m 'long run')
    Race week

    Last year was......
    100k (5 Mile Race + 20x400 session)
    81k (24k midweek + 3x2 Mile)
    Race week.....2mile/2MP/2Mile on the Wed.


  • #41
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    I've been on 50 mile weeks for the last while
    I had peaked at 65 in mid Feb but was knackered for the next week. I swim and bike too so was pushing it too much
    I've also gotten mad busy in work so sneaking off for a midweek tempo session lasting more than an hour is off the table. I've broken the tempos into two sessions, long run Sunday and two days easy trotting
    Apart from last week where I had to drop the long run due to achy flu my taper is
    40 miles this week =
    - 2 x 6 mile tempos as 1easy, 2 x 2 mile tempo, 1 easy
    - 17 miles long with 12 miles M pace
    - Make up the rest on easy runs
    40 miles next week =
    - 11 miles total split over Tuesday/Thursday of alternating tempo and M pace
    - 15 miles long to include 9 miles easy sprinkled with 3 x 2 mile tempos
    - Make up the rest on easy runs
    Race week =
    31 miles pre race starting with 8 easy and dropping down daily to Saturday evening 3 miles

    I'm feeling good though, a bit sniffly still, but the tempo run yesterday was very comfortable


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  • #42
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Weather is starting to shape up nicely for ye at the minute folks here in Holland.


  • #43
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Can't believe no conversation about post race watering hole's yet!!


    www.paddymurphys.nl


    is the popular one with Irish runners, nice place from what i remember of it in 2016!!


    If you like craft beer i cannot recommend this place enough:

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwj80uHvnp3hAhVLbFAKHZzMAJIQFjAAegQIBhAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kaapsebrouwers.nl%2Fen%2Ffrontpage%2F&usg=AOvVaw1TM7Yg8aildvW2s90lNvrW


    excellent beers and really cool place. I had hoped to make it up on the day to cheer but i'll be solo parenting that weekend with the other half away.


  • #44
    Dub13
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,254 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dub13


    I will be in that Irish bar for the Liverpool match on the Friday night, very close to my hotel so handy.


  • #45
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    OOnegative wrote: »
    Can't believe no conversation about post race watering hole's yet!!


    www.paddymurphys.nl


    is the popular one with Irish runners, nice place from what i remember of it in 2016!!

    There are other bars in Rotterdam?


  • #46
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    and still ricky villa wrote: »
    There are other bars in Rotterdam?

    Yip sure are, only saying this was the popular one in 2016 when I ran the marathon.


  • #47
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    OOnegative wrote: »
    Yip sure are, only saying this was the popular one in 2016 when I ran the marathon.

    Sorry, I was being sarky. I forgot pink font doesn't show up if you're reading on a phone

    I was there early in 2017 so missed the session but it was a memorable, freezing cold pint or two before I headed for the airport. Easy to find too and along the end of the route


  • #48
    OOnegative
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭OOnegative


    Any bib numbers or prediction table?

    Weather looks set to be perfect Sunday, one thing I will say, the humidity has picked up in last week here so get fluids in at every drinks table to keep rehydrated.


  • #49
    and still ricky villa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭and still ricky villa


    Name|BIB|PB Time|Predicted Time
    andstillrickyvilla|2305|3:07:41|3:03:00
    |||
    |||
    |||
    |||
    |||

    Only adding this to enter into the fun of the table.
    The cold I laughingly spoke about a few weeks ago has only just started to lift. I was looking good for 3:03 at the beginning of the month but now I'm not so confident. I've been running a bit but not able to test the M pace like I would have liked.
    That said, I'll be happy to stay comfortable regardless of the time. Illness and then injury kind of ruined the last two trips


  • #50
    browne_rob5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭browne_rob5


    and still ricky villa wrote: »
    Name|BIB|PB Time|Predicted Time
    andstillrickyvilla|2305|3:07:41|3:03:00
    |||
    |||
    |||
    |||
    |||

    Only adding this to enter into the fun of the table.
    The cold I laughingly spoke about a few weeks ago has only just started to lift. I was looking good for 3:03 at the beginning of the month but now I'm not so confident. I've been running a bit but not able to test the M pace like I would have liked.
    That said, I'll be happy to stay comfortable regardless of the time. Illness and then injury kind of ruined the last two trips

    Name|BIB|PB Time|Predicted Time
    andstillrickyvilla|2305|3:07:41|3:03:00
    browne_rob5|1428|2:57:13|2:52:30
    |||
    |||
    |||
    |||

    Training has gone very well. Thought I would miss quite a few sessions as we had our first baby 9 weeks ago but have hardly missed anything. I intended on racing bohermeen to get a good indication of where I'm at but wasn't able to so I'm a bit unsure of what time I can achieve. Time above might be a small bit on the optimistic side but I'm going to go for it.


  • #51
    AhhHere
    Registered Users Posts: 363 ✭✭AhhHere


    Best of luck to everyone running on Sunday. Will it be available to watch online does anyone know?


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