Irish Runner Magazine

CCR · 10-12-2019 11:27am

It seems to try to cater for the mass market ( runners world) and the Athletics one (athletic weekly) but does neither well.

HelenAnne · 13-12-2019 4:32pm

I know I'm obviously a bit biased because I've been writing articles for Irish Runner this year, but I actually think there's more to read in it over the last while than there used to be. In 2019, there have been quite a lot of articles that I've genuinely enjoyed reading, rather than just reading them because it's the only coverage of running / runners in the Irish media. For example, I really, really enjoy Cathal Dennehy's articles - he covers elite athletics and interviews national level runners etc, but he really brings their personalities into it and gives an insight into how it feels to run and race at that level. There's a column called 'Diary of a Club Runner' that I really like too, where a runner from a Dublin club writes about training, racing, sessions etc and there's loads I identify with there. I liked the article about Sanctuary Runners too.

Re there being repetitive articles about training / getting started etc, I think that's a hazard for any magazine that's about running and includes coverage of recreational / hobby running -- other magazines I like like Women's Running are the same - every few issues they have a 'getting started / tips for beginners / doing your first 5k' article - but that's because new runners buy magazines so you have to have something for them.

If you're looking for something that's more focused on competitive running, then you could read www.fastrunning.com. I love that - I'm even a Patreon of it because I want them to be able to keep creating content. But I don't think a print magazine containing just the Irish material from Fast Running would be able to stay afloat, it would just be too niche!

I think the Irish Runner team have to try to appeal to athletics fans AND runners who like to run, but have no interest in the Nationals etc.

(& the gear reviewer DOES run! I've seen him in a race with my own eyes!)

rovers_runner · 13-12-2019 9:34pm

HelenAnne wrote: »

I know I'm obviously a bit biased because I've been writing articles for Irish Runner this year, but I actually think there's more to read in it over the last while than there used to be. In 2019, there have been quite a lot of articles that I've genuinely enjoyed reading, rather than just reading them because it's the only coverage of running / runners in the Irish media. For example, I really, really enjoy Cathal Dennehy's articles - he covers elite athletics and interviews national level runners etc, but he really brings their personalities into it and gives an insight into how it feels to run and race at that level. There's a column called 'Diary of a Club Runner' that I really like too, where a runner from a Dublin club writes about training, racing, sessions etc and there's loads I identify with there. I liked the article about Sanctuary Runners too.

Re there being repetitive articles about training / getting started etc, I think that's a hazard for any magazine that's about running and includes coverage of recreational / hobby running -- other magazines I like like Women's Running are the same - every few issues they have a 'getting started / tips for beginners / doing your first 5k' article - but that's because new runners buy magazines so you have to have something for them.

If you're looking for something that's more focused on competitive running, then you could read www.fastrunning.com. I love that - I'm even a Patreon of it because I want them to be able to keep creating content. But I don't think a print magazine containing just the Irish material from Fast Running would be able to stay afloat, it would just be too niche!

I think the Irish Runner team have to try to appeal to athletics fans AND runners who like to run, but have no interest in the Nationals etc.

(& the gear reviewer DOES run! I've seen him in a race with my own eyes!)

I do appreciate the detailed reply, I have read a number of the books you mentioned, and hope to cover some more. Good detail in your article.

I think if the editors went for a 70/30 split even in favour of elite features and scientific articles (rather than cut & paste) on form/diet/recovery/nutrition then it would be an improvement.
It reads mostly like one of those horrific mens/women's health lifestyle magazines in places at the moment.
They could still provide a section to appeal to new people to the sport.

Aside, your resident gear reviewer strikes me as a procrastinator who enjoys the attention rather than someone who's word you'd go on when choosing gear.
Suppose it was a decision by the editors to appeal to that demographic.

Sussex18 · 14-12-2019 6:42pm

I do quite like it. There's a degree of repetition, especially around stretches, in all the main running magazines. But it's amazing how even as a long tíme runner, there's always the potential to learn something new even now. I'd say about 80% of runners out there are not 'very serious' and and well I'd like to see it more than once every 2 months. But again could Ireland support a monthly magazine? Does enough happen here? Probably not&#55357;&#56898;

HelenAnne · 15-12-2019 2:30pm

rovers_runner wrote: »

I do appreciate the detailed reply, I have read a number of the books you mentioned, and hope to cover some more. Good detail in your article.

I think if the editors went for a 70/30 split even in favour of elite features and scientific articles (rather than cut & paste) on form/diet/recovery/nutrition then it would be an improvement.
It reads mostly like one of those horrific mens/women's health lifestyle magazines in places at the moment.
They could still provide a section to appeal to new people to the sport.

Aside, your resident gear reviewer strikes me as a procrastinator who enjoys the attention rather than someone who's word you'd go on when choosing gear.
Suppose it was a decision by the editors to appeal to that demographic.

Glad you enjoyed the books article - I really enjoyed writing it. It's actually a real benefit of something being slightly niche (a running mag) that I got to write about all my faves, rather than just new ones. A few of my friends are journalists for national newspapers and at Christmas their reviews and features would really have to feature new books - they couldn't just choose random favourites.

I just try to think of things I might like to read about (as I presume I'm quite like other runners) and I suggest them as articles. I think my favourite ones to research and write last year were the ones about journalling, women and mountain/hill/ultra running and the women's mini marathon.

Anyway, back to your suggestions, I think more features on elite runners, and maybe exciting race reports on elite and sub elite (like the ones Blaithin Shiel wrote recently for Fast Running, about the euro XC) would be great. If you had time, you could email in suggestions? The new editor is really open to reader input (I'm just a freelancer, like most of the staff, so I didn't really have any idea of the reasons for including things etc).

Also, I find (like everything in life!) that there's always someone who likes the opposite to me - for example, in Irish Runner (& all running mags!) I'd leave out all the fixtures lists and all the 'training for 10k / marathon' plans. I just look that stuff up online. But I know loads of other people who love that stuff and who would cut all the 'interesting sidelight on running' stuff I like! So it's so hard to know!

glacial_pace71 · 16-12-2019 11:38pm

I'd imagine it's quite difficult to get the balance between the various competing demands, e.g. for nutrition, training plans etc it's so easy for anyone to Google and obtain free content in the English language.

On the other hand if each edition is overloaded with local content (e.g. race fixtures etc) then can be out of date as soon as it hits the printers.

On a similar note, local media feeds - even Athletics Ireland's own Twitter feed ...
https://twitter.com/irishathletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor ... carry links to interviews with athletes and other items of Irish interest.

That's not to say that a good analysis of the outcome of the cross country wouldn't be better than some breathless post-race interviews with athletes. However, for the casual runner they're not going to be interested in a deep-dive into the challenges and issues that Irish athletics is facing.

By way of comparison, when it comes to news, RTÉ and other Irish media channels copped on to the 'weather warning' alert as a cheap way of obtaining local interest: not quite click-bait on the lines of "Ireland to be the new Atlantis ... falling into sea ..." but not far off in terms of generating traffic. The Irish Runner doesn't have any comparable means of covering national content as news. Hmm, some cheap headlines re Sports Grants? Not even of interest to elite Irish athletes.

I'll probably get around to buying Frank Greally's biography for Christmas but alas I fear for the long-term viability of an Irish running magazine.

rovers_runner · 08-04-2020 9:26am

Has IrishRunner finally jumped the shark?
Publishing a filler edition for the sake of it with nothing of note.
They seem to have tried to copy runnersworld again with the mental health aka "Bressie" angle.

- RTE operation covid nation presenter - makeyuppy wellness article - CHECK
- Joe Soap motivation article - CHECK
- Joe Soap I brought some gym equipment for the house article - CHECK
- Gear reviewer who doesn't run passes the buck completely - CHECK
- Rehashed circuit training article with new pictures - CHECK
- News page items copied and pasted from a tabloid/runnersworld article - CHECK

https://twitter.com/IrishRunnerMag/status/1247492677135933440

https://twitter.com/IrishRunnerMag/status/1247523395983405056

OutTheGap · 08-04-2020 10:23am

I'd say the "Fixtures - Full update" feature will be fairly short!

rovers_runner · 19-09-2021 3:12pm

Is this still in circulation?

Or have the done the decent thing and stopped sending that tubby lad who doesn't run shoes to review.

OOnegative · 19-09-2021 11:50pm

No it’s still on the go, just isn’t available to Dickheads.

rovers_runner · 20-09-2021 7:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117913445#Comment_117913445

Good one, be sure to enjoy those uplifting articles by rte newsreaders or slightly less obese than before obese people.

Bananaleaf · 06-10-2021 11:29pm

Is this magazine still going? I have a subscription, but it has been a while since I got an issue.

Emailed them but no response, facebook messaged them but got an auto reply saying that they don't check FB that often and to call AI

They gone?

rovers_runner · 07-10-2021 10:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117986311#Comment_117986311

They are indeed, not before time.

Terrible effort in the last few years, not least torturing a tubby lad by having him review ten pairs of shoes a month when he didn't even run ten miles.

It's a microcosm of Athletics Ireland and has involved many of those cretins over the years.

IFP are some chancers in not returning subscriptions paid.

pc11 · 08-10-2021 11:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117990667#Comment_117990667

You seem like a truly miserable person. What happened?

rovers_runner · 09-10-2021 9:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117995819#Comment_117995819

If you don't know the background with what happened to this publication don't bother replying.

It's widely available so even you might be able to read up on it.

pc11 · 09-10-2021 10:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996602#Comment_117996602

Wow. Talk about a whoosh!

I was asking what happened in your life to make you so miserable and unbearable.

(it's a rhetorical question, I don't actually care what happened to you. I just wish you'd take your misery elsewhere.)

rovers_runner · 09-10-2021 10:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999149#Comment_117999149

I'm just fine thanks, just making a point about something. Nothing I said is off the mark, which seems to have hit a nerve with you, so no doubt you have some skin in the game.

If you've been a paying customer of something over a period does it not entitle you to an opinion?

pc11 · 10-10-2021 10:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117999180#Comment_117999180

I can assure you I was a paying customer of Irish Runner a long long time before you.

Bananaleaf · 11-10-2021 9:31pm

I'm trying really hard to give them the benefit of the doubt but seriously .... contacted IFP and sure enough, they are no longer associated with the magazine and have "handed over the subscriber database to Athletics Ireland" I contacted AI and no response. Even left a message on their answer machine but nothing. I am either one of a very small number of subscribers or I am just not as patient as the rest of ye all, because there seems to be nobody on any of their associated online platforms wondering what has happened to their issues

Murph_D · 11-10-2021 9:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117913674#Comment_117913674

I’d imagine it’s a small subscriber base alright. Whatever the quality of the magazine, the print model is dead, for all media. I don’t see Irish Runner (or AI) having the expertise or resources to turn it into a successful online operation. I’d cut the losses and forget about it.

rovers_runner · 11-10-2021 9:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006625#Comment_118006625

Haha, fuckin chancers.

They milked it for every last cent they could get. Once it was a dead duck they hand it back to AI who wanted rid in the first place.

They even went to Elverys with the begging bowl near the end for gear to review.

Bananaleaf · 11-10-2021 11:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006655#Comment_118006655

Am disappointed because I genuinely liked getting the magazine in the door. Not about the money for me. Sad but true, print media is dead 😥

MY BAD · 16-10-2021 1:25pm

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4729634767067321&id=130916746939169&m_entstream_source=timeline

Athletics Ireland

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4729634767067321&id=130916746939169&m_entstream_source=timeline

rovers_runner · 16-10-2021 2:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118028170#Comment_118028170

Haha, a move to online platform with a digital sub it is.

Who's going to pay for online articles they can read a hundred other places for free?

Bananaleaf · 28-10-2021 12:08pm

I got an email from them today:

Dear Irish Runner Magazine Subscriber,

We are delighted to announce that Irish Runner, the official magazine of Athletics Ireland, will later this afternoon announce a new publishing partnership with specialist content producers, Record Media heralding a new era for the title as it celebrates its 40th birthday.

As part of the re-launch, Irish Runner will be distributed free with the Business Post newspaper on a quarterly basis beginning in January 2022. The Irish Runner website and social media channels will also receive a revamp to host free-to-view content for all.

Irish Runner would like to thank our loyal readers who have supported the magazine over the last 40 years and we look forward providing you with more great content over the coming months.

Please note we are in the process of refunding subscribers that have outstanding subscriptions.

We greatly appreciate your patience and support look forward to seeing your feedback as we welcome this new era for Irish Runner.

Thank you

- The Irish Runner Magazine Team

Very sad to see the magazine go, but I understand why. In fairness, I think what they have come up with in that email above has something for everyone, I'm delighted that there will still be a quarterly pull-out that I can have in my hand and leaf through with a coffee.

Fair play to them

Irish Runner Magazine

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