Run in the Dark Dublin 2018

denachoman · 07-11-2018 2:51pm #1

<mod edit>
Run in the Dark Dublin 2018

Enjoy.

BowSideChamp · 08-11-2018 12:27am

A run for a good cause but my God don't organise a run that puts the 10k runners into the back of 5k walkers ;( Was going for sub 40min and basically came to a standstill at the Point Depot

Paddy1234 · 08-11-2018 12:58am

Good cause but complete shambles. How can you have 10k runners joining 5k walkers. It was dangerous trying to weave around the 5k runners. I felt sorry for the 5k runners as they had no idea that the 10k was joining them and I saw a few of them nearly floored.

jasonb · 08-11-2018 1:15am

Yep, have to agree, from 7km onwards it was a nightmare, trying to avoid lots of slower walkers. To be fair, they probably didn’t like all the runners weaving around them either. So not fair on either type of entrants at all. I was running out of steam a bit anyhow but my time was definitely affected and I was close enough to my target to know I could have got it with a bit more space.

Ah well, it’s a good cause, and an interesting run due to its time and location, but just far too many entrants and they’ve never properly managed the ‘5k and 10k on the same route’ thing in any year I’ve done it. I remember one year either the 5k or 10k marker was a few hundred meters before the finish line!

Probably won’t do it again, it’s just too busy.

BowSideChamp · 08-11-2018 1:24am

jasonb wrote: »

Probably won’t do it again, it’s just too busy.

Yes I won't do it again. Very twisty course and the organization is a mess. The start even was chaotic.

monkey9 · 08-11-2018 1:39am

I actually really loved the course and enjoyed the run overall, but I agree with catching up with the walkers at the 3Arena. It got very messy and it was stop start as well as at other points in the race.
I will do it again but they’d need to keep the runners and walkers separate.

Duanington · 08-11-2018 1:50am

Shambles to be honest, I was very glad not to be racing that one, I felt sorry for anyone that was racing but also for the walkers that were getting shoved out of the way from 4 miles on, it wasn't their fault it was organised so badly

I'd organised a group from work to do it but won't be back next year

CassieManson · 08-11-2018 9:22am

Did anyone else get an official time that was completely wrong? Mine was about 15mins out for my 5k

CassieManson · 08-11-2018 9:25am

BowSideChamp wrote:

Yes I won't do it again. Very twisty course and the organization is a mess. The start even was chaotic.

Yes the start was confusing. We were told to go to zones 4 and 5 but I couldn't see any zone markings. Also only spotted one km marker at 8k

jasonb · 08-11-2018 9:35am

The time the texted me was about 3 seconds quicker than my watch, so I’ll take that! &#55357;&#56832;

I did see most of the KM markers, but they were quite small (and small enough font too) so very easy to miss.

I didn’t see any zone markers at all, I just joined near the front as I knew that was my zone. I did that by climbing over the barrier, like lots of other people were doing.

When it comes down to it, I think the biggest issue is numbers. They need to reduce the number of entrants, there are too many, so the start is basically a big mess, and in sections the course is quite tight with a lot of people going through small junctions/corners.

Burkie1203 · 08-11-2018 10:23am

jasonb wrote: »

When it comes down to it, I think the biggest issue is numbers. They need to reduce the number of entrants, there are too many, so the start is basically a big mess, and in sections the course is quite tight with a lot of people going through small junctions/corners.

The numbers aren't the issue. The run needs to start about 1km away from the CHQ and head out the same route as last night. And people need to stay on the road and stop cutting onto footpaths and then dash out in front of people who stayed on the road. There is as much an issue with participants being irresponsible too. This happened at the first corner. People starting wide right starting veering right over to squeeze on the left instead of just following the space in front of them. I started right at the front and ran it in 48.30.

By utilising the quays properly they can avoid the mess around the point last night by not having to send the 10k run up and back.

average_runner · 08-11-2018 12:14pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

The numbers aren't the issue. The run needs to start about 1km away from the CHQ and head out the same route as last night. And people need to stay on the road and stop cutting onto footpaths and then dash out in front of people who stayed on the road. There is as much an issue with participants being irresponsible too. This happened at the first corner. People starting wide right starting veering right over to squeeze on the left instead of just following the space in front of them. I started right at the front and ran it in 48.30.

By utilising the quays properly they can avoid the mess around the point last night by not having to send the 10k run up and back.

Its ongoing for the last 5 years and they never bothered to resolve any of the issues. Its all about the money for the charity but nothing for the safety of the runners. Even their responses last year was we are a charity not a race organiser!!

Murph_D · 08-11-2018 3:27pm

Ah yes, the annual RITD fiasco! But the Trust’s coffers have been filled and all will have been forgotten by next year, most likely. Not an event I’ll ever support.

CassieManson · 08-11-2018 3:35pm

CassieManson wrote: »

Did anyone else get an official time that was completely wrong? Mine was about 15mins out for my 5k

The results are now up on Sportsplits and are correct.

mloc123 · 11-11-2018 3:12pm

It is at least 4 years since I last ran this (the year in Trinity was just bad run, it was dangerous). Good to see they take feedback on board and have improved it since..... :O

mugsymugsy · 11-11-2018 3:17pm

This event along with Grant Thornton 5k run in town simply don't work. They try to cram too many people on tight twisty roads and have to then get roads re-opened asap after.

The concept / idea is fantastic the execution is abysmal.

Simmer down · 08-11-2019 8:36am

I was gonna ask if anyone had an entry that they were selling for this year as I kinda wanted to do this run next Wednesday night, something different, and I'm on the waiting list.
After reading the above about previous years though, Im glad I left it too late to book!
I can't be dealing with bad organisation when so many people are involved, at night time in a city centre.

average_runner · 08-11-2019 10:02am

mugsymugsy wrote: »

This event along with Grant Thornton 5k run in town simply don't work. They try to cram too many people on tight twisty roads and have to then get roads re-opened asap after.

The concept / idea is fantastic the execution is abysmal.

Grant Thornton is a well run race, same as the docklands 5k.
Its the runners that are the problem, running in the wrong wave. If you can't run the wave time, then don't go into that wave

Run in the Dark has a bad history over the last few years, ie late starts etc, but over the last 2 years they have gotten it right. The new set up looks good for this year, seperate starts for 10k and 5k. Hopefully it will run smoothly, but it also depends on the runners.

mloc123 · 08-11-2019 4:47pm

This race is the biggest smash and grab every year... with the money going to "charity"

Paddy1234 · 09-11-2019 11:00pm

average_runner wrote: »

Grant Thornton is a well run race, same as the docklands 5k.
Its the runners that are the problem, running in the wrong wave. If you can't run the wave time, then don't go into that wave

Run in the Dark has a bad history over the last few years, ie late starts etc, but over the last 2 years they have gotten it right. The new set up looks good for this year, seperate starts for 10k and 5k. Hopefully it will run smoothly, but it also depends on the runners.

They definitely didn’t get it right last year - a complete shambles. 10k runners joining 5k walkers was a complete joke. I’ve done it twice - I gave them a second chance. They won’t be getting a third.

elliot895 · 10-11-2019 8:14am

If anyone has a spare pack or is not using their own pack PM me as I’d be interested in buying it

average_runner · 11-11-2019 5:57pm

Paddy1234 wrote: »

They definitely didn’t get it right last year - a complete shambles. 10k runners joining 5k walkers was a complete joke. I’ve done it twice - I gave them a second chance. They won’t be getting a third.

Never did the 10k, so wouldn't of seen that.

nullObjects · 12-11-2019 9:03am

mloc123 wrote: »

This race is the biggest smash and grab every year... with the money going to "charity"

Why did you put charity in quotes?
I ask because I've signed up to do the race and keep getting emails from them to set up a fundraising page.

mloc123 · 12-11-2019 10:03am

nullObjects wrote: »

Why did you put charity in quotes?
I ask because I've signed up to do the race and keep getting emails from them to set up a fundraising page.

"Please note that the Mark Pollock Trust is established as a discretionary trust and is not a registered charity. Organisations which are established to provide support to a single individual are not eligible for charitable status in Ireland"

DubOnHoliday · 12-11-2019 10:57am

nullObjects wrote: »

Why did you put charity in quotes?
I ask because I've signed up to do the race and keep getting emails from them to set up a fundraising page.

Write to them and ask them to stop contacting you, thats what I had to do.

delta_bravo · 14-11-2019 12:40am

Did it tonight. 5k started 40 minutes late. No idea why. Standing in the rain and cold wasn't ideal. Ridiculously narrow pinch point at the point as the 10k runners came over the east link.

However the participants also didn't help with walkers going four abreast or people just stopping dead in the middle of the road mid jog. On the other end you had people trying to run through the pinch point and also try sprint finishes at a heavily congested finish line.

Would not do it again. Felt a bit unsafe at times

Naked Lepper · 14-11-2019 1:06am

I agree with you 100%
Will never do run in the dark again (did 2016, 2017 and now this year)

Did the 10k, standing around for 30min waiting - they said it was due to cars blocking the route and Gardai trying to move them. No excuse, especially after putting this event on so many years.

The waves had a big mix of abilities, people walking in wave 1 after around 5km etc. The worst bit was when the 10k joined back into the 5k after east link bridge. Loads of auld ones walking along in 3-4 abreast as mentioned above. yapping away not giving a **** (lol). I even saw women with their full families, legions of kids wandering along with the auld ones in their yellow t shirts and flashing arm bands,

trying to weave through them all was like doing an assault course or something. I actually thought I was on irelands fittest family for a second. very dangerous with all the obstacles along the route etc.

oh and everyone stopped after crossing finish line so it stopped people from crossing, had to basically wait in a queue to cross the finish line ..

not an event for runners I guess, they should change it to a 5k walk

Naked Lepper · 14-11-2019 1:14am

(no offence to any auld ones reading this btw, it is what it is and I accept that)

CassieManson · 14-11-2019 9:11am

Did anyone get a text with their results? Online results seem to be based on gun time not chip time.

CassieManson · 14-11-2019 9:13am

The race was a shambles last night. Having to wait so long at the start area in the cold was awful. 5k runners forced to walk at one stage when the 10k was joining back to the route. Really frustrating!

elliot895 · 14-11-2019 9:20am

CassieManson wrote: »

Did anyone get a text with their results? Online results seem to be based on gun time not chip time.

That’s really annoying! I can’t see anything on the website detailing the 2019 results, could you share the link?

nullObjects · 14-11-2019 9:30am

CassieManson wrote: »

Did anyone get a text with their results? Online results seem to be based on gun time not chip time.

I don't see the 2019 times, is this the right link?
https://www.runinthedark.org/results-dublin/

The time on the clock when I finished was a good 3 minutes ahead of my time on Strava so I'm not sure what they did there

CassieManson · 14-11-2019 9:46am

Sportsplits.com

CassieManson · 14-11-2019 9:48am

CassieManson wrote:

Sportsplits.com

Sorry can't seem to share the link from my phone

passinginterest · 14-11-2019 9:56am

Sadly organisation was poor again. Seemed to be some improvement of the bag drop (although didn’t use it) and start area. Not nearly enough direction to get people into the correct waves though. The delay was shocking. Not a lot they could do about it if it was a Garda decision but it added a lot of frustration. The course was slightly better than last year and the merge into the 5k walkers wasn't quite as bad (although seems to have been worse for anyone doing the 5k). Finish was bedlam, again very little direction, water along one side, random people handing out medals, apparently there was protein bars somewhere, one of our group got a few and I though I'd seen bananas somewhere before hand but couldn't see anything after and didn't bother trying to fight thought the chaos. There was a decent goody bag last year, must have been replaced by the medal this year. There was 35 from our place signed up to run and we won't be doing it again next year either.

nullObjects · 14-11-2019 10:17am

CassieManson wrote: »

Sorry can't seem to share the link from my phone

Obliged, thanks!

Dublin:
https://www.sportsplits.com/races/run-the-dark-dublin-2019/

Cork:
https://www.sportsplits.com/races/run-in-the-dark-cork-2019

Naked Lepper · 14-11-2019 10:21am

CassieManson wrote: »

Did anyone get a text with their results? Online results seem to be based on gun time not chip time.

hey can u send link to results pls? I cant seem to find them

w/s/p/c/ · 14-11-2019 10:26am

Starting to enjoy getting fit and participating in some 5k runs over the last few months, so I thought I would give this a go.

The organisation of the event was really disappointing. Standing in the cold and rain for 45 mins before starting, still feeling the cold this morning! Surely they faced issues with traffic etc before and have a plan how to get over this.

Was making good time on my 5k until I got to the point where I was forced to walk due to the merging of the 10k coming across the east link bridge, not the 10k participants fault, the organisers should have known there would be a jam here.

As mentioned by other posters the waves of participants were all off. There were walkers ahead of me, they should be forced to start at the back. Great experience running around town, will have a think about next year, hopefully the complaints are taken on board and they can fix.

Naked Lepper · 14-11-2019 10:39am

passinginterest wrote: »

Sadly organisation was poor again. Seemed to be some improvement of the bag drop (although didn’t use it).

cant say I agree as my bag of dry clean clothes were absolutely soaked after. I should have wrapped in plastic bag inside my backpack to be fair but the bag was dry when I handed it into the gazebo but there must have been a river running through the gazebo on the ground as when I went to get changed after they were all soaked. so annoying but again my own fault for expecting the bag drop to be somewhere not exposed to the torrential rain

purelike · 14-11-2019 11:07am

I entered the 5k race. They didn't send me my tshirt in the post as they were meant to. Bag drop was good. Was at start line at 8pm for a start at 8:15pm. Wet baltic weather. The race was delayed but there was no communication with us on it. Some time after 8:35pm, after plenty of standing in the cold rain with no sign of us starting, I left.

mloc123 · 14-11-2019 11:39am

mloc123 wrote: »

This race is the biggest smash and grab every year... with the money going to "charity"

came back this morning to read the feedback from this years shambles

Kissy Lips · 14-11-2019 11:58am

I did this race in 2017. It was the worst organised race I have ever done. Swore I would never do it again. Popping in to read this year's thread and I see nothing has changed, a shambles.

DrumSteve · 14-11-2019 12:36pm

First time I did this one.

Probably the last time too.

Was in with the 5k, had us doing warm ups then left us for about another 20 minutes after to wait in the cold and rain.

Very badly organised.

jasonb · 14-11-2019 12:44pm

w/s/p/c/ wrote: »

Great experience running around town, will have a think about next year, hopefully the complaints are taken on board and they can fix.

Not to be overly pessimistic, but considering these are the exact same issues I experienced last year when I did it, and some of the issues I've seen in previous years too, I doubt they'll change anything. I didn't do it this year becuase of how bad last year was, and judging from the comments here, I'm glad I didn't. It is interesting running in the city at night, but it's not worth all this hassle...

yaboya1 · 14-11-2019 2:02pm

Don't think I've ever heard anyone give this event a good review. Not seeing any here either.
Why do people keep doing it? It's not cheap either.

delta_bravo · 14-11-2019 2:47pm

yaboya1 wrote: »

Don't think I've ever heard anyone give this event a good review. Not seeing any here either.
Why do people keep doing it? It's not cheap either.

Many cases, their employer pays for entry I think. Its a pretty corporate event

Theboinkmaster · 14-11-2019 2:49pm

Did it last night for first time - never again.

Utter shambles of an operation, same problems as mentioned here already.

circos · 14-11-2019 4:04pm

The distance seemed a bit off for the 10k too.

bot43 · 14-11-2019 5:58pm

Did the Cork one and was a bit of mess. Everyone started at the same time so were tripping over each other for most of the first lap.

But the killer to me, and im not a seasoned runner by any means, was at the finish line there was no water. I was furious. The fools were giving out bottles willy nilly pre race and people were talking a sip and binning he bottles. Daft.

Anyways its done. not sure will I bother again.

rovers_runner · 14-11-2019 7:41pm

If ye keep paying those chancers will keep ripping you off.
That bollix seems to think he's the first person to have a disability the way he thinks the world owes him a payday.

OOnegative · 14-11-2019 8:03pm

rovers_runner wrote: »

If ye keep paying those chancers will keep ripping you off.
That bollix seems to think he's the first person to have a disability the way he thinks the world owes him a payday.

Whatever about making your point, think you’re the bollix here!!

Run in the Dark Dublin 2018

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