I heard that the courses might have been a 'little' hilly...all good training of course ;o)
If you ran it, why not click on the Comment link below and let people know what you thought of it.
The Half-Marathon was won by Colin Merritt in a time 71:35. In 2nd place was Kevin O'Connor in 72:20 and in 3rd was Cathal O'Connell of St.Finbarr's AC who had won the Cork BHAA Pfizers 6 mile race the previous Wednesday.
In the ladies race, local Carmel Crowley of Bandon AC won in a time of 84:14. Ann Marie Holland of Eagle AC finished in 2nd place in a time of 88:55. In 3rd place, Maura Regan of Eagle AC finished in a time of 92:52 who like Cathal above had also finished 1st in the Cork BHAA Pfizers 6 mile last Wednesday.
The results of the Bandon Half-Marathon can be seen HERE
The 10k race was won by Chris Harrington in 34:07 while the womens event was won by Nollaig Hunter of Leevale AC in 40:15.
The results of the 10k can be seen HERE
I enjoyed this race and thought that it was well run with stewards at every major junction along the route. There could be more water stations though. And waiting 3 hours for results is excessive (finished before 10:30, results at 1:30).
ReplyDeleteWill definitely run it again next year but wont be fooled by any "flat" descriptions. I would rate it as tougher than the bay.
With regards to the hills the first 6 miles had a few drags with one "hill". Once you got past the first half of the course though it seemed to level out and it was pretty flat all the way until about the 12 mile mark(I think) there was quite a steep hill which was pretty tough but at that point you were nearly home anyway so that brought me through it. All in all I think the course was quite decent with a nice mixture of hills and flat sections. The whole thing seemed very well organised and was a big success for the first year.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very good Workout...While there was plenty of pulls and drags there was also lots of downhill.
ReplyDeleteThe course was great, nice country roads.
Overall it was well organised..
The 10k price of 20euro was expensive. Late start and Poor provision of food afterwards. Not good value for money. Wont be doing it next yr.
ReplyDeleteOverall very poorly organised. The registration desk was a mess, 2 rooms: 1 for 10km, 1 for half. I didn’t know which was which, only for I asking I would have been down for the wrong race. The finish was chaotic, everyone pushing and shoving for a banana or recovery drink.
ReplyDeleteFinishing Goody bag was pathetic for half marathon: a bunch of flyers, 4 square of Kates chocolates, 1 bag of super valu crisps, bottle of water.
With the long list of sponsors listed on line I’d have expected something better.
Race was advertised a 'flat' which was why I entered (hopinh for a PB). It was far from it. I did improve on my 10k time but lightly injured myself in doing so. A marshall told me 'no more hills' at about mile 5 so I began to really push it only to run into another hill!!
ReplyDeleteFinish line was unorganised, it was a struggle to get a banana, people climbing over each other as it really was a bottle neck. Goody bag was very poor. Waiting AGES for a bus to take us back to the start point so it was easy to get a bit chilly.
Clubhouse afetrwards was very good though, great atmosphere up there. Parking etc was very well organised.
With regards to the timing, we didn't run over anything at the start of the race to 'set off' our timing chips so I wonder how accurate it was?
Wont be back next year. Hope tehy improve things for those that do return.
My very fancy Garmin (purchased in J-B's) said elevation gain 157M elevation loss 167M, I don't think it was as tough/hilly as Bay or Blarney, but it is fairly close. Hills at mile 6 & 12 are tough. Website should not refer to it as "flat". Very good organisation, stewards at every junction, very quite roads, almost no cars, (like Dungarvan 10).Water every 3 miles, loads of tea/coffee and sandwiches after.Massage & hot showers. Loads of parking space.Results up very quickly in the hall. Money raised being re-invested into sports clubs. A good challenging warm up 3weeks before CCM. Well done Bandon a/c.
ReplyDeleteMy only complaint, 'no biccies', any self-respecting Cork race serves great biscuits & cakes with de Tae!!
No biccies with the tae!! That's terrible....That almost deserves it's own blog post ;o)
ReplyDeleteTo publish the event on their website as "These races will be over a flat fast course" was just dishonest. Shame on your Bandon AC.
ReplyDeleteMany people I spoke to after the race were not happy.
Won't be back again.
so much for bandon half being a flat fast course. if thats a flat course id like to see the hills in bandon and to make matters worse we couldnt even get a proper mouthfull of water stupid plastic cups ar for parties.
ReplyDeleteI did the half & felt it was very well organised for a first year race. Stewarding was very efficient. Post race refreshments were excellent. I'd rate the course as slighty challenging, but nothing like the long hill in Blarney! There was ample parking at Bandon RFC.
ReplyDeleteI ran the half in bandon yesterday. my first and i was one of the slow runners at the back. anyone that finised after 2hr 36 was not recorded on their website.
ReplyDeleteHi i know everyone has the right to there opinions but i think some ppl were a big harsh. Did the half yes there was unexcepted hills but this wasnt meant to be a walk in park ? Also the end was very well organised got handed my banana and was congratulated on finished very pleasant ppl there. only gripe was waiting for the bus but was informed it would be back in 20 minutes and it was. Roll on next year will defiantly be back to beat that hill on 11 / 12 mile lol :)
ReplyDeleteDid the half; will definitely be back next year, and will also be more inclined to stop off in Bandon over the summer (normally we tend to just drive through on our way further west). Agree that website and some marshalls grossly exaggerated the flatness (I too was fooled by the undoubtedly well-intentioned "no more hills" guy !). This major fault aside, there were a few glitches as noted by other comments but overall a great debut and a nice course once you know what to expect!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what the story with the t-shirts was?? I seen some people had Bandon Half Marathon Finisher t-shirts afterwards, and others did not. Was it like Ballycotton that the first 50 got them ??
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Bandon Athletic Club on a great run.A small bit of tweaking and the race will be brill. For next year reg no.s on vests could be a different colour for half marathon and 10 k runners.
ReplyDeleteOverall for an inagural race it was very well organised and a credit to all concerned.Bandon Athletic Club always a great under age club now appears to also have a good senior section.
Again well done to Bandon really looking forward to next year.
To describe “flat fast course” was not the case. Great training run but I was not prepared for the hills. Could have definitely done with more water stations. The spread afterwards was disappointing. No biscuits ;(
ReplyDeleteNo showers for the ladies afterwards only communal!!
Not sure if I’ll be back next year..
It was a challeging course not a flat course but it was a great run, really enjoyed it . Will definetly be back next year.Well done Bandon ac
ReplyDeleteI thought the course was very hilly. It was my fifth half marathon and I would rate it as much tougher than blarney and bantry! I did it as I thought it was going to be relatively flat and didnt want to get injured! Unfortunately I pulled my hamstring ! I also was disappointed that all half finishers didn't get a tshirt. I know we never wear them but stil it would have kept me warm going back to the rugby club and you feel a bit deflated when you don't get one! Have to agree thought goodie bag was Pathetic ! Thirty euro entry fee ! I know it was a first year but I won't b going back
ReplyDeleteGreat run, challenging at times with those hills, definitely not a flat course!! Very well organised. I've completed quite a few runs in Dublin and its definitely up there for value for money and quality of event. Nice touch having sandwiches, Tea and DJ in the Rugby club afterwards! I'll be looking forward to breaking my PB again next year! Well done to all involved in organising such a successful and enjoyable event.
ReplyDeleteA very well done to bandon ac for all there hard work on their first half marathon and 10k on sat 14th may.Stewards were very encouraging and very well organised all through out the race i would love to have gotten a t-shirt as it was my first race but otherwise it was very good a lot more hilly than i would have thought but food provisions afterwards and ppl were fantastic and friendly will def be there nxt year :)
ReplyDeletePositives: Great course but definetely not flat, whoever wrote that probably drove the course :)
ReplyDeleteWell stewarded. Good parking & traffice arranagements considering the location on the main clonakilty road. Tea and sandwhiches always a winner.
Negatives:
Waterstations were not great
Finishline too conjested
Toilet facilities on the day were poor.
Firstly i would like to say well done to bandon ac for an enjoyable race. This race for me was a training run in preparation for the marathon in a few weeks. I ended up doing 15 miles in total as it was a 2 miles back to the rugby club!!! lol. felt it was an extremely good test with lots of drags and a few hills but no way is it as tough as bantry or blarney!!!
ReplyDeleteFor next year maybe they could have more toilet facilities and the goodie bag for the half marathon finishers was terrible.... no banana... only crisps & chocolate although the sandwiches and tea were very welcome. I felt it was expensive in that regard also no teeshirt!!! But saying all that I will run it next year as i enjoyed the race..
great race really enjoyed it the results should probably show min per mile pace and where the runner is from.
ReplyDeletegreat race take a bow bandon ac looking forward to next year already
ReplyDeleteGreat challenging course, I really enjoyed it and even managed to get a PB. The free massage after was mighty! Well done Bandon AC
ReplyDeletea really well run event for first time out. No matter what is almost impossible to satisfy some people, complaining about it being hilly, which it did have hills but the course started at river level and finished at river level so there must have been down hills as well ???
ReplyDeleteas for the people complaining about not getting a tee shirt how many more do they want you could buy a lot of them for the extra you would pay to enter other events.
I would like to see those who are not happy do something about organising such an event id say we would be waiting.
well done to the organisers for such an incredible entry for first time out take a bow. thanks for another event on the calander. most definitely will be running it again.
any photos from the day
ReplyDeleteIt was very well organised and there were plenty of stewards. The entertainment afterwards was great. It was a bit hilly which I did not expect but it was a really good course.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the race yes it was hilly in places but dont forget that Bandon is in a valley.
ReplyDeleteThe man that was looking for the biccies hadnt his eyes open because I had some beautiful homemade muffins to eat along with loads of tea and coffee. It was good to hear that all money raised was been put back into grassroots of both clubs.
Look I have to say I hate people moaning too! But every race always gets negative and positive comments. I think people found it tougher than Blarney because they were not expecting hills! When you enter Blarney you know you have 6 miles of tough running but then you have your descent back down to Blarney. The course was not described as tough or it wasn't described as one with rolling hills. It was described as FLAT. Also the t shirt value question is a matter of opinion but thirty euro was steep. I think it bugged people seeing people walking around with finisher t- shirts while they were frozen ! I am not sure what the story was at the end of the race but it's not acceptable if the mats were taken away before everyone finished. I also agree that the finish of the race was congested. I came in around the one hour forty mark and passing some of the 10k runners was a nightmare as the road was congested on one side and opened to traffic on the other.
ReplyDeleteHaving ran in the 10k and reading the comments I wonder was I at the same race. Yes there was two rooms for registration which was great because one did not have to wait long. There was signs on the doors directing you and also there was a lovely young lad also pointing out which room was which.
ReplyDeleteI believe the ladies toilets got blocked which doesnt help when all want to go at the same time. The 10k course was nice with a few hills. Finish area was tight but that can be improved making the tunnel longer . T-shirts would have been nice for everyone but seeing that it was their first year Isuppose they were trying to keep their costs down. They did say that monies are going back into the funds of both clubs which is good to hear as so many of road races profits are going where?.
There was lots of tea coffee sandwiches and home baking available back at the rugby club .
Ienjoyed the race and looking forward to next year must train harder to make sure to get a t-shirt by the way those Katies chocolates were yum
What homemade Muffins, s*!t,never saw them, I love muffins with de Tae, well done Bandon, I must run faster next year and get to the rugby club before they are all gone.
ReplyDelete(p.s who said I was a man?)
John, does that Anonymous button work?
'Anonymous' button works fine. I have to preview all comments before they appear on the page. Otherwise, the spammers would have a field day.
ReplyDeleteRan on sat but was dissappointed that it had been advertised as a flat course, a bit of false advertising there i think...should be honest with the runners prior to the race..very dissappointed that there were only t.shirts for the first 100 home. i think they could have stretched to a t.shirt for all finishers.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I was delighted not to have another oversized t-shirt!! Yes, everyone's talking about the hills but I thought the route was absolutely gorgeous!! We pretty much had the roads to ourselves. Parking was brilliant and it was really nice to finish into a market though knowing this in advance would have been good - had no money on me :-(
ReplyDeleteWill be back next year & it's great prep for Cork
The Bandon Race was not flat and it was not fast.
ReplyDeleteVery bad value for 30 Euro a bottle of water and a bag of crisps and three chocolated. Come off it. Wont be back.
What's the hangup about t-shirts? I think runners should run a race for the running, not the t-shirt. You usually wear only one t-shirt when training or racing, so who needs another one? Anyway, there are easier and cheaper ways than running a half marathon to get a t-shirt. Let's enjoy our training and races for what they are: magnigicant and cheap opportunities for exercise, fresh air and friendship. Well done and thanks to Bandon AC & Bandon RFC for an enjoyable day.
ReplyDeleteAll the reports that I have heard in Clonakilty were fabulous. Most people saying that the course was hilly (which was a surprise to some) but that they felt they really earned their delicious cuppa and muffin afterwards! Well done Bandon for taking the step to putting another half marathon on the calendar. It's easy to think about doing it - but it's a tough job to put it together! At least you got a massive amount of feedback to help correct anything that was perceived as a weak area. We missed it this year as we were all away but will definitely give it a go next year based on all the feedback in Clonakilty. Well done again. Clonakilty Waterfront crew
ReplyDeleteMy first 10K - thought roads were nice and quiet, very good encouragement from stewards and spectators, had no problem with water and food after race. But the hill one mile from the finish was a Killer !!!! Will definitely run it next year :)
ReplyDelete