The full results with lap splits can be seen HERE
Just out of interest....for those that ran, what did you think of the race or event overall? Was the course bright enough for a road race? Click on the comment link below...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Results of the Run for Mark in the Dark race - Wed 16th Nov 2011
The full results with lap splits can be seen HERE
Just out of interest....for those that ran, what did you think of the race or event overall? Was the course bright enough for a road race? Click on the comment link below...
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22 comments:
Let me start by saying it is a fantastic cause and I was happy to pay the €25 registration fee.
I complete several runs in the year and I ran the 10K last night. It was only OK. There was zero atmosphere and the goody bags were dreadful; a hi-vis jacket, bottle of water and a packet of Maltesers. The Centre Park road wasn't closed to traffic and there were no stewards or Gardai along this stretch making it dangerous at times. The stewards were lovely and very encouraging but I don't think the course, especially the Centre Park road is bright enough for a night time run.
Thought it was fairly well organised, the large numbers made the task harder but the race team handled it well I thought. The race itself was great, it wasn't dangerously dark and the stewards did a fine job. Speaking to a few people after everyone was happy with it and there was interest in more night time races during the week in winter
PS My time has not been captured on the site and I made sure to cross the mats. Oh well, my phone timed me anyway.
I thought it was safe enough, to be honest. Saw one guy running with a head torch which was a good idea. In fairness, it was the 'inaugural' event, so there were bound to be a few hiccups, like the amount of time it took to get registered. Next time, am deffo registering online beforehand.
I also thought the run was ideal for fun-runners. The main aim of the run was fund-raising and I wouldn't complain about the goody bag - was happy enough to even get one to be honest. The hi vis vest will come in handy.
I'd agree that the atmosphere wasn't great though.
John The first comment is how I feel exactly. Fantastic cause and didn’t mind the fee but made us wait until 7.45 in which they didn’t even notify us that the race was starting. it just happened and unfortunately I was down the back. Once the race started it was flat on atmosphere. cars and hgvs passed me all the time throughout the race even though the "road was closed". Then I heard a guard give out to a steward that the runners should have all been wearing high vis jackets....??? I don’t know John. If it was on again next year I would probably make a donation but not take park. The RACE itself didn’t do it for me. :(
Great to see so many out to help Mark.
Race went well except for the Gardai. I think they embarrassed themselves. They had no control over the traffic on a closed road. A 40ft artic drove through the narrow start-finish line during the race while at the same time one guard was giving out to bike marshals about bike safety. They even tried to confiscate a bike from a bike marshal for cycling in the 'wrong direction'.
I took part in this and enjoyed it. I thought the course was bright enough to run on.
As it was for charity I was happy to get a goody bag wouldn't have been worried about the contents.
There was a good atmosphere in the Clarion before and afterwards it was pretty quite during the run not sure why could have been a lot of individuals like myself at it.
I was glad of the delay in starting as the traffic coming in from the west was unreal (40-50 mins to drive the link road) so this could have led to the last minute rush.
I thought it was well organised. Wouldn't expect a goody bag for a charity event - the whole point is to raise money.
I liked the idea of a 2.5k looped course as you get feedback from the finish clock after each loop. Unique to have a 5k and 10k on with the same start/finish, made it a bit more interesting - got a bit congested at times weaving in and out to pass others but it added to the "fun".
Saw the Guard giving out to the bike steward alright - a bit heavy handed, particularly given the circumstances.
Hi John,
I went along on the night to help out the race organisers, we must remember, this group of friends of Marks had no previous expierience of race organising,none the less they hosted a pretty good event "in the dark". Yes there were hiccups, but nothing too bad. The registration area got a bit mad at one stage and this was the cause of the race start delay, but we've all expierienced delays at race reg, there's a few areas these guys can improve on with regard to registration if they go again next year, you live and learn. Just to let people know, the trust paid 600 euro to get the roads closed, so please don't give them grief on that front, yes there was traffic, but you can't blame the organisers. The 40 foot truck incident, was due to the Gardai directing the truck up that route, despite the guard being advised by one of the stewarts that it wasn't a good idea, the steward in question was the guy that ended up being hassled later on. Forget goody bags etc, it was a fund raiser. The race team had, use of the Clarion reception, room for a bag drop, showers and saunas, they paid to close the road, they got the guards on board, they had the Red Cross there, chip timing, zumba warm up, RED FM were floating about, plenty stewards (freinds and local club members), there was a guy handing out power bars at the race finish, a host of what looked like professional photographers. So I would think, lots of positives, and a few negatives. If they go again, I'd be very sure that they'll sort the hiccups. It's a tough job hosting a race, so well done to the first timers, hope ye decide to bring it back next year.
Joe R
I really enjoyed it. Thought there was a different buzz. As regards the goodie bags ; this was a fundraiser so I was delighted to get a bag never mind have anything in it. Really enjoyed a different run.
Thanks,
Ger Browne
I really enjoyed the run I was worried about the route given that Center Park road is generally in poor condition, but it was fine last night. The stewards did a great job and yes there was a few trucks on route but really it was not dangerous. Would definitely do it again and no need for goody bags it was a fund raiser and glad to be able to do my bit..
If there were hi-vis jackets available, why not distribute them at the start of the run? Regarding the goody bags, many runs are for charity and bags are supplied afterwards. Distributing bad ones is a kick in the teeth after completing 10K. Charity aside, if a run is not enjoyable, and if the runners don't feel safe, it is not going to attract repeat business. I won't be doing this run or any other fun run again for those reasons. I will donate to the charities though.
Overall a success I think. The race started at 7-45pm due to total gridlock on the South Link plus the long queue in the Clarion, and this was announced at the start about half an hour beforehand.
Only minus is that my chip didn't work either, my first 10k, so keen to see my splits and (stupidly) didn't bother with my watch once I saw the snazzy chips on the numbers.
I didn't go back to the hotel afterwards, but agree that you don't expect a goodie bag for a charity event.
Rosaleen
I've run in many charity events and have always received a goody bag. The one last night was insulting especially given the high registration fee.
I did the 5k run and yes there were a few hiccups re traffic etc. I spoke to one of the organisers after the race and he said 3 weeks ago there were only 20 runners registered, so great credit goes to them for getting so many to take part last night. Dont forget that this race was fundraiser for Mark, who I am sure after his devastating accident and his blindness has to face many challenges every day, so it seems a bit trivial to complain about the goody bags. Looking forward to next years event. Well done to all who helped organise and run the race.
My time not being recorded and nearly being side swiped by a truck is indeed more important than a goody bag, but poor organisation where it matters leads to a negative experience over all. Yes, it was a fund raiser for Mark but I had never heard of him before the event. I signed up to take part in an unusual event, enjoy the atmosphere, have a timed run and donate to charity. Only two of the four items were delivered. For me so far, my most enjoyable charity run has been the Daniel Kingston Memorial run in Macroom. That was fantastic; tea and sandwiches afterwards and not a truck in sight.
Thought last nights Run was good considering it was the first one ever Held , the only low point for me was when i finished my 10k run a Steward came up to me and told me that actually it was NOT a 10 k run and that my run did not matter !!!!!!! Sort of put a low on the event for me as im new to running this really put me off .
I've read some of the comments logged here and to be honest some are very petty. I've done a lot of races in the last few years, from 5k to marathon to adventure races, all either for charity or commerical means eg bay run in bantry. No one was forced to run last night, most of us felt compelled after reading the tragic story of Mark so to see people bitch about the quality of the goodie bag really annoys me!! as Ger and several others said, there was no need for a goodie bag, so maybe someone handing out the sweets, water etc after might have been better but really it doesn't matter!!! The alleged actions of the Gardai are incredible and I would say a disgrace, but simply NOTHING to do with the team behind the race! The key aim of last night was trying to help a remarkable man who has been given a second major blow in life and is determined to keep going! An inspiration to us all!So well done to all involved, the team behind it, the runners, stewards, the Clarion, the Edge, Red Fm etc etc (sorry if i forgot anyone) but its the first night, lesson learned, next year will be better. This year was still good!! Barry
Enjoyable run & for a good cause. Pretty lucky with the weather on the night given the following day's deluge!
Got a bit hairy at one stage with the artic coming against us while we were passing some of the slightly slower runners.
Didn't even realise there was a goody bag as didn't go back to the hotel afterwards.
Good race, course was easily bright enough and it was for a great cause. I agree there was no need for a goodie bag. All I wanted at the end was water and a shower. I got both. Will definitely enter this race again and support mark who is a inspirational character. I think some people need to look at the bigger picture. If mark could run do you think he'd be worried about the goodie bag? Let's get real people. Congratulations to all involved.
I really enjoyed the run. I liked the four laps and the fact that it was flat. All things considered it was well organised. Seeing as we were all there for the same cause, there might be a talk/speech/presentation as to how Mark is doing. It might have brought the crowd together. Something to remember for next time.
I want to say congratulations and well done to all the volunteers involved in organising this very worthwhile event.
I must have been suffering from oxygen deprivation because I didn't notice the guards, the lack of stewards on Centre Park road or the darkness! The traffic management was a bit haphazard at times before the start and the HGV coming down the course was ridiculous! As for the goodie bags - I did a well-known half marathon in the west this year - a commercial event costing €55 - and received much the same. I wasn't expecting a goodie bag for a charity event and to my mind it was unnecesssary.
The only suggestions I would make for next year would be a little better communication at the start, to perhaps consider a better lit part of the course for the start\finish and to sort out the traffic management with the guards.
In my opinion the course is suitable for night-time event with the proper stewarding etc.
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