From a more local point of view, it does show how difficult organising a long distance race can be. The one that springs to mind is the Cork BHAA Cork to Cobh 15 mile race. If the new dual carriageway to Midleton had not been built back in the 90's and had all of that traffic had stayed on the old road, would the race be still going ahead today? I very much doubt it. Races like this take a lot of organising and depend a lot on the goodwill of the local authorities. It is perhaps a reminder that we should take nothing for granted when a race takes place on a public road.
The cancellation of this particular Marathon also shows what is important when it comes to a 'Marathon event'. Like many of the Marathons in Ireland, the Marathon race itself is the minor event while there is often a Half-Marathon associated with it which is the one that will really draw the crowds.....and money. As the saying goes, the Half is the new Marathon!
let's be honest were it not for the relay marathon and now the half marathon there would be no cork marathon.there should be more people doing the cork marathon
ReplyDeleteOr may I be controversial by saying that too many people try a full marathon, when they are not capable of doing it. If you had to run 3 or 4 half marathons in the previous 18 months then both events would be better. People who decide to run a marathon without much experience only keep the Physios in business and do nothing to help the marathon event.
ReplyDeletehave to disagree with the second comment. most people are well able to complete the marathon- ho long it takes them is a matter for them. the point of the above first post is valid. cork depends on that awful relay to keep going. cork marathon itself has smallish numbers- i think the route and poor marketing are the reasons for it. running/walking 5 miles in a rleay is not "doing" the marathon (as some participants like to brag that night)
ReplyDeleteI totally disagree with poster who suggests people should be required to run 3/4 half marathons before doing marathon. AS a middle aged relatively new runner, it was doing my first 3 marathons which led me to join a club. For me running is about freedom and there are too many people inclined to impose rules. As for helping the marathon events, it is the large numbers of ' non athletes' who make marathons feasible.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible thing to say! Me and
ReplyDeleteA few friends did the relay last year and bragged
about it as it was a huge achievement
for us as we never ran before, this year we are
all training for the cork half and yes we will
brag again!!! We are mothers who are trying our
best to fit work, kids, home and Runs in!! Who
knows next year our aim maybe the full but if it's not
at least I participated and made money for a
charity!!! Really annoyed me and so unfair.
Great debate here which as one of you has already suggested is the key when we are a few months out from the event. Marketing is sorely missing alright! We should be seeing huge activity every weekend on Patrick street and in all the major centres on Saturdays with opportunities to sign up, radio and tv ads now, media space, vast posters all over cork and on the lamp posts now! Get a 10000 target out there and count down all the way to the event. This could be done and the benefits to economies is proven. Pay a major name or two to run it. It is a fast course. I'd better stop now cos I'm getting excited just thinking about it!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's probably safe to say that if it wasn't for the Relay event, there would be no Cork City Marathon.
ReplyDeleteCan I just also say marathon is your event
ReplyDeleteAnd you do it to the best time you can but relay
is also an event, last year I saw some unbelievable
fast runners in cork marathon run past me at fierce speed
these guys train just as hard as you for there
team to win, this is why there are category's!!! What time did the first relay team get in last year? I'm sure it was a time that they had a right to brag about!!!! Shirley
Relay runners make the cork marathon a unique event giving runners of all abilities the chance to experience some degree of success timewise or simply to finish their leg. Let them brag, they have bothered to train for the run and raise some money for charity. Would love more people to do the marathon distance and agree with previous comment that the marketing of the marathon could be much better.
ReplyDeletei ran the relay two years ago and did the full last year. i hope to be doing the half this year. to be honest the relay is the reason why there is a cork marathon and i understand that but the relay walkers are a real pain (that and the bikes !!!).perhaps staggered starts? lev yashin makes a very good point. the shops should be opened up at 9.00 and the website is awful. cork chambers need to get involved more and the event should be marketed better. don't get me wrong it's great to have a marathon but we should be stepping up it's profile. i know there is a cost value but skimping on water stations by turners cross was a bit daft to say the least. cathal
ReplyDeleteThat second comment is very annoying. Because of that elitist attitude people are afraid to join clubs/ enter races hence the reason some races/ clubs are no more!
ReplyDeleteI find the fact the Cork marathon is on the monday of a bank holiday weekend a big deterrent. I assume its on the Monday because its cheaper and easier to have do it then. But your bank holiday weekend pretty much written off when you're waiting around for a marathon on a Monday. From a point of view of the local economy it would make more sense to have it on a Sunday. If you look at someone travelling to it in the current situation they will arrive in Cork on the Sunday and maybe stay in a hotel and eat out(we all know with a race the next day they will be watching what they eat i.e. not spening too much money)then departing after the race on the Monday with work beckoning on the Tuesday. If it was on the Sunday surely alot of people would stay around after the race on the Sunday night too and spend money in the local bars, restaurants and hotels. People would be looking to make more of a weekend of it as such rather than an over night the night befor
ReplyDelete