Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Nominations for best Half-Marathon in Munster in 2012...

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Nominations for best Half-Marathon in Munster in 2012...

Now that the end of the year is approaching, it's time to look back and decide what were the best races of 2012. In this post, I'm asking people to nominate their best Half-Marathon of the year.

In 2012, I took part in four Half-Marathons in Munster.

In May, I did the Bay Run Half-Marathon in scenic West Cork. It suffered a bit from heavy traffic after the later start but it certainly gave out the best quality tech top of the lot. The branded Under-Armor top was certainly of a much higher quality than a lot of the other tops given out at races.

In September, I did the Valentia Half-Marathon on what was a very scenic course. A great spot when the weather is nice. I also did the Dingle Marathon and did practically all of the Half-Marathon in the process. Another scenic one but again, dependent on the weather.

I also did the Cork Half-Marathon in Blarney. This year, the new out and back course seemed to work very well and it got a great crowd. Later in the month, I did the Charleville Half-Marathon, probably one of the fastest Half-Marathon courses in the country. My own personal favourite was the Bandon Half-Marathon. It's certainly not fast but I liked the hilly quiet country roads.

So it's your choice! What Half-Marathon races in Munster should be nominated for the vote? Forget about the bad ones or those you didn't like. Just leave a comment below and tell us what ones you did like and why? I'll put up a poll in about a week and we'll see who wins.

If you want to send me an e-mail with your nomination then that's fine as well.

So far, the nominations for best Half-Marathon in 2012 are....
Charleville Half-Marathon
Cork Half-Marathon (Blarney)
Bandon Half-Marathon
Bay Run Half-Marathon
Run the Gauntlet Half-Marathon, Killarney 
Waterford Half-Marathon 
Limerick Half-Marathon
Clonmel Half-Marathon
Dingle Half-Marathon
Run Killarney Half-Marathon
Cork City Half-Marathon
Wild West Half-Marathon

38 comments:

rom said...

John would it be possible to have this poll on facebook only so that each vote can be accounted for as the results of last years poll for this one did seem a bit strange.

John Dunphy said...

No disrespect to any other organiser whom all orgainse good events but i have to say Charleville Half Marathon was No 1 for me.

John Desmond said...

rom....Roughly 70% of people online use Facebook. If I put it only up there then a lot of people couldn't vote.

mike said...

charleville half great value and well organised

Anonymous said...

For me any day that an event gets a field of elite athletes, with some the best in the Country, the Charleville Half Marathon has to be Number one, Rgd James.

Donal O'Donoghue said...

I did six half-marathons in 2012 - Bay Run, Cork City, Clonmel, Charleville, St Finbarrs, Waterford
They were all interesting, and it's very hard to pick just one, but I'd be inclined to say Charleville!
They were all good races, and all well organized.

Anonymous said...

Charleville half- great value, elite feild, pacers from 100 to 135min,tech top, great food, perfect weather. Charleville for me

Anonymous said...

Loved Charleville, but i think you can't beat the St Finbarr's half in Blarney for good organisation, great value for money, support, camraderie and good grub afterwards! That would get my vote anyway....

Anonymous said...

Hi did
Bay Run
Cork Half-
Blarney Half-
I give vote to Blarney they were fast with Results. Plenty of tea @ food. Prizes in all Category.

cathalhistory said...

Charleville - despite the ri ra over medals and t shirts. Bandon and Blarney excellent too.

Anonymous said...

Did 6 half marathons in Munster this year, and while most of them were well organised I'd call it between Blarney and Charleville. Loved Blarney, a real tester of a course and so well run, but going to go with Charleville because it was also well run with unbelievable strength in depth on a Pb course.

Anonymous said...

has to be Bandon, quiet roads, super fast finish, perfect training for Cork marathon

Anonymous said...

'run the gauntlet' in killarney last month,its a fantastic race,stunning scenary,great medal and t shirt too,

Anonymous said...

Hi ya'll and a Happy Christmas
My first ever half was the bay run this year,then Cork city half,then Dingle half and then Charleville half where I broke my Pb,all things considered and the fact it has a beautiful coastline,hills,massage and the crack in square afterwards I think i'll have to go with the bay run in Bantry.


Ps I suppose you never forget your first :)

Pps Can I just say thanks to all the not for profit
organisers and volunteers who make the whole thing possible

Heres to better times

Ed

rom said...

No probs. +1 for Charleville also. 49 sub 80min with 800 odd in the race. 60 ish sub 80 in the race series half with 6/8 thousand in the race.

Anonymous said...

Have to say my vote goes to St finbarrs ac Blarney Half Marathon a through pro event

Anonymous said...

Bandon has everything quite country roads couple of challenging hills and a lighting fast finish, really enjoyed this one.

GearoidMC said...

Completed:

Clonmel,
Blarney,
Charleville,
Waterford,

and Waterford gets the nod for me for its easy access, plentiful parking, challenging middle third and easy get away afterwards.

Anonymouse said...

Run Killarney Half Marathon,
Clonmel,
Charleville,
Blarney,

Anna said...

Charleville for me. Great PB course.

Anonymous said...

waerford by a mile.... tough but fast.

Anonymous said...

Charleville d best for me it was a fab course and great PB for me.

Anonymous said...

Charleville by a mile reasonable entry fee, lovely t-shirt and got my best PB

Anonymous said...

Charleville for me. Great course, value and organisation, a strong field and excellent food afterwards.

Anonymous said...

Wild West Run Trail Half Marathon from Kenmare to Killarney. No PBs on this one but what a way to see the Kingdom.

Anonymous said...

gsho

I will give the BANDON half marathon my number one.A little challenging but very well organised , lovely quiet roads and a great down hill finishing run. Really enjoyed it last year .

Slips said...

Blarney Half, number 1. A run for runners, and a occasion for all.

Anonymous said...

dBandon half was really good,extremely well organised. Charleville next followed by Blarney .

Anonymous said...

Hi John,
Delighted you thought Bandon No 1. I agree whole heartedly with you, but I would of course as i'm from the town. Seriously it is a great half.

Anonymous said...

Depends on your criteria for "The best". Since as a runner I want to run faster, the Charleville Half provides this for a good price and options for souvenirs. If I want to run harder I just try to run faster or ekse I do a mountain race for a challenge.
Hilly races make you feel like you ran harder but in the end you don't really know how hard you ran.
If you want to see if you're improving you can compare flat course with flat course. So as I said, depends if you're running to run faster/enjoy the scenery or to feel like you ran hard! Charleville has a good combination of all 3 and good grub afterwards! :) Perhaps you should do a poll on that John :P

kate said...

It has to be Bandon for me great value for money and very well organised. Quiet roads and great food afterwards

Anonymous said...

Out of 4 completed this year Bandon gets my vote. Good tough course and cheaper than most.

Anonymous said...

Dingle gets my vote - great scenery and local musicians to keep you going. Loved it.

Anonymous said...

did 3. blarney, clon and bay run. Blarney as its real value for money. looking at the comments charleville and bandon will need to be on the list for 2013!!

Steve said...

Many great races but for me has to be bandon . Proper club race with seamless organisation great challenging run , super post race hospitality and at half the price of commercially organised races

Paudie said...

Clonmel for me this year. Fantastic value for money. Not a PB course but not what I was looking for. This race was a disaster a few years ago but they have turned it around and now its one i look forward to each year.

Anonymous said...

Limerick half for me as it was local

Anonymous said...

I have done them all either 2011 or 2012, the Limerick 2012 back in May is by far the best half marathon out there.
Water Stations, Atmosphere, lovely mixture of urban & rural course, loved every minute of it and one for a PB also.