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
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.
ReplyDeleteNo disrespect to any other organiser whom all orgainse good events but i have to say Charleville Half Marathon was No 1 for me.
ReplyDeleterom....Roughly 70% of people online use Facebook. If I put it only up there then a lot of people couldn't vote.
ReplyDeletecharleville half great value and well organised
ReplyDeleteFor 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.
ReplyDeleteI did six half-marathons in 2012 - Bay Run, Cork City, Clonmel, Charleville, St Finbarrs, Waterford
ReplyDeleteThey 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.
Charleville half- great value, elite feild, pacers from 100 to 135min,tech top, great food, perfect weather. Charleville for me
ReplyDeleteLoved 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....
ReplyDeleteHi did
ReplyDeleteBay Run
Cork Half-
Blarney Half-
I give vote to Blarney they were fast with Results. Plenty of tea @ food. Prizes in all Category.
Charleville - despite the ri ra over medals and t shirts. Bandon and Blarney excellent too.
ReplyDeleteDid 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.
ReplyDeletehas to be Bandon, quiet roads, super fast finish, perfect training for Cork marathon
ReplyDelete'run the gauntlet' in killarney last month,its a fantastic race,stunning scenary,great medal and t shirt too,
ReplyDeleteHi ya'll and a Happy Christmas
ReplyDeleteMy 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
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.
ReplyDeleteHave to say my vote goes to St finbarrs ac Blarney Half Marathon a through pro event
ReplyDeleteBandon has everything quite country roads couple of challenging hills and a lighting fast finish, really enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteCompleted:
ReplyDeleteClonmel,
Blarney,
Charleville,
Waterford,
and Waterford gets the nod for me for its easy access, plentiful parking, challenging middle third and easy get away afterwards.
Run Killarney Half Marathon,
ReplyDeleteClonmel,
Charleville,
Blarney,
Charleville for me. Great PB course.
ReplyDeletewaerford by a mile.... tough but fast.
ReplyDeleteCharleville d best for me it was a fab course and great PB for me.
ReplyDeleteCharleville by a mile reasonable entry fee, lovely t-shirt and got my best PB
ReplyDeleteCharleville for me. Great course, value and organisation, a strong field and excellent food afterwards.
ReplyDeleteWild West Run Trail Half Marathon from Kenmare to Killarney. No PBs on this one but what a way to see the Kingdom.
ReplyDeletegsho
ReplyDeleteI 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 .
Blarney Half, number 1. A run for runners, and a occasion for all.
ReplyDeletedBandon half was really good,extremely well organised. Charleville next followed by Blarney .
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteDelighted 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteHilly 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
It has to be Bandon for me great value for money and very well organised. Quiet roads and great food afterwards
ReplyDeleteOut of 4 completed this year Bandon gets my vote. Good tough course and cheaper than most.
ReplyDeleteDingle gets my vote - great scenery and local musicians to keep you going. Loved it.
ReplyDeletedid 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!!
ReplyDeleteMany 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
ReplyDeleteClonmel 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.
ReplyDeleteLimerick half for me as it was local
ReplyDeleteI have done them all either 2011 or 2012, the Limerick 2012 back in May is by far the best half marathon out there.
ReplyDeleteWater Stations, Atmosphere, lovely mixture of urban & rural course, loved every minute of it and one for a PB also.