The Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon this year returned back to the town itself and it seems have been a great success. The overall numbers were up slightly this year as well so here is a breakdown of the numbers...The full Marathon was up a fraction from 374 to 381 runners, the Half-Marathon dropped from 894 to 797 and this year's 10k race had 913 as opposed to 700 in the 6 mile race last year.
Probably one of the main talking points this year will be the course...and the hills! The Marathon course in Clonakilty is as always the best event of the three on offer. Although there are no shortage of hills, it is easily the most scenic and didn't really change much from previous years. It was my 6th time doing a marathon there this year so there must be something nice about it ;o)
The Half-Marathon was a completely new course and had quite a steep climb at 2.4 miles. The organisers could possibly have taken a more gentle route but the route would have taken in less of the coastline. This was actually an issue with the Half-Marathon when it was held in the town a few years back. It was probably easier to run but it was very obvious to anyone doing the marathon that the half runners didn't really get to see any of the coastline. Given the choice between a 800m hill and a more interesting scenic route, I'd go for the scenic option. There are plenty of flat half courses in or around towns if the only thing that matters is time.
The 10k by it's very nature couldn't go very far before turning for home. The route out to Inchydoney and back is probably the nicest course possible for a 10k starting and finishing in the town.
Overall, I didn't really see any major issues with the event. I've been to plenty of events this year where there was nothing given out when you finished the race except maybe for a bottle of water. For a Marathon in the middle of Winter, a tinfoil blanket, a cup of tea and of course some Clonakilty Black Pudding really hits the spot at the finish. Actually, I was thinking of that Black Pudding several times over the last few miles ;o)
For me anyway, the Clonakilty Marathon in the middle of winter is easily one of the best events of the year.
Opinions.......Did you take part in the 10k / Half / full Marathon? What did you think?
Results...
Marathon...
1 Gary OHANLON Clonliffe Harriers M 2:46:06
2 Raivis ZAKIS West Waterford A.C. M 2:47:59
3 Rory Mooney M 2:48:36
4 Joasia ZAKRZEWSKI Dumfries Running Club F 2:48:41
12 Angela MCCANN Clomel AC F40 3:02:42
20 Maura REGAN Eagle AC F 3:09:52
The full Marathon results can be seen HERE
Half-Marathon...
1 Sergiu CIOBANU clonliffe harriers M 1:08:45
2 Stephen CLEARY Clonakilty M 1:14:16
3 Robert CLEARY M 1:20:37
10 Lizzie LEE Leevale AC F 1:26:32
11 Annmarie HOLLAND St Finbars F 1:26:53
24 Karen WALSH F 1:30:34
The full Half-Marathon results can be seen HERE
10 km mini-marathon...
1 Jude MCENTEE BMOH M 33:24
2 Michael DULLEA Skibbereen M 33:40
3 Alan OBRIEN Eagle AC M 35:50
23 Anna ONEILL Dohery A/C F40 41:14
42 Mags DEMPSEY Tracton AC F 43:11
50 Claire O'DONOVAN West Cork Triathlon Club F (43:29) 43:33
The full 10k results can be seen HERE
Photos...
1) Peter and Rory Mooney have a gallery HERE
2) Gearóid Ó Laoi has a gallery of Half-Marathon runners HERE
3) Kieran Minihane has over 300 photos HERE
Video...
I did the 10k, very hilly and challenging but great. no complaints. all you wanted at the finish line was some water and something to warm you up a little while later. will be back next year
ReplyDeleteI live in Cobh so didnt find the hills to bad.But i could see the hills before mill 9 could be abit tricky.
ReplyDeletei ran the marathon and found it difficult only because i ran dublin 5weeks earlier, so my legs were still tired. i would have to say though a little more emphasis on how hilly it is may make runners less disillusioned. great event and well organised. mile 21 broke me but thats running sometimes. greatly improved on last year. thanks to the people who volunteered, great job.
ReplyDeleteThis event was a huge improvement on last year.I did the marathon course and ,although it was hilly,it was a good challenge to finish the year. Plenty of water, coke,sweets and biscuits on the tables;this is a marathon to be put on the' to do' list.
ReplyDeleteI did the half marathon and the early steep hill really took it out of the legs. Scenic course wil lots of ups and down so no PB's.
ReplyDeleteStill very welcoming town and people, good atmosphere, Lovely medal and T-Shirt and a good days running in December.
Bit of bad publicity last year has been turned around a very well organised event. Well done to all involved.
BEAST of a hill at mile 9 in half - all I kept thinking about was how the hell were the real runners ( Full Marathoners) gonna cope with it at mile 22. Respect to the Full Marathoners.
ReplyDeleteVery well organized event, the hills r a challenge but that's Clon for u and runners know what there getting themselves in for. Great supply of water,drinks,sweets throughout but the Clonakilty pudding was the highlight of my run!!! See u all next yr!!
ReplyDeleteGreat race and really enjoyed the whole day, everything was well organized and ill be back next year for my fourth year at clonakilty! Thanks to all the organisers
ReplyDeleteThis was my first half marathon and I found it tough, especially that second hill near the end but I would still choose this course over an easier, flatter, less scenic one. Absolutely stunning and well worth it, kept me distracted from the tired legs.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first time doing Clon and I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great event and really well organised, I was expecting a course similar to Connemara in terms of hills but I think its easier than Conn.
Thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their day to man junctions, take photos, give out water, food etc and to the Quality hotel for the use of their facilities to have a shower afterwards was much appreciated. Lovely day for it and the weather gods were kind.
Well organised this year and things went off smoothly.Parking and bag-drop was fine. Great to see the event back in the town as it makes the event easier to access. I did the half marathon which was a very challenging course but was very rewarding. Nice cup of warm tea and black pudding afterwards. enjoyable race and will come back next year.
ReplyDeleteThis was my glass of wine "it sounds like a good idea" marathon for 2013. Still, having done the back to back in February on the same course the hills were nothing surprising. I found the section from mile 13 to 19 (turning from the sea until Dunmore) to be the section that steals my will to live. Once I'd had roses strawberry creame at Dunmore and a chat with Ger O'Brien I was back at it and found the last 7 miles pretty enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWell done to the organisers!
I did the full marathon. A well organised event with great stewarding and plenty of water stations etc. Perhaps posting the race pack would make it easier in the mornings also it was a bit mean not to have any goody bag and nothing hot to eat afterwards. Where does the sixty+ euro go??
ReplyDeleteGreat event - great atmosphere. Well done to the organisers. Thanks to all of the volunteers.
ReplyDeleteThis was my third marathon this year and by far the toughest marathon course I have ever done. The hills were more like mountains and I felt them very much so for the last 4 miles. Thankfully, I had my years marathon goal times completed from the DCM before this run, so was treating it as a nice run to keep me going before Christmas. Because of the hills and struggle I went through for last 4 miles, I'd nearly love to justify the pain by saying it was a terrible experience, but conditions were perfect, organisation fantastic, water stops plentiful, steward support to notch and views gorgeous. All in all, it was a great day. Don't know if I'd use it as the final marathon to my running season again but it's definitely worth a trip at least once. You will really know what it is to earn that fantastic marathon medal.
ReplyDeletegreat improvement on last year organisation wise, challenging hills on the half, but great scenery and a beautiful rainbow (if you got your head up long enough to notice!). my only gripe: price of entry is rather steep (like some of the hills...) but still people seem happy enough to pay...
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a great event. Sure the marathon is tough but that comes as no surprise. It is West Cork! Everything was well organised and the cup of tea and black pudding was great at the end. Everyone was very friendly and there was a very inclusive atmosphere. I am not sure why anyone can think it is expensive. You get a class t shirt, lovely medal,professional timing,slick organisation and plenty of water stops etc. I am sure it is not something you can do on the cheap if you want it done properly. Ger
ReplyDeleteWell done to all involved. It was well organised. The half was a hell of a course. Won't forget those hills in a hurry! See ya next year!
ReplyDeleteMy first year running Clon and I did the half marathon. . . found the 'flat part' by Dunmore to almost be the hardest, rather than the hills. Lovely atmosphere while running, Gardaí and stewards were very supportive and co-runners were really friendly. Had a blast. Do feel a bit robbed for the price, not having a goody bag. Medal was fab, top was nice too. The finish line was a bit cluttered. . .thought it'd be more important to have the drinks/food stands there on arrival as opposed to a portable sports shop.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed last Saturday in Clon. Great location, great weather, great organisation, and super buzz around the finish. Take a bow, organisers. Lets hope for more of the same next year.
ReplyDeleteI did the 10k and it was my first experience of 'run Clon'. I would have done the half marathon but the entry fee was too steep, especially when you consider the Waterford half the weekend before was the same price as the clon 10k. One or two small things...they didn't have my entry on the sheet, and also the 10k runners were being directed wrongly to the half marathon start by the girl on stage with the loud speaker.
ReplyDeleteThought it was a tough route...my glutes are still sore after inchydoney!!!! :-)
Not really after catching the run clon bug, but that's just me! Each to their own!!!!!
I did the half, and enjoyed it apart from that hill after the 9mile managed the hill alright, but there wasn't much left in the tank for final two miles which were flat. Then again I hadn't put in too much milage in the last two months, so wasn't as prepared as I would have liked. Will be back again next year better prepared.
ReplyDeleteWell done to all involved in the running of it, and to all stewards, gardai who made it a success.
One final point is the price, maybe the price next year could be brought down abit, that might bring in more people to enjoy beautiful west cork.
Donal.
This was my first event in Clon and also my first Half. I found the course tough but enjoyed it. I did find the finish very cluttered, but atmosphere was great. With regard to the price, I did think it was expensive considering the 10k was €25 and the half was €50, The only differance i could see between the 2 on race day was extra miles and water stops. Same medals, Tops and afters.
ReplyDelete