This year, it is on the 4th of August with an 8:30am start. Race numbers and race packs must be picked up at the RDS the day before, much the same as for the Dublin City Marathon. The net result is that if you are from outside the greater Dublin area then you'll have to stay in the city over night before the race.
The course has changed this year as well with the start near the docklands and the finish in the Phoenix Park. Overall, the course has a net gain in height.
The following message was sent to me by a reader of the blog....
Athletics Ireland are offering clubs a chance to win €1,000 in the up coming national half marathon in August if the club enters 10 athletes.
This tells me that they are really struggling to get club athletes to sign up for this years event and in turn reduced revenue.
The reason I feel club athletes are not supporting this national event this year is because of the totally change of the course from last year. they are taking over half of the race via the Park over very hilly terrain. It makes no since in having such a course as a national championship. Athletics Ireland should pull back from the R and R event and organise the National Half Championship themselves.
I would like a discussion on this John via comments or some kind of poll.
Seamus...sub 73min HM
(NOT RUNNING NATIONAL HALF DUE TO POOR COURSE IN DUBLIN! - A LONG WAY TO TRAVEL FROM MUNSTER FOR A POOR COURSE)
Do you agree with Seamus? Is the course too hilly? Or is it just too expensive a trip for just a half-marathon?
12 comments:
Bank holiday weekend. Way too expensive to stay in Dublin overnight (living in Cork). Is there any way clubs can get together to house athletes for these sort of wkends? It could be a recipricol arrangement for marathons in Cork, Limerick etc. Probably done already. This would help club athletes but not the rest. Course not really an issue as long as its accuately measured.
There is a couple of runners from the club running it but only a handful. I wouldn't be bothered myself, too expensive and too far. I think there is one in clonmel a few weeks after that for 30 quid. the whole rock n roll concept sounds dreadfully tacky, the medal is something that would go into the bin
It's only €25 for club athletes to enter.
Course should have been kept out of Phoenix park as enough of races there already.
Hilly ? Please, come out to blarney for a half marathon with hills in it !
AS for travelling to Dublin for a half marathon, not worth the bother.
The medals do look pretty tacky !
Athletics Ireland also had a shout out on FB for stewards and marshals -- then they were looking for pacers - even a 3 hour pacer (for a half thats walking paces) - if they went back to clubs organizing this race there would be not problem, it was in Waterford a few years ago and was a success.. I think AAI are only interested in cash - not standards for the half.
bizarre decision by the AAI to use this as national half. As a club runner was looking forward to national half this year, a to b course, net climb, bands at every mile? (i mean like, who finds that helpful, really)overnight from south munster, not if it was for free.
In respect to AAI "If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas".
They must be really struggling for numbers as its now up on Groupon for near half price!
It does look to be struggling for numbers but I ran his last year and it was my favourite event of the year. Great crowds out supporting and the bands are refreshing, I haven't ran any of them abroad yet but I am tempted. Regarding the medal, it's the one that stands out far more than the others, possibly due to being about the same weight as all the others together! I'm not a club athlete but I beat enough of them and yet have no chance of ever winning a national half championship so that aspect doesn't affect me. I'm staying overnight and yes it adds to the cost but this is my pinnacle event of the year so I'm happy to.
I'd prefer to turn up in charleville on the morning and possibly run a PB and get back home an hour later.
Ran last year and it was the best fun I have ever had running! Great buzz from the little crowds that gather by the bands and well worth the trip to Dublin. For a slower runner like me, having music and fun at every mile lifts your spirit and really brings you along the course!
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