Spring Marathons

menoscemo

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

The start/finish and expo are all here in Placa d'Espagna, which is on the metro line. So anywhere within a couple of miles walk, or anywhere on the metro line is perfect. Also look at apartment options. Apartments are perfect for marathon weekends, as you can make your own breakfast (try getting porridge in a Barcelona hotel at 6:30am on a Sunday morning!).

RQ was talking about this the other night. Should we get a list of people interested in renting an appartment?

kandikane

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Me and Barca have some unfinished business...

Has anyone booked? If there was a crowd I'll stay till Monday for a good post race get together.

If I go, which I'm not.

Hi myself and Oishin have booked the flights 70 euro return cant go wrong loving it were gonna have some session over there:)

RacoonQueen

Fligths have gone up but still at 100 yo-yos so still cheap. I'm all booked into the flights on Friday evening and Monday morning.

Time to banish some demons.

Edit: I'd be up for an apartment share if anyone else is interested.

shazkea

Signing up for this too and flights & accommodation all booked .
My accomm was €300 for a double room for 3 nights in centre of city and the hotel seems nice (I hope!!). We've a possey of 8 coming over (so far) and 4 of us will be running - others are non-boards so it would be great to meet up with other boardsies over.

another world

osnola ivax wrote: »

Just out of interest what days are people booking flights for, I was thinking of flying on Friday and having the Sat to enjoy the city, would love to visit the holy family and Salvador Dali not to mention Camp Nou as all commentators now call it. Fly back then on Monday. 3 nights.

I booked mine for Friday night going there and Monday night coming back. Nice to get a day to relax at both sides of it.

menoscemo

Just booked my flights. The cheapest way is to book one way with different companies. I booked a flight to Barca (they appear to now be flying to the main barcelona Airport) with Ryanair on the friday morning for €37.
Coming back with Aerlingus on the monday evening for €34.

Thats €70 including all taxes and charges. I also get a full day in Barcelona on the friday and monday for sightseeing.

osnola ibax

Tickets booked and Barcelona are playing at home that weekend, yessssss, back of the net

rovers_runner

Barca will most likely be playing at 10pm on the Sat night or at 5pm on the Sun as Espanyol did in last couple of years.
Both Stadiums are near enough the marathon start/finish so wouldn't be able for an afternoon kick off.

liamo123

menoscemo wrote: »

Just booked my flights. The cheapest way is to book one way with different companies. I booked a flight to Barca (they appear to now be flying to the main barcelona Airport) with Ryanair on the friday morning for €37.
Coming back with Aerlingus on the monday evening for €34.

Thats €70 including all taxes and charges. I also get a full day in Barcelona on the friday and monday for sightseeing.

Nice one menoscemo..Good thinking

baza1976

http://imd.sevilla.org/maraton/EN/registration

I see the Sevilla marathon is only €20 aat the moment. I knwo you will have to add flights and stay over but it goes to show that we are being ripped off here inIreland :mad:

hot to trot

I'm booked too . Flights anyway. Did someone mention Craic? Im all for that .

hot to trot

I see the Sevilla marathon is only €20 aat the moment. I knwo you will have to add flights and stay over but it goes to show that we are being ripped off here inIreland

Sorry Baza, dont know how to get quotes to come up in a box.
I did Seville last year and theh value is unbelievable. we got a towel wrapped around up when we crossed the finish line. BOys got shorts and technical tshirt , medal and so much food and stuff int eh goody bags. Free drinks and beer etc after. great supplies on the very flat route re drinks etc.
When I checked about a month ago it was full though. Or maybe it just hadnt opened.

If you are going though, I would offer ea few recommendations. The olympic stadium where it starts and where the expo is , aint near the town and there isnt really a reliable bus to it. Taxi from town costs 8-10 euro. I ended up walking miles to and from it on the night before the marathon in new shoes and was almost crippled on the day of the marathon. Still got a pb there
weather can be variable. Previous year t was 18 degrees . This year it was 5 degreesa the start but about 11 by the finish. Great facilities at the stadium too.
The other Irish I met there all stayed at the hotel at the stadium, and just taxied into town as requried for partying etc.
I stayed in a hostel downtown, 15 euro per night including breakfast but that is pretty usual for quality hostels in Europe. I think the Barcelona one was 17 per night including breakkie and about a 10 minute walk from the start.
YOu also have to fly to Malage which tends to be very cheap mostly as lots of airlines go there. Then local train from the aiprort to malage centreal railsay , and train to Seville. Not as bad as it seems but ws a pain for me aas I only went saturday to first flight back on Monday.
I was looking for a marathon in Feb and would consider going back again if it wasnt full and theh website was just mistaken.

Brianderunner

I'm thinking of heading over to Barca on the saturday afternoon flight with ryanair and back aer lingus on the monday night. I was there 6 weeks ago for the athletics so don't need to do sightseeing. Barcelona match at 10pm not a good idea the night before a marathon at 8.30am, Sunday afternoon/evening would work though. Match tickets are not cheap.

osnola ibax

Brianderunner wrote: »

I'm thinking of heading over to Barca on the saturday afternoon flight with ryanair and back aer lingus on the monday night. I was there 6 weeks ago for the athletics so don't need to do sightseeing. Barcelona match at 10pm not a good idea the night before a marathon at 8.30am, Sunday afternoon/evening would work though. Match tickets are not cheap.

I'd still go Brian, wont sleep too much the night before anyway. No time will be set until closer the time.

Brianderunner

^ I was just thinking of the time on your feet thing the day before the race, the stadium is 10 mins from the nearest metro, which would be crowded after etc. It would take your mind off the job at hand alright and would be a fantastic experience.

osnola ibax

Brianderunner wrote: »

^ I was just thinking of the time on your feet thing the day before the race, the stadium is 10 mins from the nearest metro, which would be crowded after etc. It would take your mind off the job at hand alright and would be a fantastic experience.

Totally know where you're coming from and the sensible part of me thinks you are right.

digger2d2

This years DCM was to be my first and last Marathon but having browsed the 'Runaholic' thread this morning I'm starting to wonder if I'm fooling myself....Now thinking, if I can do 3:59 in Dublin October I could do sub 3:45 in the Spring (and I'm not in the Spring of my life:))...........Anyway, all this Barcelona talk has me itching to book another Marathon! Between that and wanting to buy a bike and maybe another pair of Lunarglides I can envisage some further arguments with the leader of the opposition over my mid-life fitness crises!!

Moycullen1

digger2d2 wrote: »

This years DCM was to be my first and last Marathon but having browsed the 'Runaholic' thread this morning I'm starting to wonder if I'm fooling myself....Now thinking, if I can do 3:59 in Dublin October I could do sub 3:45 in the Spring (and I'm not in the Spring of my life:))...........Anyway, all this Barcelona talk has me itching to book another Marathon! Between that and wanting to buy a bike and maybe another pair of Lunarglides I can envisage some further arguments with the leader of the opposition over my mid-life fitness crises!!

When I did my first marathon in Amsterdam in October 2006 it was going to be my first and most definitely last. After a disappointing 4:43 I decided I needed at least one decent time for my obituary so I too got clearance from the better half and signed up for Barcelona the following March where I ran a 3:44. Of the eleven I have done in total is was certainly one of the best. In terms of the 'Big Marathon Experience' it ticks all the boxes. Don't spend one more minute deliberating over it. Just book the flights and be done with it. I guarantee you you'll enjoy it.

digger2d2

Moycullen1 wrote: »

When I did my first marathon in Amsterdam in October 2006 it was going to be my first and most definitely last. After a disappointing 4:43 I decided I needed at least one decent time for my obituary so I too got clearance from the better half and signed up for Barcelona the following March where I ran a 3:44. Of the eleven I have done in total is was certainly one of the best. In terms of the 'Big Marathon Experience' it ticks all the boxes. Don't spend one more minute deliberating over it. Just book the flights and be done with it. I guarantee you you'll enjoy it.

Sounds fantastic, great time improvement too!! I've been out of work for a while but that's now sorted...Well, at least it will be when I actually have the letter of offer/contract in my hand! As soon as that happens I think I'll go ahead and sign up for Barcelona!

Moycullen1

digger2d2 wrote: »

I've been out of work for a while but that's now sorted...Well, at least it will be when I actually have the letter of offer/contract in my hand! !

Good luck with that. Its a good time to be able to avail of the cheap flights cause if Michael O Leary's recent prediction of inevitable fare increases comes to pass we might be finding it a lot harder in the future to justify(or afford) the overseas marathons.

rainbow kirby

Flights booked. Ryanair on Friday morning and Aer Lingus on Monday evening.

RayCun

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Flights booked. Ryanair on Friday morning and Aer Lingus on Monday evening.

Jaysus, is this what my taxes are paying for?

digger2d2

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Flights booked. Ryanair on Friday morning and Aer Lingus on Monday evening.

RayCun wrote: »

Jaysus, is this what my taxes are paying for?

Ha ha......I better go book mine on you as well Ray !!

G-Money

The organisers of the Belfast City Marathon had some offer on where it was cheaper to register for the race if you did so by a certain date. Unfortunately I think the date in question was a few days ago. But it might be worth chancing your arm and seeing if they would let you register now on the cheaper rate.

Anyway regardless, the date of the Marathon is the start of May so spring-ish...

RoyMcC

Edinburgh entered :eek:

ronnie085

Any opininons on what the best marathon in May would be to enter, was looking at Stockholm or Hamburg, maybe Edinburgh although being put off by idea of finishing at a racecoarse then the bus back to city????

aero2k

RoyMcC wrote: »

Edinburgh entered :eek:

Good call - might see you there.

ronnie085 wrote: »

Any opininons on what the best marathon in May would be to enter, was looking at Stockholm or Hamburg, maybe Edinburgh although being put off by idea of finishing at a racecoarse then the bus back to city????

I can't speak for Stockholm or Hamburg, but Edinburgh is a great event.

The race course finish is a nice novelty. The bus back to the city takes about 30 min, they run frequently, and the only downside is they're packed - we had to stand most of the way.

Moycullen1

ronnie085 wrote: »

Any opininons on what the best marathon in May would be to enter, was looking at Stockholm or Hamburg, maybe Edinburgh although being put off by idea of finishing at a racecoarse then the bus back to city????

I haven't done Stockholm or Copenhagen but they both look good and the reviews are very positive. I have done Hamburg and I really enjoyed it. It is very well organised on a flat course with a big field in a nice city. Its a pity you couldn't run earlier cause I really enjoyed Vienna which is on the 17th April. Vienna is an amazing city and the marathon is fantastic. Once you get in to May temperatures can become a problem. When I did Hamburg in 2009 it was on the 26th April and it was 25 degrees.

mithril

http://www.endurancelife.com/event.asp?series=36&location=111

Just a short ferry trip over to Hollyhead for this off-road marathon in January. I did the South Devon event in the series a couple of years ago and that was well organized.

another world

So, does anyone have any recommendation for hotels in Barcelona?

earnyourturns

I'm thinking Rotorua Marathon www.rotoruamarathon.co.nz on 30 April, though that'll actually be an autumn marathon . Just thinking though. Still extremely over running after a marathon three weeks ago.

heffsarmy

ronnie085 wrote: »

Any opininons on what the best marathon in May would be to enter, was looking at Stockholm or Hamburg, maybe Edinburgh although being put off by idea of finishing at a racecoarse then the bus back to city????

Not sure about Stockholm but I have done Hamburg and Edinburgh. IMO Edinburugh would'nt have a patch on Hamburg. Hamburg had brilliant support all the way, nice flat course, really enjoyable marathon, got free beer at the finish line, I was half twisted trying to get back too hotel. In Edinburgh they ran out off water, they said it got robbed :rolleyes:

robinph

earnyourturns wrote: »

I'm thinking Rotorua Marathon www.rotoruamarathon.co.nz on 30 April, though that'll actually be an autumn marathon . Just thinking though. Still extremely over running after a marathon three weeks ago.

Take a peg with you for your nose, that place stinks.

mark_jmc

ronnie085 wrote: »

Any opininons on what the best marathon in May would be to enter, was looking at Stockholm or Hamburg, maybe Edinburgh although being put off by idea of finishing at a racecoarse then the bus back to city????

Hi Ronnie,
I ran Stockholm in 2008, based solely on my experience here are some things to consider:

• Traditionally it is quite hot on the day of the marathon, in 08 it was 32 celsius. You may have to re-evaluate goal time depending on the weather.
• There are a few tough hills (going across the bridge is quite tough)
• The race starts at 2pm, I found this very different to 9am marathon starts- I would recommend doing your 20 mile training runs around this time to get used to the build up etc.

That said I really enjoyed the race & the city, great athmosphere, plenty to see/do after the race and the finish in the olympic stadium actually made me feel like an athlete for once!

Mark

ronnie085

Thanks all for your replies. Looking towards edinburgh as looks like i'll be going solo, GF has exams couple of weeks later. Probably better chance of meeting some people for post race drinks . Although hamburg is really tempting me, it seems to be getting v good reviews on all the searchs i did, oh choices choices, will get Dublin out of the way then throw my name in the hat for one of them

floggg

Hi guys, just looking for some advice on a marathon to run next spring. Madrid seems like a nice place to do it (plus the Real Madrid v Barca derby is on that weekend - would love to kill to birds with one stone).

It would be my first marathon - I have trained for two so far, but have pulled out of both due to an ankle injury. I am hoping to start early to give my ankle enough time to adapt to training, as I was always trying to make up for lost time in the last two.

I noticed that Madrid is a hilly course -would it be a bit challenging for a first timer?

As alternatives, I was also possibly thinking of Milan (though AC are playing in Florence that weekend!) or Barcelona (Barca v Zaragoza)!

I think the Barcalona marathon might be a bit tight, as I know I will lose some weeks at Xmas and to weather, and i would like to build some time in to compensate (i think trying to catch up for the weeks lost for these reasons when training for Paris 2010 was what lead to me overworking and doing in my ankle for the second time).

shels4ever

floggg wrote: »

Hi guys, just looking for some advice on a marathon to run next spring. Madrid seems like a nice place to do it (plus the Real Madrid v Barca derby is on that weekend - would love to kill to birds with one stone).

It would be my first marathon - I have trained for two so far, but have pulled out of both due to an ankle injury. I am hoping to start early to give my ankle enough time to adapt to training, as I was always trying to make up for lost time in the last two.

I noticed that Madrid is a hilly course -would it be a bit challenging for a first timer?

As alternatives, I was also possibly thinking of Milan (though AC are playing in Florence that weekend!) or Barcelona (Barca v Zaragoza)!

I think the Barcalona marathon might be a bit tight, as I know I will lose some weeks at Xmas and to weather, and i would like to build some time in to compensate (i think trying to catch up for the weeks lost for these reasons when training for Paris 2010 was what lead to me overworking and doing in my ankle for the second time).

From what I've heard i'd do Barca over Madrid, I've heard Madrid is very hilly but haven't do it myself.

Brianderunner

shels4ever wrote: »

From what I've heard i'd do Barca over Madrid, I've heard Madrid is very hilly but haven't do it myself.

+1

Haven't done Madrid but i know the city and the route and it's fairly hilly, at all the wrong points. It was quite hot this year too, over 20 degrees by the end. Barcelona does come early alright and training would want to be starting quite soon for it.

If you're looking for a time go for Rotterdam, great crowds, very flat, can't fault the race. Not the nicest spot for a weekend away though.

Moycullen1

floggg wrote: »

Hi guys, just looking for some advice on a marathon to run next spring. Madrid seems like a nice place to do it (plus the Real Madrid v Barca derby is on that weekend - would love to kill to birds with one stone).

It would be my first marathon - I have trained for two so far, but have pulled out of both due to an ankle injury. I am hoping to start early to give my ankle enough time to adapt to training, as I was always trying to make up for lost time in the last two.

I noticed that Madrid is a hilly course -would it be a bit challenging for a first timer?

As alternatives, I was also possibly thinking of Milan (though AC are playing in Florence that weekend!) or Barcelona (Barca v Zaragoza)!

I think the Barcalona marathon might be a bit tight, as I know I will lose some weeks at Xmas and to weather, and i would like to build some time in to compensate (i think trying to catch up for the weeks lost for these reasons when training for Paris 2010 was what lead to me overworking and doing in my ankle for the second time).

Although I know it would be nice to take in a match I'm not sure I would complicate things with one particularly on your first marathon. I have been to several matches in Spain and the late ones are very late when you add in the time needed to get out the stadium and get back to your hotel. Generally speaking for a nine am marathon start you will probably be getting up around six am and you should really be trying to get to bed between nine or ten the previous night. Considering all the training and general preparation you are likely to put in to a marathon especially your first one personally speaking I think you should try and concentrate on getting the most out of it. In relation to choice of Marathon if you go back to the start of this thread most of the spring marathons are covered. If it were me I would be avoiding Madrid because of the hills and because it can also get very hot as it is on the 17th of April. You could take a look at Vienna as one alternative. Its a great city and a great event.

ThePiedPiper

Entry to Seville confirmed (€20!!!) and flight booked with Iberia Friday to Monday.

Will we set up a schedule of who's racing where in this thread same as last year?

Moycullen1

Sevilla - 13/02/11
RunForestRun

Valencia - 20/02/11


Barcelona - 06/03/11
Brianderunner

Bratislava -

Rotterdam -

Paris -


Conn

Blackpool


London

Belfast -

Edinburgh

Cork -



Off Ye Go!!!

runforrest

would highly recommend paris although 37000 runners after doing only dublins and cork was a bit of a shock we stayed in in a fab appartment 30 secs from champs elysee (start) message me if you want name of website (dont think we can advertise on boards ? ) great crowd support ,we all posted really good times despite big feild.Heading to rome in March any advice re rome ??

floggg

Moycullen1 wrote: »

Although I know it would be nice to take in a match I'm not sure I would complicate things with one particularly on your first marathon. I have been to several matches in Spain and the late ones are very late when you add in the time needed to get out the stadium and get back to your hotel. Generally speaking for a nine am marathon start you will probably be getting up around six am and you should really be trying to get to bed between nine or ten the previous night. Considering all the training and general preparation you are likely to put in to a marathon especially your first one personally speaking I think you should try and concentrate on getting the most out of it. In relation to choice of Marathon if you go back to the start of this thread most of the spring marathons are covered. If it were me I would be avoiding Madrid because of the hills and because it can also get very hot as it is on the 17th of April. You could take a look at Vienna as one alternative. Its a great city and a great event.

Thanks. I can take or leave the match, though it seemed to be a sign that both were on same weekend.

I don't mind a bit of uphill, but obviously I can't judge the extent of hills not having been there before. Is it too hilly for a first time it just a little more difficult than is desirable?

What about the Milan marathon? As a city I think I might prefer it to Vienna for some reason.

Van.Bosch

Sevilla - 13/02/11</p>RunForestRun

Valencia - 20/02/11


Barcelona - 06/03/11
Brianderunner
Van.Bosch

Bratislava -

Rotterdam -

Paris -


Conn

Blackpool


London

Belfast -

Edinburgh

Cork -





<b>

Moycullen1

floggg wrote: »

What about the Milan marathon? As a city I think I might prefer it to Vienna for some reason.

I haven't visited Milan so I don't know much about it although I have heard it is quite industrial. Vienna is spectacular particularly if you like period architecture and shopping. The marathon finishes in a sort of palace type state building with a sort of beer fest atmosphere in the grounds with tents serving beer and food.

Reviews for Milan and Madrid respectively. BTW marathonguide.com is a good resource worth checking out.
http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=1893110410

http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=17110417

The Hammer

The Blackpool marathon 2011 is canceled because of lack of funding from the sponsor. They say it will be replaced with a much bigger event by the another event manager.

Brianderunner

floggg wrote: »

What about the Milan marathon? As a city I think I might prefer it to Vienna for some reason.

Milan is a great city, one of my fav cities in Europe, piazza del duomo and the san siro are stunning, nicest square and stadium in Europe imo. As moycullen said check out marathonguide.com, best place for reliable info. The race didnt get great reviews if i remember correctly, i was gonna do it last year till i read them.

Pisco Sour

Brianderunner wrote: »

+1

Haven't done Madrid but i know the city and the route and it's fairly hilly, at all the wrong points. It was quite hot this year too, over 20 degrees by the end. Barcelona does come early alright and training would want to be starting quite soon for it.

If you're looking for a time go for Rotterdam, great crowds, very flat, can't fault the race. Not the nicest spot for a weekend away though.

Great Irish bar though that does a nice pint (or 6) of Murphy's!:D

menoscemo

Sevilla - 13/02/11</p>RunForestRun

Valencia - 20/02/11


Barcelona - 06/03/11
Brianderunner
Van.Bosch
menoscemo

Bratislava -

Rotterdam -

Paris -


Conn
menoscemo (ultra)

Blackpool


London

Belfast -

Edinburgh

Cork -


There, I've said it now :cool:

theboyblunder

Valencia - 20/02/11


Barcelona - 06/03/11
Brianderunner
Van.Bosch
menoscemo
theboyblunder

Bratislava -

Rotterdam -

Paris -


Conn
menoscemo (ultra)

Blackpool


London

Belfast -

Edinburgh

Cork -