Leixlip 5k Road Race - Sat 8th May (11am)

lecheile

Just a bit of advance notice of this year's Leixlip 5k road race to put into your 2010 calendar. The course will be the same as last year (A jones counter measured and certified 5k route!) Entry is open to runners of all ability and the cost of entry will be the same as last year at €10. More detail and online booking will follow, but for now here is some of the feedback from last year’s Board’s thread on the event (here)

“I’m delighted I chose this as my first race. Can’t wait to do my second one”

“A big thank you to for a well orgainsed race”

“Well done on the event. The relaxed, friendly yet efficient organisation is something we hill runners are used to and appreciate.”

“Great course, and great day out. Very good and honest organisation, no getting ripped off or anything like that.”

“This one ticked lots of the boxes for me. Dressing rooms with showers, a race that started on time, Guards involved keeping the traffic at bay and great stewarding”

“Personally I thought this was a fast course”

“That was great! Looking forward to going back next year!”

“it was a fantastic race. Well organised and an enjoyable course.”

“Great race, nice scone afterwards too.”

“Good race, well organised & friendly atmosphere”

And we will of course address the constructive criticism we received regarding the following -

(1) Better marshalling on the final approach path
(2) Kilometer marking signs, not just road marking
(3) Better parking (not for runners, but angry parents of footballers who arrived after us)

mloc123

I will be there aiming for one of my season goals, was a great race this year.

kennyb3

my first ever race was this last year. great course - fast and accuarte and well marked. will defo be training for this again this year.

ultraman1

lookin forward to this one,well organised,nice route,get to finish on a track,its local,get a good quality field and i get the chance to beat my 2 jedi masters......

robinph

I would expect to be doing this one again. Was a good race last year, just hope it's not quite as windy next time.

W.B. Yeats

I'll be signing and hoping to be more successful in 2010 than I was in 09-
And that I'll be able to train despite having a little one in the family

lecheile

Entries are now open for this race here:

GoHardOrGoHome

That's me signed up!

lecheile

For details of the exact route and elevation map click here

ladytri

Hi Lecheile

How many runners are ye expecting?
Think I'll have to make an effort to sign up for this one seen as it's near me mam's house:)

mrak

I work near there during the week - is there a team competition involved? Might be fun to enter a work team..

lecheile

ladytri wrote: »

Hi Lecheile

How many runners are ye expecting?
Think I'll have to make an effort to sign up for this one seen as it's near me mam's house:)

Hi ladytri - there were over 150 took part last year but we expect significantly more than that this year - the weather conspired against us on the morning of the race last year with thunderous rain and wind - anyone who was not committed to running stayed in bed!! It cleared nicely with 30 minutes to spare, but too late for those still tucked up in their beds. Just ask Robinph about the wind - apparently prevented a PB, which I'm assured is on the cards this year

And given how close the race is to your mam's house - why doesn't she run as well???

lecheile

mrak wrote: »

I work near there during the week - is there a team competition involved? Might be fun to enter a work team..

Hi mrak - the numbers competing last year did not justify having a separate team competition. If there is demand for a team competition and people let me know, we will put up a suitable prize. We have extended the prizes with more masters' categories this year, but happy to look at teams also, if the numbers are there. see you and you team on the 8th:D

robinph

The wind was a bit of an effort to fight against last year alright, but without that it's a pretty flat and fast course. I'll be entering after I get back from Rotterdam and will be hoping to knock a good minute off my time from last year and use it as a warm up for the Kildare Half the next day where I'll also be going for a massive PB.

Van.Bosch

Great to see a fairly priced event. €10 for a 5km race seems perfect to me. I know there is no t shirt or chip timing but for 5km who cares. Great value at a tenner. I'll def sign up!

robinph

There is a plentifull supply of cakes though, so that alone makes the entry worthwhile for me.

ladytri

lecheile wrote: »

And given how close the race is to your mam's house - why doesn't she run as well???

That'd be a bit of a stretch for the mammy BUT I have conscripted the husband, the brother and the sister in law into doing it so it'll still be a family day out:) It'll be my first run in a LONG time but looking forward to it!

mrak

lecheile wrote: »

Hi mrak - the numbers competing last year did not justify having a separate team competition. If there is demand for a team competition and people let me know, we will put up a suitable prize. We have extended the prizes with more masters' categories this year, but happy to look at teams also, if the numbers are there. see you and you team on the 8th:D

Grand - one to consider anyhow. Wouldn't need to be a prize even - e.g. a box of chocolates, etc. Between hp and intel alone you could get a great fun team competition going.

ultraman1

robinph wrote: »

There is a plentifull supply of cakes .

Im defo on for this.........do u have to run or can u just turn up a 11:15 and get fed:D

robinph

You can certainly turn up at 11:15 and watch me eat cakes.

lecheile

ladytri wrote: »

That'd be a bit of a stretch for the mammy

Bring her along anyway for a cup of tea - we'll give her a ringside seat to view you over the last 500m

ladytri wrote: »

I have conscripted the husband, the brother and the sister in law into doing it so it'll still be a family day out

Well done you - delighted to have you all there.

lecheile

mrak wrote: »

Grand - one to consider anyhow. Wouldn't need to be a prize even - e.g. a box of chocolates, etc. Between hp and intel alone you could get a great fun team competition going.

Hi mrak - I was only talking to one of the guys last night about approaching both HP and Intel about getting the word spread around - so maybe a 5k-Face-Off-Battle-of-the-giants may be a way to achieve that

Must put thinking cap on and will get back to you.

lecheile

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Great to see a fairly priced event. €10 for a 5km race seems perfect to me. I know there is no t shirt or chip timing but for 5km who cares. Great value at a tenner. I'll def sign up!

Thanks for the comments Van.Bosch - while it is primarily run as a fund raiser for the club (for much needed funds to pump back into facilities ) we are also very aware of making is accessible and perceived as value for money - and there is no reason why both objectives can be achieved.

And just in case you have not noticed - when we say its a €10 entry fee we mean a tenner!! You won't be hit with a charge for online, credit card processing or Ryanair sneaky extra few quid when you go to book.

lecheile

robinph wrote: »

You can certainly turn up at 11:15 and watch me eat cakes.

plan for PB in Kildare half the day after and obliterating previous 5k PB to be back eating cakes for 11:15 - can't wait to see that

I now realise that maybe yourself and Ultraman may be motivated by the same thing - FREE FOOD - will have to warn the catering team!!!

geld

Best of luck with it Lecheile. Good to see a genuine race at a very affordable price organised by an athletic club. It's in the diary!

robinph

lecheile wrote: »

plan for PB in Kildare half the day after and obliterating previous 5k PB to be back eating cakes for 11:15 - can't wait to see that

I now realise that maybe yourself and Ultraman may be motivated by the same thing - FREE FOOD - will have to warn the catering team!!!

Well 15 minutes would be a bit unlikely, but I'm hoping for the low 17's. As for Kildare Half the next day, as long as I complete it I'm virtually guaranteed to be beating my previous PB unless I get lost on the way. Although I've had some discussions with ZuppyLurk as to what my actual PB* for a half is, I'll be aiming for as close to 1:25 as I can get.

The refreshments after the races are very important so knowing they are there may spur people on to faster times to make sure they don't miss out.


* Actual time for a half race being 1:53, but 1st half of Dublin'08 was 1:44 and 2nd half was 1:43, and with any luck I'll be beating all of those in Rotterdam. I'd still only consider the actual half race time of 1:53 as a PB until I do another race of the right distance though.

jb-ski

ladytri wrote: »

BUT I have conscripted the husband, the brother and the sister in law into doing it so it'll still be a family day out:) It'll be my first run in a LONG time but looking forward to it!

i hope ye're hanging around for a few pints, (you young folk might even hit Zinc).

how's the training going down Lough Key way anyway? is the Leixlip 5k record in danger???

gerire

Just noticed that this is on the same day as the neices christening; @rse

For anybody unsure whether or not to run this one; I would reccomend it; Grand quick course after the 1st hill and if its windy like last year you may get blown off this hill; But level enough for the rest and well organised
+1 for this event; pity i cant make it tho

ladytri

jb-ski wrote: »

how's the training going down Lough Key way anyway? is the Leixlip 5k record in danger???

ehhh....no...no danger of breaking any records! Swimming is about all we're doing round these parts at the moment but reckon 6 weeks of gentle running should get me to at least FINISH the 5km - ye know how I feel about running Jb-ski, it's my achiles heel of triathlon:(

Sure while we're in the area we may as well get a few scopes in..
where the feck is Zinc?? Does that mean rockafellas is no more:)

mloc123

Zinc the new name for the ho-zone?

I should be running this too, hoping to knock a good 5minutes off last years time... but it is 6 days after a HM that I am hoping to knock 30minutes off

lecheile

robinph wrote: »

Well 15 minutes would be a bit unlikely, but I'm hoping for the low 17's. As for Kildare Half the next day, as long as I complete it I'm virtually guaranteed to be beating my previous PB

I look forward to seeing you achieve the low 17s PB(?) - I too have a date with a sub 18 5k, so must start training soon I'll be going for a trot in the Kildare half if you fancy join me

jb-ski

ladytri wrote: »

Sure while we're in the area we may as well get a few scopes in..
where the feck is Zinc?? Does that mean rockafellas is no more:)

you're showing your age now;)

i was considering doing the Kildare 1/2 the next day, just for fun, but i think pints are being given priority.

this thread is becoming more about food (Ultraman, RobinP) and pints than RACING!

Sorry LeCheile........

scottyboy1973

Thinking of doing this but I'm a novice

Is this race just for serious running as it is run by a club??

Also, prob doing it for Charity and wondering if I can run it in a big bird costume (from Sesame street, not a large lady)

GoHardOrGoHome

scottyboy1973 wrote: »

Thinking of doing this but I'm a novice

Is this race just for serious running as it is run by a club??

Also, prob doing it for Charity and wondering if I can run it in a big bird costume (from Sesame street, not a large lady)

You'll be very welcome Scotty! LeCheile himself who also posts here would be delighted to see Big Bird running along the 5k course. Plenty of photo opportunities around the last 400m of grass track. There are lots of walkers who do this race along with joggers, runners and super-duper club runners!

See you there.

meathcountysec

scottyboy1973 wrote: »

Is this race just for serious running...

The only thing serious about my running is the stern face I pull in the last mile:p

I hope to make this event this year so if you're -29:43 you'll have at least one behind you (unless I can pull out a new PB on the day:rolleyes:)

lecheile

scottyboy1973 wrote: »

wondering if I can run it in a big bird costume (from Sesame street, not a large lady)

Hi scottyboy - you can run in either big bird costume - only requirement is not to convene any decency laws.

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

You'll be very welcome Scotty. There are lots of walkers who do this race along with joggers, runners and super-duper club runners!

+1 - all levels catered for

meathcountysec wrote: »

you'll have at least one behind you

if you want to run with scottyboy, wanna pick your favourite character from sesame street and you can go as a pair?

kennyb3

hi gohard,

what time you going to be shooting for at this? i reckon we shouldnt be too apart. hopefully see you there.

GoHardOrGoHome

kennyb3 wrote: »

hi gohard,

what time you going to be shooting for at this? i reckon we shouldnt be too apart. hopefully see you there.

Going to go for the big 19! I've been doing longer stuff recently so haven't been putting the foot down much. Will rectify that in the coming weeks. Might see if we can identify somebody to pull us around for the first 4k and then try to hammer it for the last bit. Each kilometre should take 3:48 and if we hit 4k at 15:12 then 19 should be no problem.

My problem is I'll probably do the first k too fast then slow down too much!
I was 19:22 in the one in the Phoenix park. You went sub 20 in that as well.

kennyb3

yeah ran 19.50 in that but was not long back from injury and unfit. i ran 19.40 in this last year and it was my first ever race (adrenalin fuelled)
but id be hoping for at least 19.10 this year but will defo be aiming for sub 19. just started some speed work this week myself.

sure i ll see you there. like you i ll hammer the first k - i did 3.43 for it last year sure

petermijackson

Lads,you have another one for sub 19 target. Just gotta look at work scedule and see if I can fit this in. Possibly a week before a half marathon in Mayo....

kennyb3

petermijackson wrote: »

Lads,you have another one for sub 19 target. Just gotta look at work scedule and see if I can fit this in. Possibly a week before a half marathon in Mayo....

we ll have to get a group going to push and help each other. i know most will have diff pacing strategies but be good to know where we are all at on the course to provide a motivation to help. i really found this a help in previous races

lecheile

kennyb3 wrote: »

the first k - i did 3.43 for it last year sure

Having a bit of knowledge of the bit of a climb in the first km might serve you better this year. For info I've seen GoHard training on that hill a few times

lecheile

petermijackson wrote: »

Lads,you have another one for sub 19 target.

Peter - be sure to check out the elevation of the course. Your challenge is to push yourself to the 4km mark (Louisa bridge - train station) and from there you can see the finish line which is a nice run down the hill to finish with a lap of the track. Get visualising and the sub 19 will be in the bag!

Dipity

Looking forward to this, missed it last year. Just wondering are there changing facilities (for girls) or anywhere to leave a bag?

I hope to hang around afterwards for the tea and scones you've mentioned I want to be able to change my clothes.

Thanks

kennyb3

yep there are changing rooms alright from what i recall last year s you shuldnt have any worries.

NeedsTraining

Looking at going for a PB in this, don't suppose any of you serious guys are interested in pacing a group to get them under 19.30?

chinguetti

Well i might as well join the exodus to Kildare on the 8th May. Must sign up one of these nights for it. I'ld love to get a pb but i'll be using it as a speed session for Edinburgh. I'll crack 19 mins another day.

lecheile

Dipity wrote: »

Looking forward to this, missed it last year. Just wondering are there changing facilities (for girls) or anywhere to leave a bag?

I hope to hang around afterwards for the tea and scones you've mentioned I want to be able to change my clothes.

Thanks

Yes Dipity, as kennyb pointed out, there are changing facilities and showers available for the race.

plodder

Just signed up. I've never raced a 5K before, so this should be interesting.

robinph

That's me finally gone and put my tenner down for this.

jb-ski

plodder wrote: »

Just signed up. I've never raced a 5K before, so this should be interesting.

+1 this is my club 5K, so i know the route well,
but i've never raced a 5k (or shorter than 10K) before.

i'm just back from the Connemarathon, so i'm in 'reverse taper' now
(new term i swallowed from a book yesterday:)) for next few weeks.

starting off fast will be an interesting challenge all right, after months of easier pace running.

see you on May 8th