Wicklow Gaol Break Half Marathon & 10km

Andalucia

tough course, glad I only did the 10k

Could not get over the number of runners wearing headphones, its an accident waiting to happen, Any runner wearing headphones should not have their name listed in the results, as is done in some other races.

Headphones have no place in a race.

Apart from that, well organised, though could have done with access to cup of tea after the event, without having to hang around until 12.30

But I suppose as its a commercial event, the organisers can save a few quid on refreshments as most people would not bother hanging around!

geodesic

Nice rural course once past the early more built-up phase. A few hills to slow you down, but nothing major. Comfortably got in sub-2hrs having done little training.

But, man, does this event have a cheap'n'nasty feel to the organizational side. Honestly the medal and t-shirt were complete trash, 10 times worse than the usual. The whole feel of the event was nicely summed up with their soup policy:

Cup of soup at Finish *New in 2015* - Yes, we have a cup of soup for you at the
finish. This is for competitors ONLY and one per person. (Too many races have run out of
food due to the whole family coming in and filling up). So this is how we are going to
do it. You must hand in your race number to receive a soup – no exceptions please and
thank you.

WFT? I'm prepared to pay a registration fee close on 40 euros, but yet I'd try to sneak the entire family in for a cup of luke-warm soup?

I actually overheard a guy being refused the soup because he wanted to keep his race number as a souvenir (having seen him near the start line, I knew he'd run the race ... but given his garb and general demeanor, that much would have been obvious to the soup-rationer also).

So, one to avoid if such tackiness tends to annoy you.

eoin ryan

That's a big grenade you throw there. And grenade's bring shrapnel so i feel obliged to reply.
Firstly I'm glad you read the race details - many don't. And what is written there is based on fact. It clearly struck a negative cord with you - but only you know why that bothered you to the extent it did. We lost your approval before the race had begun and it was a slippery slope from there

When organising a large race or event of any description it is impossible to keep everyone happy. It doesn't mean we don't try. In the spirit of improving and listening to people we addressed what the poster (above this one wrote) last year. We moved the soup to the finish area so it was available directly after the race. And to make sure everyone in the race was provided for - we had a system to manage it. It's news to me that people like to keep race numbers so I learned something new. We will change that system next year.

From what I'm reading most people enjoyed the race. I was particularly delighted to see a bored ambulance crew with nothing to do on such a hot day where things could go pear with dehydration & fatigue. Our preparation and systems worked effectively and credit to the whole team on the execution.

KJ

I thought the race was organised brilliantly. I like to keep my race number but I had no interest in soup after a race on a hot day anyway so no complaints from me. I also thought the t-shirt was really good. I will definitely be back next year.

eoinín

On two recent threads I've read one complaint from a runner who finished far down the field and found all the post run refreshments had been gobbled by faster runners and their families, and another comment from a spectator who witnessed post race refreshments being eaten by family members while the race in question was still ongoing. Yet when a race organiser tries to do something about it and ensure all entrants get what they are promised, they are accused of being cheap! You cant please everyone I guess.

HelenAnne

eoinín wrote: »

On two recent threads I've read one complaint from a runner who finished far down the field and found all the post run refreshments had been gobbled by faster runners and their families, and another comment from a spectator who witnessed post race refreshments being eaten by family members while the race in question was still ongoing. Yet when a race organiser tries to do something about it and ensure all entrants get what they are promised, they are accused of being cheap! You cant please everyone I guess.

At the Stook 10 mile they had a special kids' refreshment table, with sweets and orange squash and more-decorated buns etc. I thought that was a good idea because kids (and no offence to kids, I think often they just get excited at the 'buffet' aspect of race refreshments and go up multiple times and end up leaving buns and biscuits half eaten) do seem to decimate the refreshments tables after loads of races. I thought having their own, even more appealing, table was a great idea!

barryoneill50

eoinín wrote: »

On two recent threads I've read one complaint from a runner who finished far down the field and found all the post run refreshments had been gobbled by faster runners and their families, and another comment from a spectator who witnessed post race refreshments being eaten by family members while the race in question was still ongoing. Yet when a race organiser tries to do something about it and ensure all entrants get what they are promised, they are accused of being cheap! You cant please everyone I guess.

Commercial race = food rationing.
Club race = mountain of food.
I can certainly see how it came across as cheap!

BeepBeep67

barryoneill50 wrote: »

Commercial race = food rationing.
Club race = mountain of food.
I can certainly see how it came across as cheap!

That's one way of looking at it or :-

Commercial race = purchased food
Club race = donated food from club members

barryoneill50

Maybe Eoin should have got Super Value on board for this event, as he does for Wexford.
I've ran in 3 of Eoin's events and couldn't really fault them(race wise). But this will put people off these races and as they will opt for the club races who put on a better after show(if that's there thing). A mountain of food whether paid for or donated is still just a mountain of food and whether we like it or not it matters to the masses imo.....

eoin ryan

you know what... the words 'commercial' and 'for profit' have been often presented on borads like some kind of green eyed monster. Something dirty and wrong or worse

Anyone, with a job, who trades their skills in exchange for money is commercial. Doing that, will hopefully provide you with the basic living requirements of shelter and food. Now ,if you go beyond being able to fund basic living requirements you are essentially making a profit. Again in exchange for your acquired skills set. Then you can buy beyond what is necessary for basic survival...

I believe we aim to better ourselves and our families - for the most part. 'Work hard and you'll succeed' is what i was brought up to believe.

Everyone with a job (skill set), who gets paid - is commercial just as I am/do (and hopefully for you, you are also making a profit).
My skill set is organising races. I choose to do it (in a roundabout way) and here I am.

by the way this isn't a go at any one individual and its not my intention to talk any further on it. I won't change anyones view and that's ok. I'm a big fan of mindfulness that's all. I'm possibly on the wrong forum here...

Words create powerful messages and associations, deliberate or otherwise

ultraman1

eoin ryan wrote: »

you know what... the words 'commercial' and 'for profit' have been often presented on borads like some kind of green eyed monster. Something dirty and wrong or worse

Anyone, with a job, who trades their skills in exchange for money is commercial. Doing that, will hopefully provide you with the basic living requirements of shelter and food. Now ,if you go beyond being able to fund basic living requirements you are essentially making a profit. Again in exchange for your acquired skills set. Then you can buy beyond what is necessary for basic survival...

I believe we aim to better ourselves and our families - for the most part. 'Work hard and you'll succeed' is what i was brought up to believe.

Everyone with a job (skill set), who gets paid - is commercial just as I am/do (and hopefully for you, you are also making a profit).
My skill set is organising races. I choose to do it (in a roundabout way) and here I am.

by the way this isn't a go at any one individual and its not my intention to talk any further on it. I won't change anyones view and that's ok. I'm a big fan of mindfulness that's all. I'm possibly on the wrong forum here...

Words create powerful messages and associations, deliberate or otherwise

Dont think anyone said theres anything wrong with commercialism,...he just said u were scabby with the lukewarm soup,gave out a cheap medal and wasnt too impressed with his tee shirt..if thats his opinion,thats his opinion,

Philrunner83

Prizes were scabby aswell 3 months gym membership in coral leisure in Wicklow can't even use in any other coral leisure poor show overall!!!

frash

For what it's worth Eoin I enjoyed Sunday.

I'm never gonna win a prize so they don't bother me. The t-shirt is grand for training in & the medal went to my 4 year old's collection.

I don't keep race numbers so the soup was a welcome warmer-upper before the drive home.

Cheers - will be back next year (might see me in Clontarf in July again this year too)

PDCAT

I completed this run on Sunday as well. Thought it was very well organised. The route was challenging with some scenic area's, not a PB course. Good atmosphere on the day.
Good work on three Water stations - given the day that was in it, it really helped.

While i don't think the t shirt or medal were great, it's never a deal breaker for me, i've dozen's of both, some more rubbish than the one's i recieved on Sunday. As for a cup of soup, if your basing the success or failure of an organised event on this.... well,your not going to satisfy everyone.

Next year, organisers should probably just order a **** load of soup and serve it out free to runners - might make some people happy...

Trampas

eoin ryan wrote: »

From what I'm reading most people enjoyed the race. I was particularly delighted to see a bored ambulance crew with nothing to do on such a hot day where things could go pear with dehydration & fatigue. Our preparation and systems worked effectively and credit to the whole team on the execution.

Hot day? Didn't realise it was the middle of summer already or we got the winds blowing up for the Sahara

Pink11

eoinín wrote: »

On two recent threads I've read one complaint from a runner who finished far down the field and found all the post run refreshments had been gobbled by faster runners and their families, and another comment from a spectator who witnessed post race refreshments being eaten by family members while the race in question was still ongoing. Yet when a race organiser tries to do something about it and ensure all entrants get what they are promised, they are accused of being cheap! You cant please everyone I guess.

Really selfish!

Race organisers should not be expected to cater for family and friends of the runners. How could they possibly forecast numbers!? If the race is over and food is left over fair enough dish it out but it's quite shocking that people will help themselves while the race is ongoing. I'm on the side of race organisers here - they can't win.

Pink11

Andalucia wrote: »

tough course, glad I only did the 10k

Could not get over the number of runners wearing headphones, its an accident waiting to happen, Any runner wearing headphones should not have their name listed in the results, as is done in some other races.

Headphones have no place in a race.

Apart from that, well organised, though could have done with access to cup of tea after the event, without having to hang around until 12.30

But I suppose as its a commercial event, the organisers can save a few quid on refreshments as most people would not bother hanging around!

What races disallow runners with headphones on the results page?

I know lots of people won't agree with this and don't get me wrong, I can completely understand why people find it annoying but I for one like having headphones at a race. I have my music down very low and can hear everything around me - it helps me concentrate and focus on my breathing for long distance. I don't even pay attention to what music I'm listening to during a race but I find it very relaxing / calming to have it in the background. I always perform better with it.


P.S Well done to everyone who did the half and 10K. It was on my wish list but work commitments took over!