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Clontarf Half Marathon & 5 Mile July 6th 2024

  • 19-04-2024 7:07pm
    #1
    Consonata
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭Consonata


    Hey all!

    Hoping to run the half on the 6th, haven't run a half marathon before but this course looked nice and flat and decided to bite the bullet and go for it. Anybody have any experience of it/are training for it?



Comments

  • #2
    Trevorfromtheshoppingcentre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 124 ✭✭Trevorfromtheshoppingcentre


    Best of luck in the training. I never done these races but I imagine there might be some headwinds involved being by the sea.

    Might be a good idea to practice along the coast if you can. I fell way behind my pace group in a 10 mile race last year when the route went out to a bay.



  • #3
    chinguetti
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,555 ✭✭✭chinguetti


    Always a tricky course with the different surfaces and the wind, there's always wind on that course. It can feel like its in your face both ways so do some beach running in your training and good luck with it. Also get used to pacing yourself on runs as if you go out too fast on the day, it will be a tough finish.



  • #4
    Consonata
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭Consonata


    Thanks a million for the tips! Will definitely try and get some long runs out on the coast.



  • #5
    taxAHcruel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 977 ✭✭✭taxAHcruel


    I've run from the Sheds Pub clontarf to the West Pier in Howth - and back - quite a few times now. That comes to about 20km. So probably useful for the training.



  • #6
    brick tamland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,543 ✭✭✭brick tamland


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122042622#Comment_122042622

    I think they got rid of the 2 x stretches along the beach, all road now. Unless they're changing back



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  • #7
    MisterDrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭MisterDrak


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122048314#Comment_122048314

    Yes the 2* Beach sections are now gone. Probably down to the large numbers running and potential for litter…

    Anyway solid race no matter what pace you are running. But as some body mentioned above, nearly always a west / South West wind, which would be in the face on the return leg…

    Might give it a go myself as it covers most of my training loops…



  • #8
    Gary_dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,225 ✭✭✭Gary_dunne


    I've done the half marathon there a couple of times, the November and the July one. Doing it again this year and can confirm what people say above there is always wind. You feel like it's against you on the first half then you turn and realise that it's somehow still against you!

    Flat course and always good numbers for it, as long as the temp isn't too warm in July you should be fine with some decent training done before it.



  • #9
    Ximena Stale Washbowl
    Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭ Ximena Stale Washbowl


    Got my pb in their November version. Nice course but it was an annoying, as on race day it was 15c and 25k winds. I was boiling.



  • #10
    CassieManson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 753 ✭✭✭CassieManson


    New sponsor, means new course, details not yet announced

    We are absolutely delighted to announce our new venue partner Eastpoint Business Park for the Joe Duffy BMW Half Marathon & 5 Mile. The event will now start and finish in the Eastpoint Business Park. Stay tuned for a new route map coming soon.



  • #11
    copacetic
    Subscribers Posts: 16,714 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    better setup in the new start and end point with great use of the mostly empty east point business park to get the bag drop etc full under cover. Certainly much more weatherproof and not ruining local pitches. Route basically the same for the 5 mile anyway, , just different turn. Seems very popular especially for the half marathon. Seems like way too many people for the narrowness of route. Basically very hard to pass for the first 2.5 miles as so many people running 2 or 3 abreast in the wrong waves and on the way back impossible to pass as now you have half the width of the path and people and trying to pass the two abreast people in both directions. Saw a few very close things with headphone runners not hearing the leaders coming back and blocking the route. On the bright side it’s not often I’ve run a huge negative split or a last mile 1.30 faster than the first. Maybe the forced pacing is something to try in future.

    Usually don’t recommend it as not great value, and awkward narrow route but somehow end up doing it as time of year always works out well for November one. Presume that is why the half is so busy also. I’m swearing not to do it again.



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  • #12
    solidasarock
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 360 ✭✭solidasarock


    I did this as well. First time doing the Clantarf half but I have had my eye on it for a while

    Very crowded. Too many people for what is essentially running 10km down a single cycle path then 10km back the other cycle path.

    Maybe they could spread out waves a little bit more.

    Also some more toilets at the starting area would have been great. I saw 2 with long lines and just assumed there would be more near bag drop or along the walk to the starting line and there wasnt.



  • #13
    Van.Bosch
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,982 ✭✭✭Van.Bosch


    the area just isn’t right for a half marathon.



  • #14
    bertiusMaximus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭bertiusMaximus


    I ran the Clontarf half in Winter 2022 before the Bear Group took it over 1400 finishers on the old course which went out and back on the beach and started / finished on the promenade. Much better experience in terms of crowds, bag drop and organisation.

    I also ran last Saturdays Half Marathon which had approx 3500 finishers and it is obvious that there are too many entries for the course. It was overcrowded in most parts of the course and the Bag drop was a shambles.

    The Bear group seem to want to sell as many entries as possible without regard for what can actually fit on the course.



  • #15
    Rossi7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 453 ✭✭Rossi7


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122864608#Comment_122864608

    The Bear Group just isn't right for organising running events full stop.



  • #16
    Pawwed Rig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,435 ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    Haven't done it in a few years but does it not go down to the beach anymore? Pity if it doesnt



  • #17
    Butterbeans
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 503 ✭✭✭Butterbeans


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122865939#Comment_122865939

    A good many years since I've ran it, but yeah, liked that section



  • #18
    Butterbeans
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 503 ✭✭✭Butterbeans


    I think the Bear Group is run by Eoin Ryan. He was always over the Clontarf HM anyway. I might be corrected on that.



  • #19
    CassieManson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 753 ✭✭✭CassieManson


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122866009#Comment_122866009

    I don't think he is involved now. I think he sold his races (Sandymount, Wexford, Clontarf etc) to Bear



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