A few weeks ago I was called my a journalist on the New York Times and we had a telephone discussion about the state of play of large city Marathons - Here is a link to the article from today's NYT.
Big Marathons, Already Packed, May Still Grow
By JULIET MACUR
Published: October 29, 2008
Race directors are looking for ways to make their marathons even bigger, while somehow maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience for runners.
Wonder what others might think - Seems a very fair piece to me -
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Dublin Marathon Weekend 2008
As I reported earlier, obvioulsy I wasn't running this year, but it still meant a busy weekend at the Adidas Dublin Marathon. Went to the expo on Saturday to check out the stands, catch up with a few friends, and generally get re-enthused about the Marathon.
On Sunday, I was hareing a trail for the Dublin Hash House Harriers, and we welcomed a group of Runners/Hashers in from Sweden, along with a couple of Americans, and the usual Dublin crew. This was a sightseeing hash and a gentle run was planned for those taking part in the Marathon on Monday, and an enjoyable time was had as I showed them the sights of Dublin.
This took me through to Monday and Marathon Day. This year, it was no trip down to the start to wave good-bye and await the return - We were off at 7.30 to Terenure, and Mile 15 of the race. The Hash operate a Water Station here, and we arrived to find 10,000 bottles sat on pallets, tables awaiting building and a few like minded souls looking forward to the day. It was clear, cool, but dry, all in all a perfect day for running, and we quickly erected the tables, started to unpack the water bottle, having to pull off the plastic tops on 10,000 bottles. Then the van arrived with some banners, the FM104 Girls arrived in their Beetle, and 20 boxes of gels were dropped off for us - we were prepared -
At around 10.15 the lead car was spotted, and before we knew it the leaders were among us - and as quickly as they arrived, they were gone, their special drinks collected, drunk, discarded - water taken, and not a stride broken as they sped off. Gradually the rest of the field started to appear - Strung out at first as the leading Irish runners came through, then those looking to break 2:45, we spotted a few familar faces, some looking worse than others, and before we knew it, the masses were upon us. Hundreds of tired runners, pounding their way thru Mile 15, over half way, and starting the countdown to home.
Water was collected, dropped, gels ripped open, thank you's called to us volunteering. The kids helped us, handing out bottles without getting in every ones way, they were a welcome help - Runners must be the most polite people in the sporting world, as they thanked us for being there, we were all glad to help. After two hours of constant masses, the runners started to become walkers, the numbers dwindled, but still they came. Simon Baker, who would go on to set a world record for completeing a marathon on crutches, came by and chatted with us as he rested his arms - His "minders" complaining he was going too fast! We saw the Toucan, a friend of mine from Wales was yelled at - and went on to run 4:22, most looked great at our station, and the happy smiles of the walkers at the tail of the field said it all as they enjoyed their day out in Dublin.
Many were raising money for charities close to home, many just aiming to complete the run for their own satisfaction - One would come first, but everyone was a winner. Having run a fair few myself, I recalled the pleasures and pains of a marathon, part of me missing being out there running - As we wound down the operation as the numbers became a trickle, we waited for the last runners to pass, cheering them onwards to their own goals - I know I want to be a part of this again. Next year is Dublin's 30th Anniversary, my shoes will be laced, my training done, and I will be back on the streets of Terenure, and beyond - I'll be looking for my water at Mile 15 - On On ..
On Sunday, I was hareing a trail for the Dublin Hash House Harriers, and we welcomed a group of Runners/Hashers in from Sweden, along with a couple of Americans, and the usual Dublin crew. This was a sightseeing hash and a gentle run was planned for those taking part in the Marathon on Monday, and an enjoyable time was had as I showed them the sights of Dublin.
This took me through to Monday and Marathon Day. This year, it was no trip down to the start to wave good-bye and await the return - We were off at 7.30 to Terenure, and Mile 15 of the race. The Hash operate a Water Station here, and we arrived to find 10,000 bottles sat on pallets, tables awaiting building and a few like minded souls looking forward to the day. It was clear, cool, but dry, all in all a perfect day for running, and we quickly erected the tables, started to unpack the water bottle, having to pull off the plastic tops on 10,000 bottles. Then the van arrived with some banners, the FM104 Girls arrived in their Beetle, and 20 boxes of gels were dropped off for us - we were prepared -
At around 10.15 the lead car was spotted, and before we knew it the leaders were among us - and as quickly as they arrived, they were gone, their special drinks collected, drunk, discarded - water taken, and not a stride broken as they sped off. Gradually the rest of the field started to appear - Strung out at first as the leading Irish runners came through, then those looking to break 2:45, we spotted a few familar faces, some looking worse than others, and before we knew it, the masses were upon us. Hundreds of tired runners, pounding their way thru Mile 15, over half way, and starting the countdown to home.
Water was collected, dropped, gels ripped open, thank you's called to us volunteering. The kids helped us, handing out bottles without getting in every ones way, they were a welcome help - Runners must be the most polite people in the sporting world, as they thanked us for being there, we were all glad to help. After two hours of constant masses, the runners started to become walkers, the numbers dwindled, but still they came. Simon Baker, who would go on to set a world record for completeing a marathon on crutches, came by and chatted with us as he rested his arms - His "minders" complaining he was going too fast! We saw the Toucan, a friend of mine from Wales was yelled at - and went on to run 4:22, most looked great at our station, and the happy smiles of the walkers at the tail of the field said it all as they enjoyed their day out in Dublin.
Many were raising money for charities close to home, many just aiming to complete the run for their own satisfaction - One would come first, but everyone was a winner. Having run a fair few myself, I recalled the pleasures and pains of a marathon, part of me missing being out there running - As we wound down the operation as the numbers became a trickle, we waited for the last runners to pass, cheering them onwards to their own goals - I know I want to be a part of this again. Next year is Dublin's 30th Anniversary, my shoes will be laced, my training done, and I will be back on the streets of Terenure, and beyond - I'll be looking for my water at Mile 15 - On On ..
Friday, October 24, 2008
Stop - Start
Just in case I am talking to myself these days - I deserve to. I have been so irregular on here, I would be amazed if anyone has any patience left with me.
On the plus side, I am now injury free. I am still hashing and this has allowed me to keep some semblance of running in my life. This weekend here in Dublin, it's Marathon time. Obviously I am not running it this year, but I am contrbuting by Volunteering at a water station on Monday (Mile 15!), and I am also leading out a hash on Sunday for those visiting, a Sightseeing Hash!
But where does that leave my running. I had been thinking of running the Cross Country this winter, but knowing that being out of shape and running X-Country are not ideal friends, I will postpone those until the New Year, but I will target two low key races in December as runs. A 10K on Dec 6th, the Aware Race, and the Jingle Bells 5K the following weekend.
The biggest problem I have at present is my weight. I crept over 200lbs a couple of weeks ago, but glad to say I am back under again, and really will have to work on getting this back down to my Running Weight, which is below 185 - We shall see.....
On the plus side, I am now injury free. I am still hashing and this has allowed me to keep some semblance of running in my life. This weekend here in Dublin, it's Marathon time. Obviously I am not running it this year, but I am contrbuting by Volunteering at a water station on Monday (Mile 15!), and I am also leading out a hash on Sunday for those visiting, a Sightseeing Hash!
But where does that leave my running. I had been thinking of running the Cross Country this winter, but knowing that being out of shape and running X-Country are not ideal friends, I will postpone those until the New Year, but I will target two low key races in December as runs. A 10K on Dec 6th, the Aware Race, and the Jingle Bells 5K the following weekend.
The biggest problem I have at present is my weight. I crept over 200lbs a couple of weeks ago, but glad to say I am back under again, and really will have to work on getting this back down to my Running Weight, which is below 185 - We shall see.....
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