Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Options
Cyprus 4 day challenge
I've decided to go for this at the end of November, and hope that it will be enjoyable as well as challenging.
Just a couple of things. just wondering if anyone on this forum has done this event before & any comments (before I commit myself and part with my dosh). Also, as a woman planning to go on my own (can't get anyone else to go yet, and not taking hubby, although I may end up doing), would those who've been in past say that I would still enjoy myself with all the other competitors and not get left out as a spare part. I'm not an ipod girl, so would need to socialise.
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
Hi Guy's, do not worry in the slightest. The atmosphere at this event is fantastic and very very friendly. Last year around 230 people did this challenge over the first three days, and more joined in on the final day 10k taking the number to around 280
If you go with 2.09 or make the journey on your own as I did last year you'll be made very welcome and participate in an enjoyable but gruelling experience during hopefully some pleasant but not too hot sunshine.
People come from several countries to participate in this event, some come back the following year to do better.
I'm hopefully doing it again this year so maybe see you there.
My wife and I went with 2:09 last year, stayed at the Coral Beach, we had a fabulous week. We both participated in the challenge, it was a 40th birthday treat for my wife, just the type a guy I am !! It was well organised, the atmosphere was superb amongst the various nationalities competing. Apart from the time trial, I ran with the wife for the other 3 events. I'm not noted for back of the pack running (no disrespect to the missus !) but I really enjoyed it, having a good laugh and chat with the other competitors. This year unfortunately, my wife has allowed me to go on my own, I'm already booked via 2:09 Events. I'm really looking forward to the challenge, hoping for a top 50 finish this time ! See you all there
Ah yes, I remember how you made your wife run with a balloon tied to her side on her birthday, mind you I think someone else had a birthday and did the same as well.
Did your photos come out ok, you were taking loads as I remember.
It was 4 days of fun, except the last day which was run in pain after the half and all the down hill running that my legs had to suffer, but as I said I'm hoping to be there this year to do better.
Where is the wife going - Barbados??
This year my brother and I are planning to return for a 3rd year. We stayed in the coral bay hotel but booked ourselves. If you are chatty there is lots of others to chat to before, during and after the races I would say.
Not sure if the whole family will be going again but its a well organised and enjoyable challenge.
I wonder how many people will enter this year......
Zed
As it appears I’ve got half way through July and I’m still in the UK it looks as though I’m going to give this a go. Have stayed at the Corallia Beach before and it’s perfectly fine so will probably go for that option.
Loch Ness Marathon planned before then and a week of doing nothing in Rhodes with the ‘kids’ (25 and 27).
Oh, and a few Premier League football games to watch.
I like the idea of this
First of all if you don't train on hills it will be tough. Having said that I don't do alot of hill running and could run/walk it. My usual 10k flat time is about 55mins and I finished the hill run in about 1hr 18 mins last year. It is tough no doubt. You start off at the beach and run about 1k on the flat dirt road, then start heading up hill. Some of which is very very steep indeed but it does flatten out on and off. The last 3km (I think it was about that) was a minor uphill slope. It is mostly tarmac concrete type road with a little bit of dirt road at the start.
I think the web site might have the metres climbed over the 11k....... there is also photos of the hill run on the web.
Overall it is kind of the least favourite run over the 4 days but perversely I liked it for the challenge!
Zed
Have pretty well decided to give this a go so may see you there.
spag bog sauce: yeah we book independent too. My Gran'ma lives in Limassol so we go see her after the races. You can get much cheaper accomodation than the hotels the race use I am sure too. Especially november in Cyprus. hope you make it?!
Haven't booked quite yet but will do so in the next month or so. Must get entry into the race too. First get the week signed off by the boss.
Zed
Bol.sauce:
Yes - all the buses to the start and bac at the end go from the Coral Bay. Day 1 time trial starts at the hotel and runs 6km along to a beach so if there is another driver for your car you could get them to meet you there. Otherwise the bus will whisk you all back to the hotel. Buses leave once they are filled up so sometimes you wait a short while and sometimes you literally hop on and it leaves. The whole bus thing is generally pretty well organised.
there is plenty of parking (an overflow bit if it is busy etc) at Coral Bay. For the hill run it is the other side of the island (well north of paphos on the atakama coast) and starts and finishes at different points so perhaps best to do the bus. Same for the half marathon.
Having said that there are quite a few buses/folks with family/other halves who drive to meet their runners at the finish etc but we just get the buses. Apart from the last day when we take our car from Coral Bay to Paphos - its about a 20 min drive when roads are quiet. any other things you might want to know just ask.
Zed
I'm going!!! Dead chuffed, hubby paying for hol (he's a golfer, so happy), me for event, said I wouldn't shut up otherwise (he's right!). Looking forward to it, and may tap you Zed for some further info nearer time, if that's ok. Checked on Arena sports, and they charge 15 euros for the bus each day, but plenty of time to sort that out, just need to book holiday now.
Look forward to seeing everyone there.
Looking to book this by myself - thinking about an extended trip...flights seem easy, need to find hotel - looks like a popular place so that should be a problem & transfers.
€ v £ always a problem when the exchange rates are against you. Reg Fee going up.....must be getting popular.
Anyone know what is the weather is `normally` like at the end of November?
As runs start at 9.30 it's not so bad and you get back to hotel/drop off by 12ish
10k starts at 8am and after fun and games including free beer and food you get back to the hotel around 1pm
Hot Mr K - Cyprus has a reputation of attracting old and retired people at that time of year for that very reason. I think you'll LOVE it
LWJ - Hello, I was going to talk to about this.......honest.
........"attracting old & retired people..."
Hello LWJ - we meet again
You should do it, I did it last year and booked independently and thought it was good value but did not attend the Gala Dinner as was staying outside of Coral Bay with family and had other plans. The events and preparation went like clockwork, the Event team did a fantastic job.
Gaz - that's all i can manage of your name without making a typing error !
I know the Cyprus Challenge is a good well organised event, but i don't think it's something i can quite manage at present. It's the hills
....... i don't like hills 
. Have you been out to Switzerland and done the Swiss Alpine Events?
Mr K - will you be running with the club this sunday?