sorry if i've missed it, but has anyone seen a route map for the south downs half? i cant see it on the 209 website. they say race starts at marathon 22mile mark and finishes with the marathon too, but where in between?
Entered this a while ago; it'll be my second marathon. Ran a chunk of the South West coastal path last week as part of training (it's seriously hilly) and loved it, but it really made me aware of what''s in store and I and am quailing at the thought of some of those hills.
I need to book a hotel for the night before with my wife, who's not running. It looks to me that if we stay near the start and she drops me off at the start line (but then doesn't park to watch the start) that should be fine but the organisers do stress taking the transfer coach pretty hard. Can anyone who's done it before comment? Just going straight to the start would make all the timings, and choice of where to stay, a lot lot easier.
I went to Arundel to check out the start a couple of weeks ago for hotels/B&Bs - there are plenty, including a Premier Inn on the road to Littlehampton and a pub hotel up the top of the hill by the catholic cathedral called St Mary's Gate which looked nice, especially if you like 2 pints the night before a race (just me then??). This should help
Ali - don't think there is any problem at all in getting dropped off at the start and met at the finish. What they are worried about mainly is parking at the start, as basically there isn't really much space there. I've used the transfer bus both times I've done this and it's fine, but this year might be getting a drop off from a teammate who is doing the half (although I sort of enjoy the bus trip - good chance for a chat and it's very efficient - apart from making you realise how far it is !). There is plenty of parking at the finish, cafe, picnic area, burger vans etc. Hope this helps.
Yup. Can you make the 7:32 from Victoria? That should get in in time for both 2nd and 3rd waves. I'm pretty sure Havant is the best option a slong as we remember to get cab numbers for the Petersfield area for the return.
Would say that the 1st one is okay. The ones at about 7 miles, 13 miles and 18 (or is it 19?) miles or so are worse....oh, and I did mention the one at 24 miles?
Trippr - I did 3.57 at Brighton, hoping for c 4.30 here (which I would take to be a better run). You should be well under 5 if you have a recent sub 4..........and some hill training !
Sean - sure Helly d and I wouldn't have seen you (running up the hills) as you'd have been long past us by the time we get to the real hills like Harting Down ! I think it's more all-runnable than Beachy Head though, but I prefer to enjoy the day out (I lack commitment). I've also walked past people who were 'running' on some of the hills as well.........
@Old Gwasshopper - I'd be over the moon with a sub 4:30.. i've put in plenty of hills. Off out Thursday for another session, any none of my runs are flat.
I'll do my best to run all the way around, i'll report back once it's over!
Hi, this will be my first SDM and 15th marathon overall... can someone answer a few questions for me as struggling to find answers on the tinternet!
1. I entered ages ago when entries opened. I believe I had to specify my finish time which I recall stating sub 4 hours. Is this now fixed as my training has been hit and miss so now predict 4 hours 30. Am I allocated a wave start and can I change... or do you just get to the finish in time for the correct transfer bus to the start for your predicted wave?
2. Does your race number get posted to you or do you need to bring race entry confirmation with you and pick up your number at the start? I have moved house since I entered so will be posted to wrong address!
3. How many water stations are there on the route, guess we carry our own water anyway or is there enough water stops to rely on?
Any assistance greatly appreciated... can't wait to give this one a try... I am working on it being similar to Snowdonia marathon, tougher or similar??
Personally, I don't think this will be enough, not for me anyway. It could be a very hot day. I'm planning on buying a new belt to hold a water bottle, along with my gels and jelly babies
I'm sure someone will be able to answer your other questions...
Comments
sorry if i've missed it, but has anyone seen a route map for the south downs half? i cant see it on the 209 website. they say race starts at marathon 22mile mark and finishes with the marathon too, but where in between?
thanks in advance
looking forward to it!
yeah it would nice if someone has a Gamin activity of the full marathon.
Would like to try and replicate some of the hills...
Not long now till I'll start to taper tho, last long run this weekend. Going for a 23 miler, then down to around 15,10 and 6 weekend before.
Hi all,
I'm back for another go this year, my first time last year and absolutely loved it. Couldn't resist another go despite very little training
And they have now kindly uploaded the route now on the 2:09 website
http://www.209events.com/event.php?event=33
best of luck all
As requested, here's my garmin link to last year's full marathon:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91911118
Ignore the dodgt HRM readings, as if you need telling that with a garmin...
(and despite my earlier comment, fastest mile was just under 8 minutes)
S2K - thanks for that - and if your Garmin is reasonably accurate then 2,600 ft of elevation gain sounds a lot more pleasant than 5,600!
Nope, its 5,600ft!
GPS are rubbish at elevation....sorry to disapoint!
Ouch
Don't worry cfb, they're lovely rolling elevations and you get wonderful views of the, ahem, elevations you're about to traverse
I was going to say the same - garmin should ditch elevation and HRM, and just focus on what they do well (or at least license Polar HRM technology).
Agreed - my Garmin HRM is dodgy at times (or maybe it's my heart that's dodgy). Pretty good on elevation though - yep, this one is well over 5,000ft
I just use a basic Polar HRM since my basic Suunto HRM broke about 2 years ago
Entered this a while ago; it'll be my second marathon. Ran a chunk of the South West coastal path last week as part of training (it's seriously hilly) and loved it, but it really made me aware of what''s in store and I and am quailing at the thought of some of those hills.
I need to book a hotel for the night before with my wife, who's not running. It looks to me that if we stay near the start and she drops me off at the start line (but then doesn't park to watch the start) that should be fine but the organisers do stress taking the transfer coach pretty hard. Can anyone who's done it before comment? Just going straight to the start would make all the timings, and choice of where to stay, a lot lot easier.
I went to Arundel to check out the start a couple of weeks ago for hotels/B&Bs - there are plenty, including a Premier Inn on the road to Littlehampton and a pub hotel up the top of the hill by the catholic cathedral called St Mary's Gate which looked nice, especially if you like 2 pints the night before a race (just me then??). This should help
http://www.arundel.org.uk/accommodation.html
I have since decided to get my wife to drive me down to the start instead of stopping over
Ali - don't think there is any problem at all in getting dropped off at the start and met at the finish. What they are worried about mainly is parking at the start, as basically there isn't really much space there. I've used the transfer bus both times I've done this and it's fine, but this year might be getting a drop off from a teammate who is doing the half (although I sort of enjoy the bus trip - good chance for a chat and it's very efficient - apart from making you realise how far it is !). There is plenty of parking at the finish, cafe, picnic area, burger vans etc. Hope this helps.
Hey HellyD
Are we still ok to travel down? Shall I buy a return ticket to Havant?
Yup. Can you make the 7:32 from Victoria? That should get in in time for both 2nd and 3rd waves. I'm pretty sure Havant is the best option a slong as we remember to get cab numbers for the Petersfield area for the return.
Thanks for the Garmin data Sean G. 2.5mi to 5.5 looks killer.
My partner will be driving down on the day and waiting for me at the finish. I'll be catching the bus to the start.
I'm expecting about 5 hours - based on 3:58 Brighton. I hope the weather is nice.
Would say that the 1st one is okay. The ones at about 7 miles, 13 miles and 18 (or is it 19?) miles or so are worse....oh, and I did mention the one at 24 miles?
indeed! Oh what have I got myself in for!!
It will all be worth it at the end! I'm sure!
19 miles is Harting Down - I've never seen anyone run it all.
It is ALL run-able IMHO.
Done it 3 times and ran it all 3 times. Sensible pacing is the key from the very start.
Sean - sure Helly d and I wouldn't have seen you (running up the hills) as you'd have been long past us by the time we get to the real hills like Harting Down ! I think it's more all-runnable than Beachy Head though, but I prefer to enjoy the day out (I lack commitment). I've also walked past people who were 'running' on some of the hills as well.........
@Old Gwasshopper - I'd be over the moon with a sub 4:30.. i've put in plenty of hills. Off out Thursday for another session, any none of my runs are flat.
I'll do my best to run all the way around, i'll report back once it's over!
1. I entered ages ago when entries opened. I believe I had to specify my finish time which I recall stating sub 4 hours. Is this now fixed as my training has been hit and miss so now predict 4 hours 30. Am I allocated a wave start and can I change... or do you just get to the finish in time for the correct transfer bus to the start for your predicted wave?
2. Does your race number get posted to you or do you need to bring race entry confirmation with you and pick up your number at the start? I have moved house since I entered so will be posted to wrong address!
3. How many water stations are there on the route, guess we carry our own water anyway or is there enough water stops to rely on?
Any assistance greatly appreciated... can't wait to give this one a try... I am working on it being similar to Snowdonia marathon, tougher or similar??
Cheers. Devon Red
Hi Devon Red - I can only answer one of your questions.
By reading up on the official website ( http://www.209events.com/event.php?event=33# ) it looks like there are 7 drink station on the Marathon.
Personally, I don't think this will be enough, not for me anyway. It could be a very hot day. I'm planning on buying a new belt to hold a water bottle, along with my gels and jelly babies
I'm sure someone will be able to answer your other questions...