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Just read that article: maybe a bit harsh, but it is hard to argue with most of it. You'll have heard the criticisms before: "glorified relay race", lack of atmosphere on M2 cycle path and Duncrue, gruelling climb on Antrim Rd, runners having to give-way to traffic. And he suggests Sunday as the better day to stage it. Still, the home-town factor outweighs everything else for me.
Just read the IN article there about Belfast.
It is a harsh article - in most places. For example runners were stopped one year, possibly two years ago, at the ferry terminal entrance. That did not however happen last year yet the article implies it happens every year. There are valid points about 20 miles being "the wall" and having to run through duncrue at 20 miles. Antrim road is hardly as bad as suggested either
The comment about other marathons learning from mistakes and Belfast not doing so is harsh. Things like pacers and various other ideas are being taken on. They are learning and I think Davy Seaton is doing a lot for it.
Some interesting points RE numbers mind. The record turnout was 3,600 in the 80s where last year there was 3,300 which was a pretty small number.
To be honest the article concentrates purely on negatives and doesn't even have one positive so the agenda is to just have a moan about the marathon. It's not really particularly objective as per most of the same journalists work.
I suppose it raises talking points but I wouldn't say it does much more. The guy did Belfast ~8 years ago and ran dublin last year so that is his experience.
Belfast has it's bad points I'm sure but not as bad as this article suggests and to weigh up pros and cons might be a better approach than just point blank slating it.
(Sorry I can't post it either...)
I have not seen the article in the Irish News and although it is easy to complain Belfast Mara does have problems they just don't seem willing to sort out! The only good point is the showers at the end! Not enough room here to list all the problems.
I did go and buy the paper last night to read it. Scathing stuff, and not done constructively at all. I'm not exactly sure that being a veteran of two (2) marathons - Belfast 2002 and Dublin last year actually qualifies you to vent in that way for a start. A few of his points (I've left it at home, but from memory):
- Monday is a daft day for it (but he raves about Dublin and Boston, which are both on - a Monday)
- "Gruelling climb" up the Antrim Rd makes it a difficult course - well, that section isn't easy (nor the steep downhill that follows, but he doesn't mention that). But Belfast isn't exactly Snowdon marathon - the elevation change in BCM is actually pretty much the same as in Dublin - it's just in Belfast it's all in one steady rise then fall, in Dublin there are several climbs, but all shorter.
- Runners have to stop if a ferry comes in to the harbour, and watch all the traffic as it disembarks. I've never even heard of this happening - does it really? If the organisers don't have a plan for this, it's very poor - but surely they do.
- Low numbers, it's a "glorified relay race". I'm no fan of the relay here, and it can swamp the marathon a bit. But it does get an awful lot more people participating in running the event than might not otherwise, and I'll bet it keeps the marathon entry fee down too (funnily, he didn't mention that Dublin costs €70, and BCM about half of that)
- Running through Duncrue just as you're reaching the painful part of the race around 20m - true. but it's only a couple of miles until Corporation St., and from then on there's decent support.
- Running alongside the motorway for 4 miles - well, apart from it being 2.25 miles (I should know, I'm never off it), on the other side is Belfast Lough and the view across to Holywood etc.. Perhaps he should have looked the other way?
- Lack of support on the route compared with Dublin - well, I agree with him here. And a good deal of the folk that do turn out seem to stand and stare like we're all very odd, rather than encourage. I don't know why it is, or what to do about it, but I doubt that this article tearing BCM to pieces is going to help.
He didn't mention water in plastic cups at all - another reason I can't take him very seriously.
I havent seem the IN article, but I used to be on the negative side of the BCM arguement, but now I am thinking its not so bad at all. Okay, it doesn't offer the many 'benefits' of a big city marathon - but we arent really that big a city - and the entry fee is reflective of this (Dublin 70-90euro). I no longer believe that a marathon has a given right to be on a flat course. I believe there is a couple of individuals tasked with organising BCM - I would guess that their resources are limited in comparison. I also think the support/atmosphere isnt that bad. I think the route should take in the 'tight spots' of the city - like it or not, that's what visitors to the city want to see. Its not ideal for the traffic issues at duncrue - but its not likely to affect too many (I know one person who was stopped for no more than 1min, 3 years ago). The relay is a hinderance to all, but I reckon this is the 'cash cow' that allows the event to exist.
One other thing I would say is that I don't believe in paying for the guys who win it to come over. This seems to be done in the TQ and in the BCM.
Basically due to our size we can't pay enough to get the big guns over so we get some guys, who are good athletes not doubt however, we haven't heard of as they are not on our television screens.
I think it would be very good for the event(s) to see locals fighting it out. That used to be the case.
Poor article though at least it gets people talking...
It takes the relay for BCM to survive and I think it get people into marathon running in that they do the relay one year get the bug and do the full marathon the next year. The walkers are more of a problem for the runners than the relay runners. We all know Belfast has it faults but its our home marathon but they have made improvements over the last few years. It easy for people to be negative. Yes Paul time for bottled water.
Hill session last night. My legs felt very heavy but I went back to my old trainers and had very little problems with the ankles. Wet and windy at times but the clear evenings are on the way roll on the end of March.
Spot on Kenneth, I had never done any road running until my first leg in the Belfast marathon relay, and I'm now training for my fourth marathon. There were definitely big improvements between 2009 and 2010.
And like Tommy said, a police man attempted to stop me in 2009 at the ferry port, but there was nothing like that in 2010.
I haven't seen the article and I'm not interested.
Lazy journo writes sh*t article riddled with inaccuracies.
Wow. Shocker. And it's hardly going to make me rush out and buy a copy..
PTB - you're wasted in engineering mate. That sort of analytical and factual dissection of the "facts" belongs in the courts of law. If the hammer ever falls in work, come and work as a lawyer...
First night back running in a week. Nice to be out there. Going to take it easy for a few days and then get back into it. Looking forward to the races in March.
c75
- heard there might be a few letters going into the Irish News complaining about that piece. Just right too. Tit.
While I am online...and wasting time....
Footage of Jim doing the Causeway Ultra
Footage my daughter's first training session
and finally...
My big idea for improving the Belfast Marathon...
LOL
C75
will add my bit on BCM, first time i ran it 2007 I thought the atmosphere was good and to see people standing in thei pyjamas sitting on chairs having their breakfast int falls/shankill area was a highlight.wouldnt get that in dublin
..At 20 miles running through duncrue I couldnt care less as i am just focusing on getting to the end without taking in the scenery,by the way in this area a wee women came of the pavement and gave me a jelly baby with a big word of encouragement, so there may not be masses but they still support. I have now ran 3 BCM and the organising has improved each year.
compared to other city marathons it is low key but it still is on our doorstep and reasonably priced, now it has some MARVELLOUS PACERS, which have been a big hit. The organisers have come on big time,it will never be as big as dublin but we should be proud of it,please though give us BOTTLES OF WATER
maybe we shoud cut and paste all these comments and send them to the irish news
Is it just me, or do the Belfast Marathon debates begin earlier each year?
My first experience of a race since school days was participating in a relay team in the Belfast Marathon in 2006 and it inspired me to aim for the full distance the following year. I've run a few marathons elsewhere which were flatter, more scenic, had more participants and spectators, but Belfast's still my PB course!
In the meantime, here's an invitation on behalf of the U&R commitee to any RW forumites who are free to join us for an event in Belfast next Thursday evening.
Up and Runners NI are proud to present their third annual Running Expo on Thursday 24th February 2011, 7.30pm, at Judes on the Ormeau Road. The Expo will be preceded at 6.30 by the club AGM.
And hold on to your hats folks, because we have managed to get the legendary Ron Hill himself to come along and share some of his amazing life story!
Three time Olympian, numerous world long distance running records and of course his streak of running every day since December 1964! This man is a real legend and an inspiration to every runner. There will be other special guests; sports injury specialists, gear reps and Up and Running will have a stall with special on-the-night offers for everyone! There will be fantastic spot prizes from our ballot and a hot buffet - all this for only £6!
As in previous years everyone is welcome at the Expo, members, non-members, partners, friends, family - the more the merrier! Just pop your name down on the list and e-mail info@upandrunners.com to confirm you are attending as we need to collate numbers for the catering. Money can be paid in advance to any committee member or you can pay at the door on the night. The AGM is only open for paid up club members.
We are looking forward to seeing you all there!
DS - sounds like a great night is planned. I posted it a few weeks ago for all our club members to see. If they can get lucky with the hitch hiking there may be a few turn up
How is training going? What are your next races - or are you focusing purely on the tris? You are more than welcome to join our wee run along the north coast on the 27th Feb. Speak soon.
PS If there are Ugg boots at the expo in size 11 hold a pair over
Anyone for the Odyssey at the weekend? It might be your last chance.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/9401181.stm
HMM, I'm still training away - London's the main goal this spring, but I'll hopefully make the XC at Stormont later this month and the Larne and Omagh halfs as well. Things are a bit mad with work at the moment and I'm having to fit the training and long runs in at odd times and make the most of more limited free time, so unfortunately I won't be able to make it up to the north coast at the end of the month... unless I deliver those spam Uggs personally!
I'm lining up a few tris for the summer - my 2011 Triathlon Ireland membership card arrived yesterday so I'll need to get my money's worth from the licence
You could enter BCM for less!
I did 5.5 miles last night. Mild night and I had too many clothes on as usual.
Paul it looks like the indoors are going the Athlone. We have quite a few kids running over the week end at the Odyssey. It a great experience running indoors but it won't be as handy once they move to Athlone but money talks and it costs a lot to set up the track at the Odyssey.
I'll be at the Odyssey on both Saturday and Sunday, but as a volunteer helper rather than a spectator.
I am hoping to do Parkrun beforehand in the morning and was wondering if any of you know of any leisure centres or gyms around there where I could get showered and changed before heading over to the Odyssey, rather than come all the way back home and go back again.
Running - Long Run This was supposed to be a 2 mile warm up followed by 8 miles tempo but a few hills spoiled my last 3 tempo miles and I then decided to go on and make this my long run. calfs/shins have been sore so if they are sore tomorrow I can either do a slow run or rest. Massage booked for Tuesday so it will be all guns blazing after that.
Split Summary
====
1) - 1m - 8:30(8:30/m) - 122bpm avge - 133bpm max - 144cal
2) - 1m - 8:03(8:03/m) - 133bpm avge - 142bpm max - 148cal
3) - 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) - 150bpm avge - 156bpm max - 147cal
4) - 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) - 157bpm avge - 162bpm max - 148cal
5) - 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) - 158bpm avge - 163bpm max - 147cal
6) - 1m - 6:43(6:44/m) - 156bpm avge - 163bpm max - 148cal
7) - 1m - 6:50(6:50/m) - 159bpm avge - 165bpm max - 147cal
8) - 1m - 6:58(6:58/m) - 160bpm avge - 164bpm max - 147cal
9) - 1m - 6:59(6:59/m) - 160bpm avge - 162bpm max - 149cal
10) - 1m - 6:56(6:56/m) - 158bpm avge - 161bpm max - 147cal
11) - 1m - 8:10(8:10/m) - 144bpm avge - 158bpm max - 150cal
12) - 1m - 8:08(8:08/m) - 140bpm avge - 145bpm max - 149cal
13) - 1m - 7:57(7:57/m) - 135bpm avge - 142bpm max - 148cal
14) - 1m - 8:11(8:11/m) - 132bpm avge - 141bpm max - 149cal
15) - 1m - 7:31(7:31/m) - 132bpm avge - 138bpm max - 149cal
16) - 1m - 7:43(7:43/m) - 139bpm avge - 148bpm max - 150cal
17) - 1m - 7:48(7:48/m) - 142bpm avge - 149bpm max - 149cal
18) - 1m - 7:44(7:44/m) - 142bpm avge - 151bpm max - 150cal
19) - 0.25m - 2:03(8:06/m) - 145bpm avge - 151bpm max - 35cal
Good to see us all sticking up for BCM as we are mostly speaking from experience of Belfast and other marathons.
Mags, you could be Volunteer of the Year, withh all the races you have been helping at recently. You put the rest of us to shame.
DS, good luck with your Triathlon season coming up.
JMcC, the shower gel on the chest has sorted out my HRM spikes at the start of my runs.
C75, more great video links from you.
Re Volunteering - I am in the fortunate(?) position of no longer being needed as much to do all the family stuff that I would normally have done at the weekends, so have more free time than most of you on here.
I figure I may as well use the time to help out when I can, as events can't be run without volunteers and I am always grateful for those that help out at events that I attend. I also get to learn and understand more about the whole running thing and the different disciplines within the running world.
My OH works a lot of weekends so I don't feel I am neglecting him when I am marshalling etc. In fact, if he is off he comes along and helps out too now.
On top of that I get to meet lots of new people, so for me it's a win-win situation.
I'll be doing a double on the 26th Feb though - taking part in the cross country at Stomont as well as helping out at it
www.glenariffmountainrace.co.uk
Thanks
HMM - That looks a great event, and I happen to be free that day. You've got yourself a volunteer.
Maybe see some of you at Parkrun or the Odyssey later.