Connemarathon
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Just a quick mail to say thank you very much for a wonderfully run race. The atmosphere was fantastic as always, and the whole event seemed to run without a hitch. The best half marathon in Ireland, without a doubt.
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The organisation was faultless, from the baggage buses, to the fantastic aid stations(those kids worked HARD), to the t shirts and medals. All utterly, utterly wonderful (the scenery was quite nice too-tee hee).
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Ray, I had a fabulous weekend. I really enjoyed the run. It's a unique and great event. Liam, Gary, Aisling and Tony all had a great time. Special mention to the marquee - well laid out and great grub.
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I just want to thank everyone on the Connemara Marathon team for making yesterday so special. It was a day from heaven - even if large parts of it did fell like hell :)
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Ray and team, Thanks for a fantastic event once again on Sunday. The organisation was super once again and you even managed to arrange the first real sunny day of the year for us!
Connemarathon 2008 a success
Mon, 07/04/2008Jekyll & Hyde weather did not stop records being broken at this years Fáilte Ireland Connemarathon
Sunday 6th April marked the eighth year of the annual and by now world renowned Fáilte Ireland Connemara International Marathon. With over 4,000 recorded entries from over 40 countries - Brazil to New Zealand, now making this a truly International event.
In traditional format, the Connemarathon offered 3 distances - the 13.1 mile half marathon from Leenane to Maam Cross, the 26.2 mile full marathon from Lough Inagh to Maam Cross and the grueling full-circuit 39.3 mile Ultra marathon. That is 58,000 cumulative miles completed – which equates to around the world twice with an 8,200 mile warm down!
This year entries for the Connemarathon sold out in early January, proving once again the race's popularity and its unique appeal. Witnessing crowds and the odd sheep transcend upon the rugged roads of Connemara, “it is easy to understand the appeal” said one spectator. Despite unpredictable 'typically Irish' weather conditions, the West of Ireland was at its most moody and breath-taking. “The atmosphere was electric and there was a definite sense of determination and camaraderie in the air”, remarked one participant and similar comments were to be heard all day long.
In total, to keep these athletes fueled it took - 40,000 bottles of Galway Irish Spring Water, 3,500 bowls of Buitoni pasta, 10,500 of Jacobs Fig Rolls, 6,000 of Red Dragon energy drink, 1,500 oranges, 1,500 bananas.
Personal bests and achievements were the order of the day; but the achievement of the day really had to go to Donegal’s Helena Crossen who knocked 12 minutes of the Ultra Marathon record she set in Connemara last year.
Speaking after the race “Helena commented that the course was mentally very challenging but once she got through Leenane she knew the record was on.” One of Kenya's elite athletes Lezan Kimutai, was the winner of the Men’s Half Marathon. Lezan was a worthy and popular winner, having traveled from a situation of great political turmoil in Kenya where he and his family were dispelled from his home. Following Lezan over the finishing line was Athenry AC’s Paul McNamara. The first lady to complete the Ladies Half Marathon was Regina Casey from Galway City Harriers.
Peter Ferris from Coleraine, who completed his 300th marathon on Sunday in a time and this was his third marathon in 1 week – you just have to sit back in awe.
Race director, Ray O'Connor, was particularly pleased with the days results 'After eight years, I'm still amazed at the atmosphere in the Connemarathon. This year was our biggest yet and I was so delighted to see Helen break her record. She's a worthy winner, a great athlete and a fantastically resilient character. My only regret in setting up the Connemarathon eight years ago is that I can't take part myself!'
Watching people run, jog, walk and in some cases hobble over the finish line there really was a sense that everyone achieved something great. Bookings for the 2009 marathon are now open and for more information log onto www.connemarathon.com
Sponsors of this years Fáilte Ireland Connemara International Marathon were Galway Irish Spring Water, Buitoni Pasta and Jacobs Fig Rolls.
Great day...
Great weather, great race, good to see top athletes competing too. When will the results be up?
results
Just wondering when the results will be posted.
Results
Hi
Just checked the results and name/ time is not down for the full marathon, does anybody know who i should contact so i can get my result up.
thanks
Any issues with timing
Any issues with timing should be reported to john@connemarathon.com
what a great marathon
i come from a village in Galway called Furbo, and in all my 21 years i do not recall ever being back around lough-Inagh,
Leenane area. What a magnificent area. the scenery was breathtaking. It is great to see that their is such beauty in our own little country. The event i thought was oranised to the highest standard. Congrats to all involved on such a good job. I did the full marathon. It was my very first marathon ever. Talk about throwing my self in the deep end. the distribution of water and snacks was excellent, we'll done and thank you to every involved. If some one was to ask me today if i would do it again, i would say no, with the way my body is feeling but ask me in two week time and i could very well have a different answer for you. the feeling in absolutely excellent to know that took part in such a great event and finished it. and hopefully i'll do it again.
Finally i would like to take my hat of t all the ultra marathon participants. how you all done is beyond me well done.
thanks again.
Mr. S.C
Denis Keogh (Birmingham) race no5397
I would like to congratulate Denis, my father-in-law,who completed his 4th Connemara full marathon on Sunday. He was disapointed with his time of c. 5 hours and hopes to do better next year. Denis will be 83 yrs old in June / 08
Denis Keogh must be a
Denis Keogh must be a miracle man to complete this tough course in 5 hours, at an age of 83!!! Great going, keep it up and you'll be back next year
HALF MARATHON
THIS IS A GREAT RACE AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT HOWEVER I THINK THE FACT THAT THE RUNNERS HAVE TO COMPETE WITH CARS ON THE FINISHING STRAIGHT IS TERRIBLE .SURELY IT IS POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CARS AWAY WHEN THE MAIN BULK OF RUNNERS FINISH IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK.
results
Hi, checking in to see yesterday's results. When can we expet to see them ?
Well done to all involved with yesterday's event !
After Run
HI,
I completed the run yeaterday, however after a 2hr 10min run the last thing I wanted was to cue for 20minutes to collect my medal and T-shirt. It was so unfair to all runners, walkers and spectators waiting. I am aware of the idea of the chip on the shoe, however this has been completed in Dublin and else where Marathons. I feel after paying €70 for registration cueing after running is not what I needed. I did speak to alot of people who I met duing the long wait we all felt like wise. I am well aware that the high numbers were expected and the organising committee would have been well aware of it. Also some the water stations had no water at them on passing them. Again I am posting my comments.
Kind Regards,
AnnMaire
What a moan
Lads the day was great well done. Ann maire drive aroun the M50 and you will see what it is like to wait. 20 mins is nothing.
I completely agree with you.
I completely agree with you. There were two people beside me complaining of feeling faint. It's just not on to have people waiting around after running any of the three distances. When you cross that line all you want is water, food and a toilet. At any other event I've been to you receive a bag with everything in it and you move away from the area after the finish to make way for the remaining runners. A goody bag with everything you need in it would have solved alot of problems at the finish-line. I mean come on, cutting oranges as runners arrive, surely that could have been done pre-race!
As for the person below who is suggesting you are a moan.....clearly they didn't wait around for 20 minutes!!!
Lost Camera
Did anyone find a digital camera, it was dropped around the finish line, it's an Olympus FE-240, you can contact me at vinshar@hotmail.com, thanks.
A great event, very well
A great event, very well organised considering the logistics involved , will be back next year!
full marathon, traffic
It was yet again a great day, and at least some sunshine after all the sleet showers. The only thing which really annoyed me was the traffice constantly on route, compared to last year when there was none. I was especially mad to have 2 cars drive behind me trying to get past me when i was less than a mile to the finish and trying to get good time, this was unfair to all.
Traffic
I agree - it was a great day but the organisers really need to look again at the traffic arrangements for this event - there will be an accident at some point in the future if at the very least all non-essential traffic is not banned for the duration of the event. You cannot mix runners, walkers and cars.
First time marathon runner
As you can guess from the title this was my very first ever full marathon. I run the half as my first half last year and just had to come back.
I can not thank the organisers enough, this is without doubt the most well organised event i have ever been to. (granted the finish tent was a bit crowded...but nothing major)
I have to say thank you to the marshals and particually the young girl that seemed to pop up everywhere with water and then in the tent picking up orange peel...a real grafter.
An event that i will now always hold as a treasured memory!!!!
Thanks again.
some constructive criticism...
I really enjoyed the day and appreciated the massive effort put into making it a success. It was well thought out and organization was improved from last year. Here are a few suggestions to make it even better: Is there any way to stop non-official traffic from zooming up and down the course and in some cases actually blocking the finish line? Also, you could use some more people to help organize the queues for the return buses at the end of the race as it felt like a mad scramble to get on board. Also, it would be really nice to have a variation in the T-shirt design and colour. Lastly, it would be a huge relief if you could post out the registration material / number so the somewhat stressful visit to the hotel in the days previous to the race could be eliminated. Otherwise, it was a great day and l am looking forward to next year.
Cheers
Nicky
PS what about a staggered start?
Thank you girls
A big big thank you to the great support of " well done ....keep going " from the wee SLIGO girls Aine (7yrs) & Brid (5yrs) Mc Sharry and Aoife Kelly ( in her buggy )
Ye put a smile on many faces during the last hard mile !!! From Tommy
Feedback
Had a great race, really loved the scenery the buzz and the challenge. Would like to thank all those who put togehter such an amazing event. Would suggest that the crowd control could be better coordiated both at the start and finish. The logistics of the start I found 'peopled jamed' as at the finish with a long wait to get medals, t-shirts and refreshments. May I suggest a wider clearing area using tape and marshals. Also I witnessed cars passing close to tired runners at the end, forcing runners to run single file to the finish. I would appreciate a bit more safety awareness in this regard. Looking forward to returning next year for the full Marathon. Thank you. Ted.
Start Suggestion
Great race and very well organised, well done to the organisers for a great day out for the participants.
One idea came to mind. For the start next year, maybe it could be considered to have everyone line up say on the left hand side of the road and have those runners coming from Lennane to line up file by in the right hand lane around to the back of the queue in behind those already at start line on left of the road. I know through traffic is a consideration but it would also reduce the funnelling
effect as runners reached the narrow bridge in lennane.
Well done to everyone again especially Carts and Dec. Thanks for a great race lads ;-P
Totally agree, all it would
Totally agree, all it would take would be a a set of people fensec down one side of the road, it would saso give that poor bloke up the ladder an easier task rather than shouting the race isn't gonna start ntil everyone behind the line every 30 secs. Apart from that brilliant loved the whole day, you can't beat a cup of tea in Outherard
Fantastic Day
Just a quick note to say a big thank you to Ray and his team.
Despite the crazy weather, had a wonderful race. Facilities were great.
We'll all be back again next year. 70 euro very well spent.
Thanks a million!
Gary
NO NEED FOR QUEUEING AT THE FINISHING LINE
I had a great half marathon on Sunday. Amazing how much sun I got considering the hail showers and changeable weather. All added to the fun of it. I totally agree about the cars on the road. I couldn't believe how fast they would come up behind you. It would only take a small trip for a serious accident to happen. No cars please!
Also when I came to the finishing line there was no water available.I couldn't believe it. People were searching and scrambling for water bottles. I didn't need to take on much water during the race but I was dying to down some when I crossed the line. We had to wait about twenty minutes to get through into the congested tent. Madness!! More room needs to be made at the finish and lots of water should be handed out at the finish line. They had a great system at the Dublin Marathon in October.
Congratulations to all who took part. It can only get bigger and better every year as it is such a real challenge. Very little in the papers or news about it. Needs more recognition!! This is a big event!!
The best yet!!
Thi sis my fifth marathon and I have to say I can't wait to do it again having said I will never repeat the same one, as I want to experience others. I have already booked the date in- and next year, must get over my injury and be better equipped to tackle the hills.
It was such a brilliant route and the people are just amazingly lovely.
I only have to fly from Bristol to Shannon and took a bus to Galway which is such a lovely place - see you guys nexy year!
Bee
Cars at Finish Line
I had such a fabulous day absolutely loved it. However I couldn't even see the finish line because there was 6 or 7 cars in a traffic jam I ended up running the wrong way and then having to run in between the cars, was ridiculous find it hard to understand how this can happen.
Yet more congraters
Once again my heartiest congratulations to the organisers and to the assistanrts on the day. I cannot even begin to imagine how complicated it must be to organise (and just forget about the few niggling, unpredictable problems that arose). To me the amazing thing is the cheerfulness and encouraging comments from all the roadside helpers, who must have been freezing!!; and as somebody else has mentioned in 'comments' - all were real grafters. Who said modern youngsters are wasters!
How did they organise that decent weather window?
David Hawcroft
Thanks Tommy Tiernan From Adah and Seamus Macentee,
We must say a big thank you to Tommy Tiernan who we met after completing the Dublin City Marathon last year. He planted the Connemara marathon in our tiny little minds. I thought why not. After completing Dublin a few times we said a change would be nice. I thought we might miss the support from spectators which you get a lot of in Dublin but not at all. The fantastic scenery, the sheep, the friendly competitors and the few local people we came across were more than enough to keep us entertained along the way. I did think of you a couple of times though Tommy during the 22 and 23 miles. Unrepeatable the things i said about you...
Thanks to Ray, Alan, all the organisers and the local people who were giving out water, bars and fig rolls and to those picking up bottles etc. along the route. It was great to see the community involved in the event.
I must email Ray to see if i can get a XL tee shirt for my poor husband. They were all gone when we finished.
Thanks again and its off the the Burren in May...Maybe we will see some of you there. Who can i blame for this one.....
Finishing line
This was my first half marathon and i would hope to take part in the full marathon next year. However, at the end of the run this year i felt that the service was inadequate and poor. I feel faint due to having to queue for so long to get some water. Perhaps tables with water could be provided just after the finishing line so runners could grab some as they queue up for their medals and shirts? Other than that i really enjoyed the day; the scenery was fabulous, water/snack stations and the few, but enthusiastic and well appreciated supporters were great! Thanks to the organizers
Ultra Circulation
It is too dangerous to make the Ultra with the circulation in the 2 senses. And it would be also simpler to park near departure. There would be the place to park for less than 100 racers. I would also have liked to have a bit of food on course as for the most part of race.
traffic and finish
My first Half Connemarathon and it was a great personal achievement for me. I was concentrating so hard on getting through the hill climbs that I found it frustrating that cars/motorbikes would come up behind and move everyone to the left and then to the right so you had to change sides everytime. Wouldn't it be simply be easier to tell everyone to stick to one side of the road- runners to the left, vehicles to the right?
Also the finish was uncomfortable with everyone flowing into an area waiting to get water, feeling the cold, needing to get to the loo, muscles getting tight while waiting to pick up their medal and T- shirt. Last thing you want to do is wait around when you've no energy left to give. I saw some people ill and very weak but they still had to get in line to get through to the other side. That element needs to be thought out better for next year.
Besides that, it was a great atmosphere and a great event. Will do it again next year for sure.
What a beautiful day!
First time for 3 of us doing the half marathon and all we can say is wow!! Spectacular scenery, very well organised buses etc and a very kind lady out en route with the jelly beans!! What more could a body ask for...now of course nothing will do but to come back next year for the full one!
Congratulations to the man above who completed marathon in 5 hrs and is 82 - can he let us in on his secret??
Kate
Half Marathon
First Half martathon but not my last. Really enjoyed the whole experience. A few comments, Traffic as a number of people have said will have to be eliminated next year. You pay 70 euro to run the free roads not to dodge cars and buses, the tent at the end was a disaster, the goodie bag idea sounds good. Any chance of having the race on a saturday,so we can make a real weekend of it.
Overall it was a pleasant day out...
Carlow for Sam
Skips on Saturday
The area is really missing out by hosting this great event on a Sunday. A Saturday race would allow the majority of the competitors & spectators to enjoy the evening/night in the wilds of the west. Other improvements would include post race goodie bag to avoid post race queuing. To reduce litter carnage, regular large skips could be used - athletes could chuck empty bottles into open skips positioned few hundred yards after water points, this would save on massive clean-up effort afterwards?
Looking forward to next year.
water kids....
enjoyed a great day ........all the kids from the clarinbridge area did a brilliant job in both handing out the water bottles and giving encouragement to all... KEEP THESE ON BOARD...... see you again next year....R
Run Faster
To the people who are complaining about there being no water at the end, run faster next time and get there early, also there was a lake full long side the finish line. One thing i can give out about is the fact our bus driver went the wrong way round to the start of the half marathon. It was very dangerous with buses coming towards each other and runners were running between buses. At one stage one guy was nearly squashed!! Enjoyed the race and will be back next year my second half marathon. Chip and Pin means you get a start time and a finish time and both are subtracted. This was not the case this year. Or was it?
runners opinions
Well for what its worth I thought the race was splendid. Of course there were a few problems, some beyond anybody's control (can you imagine trying to get Irish drivers not to use the road !). The problems were no worse than some other big name races I could mention (and anyone want to spend 35 euro to run 10k in Phoenix Park just because Sonia's there?).
The disappointing thing is the language some correspondnents used for their on-line comments, you could think we were talking treason here. To my mind the whole atmosphere is encapsulated in photo 13 of 'Our photos' on the web site.
David
congrats
ust a quick few lines about the day. It was my first connemara half marathon along with my girlfriend who walked it. We really enjoyed it, although I was disappointed with my time. I am not going to harp on about the criticisms on the day, there has been enough said about the traffic on the course and the long wait at the end, Im sure lessons will be learnt for next year. I was just wondering if at any stage there are plans to change the course, as I was thinking there are other more beautiful areas in connemara to host the race. Its not because I hated the hill near the end, honest. Well done largely on a very successful race.
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