Overwhelming Positivity!

Ray and the Connemarathon team would like to sincerely thank all those who sent well wishes.

If you have any comments to make on the 2012 Connemarathon please email us on info@connemarathon.com

Some comments by email (names withheld):

Thanks again for the race entry on Sunday. I really enjoyed the run and found the whole experience and organisation first class.
....
I really enjoyed the Connemarathon 2102. It was a very well organised event. Thank you very much.
....
Everyone at Connemarathon:
I wanted to take a minute (or two) to thank everyone at the Connemarathon, my fellow runners, and the wonderful people of Ireland for the wonderful race experience. This marathon (my 5th in 18 months) was stunning in its beauty and was the culmination of a life's dream for me. I was thrilled to find a marathon in the my favorite part of Ireland, a land, you all obviously know, filled with incredible places. To be able to participate, to be able to set a PR on a tough course, to enjoy the spirit of encouragement and support, it was all amazing. On the bus ride back to Clifden, I don't mind telling you, I wept and wept, overcome with joy, exhaustion, emotion, you see, my Irish ancestors left this part of Ireland during the famine. To think, after all these years, I had returned, carrying with me, in hand, Connemara marble my uncle had brought back to the U.S. forty years ago when he visited...it was truly all a gift and blessing. Thank you for everything.
....
Many thanks for all your team's hard work - what a great event :-) and that's a v big compliment coming from a fell runner who usually can't bear the roads!
....
Congratulations on a wonderful day, the organisation was top class and for such a remote destination, the support along the route was unbelievable. I'll definitely be back next year to better my time.
....
A huge thank you to the race director and everyone involved in organizing such a phenomenal day.
Thought I would only ever run one ultra to say 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt!' but it was such an amazing experience I am already contemplating running it again next year. Thank you all so, so much!!!
....
I just wanted to pass on my gratitude for what was an incredible day, the race was so well organised and it was one of the greatest experiences in my incredible life. Right from Ray's emotional briefing to my mother taking over the announcers mic at the finish, it was great
....
You and your hard working crew should luxuriate in the fact that you put on a great race and we all really enjoyed it and you even arranged the weather for us.
....
The route, camaraderie, race design (one route etc) and post race organisation was superb. 10/10 in every respect.
....
Just a quick note to say thank you for a brilliant day on Sunday. The organisation and atmosphere on the day was fantastic and the scenery and weather on the route was inspiring! It would be remiss of me not to mention your team of marshals and helpers all along the route-they're all a credit to you.
....
Thanks ray and everyone who helped make my first ultra the most memorable run yet. Still cannot believe I've got a farmers tan from glorious weather.
....
Firstly thanks so much for an amazing day yesterday. All five of us had a wonderful experience and are already talking about next year. The organisation was nearly as immaculate as the scenery.
....
a wonderful and a very emotional day....started with your speech before hand..I was overcome with tearful emotion as I crossed the line looking up into the sunning sky thinking of my dad. Well done for a special day I will see you next year.
....
Thanks Ray for an amazing experience at the Connemarathon. It was so well organised it's a credit to you. You've got a very special marathon going on in Connemara. Good luck for the future.
....
Another absolutely superb connemarathon and so well organised again.
....
To everyone involved inorganising yesterday's marathon, a huge big thank you. A humble half marathon walker, I had never participated in anything like this before and could not have had a better day. The level of organisation was excellent and everything bar the route was made really for us.
....
You organized a fantastic race, now my ever best cross country Ultra so far. Beautiful landscape, very friendly people.
....
We had a great day and all managed to finish the half marathon (at age nearly 70 it was especially satisfying for me). My two friends/co-runners had never been to Ireland before and they were overwhelmed by the friendliness, hospitality, scenery and yes the weather as well.
....
I must also thank you for an amazing day! Your organization, people around the race, the course and even down to the water bottle size was spot on, best race I've ever done!
....
I can imagine that you will be inundated with e-mails of this type, but the job you do for runners taking part is this event is fantastic and should be acknowledged. As well as the stunning location, everything runs so smoothly and everybody involved in the running of the event is so helpful and courteous.
....
Thanks for organising a great day, everything went off without a hitch but all around there was support if it was required.
....

And on FaceBook

Thanks a million, Ray, volunteers and supporters! Great day!!
.....
Brilliant Day...Wrecked but great crack..will be back for 2013 and may even run the half marathon
.....
Absolutely fantastic day. Slowest marathon ever but what the hell. The organisation and the scenery was second to none. Thank you.
.....
Fantastic day, whole event went like clockwork, thanks to all involved.
.....
Tough marathon, i enjoyed it thou, fantastic scenery, beautiful day , top class organization well done to everyone involved.
.....
Brilliant, wonderful and sore! Amazing experience! Hope to give the ultra a go next year :) thanks for a fantastic day! X
.....
Wonderful experience for my 1st half . thank u all so much for well organised event ..had a great day
.....
Fantastic day - so well organized. The fine weather did help make it that extra bit special! will be back for 2013.
.....
Thanks for lovely, well organised event. I loved it!!!
.....
Lovely day for it, fantastic route, had a great time. Thanks
.....
I am so sunburned!!!!! Great day though.
.....
Fab day... Toughest run yet... The Hell of the west killed me but will be back to conquer her... Next year!!
.....
Did the ultra and the final hill nearly finished me off. Great day though. Fabulous but tough course. Well done to Ray and all those that helped to make it a great success. Can't think of anything which i'd change to improve it.
.....
Brilliant event –huge thanks to all the volunteers. I wont mention that last Hill!!
.....
Fantastic event, great course, over the moon with my time, the Hell of the West has to be one of the biggest challenges in Irish running, and where else would you get a handshake from the race director at the end?!
.....
Connemara at its best yesterday, loved it and up for the run again next year so well set up thanks all the Connemarathon team.
.....
First time doing a race and running that distance....was delighted with my time....feel a great sense of achievement as it was so tough....I will definitely be back next year it was gruelling but amazing at the same time, so well organised and a great atmosphere...thanks to all!!
.....
Well done ray,the team & volunteers on a great day! Epic ultra course and I really enjoyed it! Also thanks to all half and marathon runners for words of encouragement when things started to get hairy after the 30 mile mark!
.....
Had a great day yesterday doing the half marathon. The whole thing is so well organised and there is such a friendly and relaxed atmosphere..thank you! The sun burn was a bit unexpetced but apart from that i couldnt fault it!
.....
Thanks Ray for another great race in Connemara. This was my first race for 2012 and I must admit I was overly enthusiastic for the first half and enjoyed some great running unfortunately the course proved the victor from 18 miles and I was very happy to finish in one piece. Look forward to Portumna 50km and Connemara 100 in August. Best wishes to all the organisers, stewards, supporters and not to mention fellow athletes that helped to make this event so special.
.....
brilliant, see you all next year!! please god..
.....
Yes, a great event, a memorable experience. The hills weren't as bad as I expected, and the scenery was even better. Smooth organisation, but please, how about ladies' t-shirts for the ladies? I'll probably wear my Connemarathon t-shirt once or twice, and then put it in the drawer with all my square shaped, high necked men's race tops. It's a shame.
.....
brilliant day!!! weather, atmosphere, scenery = unbelievable!! can't wait to do it again next year!
.....
Well done Ray and everyone that volunteered.. especially the kids that helped clean up all the empty bottles after us! great day out , I MIGHT be back next year!!! (why do I do this to myself?!)
.....
Phenomenal day! It's not often the words "enjoyed every stride" and "marathon" appear in the same sentence!!! See you next year....for the Ultra maybe... :)
.....
It's just a superb day all round. Fantastic organisation by Ray and the entire team. Thank you to all the volunteers also.