Achill Half Marathon 2009
Mon, 30/03/2009 - 22:04
Hi There
I am just fresh from running my first half marathon in Connemara, and have registered for the Achill half in July of this year. I am wondering if anyone that has run this before could give me some advise on accommodation etc.
I am thinking it would be a good idea to stay in Achill the night before the race, but maybe head to Westport nearby on the Saturday... Ok so this is more to do with the social aspect of the race weekend. Do many people stay around in Achill after the race and would there be much life in the place?
Thanks :-)
B
Wed, 24/06/2009 - 17:25
#2
Hi,
Called a B & B today in Achill and everything seems to be gone for that week-end.
Is anybody staying in Wesport on the friday night who would be willing to share a Cab on Race morning?
Kindest regards
Conor
Thu, 02/04/2009 - 11:31
#4
In response to previous comment - I don't know how you could describe Achill as a fun run. This is surely one of the most challenging races around at the moment. As for 'serious runners' -- the winning times may not be at elite level on paper but runners at every level will find that course & conditions extremely tough. I did the race a couple of years ago and swore never again but might give it another crack this year -- would recommend it for anyone looking for a change from urban courses/training (and lots of pure Mayo air!)
Brian -
You could try camping in Achill I guess, but maybe not a good idea for tired limbs. Westport is prob your best option
Thu, 02/04/2009 - 15:31
#5
Is it possible to get from Westport to the start line by bus? Or cab (and if so, does anyone have an approximate cost)?
I've already signed up, but didn't really look into the logistics of it yet ;)
Fri, 03/04/2009 - 10:02
#6
Well I think I am going to stay in Achill on Friday night in a B&B or something to be there early on race day. I hated the way I had to travel so far in the morning for the Connemara run, totally put me off my regeime. I think going by what I am hearing that the best craic afterwards is in Westport, which isnt too far away 30/45 minutes. Camping is definately not an option :) I need a good bed to rest my sure to be aching limbs.
Thanks guys
Fri, 03/04/2009 - 10:20
#7
QueensGael -- I wouldn't recommend relying on public transport to get you from Westport to Achill. Also a cab might be fairly pricey I would say. You could try car-pooling with some other runners; otherwise find a B&B (or bring your tent) in Achill.
There's a contact number on the website so they might be able to give you more info
Thu, 30/04/2009 - 16:03
#8
Hiya,
Just wondering about the course direction ? Achill tourism website gives it as keel to dugort and back via bunacurry to keel but the map on the half marathon website seems to give the other direction ?
Wed, 13/05/2009 - 08:41
#10
Hi All,
I'm thinking about Achill this year..
Does anybody know approx how many people ran last year? I find small fields difficult!
I also have to decide if I can justify E60. Why are Irish races so expensive in comparsion to UK races. I ran Blackpool marathon this year - cost 22 pounds.
/John
Wed, 13/05/2009 - 19:05
#11
Hi john, i agree with you, the races here are fairly costly, i know organisers have their over-heads and that, but still it's a fair amount of money to pay, but i suppose your investing in yourself in a way too. Lovely part of the country ,achill.
Fri, 26/06/2009 - 15:29
#12
I have registered for Achill, but won't be able to run it. So if anyone needs to register they can have mine.
Mon, 29/06/2009 - 10:56
#13
Hi, if you still have the registration number can you get in touch, as I would love to have it.
Let me have your number / e-mail or contact me on damian.joyce@cowen.com
Mon, 29/06/2009 - 16:29
#14
I will take your registration from you if you cannot run. I am on 0857187266 or mkenny@gsandco.ie
thanks
Matthew
Fri, 15/05/2009 - 09:07
#15
Well, as it turns out, I have injured myself and cannot run the Achill Half marathon in July. If anybody is looking for an entry number I have one that I wont be using. Im still going there for the weekend though :)
Mon, 22/06/2009 - 16:07
#16
Hi Brian
I will glady accept your race entry for the Euro60 fee. how can I contact you? my text number is 087 9482441
Thu, 18/06/2009 - 14:32
#18
Hey guys,
Anyone have a registration they arent using for the achill half? Nice way of recouping that €60 if you cant make it!
Sean
Tue, 30/06/2009 - 16:42
#19
Hi Sean,
I recently received an injury so Unfortunately, I cannot do the race,I will be in Achill for that weekend as a few of my friends are entering,I'd be glad to offer you my Spot.
Regards,
Patrick 087 6806686
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 19:15
#21
If anybody has a race registration they are not using would be deligted to purchase it from you. my email is ruthkelly1000@hotmail.com
Thu, 02/07/2009 - 13:45
#22
I was running - then I was not running due to work - now I am running!- so if anyone has 2 places they cannot fill due to late canellations or work commitments then please let me know or call me on 0857187266.
Sun, 05/07/2009 - 18:06
#23
Congratulations to the organizers, traffic marshalls, first aid and volunteers involved in the Achill Half this weekend. You pulled off a great event - plenty of water stations, great medals, fabulous t-shirts and a really fun post party :) And the weather was co-operative too!
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir!
Mon, 06/07/2009 - 13:46
#24
These races are too expensive. Fine if you are only doing one or two races a year but too much after that. The organisers will continue to price races this high if people are prepared to pay for them. The concellation fee for the Achill Half Marathon on the day was 100 euro. I feel there are a lot of races being organised for profit only.
Ger in the West
Wed, 08/07/2009 - 14:36
#25
Apologies if this is posted twice; I commented on Monday but it didn't appear
Ger - can you explain a little more your comment that there was a cancellation fee of EUR100 for the Achill Half? Why would you pay to cancel, when the entry fee was EUR60? Were you out of pocket for an additional EUR40 or a total of EUR160? I'm curious, as I've never seen a cancellation fee for a race before (unless you pledge to raise a certain amount for a charity race spot and then fail to reach your target - this happens in the Boston Marathon where charities reserve a small number of spots).
As for the cost of races - I agree that it's high, but I suspect there's less corporate sponsorship money going around, and these events don't happen by themselves. It's always possible to run around a field by yourself for free ;)
Personally, I would rather pay the entrance fee than be obliged to raise a much higher amount through sponsorship.
Thu, 09/07/2009 - 08:36
#26
Hey QueensGael,
The cancellation fee that Ger is talking about was the late registration fee. They were charging people €100 if they wanted to register the morning of the event. I got caught for this as well but ill be registered much earlier next year!
Important to remember that the race numbers we received on the morning of the race had already been paid for! So they received the original €60 from the person who didnt show up and then €100 from the poor unfortunate who registered the morning of the race. Thats €160 for one race number! Ger does certainly have a grievance here.
In saying that I found that the race was very well organized. Loads of water stations and appreciative local support. Very tough course with a couple of gruelling climbs especially around mile 9. The last 2 mile run in overlooking Keel Bay was amazing. Jumping into the water on Keel beach after the race was bliss! Also the craic was absolutely 90 in the annexe and the head after. Well worth going down there for the weekend. I dont plan on missing next years for sure.
Sean
Tue, 14/07/2009 - 14:24
#28
i took part in the Achill half marathon. I believe the late entry fee for the half marathon in Achill of €100 is immoral. A friend of mine paid it and i thought he was mad. I think it should be reported to AI or some body that governs this type of thing. I am doing a half marathon in the north of ireland in a few weeks and its costing £16.50.
€60 for the privilege of running the race is too much. I think €40 would be a much more reasonable amount. The charities still benefit and the runner doesnt feel totally screwed. there is too much unemployment and recession to justify this amount.
Compare it with €85 for Gaelforce, where the Gaelforce people do a whole lot of work providing help with bikes, boots, kayaks, fab goody bag, good quality t-shirt, and decent food afterwards not cold burgers on hard bread as was in Achill.
i think Achill organisers need to look closely at their event before they 'kill the golden goose'.
They also had more spot prizes for volunteers than fee paying participants which is an interesting one(especially if you are the company sponsoring the prizes)!!!
On the positive side
The event was organised, the route was excellent, the water stations were excellent and the signage was excellent.
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Hi Brian
I ran the two last year and found achill much tougher.The first 4 miles in achill are sloping uphill (last yr this was into a strong head wind). There are a few hill later on which are not as long as hell of west but i though were a bit steeper, especially at mile 9. But its down hill for last mile. Its based on a fun run and there wont be too many serious runners there. Best of luck.