Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Approved, Les Croupiers member
Joined: 12/08/2013(UTC)
Posts: 126
Has liked: 30 post(s)
Likes received: 55 in 34 post(s)
|
Having not got into next years London Marathon and what with Manchester Marathon being quite heavily priced and miles away, I've thought about entering The Great Welsh Marathon which is on the 17th April in Camarthenshire. At £35.00 with no real travelling or accomodation costs seems to me like a winner! I've noticed a couple of Les Croups have done it in previous years but not that many to my surprise, considering it claims to be flat, fast with amazing views, and practically on our door step! Is anyone else thinking of entering for next hear? http://greatwelshmarathon.org
|
 1 user liked this post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Administration
Groups: Approved, Les Croupiers member
Joined: 10/08/2013(UTC)
Posts: 754
Has liked: 295 post(s)
Likes received: 766 in 308 post(s)
|
I've not run it myself but recall folks saying it's a good one but can be harsh when the weather is bad.
IMHO you're more likely to get a good time at Manchester.
|
1 user liked this post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Approved, Les Croupiers member
Joined: 15/01/2014(UTC)
Posts: 575
Has liked: 602 post(s)
Likes received: 362 in 184 post(s)
|
I ran it earlier this year and in fact it was where I got my london qualifying time.
That being said, it is one I would think twice about entering again. It is flat (just a few small "tumps"), it is clearly fast if I can get a decent time out of it but it is a 2 lap, T-shaped course that has six (6!) 180 degree turns around cones that I am not fond of.
It is reasonably well organised and runs a HM at the same time (only 1 lap of the course and which Janet Holmes won this year). However, I am aware that the organisers (HBA) are a business in the order of making money and I believe Janet and previously Olli have had issues getting prizes when promised. Also, there isn't much of a goody bag and no T-shirt so where the £35 entry fee goes I don't know as there are few (if any) roads to close as it is all along the coastal path.
Just my tuppence worth.
|
1 user liked this post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Approved, Les Croupiers member
Joined: 11/08/2013(UTC)
Posts: 906
Has liked: 851 post(s)
Likes received: 562 in 280 post(s)
|
Like Marcus,
I ran in 2015 with the sole goal of getting GFA for London 2015. I liked the two lap race because I felt good at 5 miles and passed so many people after that point as half runners slow from 6+ miles in and I still felt fresh. The 180 turns aren't great nor is the fact there is no half way marker or split.
My garmin tells me I had a 1 min negative split but with no chip timing I can never fully claim that. No marathon is every fully flat but the hill is mild at half way (same hill at half way for the March half).
Like Marcus its nice that its local but it is no frills only a hat.. but equally you can enter even on the day.. the chap doing photos was very reasonable mind.
the sandy bits around 11-12 and same point on second lap (sand on path are not great).. but overall I do like the running in a straight line for a long time.. I can get up a decent momentum. I enjoyed the race but I had a good run..
there are not too many local marathons these days.. at least your family could see you many times..
James
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Administrators, Approved, Les Croupiers member, ResultsAdmin
Joined: 16/11/2014(UTC)
Posts: 349
Has liked: 238 post(s)
Likes received: 270 in 135 post(s)
|
I've done it a couple of times and will probably do it again next year. The humps (Railway bridges) do get surprisingly draining towards the end but overall I like the course. The only major issue is that it's quite exposed if the day is at all windy.
I quite like the fact that it's a small event and quite club oriented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.