calendar icon Sep 19, 2024

Dublin Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Dublin Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 267 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 17 18 19 20 21 .. 27 > ]

 

A Runner from Columbus, Ohio USA (11/2/2002)
"Not very well organized, especially bag drop-off." (about: 2002)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


The 2002 Dublin Marathon, considering that they have run this race for years, the bag drop-off and the race start were very poorly organized. The mob scene at the bag drop-off intermingled with the port-oport lines (which ran perpendicular to the people trying to leave the bag drop-off) produced a huge grid lock of bodies! I was lucky to get back to the starting line in time! There was not enough room for all 9000 runners/walkers in the street at the starting line, as once again we were all smashed together. I did appreciate the fact that all of the aid stations had water in bottles w/caps instead of open cups. This allowed me to carry the bottle as I ran and drink at my liesure instead of having to take only a couple gulps and spill the rest. While the crowd support was nice, it wasn't nearly as massive as I was led to believe that it would be. Although I am a runner, there were many charity race walkers there. The course was open for 8 hrs., but the crowd and traffic control to keep the course clear for those out still walking really started to disintegrate around 6 hrs. If they say the course is open for 8 hrs., then they should make it so. I will say that the people of Dublin are a joy, and I did enjoy their sincere cheering and encouragement. The race committe should seriously consider dumping the plaque, and replace it with a finisher's medal instead. Overall, still it was a very decent marathon with a bit of a challenging course.

 

A Runner from Dublin, Ireland (11/1/2002)
"a great experience" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


As a first time marathoner, it was great to do such a well organised and well spectated marathon. The course was hilly but the finish through the city centre was amazing.

 

Daithi WK from Kildare, Ireland (11/1/2002)
"Excellent first time marathon" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I very much enjoyed this race. The registration was very fast and smooth. The bag hand-in was fine when I was there at 8:30 (though I believe it got busy later on), and the race started right on time.

The course was pretty good, though a bit sparsely populated for the middle part. The finish around Trinity and Merrion Square was excellent. The supporters were not that numerous, but provided great support (and chocolate, barley sugar...) The finish was well managed and the plaque is sitting proudly on my bedside cabinet.

If I'm fit and healthy, I'll definitely be back next year.

 

A Runner from Liverpool, Merseyside,UK (10/31/2002)
"lovely course, well organised and well supported" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my first marathon and after reading some of the comments on last years marathon I was a little concerned as to what to expect. I need not have worried! Apart from the threat of terrible weather (which never materialised and can never be planned against) the whole thing was very smoothly organised. Plentiful water stations and porta-loos, well-controlled traffic junctions and lots of kind Gardas all waving the competitors on. Smooth baggage drop off and collection. The crowd support was spectacular for most of the route but there were a few quiet sections which gave time for contemplation :) A marvellous experience altogether and I would thoroughly recommend it.

 

A Runner from southern Ireland. (10/31/2002)
"A great experience!!" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my first marathon and definitely not my last! The course was excellent, the weather was perfect, the organization was brilliant and the fans were superb! I envisaged a hard run with lots of pain over the final stretch but the support from my fellow marathoners and the fans that came out to cheer us on made it a pleasurable experience. Water, sports drinks, sports bars and kind offerings of sweets, lollipops etc from fans meant I was never short of glucose and I thankfully never hit the dreaded 'wall'. Roll on next year!

 

A Runner from New York (10/30/2002)
"A good re-entry to marathoning" (General Comments)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I have not run a marathon in about 12 yrs., and this was my 1st run outside the USA. I loved it. Tremendous city; I felt welcomed. The course was fine, despite (perhaps because of) the mile 19 hill. Weather was perfect; fans were great. Bottled H2O a much better idea than glasses - less trash, and one in each hand was quite enough to last the 3 mile intervals. I will be back - next time with a sub 3:30 time.

 

graham from Essex, England (10/30/2002)
"my first-but not my last" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


great course-great day-finaly lost my marathon virginty---bring on the next one

 

A Runner from Staffordshire, England (10/30/2002)
"Excellent organisation, brilliant support." (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was my first marathon and I completed in a time of 3.40.23. The course was mainly flat with the exception of a couple of hills (main one at 20 mile mark) but worth it when you reached the beautiful Phoenix Park. The organisation was brilliant and could not be faulted. Adequate toilet facilities were provided and the baggage storage area could not have been better. There could maybe have been a little more support from some of the Dubliners in some areas. Having said that, those that did turn out to cheer us on were great, willing us on right to the end and offering support through sweets, chocolate and drinks. I must applaud the 'Team in Training' supporters. It made me wish I was running for them!

 

A Runner from Washington DC (10/24/2002)
"Great but unorganized!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 5


The course was a nice loop around the city, very few hills. The fans were awesome. They were out cheering for us despite the cold wind. But I was extremely disappointed in the lack of water. This was my first marathon and I had no time goal, just wanted to finish. But the lack of water made it extremely difficult. We were literally accepting handouts from the fans by mile 19. Also, would have preferred to have a medal over a plaque. Overall, it was a great experience and I loved the city and the fans and despite the water issue, would run this one again.

 

A Runner from Sydney, Australia (10/17/2002)
"Nice one to run" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Nice flat loop course through the city, good support especially from the large American contingent and towards the end of the race. You get a nice plaque at the end which is a nice change from the usual medal.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 17 18 19 20 21 .. 27 > ]


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