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Connemara International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Connemara International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 33 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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J. O. from U.S.A.
(4/25/2010)
 "Spectacular Run!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Spectacular course of continuous rolling hills (and two steep ones) with stunning vistas of lakes, fjords and mountains. The finish of the race was absolutely amazing - viewing a meandering line of runners (mostly half-marathoners) climbing a two-mile grade over a mountain pass and realizing that you had to run up it. It was a relatively warm day for Ireland 20C (68 degrees) and there were lot of people suffering from the heat. This was mitigated to some extent by the excellent water stops and the individual water bottles handed out to the runners - a great idea that should be picked up by more races. Organization was superb: busing ultra runners, marathoners and half-marathoners to separate locations, seeing that all aid stations were fully stocked, and then returning the runners to three separate cities. All in all, a fantastic experience and a nice break from the typical road race format. | |
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R. P. from Belgium
(5/22/2009)
 "Magnificent!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For all runners tired of participating in overly-crowded, big-city marathons, this is a great alternative. An extremely beautiful landscape, a handful of runners (even fewer in the ultra) and nearly perfect organization. A breathtaking experience! I will definitely be back (probably for the ultra to make this wonderful experience last longer). | |
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B. L. from Lowell, Ma. USA
(4/4/2009)
"Outstanding." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon. The course is beautiful - period. The organization is excellent - especially considering that nearly all participants are bused to the starting line and from the finish line. Volunteer support is great. Little touches such as having open water bottles are very much appreciated. The fans are sparse but encouraging and enthusiastic. If I could never run another race, I'd be happy with this one. | |
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D. F. from Rostrevor
(5/29/2008)
"If you only ever run one marathon run this one." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great run. Great organization. Great co-runners. Great support. Great hospitality. Etc., etc. I ran in 2007 and only injury prevented me from coming back this year. | |
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Patrick O'Hare from Belfast, Ireland
(7/9/2007)
 "Beautiful Course" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Breathtaking scenery... the first half of the run was amazing. No spectators - unless you count sheep! Problems started at the halfway mark... they started the half marathon (with 1000's of runners) 13 miles into the marathon course. This meant I went from pacing myself with 3 or 4 other runners to being stuck behind 1000's of slow runners. Also there was cars queued along the narrow country roads - this meant I was dodging between slow runners and cars, which was dreadful. I'm normally generous in my reviews but would seriously advise you not to enter this run unless they start the half marathon at the same time as the full run, or afterwards. | |
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Thomas Bubendorfer from Killorglin, Ireland
(4/24/2007)
"Spectacular" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Connemara International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the 39.3-mile ultra in 2007 after completing the marathon in 2006. The race is held in spectacular scenery, far away from the nearest city. If you want loads of spectators on the roadside, this is not the race for you. And if you are looking for a PR, this most definitely is not the race for you. But if you want to run in a beautiful setting and enjoy an incredible atmosphere, give this one a go. The "Hell of the West," a 2-mile climb 4 miles from the finish line, will stay in your memory for good. Special praise has to go to the organizers. Despite the nightmare of having to ferry over 3,000 participants to and from the race on rural backroads, they try their hardest to make the experience a great one for every single runner in the field, and they're very good at that. | |
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B. C. from Boston MA
(4/5/2007)
"Brilliant!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I loved this race, although it's about 80% uphill. Yeah, I know that's not possible but since the Hell of the West (2.25 uphill climb) comes at mile 22, it feels all uphill. The logistics of moving 3000 runners around roads barely wide enough for cars was a feat in itself. The spectators who were there were great, but it's mostly sheep and open fields so if you need external encouragement, you're doomed. The course is rolling hills, out in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and one of the least populated. We ran along the fjord (the only one in Ireland) and over the mountaintops and alongside fields, and the sun shone. What more do you need in a marathon? | |
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Pól Mac Conleitreach from Baile Raghnaille/Co Aontroma/Éire
(3/2/2007)
"Excellent" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Connemara International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A great, friendly race in another beautiful part of the country. One at which to relax and take in the breathtaking scenes of streams and mountains of Connemara. It also passes through the setting of one of my favorite films (Leenaun). The field is one of the best, and the first one I look for on the calendar. Long may it continue to be successful and enjoyable. | |
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Shane Whitty from Wexford, Ireland
(4/18/2006)
 "Majestic Connemara" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have run 11 marathons to date, including New York, Berlin, London and Dublin. In my opinion Connemara is the ultimate race, especially if you wish to enjoy spectacular, breathtaking scenery. Granted the course is testing and support from spectators is very sparse. I was most fortunate to run the Ultra (39.3 miles) and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you wish to escape into the open countryside for a memorable running experience, this is a must on your running calendar. Ray O'Connor and the organizing team offer a choice of races: half marathon, marathon and ultra. Avoid disappointment and enter early. Enjoy your run! | |
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Mick Quen from Heidelberg, Germany
(3/29/2006)
"Loved course, hated weather" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Connemara International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 The first half of the 2006 Connemara Marathon was great. With only 500 in the marathon I found my stride quickly. It seemed to be rolling hills, great temperature for running, and had a tailwind off and on. This allowed me to get my hopes up before hitting the hills and weather elements of the second half. The course was challenging, but not too difficult. The hardest part was the wind and the rain. I won't fault Ray (race director) for the weather though, especially not in Ireland. I do think there should have been less automobile traffic on the course even though I realize you can't shut down all the county for the race, but still there was too much traffic on the course. The other problem was the lack of food on the course. Water points were good, but there needed to be more energy drinks and much more food on the course. Fortunately Dublin 2004 taught me to carry my own food, but runners shouldn't have to carry all their own food. In summary I would do this marathon again and I would recommend it to others, but there is definitely room for improvement here too. |
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