FULL/HALF MARATHON
| Full marathon participants follow the 26.2 mile route from Strokestown Park to the edge of Rooskey town and back, via a different route, to Strokestown Park. Half marathon participants will finish the 13.1 mile route near Rooskey and will be bused back to Strokestown Park for all end-of race facilities. Based on feedback from 2010 additional buses will be organised in 2011 and the Kilglass GAA club has been kindly made available for toilets and shelter.
Half marathon participants can leave bags in a bus for transport to the finish line. All bags must be on the bus by 9.30a.m. and carry a label with the relevant race number on it – see the bus driver for labels. The full, half and relay marathons all start together at 10 a.m. in Strokestown Park. [Please note this is different to 2010.] Race matters There will be jelly beans at the 9 (9.5) mile and 18 mile stations. There will be a water & banana station at the end of the half marathon. There will be markers every mile on the route. All distances will be as precisely measured under Athletics Ireland rules. The junctions will be manned by local marshals who will endeavour to keep the route clear of vehicular and other traffic, ensure participants follow route directions and will provide support where needed. The major junctions will be managed by An Garda Siochana. The roads will be officially closed to vehicular traffic until 6 p.m. After that participants who haven’t completed the race will share the road with traffic. A couple of surprises will also occur along the route which hopefully will encourage participants. |
Full marathon routeHalf marathon routeRunner’s review of full marathon“Can’t wait to do this one again. Beautiful scenery, tough, very challenging but wonderful!” Karl Hearty (completed The Bogtrotters Marathon 2010).A runner’s review of the full marathon has summarized it as a straightforward rural marathon with a pleasurable variety of landscapes to relieve boredom; it is not overly challenging except for one steep section of hill on road at the 3.5-4 mile mark, and a gentler hill also on road which occurs at 15 miles. [Note there is a third hillwhich this reviewer has forgotten!]
Walker’s review of full marathonA walker’s review of the full marathon has summarized it as a revealing journey through this hidden part of the country with no particularly challenging sections but with a variety of terrain and landscapes. Listen to the birds sing, see the bog cotton dance in the breeze, marvel at the engineering of the turf stacks and the views over the industrial Bord na Mona plains, feel the peace in the leafy lanes. |
