|
Cork City Marathon 2010 - Sneak preview |
|
Written by John Quigley
|
|
Thursday, 07 January 2010 |
|
Plans for the 2010 Marathon are at an advanced stage, with some major changes envisaged.
Basically the plan is to flatten the course as much as possible, while maintaining the most part of the route.
UPDATE:
I've been asked to take down the preview as the HSE have reservations about safety aspects of the course and, as nothing has been decided, to keep the changes envisaged, but not yet confirmed, under wraps. So.....the sneak preview has been removed temporarily.
SPR - Shortest Possible Route
One thing I am speechless about every year is the route the vast majority of runners take in the marathon. Everyone follows everyone else like lemmings. The course is measured to ensure that nobody runs less than the measured distance, so you're going to run AT LEAST 26.22 miles. By running the long way round bends and corners, one could easily add half a mile, or more, to the overall distance. Run the SPR everywhere possible. Why run 27 - you'll only get credit for 26.22.
The yellow line is the route is see most people taking. The blue one is the one I run. Much shorter! A no brainer - but they still do it.
Same again here.
My method: Ask anyone who follows me in any race - I look to the furthest corner/bend I can see on the course and make a straight line for there. Simple as that. Measurement is exactly the same. The only times i vary that are if there are obstacles on the course, the road camber is bad or there is some other pressing reason why the line shouldn't be taken.
|
