How Far Did YOU Run in the Cork City Marathon
It's All About the SPR!
Article by John Quigley, AIMS/World Athletics Grade 'A' International Measurer
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These images, from Gearóid Ó Laoí's photo, showing very experienced runners approaching Boreenmanna Road, on the South Link, and illustrate very clearly, the differnce running the SPR can make. Surprisingly, everyone is 'glued' to the left-hand side, whereas they should be on the extreme right, close to the centre-margin
Last Sunday's Cork City Marathon and Half-Marathon were measured, over the past few months, to AIMS/World Athletics standards. This certifies that the course is at least the specified distance
Courses are normally measured starting from the finish line, back to the start, so rou're going in reverse to the runners direction. Because of issues like the South Link Road, where you'd be cycling against traffic, and the Jack Lynch Tunnel, where traffic is manic at the best of times, the Cork Marathon's measurement takes place over four separate Sunday's, early in the morning. In normal circumstances, the Marathon would be measured in a single session...but the First Rule of Measurement is 'Go Home Safely'
The South Link, South Ring Road, Tunnel and Tivoli sections are done with Garda 'Protection', with several large Garda 'Jeeps' acting as shields/protection, keeping traffic back .....Imagine, driving at 100kph, on the South Ring, approaching the Jack Lynch Tunnel, and coming across a cyclist cutting across the road in front of you! RTE News that evening "An auld fella, who shoulda know better, became roadkill, cycling all over the road on a dual carriageway!"
So... Measurement is taken seriously, and personal safety even more so. Having done all of this again - certification lasts five years, so it will need to be done again before the 2027 event, unless the course changes - it's dissapointing to see so many runners, particularly those at the front of races, 'running all over the gaff'
At the expo in City Hall last Saturday, I gave several talks on the routes, and gave lots of tips on where to run the SPR - Shortest Possible Route
The areas I stressed primarily were the section from Christy Ring Bridge to Ladyswell Brewery, on the way out and back, the section between 4 Miles and the Tunnel. The Tunnel itself and the South Ring to Mahon Point slip road, from Mahon Point slip road to the Dog's home are MAJOR areas where you can lose time/run long...and most do! The next big 'loss making' section is the South Link, particularly from the Elysian to Boreenmanna Road...as illustrated earlier, however the biggest 'loss maker', after the Tunnel/South Ring/Mahon Point section, is Curragh Road to Tramore Road
Tunnel to Mahon Point
The entire length Tunnel itself was measured along the centre wall, yet pretty much everybody ran along the other lane, with many close to the opposite wall. After this, on the approaches to Mahon Point, most were out in the road, whereas it was measured, for the most part, in the hard shoulder, close to the edge of the tarmac
SPR - How to run on a 'twisty road'
This is where the course is measured 'Line of sight...Bend to Bend'. Why run a longer distance? You've trained for months... and then underperform because you run farther than you need. The strategy should be the same for your shorter races too. The primary reason for not running the SPR is when you're heading into a strong headwind...and you're sheltering behing someone bigger than you <grin> ....been there done that!
Examples of the SPR on winding roads
Crossing street diagonally
Heading towards Tivoli, these runners are pretty much 'On The Money', running the SPR
Positions not too bad, but further out than I'd like to see
One of the pacing groups, with the Pacers way over on the 'wrong' side of the road...Ah Lads!...ye're supposed to leading the pack! SPR!!!
Most people more or less OK, but several running very long .....guy in cycle lane doesn't appear to have a number, so may be just out for his own Sunday morning run
