So, this year I've set myself the humble goal of finishing my first half-mara. The most I've done is a 9k and a 10k fun run. I live in Sydney and was going to attempt either the SMH Half Mara (May) or the half-marathon at the Blackmores Running Festival (Sep).
Does anyone have any ideas on which is more enjoyable & newbie-friendly?
Obviously the Sep one is preferable for me (gives me more time to train) but I'd consider the May one if it's really good.
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Sydney Half Marathons - Newbie Friendlywhich is the best for me? SMH Half marathon or Blackmores?
Started by silverfish, Jan 12 2009 01:29 PM
11 replies to this topic
#1
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:29 PM
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#2
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:33 PM
silverfish, on Jan 12 2009, 02:29 PM, said:
So, this year I've set myself the humble goal of finishing my first half-mara. The most I've done is a 9k and a 10k fun run. I live in Sydney and was going to attempt either the SMH Half Mara (May) or the half-marathon at the Blackmores Running Festival (Sep).
Does anyone have any ideas on which is more enjoyable & newbie-friendly?
Obviously the Sep one is preferable for me (gives me more time to train) but I'd consider the May one if it's really good.
Does anyone have any ideas on which is more enjoyable & newbie-friendly?
Obviously the Sep one is preferable for me (gives me more time to train) but I'd consider the May one if it's really good.
Hi silverfish
For my money, it would be the Blackmores one all the way. How often do you get to run over the road of the Harbour Bridge and finish at the Opera House? Gold
The other bonus is that the awesome CR cheersquad position themselves at Circular Quay, and the noise that lot make will get you through the last km on adrenaline alone!You don't say how new to running you are, or how much training you are currently doing. I'm not suggesting for a minute that you couldn't train up properly for the May one, but if you are very new, it would be better to build up nice and gently with a good few months training to take on the 21.1km. That way, you avoid potential injury from increasing your mileage too quickly.
Best of luck, and let us know which one you decide on.
Plod
Edited by PlodBod, 12 January 2009 - 01:38 PM.
#3
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:41 PM
Yep, what she said.
#4
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 01:56 PM
Blackmores Running Festival (Sep) has less hills and is easier than SMH Half Mara (May).
So go for Blackmores Running Festival (Sep) would be my call, as PlodBod more time to train for it and the CR cheer squad is great.
SMH Half is also good just a bit harder.
Brick
So go for Blackmores Running Festival (Sep) would be my call, as PlodBod more time to train for it and the CR cheer squad is great.
SMH Half is also good just a bit harder.
Brick
#5 Guest_Carmen_*
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 02:45 PM
I'm going to tip the scale and say the SMH half is by far the better run. I reckon it's much more enjoyable doing two laps of the city with crowds lining the streets cheering you on. Blackmores half involves a long boring section along the city west link which I just couldn't bring myself to run last year, and so I put my energies into cheering instead. Having said that, the Circular Quay CR cheer squad is an awesome thing to experience, as is a run over the bridge with a finish at the Opera House.
As Plod mentions, you don't say how long you've been running, could it be an option to do both? Just a thought. I did SMH half as my first one and liked it so much I came back for the second one at Blackmores in September.
Don't forget the most essential piece of running gear - CR colours. Good luck with whatever you decide.
As Plod mentions, you don't say how long you've been running, could it be an option to do both? Just a thought. I did SMH half as my first one and liked it so much I came back for the second one at Blackmores in September.
Don't forget the most essential piece of running gear - CR colours. Good luck with whatever you decide.
#6
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 04:25 PM
SMH has more hills but they are shorter. Like Carmen I found the City West Link bit a bit much to take especially in the heat last year. Both races take you through some good bits of Sydney though of course the thrill of running over the bridge in the Blackmore's is something special.
All in all I'd be going for September to make it easier on yourself. I'm sure you'll find plenty of supporters whichever you choose, especially if you are wearing CR colours!
All in all I'd be going for September to make it easier on yourself. I'm sure you'll find plenty of supporters whichever you choose, especially if you are wearing CR colours!
#7
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 04:29 PM
Thanks all for the well wishes.
I started running last year, first with the bridge run (9km) then the St George Brighton Dash (10km) Not really a regular runner but I'm hoping I've got youth on my side (being 23).
I have an EXTREMELY sedentary job (desk-bound) so the challenge (for me) is going out for a run and being active after a day of doing nothing. I plan to do a lot more of Sydney's bay run as I'll move 3km from it... 3 km there, 7 km around, 3km back = 13km. Gradually I guess I'll have to add more km's. I'll be hanging around this forum topic a bit...
I started running last year, first with the bridge run (9km) then the St George Brighton Dash (10km) Not really a regular runner but I'm hoping I've got youth on my side (being 23).
I have an EXTREMELY sedentary job (desk-bound) so the challenge (for me) is going out for a run and being active after a day of doing nothing. I plan to do a lot more of Sydney's bay run as I'll move 3km from it... 3 km there, 7 km around, 3km back = 13km. Gradually I guess I'll have to add more km's. I'll be hanging around this forum topic a bit...
#8
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 04:44 PM
I would aim for the later half marathon.
Gives you time to build up and less pressure at meeting any time restrictions.
Make sure you do a long weekly run every week. Building up gradually.
Gives you time to build up and less pressure at meeting any time restrictions.
Make sure you do a long weekly run every week. Building up gradually.
#9
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 04:48 PM
^^^ what they all said plus...
If you are looking for a friendly and encouraging event for your first HM consider these smaller ones:
The Sri Chinmoy Sydney series includes HMs in March, July and November. The March and November events are at Centennial Park and the July one is south of the city, at Doll's Point.
The Bankstown Hidden Half (August): a really nice event on parkland paths and trails with a few testing hills
The Sutherland Half (August) a lovely course in Royal National Park and, unusually, an afternoon event.
I've done all of these and enjoyed them all. All had a great atmosphere and were much, much cheaper to enter than the SMH and Blackmore's events. I'm not wanting to put you off the two big ones, running across the Bridge is super and I do like the course for the SMH - but both are mega-events which can be a little intimidating for your first half.
Of course, while keeping in mind Plod's and thomo's good advice about careful training, you don't have to limit yourself to just one event
slowmo
If you are looking for a friendly and encouraging event for your first HM consider these smaller ones:
The Sri Chinmoy Sydney series includes HMs in March, July and November. The March and November events are at Centennial Park and the July one is south of the city, at Doll's Point.
The Bankstown Hidden Half (August): a really nice event on parkland paths and trails with a few testing hills
The Sutherland Half (August) a lovely course in Royal National Park and, unusually, an afternoon event.
I've done all of these and enjoyed them all. All had a great atmosphere and were much, much cheaper to enter than the SMH and Blackmore's events. I'm not wanting to put you off the two big ones, running across the Bridge is super and I do like the course for the SMH - but both are mega-events which can be a little intimidating for your first half.
Of course, while keeping in mind Plod's and thomo's good advice about careful training, you don't have to limit yourself to just one event
slowmo
Edited by slowmo, 12 January 2009 - 04:49 PM.
#10
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 05:34 PM
slowmo, on Jan 12 2009, 05:48 PM, said:
^^^ what they all said plus...
If you are looking for a friendly and encouraging event for your first HM consider these smaller ones:
The Sri Chinmoy Sydney series includes HMs in March, July and November. The March and November events are at Centennial Park and the July one is south of the city, at Doll's Point.
slowmo
If you are looking for a friendly and encouraging event for your first HM consider these smaller ones:
The Sri Chinmoy Sydney series includes HMs in March, July and November. The March and November events are at Centennial Park and the July one is south of the city, at Doll's Point.
slowmo
I'm with slowmo... my first HM was Sri Chinmoy @ Centennial Park. Do one of those if for no other reason than the pancakes and fruit at the end. And they're cheap and very newbie friendly. mmmmm pancakes.... uh, I digress!
And I agree with Carmen too, don't forget to wear CR colours!
Good luck!
flyingemu
#11
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 07:43 PM
silverfish, on Jan 12 2009, 05:29 PM, said:
I plan to do a lot more of Sydney's bay run as I'll move 3km from it... 3 km there, 7 km around, 3km back = 13km. Gradually I guess I'll have to add more km's. I'll be hanging around this forum topic a bit...
Make sure you let us know when you move closer to the bay......there are lots of us that run there and I'm sure you could hook up with someone...or just bump into someone.
Regarding your half marathon - go for it. I was deciding between SMH half and other options...and opted for the Bathurst half as my first attempt. The halfway cutoff of the SMH would stress me out too much and I'm not good on hills. I'll start flatter and then aiming for another couple later in the year....hopefully September included. Having said that Slowmo's suggestion of Sri Chinmoy is a good one too.
#12
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Posted 12 January 2009 - 08:25 PM
hmm more things to add to my running calendar! 
the time limit for the SMH half sounds a bit stressful so I'll definitely do the one in Sept (yes, running over the bridge & finishing at the opera house will be so awesome, can't wait! had the bestest euphoric feeling last year after doing the 9km run, so hope it will be the same for the 21km.) But I haven't ruled out the possibility of something in august, or the sri chinmoy ones (thanks, slowmo!)
the time limit for the SMH half sounds a bit stressful so I'll definitely do the one in Sept (yes, running over the bridge & finishing at the opera house will be so awesome, can't wait! had the bestest euphoric feeling last year after doing the 9km run, so hope it will be the same for the 21km.) But I haven't ruled out the possibility of something in august, or the sri chinmoy ones (thanks, slowmo!)
