514 replies to this topic

[ShanksPony]

Just read this from "onlysydney" website.

"This is Australia's fastest and largest half marathon at 21.1 kilometres. The marathon takes runners through some of Sydney's most beautiful and historic areas of The Rocks.

On Sunday 16 May 2010 over 5000 runners will surge into the CBD to compete in the 18th annual race.

This year will mark a new journey for the Half Marathon changing the locations of the start and finish lines. Runners will begin and finish the race at Hyde Park. The race route itself is unchanged and will still take in the breathtaking views that Sydney has to offer."

Obviously written by a non-runner, and a non-eloquent one at that.  Also implying that it's the largest half marathon because it's 21.1km long - and then proceeding to describe it as a marathon.  And i've certainly never heard it described as 'Australia's fastest' before!!  And doesn't it usually start in Hyde Park? (although i might be wrong on that one).

Rant over.

[joggerbec]

I read that article as well, and was amused by the interchanging of half marathon / marathon.  Pat Carroll set the Australian domestic record for the half marathon at the SMH half in 1994 - which I think is their justification to calling it a fast course.  Although most runners, that I've spoken to, find it a challenging course.  The course changed in 2008, and the start and finish are now in Hyde Park.  Prior to 2008 the race started and finished on Hickson Rd.

[sook54]

After the massive crowds this year I'm planning to give SMH a miss and head to Canberra for their half (at least I hope it will be held on the same day, as it was this year). From all accounts not too crowded and a good atmosphere.

[rachinaus]

sook54, on Nov 14 2009, 04:05 PM, said:

After the massive crowds this year I'm planning to give SMH a miss and head to Canberra for their half (at least I hope it will be held on the same day, as it was this year). From all accounts not too crowded and a good atmosphere.

Sounds like a good idea - I know Canberra as a place has its detractors but I was just looking at photos from the marathon this year and at that time of year it really is beautifully autumnal - I am looking forward to going back to run

[BeesKnees]

The course has changed a few times. I ran it in 1994 we started underneath the Harbour Bridge and finished near Pier 1 on Hickson rd, it changed again to finish and start on Hickson rd and then it has changed to start and finish near Hyde Park. The course in 1994 was quite different but can't remember all the details.

[Jogger]

Quote

Just read this from "onlysydney" website

lots of websites, not many credible. best ignore. same as (most) newspapers.

[thomo]

Entries open Monday 22nd February 2010.

I am aiming for sub 2:00:00 gun time.

[Barefoot]

Here is the link to add to your favorites.

http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/

[Colin]

ShanksPony, on Oct 17 2009, 08:28 AM, said:

.... implying that it's the largest half marathon because it's 21.1km long - and then proceeding to describe it as a marathon.  And i've certainly never heard it described as 'Australia's fastest' before!! .

Probably saying it's the 'largest' because...umhhh..its the 'largest' i.e. most entrants..

...and the fastest because the fastest time in Australia was set there...

Sounds perfectly ok to me.

[superflake]

Colin, on Dec 28 2009, 08:07 PM, said:

Probably saying it's the 'largest' because...umhhh..its the 'largest' i.e. most entrants..

...and the fastest because the fastest time in Australia was set there...

Sounds perfectly ok to me.

Might have the fastest domestic time but it was a much flatter course back when Pat Carroll did the time so I've been told.

It seems entries open a month earlier than normal?

Edit: Paul the Olympic track does exist it is the warmup track at Sydney Athletic Centre at Homebush.

[Paul Every]

Colin, on Dec 28 2009, 08:07 PM, said:

...and the fastest because the fastest time in Australia was set there...

Sounds perfectly ok to me.

All it means is that means Pat Carrol's time was the fastest, not that the course is/was the fastest.

Can you rank which is the fastest athletic track by looking at the winning men's 10 000 metre times at Beijing, Athens, Sydney, etc. Could you seriously claim the Sydney Olympic Track as currently being fast when it no longer exists?

Perhaps you can if this tripe sounds "perfectly OK".

Common sense would tell you that the Gold Coast and several other courses are more condusive to fast times.

[Action]

superflake, on Dec 28 2009, 08:26 PM, said:

Might have the fastest domestic time but it was a much flatter course back when Pat Carroll did the time so I've been told.

1994.  61:11.  The course has changed a lot since then, so the claim of the fastest course is more marketing than anything.  It was a lot flatter, no Argyle Cut, went down past Town Hall, and was technically downhill as it started in Fort St and finished on Hickson Rd.  Still an absolutely stonking run, but not the current course record.

[Colin]

Paul Every, on Dec 29 2009, 09:30 AM, said:

Perhaps you can if this tripe sounds "perfectly OK".

Common sense would tell you that the Gold Coast and several other courses are more condusive to fast times.

Gee Paul...what happenned?...the pain killers perhaps...not sure what I have done to upset you.


It's all a bit nit picking really. Arguments over the 'fastest course' when faster times have not been set is hypothetical, sure it is marketing, but there is some defence in saying you have the fastest 'race'...when you have  the time there.

Their claim to the 'fastest HM' could also be current and may in fact be 'fastest top 10' , 'fastest top 100' or 'top 25%', they haven't specified ...all of which would be "perfectly ok" to use...sure...marketing yes, but pointless in 'nit-picking' or getting upset over it.

edit: SMC could also claim to be 'easier to run fast over' than SMH, but 'fastest race' is more about the competition and the times run there due to it, than the course....and any race that has the fastest times (plural) and best competition has a right to use that in their marketing.

I could also say that the Penrith Regatta Centre (4 loops) would be even faster that those you listed ...but unfortunately, no-one has even run it officially yet.

All a bit much of a muchness is the scheme of things to get upset about...I doubt they need to tell people its the fastest HM anyway in order to get more than 5,000 entering...

I think its a lot more disengenuous when races claim 'world bests' amongst their marketing stuff.

Edited by Colin, 29 December 2009 - 10:05 AM.

[Barefoot]

Colin, on Dec 28 2009, 05:21 PM, said:

All a bit much of a muchness is the scheme of things to get upset about...I doubt they need to tell people its the fastest HM anyway in order to get more than 5,000 entering...

Each year the start or the finish area is changed or sometimes both to allow more runners, in 2009 there were 10,491 entrants, in 2008 the were 7,473 and in 2007 there were 5,751. In the earlier years the limit was only 4,000 entrants, so the event is still growing.

See you there in 2010 for the 18th running of the event.

Edited by Barefoot, 29 December 2009 - 07:49 PM.

[Johnny Dark]

Barefoot, on Dec 29 2009, 08:48 PM, said:

See you there in 2010 for the 18th running of the event.

Shouldn't that be 19th?

JD

[superflake]

thomo, on Dec 26 2009, 05:47 PM, said:

Entries open Monday 22nd February 2010.

I am aiming for sub 2:00:00 gun time.

The website says entries now open Monday March 1st, 2010.

[Easy Tiger]

SMH is my favourite half because it is a slow course, no consideration for pb's, it's just pure racing, i love it!!! I ran 4min quicker at Gold Coast this year than SMH. There are other factors, SMH is early in the season and i have a bad hammy which means i have to jog the hills, but i'd still consider GC a 90sec-2min quicker course for me.

[thomo]

2010 entry prices

2010 Entry Prices

22 Feb - 22 March (midnight) $80 adult; Child (12-17 years) $45
23 March until race capacity reached $100 adult Child(12-17) - $60

[Barefoot]

Johnny Dark, on Dec 29 2009, 03:57 PM, said:

Shouldn't that be 19th?

JD

JD,

In the first post it said "On Sunday 16 May 2010 over 5000 runners will surge into the CBD to compete in the 18th annual race." I should have checked.

As the first one was held in 1992, then you are right, this will be the 19th running of the Half Marathon and the 18th anniversary.

[craigus]

I'm confused   front page http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/says entries open 1 March, but Thomo's link above says 22 February???

[frankie17]

craigus, on Feb 7 2010, 01:41 PM, said:

I'm confused   front page http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/says entries open 1 March, but Thomo's link above says 22 February???

This conundrum is killing me.  Can youpost the answer when you have one?  

[thomo]

craigus, on Feb 7 2010, 01:41 PM, said:

I'm confused   front page http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/says entries open 1 March, but Thomo's link above says 22 February???

Going by the properties on the page.

One ( entries open 1/3/10) has as location http://res.au.eventd...olding-page.jpg

The other (entries open 22/2/10) has
http://halfmarathon....sp?PageID=17499

So maybe Faifax staff just need to talk to each other. Have a consensus or play rock, paper, scissors & put the same date on both pages.

Given the kerfunkle (spelt wrong on purpose) of SFT I would check the site regularly and especially on 22/2/10.

[Laimelde]

thomo, on Feb 7 2010, 10:08 PM, said:

The other (entries open 22/2/10) has
http://halfmarathon....sp?PageID=17499

This second site is no longer available. I'd say they've now communicated and they're going with the March 1st option.

[JBee]

Any chance of them having some sort of seeding this year? Last year was bit of a shocker from the start all the way round to Hickson Road with slow runners/walkers starting way too close to the front and causing some pretty bad bottlenecks. I know this happens with every race, but a little bit of seeding (like C2S and Sydney Marathon) would surely help?
That was my only gripe last year in what overall was a very enjoyable event.

[frankie17]

jayrbee70, on Feb 13 2010, 12:42 PM, said:

Any chance of them having some sort of seeding this year? Last year was bit of a shocker from the start all the way round to Hickson Road with slow runners/walkers starting way too close to the front and causing some pretty bad bottlenecks. I know this happens with every race, but a little bit of seeding (like C2S and Sydney Marathon) would surely help?
That was my only gripe last year in what overall was a very enjoyable event.

My money reckons they won't. They have shown a propensity to take more runners in search of a scaleable buck, so I don't think its in them to do that.

[walshy2]

Last year was an absolute debacle

Huge field on narrow streets. roadwork at the corner of Argyle street that the runners needed to squeeze through

I was lined up about 30 rows back from the start and knew after I had tried to dodge and weave between runners all the way till the top of Argyle street that a PB was out of the question

so with the realisation that I couldn't run a good time becuase of the congestion I just went around like a training run in 88:19 rather than the sub 85 I had trained for

I said after that race that I never would enter again, but it's just such a bloody good event. ( time of year, location etc)

If the organisers can sort out some type of seeding that would be great. For the cost of the event it's not too much to ask surely

[frankie17]

walshy2, on Feb 14 2010, 09:38 PM, said:

Last year was an absolute debacle

Huge field on narrow streets. roadwork at the corner of Argyle street that the runners needed to squeeze through

I was lined up about 30 rows back from the start and knew after I had tried to dodge and weave between runners all the way till the top of Argyle street that a PB was out of the question

so with the realisation that I couldn't run a good time becuase of the congestion I just went around like a training run in 88:19 rather than the sub 85 I had trained for

I said after that race that I never would enter again, but it's just such a bloody good event. ( time of year, location etc)

If the organisers can sort out some type of seeding that would be great. For the cost of the event it's not too much to ask surely

I got a pb.  

But that was mostly becoz I was s$%t scared of being swamped by the wave behind me.  Still, nowhere near 88!

Did you know cosy Canberra Half is on the same day with <1000 entrants?

[absolutebeginner]

frankie17, on Feb 14 2010, 09:55 PM, said:

I got a pb.  

But that was mostly becoz I was s$%t scared of being swamped by the wave behind me.  Still, nowhere near 88!

Did you know cosy Canberra Half is on the same day with <1000 entrants?

Decided tonight that my husband and I are going to take part in the half marathon this year.  All very exciting.  We haven't done it before... it will be my first half!  Excited!  

[frankie17]

absolutebeginner, on Feb 14 2010, 10:10 PM, said:

Decided tonight that my husband and I are going to take part in the half marathon this year.  All very exciting.  We haven't done it before... it will be my first half!  Excited!  

Outstanding ab!  I suggest take it easy for your first,  and suck up the atmosphere, as it will be crowded and also feels somewhat more hilly the second lap around.

And you are assured of a pb ab!

Edited by frankie17, 14 February 2010 - 09:13 PM.

[sook54]

frankie17, on Feb 14 2010, 09:55 PM, said:

Did you know cosy Canberra Half is on the same day with <1000 entrants?

Unfortunately not this time, it's been absorbed into the Canberra running festival on 2 May. So looks like I have to do SMH again, thought I swore I wouldn't.

ab, have a wonderful time! the atmosphere and course is great, it's just a bit congested especially for people like me in the middle-back of the pack.

[absolutebeginner]

frankie17, on Feb 14 2010, 10:12 PM, said:

Outstanding ab!  I suggest take it easy for your first,  and suck up the atmosphere, as it will be crowded and also feels somewhat more hilly the second lap around.

And you are assured of a pb ab!

Not going for any time particularly... just hope to get around in under 2.5 hours!!  Really just wanting to get across the finish line..   It would be nice if I could run the whole distance, but not really a big deal if I can't.  It WILL be my first.  I do intend to get some good quality training in b/n now and then so hopefully i'll be ready for it.  

I can imagine it will be a very big event, drawing huge numbers of competitors.  The atmosphere would be pretty amazing though, right?

[absolutebeginner]

sook54, on Feb 14 2010, 10:17 PM, said:

Unfortunately not this time, it's been absorbed into the Canberra running festival on 2 May. So looks like I have to do SMH again, thought I swore I wouldn't.

ab, have a wonderful time! the atmosphere and course is great, it's just a bit congested especially for people like me in the middle-back of the pack.

Thanks!  Looking forward to it!  

[frankie17]

absolutebeginner, on Feb 15 2010, 09:53 AM, said:

Not going for any time particularly... just hope to get around in under 2.5 hours!!  Really just wanting to get across the finish line..   It would be nice if I could run the whole distance, but not really a big deal if I can't.  It WILL be my first.  I do intend to get some good quality training in b/n now and then so hopefully i'll be ready for it.  

I can imagine it will be a very big event, drawing huge numbers of competitors.  The atmosphere would be pretty amazing though, right?

I hope you also intend some quantity training too.  i.e. get up to a weekly long run 16km.

Last year I think they had almost 9000 competitors (maybe that was paid entrants not competitors).

The atmosphere was not as fun as C2S as most of the runners in the HM mean business.  I found the atmosphere to be not fun especially the last 1/2 lap...can't speak for anyone else though.

[superflake]

frankie17, on Feb 15 2010, 10:04 AM, said:

I hope you also intend some quantity training too.  i.e. get up to a weekly long run 16km.

Last year I think they had almost 9000 competitors (maybe that was paid entrants not competitors).

The atmosphere was not as fun as C2S as most of the runners in the HM mean business.  I found the atmosphere to be not fun especially the last 1/2 lap...can't speak for anyone else though.

I think they 10,800 entrants of which 9500 finished/turned up.

After running the same course with only 6000 having 9500 do the race was way too crowded especially through the narrow roads of the domain.

Just money grabbing by SMH in my opinion.

[frankie17]

superflake, on Feb 15 2010, 10:17 AM, said:

After running the same course with only 6000 having 9500 do the race was way too crowded especially through the narrow roads of the domain.

Yes, squeezy as in "Running of the Bulls" squeezy.

[Luckylegs]

Well, I must be a strange one!  I love the big crowd at this event and it's a great buzz from start to finish for me, but then I guess that's because, after the start where I get as close to the front as possible, -  sorry!  -   I'm then way towards the back where it isn't at all crowded.  I love this event and wouldn't miss it....even got a PB last year!    LL

[Jimboy]

Luckylegs, on Feb 15 2010, 09:30 AM, said:

Well, I must be a strange one!  I love the big crowd at this event and it's a great buzz from start to finish for me, but then I guess that's because, after the start where I get as close to the front as possible, -  sorry!  -   I'm then way towards the back where it isn't at all crowded.  I love this event and wouldn't miss it....even got a PB last year!    LL

Yep! and I reckon you will get another pb this year the way you have been racing lately. Myself I am a little ambivalent about racing it this year.But,sore calfs and all ,I hate to let my pw time of 2009 see me out at the race distance.
I'm with you in my enjoyment of the day,although not as naughty as you in getting near the front at the start. It is a great experience,certainly not a pb course in general but what atmosphere at the finish.
I was under the impression that this was to be an on-going tribute to Kerryn as an annual Memorial race.Is that so or was last year a one- off event?

[Lynn]

I've decided to run this as my first half too. So excited and nervous at the same time. I love running in Sydney I don't mind the crowds and I hope I can handle the hills!

[absolutebeginner]

Lynn, on Feb 16 2010, 09:40 AM, said:

I've decided to run this as my first half too. So excited and nervous at the same time. I love running in Sydney I don't mind the crowds and I hope I can handle the hills!

Hills?????  EEk!  (I obviously don't know the course...   ).

[frankie17]

absolutebeginner, on Feb 16 2010, 10:10 AM, said:

Hills?????  EEk!  (I obviously don't know the course...   ).

The hills only appear on the 2nd lap.  

[photogirl]

I am also planning this to be my first half marathon. Like absolute beginner  I don't really care about the time (anything under 2.5 hours would be nice though ) but just finishing. I am doing long runs now as well as more running in general and am just going to keep plugging away. Hopefully it will be a great day no matter what.

[Whippet gal]

I think this is a tough one for a first half - it was my first and still probably my least favourite course. Hard to run a PB.

After the massive numbers last year, which saw the front runners run into the back of the slower runners near the end, I was always considering not entering this year. The decision's been made for me thanks to the Canberra Marathon debarcle. If the Canberra/Capital/whatever marathon's in May I won't be recovered enough to be competitive at the SMH Half so I'm going to give it a miss.

Having said that, there's some part of me that stull wants to run it. It's always a well supported race with spectators lining the course the whole way and loads of Coolrunners.

[glenda]

This is my favourite race...My best time on it is only 5secs slower than my pb on the flat at Noosa...I am committed this year to run faster over 5 and 10km  so have not really done the necessary long runs (yet) but if I can sneak in a coupleof 2 hr runs soon I will be back for my 4th year in a row.

[shrek]

I'll be doing this one this year. My first SMH half but my second half marathon.

This Sunday will be 12 weeks till the SMH half. Going to try and do one of those 12 week half marathon training programs or just increase my runs to a minimum of 18km long runs. Most i did last year before the Blackmores half was 14km, need to do more for this one.

[henryjoseph]

shrek, on Feb 17 2010, 11:08 PM, said:

I'll be doing this one this year. My first SMH half but my second half marathon.

...

Me too!  Looking forward to it

[Stem]

This was my first and only HM I've run (last year). Unfortunatly I had to run it injured and way under prepared. Looking forward to being able to do the training required for this one.

Only issue at this stage..... It's on my wedding anniversary.

[henryjoseph]

Stem, on Feb 18 2010, 05:50 AM, said:

This was my first and only HM I've run (last year). Unfortunatly I had to run it injured and way under prepared. Looking forward to being able to do the training required for this one.

Only issue at this stage..... It's on my wedding anniversary.

Tricky!!  I guess the question is whether your wife runs as well?!

[Stem]

henryjoseph, on Feb 19 2010, 07:35 AM, said:

Tricky!!  I guess the question is whether your wife runs as well?!

No. But she does enjoy a sleep in. Could almost be home before she wakes up.

[Elliemay]

Hi there,
My partner and I are thinking about coming over from Christchurch to do the SMH half.
It sounds like a great excuse for a weekend to Sydney!
I'm trying to find a course description and profile to see if the route crosses the Harbour Bridge (how cool would that be?) and to see how hilly it is  - before locking in cheap airfares.
The  halfmarathon.smh.com.au/ website doesn't seem to have any course info on it.
Can anyone point to me to a site that would have that info please?
I'm also wanting to find the start-time for the event.

Thanks!

Lisa

[craigus]

Elliemay, on Feb 19 2010, 10:46 AM, said:

Hi there,
My partner and I are thinking about coming over from Christchurch to do the SMH half.
It sounds like a great excuse for a weekend to Sydney!
I'm trying to find a course description and profile to see if the route crosses the Harbour Bridge (how cool would that be?) and to see how hilly it is  - before locking in cheap airfares.
The  halfmarathon.smh.com.au/ website doesn't seem to have any course info on it.
Can anyone point to me to a site that would have that info please?
I'm also wanting to find the start-time for the event.

Thanks!

Lisa

Hi Elliemay
The course doesn't go across the bridge, but at one point you do go under it. (Syd Running Festival in Sept goes across the bridge).  SMH starts next to Hyde park and is essentially 2 laps of the city.  You do also run through the Domain which will give you fleeting views of the bridge, opera house and harbour.  There are a few testing hills, but as others have said here, you only notice them on the second lap   

I did this as my first HM last year, and although it gets a tad crowded in parts, there is a really good atmosphere.  Entries open on 1 March, so the website should have full details then.  It usually starts at 7.30am.

Hope this helps