Participants complain
According to the Irish Independent, the Antrim Coast Half Marathon organizers were inundated with complaints from runners. The organizers felt compelled to apologize, but also explain what happened.
The course is considered fast and beautiful running along the Northern Irish coast.
"It's the most beautiful race in the world" – Five-time Olympian Jo Pavey πββοΈπββοΈπ
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) August 23, 2024
Watch the Antrim Coast Half Marathon live on @BBCiPlayer on Sunday from 9.15am πΊπ² pic.twitter.com/jcoJl06HtJ
Runners, who paid the Β£42 or USD 55 entry fee, to take part were not impressed.
The publication wrote, “Complaints included the length of queues for toilets, no water for the first five miles (8km) and runners being asked to move to the line more than an hour before the start time.
Problems with Sundayβs event were also compounded by the heavy rainfall.
Dozens of comments have appeared on their social media accounts voicing similar complaints with people telling of their experiences.”
The organizers explained that some of the water had been stolen in the early morning hours.
Elites did not have an issue
The women’s winner Yalemzerf Yehaulaw of Ethiopia won in the time of one hour, five minutes and 31 seconds (1:05:31). Her personal best is two minutes faster on one of the world’s fastest courses in Valencia.
Meanwhile, the men’s winner Alex Nzioka Matata of Kenya clocked an impressive 59:47. His personal best is only 10 seconds faster from the Padova, Italy Half Marathon in April this year.
The top 20 male and female results are below.
In fairness…
While having enough washrooms and volunteers is very important, in fairness, athletes of all abilities should train appropriately for the half marathon. Doing so they should be strong enough that requiring hydration from the organizers β certainly a half-marathon β should be secondary. The weather is completely out of the control of the organizers. Athletes should be prepared with appropriate clothing and training for any possible conditions.
It is standard racing rules that it is up to the athletes to know the course in advance. Course markings and signings are of assistance, but any time there is a disqualification, the rule supersedes. Additionally, almost 100 per cent of athletes train and race with a watch that provides, distance, pace, elevation, and heart rate. Signage on a course should now be considered a “nice to have benefit.”
Registration fees do not pay for just toilets, food, water, awards and race bibs. Registration fees cover liability insurance, municipal fees, professional traffic control, course measure and certification, marketing and either a salary or honorarium for the race director, plus expenses incurred.
Top 20 results
Pos | Name | Time |
---|---|---|
1. | Yalemzerf YEHUALAW | 1:05:31 |
2. | Loice CHEMNUNG | 1:06:47 |
3. | Joyciline JEPKOSGEI | 1:07:04 |
4. | Ftaw ZERAY | 1:07:15 |
5. | Mulat TEKLE | 1:08:16 |
6. | Roza DEREJE | 1:09:35 |
7. | Jackie GAUGHAN | 1:11:58 |
8. | Natasha PHILIPS | 1:12:31 |
9. | Annie HEFFERNAN | 1:13:51 |
10. | Fionnuala ROSS | 1:14:16 |
11. | Charlie ARNELL | 1:14:29 |
12. | Louise SMALL | 1:14:53 |
13. | Emily HAGGARD KEARNEY | 1:15:06 |
14. | Katie OLDING | 1:15:35 |
15. | Alaw EVANS | 1:15:39 |
16. | Virginia BARRAND- | 1:16:27 |
18. | Sarah FORBES SMITH | 1:17:26 |
19. | Sara GREEN | 1:17:50 |
20. | Alexandria HACKETT | 1:18:19 |
21 | Judith STORM | 1:18:45 |
TOP RESULTS MEN HALF MARATHON
Pos | Name | Time |
---|---|---|
1. | Alex NZIOKA MATATA | 59:47 |
2. | Hillary KIPKOECH | 1:00:28 |
3. | Birhanu LEGESE | 1:00:28 |
4. | Adissu GOBENA | 1:01:29 |
5. | Levy KIBET PACE | 1:01:38 |
6. | Hillary CHEKWONY | 1:01:57 |
7. | Simon DEBOGNIES | 1:02:02 |
8. | Hiko TONOSA | 1:02:47 |
9. | Alex MASAI | 1:02:55 |
10. | Ryan GREGSON | 1:03:01 |
11. | Dorian BOULVIN | 1:03:09 |
12. | Dewi GRIFFITHS | 1:03:18 |
13. | Benjamin ALCOCK | 1:05:04 |
14. | David MCGLYNN | 1:05:05 |
15. | Kidane TADESSE | 1:05:07 |
16. | Ryan THOMSON | 1:05:16 |
18. | Bjorn KOREMAN PACE | 1:05:35 |
19. | Ronnie RICHMOND | 1:05:37 |
20. | Ross SKELTON | 1:06:18 |