Ironbridge Half Marathon - General running

Paul Bowen 4

25/12/2012 at 16:54

Hi just wondering if anyone has do this b4?
I have already done a half b4 but just wondering what this is like

acp

26/12/2012 at 22:30

I've run this twice and it's pretty tough! They change the route every few years but the last two years it's been slightly downhill for the first 7 miles into Ironbridge and then a monster hill at mile 8 followed by a steady climb back to the finish. It's nice and scenic though and you get to run over the iconic Ironbridge!

Paul Bowen 4

27/12/2012 at 15:23

thanks for that, very useful

so at the gym what would you say would be best for the inclide ? just go i can get an idea what to use.

MollyMulldoon

14/01/2013 at 11:21

The hill at 8 miles. Anyone who has done Birmingham half, how does it compare with the hill at 10 miles?

Mark Taylor 63

17/02/2013 at 19:22

I live there and have run it numerous times, Its a trail/road course and some of the paths used have recently been tarmaced or gravel laid. Its pretty flat if not biased to downhill up to the bridge (7miles). From there its all the way back to Telford town park along the Silkin Way. Its more up than flat but I wouldnt describe it as a monster hill but that depends where you live and how much hill running you do, and its not as sapping as the climb in the Birmingham Half. Support is good through Ironbridge but its fairly sparse and isolated for the rest of the route. Not a PB course due to the terrain. Water stations are usually paper cups which I personally hate and you dont get a t shirt unless you pay extra. I'm doing it this year as its on the doorstep and fits in with my Marathon training. Feel free to ask me more.

Mark Taylor 63

17/02/2013 at 19:27

I train on most parts of the route all the time so I'm happy to fill in the gaps if your unsure of the route

MollyMulldoon

18/02/2013 at 08:49

Thank you for that. I just wanted a general idea. I'm all set to give it a go now.

Antz64

14/03/2013 at 20:57

Hi Mark,
Would you recommend road or trail trainers?
Thanks
Antz

Mark Taylor 63

15/03/2013 at 07:16

I'd stick with road shoes, some of the paths can be a little muddy after rainfall but they are all quite firm and either have some Tarmac or paving on them now ... So on balance I'd wear roads shoes hope this helps

wolves1877

19/03/2013 at 08:57

How muddy/slippery is the course at the moment as I have some trail trainers but prefer running races in my road trainers

Mark Taylor 63

19/03/2013 at 12:09

It's wasn't to bad over the weekend, I've been working away the last 2 days but intend to run some of the course tonight, I'll keep you posted. There's always a few puddles this time of year but nothing to warrant trail shoes.

Mark Taylor 63

21/03/2013 at 20:13

With the snow due early Saturday morning I would opt for the trail shoe as it will be very slippy and soaking wet as the thaw starts ... Rubbish time for bad weather

Antz64

21/03/2013 at 21:02

Think we need to follow the weather and hope for a quick thaw: I'll be bringing both trail and road shoes and decide on the day. Thanks for the advice Mark; any chance you can provide an update on Saturday evening please?

Mark Taylor 63

22/03/2013 at 10:56

Just been down to one of the main off road bits and we have a good couple of inches of snow here. Its still snowing now and forecasts say it will continue for the next 24 hours or so. Its bitterly cold at just around -1 - 0 but the wind chill is more like -5 id estimate. If this doesnt clear by tomorrow afternoon I figure it will be to dangerous to consider running the race

Lets hope it warms up and rains a lot.

I'll update tomorrow evening ....

As far as footwear - Skis or snow shoes at the moment.

MollyMulldoon

22/03/2013 at 11:58

There will be an update on their site tomorrow at 12 noon

wolves1877

22/03/2013 at 18:16

http://www.telfordharriers.co.uk/ here for all the organisers news

Mark Taylor 63

23/03/2013 at 08:51

0900 Saturday

No way is the course safe to run on. Still snowing at the moment.

wolves1877

23/03/2013 at 12:12

The race is off. The organisers are trying to rearrange it for the14th April

Mark Taylor 63

23/03/2013 at 12:17

Rightly so ... To dangerous.

Just been up to my ankles in water on parts of it, not a pleasant way to run a race in such a nice part of the country.

Well done Telford Harriers a very good decision.

Johnny again

23/03/2013 at 13:44

I live 30 miles south. Some of the drifts here are over my head! A 5.5k run took me 42 minutes (great fun though). Even fell races have been cancelled this weekend.