MINI POLL fastest marathon course - General running

mizunomad

05/10/2010 at 20:35

Ok guys I am planning next years races and looking for Two fast marathon courses for 2011. My plan is to go sub 3:15 for a mara. Hopefully this will enable me to get a good for age place in London 2012. Where abouts did you good people gain your PB`s for Marathon ????

Just Run

05/10/2010 at 21:36

berlin is very quick

Chris Collinson 2

05/10/2010 at 22:11

Although I've not run it yet, this site always mentions Abingdon as a quick course.

Badly Drawn Bloke

05/10/2010 at 23:34

My 2 fastest times were Rotterdam, 3:16 and Berlin, 3:22ish. Both flat and fast.

Good luck with it Brad.

musketeer

06/10/2010 at 13:13

Amsterdam is flat and fast as well, but may be too late for GFA in 2012?

CumbriAndy

06/10/2010 at 13:21

As suggested - Abingdon - flat as you like without any awkward twisty bits. But, as also mentioned, too late for GFA in 2012?

Devoted2Distance

06/10/2010 at 13:27

Brad - Just wondering. Have you ran a Mara before? If not, 3:15 is pretty optimistic for a first timer.

Granted, if you're clocking times reflecting of this, good for you.

If not, maybe go with a more realistic target.

mizunomad

06/10/2010 at 20:39

Answer to your first question is yes D2D. I read this week that to run a 3:15 mara you should be capable of a 90 minute Half marathon, and a sub 40 min 10k. I am very close to this at the moment. I reckon with a good winter season of training I can achieve this target next year. That was one of the reasons why I wanted a fast course to give myself a little help

2oldnever

07/10/2010 at 09:59

brad Up until last year my Marathon pb was 3.20 at NY then (aged 50)cracked 3.15 at Boston 3.11 and Berlin 3.10.I cannot go sub 40min 10k despite many attempts but my half pb is 1.28.So it is doable .I think upping weekly mileage from average 45 to 55/60 made the difference but now I am crocked and off to see Doctor about my knees. Good luck

Appleman

07/10/2010 at 10:21

The Malta Marathon in February '11 has PB written all over it as you race downhill

The race starts 200m above sea level and finishes in a town by the sea. I'll be having a crack at it particularly as my creaky bones seem to work best in the warm weather!

paulj48

07/10/2010 at 10:55

brad robinson coastersgb.co.uk wrote (see)

I read this week that to run a 3:15 mara you should be capable of a 90 minute Half marathon, and a sub 40 min 10k.

According to the McMillian calculator a 3:15 marathon equates to a 41:33 10K and 1:32:28 half so you may not be that far off with the correct training.

Edited: 07/10/2010 at 10:58

Fido2Dogs

07/10/2010 at 13:03

I have done Abingdon, Berlin, & Malta among others. Hamburg too.

Malta IS NOT a PB course, trust me. Net downhill is not the same as downhill all the way. Also, it's quite possible to get lost! Seriously, the lead car went astray last year & lost 2 of the lead group, and at the rear of the pack I was constantly having to stop and check the route.

Abingdon is not absolutely flat, just not hilly. Hamburg is about the same.

Berlin is flatter, almost entirely flat, but can be a bit warm. And crowded, though less so at your end perhaps.

I would recommend another one I have done - Eindhoven. Not only is it absolutely flat (not so much as going under a bridge) but it is not (unlike Berlin) crowded, the support is much better than Abo, and not only can you put your own drinks out there but they will hand them to you. Also later than Berlin so warm weather less likely.

Blisters and beer

07/10/2010 at 13:12

Aren't there rules on a GFA accepted course requiring a certain amount of doubling back, presumably to ensure it's fair with regard to following winds etc? I'll be looking to go sub3:10 next spring and want to make sure.

Edited: 07/10/2010 at 13:15

07/10/2010 at 15:21

Venice is very flat apart from a few small bridges towards the end. I knocked 30 minutes of my previous PB there in 2007 taking it down to just over 3 1/2 hours

Blisters and beer

07/10/2010 at 15:32

My GF has done Venice and said yes, it's flat but incredibly boring for the most part. Having been there myself I would guess the majority of the race takes place in the industrial area otherwise I could imagine alot of people getting lost!

07/10/2010 at 15:39

It starts near Padova and follows the Brenta river through lots of small towns with a lot of support. There is a very ugly bit around the back end of Mestre but the run over the causeway and then into Venice was very nice. Good pacing groups.

Blisters and beer

07/10/2010 at 15:56

Cheers No Toes. I know my GF wasn't very well when she ran it so that may have tainted her view!

mizunomad

07/10/2010 at 17:30

I think proof of a recent sub 3:15 marathon has to reach the organisers of London marathon 2012 by the end of August 2011 in order to qualify for a good for age place. This may rule some events out. Thanks for all your advice. Anyone done windermere ?

Fido2Dogs

07/10/2010 at 19:41

I have a clubmate who did the 10in10 and she said it's NOT FLAT. Windemere. The course.

CumbriAndy

08/10/2010 at 09:07

Windermere is a fantastic race and I do know several people who have run PBs over the route - it is definitely not flat but equally its nowhere near as hilly as some would make out. If you train well and have the sort of mindset that responds well to varying gradients rather than churning out the same rhythmn/pace consistently for over three hours then it certainly has potential to be quick.