Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon and 10k race - May 06

[4th gen Suthen']

Of course I would be more than happy to run any route at any time of year

Maybe we should walk before we.... ehhh run!

Take it low key to start with.......maybe even an unofficial event.....nothing to stop a few lads and lassies running any course.

Plenty to think about and ponder anyway.

Will have more to say about it soon.

Not that I am any kind of expert or anything like it

[4th gen Suthen']

Of course we could always trail them from Polliwilline Farm in Southend, round the Leerside and back to the town, therfore guaranteing a pesonal WORST!

10 miles to the Cutting, up there, along Meadows, back down to, then up, Glebe St, a wee bit extra somewhere along the line then finish at the brand new swimming pool......

Aye, instead of a PB we could go for a PW....the course from hell.......

And it IS!!

[4th gen Suthen']

Of course it wouldn't hurt the cooncil to build a 400m running track round Kinloch Park, with room for a football pitch in the middle, and we could start and finish the race with a lap of the track......

[elainemck]

OK I've started making my enquiries to relevant authorities/contacts so will post as soon as I hear back from authorities etc.

I have contacted some companies that hopefully would like to sponsor the event as I think this will be necessary! I thought it could be good if we get West Coast Motors involved as we might need transport to the start line. Also a drinks/water/refreshment company to provide water for runners. Hopefully we could get the Campbeltown Courier involved as well - we could maybe get the runners finish times listed as well as the usual info page and photos!! Hopefully this could be a feature on this website too? I've also enquired with local company DMS graphics about maybe getting t-shirts printed for all runners as well as runner numbers to pin on their shirts and banners/posters. It would be good to get some local companies involved.

Although I havn't made a web page in a while I'm sure I could get a pretty decent one up and running for this in the next few months. This could advertise it as well as show the route to potential runners and possibly supply a training schedule, photos, times etc. In addition, I could include a link to many charities that would provide sponsor forms etc for anyone wanting to run the race for charity.

Another idea (maybe not possible) to have a fun run/walk (3k?) as well after the main race has started/or before, to let juniors race and people not wanting to do the main 'big' race. As for insurance purposes no-one under 18 I think could race. This usually happens at some of the larger events so I will look into this also.

Will post more info soon!

[Rabmacd]

4th Gen,
I remember running in an organised local half marathon back in nineteen-canteen (probably late eighties). The course went from the then swimming pool, Main Street, Big Kiln, Stewarton, Killeonan, then across a dirt track for about 600 metres to the Chiskan Road, back to the Machrihanish Road, back towards town, Moss Road, take a left at the junction at McKerrals yard out to the main gate at RAF Machrihanish, and back to the town as fast as you could via the Craigs, High Street and finishing at the War Memorial. That is about as flat as you can get, I guess. Great turnout that day, but a bit too warm.

[Ship called Dignity]

Elaine,

I am more than happy to have a feature on the website. Just let me know what can be done and it will be done.

Will also contact the Sports Council to see about their next meeting and this can be raised then too. I am sure help will be provided.

Regards

David

[elainemck]

Thanks David this would be ideal having a feature on it here.

OK then everyone for a start we need to organise a Committee for this i.e. 'The Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon Committee' and organise roles and responsibilities of members. Even it is just done through the forum we really need people in charge of certain things i.e. Treasurer to deal with funds/banking etc. I've started the ball rolling with a lot of things and it hopefully will come together soon when I get replies/info back.

Any input from the Sports Council is much appreciated.

Also, forgot to say earlier, I think it would be a good idea if the race could be on the Saturday??? Usually some races in large cities are on the Sunday because traffic is quiet in the morning, however, it should be generally quiet in the town on sat early morning? Also, this means we could have an after-event party to celebrate and let some of the local restaurants/pubs reap the benefits of the runners being in the town for the event. However, if we held it on a bank holiday weekend as planned Sunday would still be possible? Then a few people in the town would have to lay of the booze on the Sat night.....!! Let me know your thoughts.

We will also be looking for volunteers for the day to be stewards to help at the start, finish line, throughout the course and for people to hand out water, medals etc

In addition, we will need first-aiders/ambulances on stand-by 'just in case' and for insurance purposes.

Elaine

[4th gen Suthen']

I think a Saturday would be a good idea. Not early though, around mid day would allow runners to travel from Glasgow, and maybe beyond, then stay on for the night after the race.

But we mustn't forget how far away we are down here.
The Mid Argyll Half Marathon really was a guaranteed PB and it has not been ran for a few years now......... was lack of entrants the reason for its cancellation? can anybody find this out?

If the central belt runners would not go to LochG they certainly wont come to Campbeltown.

I reckon we could get up to 30 + entrants through word of mouth and keen locals and friends/rels of locals.....can we get 50 more to rival the Oban event? do we need to? maybe a kind of dry run the first year would be the way to go.....kind of unofficial sort of thing.

Lots to think about.
Thanks for the old route RabMcD , over the years I have heard many variations of it but I am sure that is the defintive version!
Of course, way back then I had NO interest in such a ridiculous pastime as running! now, of course, ADDICTED!

[elainemck]

Sure, we have lots to think about! We need to make it as attractive to runners from 'up the road' as much as possible. I'm sure we can get 50+ no problem!

Ran the 10k today - 'the great scottish run', there was a half-marathon alongside this event. It was fantastic! Gave me plenty of ideas! It was a great success!

[4th gen Suthen']

More than a week and not a MEEE Yowat from anybody........
The silence is deafening.........

Hope this is not a case of I'mnotgoingonthecommitee ITIS ............

[elainemck]

Just waiting on some replies!

May be able to get some kind of funding from HIE.

Police OK but need to confirm details.

[4th gen Suthen']

Of course I was not meaning you Elaine

[elainemck]

Phew!

So who's on the committee then??

Davie P - you've enough on your plate - don't think you need to help on this one. No worries! Thanks though. I will keep you updated

[Tom B]

I think it would be interesting to see how much of this can be organised over this forum, but if involved on an organising committee, I would also like to meet up in the town with those who are taking on the responsibility for organising it. Maybe a get together in the town could be had a Saturday lunchtime in October? Elaine, I think it sounds like you're on the committee, and I'll join you.

Was there any response from the organisers of the Oban / Mull half marathons on how they found it?

[elainemck]

Excellent Tom.

Sounds good. I'm sure we could get a lot organised via the forum but it would be good to tidy things up at some point. October Saturday should be fine - probably at either side of the school hols would be best?

Still awaiting info regarding Mull 1/2 marathon - will get let you know asap.