When I started my marathon training plan, I was told to find a half marathon about 6-8 weeks before so I could see where I was at. I couldn’t find many that were local and on weekends where I didn’t already have plans. Then I discovered the Rock n Roll Dublin Half Marathon and of course, decided that could be the one.
I’d always wanted to visit Dublin, I knew my mum wanted to go back. It just fell into place very easily.
So off we went.
Packet Pick Up
We landed on the Friday and I went to packet pick up fairly quickly after finding our hotel figuring best to just get it done! That was probably around lunch time. Finding the Trinity College Sports Centre was fairly straightforward, but then I had planned our trip so that the hotel was very close to both there and the starting line.
Once inside, everything went smoothly. It was quiet so I didn’t have to queue for my number envelope or getting the t-shirt. There was a fair bit of merchandise to browse and buy, but I only bought a medal pin. The prices weren’t actually too bad, but I didn’t love anything enough to spend the euros. I was impressed that a couple of male and female t-shirts had a list of names on the back of those running. I very nearly bought one of those.
Race Day
The Rock n Roll Dublin half marathon started at 8am, so that meant an early wake up. Thankfully, as I mentioned earlier, I’d planned so my hotel was within walking distance. It took me no longer than 10 minutes to get to the starting area, made even easier by just following all the others heading in that direction.
Finding Baggage Drop
Okay so back in May I said that the Great Manchester Run baggage drop was the best ever. Well. I think I might have found another contender.
Here we had a load of lorries parked up with numbers on each one and an order of finding the one that had the beginning three letters of your surname. Mine was on number 3. In that section where ‘hal’ was included, they had boxes with numbers so your bag was also organised by bib number.
It was quiet when I went to give my bag in, and was super easy to do. It was also super easy to pick my bag up. As the start/finish line were in separate places, these lorries were loaded up and then moved to the finish. Certainly makes it easier if you’re travelling solo!
Toilets
There seemed to be quite a few portable toilets near the start line, but also the queues were absolutely ridiculous. I had a look and then quickly turned around. The good news is that there were a few toilet stops throughout the course, and not many have that.
It’s actually the first race where I’ve seen just as many females head for the bushes lining the street as there were men.
The Rock n Roll Dublin Half Marathon
Start Line
I was a little worried about how long it would take me to cross the starting line when I discovered in corral 8. I needn’t worry though, I crossed just after 8:05am I think.
The starting area was organised with numbers down the sides, and you just stood in the area that had your bib number. It wasn’t really regulated so I’m sure you could have moved around, but I stuck to the rules and stayed near my number. The race started dot on 8am, and I think a few corrals were let go.
I was on the third start I believe? Not entirely sure to be honest, but it went by very quickly. Doing it this way meant less congestion at the starting line, but it was actually quite busy all the way round. Not busy enough to not have space though.
The Route
The route was good. I really liked the way it had a completely different start and finish line. You don’t seem to get that often.
We went through city streets, past housing areas and then through countryside roads. It had a good variety and honestly the miles flew by. I had a bit of a dodgy foot, but again managed a good half and didn’t hit the wall.
The Stations
The stations were good, if maybe a little hectic at times. There was plenty of water, plenty of powerade and also some gels at certain points. The first two stations seemed to be really close together. We had water just after the 3 mile point and then a station with water, powerade and gels just after 5 miles. The next water station was just before 8 miles and then another at roughly 10.5 miles. I can’t remember which of those had the powerade/gels, but it felt like good timing.
I was super happy to see powerade, not so happy to see SIS Gels. Of course, I’d checked that beforehand so had my own gels with me.
The Support
Honestly? A bit disappointing. Considering this is a ‘Rock n Roll’ race, it was very, very quiet around the course. The music was great, but wasn’t any more often than in a normal race.
I was just very surprised at the lack of locals about. I guess I’m just used to the Manchester one and having people lining almost every section. It just all felt very quiet! Not a big deal, just surprised me.
The RnR Dublin Half Marathon Finish Line
We ended in Phoenix Park and it was certainly busy at this point! There were photographers waiting here, which is the first I’ve experienced, and it was great. One guy caught me in probably my best race photo ever just looking happy and relieved to be done. (Proof below!)
Medals were handed pretty immediately and then you walked through all the stations with people handing out food/drinks. It was a little hectic to be honest, lots of people milling around. I just tried to get through as fast as possible to be honest.
Once through, there were a few photographers stationed in front of the Rock n Roll branded pattern for a finisher photo. My photos here are horrendous quality, could have done with a flash or more light ha. But still, a good option to have.
Rock n Roll Dublin Finishing Area
SO BUSY. There were so many people here. Of course, there was a bit of a concert starting so people were obviously hanging around. As I mentioned above, baggage was quick and easy to get back. Bit of a trek, but easy to do.
Everywhere had massive queues. The t-shirt pick up (glad I did I picked up everything on the Friday!), the free beer, the food, the medal engraving. I was going to get my free beer but ultimately decided the long queue wasn’t worth it. The toilets were empty, but they also had no toilet roll. Difficult to manage though I’d guess with there being so many toilets and so many people.
We headed out of the park fairly quickly. Waited 10 minutes or so for one of the free shuttles and that was that. Another race done!
Overall, I enjoyed it but I wouldn’t rush to do this one again. I was really hoping to get to the Rock n Roll Madrid earlier in the year so maybe that can go on the list…
My official time was 02:13:43. Not my fastest, but not my slowest either. I had a strapped up foot and I wasn’t sure if I was even going to finish it so I was happy.
You can see my full race stats below:
Have you done the Rock n Roll Dublin Half Marathon before?
