ASICS Gel Nimbus 20

Product Review - Asics Gel Nimbus 20 - 28th March 2018

When taking advice about any runner or reading review like this, you should always consider the perspective that the writer is coming from when doing a review. Mainly for runners, you need to know what runner the writer regularly runs in, this will give you an idea of when he/she says "soft", "spacious" etc, how that compares with your definition of the same.

For me, although I have around 5 different runners, at present, my 'go-to' runner for the past few years has been the Asics Cumulus. I will include this in comparisons below, along with other runners.

About the Nimbus

The Nimbus has always been Asics soft runner and probably the choice runner for marathon runners around the world. In the last version, the Nimbus 19, Asics introduced their Flytefoam technology to the Nimbus and made it a much firmer runner. So if you have been running in the Nimbus for years and have yet to make the move to a pair of 19's or 20's, you might need to prepare yourself for a change. It's not the soft cushion it once was.

Narrow vs Wide

I'm told also told that the latest Nimbus is much narrower than previous versions. This is one of those situations where perspective is important. To me the Nimbus 20 feels like a wide base runner, this would be compared to the Cumulus and especially the GT-2000. I've actually put them all 'sole-to-sole' and it's especially true in the forefoot.

So if you are used to Nimbus, it's narrower, if you are used to other runners, it's probably wider. But what does that mean? Well the positive is more stability on the longer runs. The negative, but maybe this is in my head, is that the others would be better for speed.

Airy vs Porous

The engineered mesh is a very open, designed to be more breathable and flexible. And it certainly delivers on this. So if you are a runner who suffers from heat in your feet, and there are many, this is a brilliant update.
A word of caution though, it's not just the air that gets through, I took them out in the rain one day and my feet were soaked!

My Nimbus 20's in the cold weather in Cork, then in the very hot temperatures in Florida, the famous 10 mile clay loop. The airy structure was good here. See Instagram for more.

What I liked

These are a great runner to take out on longer runs. Although they may not be as soft as previous versions, they had plenty of softness for me. And they have a good solid structure, so still an ideal runner for marathoners. 

What I didn't like

I won't be using them for short races, but to be fair I don't think that's where Asics are positioning them. There are far better runners in the Asics line that are built for speed. 

I also wasn't mad about the wet weather performance, as I'm ok with the standard level of ventilation of other runners.

Final Verdict

There's not a huge difference between Nimbus and Cumulus, but you can expect to see these Nimbus 20 on my for the Dublin Marathon this year!

Run Kilkee

New Race - The Run Kilkee Half Marathon and 10K

The team that organise the Dingle Marathon and Half Marathon have decided to put their efforts into a new event, the Run Kilkee Half Marathon and 10K. Similar to Dingle, they've selected another spectacular route for this event, Kilkee, the picturesque coastal town in Clare. These guys have won our "Half Marathon of the Year" Award for the last 3 years in a row, so you can be sure they'll know how to put on a great event in Kilkee as well.

The race will take place along the spectacular Loop Head Peninsula in Co Clare on Saturday 14th July 2018. The course consists of a 13.1 mile Half Marathon and a 10km route set along the stunning sea cliff panoramic views of the Loop Head Peninsula. This is a 'must do' event in one of Ireland's must beautiful locations on the Wild Atlantic Way with the course designed for runners and walkers to enjoy its breathtaking scenery and beautiful rugged coastline.

The event opened for registrations on Thursday this week, and by Friday registrations were already into the hundreds. With spaces limited for safety reasons for the first year, this is one to book sooner rather than later.

There will be a finishers medal and t-shirt, the design for these will be released soon. (But have a look at what they provide for Dingle, and you'll get an idea of what they give!)

For more information and registration, check out their website: www.runkilkee.ie

Routes:

West Waterford AC Summer Race Series

Below is details of the annual Intersport Elverys / Asics Summer Road Race Series. This is a great series, organised by West Waterford AC, for anyone in the South East, and has been running for 24 years. But with 12 races on the list, and the most of these being Friday or Saturday, if you are taking a weekend break in the South East during the summer, it's worth making it down in time for some competitive action!

Race Entry

Online entry for each race is €7, or on the night entry is €10. Or you can enter the entire series of 12 races for €40, which is great value. Here's the link to register for the full series.

There is also a "rewards scheme" in place, any runner that completes 7 of the 12 races in the series will qualify for an Intersport Elverys/Asics voucher to the value of €30 (redeemable at the Intersport Elverys Sports store in Dungarvan for Asics product).

Weekend Races 6th - 8th April 2018

Races This Weekend - 24 races so far, see below! Where are you Running?

                                                                                                                               

Here's the list of running races on by county this coming weekend. If there are any that I've missed, just chat a message below and I'll update.

Connaught

• Roscommon: Friday 6th - Roscommon Harriers AC race series - 5K
• Sligo: Saturday 7th - Chartered Accountants Run - 5K
• Mayo: Saturday 7th - Clare Island Run - 10K
• Roscommon: Sunday 8th - Marie Corcoran Memorial - 6K
• Mayo: Sunday 8th - Liquid Motion Duathlon
• Galway: Sunday 8th - Ballinderry Run - 5K
• Galway: Sunday 8th - Rembering Aoibhe Renville Challenge - 2.5K / 5K / Duathlon
• Mayo: Sunday 8th - Belcarra 8K

Leinster

• Dublin: Saturday 7th - BHAA, DCC Raheny - 10K
• Dublin: Saturday 7th - Rás UCD - 5K
• Wicklow: Saturday 7th - Jack Whites Run - 5K / 10K
• Kildare: Saturday 7th - Donadea Castle Run - 2.5K / 5K / 10K
• Carlow: Sunday 8th - Run With The Lions - 2K / 5K / 10K
• Dublin: Sunday 8th - The Grocers Fun Run - 5K / 10K
• Kildare: Sunday 8th - Newbridge Hockey Club Run - 5K / 10K
• Offaly: Sunday 8th - Edenderry AC Race Series - 5K

Munster

• Waterford: Friday 6th - Ballinroad - 5K
• Limerick: Friday 6th - Michal Rejmer Memorial - 5Mile
• Cork: Sunday 8th - Cork BHAA UCC - 10K
• Cork: Sunday 8th - Duhallow AC road race - 10Mile
• Tipperary: Sunday 8th - MMRA, Slievenamon - 10K Trail Race
• Clare: Sunday 8th - Sonny Murphy Memorial - 10Mile

Ulster

• Tyrone: Saturday 7th - Spar Omagh Half Marathon - 5K / Half Marathon
• Antrim: Sunday 8th - TQ10K - 10K

Weekend Races 30th March - 2nd April 2018

Races This Weekend - 36 races so far, see below! Where are you Running?

                                                                                                                               

Here's the list of running races on by county this coming weekend. If there are any that I've missed, just chat a message below and I'll update.

Connaught

• Leitrim: Friday 30th - Noel McManus Memorial Run - 5K / 10K (and 40K cycle now if interested)
• Roscommon: Friday 30th - Kilronan Mountain Challenge - 10K
• Sligo: Friday 30th - Grange 5K
• Roscommon: Saturday 31st - The Ros Run - 10K / Half Marathon / Marathon
• Galway: Saturday 31st - Colemanstown 10 - 10K
• Galway: Saturday 31st - Cleasathon, (Inis Oírr) - 7K / 13K / 10Mile
• Galway: Saturday 31st - Cornamona 8K
• Sligo: Monday 2nd - Carney Lissadell Road Race - 10K
• Mayo: Monday 2nd - Ballyglass Fun Run - 5Mile / 8K

Leinster

• Dublin: Friday 30th - The Good Run, St Anne's Park - 5K
• Carlow: Saturday 31st - The Fighting Cocks GFC Run - 5K / 10K
• Wicklow: Saturday 31st - Bray Cliff Run - 10K
• Longford: Saturday 31st - Granard Fun Run - 5K
• Kilkenny: Sunday 1st - Easter Bunny Run - 5K / 10K / 10Mile
• Kildare: Sunday 1st - Spartans Way - 100K
• Meath: Fr Murphy AC Road Race - 10K
• Wexford: Monday 2nd - Rosslare 10K
• Longford: Monday 2nd - Longford AC Annual Run - 5K / 10K
• Kildare: Monday 2nd - Jog For a Dog - 5K
• Dublin: Monday 2nd - Raheny AC, Battle of Clontarf - 10Mile

Munster

• Tipperary: Friday 30th - Loughmore School road race - 5K
• Clare: Saturday 31st - Eamon Moloney 10K
• Kerry: Saturday 31st - Kenmare Bridge Run - 5K / 10K
• Kerry: Saturday 31st - Run Ballybunion - 10K / Half Marathon
• Waterford: Saturday 31st - Tallow 5K
• Waterford: Sunday 1st - Bunny Fun Run - 5K / 5Mile
• Waterford: Monday 2nd - Aglish Run - 5K / 10K
• Cork: Monday 2nd - Boherbue to Kiskeam road race - 4Mile

Ulster

• Antrim: Friday 30th - Belfast to Dublin
• Antrim: Saturday 31st - Solas 5K
• Cavan: Saturday 31st - Easter Bunny Hop - 5K / 10K
• Tyrone: Saturday 31st - Beragh Road Race - 5K / 5Mile
• Down: Sunday 1st - Ballygalget Community Road Race - 5K / 10K
• Tyrone: Sunday 1st - Clogher Valley 5K
• Donegal: Letterkenny AC - 3K / 5K 
• Antrim: Monday 2nd - Whitehead Easter Monday Race

Sport Ireland 2018 grants for Athletes

The number of elite athletes receiving the maximum funding from Sport Ireland has reduced. Just 12 of Ireland’s sporting elite have received the maximum ‘podium’ amount of funding for 2018, compared to 16 last year. Irish Athletics drop further down the list, while Paralympians now top the list.

€1.85 million was announced today under the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme: a total of €1.9 million has been budgeted for the year with the rest to be allocated by the end of the year.

Thomas Barr, the only Athletics Ireland athlete to receive the maximum funding.

Funding by Governing Body:

Paralympics Ireland : €352,000.00

Cycling  Ireland : €250,000.00

Rowing Ireland : €212,000.00 

Athletics Ireland : €184,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association : €172,000.00

Swim Ireland : €152,000.00 

Irish Sailing Association : €116,000.00

Canoeing Ireland : €64,000.00

Pentathlon Ireland : €64,000.00

Hockey Ireland : €45,000.00

Irish Clay Target Shooting Association : €32,000.00 

Gymnastics Ireland : €25,000.00

Irish Judo Association : €24,000.00 

Table Tennis (Para) : €20,000.00

Triathlon Ireland : €12,000.00

Irish Taekwondo Union : €12,000.00

Funding by Individual:

Athletics Ireland Thomas Barr Podium €40,000.00

Athletics Ireland Ciara Mageean World Class €20,000.00

Athletics Ireland Fionnula McCormack World Class €20,000.0

Athletics Ireland Brian Gregan World Class €16,000.00

Athletics Ireland Mark English World Class €16,000.00

Athletics Ireland Alex Wright International €12,000.00

Athletics Ireland Brendan Boyce International €12,000.00

Athletics Ireland Christine McMahon International €12,000.00

Athletics Ireland Michelle Finn International €12,000.00

Athletics Ireland Paul Pollock International €12,000.00

Athletics Ireland Sara Treacy International €12,000.00

Total Athletics Ireland €184,000.00

Badminton Ireland Chloe Magee World Class €20,000.00

Badminton Ireland Sam Magee World Class €20,000.00

Badminton Ireland Joshua Magee International €12,000.0

Badminton Ireland (Para) Niall McVeigh International €12,000.00

Total Badminton Ireland €64,000.00

Canoeing Ireland Liam Jegou International €12,000.00

Canoeing Ireland (Para) Patrick O’Leary World Class €20,000.00

Canoeing Ireland Jennifer Egan World Class €20,000.00

Canoeing Ireland Tom Brennan International €12,000.00

Total Canoeing Ireland €64,000.00

Cycling Ireland Felix English World Class €20,000.00

Cycling Ireland Lydia Boylan World Class €20,000.00

Cycling Ireland Lydia Gurley World Class €20,000.00

Cycling Ireland Marc Potts International €12,000.00

Cycling Ireland Mark Downey World Class €20,000.00

Cycling Ireland Robyn Stewart World Class €20,000.00

Cycling Ireland Shannon McCurley International €8,000.00

Cycling Ireland (Para) Colin Lynch World Class €20,000.00

Cycling Ireland (Para) Katie George Dunlevy & Eve McCrystal Podium €60,000.00

Cycling Ireland (Para) Peter Ryan & Sean Hahessy International €18,000.00

Cycling Ireland (Para) Ronan Grimes International €12,000.00

Cycling Ireland Men’s Under 23 Development Team Pool Funding €10,000.00

Cycling Ireland Women’s Pursuit Team Pool Funding €20,000.00

Total Cycling Ireland €250,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Joe Ward Podium €40,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Brendan Irvine World Class €20,000.0

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Kurt Walker World Class €20,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Kellie Harrington World Class €20,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Sean McComb International €12,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Michael Nevin International €12,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Christina Desmond International €12,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Grainne Walsh International €12,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Kieran Molloy International €12,000.00

Irish Athletic Boxing Association Michaela Walsh International €12,000.00

Total Irish Athletic Boxing Association €172,000.00

Irish Clay Target Shooting Association Ian O’Sullivan World Class €20,000.00

Irish Clay Target Shooting Association Aoife Gormally International €12,000.00

Total Irish Clay Target Shooting Association €32,000.00

Irish Sailing Association Annalise Murphy Podium €40,000.00

Irish Sailing Association Ryan Seaton World Class €20,000.00

Irish Sailing Association Finn Lynch International €12,000.00

Irish Sailing Association Aoife Hopkins International €12,000.00

Irish Sailing Association Seafra Guilfoyle World Class €20,000.00

Irish Sailing Association Aisling Keller International €12,000.00

Total Irish Sailing Association €116,000.00

Irish Judo Association Megan Fletcher International €12,000.00

Irish Judo Association Ben Fletcher International €12,000.00

Total Irish Judo Association €24,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Jason Smyth Podium €40,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Greta Streimikyte World Class €20,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Michael McKillop Podium €40,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Niamh McCarthy Podium €40,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Noelle Lennihan Podium €40,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Orla Barry Podium €40,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Paul Keogan International €12,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Patrick Monahan International €12,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Athletics) Orla Comerford International €12,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Swimming) Ellen Keane Podium €40,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Swimming) Ailbhe Kelly International €12,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Swimming) Barry McClements International €12,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Swimming) Nicole Turner World Class €20,000.00

Paralympics Ireland (Swimming) James Scully International €12,000.00

Total Paralympics Ireland €352,000.00

Pentathlon Ireland Kate Coleman International €12,000.00

Pentathlon Ireland Sive Brassill International €12,000.00

Pentathlon Ireland Natalya Coyle World Class €20,000.00

Pentathlon Ireland Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe World Class €20,000.00

Total Pentathlon Ireland €64,000.00

Rowing Ireland Paul O’Donovan Podium €40,000.00

Rowing Ireland Gary O’Donovan Podium €40,000.00

Rowing Ireland Denise Walsh World Class €20,000.00

Rowing Ireland Mark O’Donovan World Class €20,000.00

Rowing Ireland Sanita Puspure World Class €20,000.00

Rowing Ireland Shane O’Driscoll World Class €20,000.00

Rowing Ireland Aifric Keogh World Class €20,000.0

Rowing Ireland Aileen Crowley World Class €20,000.00

Rowing Ireland Monika Dukarska International €12,000.00

Rowing Ireland Men’s Under 23 Programme Pool Funding €40,000.00

Total Rowing Ireland €212,000.00

Swim Ireland Oliver Dingley World Class €20,000.00

Swim Ireland Mona McSharry World Class €20,000.00

Swim Ireland Shane Ryan World Class €20,000.00

Swim Ireland Conor Ferguson World Class €20,000.00

Swim Ireland Alex Murphy International €12,000.00

Swim Ireland Brendan Hyland International €12,000.00

Swim Ireland Jordan Sloan International €12,000.0

Swim Ireland Nicholas Quinn International €12,000.0

Swim Ireland Men’s Freestyle Relay International €12,000.00

Swim Ireland Men’s Medley Relay International €12,000.00

Total Swim Ireland €152,000.00

Table Tennis (Para) Colin Judge World Class €20,000.00

Total Table Tennis (Para) €20,000.00

Triathlon Ireland Russell White International €12,000.00

Total Triathlon Ireland €12,000.00

Irish Taekwondo Union Jack Woolley International €12,000.00

Total Irish Taekwondo Union €12,000.00

Gymnastics Ireland Rhys McClenaghan Pool Funding €25,000.00

Gymnastics Ireland Andrew Smith

Total Gymnastics Ireland €25,000.00

Hockey Ireland Team Funding Pool Funding €45,000.00

Total Hockey Ireland €45,000.00

Weekend Races 23rd - 25th March 2018

Races This Weekend - 22 races so far, see below! Where are you Running?

                                                                                                                               

Here's the list of running races on by county this coming weekend. If there are any that I've missed, just chat a message below and I'll update.

Connaught

• Mayo: Saturday 24th - Western Greenway - Half Marathon / Marathon / Ultra Marathon
• Mayo: Saturday 24th - Westport Leisure Park Duathlon
• Galway: Sunday 25th - Craughwell 10 - 10K / 10Mile
• Sligo: Sunday 25th - Change your Mind Festival - 5K

Leinster

• Dublin: Saturday 24th - The Purple Run, Phoenix Park, (Down Syndrome Ireland) - 1K / 5K
• Dublin: Saturday 24th - Run for Rita, Tymon Park - 5K
• Wicklow: Sunday 25th - Gaol Break - 10K / Half Marathon
• Kildare: Sunday 25th - Clane AC, Clongowes 5K
• Kildare: Sunday 25th - Kilcullen annual fun run - 5K / 10K
• Kildare: Sunday 25th - Run for Sophia - 5K
• Kildare: Sunday 25th - Galco Naas Duathlon Series
• Offaly: Sunday 25th - Ferbane AC, Hugo Smith Memorial - 5K
• Westmeath: Sunday 25th - Run with Robbie - 5K
• Meath: Sunday 25th - Dunboyne AC - 4Mile

Munster

• Clare: Saturday 24th - Ennis 10K
• Limerick: Sunday 25th - Monaleen Cancer Support Group Fun Run - 5K / 10K
• Kerry: Sunday 25th - MMRA Trail Race in Glanageenty - 9.5K (Trail)
• Cork: Sunday 25th - Mallow 10 Mile Road Race - 10 Mile

Ulster

• Tyrone: Saturday 24th - Washingbay Green Run - 5K / 10K / Half Marathon
• Antrim: Saturday 24th - Larne Half Marathon
• Down: Sunday 25th - East Down AC, Jimmy's 10 - 10K
• Derry: Sunday 25th - Lavey Girls - 5K