UPCOMING 40th ANNIVERSARY of THE GREAT RACE, RIVERSTICK, 1986 - 1999... by Tom Scriven
Riverstick Athletic Club was based in the village of that name, along the Cork - Kinsale road and in the main attracted athletes from the Ballymartle / Belgooly / Riverstick areas. The Club was affiliated to The National Athletic and Cycling Association of Ireland, (NACAI) a former Association representing Athletic and Cycling Clubs in Ireland.
The Club organised a Spring season Cycle Race and an Annual Summer Sports Day which in the past included cycle races on grass as well as Track and Field athletic events. The Club organised Cross Country Race events on behalf of the Cork County Board as one of the affiliated Clubs on a rotational basis.
In many Clubs in that era, there was a cross-over between the NACAI and the GAA, in Provincial or National Championships, members or Clubs represented their counties and wore colours similar to their GAA counterparts. Many of the sports days were held in the local GAA Clubs sportsgrounds while the Cross- Country races were held in a nearby farm, very often on the farm of a committee member. Traditionally, the Tricolour flag would be displayed at the event.
As the popularity of athletics increased in the late 70s and 80s, a second sports day, held in Belgooly, was added to the Programme of Events, a Summer 10 Mile Road Race together with a Stephens Day 4 Mile Road Race were organized to reflect the increasing interest in Road Races Nationally.
In February1986, a further event was introduced, a Cycle/Road Race Biathlon, dubbed 'The Great Race'. The distances of the cycling and running sections of the Biathlon were chosen to attract cyclists and runners. The 1986 event, was held through the local Riverstick Wood tracks incorporating an extended triple cycle loop followed by a double running loop of the wood tracks. The 1987 event used a new course, a double 7 Mile cycling loop along the Glounagalt and Heathbourne Hall circuit followed by a 5.3 Road Race on an inner circuit.
The event was transferred from a Spring date to an Autumn one to allow cyclists and athletes participate at the close of the cycling and athletics seasons. The traditional Open, Junior and Veteran category winners were awarded prizes, while a Perpetual Trophy was presented to the winner annually.
The event was held annually up to 1999, (The 1988 event was not held due to a Compliance issue), changing trends and increasing compliance aspects resulted in a discontinuing of the event. Participating in Road Races and Triathlons increased in popularity attracting entrants from biathlon style events.
The event is still fondly remembered, the late Paddy O'Donoghue was a tireless Organiser. Paddy's father, Maurice, was a Founder member and Life-President of the Riverstick Club, the event celebrated his memory.
Participants were in the main cyclists or runners and despite some specific training often found the changeover difficult, resulting in a short distance of shuffling style running until the normal striding style was restored. The traditional tea and refreshments provided after the event help restore the normal walking gait.
On any future trip through Riverstick, spare a thought for the participants of that initial Great Race through the notoriously hilly Riverstick Wood Circuit of nearly 40 years ago! It was indeed a 'Great Race'!'
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