Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Preview of the Rising Sun AC 4 mile Road Race (Ballinhassig) - Wed 17th Mar (11am)
Rising Sun Athletic Club are holding their annual 4 mile road race next Wednesday, the 17th of March at 11am. The registration point is the Marian Hall in the middle of Ballinhassig which is just off the main N71 Cork to Bandon road. There is plenty of parking alongside the hall itself.

Race info...Here is some of the info from the Rising Sun A.C. website ...6th ANNUAL Paddy Desmond Memorial ...4 Mile Road Race ...Wednesday March 17th at 11.00am ...In Ballinhassig....Race H.Q. Marian Hall (lower Ballinhassig) Awards 1st 2nd and 3rd Senior Men and Senior Ladies , 1st 3 Men O 35, 40,45,50,55,60, 65 and 70. , 1st 3 Women O 35,40,45,50,55, 60 and 65. , 1st Wheelchair Athlete. , Entry Fee 9 Euro , Enquiries to Jim Murray 086 3320461.
Note that there are extra prizes this year compared to last, notably the inclusion of a M35 section.

The course...The race starts about 300 metres away from the Marian Hall. The first section of the race is a tough and uphill drag as you gain height and pass underneath the N71 Cork to Bandon road. Once the hill flattens out, you are on to the old Bandon road and this road is fairly quiet at this time of the morning. There are a few small drags along this section but nothing compared to the inital one at the start.You run into the village of Halfway and then left and out onto the main N71 road. From about the 2 mile mark to about 3.5 miles, the course is flat and going slightly uphill at the end as you run inside a very wide hard shoulder on the road.

After about 3.5 miles, the road begins to climb and the hard shoulder begins to narrow. Soon, you reach a bridge and you can see the road you passed under at the start of the race. Just after this, you turn left and you now have a downhill run all the way to the finish.

Overall...Due to the hill at the start, it's probably not the fastest of 4 mile road races. Coming just 4 days before the Ballycotton '10', it's certainly not the best time for a race but that's just the way the dates fell this year. If you are going for a fast time in Ballycotton then perhaps you should run this one at an easy pace and save yourself for Sunday. 

If you want to have a look at the course, I have put it up on the MapMyRun website. Here is the LINK.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another race that is getting more expensive every year .

Anonymous said...

€9....expensive?
This race, and many others like it, probably tries to break even. We're spoilt for choice with races and teh vast majority are all a 'tenner' or less.

If Comment 1 wants to organise a race for less than €9/skull, then off you go and see how you fare out.

Anonymous said...

Yes in my opinion 9 is expensive .
Everything seems to be getting cheaper grocery`s , clothes , socializing , holidays e.c.t.
EXCEPT the races are getting more expensive every year ......
Maybe there is a permit required that gets more expensive every year , other than that I don`t know
I think we will stick to the Bhaa for the rest of the year . Great website .