Now that the clocks have changed, it will soon be bright enough for an evening road race. For most runners locally in Cork, the Castlemartyr 4 Mile road race is always seen as the first evening event of the summer season.
The race is coming up in 2 weeks time on Thursday, the 22nd of April. This year, there is a change in the course as the event moves a few kms to the south-west to the East Cork village of Ballintotis. With that in mind, John Cashman of Midleton AC has written an article which appeared in last Saturday's Evening Echo and is re-produced here with his permission.
New Venue For First Evening Race Of The Season
Athletics – John Cashman
The first evening road race of the 2010 Cork running season will bring a new venue into the spotlight. East Cork AC has joined forces with Ballintotis Community Council to promote the ‘4’ mile event formerly held in Castlemartyr.
A move of just a few miles west will see Ballintotis host the race for the very first time with a fast course lined up for competitors on Thursday April 22 (8pm start)
Headquarters for the event will be the Church Car Park in Ballintotis which is located beside picturesque Loughaderra Lake, just off the main N25 Road between Castlemartyr and Midleton.
In the heart of this vibrant community the two main focal points are St Colman’s Church and the local National School. But now the ambitious Ballintotis Area Community Council members are undertaking the task of building a Community Centre and the upcoming race is just one of many planned fund raising ventures.
The fixture, which has been held in Castlemartyr in mid April over the last few decades will take on something of a new look at it’s new venue.
For starters the setting promises to be one of the most charming on the busy Cork circuit. St Colman’s Car Park will be transformed with the erection of marquee for changing on the shores of Loughaderra Lake and competitors will be chasing a top prize of a mountain bicycle for first man and first lady across the line (both kindly sponsored by Trabolgan Holiday Village). Registration, tasty refreshments and the prize giving ceremony will all be centred at the one venue in the Car Park, whilst a large team of stewards are lined up to ensure the smooth running of a race that is expected to produce some fast times.
The course will predominantly take the participants over scenic country roads with the final section skirting Loughaderra Lake as the competitors run beside this well know beauty spot on the Main Road before finishing just in front of the Church.
Entry fee for the race is 10 euro and all taking part will receive a souvenir cap to mark the first road race in Ballintotis. There will also be plenty of spot prizes to be won on the night.
East Cork AC have also introduced a new pre registration option for the race. Runners may register in advance by e mailing obrienlm@eircom.net and then pay their entry fee when arriving on the evening. Ballycotton Running Promotions have also kindly come on board to lend their expertise and support to the race.
Last year Sean McGrath (20:29) led home a field of 217 runners in Castlemartyr and the organisers of the new 2010 version of the race hope to build further on that figure. Former Cork City Marathon winner Roy Fahy was second with Con Marshall of St Finbarr’s next home. Rhona Lynch of Eagle AC was the impressive leading lady in 23:24.
All proceeds this year from what promises to be a great sporting and social occasion will go directly towards the Community Centre Building Fund in Ballintotis.
This race is just one of the many attractive fixtures in the east of the county over the summer months with the Midleton AC Joe Hourigan Memorial ‘5’ also on the agenda on Thursday May 6 and the Ballycotton 5 Mile Summer Series due to commence in Ballyandreen on Thursday May 27.
Meantime more details of the inaugural fixture in Ballintotis can be found by checking out www.ballintotis.com
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