Preview of the Kinsale Regatta 5 mile road race - Fri 30th July 2010

This race in the coastal town of Kinsale has a reputation of being a very fast 5 mile course, certainly one of the fastest around. It starts high above the town and finishes near sea level in the town itself.

Directions...

If you are coming into Kinsale from Cork, do not take the road that turns left towards the quays. Instead, carry on until you hit a T-junction. Turn left here onto the Bandon road and climb the hill. About 1 mile later at the top of the hill, you will see the GAA grounds on the right.

Course...

One word.....fast! The race starts at 8pm next to the GAA grounds and the 1st mile is flat / slightly downhill. Just after the 1 mile mark, there is a steep downhill section and after that, it's more or less dead flat. There is a tiny pull just as you pass the Trident Hotel when you enter the town but nothing that will really slow you down.

After last years race, I had a poll where I asked if runners would count a PB if it was over a downhill course. A suprising number of people said they wouldn't. At the end of the day, it's up to each individual if they want to count it or not. 

More details.....

Entry fee is €10.00 - €5.00 of the entry will be donated to Marymount Hospice.

Entries will be taken on the night at Kinsale G.A.A. Grounds up to 7.45 p.m.

The race will start at the G.A.A. Grounds and finish in the town (next to the B.O.I.)

PRIZES

1st 6 Men, 1st 6 Ladies.

Master Men : 1st 3 O/40, O/45, O/50, O/55, O/60

Master Ladies ; 1st O/35, O/40, O/45, O/50

Junior Men & Ladies ; 1st 3

1st Wheelchair Athlete

1st Men & Ladies Team (3 to score)

One prize per athlete.

Can music aid athletic performance...???

Can listening to music while running aid athletic performance? According to researchers in Australia, you may well see yp to a 15 % improvement in endurance.

On a more practical level however, it does not mean you can wear iPods / MP3 players in a race where they are banned! You should only listen to music if you are running in an environment where it is safe to do so....not in a race, not on a busy road.

Results of the Carrigtwohill 5 km road race - Thurs 28th July 2010

It looks as if this 5k near Barrycourt Castle in Carrigtwohill was a great success with 348 taking part....a huge number for a new race. Judging by the times, it looks like a fairly fast course.

So what did you think of this new race? Click on the comment link below.

The full results can be seen HERE

Standings in the Ballycotton Summer Series after 3 races

The overall standings after 3 races are now available. Amazingly, a total of 282 runners have completed the first 3 races. There was a time not too long ago when 282 would have been a good turnout for just one of the Ballycotton races.

The 4th and final race is the Ballycotton 5 on the 26th of August and this will decide who gets into the top 50 men and top 15 women for those famous t-shirts!

The overall standings can be seen HERE

Preview of the Carrigtwohill 5K Road Race - Wed 28th July 2010

The next big race locally is the new 5 km road race in Carrigtwohill in East Cork. Considering that it is so close to Cork City, it is likely to attract a large crowd. There used to be a 4 mile race under auspices of the BHAA there every year and was very popular.

This  5K road race has been organised to raise funds for the local community services. The race is held over a new course starting and finishing at Barryscourt Castle, a fully restored 16th century castle. The organisers have arranged with the O.P.W and Trustees for the use the castle gardens and facilities for after race food/ Prize giving etc. Additionally the OPW have a guide on hand giving tours of the actual castle.   Ballycotton Running Promotions and East Cork AC will be also involved.

Directions... Very easy, from Cork take to the N25 Cork to Midleton Motorway, you take the second exit to Carrigtwohill from the motorway, go right  over the bridge straight through the  next round about and you will be directed to parking after about 200 meters.     From Midlleton take the first exit to Carrigtwohill, take the next left at roundabout and you will be then be directed to parking.

Entries...The event centre for this race is Barryscourt Castle, you will be directed from the Car Park next to the Castle.

Course...It is roughly 2 loops of a 1.5 mile course. The first lap is the smaller of the laps and the second is extended  to finish outside the castle. There is a small hill about 300 meters after the start. At the 1st  and 2nd   mile mark, there is a small climb. Overall, it should be a reasonably fast course.

Results of the Ballinrostig 4 mile road race - Sun 25th July 2010

There was a modest turnout of 90 runners for this 4 mile road race near Aghada in East Cork. This was the first year of this particular race and from what I hear, the course wasn't exactly flat ;o)

The mens race was won by Sean McGrath of East Cork AC in a time of 21:08, some 27 seconds clear of his nearest rival.

The ladies race was won by Jessica Vonhatten of Leevale AC in a time of 25:49 having finished 2nd in the Churchtown South 5 mile just 3 days earlier.

The full results can be seen HERE

Lost & Found...
This was sent on to me...
John, At Ballinrostig on Sunday, I found a MP3 player in the field been used as the car park. I'll be at Carrigtohill for the 5k on Wednesday night if someone is looking for it. Could you post this on your blog? Cheers Dave. My no is 086-1982810

Results of the Churchtown South 5 mile road race - Thurs 22nd July 2010

There was a record turnout for this race near Ballycotton in East Cork. A total of 485 took part in what was the 3rd race in the Ballycotton Summer Series.


The mens race was won by James McCarthy of East Cork in a time of 25:15.


The ladies race however was a much closer affair. In the early stages of the race, there was large group of 5 running close together, all in contention of the top spot. In the end, Emma Murphy of St.Finbarrs AC managed to open up a lead on the group and finished in a time of 29:52.


The full results can be seen HERE


(A few people seem to have problems seeing the results....possibly due to different browsers, security settings, etc. I have now changed it to a simpler format. If you still have problems seeing them then leave a comment and let me know)

Looking ahead to road race this weekend - Sat 24th & Sun 25th July 2010

This weekend, there are 3 road races in Munster with one in Cork.

On Saturday evening, there is a 5 km race in Killarney at 7pm. Entry €10. More info on the Running in Munster website.

On Sunday, there is a 10 mile road race in Ballynonty in Tipperary. This must be one of the smallest 10 mile races in the country yet it's a really unique event. I ran this for the time last year and I'd recommend it.
With the new road network, it is just over an hours drive from Cork City. Entry is €10? and it starts at 11am. More details on the Running in Munster website.

In Cork, we have a brand new race on Sunday!! It's the Ballinrostig 4 mile in East Cork.

This race is in aid of 'Mens Health Prostate Cancer' in co-operation with the Mercy Hospital.

The entry fee is €8 and the race starts at 12 noon.

Getting there...
According to the flyer...."Ballinrostig is situated close to White and Upper Aghada. From Midleton, take the main road to Whitegate and follow the signs for 'Ballinrostig Annual Field Day'.

From what I hear, the course may be a little hilly. Considering that it is the only race in Cork this weekend, it should still attract a good crowd.

Preview of the Churchtown South 5 Mile Road Race - Thurs 22nd July 2010

This is the 3rd race of 4 in the Ballycotton Summer Series and is sure to attract a very large crowd.

Directions...If you are new to the local race scene, try the following route. From Cork, take the usual route to Ballycotton (R629...shown above in Yellow). When you get to the centre of Cloyne, the main road takes a 90 degree left. You need to take the turn off which is straight ahead past the old round tower. Just stay on this road (...shown above in Orange), follow the signposts for Ballycotton and you will end up in Churchtown South. Once you get there, follow the stewards instructions regarding parking.

Entries...The event centre for this race is the small community hall which is located next to the road junction on the Cloyne side of the village.

More info from the organisers.......

Ballycotton Summer Road Race Series 2010

Churchtown South ‘5’ - Thursday 22 July 2010. 8:00pm 

All those who ran the first two races in the Summer Series (Ballyandreen and Shanagarry) are automatically entered for the Churchtown South ‘5’. Numbers are listed on website in alphabetical order. The race number denotes over position in the Series – men from 1 to 256 and women from 301 (first overall) to 391.  

On the night, there will be two queues – one for those with numbers from 1 to 200, the other for people with numbers over 200. It would help greatly if you would note your number, join the correct queue and ask for the number at the entry desk.  

A list of the names and numbers will also be displayed outside and inside the hall. Also, it saves a lot of time if you have the correct entry fee (which is again just €5) at the ready. 

Runners who have not run both races (non-Series) can enter in the normal way at a separate table (fee again €5). 

The race starts at 8pm and people are requested to arrive early in view of the large numbers expected and due to parking facilities being some distance away from the race headquarters.    

For anyone who did the first two races, you can find you overall time and placing HERE.

Course...It is roughly 2 laps of a 2.5 mile course. When you run the course, you would think that it should be a fast course as there seem to be very few hills. However, while there are no obvious steep hills like Ballyandreen or Shanagarry, there are some long drags in it which have the same net effect. For my money, it is as tough a course as either of the first two in the series.

If you want to have a look at the course or see where Churchtown South is, click on the following link....http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/ireland/cork/453940448

Results of the Corkbeg 5 Mile Road Race - Thurs 8th July 2010

Just to catch up on another of the recent results...

Here are the results of the Corkbeg 5 mile road race. This race attracted 165 entrants, about the same as last year.

New video clip for the Cork BHAA EMC 5k race...

A new video clip has been added for the Cork BHAA EMC 5k race in Ovens.

Look down the page...

More details about the Churchtown South 5 mile race on Thursday later this evening

Results of the Donoughmore 7 Mile Road Race - Fri 16th July 2010

This 7 mile road race in Donoughmore in mid-Cork attracted a field of 258 runners this year, down slightly on the figure of 290 for 2009 (2008 = 208).


The full results can be found HERE (Link now fixed!)


A selection of 131 photos just before the 3 mile mark can be seen HERE


A short video clip showing the runners turning the corner as they join the main road can be seen below...

Results of the Cork BHAA 'EMC' 5 km road race - Wed 7th July 2010

Time to catch up on a few recent results...

This Cork BHAA race in Ovens near Ballincollig attracted a field of 273 runners. While that is still an impressive number in itself, it is still roughly 34% down on the 2009 figure when they got a turnout of 414 runners (2008 = 355).

Why the drop?

The fact that there was a 5 mile race in Corkbeg 24 hours later may have been a factor but it was the same last year and the numbers for the East Cork race were pretty much the same.

Results.......
These can now be seen HERE

Photos.......
There is a gallery of 137 photos by John O'Driscoll HERE

Video Clips.....
The 1st video clip shows the field of runners passing just before the 1 mile mark. I'm not sure if it's because it's a 5k or just the angle of the camera but everyone seems to be running really fast!


This 2nd clip is a bit shorter and shows a selection of the faster runners finishing.


The 3rd clip by Pat Power of Eagle AC shows the one mile mark and a lot of the runners finishing....

Looking ahead to what's coming up...

I'm having a lot of problems with my PC at present so the posts may be a bit sparse for a while.


Looking ahead, this is what is coming up in the near future...


Mon 5th
There is a 4 mile race in Dromcolliher in S.Limerick at 7:45pm. This might be of interest to anyone living in N.Cork.


Wed 7th
There is the Cork BHAA EMC 5 km road race in Ovens. This is just to the west of Ballincollig and it very likely to attract a huge crowd. Race starts at 8pm so get there early. As always, €5 for registered runners and €8 for non-registered.


Thurs 8th
There is 5 mile road race in Corkbeg in East Cork. Corkbeg is just to the south of Whitegate in East Cork and the race starts at 8pm.


Fri 9th
For anyone in the east of the county, there is a 5 mile race in Dungarvan in West Waterford at 8pm.


After that, there isn't much next weekend and the next big event is the 7 mile road race in Donoughmore on Friday, the 16th of July at 8pm.


There may be additional info on the Running in Munster website

Results of the Ballinascarthy 10 km race - Fri 2nd July 2010

There was a large turnout of mostly local non-club runners for this 10 km charity race in Ballinscarthy near Bandon in West Cork.


The full results can be seen HERE

Results of the Cork BHAA Daniel Kingston Memorial 5 km road race - Thurs 1st July 2010

The full results of this new 5 km road race in Macroom will probably take a few days to appear. In the meantime, there are some photos and a video to look at!


Photos.....
There is a gallery of 133 photos by John O'Driscoll HERE from near the 2 mile mark


Video.....(Updated Sat 3rd July)
A very good video clip  from near the 2 mile mark...




Another video clip here.........just after the start and near the finish line