A total of 498 runners turned out for the last race in the Ballycotton Summer Series. This was down a tiny bit on last years record figure of 505. The big issue this year of course was the roadworks in Midleton and the big delays. You'd have to wonder if there were people that got caught up in the traffic, decided that they wouldn't make the start in time and turned back? In the end, the race organisers delayed the start of the race to accommodate those turning up late.
For those who left early, a very valid point was made while the prizes and those 'precious' ;o) top 15/50 t-shirts were been given out and it's worth repeating here.
The total cost for entering the 4 races in the Ballycotton Summer Series was €21. There was prizes for every race, refreshments after every race, prizes for the overall series and the top 15/50 t-shirts of course (top 15 women/50 men). If Ballycotton Running Promotions can do all that for €21 then why should a half-marathon cost €50? If you decided to travel to Galway city this weekend and run in the Half-Marathon there, you would be paying €65 for the privilege.
One thing that I have noticed creeping in recently is that some race organisers seem to be justifying their entry fees by comparing them to the €50 commercial Half-Marathons as if €50 was the norm. It's not. Ballycotton Running Promotions have shown that a 4 race series can cost only €21 to enter.
It's worth pointing out as well that the Cork BHAA will be holding their Cork to Cobh 15 mile road race in October....price?....€10!
The race results for the Ballycotton 5 can now be seen HERE
Photos........at last! I was a bit busy over the weekend so here they are.
Winner of the 2010 Ballycotton 5 mile road race
Alan O'Shea of Bantry AC winning the mens race in a time of 24:38
Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC winning the womens race in a time of 28:49
The field of nearly 500 runners still bunched even after half a mile
Someone in the crowd spots the 'famous' Ned Ramsell of Midleton AC finishing
The most important members of the Ballycotton Running Promotions team...the ladies feeding the runners at the end of the race with tea & biscuits!
John O'Driscoll has a gallery of 190 photos HERE
Another large gallery by Gearoid Lee HERE
7 comments:
any pictures showing up ?
Second year doing this run and 15 secs slower than last yr,gutted ! Lovely evening though and great crowd again despite the traffic blackspots!
Anyone out there find that they can phyche themselves out on a run, fretting about their times and the fact that senior citizens are whizzing by? I need to get tougher mentally! From a 7 min average chap.
Another series done and another load of fantastic work by John Walshe and his many, many backroom personnel. Well done everyone!
Roll on March!
To the second poster- I feel your pain!!! I'm about the same pace but had a nightmare run last night, possibly the first two miles are too tempting and we went out too fast?
That said, the ballycotton series has been fantastic and the organisation was brill. I hope not too many got caught in the traffic and missed the race last night, think it was a very fair decision to delay the start by a few minutes.
Is there any photos of last thursdays race ?
Re: Second poster ".....and the fact that senior citizens are whizzing by?"
I'll take that as a compliment then! [Big Grin]
From Poster 2... JD:John Q take a bow, i'm 38 and thought i was fairly fit but since participating in the organised races in recent times i've observed the level of fitness amongst more "senior" competitors to be fascinating and indeed a benchmark for the rest of us to follow. Do bare in mind my reference to senior citizens as tongue in cheek!Nonetheless i'm determined to beat the bus pass brigade at the Togher 5!
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