I was kind of expecting the numbers for this race to be well down on last year considering that there was a Half-Marathon in Clonmel on the same day. At the start line, this seemed to be the case however when the results were finally announced, the numbers were up slightly on last year! This year there was 63 finishers compared to 56 in 2009.
As a race, this type of event is never going to attract the big numbers that say a 5k would. All of the fun runners were missing on Sunday and it was up to each runner to test themselves over this challenging course.
And what a challenge it was!! Around 300 metres after the start, the long climb started and didn't end until roughly the 4.8 mile mark. After that it was more or less downhill for the next 4.5 miles until you had to negotiate a tough little climb back into the village and the finish.
In a local race calendar full of short races, this is a unique event and hopefully it will attract greater numbers in future.
The results can be seen at this LINK
(If you have problems seeing them then leave a comment and I'll try a different format)
Photos..........
A small selection of photos HERE
results are fine. Congrats on your finish, who said your speed was gone??
ReplyDeleteYes, the Ballyhooley 10 mile race is certainly a challenge, but what is wrong with that! I think this is a race which deserves more support, after all huge numbers of runners come to races such as Donoughmore for the challenge. I know that a lot of people think this is practically a cross country race up a mountain, but it’s not – the surface on the worst part is slightly rough, but no worse than most of us would run on during some training runs and almost all the rough track is steep uphill on which you are not running fast anyway. It is a race that you get a real kick out of finishing. The race is well-organised (apart from a slight lack of signs to the registration) and it is a pleasure to run a race where the tea servers are coming out looking for people to give cups of tea to because the numbers are so small! One small criticism I would have is that the prizes seem slightly unfair. As third woman overall I won a very ordinary T-shirt, whereas the first woman won € 100. In fact if I had come 4th overall instead of 3rd I would have faired better as I would have won a fleece for winning my age category. Something wrong there! Nonetheless I will be back next year. Sally Drennan, Midleton AC
ReplyDeletei ran this challange on sunday and i must say enjoyed it immensely. it was by far the toughest thing i have done in my short running "career" since mid may. what a buzz once finished though, and i was quite happy to finish 14th.does anyone know whether the guys taking the photos will be putting them up anywhere. congrats on 6th john.
ReplyDeleteThe comments are encouraging and the criticism is accepted and will be taken on board. we hope "The John Hartnett Challenge" will develop as a race that people will want to run each year on the 3rd Sunday of August. Some photos on Ballyhooly Facebook. Thanks to all the 64 athletes that took part and we hope to see you back again next year.
ReplyDeletePat Nash
Organising Committee.
well done too all the people envolved for what was agreat ten mile challenge and too have a mixture of hills forest trails mountain and good even surfaces made the day a very well wortwhile experience.. i enjoyed the whole day the beautiful weather conditions the pace and excitement of the race and the lovely spread of food afterwards..a big well done and congratulations too my grange fermoy team mate gary o sullivan who won and earned the the winning prize and ran a fantastic race..well done again gary..i hope too back here again next year for a race that is great value eight euro only and is one of the lowest prices around in cork or munster..now thats really value for money with all the trimmings..may this race continue in stature as it can be as prominent as any other road in cork or ireland..well done everybody..john griffin grange fermoy ac...
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