Getting there......The sign on for the race is at the local GAA hall. If you are coming from Cork, take a left at the first roundabout as you enter the town. You are now on the relief road. Stay on this for about a mile as you climb up the hill and then down the other side. It ends in a T-junction. Turn right and the GAA pitches with parking are just down the road on the left. See the map below....
The entry fee for the race is €10 and the course has been accurately measured by a Jones Counter and certified as such.
The start for the race is inside in the town itself. I'm not sure exactly where but I'm sure if you follow the other runners from the GAA hall, you'll find it ok. The race starts at 2pm.
Here is a description of the course from one of the race organisers...
This 10km race starts in Bandon town centre beside the arch in the back quay (near Sabrina’s wine bar) and heads out the Clonakilty road (you are now on the Bandon AC 5 mile course). You then turn left onto the Kilbrittain road past the GAA pitch, where registration takes place.
After the first half mile you come to the first of two hills in this race, the incline starts and develops into a minor hill, this lasts for half a mile, then you take the second left, and then it is pretty flat for the next few hundred meters, you then go straight through the 4 cross roads, and its downhill then until you take a sharp right at the bridge. You now head towards Ballinadee (this is just after the 2 mile mark)- and this now marks the start of the toughest part of the race, not because the hill is so steep but due to the length of it- it lasts for nearly a mile.
Now at once you get to the top of this hill, the toughest part of the course is behind you and it is more or less down hill from here on in. There will be a water stop here on the day to reward your efforts. The road veers left and you are now nearly at the 3mile mark (just a safety note: on this part of the course the road is in fairly bad condition for a couple of hundred metres so watch your footing).
You then continue on a slight downhill and then take the next left until you come to a four cross roads. It’s a left again here passed lots of palm trees, and now you are heading back in the direction of town. From here on in it is downhill and plain sailing until the finish line. You pass the 4 mile mark next to some big steel gates. You continue onwards for nearly a mile and you break out onto the Bandon AC 5 mile course again passed the 5 mile marker where the road flattens out although there is still a fall all the way to the finish at the stop sign next to the Old Still pub.
So to sum up, I’d stick my neck out and say that this is a fast course- maybe not a PB (personal best) course. But you have the reassurance that once you have passed the 3mile mark is reached it is downhill all the way to the finish. Best of luck to all of you and hope to see you at the start line.
(Just keep an eye out for the walkers who are starting their walk on the same course at 1pm)
There is a little present for you when you finish as well as the usual fruit and water (although we can’t guarantee one for each finisher, so the faster you get around the better…)
Then you can cool down on your way back to the GAA pavilion for a shower, cup of tea, sandwich etc and await the presentation of prizes.
The organizers also state that...."Pre and Post event massage will be available on the day by qualified members of iapt (physical therapists)- free to anyone who is interested."
There is a map of the course up on the MapMyRun website.
Just to let people know that there is also a walk taking place on the same course as the race. The walkers leave at 1pm so they should be well spread out by the time the race even starts. The start for the race is outside Tapas del Rio,(on your right- near the bottom of the chapel steps) which you will see if you drive through town to get to the point of registration.
ReplyDeletelots of photos up on flickr/seaniepower
ReplyDeletegreat images from a great day