Preview of the Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race - Wed 20th Apr 2011

This 4 mile road race in the village of Ballintotis near Castlemartyr in East Cork is the first evening race of the Summer season. Starting at 8pm, this is the 2nd year of this race and replaces the old 4 mile race in Castlemartyr which was partly run on the side of a busy main road.

The entry fee is €10 and a T-shirt is included in that price.

Location.....
Ballintotis is just off the main N25 Cork to Waterford road. It is located just a few kms west of Castlemartyr. If you are coming from Cork City then look for the turn off right about 5 kms after Midleton. There is a green signpost showing that the turn off is coming up. If you are coming from the easterly side then drive through Castlemartyr and take the first left after Lough Aderra which you can't miss.

Parking.....
There will be 2 main car parks.
1 - a field just off the Main N25 Road – just next to the turn off for Ballintotis - this car park is approx 450 metres from the race HQ (which is located in the Church Car Park)
2 - a field located just beyond the Race HQ and approx 200 meters from race start.

There will be a one way system from Car Park 2 after the race - exiting from this car park will not be allowed immediately after the race. So. if you wish to make a hasty exit, using Car Park 1 is the best advice.

RACE HQ
A marquee for changing will be erected in the Church Car Park on the green beside Loughaderra Lake. Entries will be taken at another marquee in Church Car Park from 6.15pm. Refreshments/prize giving will also be located in the Church Car Park.

Note - Arrive early – a non competitive walk is also taking place over the same route, beginning at 6.30pm sharp. Any enquiries should be directed to 086-8778182
A flyer for the race can be seen HERE

Course.....
Basically, it is a loop course with the start and finish area overlapping by about 200 metres. The start line is very close to the church and right next to the lake...

The start is on the narrow approach road. 200 metres later, you pass the church in Ballintotis and race hq....

...then it's right at the next junction. Two junctions later, you pass Ballintotis Castle and then you are onto the quiet country roads in the area. The photo below shows what you can expect....

.......narrow roads with a hedgerow on either side....

At around 3.5 miles, you come back onto the hard shoulder of the M25 road as you pass Lake Aderra. Then it's next left and finish just outside the church.

Overall.....a race on nice quite country roads. No real hills to speak of so you can expect to get a fast time.

If you want to have a closer look, I now have the course up on the MapMyRun website