Preview of the Gortroe 10k Fun Run in aid of Autism Assist Dogs of Ireland - Sun 16th Oct 2011

This 10km Charity Fun Run is coming up on Sunday, the 16th of October at 12 noon. Organised by  Banteer Macra na Feírme, all proceeds are going to Autism Assist Dogs of Ireland (AADI). The race itself is in Gortroe which is approx 10 kms west of Mallow, just off the N72 Killarney road.

AADI provides a valuable service that can have life changing effects for children with autism and their families. Their assistance dogs are provided free of charge. Many children with autism have a tendency to "bolt". They have no sense of danger and do not always want to hold an adults hand. In public the child is attached to their assistance dog, which is under the control of an adult at all times. This makes outings possible and pleasant for all the family.

The AADI are based in Quarterstown Mills in Mallow. You can get more information about Autism Assist Dogs of Ireland in this PDF document HERE and by visiting their website...... http://www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie/index.html

Race Flyer....

Entries.........You can enter on the day with a donation of €10

Getting there.....If you are coming from say the Mallow direction on the N72 Killarney road, then you need to take the turn off for Lombardstown. Note that this is just over 9 kms from the railway bridge near the roundabout in Mallow.

From there, you cross the bridge over the River Blackwater, up the road past the railway crossing and into the village of Lombardstown. Just on the far side of the village, there is a turn off right.

Take this and Gortroe is approx 700 metres up this road. You will find the Gortroe Inn located next to the crossroads....

Course.......Please note that this is a charity event rather than a road race with exact measurements. The course goes in a clockwise direction and is approx 9.4 kms in lenght. The race starts at the crossroads just outside the Gortroe Inn. The finish is next to the telephone pole at the rear of the pub.

There is no getting away from the fact that this race has a tough uphill start. As you get close to the 1 mile mark, the hill eases off slightly...

...before getting tougher again until you turn off right at approx 1.2 miles...

Even though it's a tough start, there are some great views as you are well above the local countryside and you gain height on the slopes of Mount Hillary.

After the turn off, the road gets even narrower as it begins to flatten out. There are some stunning views to the right along this stretch of road...

From roughly the 2 mile mark, the next mile is all downhill so you can expect to make up some lost time here. Eventually you go through a crossroads at around 2.8 miles and you reach the railway level crossing near the 3 mile mark....

At this stage, you are on the valley floor and the roads are mostly flat. At the next junction around 3.4 miles, you turn right and head back towards Gortroe....

From here, the road heads south-east, through the 4 mile mark and around 4.5 miles, it runs parallel to the Blackwater River for a while.

At around the 5 mile mark near where you get to the outskirts of Lombardstown, the road forks......

...and you take the right and run under the railway bridge. From here, there is a pull uphill to the finish line near the rear of the Gortroe Inn.

Overall........It's a charity race in aid of worthwhile cause. Forget about times as the course is not measured and is not supposed to be 10k. While the course is hilly, it is on quiet narrow country roads. On a sunny day, a lovely spot.

There will be some token prizes and refreshments after the run.