Preview of the Newmarket 5k road race...Sun 18th Dec 2011

Normally at this time of year, the Newmarket to Kanturk 5 mile race would take place. This year, the organisers Duhallow AC have changed to a new 5 km race which stays in the town of Newmarket. Located in north-west Cork, this race should be of interest to not only runners from Cork but also to those in Kerry and Limerick. If you are coming from the direction of Cork city/Mallow then look for the turn off to Kanturk. When you enter Kanturk, make sure you stay right at the first small roundabout in the town. Newmarket is just 5 miles further on. Please note that the race starts at 1pm.

Entries for the race will be taken at the Hi Land complex which is just on the Kanturk side of the town. The entry fee is €10 and all proceeds from the race are going towards an equipment fund for Mallow hospital. The race flyer can be seen in an earlier post. Please note that the Hi-Land complex will only be open for registration and for anyone wanting to get changed. It will close after registration but the car park can be used if you want to leave your car there. Post race, the prize giving and refreshments will be in Hourigans Lounge on High Street. See map below...

Course......As you can see, it's an out and back course and stays largely within the confines of the town. The course is reasonable flat so times should be fast. The organisers hope to have some traffic management in place for the race so the roads will be clear.

Start...The race starts a few hundred metres away from the Hi-Land complex on the Kanturk road...

As you can see, it is a wide open and flat road. Ideal for a fast start. Then back past the Hi-Land and downhill into a bit of a dip. On the other side, there is a slight pull before you turn right...

Please note that this is the entrance to the local Co-op. The finish line is located here. So, on you go very slightly uphill through the town...

Through the next crossroads...

...and from here it is slightly downhill until you take the right at the next Y-junction....

You then pass the local school and the 1 mile mark. From there, the road bends slightly and opens up into a long straight section....all pretty flat and fast....

The next junction is the turnoff for Ballydesmond and Kerry. You stay right at this junction...

Up a slight hill to the turnaround point....

...and from here you run back towards the town and the finish line by the Co-op.


Overall...It should be a pretty fast course. Any pulls that are there are very modest and anything lost on the way out should be recouped on the faster 2nd half. The course has been accurately measured by Jones Counter so it's spot on. Considering that it is within easy reach of runners in the 3 counties, it should get a good turnout.