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.
The entry fee is €10 and a T-shirt is included in that price.
Info from the organisers.....Ballintotis will again host the opening evening fixture on the extremely busy Cork road running calendar on Thursday April 19th. Two years ago, the inaugural ‘4’ miler at the picturesque venue, located just off the Main N25 road between Midleton and Castlemartyr, proved an outstanding success with nearly 450 runners taking part. Twelve months on over 550 went to the start line, whilst another sizeable contingent took part in the non competitive walk.
This year’s race was officially launched by the Lakeside at Loughaderra with Donal O’Sullivan, General Manager of Trabolgan Holiday Village, joining local organisers to kick start the countdown to an occasion that will again see all proceeds going towards the Ballintotis Area Community Council Building Fund.
East Cork AC who previously held the fixture in nearby Castlemartyr are again to the fore in the organisation and promotion of the race as are members of the highly respected Ballycotton Running Promotions team. Without the tremendous help and co-operation of both the aforementioned the race would not be possible to stage.
Currently the main objective of the Ballintotis Community Council Committee is to provide a suitable multi purpose floor on the splendid new Community Centre which is located adjacent to the Church grounds. Since last year’s race tremendous progress has been made as reflected by the fact that the Centre will be HQ for the big April 19th fixture. The staging of the race at the venue over the past 2 years has generated a vital part of the funding which has seen such major work already completed.
So this year (weather permitting) the focus will both be on the new construction and the Car Park of St Colman’s Church which will again be the venue for after race refreshments on the lake side at Loughaderra. The start line is approximately 200 meters from the race base and the course will see the runners pass the Car Park as they set out on what is predominantly a fast flat course along quiet country roads, before finishing back in front of the Church.
Entry fee for the event is €10, with all finishers receiving a souvenir tee shirt. There is a wide range of prizes in all categories along with a plentiful supply of spot prizes. For those who make the headlines up front some attractive prizes are on offer topped by a family weekend break at Trabolgan Holiday Village for both first man and first lady across the line. Incidentally, James McCarthy of East Cork AC won the event in both 2010 and 2011 while Rhona Lynch and Niamh Roe of Eagle AC won the women's race in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Race time on Thursday 19th is 8pm with all participants urged to arrive early and follow the advice of the stewards in relation to parking..
Meantime a non competitive walk will also be held beginning at 6.30pm over the same course. Again entry fee for adults is €10 which automatically entitles the participants to the aforementioned commemorative tee shirt.
Children accompanied by an adult can partake free of charge.
Entry to both the race and walk, changing facilities, refreshments and prize giving will all be centred in close proximity.
Further information is available by calling Sean Murphy or John Cashman on the special race line number 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 approach road to Ballintotis from the main road to the north. As you pass the church, the road opens up...
and then you turn right at the next junction. This is where the only real hill of the race starts...
Coming so early in the race, it's a pretty minor affair. Around the half-mile mark, you pass the 16th century Ballintotis Castle...
and then you are onto the quiet country roads in the area. The photo below shows what you can expect....
At around 3.5 miles, you come back onto the hard shoulder of the M25 road as you pass Lough Aderra....
Then it's next left, back onto the narrow road again and on to finish just outside the church.
Overall.....a 4 mile road race on a relatively flat circuit on nice quite country roads. No real hills to speak of so you can expect to get a fast time. The only issue might be that the start is narrow but it's no worse than say the likes of Ballyandreen. A nice race to kick off the summer season of evening races.
More info from the organisers...
Designated Car Parks/General Information
2012 Ballintotis ‘4’ Mile Road Race Thursday April 19th - 8pm
CAR PARK ‘A’
This is located adjacent to ‘Ballintotis Community Centre which is the Race H.Q. The car park will cater for walkers, early arrivals for the race, stewards and other race officials. It was also used for last year’s race. (Please note use of this car park is dependent on favourable conditions)
CAR PARK ‘B’ This is located approx 0.5 miles from Race HQ and is the situated beyond the school and close to Balllintotis Castle. It will cater for runners arriving from 6.30pm onwards. *After the race traffic heading in a westerly direction towards Midleton from this car park will be directed left on the road known as the Kiln Boreen.
CAR PARK ‘C’ This is located at the eastern side of Loughaderra Lake and will initially be for all race traffic approaching from Castlemartyr and Youghal direction. It will be also be for use by runners arriving later from any direction. The car park is just under 0.5 miles from Race HQ.
Other Notes
**After 7.30pm it is important to note that access to all car parks will be via the road on the Castlemartyr side immediately east of Loughaderra Lake.
*Also note that the field used as a car park on N25/Church Cross Junction last year is not available this year.
*A temporary lighting system is also being erected to assist participants on their return journey to each car park.
*Weather permitting refreshments will be served and prizes will be presented in the Church Car Park adjacent to Loughaderra Lake. In the event of rain these will take place in the Community Centre.
Note To All Participants
The organising committee has decided to open an entry desk from 1pm at the newly built Ballintotis Community Centre. Whilst this might seem a very early hour, we feel it could facilitate a number of people who commute regularly on the N25 Cork/Waterford road. It will also of course be an advantage to local people living in the vicinity of the race.
Overall we urge runners to arrive early and please follow the advice of stewards and members of the gardai. Hopefully with a bit of luck weather wise, we will all have another enjoyable evening in Ballintotis.
- Further enquiries to John Cashman or Sean Murphy on 086 8778182.
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