Preview of the Great Island 10 mile race - Sun 15th Apr 2012

This is the third year of this 10 mile road race in Cobh on Great Island in Cork Harbour. Last year, they had almost 400 runners and they are hoping to build on that this year with the earlier start time of 10:30am. The entry fee on the day is €20 with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society. Please note that they will be taking entries from 8:30am.

Where to go?.......The race HQ is the Great Island Community Centre which is located up high in the town of Cobh. They will have areas for car parking in this general area so follow the stewards instructions on the day and they will direct you to the closest car park.

The easiest way to describe where the Community Centre is to follow the road straight up from the St.Coleman's Catheral. As you can see from the photo below, it's a large building and easy to find.

From the organisers.....

This years race will take place on April 15th @ 10.30am again for the benefit of the Irish Cancer Society, with special emphasis on palliative care. Taking in some of the most beautiful scenery that the Great Island of Cobh and Cork Harbour has to offer, the route also poses a challenge to the serious runner and occasional runner / walker alike while at the the same time helping cancer support.

A 5km walk will also take place on the same day for those less inclined to run and who want to show their support.  Make it a family day out in remembrance of those gone before you or those still battling this dreadful disease. This year the race also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic so after the race you may be able to join in some of the events happening in the town on the day.

Preview of the Course.......

Start to Mile 2.....You start just a few hundred metres from the Community Centre on a wide section of road (See above). At a crossroads, you take a left.....

.....and you finish the 1st mile on a steep downhill section. A very fast first mile. Continue on down to the T junction, right and along the road down to Cuskinny. There is a slight fall all the way until just short of the 2 mile mark....

Overall, a very fast first 2 miles. However, you're also near sea level. You've just lost all of your height advantage and you still have 8 miles to go.

Mile 2 to 3.....This course has two tough hills. If you were out for a training run, you might take them in your stride. At race pace however, it's a different story. So you start at mile 2 and climb a steep hill....

....which will leave you panting if you are running at any kind of pace. Top of the hill and you turn off right. This is a lovely quiet section of road with loads of trees. The running is easy here as you recover from that hill.

Mile 3 to 4.....It starts nice enough. Loads of trees, quiet road...what could go wrong? Then the incline begins to increase a bit and you might notice the rev counter climbing. Up ahead is the T-junction....turn left....

This is the second big hill......about 400 metres long and tough. After that, it's on through the quiet village of Ballymore.

Mile 4 to 6.....There is some good running here. There are a few small hills but nothing major. This is a nice quiet road which is up high and there are some nice views of the surrounding countryside.

Mile 6 to 8....This is another fast 2 mile stretch. Mile 6 starts on what is usually a very busy road. There is a slight fall of ground down to the junction......

........and then right onto the Tay Road. This should be a fast enough section until you hit the T-junction around the 8 mile mark.

Mile 8 to 10.....You are now on the main road to Cobh and anyone who does the Cork BHAA 'Cork to Cobh' race every year should be familiar with this last section. It starts dead flat and as you get closer to 9 miles, there is a slight incline up to the railway bridge. It's hard to call it a hill when you consider the other two 'beauties' that you tackled earlier.

Onwards towards Cobh but a slight change after 9 miles. You'll be taking a slight diversion right....

....and using a flatter and quieter road into the town. Anyone who has ran the old 'Streets of Cobh' 5 k race will be familiar with this section. Down past the train station and.........

........on towards the finish in the middle of the town.

Overall........It's not the fastest of courses but it is still a nice route. You spend a lot of the time up on high ground and there are some nice views of the harbour area. With the proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society, it's well worth doing.

Just get there early!