The army camp is just off the old road from Fermoy to Mitchelstown in North-East Cork and is very easy to access from the M8 motorway.
Organised by Grange Fermoy AC, the race takes place inside the Army grounds on private roads. The race starts at 8pm.
Getting there......Sign on for this race is at the Glocca Maura Inn which is situated at the top of the hill on the old main Cork - Dublin road. If you are coming out from the Cork city, then the easiest way is to leave the M8 motorway just after Fermoy and take the old road. If you see any signs for Corbett Court then follow those....the Glocca Maura Inn is about 2 kms up the road from there.
Entries......The entry fee is €10.
Course.......The race is inside the Army grounds about 1 km or so from the sign on point so you have a short jog to get to the start point. Just run down the road for 300 metres or so and take the small little road to the left and that will take you down to the start line.
Essentially, the course is roughly in the shape of a triangle and consists of 2 loops. See map up top. The roads are like narrow country roads and there will be little or no traffic.
You start at the north-west corner and you run south east...slightly uphill at first and then gradually downhill...a fast 1st mile.
Corner near the 2 mile mark
Overall.......it's a reasonable course with no steep hills. There are some really nice views from the top out to the west over the Blackwater valley with the Ballyhoura Mountains and the Galtee Mountains to the North.........but perhaps you should leave that for the warm down ;o)
A lovely spot for a race on quiet roads with no traffic.
Prizes and refreshments later back in the Glocca Maura Inn.
John, The race is run in the opposite direction you have shown.
ReplyDeleteok....here's the story!
ReplyDeleteThis race was held for the first time last year and I did up a preview based on what I was told.
On the day, the race went in the opposite direction.
This year, they are reversing the direction of the race so the preview is correct now.
I hope ;o)
looks good and no harm in a little uphill challenge, have only been running few months now and have done most of the Ballyhoura Series so far, im the one thats on the last page of the results but am having a great time doing these runs, looking forward to tonight.:)
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteThe pictures with arrows are correct with the direction. As you mentioned, it's been turned around from last years course as it is now quicker in that direction. The start is just in off the main road where your first arrowed picture is (just across the road from sign on). They have also moved the finish to avoid having to climb the short adjoining road a 2nd time. It should provide some quick times if the weather is good.