Preview of the Cloyne 5k road race - Wed 8th Aug 2012

One of the main races this week in Cork is the 5k road race coming up in Cloyne in East Cork on Wednesday, the 8th of August at 7:30pm. It might be worth mentioning that this race is suitable for all types of runner.......from those at the front racing it to those at the back who might feel that 5 kms is the maximum distance they could run. All are welcome.

Directions...From Cork get on the N25 Cork to Midleton motorway, not tuning off until you come to the Lakeview roundabout at the end of the dual carriageway. At this roundabout you take the 3rd exit signposted for Cloyne, Whitegate and Aghada. Approximately 1km out this road you will come to a statue – here you can take either of the following routes to Cloyne:-

A). Via Ballinacurra to your left. This is the main road to Ballycotton. When you enter Cloyne via this route, you take a right and the main crossroads in Cloyne and the school is just up the road.
OR

B). Via Saleen. Stay on the road south for Whitegate. You climb a large hill.....down the other side into Saleen.....up another slight hill......and then as you go downhill again, you turn left at the crossroads towards Cloyne (well signposted). This road will bring you directly to the school for registration.

Parking....There will be parking available and will be signposted.

Entries....Entries on the night will be taken at Cloyne National School from 4.30pm. The entry fee is €8 and all proceeds are going towards the National School.

Please note that there are no shower facilities. Also note that headphones are not allowed for insurance reasons as the race is on a public road.

The course.....As courses go, this one is pretty flat. There are no big hills or even anything that you would consider a hill. There are a few spots where the road rises a few metres at most. If it's a fast 5k time you are after then this is the one.

The race starts and finishes on the road outside the school. As you can see above, it's reasonably wide and flat. The section from here to the main crossroads in the village is approx 500 metres.

As you approach the crossroads, you have the first 'hill'. As you can see, it is only a short climb with a few metres gained in height before you turn off right onto a flat road. This is also part of the approach to the finishing straight so you gain coming back.

After the crossroads, you are on Church Street and you head down towards the iconic Cloyne round tower, one of only 2 round towers in the county of Cork. Built approx 1000 years ago and reaching 30 metres in height, it can be seen from various points along the course.

At the road junction at the round tower is the start of the loop. For now, you keep going straight and slightly downhill as you leave the village...

...and then onto a straight flat section...

...and at the end, the road veers around to the left. It begins to climb slightly now to the 1 mile mark but still, very slightly. Overall, a fast mile.

Soon, you come to the next turnoff and you are onto narrow quiet country roads.

Around the 1.5 mile mark, you turn left around a sharp corner and the road stretches ahead.....dead straight and flat with the 2 mile mark way off near the end...another fast mile.

After the 2 mile mark, you take another sharp bend and you start heading west back towards Cloyne on what is another flat road with a few bends. As you approach the round tower for the second time, the road rises slightly...

...and then you turn right back onto Church Street and retrace your steps towards the crossroads, school and the finish line.

Overall.......a fast 5k course on a reasonably flat course on quiet country roads. Considering that it is reasonably close to Cork City and Midleton, it is likely to attract a large crowd.