Operation Transformation 5k...Cork...Sat 23rd Feb 2013

No doubt many of you will have seen the Operation Transformation programme on RTE television over the last few months. As part of the current series, they are holding a 5k fun run in Cork next Saturday morning, the 23rd of February at 11am. Entries for this opened weeks ago and sold out in a few days which just goes to show how popular the show is and how popular events aimed at the general public can be.

Here is a map outlining some of the key areas...

Parking.....
a) There is limited parking available in the Tramore Vally Park on a first come, first served basis. Note that you cannot turn right into the park if you are driving north on the South Link Road from the Kinsale Road roundabout.
b) There is plenty of parking across the way at the Park n Ride. There will be a shuttle bus there to take people across to the park and back afterwards. Pedestrians are not allowed to cross the South Link Road.

Pedestrian Access.....The park can be accessed on foot via Half-Moon Lane on the South Douglas Road.

RACE DAY TIMETABLE
9.30am Information Desk, Toilets and Baggage Area Open
9.30am Parking in Tramore Valley Park (first come/first served) Park n Ride and Mick Barry Rd.
10.00am Individual WarmWup
10.30am Assemble in allocated Assembly Zones
10.30am Vehicle Access to Tramore Valley Park CLOSED. Black Ash Park n Ride will remain open
10.50am Mass Warm up
11.00am First Wave Start
11.05am Second Wave Start

SPECTATORS...The entire Tramore Valley Park will be open if anyone wants to watch. The park will officially open to the public in late 2014 so this is a chance to see what it will be like.

Overall....If the run follows the route of previous events then it is basically two laps as shown on the map in green. No doubt many of those taking part will be just walking but others will be in the process of running 5 kms for the first time. As some of those runners improve, many will appear at other races over the next few months. If you are one of those new runners then have a look at the current race calendar. Many are those events are suitable for anyone who has completed a Couch to 5k training programme.

The current forecast for the day is that it will be cold but dry.