Looking ahead to the 2014 Cork City Marathon...

The main event on the race calendar in Cork is of course the Cork City Marathon on the June Bank Holiday Monday. With a choice of full marathon (26.2 miles), Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) and the Relay, there is something there to suit everyone.

Here is a press release from the organisers...Speaking at the launch of The Cork City Marathon 2014, which will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd June 2014, Race Director Jim O’Donovan said: “The Cork City Marathon 2014 is all about encouraging individuals of all levels and abilities to get involved – from first timers to professional athletes. In recent years we have developed the concept of group participation with the introduction of the Team Relay, Youth Relay and the Inter-Services Championships encouraging some healthy competition among colleagues and school mates.

The Inter Services Championships encourages teams and individuals from the various uniformed bodies, such as the Gardaí, Naval Service, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Coastguard, etc., to run for the honour of their Units.

We are encouraging everyone to get involved in 2014, it’s all about team spirit, participation and that special sense of achievement. Make 2014 the year that you run the Cork City Marathon,” he added.

Now in its eighth year, the Cork City Marathon is an internationally recognised marathon, with certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).  In 2013, over 7,000 people took part in the Cork City Marathon, an event that is quickly becoming one of the major events in the Irish sporting calendar. One of the fastest courses in Ireland, the Cork Marathon has been praised for its inclusivity, with entry fee concessions for those who are unwaged and in receipt of benefit ensuring that young and old and those with varying ability are included in the marathon.

Last year, the first year of the Youth Challenge, saw more than 100 youth teams take part in the 26.2 mile marathon relay challenge, each team member (5 persons) completing a stage of the marathon, with a maximum distance of 5.8 miles (9.3km) each.

This year will see also see a Guinness Wold Record Challenge by Alex O’Shea, who will attempt to break the record for running a marathon in his full firefighter attire, including fire hazard boots.
 
Entry forms and full details on the Cork City Marathon are available online at www.corkcitymarathon.ie/entry/

Entries......Please note that the entry fees go up after the 30th of April.

It's also worth pointing out that the relay contestants will each receive a dry fit top as opposed to a cotton t-shirt like in previous years.

Pictured at the launch of the 2014 Cork City Marathon are Sonya O'Sullivan, Army (retired), Trevor Murphy, Airport Fire and Rescue Service, Alex O'Shea -Cork City Fire Service, Cian Mac Phartalainn, Naval Service, Patrick Roche-Naval Service, Brian Cotter- Prison Service & Finbarr O'Dwyer-Prison Service

If you want to see what the route for the Cork City Marathon looks like then watch this 13 minute video put together by Rob O'Farrell...



Previews.....
1) Marathon...HERE
2) Half-Marathon (13.1 miles)... (provisional)...A preview of the Half-Marathon course with maps and photos can be seen HERE
3) Marathon Relay...
a) Leg 1 of 5 can be seen HERE
b) Leg 2 of 5 can be seen HERE
c) Leg 3 of 5 can be seen HERE
d) Leg 4 of 5 can be seen HERE
e) Leg 5 of 5 can be seen HERE