Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Preview and info for the Cheetah Run...15th May 2014

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Preview and info for the Cheetah Run...15th May 2014

This 4 mile race in Fota Wildlife Park is coming up on Thursday evening, the 15th of May. Please note that the entries for this race sold out nearly two weeks ago and there will be NO entries on the night.

The race starts at 8pm. With so many people taking part, it's best to arrive early. The entry desks will be open before 7pm. All entrants should have received their number by e-mail. Also, there is a list of entrants HERE .  A list will also be posted outside the hall. Just check these to get your number and join the correct queue inside.

Note...
1) Please note that headphones are NOT allowed in this race.
2) Access to Fota Wildlife Park is only allowed in the company of a registered runner.

2) Start Time Zones…..As chip timing is used, a persons time doesn’t start until they cross the mat at the start line. Runners will be placed into the following time zones which will ensure a fast start for everyone…
Sub 24 minutes…..24 to 26…..26 to 30….30 to 34….34 to 38….38 to 45….45 to 50….All others

3) Prize structure…The aim of the club is to make each of the categories competitive as well as recognising the fact that 58% of the entrants are women! Because of this, there are more prizes for women than men.

First 7 women & first 5 men

Category Prizes
F35 1,2,3,4,5,6,7…..F40 1,2,3,4,5,6…..F45 1,2,3…..F50 1,2…..F55 1…FJ 1

M40 1,2,3…..M45 1,2,3…..M50 1,2…..M55 1…..M60 1…..MJ 1

4) One way system…There will be a one way system when picking up your number.  Participants will enter through the old main gate. Once inside, join the correct queue and pick up your number.  You then continue on through the hall and into the wildlife park itself and exit through the new main gate if you want to go back to your car.

5) Headphones…Please note that headphones are not allowed.

6) Refreshments….There will be tea and biscuits served after the race with the prizes handed out soon afterwards.

Other than that, just follow the race stewards directions on the night.


Course......Unusually for a race, none of the course is on public roads.
To achieve the full 4 miles, the course does several loops within the park and one larger loop outside by Fota House. The white dotted lines show the extent of the Wildlife Park.

If you look at the map above, you can see how the race will proceed. You start near the Cheetah enclosure which will be split up into various time zones to keep the slower runners away from the front.

The race first takes in a loop around by the Sea Eagles (yellow loop). It then returns to the start area and starts a second loop (blue) which goes outside the park and out by Fota House.

The third loop (Red) is back within the park and the finish line is close to the registration area.

Overall...There are a number of hills on the course but they are pretty small. As you can see from the pictures above, the roads within the park are pretty narrow so it's important that you get into the correct area at the start. You can expect your time to be reasonably fast.


The race is organised by Eagle AC and is sponsored by Laya Healthcare and John Buckley Sports and Brooks Running.


In a special offer for the race, John Buckley Sports will give a 20% discount on production of your Cheetah Run Race number from Friday May 16th until Sat May 31st, i.e. for one week after the race. This discount applies to any item in the shop. So for example, you could buy a number of items and you will get 20% off the lot. Spend €60 and you will have saved the entry fee of the race. Make sure you retain your race number if you want to avail of this offer.

Weather Forecast...The current forecast shows it will be mild and dry.

Any updates will be on the Eagle AC website.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

In fairness the justification of the prize structure is a complete joke. Just run a ladies race if that's what you want. 58% entries are ladies so let's award 63% of the prizes to them?

John Desmond said...

Looking through the prize structure, the monetary value of the prizes were at about 58%.