For many years, St.Finbarr's Athletic Club have been organising a half marathon every September. As a build up for the Dublin City Marathon, it was a favourite race for many people. Initially it was held in Cork City but with the Celtic Tiger and the increase in traffic, it had to be moved out to the quieter roads around Blarney some years back.
This year, the club has taken the decision not to hold the Blarney Half-Marathon in mid-September. Instead, they will hold a 10 mile race in Cork City instead on that date.
The course map is shown below...
Basically, the race starts on Monahan road.....past Kennedy Park and onto Centre Park Road. You then do a lap of part of the John Buckley 5k course....i.e. you turn right onto Monahan road again...past the start...Kennedy Park...and back onto centre park road again.
From there, it's past Pairc Ui Chaoimh and down the Marina....past Blackrock Castle....onto the walkway by the river in Mahon......back up the old railway line....past Pairc Ui Chaoimh......Centre Park Road.....left onto Monahan Road and on to the finish line at Kennedy park.
In terms of courses, it's a pretty fast 10 miler and would certainly be as fast as say Ballycotton or Dungarvan. There will be more info in future posts but in the meantime, here is the info from St.Finbarr's AC...
Race Announcement...Inaugural Cork City 10 Mile Road Race
Promoted by St Finbarr’s A.C. in association with John Buckley Sports and SuperValu
Sunday 14th September 2014 @ 10.00am
Race Start / Finish Kennedy Park, Monahan Road, Cork....Full prize list in all Senior, Masters & Team categories...Race Entry Fee €25.00 of which €2.00 donated to COPE Foundation
On-line entries opening soon at www.stfinbarrsac.com
PB's broken on this one guarantee'd! Flat, fast course. Definitely doing this one.
ReplyDeleteA big pity -I enjoyed the Half in Blarney last year and was looking forward to doing it again.
ReplyDeleteThe entry fee is a bit stiff and the course is essentially a mix of the 5k marina course, the cork city relay and the cork city half marathon. Shame to see the old half marathon go. Don't know if I will be supporting this one yet. It will be successful and it is a very fast course but falls badly in with my marathon plans in October. The Charleville half marathon will benefit.
ReplyDeleteThis look's great. I'm in. Best of luck St. Finbarrs.
ReplyDeleteFantastic move....I'd expect a big crowd for this..very fast course indeed for the classic 10 mile distance. While I'll miss the blarney hills there is enough half marathons on around that time...go on the Barr's.
ReplyDeleteWell done the barrs! Cork is in bad need of a 10 miler at this time of year and this will be a fast one.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be supporting it.
Its a pity it comes at the expense of the half but maybe someone will see an opportunity?
Great idea. Shame its the week before Charleville which is the target. Was looking for a 10 miler prep. Risky to aim to race both.
ReplyDeleteGreat course and looks like a chance for a pb in the build up to Dublin, looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm correct that would be the Barrs 10 miler followed by Charlevilles 13.1 and then Cork to Cobh's 15 miler doesn't sound like a bad lead into Dublin to me
ReplyDeleteShame that the old half marathon in Blarney is gone rhat was a nice run it was cheaper than this new race this is a rip at 25 euro for 10 miles where are ye going im charging that price for 1o miles ye are as bad as these rip off races . I wont be doing at that price
ReplyDeleteRun the 10 miler with a 10 mile warm up at marathon pace, race the Charleville half marathon and set a PB. Then run a 6 mile warm up and run the Corkcobh 15 miler at marathon pace and voila you are set up for Dublin. 3 races cost 70 quid. Great value and 3 great workouts.
ReplyDeleteExpensive for a 10 mile run even if 2 euro going to charity.
ReplyDeleteNew to running and was looking forward to having a try at the half, maybe charleville now. I do enough training and racing shorter races on the new course so would prefer change of scenery elsewhere. And pricey, people taking advantage of the growth in popularity of running
ReplyDeletelooking forward to it and hopefully a new 10 Mile PB.
ReplyDeleteI also think €25 is a bit expensive but will run it to try & get a 10 mile PB.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should find out what's on offer and get all the facts before you start moaning about the entry fee?
ReplyDeleteI assume the costs are high because of the road closures and insurance. what I would like to hear is why St Finbarrs ended the half marathon? best of luck on the running of the race. I won't be doing it as it falls a week before the Charleville half marathon- a fast course and a better tune up race for the Dublin marathon.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering when registration for this will open? Can't seem to access the St Finbarr's website.
ReplyDeleteShame about the Blarney half, a great course. What are St.Finbars thinking of, putting this on the week before the Charleville halfM? Crazy. Bound to reduce the number of potential entries as the CHM is a firm favorite of many Cork runners. You can bet if it was organised for two weeks prior to the CHM it would be sold out in a few days as it would align perfectly then with the CHM and the Cork to Cobh races. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteVery disappointed with this news! Have run the Blarney half 4 time and always enjoyed it. Will not be supporting this 10 miler. And €25 is too expensive
ReplyDelete