The other 10k on Wednesday was the Coillte 10k in Dundrum, Co.Tipperary. Looking at the course, it would seem to be designed for really fast times. Not only is it flat but it's made up of a succession of straight sections with no time being lost on winding bends.
The fastest 10k course in Cork is probably the Courtmacsherry 10k which was held last Friday. It's interesting to compare the results...
Courtmacsherry 10k...262 finishers...2 sub 35 mins (0.8%)...24 sub 40 mins (9.2%)
Dundrum 10k...248 finishers...8 sub 35 mins (3.2%)...50 sub 40 mins (20.2%)
....and just out of interest :o)
UCC 10k...534 finishers...12 sub 35 mins (2.2%)...78 sub 40 mins (14.6%)
I suspect the larger percentages in Dundrum were mainly because there were probably more club runners there and perhaps there is a difference in the type of runners attending races in Cork and Tipperary? It does however seem to suggest at least that the Dundrum course is indeed a fast one.
So the question I'm putting out there....
1) Is the Coillte 10k course in Dundrum, Co.Tipperary the fastest one in Munster? Do you know of any other ones in the province that might be as fast? Is the Dundrum course one of the fastest in the country?
2) Is Courtmacsherry the fastest 10k course in Cork?
Thoughts?
Having very little experience of 10k runs outside of west cork I can only comment on what I've done and Courtmacsherry is a lovely flat run and its the fastest I've run a 10k. In my opinion the fact that you run from A to B and back to A is mentally harder than a loop run, Sheeps Head Run is a real hard challenge as first 2 miles plus are uphill but time wise I wasn't too far behind Courtmac, Newport in Tipperary very difficult last year as it was a very hot day and quite a few hills but it is a lovely scenic run
ReplyDeleteNenagh 10k (held in October) was very flat so that might be a contender.
ReplyDeleteHard to argue with the Dundrum 10k course...long straights...and flat..also on the racing calender for 29 years it has lasted the test of time
ReplyDeleteI think Courtmac 10k runs harder than it looks...
ReplyDeleteEmer Casey 10K? Got my 10K PB there
ReplyDeleteEmer Casey also a PB course for me by 20 seconds
ReplyDeleteI would think Emer Casey is fastest course
ReplyDeleteCourtmac pulls a bit around 5 miles but still fast, the doubleback helps with pacing also. Ballineen numbers are well back, course needs adjustment.
ReplyDeleteThe Fit magazine 10km on the marina has to be in contention. Two short climbs, one on castle road towards the castle and the other on the foot bridge over the south ring road, but otherwise very flat. First five last year under 32 minutes though the prize money on offer probably had something to do with the high calibre field.
ReplyDeleteFastest course with start/finish area at similar elevation would be a good question to ask - Courses that are mostly downhill don't really count for PB's. Courtmacsherry 10k didn't have an AAI permit this year so did it have correct measurement done also?
ReplyDeleteCourtmacsherry was measured by Jones Counter a few years back. Same course every year.
ReplyDelete