Notice...Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon - Mon 1st June 2015

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.

From the organisers.......Irish Examiner Announced as Title Sponsor for Cork City Marathon
The announcement of the Irish Examiner as title sponsor of the Cork City Marathon brings together two great Cork organisations. The benefit of this partnership to Cork City Marathon is significant as the event continues to reach out to all sectors of society and not just to elite runners. The support of one of Ireland’s leading newspapers will also be a vital tool in promoting the event nationwide and establishing it as a major fundraising vehicle for both local and national charities.

Cork City Marathon is already a major destination event attracting participants from all over the world – the 8,000 runners who took part last year represented 26 countries and the 32 counties of Ireland. Over 9,000 people are expected on the start line of the Half, Full and Relay Marathons  on Bank Holiday Monday – June 1st this year.

Karen O’Donoghue, Marketing Manager of the Irish Examiner, explains, ‘We in the Irish Examiner are delighted to announce our title sponsorship of what is a wonderful event for the city and the greater Munster region.  With this sponsorship, we want to offer our support to the event, the volunteers, its athletes and all the people who participate, from the advanced marathon runner to the novice relay team members. The sponsorship of this prestigious event is a great fit for the Irish Examiner as running attracts a diverse field of participants, volunteers and spectators, which matches the breadth of coverage delivered by the Irish Examiner every day across our print and digital platforms. We hope this sponsorship will encourage our readers to ‘be part of it’, whether it’s a personal goal in terms of sporting achievement, raising money for charity, volunteering, or just a great day out – there is a part to play for everyone in the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon’.

Jim O’Donovan, Race Director, thanked the Irish Examiner for coming on board as title sponsor and for their support over the years in helping to grow the event. ‘The role that our new title sponsor will play in encouraging people from all walks of life to consider taking part in this  event is invaluable. The Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon is ‘the people’s marathon’ and we’re calling on everyone to be part of it. The big attraction of the relay is that ordinary people, who are not regular runners, can take part. With up to 5 people in each team, the most any individual would have to walk or run is 5.8 miles – which is achievable without too much training.’

Jim explained, ‘Many of the relay teams are groups of friends or work colleagues who are taking part in the marathon to raise money for a charity or a cause close to them. Of course there is the competitive side to the relay too and the Inter-Services Championship brings out a friendly rivalry between our uniformed forces. The Fire Service has been hard to beat over the past few years, winning the Inter-Services Championship and two personal Guinness World Record Awards. Two years ago a Youth Challenge relay was introduced for 16 to 18 year olds and this has been a great addition to the overall event experience.'

The event goes right through the city centre, showcasing Cork to many thousands of participants from across all 32 counties of Ireland as well as many overseas visitors. In addition to the 26.2-mile full marathon there are several other distance options, including a half marathon (13.1 miles) and various relays. The slogan this year, be proud of it, be part of it, sums up the general atmosphere as competitive athletes share the course with novice runners, including many people who turn out in fancy dress to raise money for charity.

At the recent event launch at the Irish Examiner offices, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Mary Shields commended Cork City Council on their continuous investment in the event, citing it as ‘one of the biggest days in the city's annual calendar, where Cork embraces visitors from all over Ireland and from overseas.’ Commenting on the financial and social impact on the city, the Lord Mayor said, ‘The boost to Cork’s tourism industry's hotels and restaurants as well as to the retail sector is evident, but just as important is the real sense of community that emerges over the weekend as people volunteer or line the streets to support the runners and walkers, many of whom are raising money for charity.’

Entries......If you would like to take part in the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon, Half Marathon or Relay, you can book online HERE.

Note that the entry fee goes up on April 30th and May 8th. Enter early to get the best rates.

As you can see above, Cork Marathon offers very reduced prices to people who are not receiving a wage and are in receipt of benefit. This includes persons on disability pension & dependent spouses, carer's allowance, state pension, unemployed, disability benefit and dependent spouses, lone parents, asylum seekers and students over 18 in full-time education

Training....If you want to follow a training plan then they also have those on the Cork Marathon website HERE


Course Previews...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)... 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