Races over the weekend...Sat 5th & Sun 6th Dec 2015

There are several events on in Cork & Munster this weekend and the weather is likely to be a major factor in most of them. Met Eireann have issued a RED weather warming but that applies mainly to the Western seaboard. As you can see from the forecast, the west will be taking the brunt of the weather while the south-east is less serious.

SATURDAY...Saturday is likely to wet and windy while Sunday looks a lot better. With the ground saturated from the rain over the last few days, localised flooding is a possibility especially in the west.

These are the weather warnings for Cork & Munster...
STATUS ORANGE
Wind Warning for Southwest winds with mean speed of 55 to 75 km/h will gust 100 to 120 km/h. Winds will be strongest for coastal areas.

STATUS ORANGE
Rainfall Warning for Clare, Cork and Limerick
Incessant falls of heavy rain overnight and for all of Saturday. Accumulations of 50 to 70mm expected.

STATUS YELLOW
Wind Warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford
Southwest winds with mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h will gust 90 to 100km/h

STATUS YELLOW
Rainfall Warning for Leinster, Monaghan, Tipperary and Waterford
Heavy rain tonight and all day Saturday. Rainfall totals of 30 to 50 mm

On Saturday, the temperatures will be in the low teens but the wind will be strong and from the south-west.

Clonakilty...In Clonakilty on Saturday, there is the annual marathon, half-marathon & 10k. It's going to be very windy especially for the half and full as the course gets near the south coast and is very exposed. The wind will be mostly into runners faces for the first half of each race and behind them in the second half.

Parkruns...There are several of these and again, the further east you go, the better it is likely to be. For the Tramore Valley Park, it should be windy with a high possibility of rain. It's the kind of one you can decide on at the last moment.

Waterford Half...The Waterford Half-Marathon is one that a lot more runners from Cork seem to be doing and it was sold out again this year. It's likely to be windy but as it's inland, the wind will be reduced. Less rain than in Cork. Update...CANCELLED

SUNDAY...On Sunday, the winds will have changed to the north-west and there is less chance of rain.

Dungarvan....The National Novice Cross Country Championships will be held in Dungarvan on Sunday. With the 50mm of rain on Thursday and any additional amount on Saturday, the ground is likely to be saturated. Although it may well be dry for the race, the conditions underfoot will likely be very muddy especially for the later races. More info and maps on the Athletics Ireland website.

Killarney....If you're looking for a 5k race this weekend, there is one in Killarney. Proceeds from the rae will go towards the purchase of a special racing wheelchair for Ger Daly who does a lot of the local races in Kerry. He normally does these in a normal wheelchair but it's not suitable with its wheels and high centre of gravity. A proper fit for purpose wheelchair would give Ger a new lease of life in the sport. More details HERE