Events in Cork...Sun 1st & Mon 2nd May 2016

No matter where you are in Cork, there is plenty to choose from over the next two days. The big one of course is the Great Island 10 mile & 4 mile race in Cobh on Monday which was cancelled a few weeks back.

Cork...Sun 1st (10am)...Timoleague 5k & 10k fun run...5k €10 / 10k €15..
Cork...Sun 1st (2pm)...Bealtaine Run, Union Hall...10k €20 / 5k €10...
Cork...Sun 1st (5pm)...Ray Murnane 10k charity fun run...€30...Bantry... 

Cork...Mon 2nd (10:30am)...Great Island 10 mile road race...€20 online / €25 on the day...Proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society...info...
Cork...Mon 2nd (10:45am)...Great Island 4 mile road race...€10 online / €15 on the day...Proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society...info...

Cork...Mon 2nd (4pm)...Leap 5k fun run/walk...€?...
Cork...Mon 2nd (6pm)..Drimoleague Wild Duck Festival 5k fun run/walk...€10... 

Reminder...5th of May last date for entries for Blackwater 10 dry fit top

Just a reminder that Thursday the 5th of May is the last date for entries if you want to get a dry fit top for the Blackwater 10 mile race.

For more info on the race, go to this earlier post.

Members of the organising committee along with Mike Ennis of Avondhu Motor Factors and Jason McNamara of Solastech Insulation

Athletics Ireland announce April transfer list

Athletics Ireland have just announced the latest batch of club transfers for April 2016.

You can view it HERE

It includes adults and juveniles from all over the country. It's suprising just how many names are on the list although the mass exodus from Ballina AC to Moy Valley AC accounts for a large part of it.

At the end of December 2015, Ballina AC in Mayo had 577 members...300 juveniles and 277 adults...so they are a big club. Nearly 130 have now transferred to Moy Valley AC.

In Cork, the four that stand out are...
a) Abbey Striders AC losing 8 overall...presumably juveniles. It doesn't sound like much but they only had 31 members in total at the end of December 2015 so eight is a lot.

b) Midleton AC losing 11 overall with 6 going to Aghada AC which is a new club to the south.

c) North Cork AC gaining 11 overall.

d) Leevale AC gaining 13 overall.

Results of the Ballygiblin 5k...Fri 29th Apr 2016

Results of the Ballygiblin 5k race...A total of 212 took part in this race. One unusual feature of the race was that over 60 of those that took part were juveniles.

1 Danny    SMITH    M   16:42
2 Brian    O'CONNNOR    M40  18:25
3 John    HOGAN    M40   18:26
11 Aine    ROCHE    F  19:22
12 Clotilde    FITZGIBBON    F45  19:34
18 Fiona    GEARY    F  19:52

The full results can be seen HERE

Coffee Run in Eyeries, West Cork...Sun 1st May 2016

This might be of interest if you're down on the Beara Peninsula next Sunday.........COFFEE RUN Sun. 1st May @10am

It's the first Sunday of May and we have another Coffee Run. Come along and join us for our tempo run and coffee after in Rhonwens Eyeries Bistro. Meet at 10am in Eyeries Village, at the pump.

So, if you feel like stepping it out for a leisurely run walk please join us on our new date. The run will be an ' out and back' route so we should all be home at the same time and cater for all paces.

Emphasis on participation from all ages and abilities and meeting up at the Bistro after.

See you Sunday!...Eyeries Running Promotions.

Guest article...The Ever-Present Dozen

Guest article...THE EVER-PRESENT DOZEN ...By John Walshe

It was once described as the club you cannot join, you can only leave. It’s an apt depiction of the small band of ‘Ever-Presents’ that have run all 36 London Marathons, and they now number just 12. Yes, an even dozen.

As the marathon founded by Chris Brasher and John Disley back in 1981 reached its one millionth finisher this year and from the 6,255 who completed that original race, it’s hard to believe just 12 have been there each and every single year since.

All are men with one now aged over 80; six are aged over 70 and four are 65 or older. The youngest, at 57, is Chris Finill and he is the most remarkable of all.

On Sunday last he finished the 26.2 miles in a time of 2:56:05 and this made it the 35th occasion he has gone under the magical three-hour barrier on the streets of London. Two years ago, he slipped outside that time (3:10:14) but came back in 2015 to record 2:52:59 and had almost four minutes to spare again on this occasion.

But that’s only part of what this man, who has been a member of Harrow Athletics Club since 1974, has achieved. He is one of a handful of people who has run sub-3:00 hours in five decades, from the 1970s to the 2010s. His fastest in London was 2:28:27 in 1985 and he has also excelled as an ultra-distance runner, representing England and Great Britain 14 times at 100km and 24 hour events.

Along with Steve Pope, in 2011 he ran across America from California to New York, covering the 3,100 miles in 79 days and 22 hours.

You could say Chris Finill was destined for historic feats, considering the place of his birth. “I was born in the same road, Whitmore Avenue, Harrow, where Sir Roger Bannister spent his early years before going on to sub-four minute mile glory in 1954,” he relates.

"I had a sense that where I lived was connected with sport, even at the age of four. In a way, my mother got me to start running because I used to run to the shops and buy cigarettes for her."

He says the only regret he harbours is if he had trained harder when younger, he might have run faster than 2:28. “Instead, I've made a virtue of being a very average runner and of my consistency.

“I think I'm capable of running under three hours for a long time. My first priority [in a marathon] is always to finish, and then to break three hours.”

Addendum : There is also a website dedicated to the London Ever-Presents... http://www.everpresent.org.uk/

Results of the Presentation Primary School 5k in Doneraile...Fri 22nd Apr 2016

Cork...Fri 22nd (6:45pm)...Presentation Primary School Doneraile 5k fun run/walk...Doneraile Park...

About 100 turned out for this 5k fun run in Doneraile Park. The results are pretty poor and are in hand written format. You can view them HERE

There are some photos HERE

Notice...Streets of Fermoy 5k road race - Tues 10th May 2016

This 5k race is coming up in the heart of the town of Fermoy on Tuesday the 10th of May 2016. Note the start time...7:30pm.

The Race HQ is at The Fermoy Community Youth Centre on Ashe Quay located near the start/finish area close to the bridge on Ashe Quay.

From the organisers.... Registration is downstairs in the Fermoy Community Youth Centre from 6pm – 7pm. The race starts from ASHE QUAY at 7:30pm Sharp (right outside the centre).

Entry fee: €10

CASH PRIZES FOR WINNING RUNNERS!!!! All proceeds go towards the running of the Centre.

The website for the Fermoy Youth Centre is http://www.fermoyyouthcentre.ie/

Course preview......You can find a preview of the course with maps and photos at http://munsterraceroutes.blogspot.com/2013/01/cork097.html

Results of the East Cork Road Championships, Ballynoe...Thurs 28th Apr 2016

The annual East Cork Road Championships were held in the small rural village of Ballynoe on Thursday the 28th of Apr 2016. As you can see from the chart below, the numbers for the men reached a high point while the women fell back slightly.

In the womens race over 3kms, a total of 31 took part.

1    0:12:00    CASHMAN, Evelyn    Youghal AC    F45    06:26.1 
2    0:12:03    SANTRY, Fiona    East Cork AC    F    06:27.7
3    0:12:28    HOLLAND, Ann-Marie    Youghal AC    F40    06:41.1

Team: (3 to score, outside of first three individuals):
1 Midleton AC (4, 6, 8)  18
2 St Catherines AC (7, 9, 11)  27
3 East Cork AC (5, 12, 16)  33 

First two women...Fiona Santry of East Cork AC & Evelyn Cashman of Youghal AC who retains her title

In the mens race over 5 miles, a total of 62 took part. James McCarthy won the race for the fourth time. His  winning time of 25:34 was the fastest at Ballynoe for the East Cork Road Championship since Pat Whyte ran 25:18 in the inaugural race back in 1980!!

1    0:25:34    MCCARTHY, James    East Cork AC    M    05:06.7
2    0:27:28    MCGRATH, Sean    East Cork AC    M    05:29.5
3    0:28:27    HAYES, Frank    East Cork AC    M45    05:41.3

Team: (4 to score, outside of first three individuals):
1 St. Catherines AC (4, 9, 12, 15)  40
2 Youghal AC (7,13, 14, 17)  52
3 Midleton AC (10, 11, 16, 17)  54

The full results can be seen HERE

James McCarthy receiving the Willie J Curran Perpetual Memorial Trophy from Martin Drake (L) and Dan McCarthy (R) of the East Cork Athletics Board.

First 3 men...Sean McGrath 2nd, James McCarthy 1st & Frank Hayes 3rd

James McCarthy winning the race in the fastest time since 1980!

Results of the Colaiste 5km fun run & walk...Thurs 28th Apr 2016

A large crowd of 250 runners and walkers turned out for this 5km run in Fermoy on Thurs 28th Apr 2016.

1. James Murphy  17:40
2. Don Pyne  17:50
3.John Murphy  17:55
18. Mei Ming 21:24
38. Rose Hennessy Guiney 23:56
46. Sinead Cotter 24:43

The full results can be seen HERE

RIP...Declan O'Halloran of Bandon AC

Declan O'Halloran of Bandon AC was the former chairman of Bandon AC and was a regular on their cross-country teams of the Eighties. He was also at one time the treasurer of the West Cork Athletics Board.

https://rip.ie/showdn.php?dn=286927/DeclanO_HALLORAN/Bandon/Cork

Cheetah Run Entries open today Thurs 28th April 2016

Entries open today for the 2016 Cheetah Run in Fota Wildlife Park. For more details on the race, see this earlier post.

Entries for the 5k race open in two batches...450 at 10am and 450 at 7pm.

The first batch of 450 entries at 10am sold out in about an hour. After the initial surge, things slowed noticeably as people were put into a queue.

Update...The remaining 450 entries opened at 7pm and closed about 10pm.

In terms of how it compares to 2015, it's hard to say. A different entry provider was used this year and that may have made a difference.

I'd guess the morning places went a bit slower and the evening ones a bit faster so overall, it was much the same.

You'll find more info about the race on the Eagle AC website...https://eagleac.net/

The other race is the one mile race for Juveniles (11 to 15). That is limited to 200 places and that will open next Thursday. No one knows what the level of interest will be like in that one. The idea is to give juveniles a race of their own on a properly measured course with chip timing, exactly what their parents might do.

Notice...Kingsley Challenge Series 10k road race - Sun 8th May 2016

This brand new 10k road race is coming up in Cork City on Sunday the 8th of May 2016...

The race HQ is at the Kingsley Hotel near Victoria Cross on the western side of the city...

From the organisers...Join us for the inaugural Kingsley 10k around the iconic Lee Road/ Carrigohane loop. The loop is one of the best known and flattest runs on the cork circuit ,This is part of the Fota Collection Challenge Series and takes in views of the beautiful Lee River and finish in the recently reopen Kingsley Hotel. This is one of the last training runs before the Cork City Marathon and will encompass 2.5km of the final stage of the Cork City Marathon.  

Location: The Kingsley Victoria Cross Cork
Race Date:  May 8th 2016
Start Time: 10.30am
Chip Timed Event
Complimentary refreshments
Prizes: Male and Female
1st place is the Bed and Breakfast with a thermal suite pass plus 3 months Gold membership of the Health Club.
2nd place is 3 months Gold membership of the Health Club.
3rd place is a VIP spa pass.

The route is much the same as the Cork BHAA UCC 10k race at the start of April. It starts about 200m from the Kingsley Hotel and then takes in the pathway before Victoria Cross. From there, it goes out the Lee Road and back in the Straight Road.

Entries.......You can enter online HERE

Results & photos of the Cork BHAA Stryker 4 mile road race...Wed 27th Apr 2016

A total of 598 runners turned out for this years Cork BHAA Styker 4 mile road race in Carrigtwohill. As race numbers go in Cork, it's a lot for a Wednesday evening in April. The numbers even at that were down 15% on last year.

1 John Meade M1 00:20:40 Joyce Wolfe Physiotherapy
2 Micheal Bruton M2 00:20:42 G.E. Healthcare
3 COLIN MERRITT 0/45B M3 00:20:43 Army
31 Sinead Kevany 0/35H F1 00:24:37 Pfizer
38 Joyce Wolfe 0/35H F2 00:24:49 Joyce Wolfe Physiotherapy
58 Eileen O'Callaghan 0/40I F3 00:25:39 MEP Engineering

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Andy O'Rourke Photography has a number of small galleries....#1...#2...#3...#4...

Results & photos of the Crosshaven 8km road race...Wed 27th Apr 2016

It was a very busy evening for road race in Cork with two on at more or less the same time. In Carrigtwohill, 598 turned out for the Cork BHAA 5km race while in Crosshaven, there was 234 for the 8km race.

1    Rory O'SULLIVAN (138)    00:27:06    Ages 35-39  (1)    Male  (1)
2    Cornelius Marshall (210)    00:27:25    Ages 40 - 44  (1)    Male  (2)
3    Edwin SUTTON (253)    00:29:51    Ages 19-34  (1)    Male  (3)
29    Debbie MCCARTHY (95)    00:35:09    Ages 40 - 44  (1)    Female  (1)
32    Fiona Foley (200)    00:35:22    Ages 40 - 44  (2)    Female  (2)
34    Bridgid HOULIHAN (162)    00:35:38    Ages 19-34  (1)    Female  (3)

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...(Updated Thurs 13:14)
1) There are about 100 photos on the Running in Cork Facebook page HERE
2) Siobhan Russell has a gallery HERE

Trail of destruction in men's 110m hurdles at 2016 Jesse Owens Track Classic

The hurdles race is a highly technical event in which an athlete must have everything mastered to a fine art.
From the start...X number of steps to the first hurdle...use the same lead leg....land on the same foot...X number of steps to the next hurdle...and so on as the cycle repeats. For all the world, the athlete is like a finely tuned machine.

All very well until the race officials put the hurdles in the wrong place! Check out the 7th set of hurdles at the Men's 110m hurdles race at the 2016 Jesse Owens Track Classic recently.



Fortunately, no-one was seriously injured and the race was re-run later.

Upcoming events in Cork...Wed 27th & Thurs 28th Apr 2016

There are a number of races coming up over the next two days and the ones of interest will probably depend on where you are living.

On Wednesday, there is a 4 mile race in Cahir organised by Clonmel AC. This is a good quality race and always attracts a big crowd. In Carrigtwohill, the Cork BHAA have a 4 mile race while there is an 8k race in Crosshaven as well, a nice spot on a sunny evening.

On Thursday, there is a 5k fun run in Fermoy but it is as far as I know, just a fun run. There are no results and it's just a run with a cuppa afterwards. It might be more suited to people living in Fermoy. In Ballynoe, the East Cork Athletics Board are holding their annual road championships which is a pretty good event. Details below...


Tipperary...Wed 27th (7:30pm)...Morrisons BMW Run4Fun 6km road race, Cahir...€10...info...Organised by Clonmel AC...

Cork...Wed 27th (7:30pm)...Cork BHAA Stryker 4 mile race...€5 reg/€10 non-reg...Carrigtwohill...

Cork...Wed 27th (7:30pm)...Crosshaven 8k...€12 pre-entry / €15 on the day...info...

Cork...Thurs 28th (7:30pm)...Colaiste 5k fun run & walk, Fermoy...€8...
Cork...Thurs 28th (7:30pm)...East Cork Road Championships...€?...3k women / 5 miles men...Ballynoe...

Normally Championship races are confined to members of athletic clubs only. This one however is open to anyone who wishes to take part. The numbers taking part are usually small and the entry fee is usually very modest.

East Cork Road Championships........
Directions.........Take the N25 to Midleton and on the main street, take the turn off left (R627....This is signposted "Dungourney 10 ; Tallow 26"). After 9 kms, you reach Dungourney and keep going towards Tallow. Later you will pass Leahy's Open Farm and then you need to take a left at the next crossroads. This is signposted "Ballynoe 5 ; Conna 9". From there, it's a straight 5km run into Ballynoe. If you're coming from Fermoy direction, you most likely need to go via Conna. Note that Ballynoe is a fair distance from Midleton so plan your journey, and allow plenty of time to get there.

Registration...........Registration, changing, refreshments and results are at the "Ballynoe Community Centre".This is at the north end of the village, opposite the Church.

There are two events......1) The Ladies’ 3000m (7:30pm) and 2) The Men's 5 mile race (8pm).

Bandon AC on tour in London

Members of Bandon AC were in action at the London marathon last weekend. Darren Casey sent on this short report...

All 3 are O/40 and working mothers so it involved them putting in a lot of dedication to train for the marathon. Geraldine Corcoran ran a PB in 03:37 in only her second marathon, Pauline Callan ran 03:55 and Dolores Gibbons ran 04:01. Pauline had been struggling with a knee injury for the last 3 weeks so took a lot of guts to even start and to run within 5 mins of her PB was a great achievement. Dolores time was not without its dramas either, she was cruising along to break 3:50 and achieve a PB when she fell on Tower bridge, cutting both knees and getting winded. After lying on the ground for a few minutes with stewards unable to get to her, she managed to get to the side of the course and eventually took off again with the 4 hour pacers. She just missed out on breaking 4 hours but showed enormous determination to keep going.

Darren Casey

Notice...Cheetah Run in Fota Wildlife Park - Thurs 19th May 2016

The 2016 Cheetah Run in Fota Wildlife Park organised by Eagle AC is coming up on Thursday the 19th of May at 8pm. The park has been extended in the last year with the inclusion of a new Asian Sanctuary.

Please note that there is a limit of 900 entries for the 5k race. The lower age limit is 16 years old.

Entries for the 5k race open on Thursday the 28th of April....450 places will be available at 10am with the remaining 450 opening at 7pm.

***
5k Entries.......

For updated links and info, visit the Eagle AC website

***

New Course...To cope with the numbers and to avoid lapping, the new course is now 5kms! This will take in all areas of the Wildlife Park including the new Asian Sanctuary.

Juvenile 1 Mile Race.....There is also a new 1 mile race for juveniles this year (Ages 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15). This will take place before the 5k race at 7:15pm. The numbers will be limited to 200. Entries for this will open on the 5th of May in two batches...100 at 10am and 100 at 7pm. The one mile race has been measured accurately by Jones Counter, will be chip timed and all finishers will receive a medal. Please note that there are no prizes in the juvenile race. The entry fee is €7.

Artwork for the medal for the Juvenile race

As always, entrants can bring family members to either race. This includes free access to the wildlife park for the runner and family members. This normally costs €15.50 per adult, or €46 for a family of two adults and two children.

There is also a 20% discount voucher from John Buckley Sports.

Laya Healthcare is also a sponsor.... Laya provide Health Insurance, Life Insurance and Travel Insurance, Established in 1997 they are the second largest health insurance provider in Ireland with over half a million members.

Please note.....No buggies/baby strollers...no headphones....no transfers....and no late entries.

The minimum age is 16 for the 5k race as per Athletics Ireland permit recommendations.

5k Race...There will be prizes for the first 5 men and women as well as the usual age categories. The exact number of prizes for the age categories will be determined after the online entries close with the aim of making each age category competitive.

I would seriously advise people that have an interest in doing this race to enter as soon as it opens. It really will sell out early. 

Updates about the race will be made available here and on the race page on the Eagle AC website.

Sponsor...John Buckley Sports is one of the race sponsors and is one of the main specialist running shops in Cork City. They have a wide stock of gear in the shop and on their website....www.johnbuckleysports.com

They have been in business since 1981 and it's fair to say that the shop is highly regarded by many of the runners on the local road race scene. They also have a app which you can download to your smartphone which gives a generous discount when using it.

Notice...East Cork Harbour Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 20th Aug 2016

This brand new event up coming up on Saturday the 20th of August 2016...and there is a choice of a full 26.2 mile marathon, a 13.1 mile half-marathon and 10km race (6.2m).

The race HQ is at Aghada GAA club which is near Rostellan on the Midleton-Whitegate road.

For more info on the three races and on how to enter...

Go to http://eastcorkmarathon.com/

The map below shows the full marathon route. It starts near Rostellan Woods and between miles 3 and 8, it takes in a lovely stretch by East Ferry. After 10 miles, it's most out on quiet country roads with some nice coastal views from miles 14-22. For the last few miles, you are looking over the harbour.

Results of the Old Head of Kinsale 7k...Sun 24th Apr 2016

Just 55 runners took part in this 7k on the Old Head of Kinsale, well down on the 98 of 2015.

1 John Lynch 26:54
2 Ciarán Bouse 27:20
3 Ciaran Deasy 27:43
1 Sinead Eade 30:34
2 Caitriona McCarthy 32:52
3 Tatyana Volkova 33:35

The full results can be seen HERE

Local residents steal water during the London Marathon

During the London marathon on Sunday, some of the local residents decided to loot one of the water stations...

Denis McCarthy of East Cork completes his 1,000th race

Denis McCarthy of East Cork AC is a well known figure on the road race circuit and reached an important milestone in his running career last Thursday. The Ballintotis 4 mile race was actually his 1,000th race and the race organisers presented him with a special prize to mark the occasion.

Denis is also the holder of the longest running streak in Ireland. Having started on the 5th of June 1985, Denis ran at least one mile per day up until the 10th of June 2013...a total of 28 years and 4 days without a break, an incredible 10,232 days of running.

Results & Photos of the Dromahane 5k race...Sat 23rd Apr 2016

The second Dromahane 5km race was held on Saturday the 23rd of April on what can only be described as a lovely sunny evening. A total of 187 runners took part in the 5k race which started in the village of Glantane and finished in Dromahane.

1 227 Tim O'Connor - An Ríocht AC 15:52
2 182 Paul Moloney 16:37
3 233 Shane O'Rahilly 18:21
6 259 Carol Finn - Leevale AC 18:47
13 194 Lorraine Bolster 20:15
19 264 Margaret Lillis - Donoughmore AC 20:46

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) There are 260+ photos on the Running in Cork Facebook page HERE

First 3 men...(L-R) Tim O'Connor 1st, Paul Moloney 2nd & Shane O'Rahilly 3rd. R-Sean Hickey of Dromoahane Road Runners with a guest appearance from Ms. O'Connor far left :o)

First 3 women...L-R...1st Carol Finn, 2nd Lorraine Bolster & 3rd Margaret Lillis

Results of the Rosscarbery 10k...Sun 17th Apr 2016

Kieran McKeown & Bryan Crowley

This one is from last weekend. A 10k was held in Rosscarbery in West Cork with proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society. A total of 149 people took part in the event.

1 Kieran McKeown Watergrasshill AC  M  0:35:45
2 Bryan Crowley Watergrasshill AC  M  0:36:02
3 Patrick McCarthy      M   0:36:36
10 Anna O' Neill  Doheny AC  F  0:42:01
12 Sinead O' Regan Bandon Fit4LIfe  F 0:43:38
16 Sinead Eade        F    0:44:37

The full results can be seen HERE

Results & photos of the Ballintotis 4 mile road race...Thurs 21st Apr 2016

It's official! Summer has now begun. The first  evening road race of the Summer season kicked off in Ballintotis in East Cork with the 4 mile road race. Just over 1000 runners turned out for this race, an amazing number when you see them all crammed in what is a very small community.

As you can see from the chart below, the numbers are down a bit on 2015 but much in line with the 2014 figures. You only have to look back just a few years when we were all amazed when it was up around 600. 

The race is also exceptional in that it not only attracted a large field but also a high quality field. Aoife Cooke's time of 22:22 would win nearly most evening races in the country and yet was good enough for 3rd in Ballintotis.

Looking through the results, 45 runners were running faster than 6 min per mile pace. Some of the races elsewhere in Munster are lucky to get 45 runners! :o))

The first man across the line was James McCarthy of East Cork AC and he has now won the race 7 years in a row!

7th in a row for James McCarthy

1 James MCCARTHY        East Cork AC    M    19:23
2 Michael HARTY        East Cork AC    M    19:37
3 Michael BRUTON        Leevale ac    M    20:54
5 Lizzie LEE        Leevale AC    F    21:21
14 Sinead O'CONNOR        Leevale AC    F    22:13
16 Aoife COOKE        Youghal    F    FO    22:22

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos... (Updated 25th Apr)
1) There are 263 photos up on the Running in Cork Facebook page HERE
2) Denis O'Flynn has a gallery HERE

Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC...winner of the 2016 Ballintotis 4 mile road race. Photo:Nina McCarthy

 

First 3 men in the Ballintotis 4 mile...(L-R) James McCarthy of East Cork AC 1st, Michael Harty of East Cork 2nd & Michael Bruton of Leevale AC 3rd. Photo: Nina McCarthy

Finish line video from the Chip Timing company My Run Results

Mount Mercy 5k fun run...Thurs 21st Apr 2016

This might of interest to anyone in the Model Farm Road area especially if you're a parent of anyone in Mount Mercy School.

The course is on the footpath so it's more of a fundraising event than a race. There are no results but there are refreshments later.

Manchester Marathon course (2013 to 2015) found to be nearly 400m short

In a statement, the Association of UK Course Measurers have recently announced that the Manchester Marathon course for 2013, 2014 and 2015 was nearly 400m short.

Following complaints about the 2015 race, the course was rechecked and it was found that that it was 380 metres short. Progressive errors detected in the mile markers as the course got longer suggest that there was a problem with the calibration of the wheel used in the initial measurement.

The distance for the 2016 edition will be the correct distance.

You can see the statement HERE

So what does it mean? It means that if you ran a PB in Manchester then it's doesn't count. If the course had been correct and you had managed to cover the extra 380m at the same average pace then it would have resulted in the following times...

3:00:00 is actually 3:01:38

3:30:00 is actually 3:31:54

4:00:00 is actually 4:02:11

What they don't say is that this problem should have been picked up long ago. There are so many people out there running with GPS watches that this problem would have been flagged after the 2013 race. It should have been checked back then. Instead, they used the wrong course for another two years.