STARTERS ORDERS!
- Thousands of supporters and spectators expected on the streets of Cork as record numbers of participants enter the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon-
Marathon fever has truly caught hold as final preparations are being made for the 2018 Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon, which takes place this June bank holiday Sunday – Sunday, 3rd June. Now in its 12th year, this iconic race has proved to be extremely popular among runners and walkers alike who flocked to the registration page to add this bucket list event to their diaries, with increases in the number of entries across all race categories this year compared to previous years. In fact, this year due to demand capacity was increased for both the Full and Half Marathon categories.
Now on the home straight, runners have begun tapering training, while many of our international participants have started to land in Cork City, getting their bearings and settling in before the big race day. This year there is a slight change to start times with the Full and Team Relay starting bright and early at 8.30am and the Half Marathon commencing at 10.15am in order to accommodate the Eucharistic Procession. The annual Eucharistic Procession, now 93 years old, held in honour of the Feast of Corpus Christi, will this year get underway at 4pm, with participants assembling in the grounds of North Cathedral.
The marathon route, as always, will challenge participants while enabling them to take in the city’s history and iconic Cork buildings, streets and monuments as they take part in one of the largest sporting events on the Cork calendar. The 2018 route remains relatively unchanged from last year, with one notable difference - the start of the Half Marathon. Historically, the Half Marathon athletes have set off from Monahan Road, but this year Albert Road marks the start of the half.
Due to the scale and route of this phenomenal event there will be some disruption to traffic from 5.30am to 6pm, as a result of a number of streets and roads being closed to facilitate and celebrate this race. Those traveling in and around Cork city on race day are advised to leave extra time for their journey and plan their route. Delays are particularly expected on areas around Wilton Road and Western Road from 10am-2.30pm.
The South Ring Road (N40) is the main route to divert around the City. One of the unique elements of the route is participants getting to run through The Jack Lynch Tunnel, however motorists, don’t despair, the tunnel remains open all day but with lane restrictions between time 8am and 12 noon. Access to the City Centre is via the South City Link which will be open all day with lane restrictions from 8am to 12.30 pm.
Where possible it is recommended to park cars at the Black Ash Park & Ride and avail of the bus service which will operate every 10 minutes from 7.30am to 7.15pm into the city centre. A full list of road closures and restrictions are available on the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon website – www.corkcitymarathon.ie.
Trying to make her place in history, Dolores Duffy running on behalf of Cork University Hospital (CUH), will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Female to Run a Marathon Dressed as a Film Character’, raising much-needed funds for her local Intensive Care Unit in CUH. Dressed as Superwomen, we hope she will fly around to the finish line. A man with plenty of miles under his belt is Micheál Ó hAodáin, Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC. The Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon will mark Micheál’s 300th marathon. This 65-year-old is taking to the start line on behalf of Ballincollig’s Westgate Foundation, who provide a wide range of important quality services and supports for older people in the community including Day-Care, Sheltered Housing, Meals-on-Wheels, Social and Active Retired Club, Social Work, Counselling and Transport. Micheál will be donating any funds raised from his 300th marathon run to their Run With Us To Buy A Bus campaign.
Upping her pace method acting, actor Cora Fenton will be taking on the immense challenge of completing the 26.2miles of the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon in preparation for her starring role as one of Cork’s greatest living legends, Olympic and World Champion runner Sonia O’Sullivan. SONIA, the play written by John Sheehy, featuring dramatic visuals and an intense physical performance from Cora Fenton, opens in the Everyman, Cork on Tuesday 2nd October.
Recognised for its inclusivity, the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon is more than a marathon. It’s for runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It is for those looking for a way to get fit, to set a new personal best; a way to raise money for a local charity or a fun day out with family and friends. This inclusivity is further showcased this year by the Cork Sanctuary Runners, a first-of-its-kind initiative, to enable Irish people meet and get to know those living in Direct Provision centres in Cork City and County. This initiative wishes to help Irish people to run alongside and in solidarity with asylum seekers; to train, eat, laugh, and cry together, sharing an experience based on equality, respect and friendship. The Cork Sanctuary Runners, as well as having a strong Irish support, will have over 20 countries represented, from Burundi to Venezuela and Palestine to Zimbabwe, out on course with over 200 participants joining their team.
To become part of this fantastic event you do not need to be participating; supporters and spectators play just as important a role in this momentous day. We would encourage the people of Cork and those visiting the city, to take to the streets in support of these fantastic athletes, giving them a real Cork welcome. It is the cheers from the crowds which give participants that extra drive they need to get them over the finish line.
Speaking ahead of race day, Race Director, Jim O’Donovan wished all participants the very best of luck and an enjoyable day on the streets of Cork, “The marathon team and I are thrilled with the number of seasoned and first-time participants who have registered for this year’s Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay and Youth Challenge. We wish all participants the very best of luck as they take to the start line and wish them a happy and safe race. As always, I trust the Cork people will show their support with loud cheering voices along the route. Lastly, I would like to thank our over 500 volunteers located around the course, from race stewards and officials to water-station staff and medical responders, who work tirelessly to make this event a success. The Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon would not be possible without their continued generosity. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the starting line this Sunday.”
This event is unlike others, as the whole city comes alive and gets behind participants to show their support. Hotels, restaurants and bars across the city are offering numerous food and drinks deals to participants who show their medal. Moving the traditional race day from Monday to Sunday allows participants an opportunity to celebrate their great accomplishment that evening and gives athletes a day to rest and recover before heading back to their nine-to-five on Tuesday.
Runner Spotlight
As always, we have a field of amazing athletes taking part in the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon. Here are just a small snapshot of some of the inspiring participants you will see out on the course this year:
Dolores Duffy running on behalf of Cork University Hospital (CUH), will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Female to Run a Marathon Dressed as a Film Character’, raising much-needed funds for her local Intensive Care Unit in CUH. Dressed as Superwomen, we hope she will fly around to the finish line.
Micheál Ó hAodáin, Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC is hoping to complete his 300th marathon on Sunday. This 65-year-old is taking to the start line on behalf of Ballincollig’s Westgate Foundation, who provide a wide range of important quality services and supports for older people in the community including Day-Care, Sheltered Housing, Meals-on-Wheels, Social and Active Retired Club, Social Work, Counselling and Transport. Micheál will be donating any funds raised from his 300th marathon run to their Run With Us To Buy A Bus campaign.
Cork Sanctuary Runners, a first-of-its-kind initiative, to enable Irish people meet and get to know those living in Direct Provision centres in Cork City and County will be taking to the streets of Cork. This initiative wishes to help Irish people to run alongside and in solidarity with asylum seekers; to train, eat, laugh, and cry together, sharing an experience based on equality, respect and friendship. The Cork Sanctuary Runners, as well as having a strong Irish support, will have over 20 countries represented, from Burundi to Venezuela and Palestine to Zimbabwe, out on course with over 200 participants joining their team.
53-year-old Fiach Lynch has MS but that is not stopping him from ticking items off his bucket list. Fiach was meant to be running a leg of the relay at the Cork City Marathon but everyone else dropped out, so he is now going the extra miles and is running the half marathon! He has been participating in a study with UL for more than 7 years on the effects of exercise on MS. When he first started this study as a result of his condition he was walking with the aid of a cane and now he’s training for marathons. When diagnosed with MS, this is something which Fiach never saw in his future.
Stepping up her method acting, actor Cora Fenton will be taking on the immense challenge of completing the 26.2miles in preparation for her starring role as one of Cork’s greatest living legends, Olympic and World Champion runner Sonia O’Sullivan. SONIA, the play written by John Sheehy, featuring dramatic visuals and an intense physical performance from Cora Fenton, opens in the Everyman, Cork on Tuesday 2nd October.
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