Guest Post : CARRIGALINE RUN THE LINE ...by John Walshe

On the first Saturday of every month, there is a free timed 5k in Carrigaline which is open to anyone. John Walshe of Ballycotton took part in the previous one at the start of July and he wrote an article about it which appeared in the Evening Echo on Monday the 29th of July 2019.

CARRIGALINE RUN THE LINE
(By John Walshe, The Echo, July 29, 2019)

Parkruns are now all the rage, the free 5km events attracting thousands every Saturday morning throughout the country and also on a world-wide scale. 

However, there is a similar, although on a much smaller scale, monthly series of runs that many may not be aware of which have been taking place since last October, organised by Carrigaline Athletic Club.

“Run the Line is a free 5km run which first started in October last as a community initiative from the club to get people interested in running and for those who already have a love of running,” explained Louise Fleming, who co-ordinates the event along with other eager club volunteers – “it's always a team effort,” she emphasises.  

Members of Carrigaline AC who organise the free (first Saturday of the month) Run the Line 5km

“Runners come from the Carrigaline/Crosshaven area and most recently we have had people join us from Cobh and other parts. It's a free 5km timed run/walk/jog on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway and caters for all abilities.

“All are welcome, our volunteers are from the club and the runs take place on the first Saturday of every month at 8.30am, starting in Kilnagleary Carpark where Lulus mobile café operates from.”

The formula, like parkrun, is a similar and very simple one. People just turn for the 8.30am start at the venue which is on the left past Carrigaline GAA club on the Crosshaven road. The 5km run is out and back and each person receives a time with the results posted on the club’s Facebook page within an hour or so.

Wes Forsythe (second) and Jerry Anglim (third) at the July Carrigaline Run the Line

The beautifully surfaced old railway line is an ideal opportunity for runners to compare their time from month to month and given that it’s on an out-and-back route means (although it may not always be the case!) that the wind is behind you at some stage. 

Last month, around 30 took part with times ranging from just over 19 minutes to 48 minutes. This coming Saturday of August 3 sees the next Run the Line taking place and the club is looking forward to seeing an increase in numbers over the coming months. “We are going from strength to strength and are really looking forward to celebrating our first birthday in October,” says Louise.

Carrigaline AC, formerly known as Carrigaline Roadrunners, was formed when Conor Phelan and Peter Maher (a Canadian Olympian and 2:11 marathon runner) put an advertisement in a local paper and held a meeting in the back room of the Stables Bar back in January 2012, with a view to catering for runners of all abilities who could jog a short stretch or run a marathon.

In that same year the Carrigaline Lions Club was starting the Great Railway Run event which was supported by the running club. The first trailing sessions were led on a Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm and the club have stuck with those dates and times ever since.

“We have helped run several Couch to 5k programmes in the past and this year in conjunction with Cork Sports Partnership we are offering a Couch to 5k which commences at the Carrigaline Community Centre at 6pm on Friday August 16,” explained Louise Fleming.

No prior experience is necessary and the €50 fee includes eight weeks training and discounted entry into the Cork Rebel Run. Further details can be had from Craig Harrington of Cork Sports Partnership at: charrington AT corksports DOT ie

The club also holds an annual Christmas fun run for adults and kids which last year saw over 160 runners participating across the range of race options from 10km, to 5km to a fun 2km kids run.

Raphael Cabral (who finished first), Andrew McDonald, Mike Conner, Roy Noonan and Pedro Farinha at the July Carrigaline Run the Line

The adult section has had 212 members since it began in 2012 and averages 20-30 members per annum and it too has been growing steadily. Club members have participated in many races and runs around the county in the intervening years and have even set their sights on some international events as well.

A junior section of the club was established in 2016 and has been very successful with up to 100 junior athletes and a waiting list. “We hope to include a monthly kids run with our Run the Line programme, more information will be posted on our Facebook page in due course and of course new members are always welcome to join us,” concludes Louise Fleming.

* Facebook page details: CarrigalineAC.