Notice: The Cheetah Run 5k in Fota Wildlife Park - Thurs 16th May 2024

The Cheetah Run 5k in Fota Wildlife Park organised by Eagle AC is coming up on Thursday the 16th of May 2024 at 8pm. As well as there being the usual 5k race, there is also a one-mile race for juveniles (11-15 year olds).

Enter HERE

26th April - Update on entries... SOLD OUT!! Both the 5k and 1-mile race are now full. That's 3-weeks earlier than last year.

25th April - Update on entries... Last call! There are now just 30-places left for the 5k and 2 for the 1-mile.

22nd April - Update on entries... There are now just 120-places left for the 5k and 4 for the 1-mile.

10th April - Update on entries... Demand is really strong this year, up nearly 20% on the same time last year which sold out a week early. Just over half of the 850 entries are now gone after just 3 days. For the Juvenile mile race, there are just 40 spaces left.

From Eagle AC... "We are delighted once again to announce that entries open for our Eagle A.C. Cheetah Run in Fota Wildlife Park, on Sunday 7th April 2024, at 9am. The Cheetah Run is always a hugely popular and fast selling event, so do book your places quickly to avoid disappointment!

Last year your entries raised an impressive €5,500 for wildlife conservation and this was directed towards the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. This incredible initiative helps protect and preserve the Rothschild Giraffe, a species facing numerous challenges and habitat loss across Africa. Eagle A.C. was delighted to be involved in supporting & contributing to vital efforts to secure the future of these majestic animals. We hope this year’s event can be equally as successful.

Photo: Freya & Nellie Bateman Belgooly AC, Karen Bevan & Ruairi Egan  Eagle AC Race Directors, Ryan Creech Leevale AC, & Conor Kavanagh of John Buckley Sports. Photo by Darragh Kane.

The Cheetah Run - The Cheetah run offers a truly unique experience to run a 5K race (adults & those aged 16 and above) or a 1-mile race for those aged 11-15 years, within a wildlife park. Your supporters will not only be your family and friends but also all the amazing animals that live within Fota Wildlife Park. The Giraffes, Ostrich's & Zebra’s always take a particular interest on the start line, but you will also run past the Cheetahs, Monkey Island, the Asian Sanctuary and so much more. It truly is a race like no other, and one to be experienced."

*** 

5k Course... The same 5k route will be used again which takes in all areas of the Wildlife Park. There will be prizes for the first 5 men and women as well as the usual age categories.

The entry fee includes free access to the park for the park for up to 4 guests.. Access will be controlled on the night and will be open from 6:30pm.

There will also be a 20% discount voucher for John Buckley Sports. The savings on say a new pair of shoes would cover the entry fee. This must be used in the period two weeks after the race.

Juvenile 1 Mile Race.....There is also a 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 150. Entries for this will open also on the 7th of April. 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. 

As always, entrants can bring family members to either race. This includes free access to the wildlife park for the runner and family members. 

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

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. 

I would seriously advise people that have an interest in doing this race to enter as soon as it opens. 

This is one race that sells out every year. Updates about the race will be made available here and on the race page on the Eagle AC website.

This park entry will via the main ticket booths and your number collection will be provided from the

ticket booths. This was very successful last year and allows entrants to enjoy the wildlife park

straight away, avoiding number collection queuing.

The teas, coffees and prize giving ceremony will take place this year in the brand-new Education

Conservation & Research Centre. This is an exciting opportunity to see the most recent and

extremely impressive developments at Fota Wildlife Park.

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.