Friday Jigsaw: Ballycotton 10 Plaque

During the week, I did a cycle down to Ballycotton and I took a photo of the plaque for the now discontinued Ballycotton 10-mile road race.

A classic race at a classic distance.

You can find the 90-piece online jigsaw HERE

Guest Post: BILLY CELEBRATES HIS 84th BIRTHDAY – WITH A RUN! ...by John Walshe

BILLY CELEBRATES HIS 84th BIRTHDAY – WITH A RUN!

People mark their birthdays in different ways, but for Midleton-man Billy Griffin there was only one way to celebrate his 84th this Wednesday – by going for a run. And what better place to do it then around the historic town of Cloyne where Billy went to primary school and made his First Holy Communion back in the mid-1940s.

Born at Ballymaloe on March 2nd, 1938, his family moved to Midleton when Billy was 12. Commencing running in the year of 1956, it was an iconic performance two years before that first whetted his appetite: “In 1954, Roger Bannister broke the four-minute-mile. Although we had no television or anything at the time, when we went to the cinema the Pathé News would come out at halfway and they would show highlights of that famous achievement.”

As there was no club in Midleton, Billy joined the one in Carrigtwohill. “I remember cycling to a sports meeting in Carrigaline as well as up to Glenville, and cycling home again,” he recalls. He also did a bit of cycle racing in his early days and remembers winning a two-bar electric heater at a sports in Nohoval (“although only one bar worked!”).

Billy pictured on his 84th birthday with a hat marking the first Ballycotton ‘5’ in 1977 when he was one of the 34 runners who took part

Training for running at the time was all in the fields in Midleton. “We lived on the Rocky Road near Castleredmond and I used to have a fierce problem in the night-time but then I got the brainwave of putting on a beret and tying a flash-lamp or torch to it,” he says.

Billy started working as a lorry driver with Rohan’s in the 1960s, where he remained for over 20 years. “At that time I used to train at six in the morning, although I often went out at half-five. When I went to work for John A Wood we started at seven, so I had to get out at half-five then to train. I couldn’t go out in the evening because we were working late, and anyway you would be tired when you’d get home.”

In 1973 - along with future Olympian Liam O’Brien - Billy was a member of the Midleton team that won the Cork County Novice and Intermediate Cross-Country titles. He was also one of the pioneering 34 runners who ran the first Ballycotton five-mile race in 1977 and later completed three Dublin City Marathons.

Described last year as a “club legend” by Midleton AC registrar Danny McCarthy, like all runners Billy greatly missing the many local races over the past two years. One of his favourites was the Cloyne ‘4K’ Series so it was appropriate that he would again take to that route - known locally as ‘The Commons’ - on his 84th birthday, easily covering the four kilometres in just over 30 minutes.

During the winter Billy does his training four days a week in the gym and is now looking forward to the spring evenings and a few 5kms on the road. Aside from his running, most of the day is taken up with the bright and beautifully-kept garden that he and his wife Ann tend to at their Brookdale East home.

“The gardening keeps the mind going,” explains this remarkable man who is certainly a living example that at the age of 84 a life-long passion for the sport of running certainly keeps the body in excellent shape as well. 

A list of previous guest posts from John Walshe can be seen HERE

Guest Post: DEATH OF FORMER BALLYCOTTON WINNER ...by John Walshe

DEATH OF FORMER BALLYCOTTON WINNER ...by John Walshe

Karen MacLeod, a Scottish international runner who won both the Ballycotton ‘10’ and Ballycotton ‘5’ races back in the 1990s, died suddenly last week at the age of 63.

Karen MacLeod in the 1996 Olympic marathon in Atlanta

Although born in Tanzania, Karen grew up on the picturesque Isle of Skye off the north coast of Scotland. She didn’t start competitive running until the age of 24, having moved to Bath in England. Most of her best performances came when in the F35 age category, including her Ballycotton ‘10’ victory in 1996 when she set a course record of 55:34. The time would remain as the fourth fastest on the all-time list in the 40-year history of the race.

That same year of 1996 she qualified for the British Olympic team in the marathon where in the heat and humidity of Atlanta she finished 45th in 2:42:08. With a PB of 2:33:16 - which was set when finishing fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Canada in 1994 - Karen won international marathons in Bordeaux, Majorca and Seville. She also recorded personal bests of 33:17.88 (10,000m), 53:42 (10 miles) and 73:07 (half-marathon).

However her career was brought to an end in 1998 when she fell ill at the Boston Marathon. She was diagnosed as having Berger’s disease – a rare kidney problem – and she later had a kidney transplant from her sister Deborah. Just last November, as a act of gratitude to her sister, Karen teamed up with a number of top Scottish folk acts to raise funds for Highlands and Islands renal services through a charity album.

Many tributes have been paid to Karen on social media, including one from fellow international athlete Amanda Wright who wrote: “Devastated to read of the death of my great running friend and travelling partner. Beautiful person inside and out, you will be greatly missed, forever in my memories.”

Her kindness and concern was shown the year after her Ballycotton ‘10’ win and Olympic marathon when she was looking forward to returning to defend her title. When injury ruled her out she sent a two-page hand-written letter describing her disappointment, along with a card of good wishes from the Isle of Skye. 

She also mentioned the possibility of taking in one of the summer races and, true to her word, on an August evening in 1997 she turned up at Ballycotton where she again established another course record of 28:27 for the five miles.

Sadly, Karen MacLeod is the third Ballycotton ‘10’ winner to have died in the past 12 months following the passing of Pat Hooper (1979 winner) last October and Jerry Kiernan (1983 and 1987 winner) in January. Also deceased are Jim Dingwall (1985 winner) who passed away in 2005 and Ursula Noctor who died at the young age of 28 in 1993, just five years after winning the race.

May they all rest in peace.

Online Jigsaw: Ballycotton 10 mile 2014

 

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to the 2014 Ballycotton 10-mile road race and the photo is courtesy of Gearóid Ó Laoi.

It's a small bit more complicated this week with 216 pieces. 

The link is here... https://www.jigidi.com/solve/2ptp91h9/ballycotton-10m-2014/

Friday Fun: Jigsaw - Start of the 2016 Ballycotton 10

Another Friday, another puzzle. This time the online jigsaw is of the start of the 2016 Ballycotton 10-Mile road race.

This one has 216 pieces and with all of the colours, it should be a good teaser.

The link is HERE

Guest Post: St.Patrick wins the 2020 Ballycotton '10' ... by Pat Walsh

If you turn on the radio or TV today then it seems to be nothing but news about the Coronavirus epidemic. To get away from all the doom and gloom, here is a guest post from Pat Walsh to lighten the mood...

(Originally posted 17th March 2020 before the lock down)

Shock winner of the 2020 Ballycotton 10 was none other than St Patrick.

In news that will shock the Athletics world, he romped home in a field of 1 to win by a clear margin.

In a long and detailed interview after the race we asked him some deep thoughtful questions on what it all meant to him.

☘️ How are you feeling now?
Delighted to have won the race. Long time ambition of mine and I am glad it finally happened. I had no Parade or Pub today so I said I would have a go.

☘️ How will you celebrate?
My throat is dry for a few scoops and you would think that, I, the Patron Saint of this country could get a pint somewhere. Will just have to go home and make a crisp sandwich and see is there a bottle somewhere in the cupboard.
Might watch Netflix, I am in the mood for “Chariots of Fire” after today.

☘️ What do you think of the winning trophy?
I am over the Moon to win the specially embossed #pwr Loo-Roll. I will put it pride of place with my other stash. I have a few Velvet soft and Kitten soft left as well. Most of the stuff I hoarded last few days was the cheap hard stuff. Those things would tear the arse off of you.🤣😂

☘️ What about lack of Competition in the race?
It was well known that I was in good form recently and maybe they stayed away because they didn’t want to be beaten by a Man in a dress. I don’t know. Was hoping Aoife Cooke would be here today as I reckon I had a chance this year.

☘️ Did you find the hill hard on the way home?
What hill…

☘️ Did the lack of atmosphere affect your performance?
Yes I missed Dick O Brien classic song at the start and then DJ Mossie 🎧🎼🎤giving me abuse outside the Blackbird pub. Still once I settled there was a few ducks 🦆🦆on the Bog Road and a few Rabbits 🐇🐇and a Pheasant over by Ballybraher.

☘️ What is next on your plans?
I hoped to go for Olympic Qualification this year but the Country is in a crisis and needs me. I sorted the Snakes 🐍🐍out years ago and now I need to fix the Virus thing.😷😷🤧

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit ☘️😍
#Keeponsmiling #Staysafe

Pat Walsh Running is based in Midelton in East Cork and Pat holds running sessions during the week and at weekends. For more information on Pat and his running classes, visit his Facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/patwalshrunning/

Ballycotton 10m voted best 10m race in Munster in 2017

Maybe it was out of a sense of nostalgia but the poll for the best 10 mile road race in Munster in 2017 saw the Ballcotton '10' come out on top! It was certainly a race with a distinguished history and will be missed by many runners.

Guest Post : BLAST FROM THE PAST – BALLYCOTTON ‘10’ 1985... by John Walshe

BLAST FROM THE PAST – BALLYCOTTON ‘10’ 1985...by John Walshe of Ballcotton

This picture - courtesy of Pat Moore, formerly of Nike – was taken by Fr Liam Kelleher and shows the top eight finishers from the Ballycotton ‘10’ of 1985.

The winner was Jim Dingwall from the City of Hull AC in a time of 48:05. Tragically, 20 years after his victory, the Scottish international (who had a marathon best of 2:11:44) died at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.

All eight were inside 50 minutes and finished in the following order (left to right): Jim Dingwall, 1st, 48:05; Dick Hooper, 2nd, 48:16; Robert Costelloe, 3rd, 48:36; John Lenihan, 4th, 49:07; Liam O’Brien, 5th, 49:23; Noel Harvey, 6th, 49:56; Peter Maher, 7th, 49:57; Tony Ryan, 8th, 49:58.

Guest Article on the Ballycotton '10'...by Claire Healy

The following article was sent in by Brian Healy and is an account of the Ballycotton 10 mile race written by his daughter Claire back in 2014. It gives a nice account of the event and as can be seen from the title, it was written well before there was any hint that the race might ever come to an end.

BALLYCOTTON 10 WILL RUN AND RUN... By Claire Healy (2014)
 
Runners are penned into the very tip of the cul-de-sac village, the island looms in the background, the Ballycotton Lighthouse and its red beacon at rest on this sunny afternoon. The start of the Ballycotton 10  road race is something to behold.

Start of the Ballycotton 10 mile road race. Photo: John Hennessy

It’s the biggest day of the year for the sleepy fishing spot on the east Cork coast. Almost 3,000 runners pour out, and later back in, the Bog Road, which links the isolated coastline to the outside world.

The village  bears little resemblance to its ordinary stature. Locals line the main street clapping and cheering their annual visitors, their musical Cork accents guiding the runners through the gentle hills and rambling roads.

The race entered its 37th year this March. An extraordinary event that, compared to the scale of the venue, is bigger than the New York marathon.

In an era where more and more people are abandoning the gym and hitting the roads, Ballycotton saw 2571 runners of all levels take on their route. There were 2617 finishers in 2012 and 2601 in 2013. In most normal races, a decline in finishers could be considered a drop in popularity but that certainly can’t be said for the Ballycotton 10 when online entries sold out in 90 minutes last December.
The slight drop could be attributed to the change in the entry process and simply the number of people not turning up on the day. It’s remarkably consistent and the organisers can be reasonably sure that if the same entry criteria applies next year, Ballycotton will see 2,500 to 2,600 runners turn up in March of 2015.

It’s one of the few big races that doesn’t award a finisher’s T-shirt. Ask any athlete, or their significant other, and that familiar grumble that can only come with the experience of a graveyard of vintage race t-shirts at the bottom of the wardrobe ensues.

Instead Brian Healy’s dishwasher plays host to 14 years’ worth of commemorative mugs. The race is the reason he and his family live in the village. Originally coming across the Ballycotton 10 on his athletic travels around Ireland, from their first visit the Healys fell in love and nine years later they came to call the village home. 12 years after his first race, his son Dáire joined him on the start line.
“It’s a tradition…of 37 years. It never fails to astound me how a small voluntary group of people can put on such a professional event, how a local community can assist in the organisation of an event. It doesn’t feel like a big commercial race, it keeps its community feel and you know that the sun will always shine at some stage, it’s part of the day. The village the next day is like nothing ever happened” Brian said.

If it wasn’t for the race, Ballycotton might only be known for notable lifeboat rescues, Dáire notes, mentioning the famous Daunt Rock rescue in 1936 by the Mary Stanford lifeboat, “that or Divine Rapture,” he laughs.

Divine Rapture could have done with the Mary Stanford lifeboat, it was such an ill-fated venture. For two weeks the village welcomed Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and the Hollywood elite, before it emerged that there was no money behind the project and they promptly packed up. Thankfully the race has seen more success.

Dáire concurs; “it gives Ballycotton something to be proud of, and the people something big and important to be part of. We might be one of the smallest villages in Cork, but we run the biggest race, and a personal one at that.”

John “Mr Ballycotton” Walshe is a familiar face on the athletics scene in Cork and indeed around the country. An obliging and humble character, he is the main cog in the slick machine that is the Ballycotton 10. Whether it’s putting up signs, painting the mile markers onto the road, no stone is left unturned by the race organiser. He knows what makes a good race and ensures that he and his team put on the best day possible for the runners, travelling and local alike.

John Walshe (second left) and Brian Healy (far right) visiting marathon stalwart Ron Hill’s 5km following his Ballycotton visit.

A visible presence since the race’s first outing, today’s race would be unrecognisable to the 31 men who ran in 1978, while much remains the same, down to the work of John and his team.
“The ten mile route hasn’t changed and it still offers the same challenge as it did to those 31 pioneering runners all those years ago. The race organisation, now a massive operation, remains a truly voluntary effort and we still provide the same basic value for money service – a true race on an accurate course with full results for all” he says.

The Ballycotton 10 Mugs...and the elusive 1983 one!

One of the unique features of the Ballycotton 10 mile road race was the mug which was given out at the end to all finishers. While some of the newer runners might have preferred say a dry fit top, the Ballycotton 10 mug has a long history and many people now have a collection of them.

I have my own collection of them as well from down through the years. I'd guess that since the news of the demise of the Ballycotton '10', people will probably be a bit more careful with theirs.

Jerry Forde's Ballycotton Collection

I was out in Jerry Forde's house a few months back and I took a photo of his collection. As you can see, he has a fair few Ballycotton '10' mugs and Summer Series plaques from years past.

Over the years, the designs have changed. Some were more like cups rather than mugs. Different years, different designs with different sponsors.

One of the more unusual years was that of 1983. The photo below shows the mug belonging to Danny McCarthy of Midleton AC.

It looks normal enough except for the fact that the mugs weren't properly fired that year and the writing disappeared with the first wash! It's likely that this is one of the few that managed to survive intact. Does anyone else have another one?

End of the road for the Ballycotton 10 and the Summer Series

Ballycotton Running Promotions have announced that the Ballycotton 10 mile road race and the Ballycotton Summer Series is coming to an end.

This will no doubt come as a shock to many in the local running community as these races were hugely popular with many runners.

The full statement is below...

STATEMENT FROM BALLYCOTTON RUNNING PROMOTIONS
(Issued at 17.00 on 05/10/2017)

It is with regret and no doubt a certain amount of sadness that we wish to announce that the Ballycotton ‘10’, the Summer 5-Mile Series and other events organised by Ballycotton Running Promotions have come to an end.

Whilst this will be received with shock and surprise by the running community at large, the decision to call a halt to our promotions is something that has occupied the thoughts of our committee for the past year or more.

Seven months ago we celebrated the 40th running of the Ballycotton ‘10’ and the symbolic date of Sunday March 12th – the exact date of the original race – may have given an indication of our intentions from this time of last year.

At a special and well-attended meeting in Ballycotton last night and after a long discussion the decision was unanimously agreed that our races should come to an end forthwith - on our own terms and before circumstances outside our control dictated so.

For anyone familiar with the geographical locations of our races, the problems logistically of organising the events are all too apparent. Parking has been one of our major worries. It may come as a surprise to many that, for the past two years due to weather conditions, the possibility of the Ballycotton ‘10’ having to be cancelled was a live issue up to 24 hours before the race.

With new proposed traffic regulations on the way, the staging of an event with up to 3,000 runners in a village with just one road in and out would prove insurmountable. These problems, to a lesser extent, are also evident in the summer races where we are again at the mercy of the weather as regards parking and facilities.

Unlike other such races which are organised by athletic clubs and the like who have a huge supply of members to call on, we are just a small promoting group. But for the assistance we have received from outside bodies over the years it would have been impossible to put on five major events each year.   

Due to busy lifestyles nowadays, help is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Unfortunately, the age profile of the voluntary committee members and those willing to give of their time is a lot higher than it was when we started out. Also, some participants today are more demanding than in the past and it goes without saying that social media now plays a major role in those demands.

Since our first race, we have had a simple 100% ethos and aim which was manifested in all our races – to provide a well-organised, value for money event for runners of all abilities. Even though we are slow to sing our own praises, we can proudly say we have played a defining role in the popularity and promotion of running events so evident today.  

Road racing in general is now certainly in a far better place than it was back in 1977 when 34 runners took part in our first five-mile race, just one of four road races in total held in the Cork region that summer.

Since that August evening four decades ago, 40 Ballycotton ‘10’ races, 156 Summer 5-Mile races, 60 Shanagarry ‘5K’ (summer and winter) events along with over 80 smaller local races from our early days have taken place. 

Each of those road races had a definite start and finish line. Now, the finish line has finally been reached for Ballycotton Running Promotions and its events. It has been a long and winding road, a road filled with many memories and stories, and a road that has enriched the lives of thousands from far and near.

We conclude by expressing a deep-felt sense of gratitude to all those who have journeyed with us along that road, in whatever capacity, over the forty years of Ballycotton races.

Ballycotton Running Promotions

Radio Documentary - THE BALLYCOTTON ‘10’; THE BEST ROAD RACE IN THE COUNTRY

Update...The one hour radio documentary by Community Radio Youghal about the Ballycotton 10 mile road race is now available as a podcast.

Details from Community Radio Youghal......

THE BALLYCOTTON ‘10’; THE BEST ROAD RACE IN THE COUNTRY  is a one hour documentary which explores and celebrates 40 years of the prestigious road race in East Cork.

From having a little over thirty runners at the inaugural running in 1978, to attracting thousands year in year out nowadays, the growth of the Ballycotton ‘10’ has been extraordinary. A ‘Classic Race at a Classic Distance’, its March date has become one of the standout days in the entire athletics – even sporting - calendar year.

In this special feature documentary, the history, appeal, and status of the Ballycotton ‘10’ will be explored. Many great stories, which have emerged over the last 40 years, will be told, with input from race winners, organisers, athletics enthusiasts, local heroes and national icons.

Funded by the BAI, the documentary is presented and produced by Jordan McCarthy, edited by Tom Maher and the sound engineer is Thomas O’Keeffe.

The programme can be heard here... https://www.mixcloud.com/CRY104FM/the-ballycotton-10-the-best-road-race-in-the-country/

It will be repeated on Wednesday 31st May @ 7.30 pm.

A Community Radio Youghal production (2017).

East Cork & District Sports Awards recognise the Ballycotton 10 Mile Road Race

The East Cork & District Sports Awards were held in Midleton Park Hotel on Friday the 21st of April and this year, they recognised the Ballycotton 10 Mile Road Race team for their contribution to sport.

Anyone who is familiar with the Ballycotton 10 race will know that it is a huge logistical event and takes an enormous amount of work. For an successful event that is run on a non-profit basis, it's great to see their efforts being recognised by the local community.

Comparing the top 100 of the 2017 Ballycotton '10' to the 1987 top 100

Someone sent on the top 100 times of the 1987 Ballycotton '10' and it makes for an interesting comparison with the 2017 event.

Some key points...

1) In 2017, three men ran under 50 minutes. In 1987, it was fourteen.

2) The time for the 50th finisher in 2017 was 57m 45s. In 1987, the 50th person was 54m 08s.  The time for 50th place in 1987 would have finished in 16th place in 2017.

3) The time for the 100th finisher in 2017 was 59m 50s. In 1987, the 100th person was 56m 46s...roughly 3 minutes faster. The time for 100th place in 1987 would have finished in 42nd place in 2017.

As for why the times were so much faster back then? Basically, it mostly due to the fact that in 1987, most of those in the top 100 were young men who ran a lot. The age profile of the average runner now is older.

The 1987 results can be seen below...

Results & photos of the 2017 Ballycotton 10 mile road race...Sun 12th March 2017

The 40th edition of the Ballycotton 10 mile road race was held on what turned out to be a nice sunny Sunday in March. There was one small light shower before the race but it didn't amount to much.
Here are the top 10...

 1 Mick CLOHISEY     Raheny Shamrock A.C.     M    49:20
2 Sergiu CIOBANU     Clonliffe Harriers A.C. M    49:46
3 Kevin MAUNSELL     Clonmel A.C.     M     49:54
4 Alan O'SHEA         Bantry A.C.     M    51:46
5 Michael HARTY     East Cork A.C.     M     51:50
6 Louis MCCARTHY     Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.     M    52:12
7 Sean MCGRATH         East Cork A.C.     M     52:38
8 Paul STEPHENSON     Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.     M      52:54
9 Mike CARMODY         An Bru A.C     M     53:00
10 Barry DONOVAN     Leevale A.C.     M     53:14
1 Siobhan O’DOHERTY     Borrisokane A.C.     F    58:09
2 Jill HODGINS         unatt/Cork     F40         58:50
3 Grace LYNCH         Iveragh A.C.     F    59:18
4 Dee GRADY         Ennis Track Club     F     1:01:46
5 Sinead TANGNEY     Sportsworld A.C.     F     1:01:53
6 Katherine CASHELL     St. Finbarrs A.C.     F     1:03:08
7 Lorraine BOLSTER     Mallow A.C.     F     F35    1:03:12
8 Adele WALSH         St. Senans A.C.     F40    1:03:30
9 Fiona SANTRY         East Cork A.C.     F     FO     1:03:46
10 Adrienne JORDAN     Crusaders A.C.     F     F40     1:05:01

The results from the chip timing company are now available HERE

Remember that the results are still provisional. There are bound to be a few errors in there. Contact the chip timing company if you find any. Once the dust has settled, the full official results will go up on the Ballycotton 10 website.

Thoughts on the new baggage area? While the new narrow path was a bit of a bottleneck, runners didn't really have an issue getting to the start line. From my vantage point near the start, the start seemed to take about as long as it usually does with 3000 or so people passing. It certainly wasn't as bad as last year.

Any suggestions for improvements?

The special dry fit top for the 40th anniversary was a nice touch.

Photos...(Updated Sat 18th Mar 1pm)
1) There are 106 pre-race photos on the Running in Cork Facebook page HERE
2) Finish area...(100m to go)
a) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (1 of 8) - 49:20-1:01:45
b) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (2 of 8) - 1:01:45-1:08:45
c) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (3 of 8) - 1:08:45-1:15:30
d) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (4 of 8) - 1:15:30-1:23:45
e) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (5 of 8) - 1:23:45-1:31:30
f) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (6 of 8) - 1:31:30-1:40:00
g) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (7 of 8) - 1:40:00-1:48:30
h) 2017 Ballycotton 10 finish (8 of 8) -1:48:30 and above

3) Joe Muphy of Eagle AC has a gallery of photos near the one mile mark HERE 
4) Andy O'Rourke Photography has 4 small galleries ... #1 ... #2 ... #3 ... #4
5) Lindie Naughton has 21 photos HERE
6) Breaking News dot ie has a video of the first 3 men finishing and the mass start.... HERE
7) Pat Walsh Running has a gallery HERE
8) Bweeng Trailblazers have a gallery HERE
9) Dave O'Brien Photography has two albums... #1 ... #2
10) Ger Broderick has a gallery HERE
11) Denis O'Flynn has a nice gallery HERE 
12) East Cork Camera Group has a gallery HERE

Category results below...

Results of the first Ballycotton 10 mile road race...12th March 1978

On Sunday the 12th of March 1978, 31 runners turned out to take part in the very first Ballycotton 10 mile road race. Little did they know then that it would be the start of one of the most popular races in the country.

As you can see below, eight of the original 31 are entered for the race next Sunday.

BALLYCOTTON ‘10’, Sunday March 12th, 1978 – 3pm start

1  Richie Crowley (St Finbarrs)        50:22
2  Liam O’Brien (Midleton)        51:03
3  Dick Hodgins (Leevale)    R.I.P.    51:28 
4  Noel Shannon (Leevale)        51:41
5  Michael Walsh (Leevale)        52:03
6  Jerry Murphy (Leevale)        52:34
7  John Buckley (St Finbarrs)        52:58
8  Kevin Treacy (Loughrea)        53:28
9  Paul Mulholland (Midleton)        53:52
10 Denis Manning (St Finbarrs)        53:58
11 Jack O’Callagahn (Leevale)         54:17
12 Liam Horgan (Leevale)    R.I.P.    54:59
13 Batt Kearney (Leevale)        55:31 (entered for Sunday)
14 Joe O’Flynn (Leevale)    R.I.P.    55:33
15 Jack O’Leary (St Finbarrs)        55:59 (entered for Sunday)
16 Michael Murphy (Leevale)        56:20 (entered for Sunday)
17 Michael Joyce (St Finbarrs)        56:26
18 John Delaney (Leevale)        57:11
19 Jerry Martin (Midleton)    R.I.P.    57:26
20 Donal Burke (St Finbarrs)        57:37 (entered for Sunday)
21 John Walshe (Midleton)        57:49 (entered for Sunday)
22 Flor O’Leary (St Finbarrs)        57:55
23 Kurt Tretner (Darmstadt, West Germany)    58:52
24 Tony Flanagan (Leevale)        59:58
25 Denis Forde (St Finbarrs)        62:22
26 Dan Kennedy (St Finbarrs)        62:53 (entered for Sunday)
27 Rory Walsh (Youghal)            62:54
28 John O’Leary (Leevale)        62:55 (entered for Sunday)
29 Peter Lee (Youghal)            66:06
30 Willie O’Mahony (Youghal)        67:21 (entered for Sunday)
31 Tom Houlihan (Midleton)        78:26 

Results courtesy of John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions

Info about the new baggage area for the 2017 Ballycotton 10

A new baggage area will be set up near the Pitch & Putt club for the 2017 Ballycotton 10 race next Sunday. This will avoid the use of the narrow path which caused problems last year.

You will be given a plastic bag with a number at the baggage area. Get changed....put your tracksuit, etc in the bag....and then collect it after the race. It's a long way from the car parks to the start so you'll probably want to avail of this service.

BAGGAGE AREA AND TOILETS - NEW LOCATION

The baggage area and main toilet facilities have been relocated this year. Both are now up on the Cliff Road near the Pitch & Putt Club. Access is slightly different.

The main road at Bayview Hotel will be closed off at 12.15pm and athletes’ will be directed to the baggage area and come down into the start/finish area approaching from the back. You should add at least 15 minutes to the normal time you take to get to the start as it is at least 500m longer and the paths are narrow. Please be patient and obey the stewards

At the end of the race you will be directed up the Cliff Road again as water station, baggage area, etc are located here. You can then make your way back to the changing area using the same route in the reverse direction.

REMEMBER TO ALLOW 15 MINUTES EXTRA TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE START!

In this interview, John Cashman of C103 talks to Barry Moran of Ballycotton Running Promotions, one of the main organisers on the day.

John Cashman interviews Willie O'Mahony of Youghal AC

Willie O'Mahony of Youghal AC was one of those who had taken part in the original Ballycotton 10 mile road race back in 1978. Up until recently, he had managed to compete in the race every year until a hip operation put paid to the streak.

John Cashman of C103 caught up with Willie and had a chat about what the race was like before.

Interview with Donie Walsh ahead of the Ballycotton 10

In this interview, John Cashman of C103 gives a brief rundown of the previous winners of the Ballycotton 10 mile road race. He then has a chat with top Irish athletics coach Donie Walsh of Leevale AC who gives his views on the race and some of the top runners ahead of the event next Sunday.

Added Time Bonuses for the Ballycotton 10

From Ballycotton Running Promotions...ADDED TIME BONUSES FOR BALLYCOTTON ‘10’

This year, in an effort to raise the elite standard of the race and to celebrate the 40th annual event, there will be added time bonuses for the Ballycotton ‘10’ on March 12th.

Along with the usual first three prizes (€500, €300 and €200) for men and women and the course bonuses of €500 for a new record (men, Gary Staines 47:00; women, Maria McCambridge 54:20) the following bonuses will apply:

Men: If the winner, not breaking the course record, runs inside 48:30 there will be a bonus of €300. All other runners (outside of first three) breaking 50:00 will receive a bonus of €100 along with their prize.

Women: If the winner, not breaking the course record, runs inside 55:30 there will be a bonus of €300. All other women (outside of first three) breaking 58:00 will receive a bonus of €100 along with their prize.

Only one time bonus can apply for both men and women.

While the women’s course record has been improved three times by Maria McCambridge in the past five years, in contrast the men’s standard has shown little change. In the history of the race, 48:30 has been broken on a total of 29 occasions (including four times by Noel Berkeley).

Yet only two of those 29 times – Charles Kiplgat in 2004 and Dave Mitchinson in 2005 – has been set in the past 15 years so hopefully this year will see an improvement back to the standards of the past.