Results of the Bandon Half-Marathon & 10k...Sat 3rd May 2014

The weather conditions for this years Bandon Half-Marathon and 10k road race were a bit on the misty side....a bit damp for spectating but actually almost perfect for running in. In terms of numbers, there wasn't a huge change from last year with 221 runners in the Half-Marathon as compared to 244 last year. Considering that the Bay Run Half-Marathon, the Limerick Half-Marathon and the Great Railway Run are on the same weekend then the numbers are still pretty good. In fact, it is almost identical to two years ago when they got 220.

In the 10k race, there were 299 finishers as compared to 329 last year. Again, that comes at the end of a very busy week when we had the Crosshaven 8k and the Midleton 5 mile.

As always, Bandon Athletic Club put on a fine race yet again and the 'spread' afterwards was second to none. The amount of work that went into these two races was very evident from out along the course and at the finish line when there were a huge number of volunteers helping out. The long term aim of the club is to build a proper tartan athletics track in Bandon which would be a great boost for the sport in the West Cork region. Going on the numbers that support this race every year then they should be well on the way to achieving that target.

As for myself, I took part in the Half-Marathon and it seemed even hillier than last year ;o) .......but for all that, it was an excellent race. I've done a load of half-marathons over the years and I'd have to say that Bandon is probably my favourite. If times are the only thing that concern you then there are plenty of other flatter courses out there. If you want a nice testing course on quiet country roads then Bandon is really excellent. It's just a pity that it doesn't get bigger numbers than it gets at present.

Results...
Top 5 in the Half-Marathon...

1 John Meade        St Finbarr's AC MS  1:13:53
2 Cathal O'Connell        St Finbarr's AC M50  1:14:01
3 Kenneth O'Regan        Clonakilty Road Runners MS  1:20:23
4 Andrew Sheehan        Leevale ac  MS  1:21:17
6 Maurice Feehan        Gneeveguilla AC  MS    1:21:47
5 Jill Hodgins        unattached FS  1:21:23
10 Carmel Crowley  Bandon AC F45  1:23:30
13 Joyce Wolfe        Joyce wolfe Physio/ leevale FS   1:24:57
15 Madeline Loughnane        Thurles Crokes  FS   1:25:22
31 Niamh Cronin        St Finbarr's AC   FS  1:29:42

Top 3 in the 10k
1 Alex O Shea        St Finbarrs  M40  33:28
2 Michael Morgan        St Finbarrs  MS  34:52
3 Fergus Wall        Bandon AC  M45  36:48
13 Margaret Murphy  FS 39:37
16 Denise Twohig        St Finbarr's AC F40  40:53
18 Ronnie Barry        Bandon AC FS   41:26

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...(Updated Mon 6pm)
1) There are hundreds of photos on the Bandon Town Facebook page HERE (no sign in required)
2) Patrick McSweeney has finish line photos of all the half-marathon runners who finished faster than 1:41 HERE  ...the start of both races HERE....and the presentation of prizes HERE

Event notice...Bandon Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 3rd May 2014

The Bandon Half-Marathon & 10k is still some time off but it might be one to consider. The Bandon Half-Marathon and 10k races will be on Saturday the 3rd of May 2014.

It's worth noting however that the cheapest entry fee of €20 for the Half-Marathon and €12 for the 10k is before the 31st of March.

One of the main reasons for these two races is to raise funds for the long term goal of building a proper athletics track which will be a great asset for future athletes in the West Cork area.

From Bandon Athletic club...
Bandon Athletic Club, in a joint venture with Bandon Rugby Club, are again organising two races on the running calendar for 2014. The Half Marathon and 10k races are taking place on Saturday 3rd of May 2014, ideally positioned 4 weeks before the Cork City full and half marathons.

The Half marathon gets under way at 9.30am and the 10k begins at 10.15am and both races have AAI approval. Online entries are now open for both events with early entry prices on offer until March 31st.

Early entry fee up to March 31st for the half marathon is €20 and €25 after that date. On the day entry cost for the half marathon is €30. Early entry fee up to March 31st for the 10k is €12 and €15 after that date. On the day entry cost for 10k is €20. Further information at www.bandonhalfmarathon.com

A preview of the 10k course can be seen HERE

A preview of the Half-Marathon can be seen HERE

Entries...You can enter online HERE

Results of the Bandon Half-Marathon and 10k road race - Sat 11th May 2013

A combined total of 569 runners took part in this year's Bandon Half-Marathon and 10k road race. The numbers in the Half-Marathon were 241, a 9.5% increase on last years figure of 220. In the 10k road race, 328 runners took part, down slightly on the 345 of 2012.

This was the second year of doing this particular half-marathon and it really is a nice course. Sure, it's tough and there are no shortage of hills but it is so much nicer to be running on quiet country roads with no traffic that to be running at the side of a road with the traffic whizzing by. If you completed the 10k course this time, then maybe you should consider the Half-Marathon course next year? The roads where the 10k didn't go are probably the nicest part of the Half-Marathon.

As for the rest of the event, everything seemed to go just fine. The half-marathon really had a feel of a large club race about it and Bandon AC did a great job of handling the numbers.

Did you do the half or 10k? What did you think of it?

Half-Marathon...
Pl.    Name        Club/City/Country    Cat.    Subcat  Result
1    John Meade        St. Finbarr's      MS    1:13:20
2    Cathal O'Connell        St Finbarrs AC     M45    1:13:21
3    Michael Morgan        St Finbarrs cork    MS    1:13:40
18   Carmel Crowley        Bandon AC  F45    1:24:17
22   Ann-Marie Holland        St. Finbarrs AC    FS    1:26:51
47   Aideen Shinners          FS    1:31:46

The full results of the Half-Marathon can be seen HERE

Pl.    Name    Club/City/Country    Cat.    Subcat.   Result
1     Michael Harty        East Cork A.C     MS    33:55
2     Michael Dullea             MS    34:32
3     Alex O'Shea        St Finbarr's A.C     MS    34:57
18     Anna O Neill        Doheny A.C.     F40    41:09
19     Denise Twohig        St Finbarrs     FS    41:24
21     Ronnie Barry        Bandon A.C.     FS    41:41

The results of the 10k can be seen HERE

Photos...(Updated 12th May 2013)
1) A set of photos by Phillip Cullinane Photography HERE
2) A Bandon Town facebook page has some finish line photos HERE

Results of the Bandon 10k...Sun 29th Oct 2012

L to R...Rory O'Sullivan 3rd, John Meade 1st and Ed Murphy 2nd

Results of the Bandon 10k...Sun 28th Oct 2012

Pos    Race Num    NAME    Athletic Club/Fit for Life    Cat    Gender    Time
1    86    John Meade    St. Finbarrs    M    M    34.05
2    111    Edward Murphy        M    M    35.10
3    91    Rory O'Sullivan    St. Finbarrs    M    M    35.15
4    109    Trevor Woods    St. Finbarrs    M40    M    35.29
5    82    Eamon O'Donovan    Bandon    M    M    35.45
6    53    Mark Bickerdyke    Leevale    M50    M    36.25
7    21    Thomas McCarthy    Bandon    MJ    M    38.31
8    51    Ciaran Bouse        M    M    39.10
9    88    Roy Good        M    M    39.11
10    122    Pat O'Connor    Eagle AC    M40    M    39.24
11    41    Glenn Dollard    St. Finbarrs    M    M    39.38
12    65    Mark Griffin        M    M    40.02
13    104    Deaglan O'Deargain    Middleton     M    M    40.59
14    42    Ray Harington    Eagle AC    M40    M    41.11
15    63    Michelle Kenny    Midleton     F    F    41.17
16    52    Hugh Bancroft    Clon RR    M50    M    41.25
17    35    Brian Harrington        M    M    41.29
18    46    Denise Twohig    St. Finbarrs    F    F    41.33
19    40    Michael Daly    Navy AC    M40    M    41.36
20    73    Kevin Boag    Mallow AC    M50    M    41.38
21    34    David Barry        M40    M    41.55
22    15    Brian Cotter    Bandon    M40    M    41.59
23    5    John O'Driscoll    Rising Sun    M55    M    42.08
24    81    Brian Kelleher        M     M    42.25
25    75    Mark Prendergast        M    M    42.36
26    6    Mark McCarthy        M    M    42.59
27    69    Tim O'Regan        M40    M    44.22
28    85    Tom Bogue        M    M    44.23
29    67    Daniel McMahon        M    M    44.37
30    68    Declan Histon        M50    M    44.46
31    64    Brian O'Reilly        M45    M    44.50
32    99    Derek Whelton        M    M    44.57
33    96    Deirdre Harrington    West Muskerry    F    F    45.16
34    36    Alan O'Connor        M40    M    45.24
35    59    Maria Hurley    Bantry    F50    F    45.28
36    58    Chris O'Donovan        M45    M    45.36
37    98    Declan O'Hanlon    Carrigaline    M40    M    45.58
38    2    Claire Mahon         F40    F    46.08
39    87    Charlie Bogue    St. Finbarrs    M40    M    46.26
40    90    Aidan Hennessy        M40    M    46.47
41    24    Benny McHugh        M    M    47.05
42    48    Maurice Shanahan        M55    M    47.08
43    84    Edward Brophy        M    M    47.16
44    18    Ronan Kelleher        M    M    47.35
45    120    Liam Murphy    Bandon F4L    M    M    47.43
46    74    John Donegan    Bandon    M55    M    48.09
47    32    Anne Bamford        F40    F    48.19
48    20    Deirdre McCrae        F40    F    48.21
49    106    Padraig O'Regan        M    M    48.31
50    121    Donal O'Donoghue    Little Island    M45    M    48.39
51    79    Danny O'Donovan        M40    M    48.40
52    14    Eric O'Brien        M    M    49.00
53    62    Steve Young        M45    M    49.13
54    119    John Falvey        M45    M    49.19
55    9    Adrian Kearney        M    M    49.24
56    78    David O'Regan        M    M45    49.34
57    117    Helen O'Donovan        F    F    49.37
58    8    Raymond O'Regan        M40    M    49.38
59    13    James Nagle        M45    M    49.39
60    38    John O'Leary    Leevale    M70    M    49.55
61    30    Liam Crowley        M    M    50.07
62    80    Frances Lynch        F50    F    50.09
63    27    Paul Kingston    Bandon    M45    M    50.54
64    95    Derek Holland        M    M    50.55
65    94    Neille Leary    Belgooly AC    M65    M    51.09
66    10    Ted Hallissey        M    M    51.12
67    12    Miriam Casey    Bandon F4L    F    F    51.21
68    100    Yvonne Sheehan    Middleton     F    F    51.24
69    4    Finton Kiely        M     M    51.36
70    89    Gearoid Buckley        M    M    51.56
71    61    Ian McCarthy    Bandon    M    M    52.03
72    101    Valerie Lynch    Garda    F    F    52.47
73    28    Mike McKeon    Bandon    M50    M    52.52
74    110    Shonagh Ryan        F    F    52.54
75    1    Des McCarthy          M40    M    53.09
76    76    Mick Weldon    Bandon    M50    M    53.31
77    45    Geraldine Corcoran    Bandon F4L    F    F    53.46
78    93    Shona Power        F    F    54.04
79    66    Margaret Coughlan    F4L    F40    F    54.09
80    105    Ivan Hutchinson        M    M    54.12
81    77    Jayne Walley        F    F    54.13
82    23    Ciara McHugh        F    F    54.28
83    55    Mari Burke    Bandon F4L    F    F    54.36
84    97    Shirley Kelly    Bandon F4L    F40    F    54.53
85    108    Tomy Sheehan        M    M    54.59
86    26    Gavin Humphreys        M    M    55.00
87    71    Conor Goold        M45    M    55.13
88    50    Michael Hanrahan        M40    M    56.00
89    44    Mary O'Connell    Bandon F4L    F    F    56.12
90    103    Alex Jeffers        M40    M    56.47
91    102    Robert Merrick    Bandon    M40    M    56.47
92    72    Daniel Stafford        M    M    57.48
93    112    Elizabeth O'Dell        F40    F    57.50
94    60    Diarmuid Hurley    Bantry    M50    M    58.00
95    3    Linda Hodnett    Bandon F4L    F40    F    58.01
96    31    Gillian Crowley    F4L    F    F    58.03
97    83    Deirdre O'Callaghan        F    F    58.30
98    7    Sinead O'Connell        F     F    58.33
99    107    Mary Lowney        F55    F    59.08
100    29    Claire Crowley    F4L    F    F    59.14
101    25    Michael O'Flynn        M    M    59.48
102    49    Chris Donaghey        M    M    60.00
103    70    Elaine Power        F    F    60.43
104    56    Yvonne Kelly    Bandon F4L    F    F    60.46
105    54    Ciara Prendergast    Bandon F4L    F    F    60.46
106    22    Gloria Helen    Bandon F4L    F    F    60.54
107    11    Cora Regan    Ballincollig F4L    F40    F    62.30
108    37    Jonathan Kelly        M    M    62.36
109    57    Marie McCauliffe    Mallow AC    F40    F    63.41
110    16    Emily Fitzgerald    Bandon F4L    F    F    64.13
111    39    Siobhan Williamson        F    F    64.25
112    92    Helen O'Leary        F50    F    68.40
113    33    Finola Fox        F40    F    69.41
114    118    Maureen Murphy        F    F    72.41
115    43    Kathleen Delaney        F55    F    73.38
116    19    Paul Mathews    Bandon    M    M    74.19
117    47    Mark O'Neill    F.A.I    M    M    104.21

Preview of the Bandon 10k...Sun 28th Oct 2012

The next race locally is the Bandon 10k next Sunday (28th Oct 2012) at 1pm. Starting in the town of Bandon itself, the race is mostly run on quiet country roads to the south-east.

Directions........Please note that if you are coming from Cork City, there are road works on the south link road due to the removal of the pedestrian bridge. You should allow extra time for any delays. As you enter Bandon, take the relief road left at the first roundabout. Follow the direction for Clonakilty and this will take you to the local Gaelscoil...see map below.

Gaelscoil is just off the relief road near the top of the hill

Registration....There is plenty of parking at the Gaelscoil. Registration opens at 10.30am. The entry fee is €10.


ENTRY FEE: Adult €10, Children €5
EMAIL: bandon10k@gmail.com

Walk.......The walk starts at 12:30pm from the Gaelscoil. Walkers have the option of doing the short route or the full route if they feel up to it. Note that there is also a 0.85 mile walk from the finish line back to the Gaelscoil so take that into account also.

Course......The race starts in the town itself, about 700 metres from the Gaelscoil...just down the hill and left and down to Market Steet.

As you can see from the photo, the start just across the road from the steps up to the church. Once the race starts, you veer right and west. The course here is flat as it runs parallel to the river. Then it's left over a bridge, past the GAA grounds and the start of a long climb which is about 1.2 kms in length.

Passing the GAA grounds

Leaving the town, the climb continues

A tough first mile. At 1.2 miles, you turn off left....

...and from here, the road begins to level off and it gets easier. Pretty soon, you are at the highest point of this particular part of the race......

........and you begin a long downhill run to the crossroads just after the 2 mile mark.

At this junction, the walkers go straight ahead. For the runners, they turn off right and start a long climb which lasts about 1.5 miles.

Turn off left at approx 2.8 miles

The climb finishes near this junction at approx 3.5 mile miles

From there, the road eases off and at approx 4 miles, the road begins to fall away slowly...

This is one of the main features of this race. The last 2 miles are a gradual downhill and are very fast.

At 5 miles, you pass the junction where the walkers will rejoin the course...

The finishing section from here is the same as the usual 5 mile race course. The last mile goes through a winding valley and finishes at the next junction...

From the finish line, it is 0.85 miles back to the Gaelscoil. Go up the hill via the relief road, not back through the town.

Overall.......A 10k race run on quiet country roads to the south-east of Bandon. The last two miles of the race are very fast but the trick is to keep something in reserve so that you can exploit it. Remember that there are two long climbs in the first half of the race. If you can do these at a steady pace rather than flat out then you should get a good time overall.

Preview of the Bandon 10k - Sat 12th May 2012

The Bandon Half-Marathon and 10k is coming up next Saturday, the 12th of May. Online entries for both races close at 10pm this evening, Thursday the 10th of May. To enter, visit the race website.

The 10k race starts at 10:15am, 45 minutes after the Half-Marathon. Registration and number collection on Friday (11th May) in the rugby club from 5pm-9pm or before the race from 7:00am-9:00am.

Bonus for Course records...As an added incentive, the race committee is offering bonus prizes if someone breaks the course record in the 10k. Chris Harrington, Leevale (34.08), Nollaig Hunter, Leevale (40:16).

First off, we'll have a look at where everything is and then the 10k course.

Race HQ is at the local Rugby Club which is just to the west of the town. If you are coming from Cork then just follow the signs for the N71 to Clonakilty. As you are leaving the town and it starts to become more rural, the Rubgy club is on the right, straight across the road from a Kia dealership....see pic.

The distance from the club grounds to the start of the Half-Marathon is about 600m. The 10k start is 800m to 1km away depending on which route you take. The short cut in the middle is through a car park of a pub....

So on to the 10k course...

The 10k route is basically a shortened version of the Half-Marathon in that it doesn't go as far west of the town. The race starts roughly in this area...

...before going out to join the main road and then heading west....

The road from here to the 1 mile mark is almost dead straight and there is plenty of space to pass people out as the field begins to thin. At about 0.6 miles, the road kinks very slightly to the right...

...and there is a small climb here. Looking at the OS Map, it's something like 10 metres over a distance of about 500 metres so I don't know if it would have any real impact. The 1 mile mark is along this section of road...overall, should be a fast mile.

From here, the road continues straight and then turns slightly again. Nothing really changes until you hit the turn off right at about 1.7 miles...

...and then it's onto nicer and quieter country roads. After a short stretch, you come to the 2 mile mark near here...

....another fast mile even if there was a slight uphill gradient. From here, the course changes in that the inclines get a little bit steeper. From the 2 mile mark, the road climbs slightly until you hit a crossroads around the 2.2 mile mark....

This is a significant point for both the 10k and Half-Marathon in that you will be running on this next section of road twice. As you can see from the picture above, on the way out you will be staying to the left and on the way back, you will be turning off left. It's likely that along section, the faster 10k runners coming back will see the slower runners still coming out.

As the road flattens out again, you come to the 2.5 mile mark...

Here, you turn off left and it's a sharp but short climb. The road eases off again before you have to tackle another slight hill again on a long straight section. From the top of the hill, it's down rapidly to the next crossroads...

Here, the 10k and Half-Marathon routes diverge. The Half-Marathon will continue straight ahead while the 10k runners will turn right....

Just after the crossroads, you hit the 3 mile mark along this downhill section of road. Probably not as fast a mile as the first two.

After the 3 mile mark, the road rapidly descends to the next junction...right...

...and then it's a case of an uphill climb again. Soon, you rejoin the piece of road where you turned off at 2.5 miles and then it's back to the crossroads. On the way out, it was at 2.2 miles, now it's 3.8.

Up to now, the hills have been reasonably short or small. Now after turning off left onto a quiet road, you face the toughest part of the course....

The ascent is roughly 25m over the next 900m or so.  Not long after the start of the hill, you pass the 4 mile mark. Probably the slowest mile so far.

After a long climb, you hit the top of the hill around 4.8 miles with a golf course on both sides of the road...

After this, the road drops rapidly as you pass the 5 mile mark. Considering how long the hill was, it must be the slowest mile of the race.

You continue the rapid descent as you lose about 40m in altitude over the next 500m and you end up next to the River Bandon. Here, the road flattens out before the last sting in the tail...another short climb. After this last testing section, you enter the outskirts of the town around the 5.5 mile mark...

The road now stretches straight ahead and as you approach the 6 mile mark, it drops downhill...

...allowing for a very fast finish.

Overall...probably not the fastest of 10k races. If you set a PB on this course then it's certainly one to be proud of. Nice countryside route to the west of the town.

It's 1.5 miles from the finish line back to the Rugby grounds which would make for a nice warm down or else, you can take the shuttle bus that's provided.

After the race, there will be full refreshments (BBQ) before the prize giving.

It's worth pointing out that Bandon AC are using this race and the Half-Marathon to help raise funds for a proper running track for the area. Having a decent track in Cork City is all very well but it's just too far for a lot of people in West Cork. It is hoped that a new track like this in Bandon will give a much needed boost to athletics in the region in the years to come.

Race notice...Bandon Half-Marathon and 10k - Sat 12th May 2012

This Half-Marathon and 10k road race is coming up in the town of Bandon in West Cork on Saturday, the 12th of May 2012. The Half-Marathon will start at 9:30am while the 10k will start 45 minutes later at 10:15am.

Considering it's relatively close proximity to Cork City, it is likely to attract a good sized field. Bandon is just 20 miles (31 kms) to the south-west of Cork City which is roughly a 35 minute drive....

 Both race routes are on roads to the west of the town. There will be t-shirts for the first 100 in Half-Marathon and first 50 in the 10km. The races have AAI approval and will be chip timed over an officially measured course. Bandon Athletic Club are currently fund raising for the construction of an all weather running track in the town which would be of huge benefit to the West Cork community.

As an added incentive this year, the race committee is offering bonus prizes for the first person to break the course record in both events. Colin Merritt of Carrig na bhFear AC holds the men’s record for the half at 1.11.35. Bandon AC’s top female road runner, Carmel Crowley is the holder of the women’s record over the distance, 1.24.14. In the 10K, Chris Harrington from Leevale AC completed the 10k in a time of 34.08 with the women’s top time being 40.16 by Nollaig Hunter, also of Leevale AC. 

Entries......

10k.....The entry fee is €15 until 10pm, Thursday the 10th of May.
Half-Marathon...The entry fee is €25 until 10pm, Thursday, the 10th of May.

You can also enter on the morning of the race between 7am and 9am (10k - €20, Half-Marathon - €30).

You can enter by post by downloading the entry form in PDF format HERE

You can enter online HERE

More information on the race on the race website...http://www.bandonhalfmarathon.com/. Preview here in the days just before the event.

Results of the Bandon 10k race...Sun 30th Oct 2011

Despite the wet conditions, 212 runners turned out for this 10k race in Bandon, west Cork. The mens race was won by local Kevin Wilmot of Bandon AC in a time of 34:14. John Meade of St.Finbarr's AC was 2nd with 34:48 with Danny Smith of Ballynonty AC finishing 3rd in 35:09.

The womens race was also won by another local runner. Carmel Crowley of Bandon AC ran 37:50 to be the first woman home and an impressive 5th overall. The 2nd woman was Valerie Vaughan of St.Finbarr's AC in 41:33, just 22 seconds ahead of local Louise Cavanagh of Bandon AC in 41:55

The full results can be seen HERE

Preview of the Bandon 10k road race - Sun 30th Oct 2011

The next race locally is the Bandon 10k next Sunday (30th Oct 2011) at 1pm. Starting in the town of Bandon itself, the race is mostly run on quiet country roads to the south-east.

Directions........Please note that if you are coming from Cork City, there are road works on the south link road due to the removal of the pedestrian bridge. You should allow extra time for any delays. As you enter Bandon, take the relief road left at the first roundabout. Follow the direction for Clonakilty and this will take you to the local GAA grounds...see map below.

Registration....There is plenty of parking at the GAA grounds. Registration opens at 10.30am. The entry fee is €10.

Kids under 10 may cycle accompanied by an adult (helmet compulsory)
Spot prizes for those who take part in Halloween costume.
ENTRY FEE: Adult €10, Children €5
EMAIL: bandon10k@gmail.com

Walk.......The walk starts at 12:30pm from the GAA grounds. Walkers have the option of doing the short route or the full route if they feel up to it. Note that there is also a 1 mile walk from the finish line back to the GAA grounds so take that into account also.

Course......The race starts in the town itself, about 500 metres from the GAA grounds...

As you can see from the photo, the start is on a quiet road away from the traffic. From there, you run back towards the GAA grounds. The course is flat at this stage as you run parallel to the river. Once you pass the GAA grounds, it the start of a long climb which is about 1.2 kms in lenght.

Passing the GAA grounds

Leaving the town, the climb continues

A tough first mile. At 1.2 miles, you turn off left....

...and from here, the road begins to level off and it gets easier. Pretty soon, you are at the highest point of this particular part of the race......

........and you begin a long downhill run to the crossroads just after the 2 mile mark.

At this junction, the walkers go straight ahead. For the runners, they turn off right and start a long climb which lasts about 1.5 miles.

Turn off left at approx 2.8 miles

The climb finishes near this junction at approx 3.5 mile miles

From there, the road eases off and at approx 4 miles, the road begins to fall away slowly...

This is one of the main features of this race. The last 2 miles are a gradual downhill and are very fast.

At 5 miles, you pass the junction where the walkers will rejoin the course...

The finishing section from here is the same as the usual 5 mile race course. The last mile goes through a winding valley and finishes at the next junction...

From the organisers...(just a safety note: on this part of the course the road is in fairly bad condition for a couple of hundred metres so watch your footing). .....There is a goody bag available for you when you finish as well as the usual fruit and water. .....Then you can cool down on your way back to the GAA pavilion for a shower, cup of tea, sandwich etc and await the presentation of prizes ......Please show consideration for the walkers who are starting their walk on the same course at 12.30pm.

Overall.......A 10k race run on quiet country roads to the south-east of Bandon. The last 2 miles of the race are very fast but the trick is to keep something in reserve so that you can exploit it. Remember that there are 2 long climbs in the first half of the race. If you can do these at a steady pace rather than flat out then you should get a good time overall.