Preview of the Mealagh Valley 10 Mile Road Race, Bantry...Sun 13th Feb 2011

There are 2 races on next Sunday, the 13th of Feb. You have a choice of a 10 mile road race near Bantry in West Cork or the Cork BHAA Cross Country race in Beaumont, Blackrock in Cork City.

Preview of the Mealagh Valley 10 Mile Road Race...

First of all, the main thing is that you can still enter this race. Due to the narrow roads and restricted parking, the organisers had intended to set a limit of 300 runners. With that in mind, they were taking postal entries only. As of Wednesday, they had got almost 170 entries. They have decided now to take entries on the day up to 11:30am at the latest.

Getting there...

The Mealagh Valley is a secluded area a few kms to the north-east of Bantry in west Cork. If you are travelling from say near Cork City then you need to allow plenty of time to get to Bantry....say 1h 30m and then another 15 mins or so to get to the parking area.

The easiest way to get there is probably via Bandon....Enniskeane....Dunmanway....Drimoleague....Bantry.

Directions from Cork : When you arrive in Bantry, follow the road for Glengarriff to the outskirts of the town and past Caseys filling station. Take next right at Donemark bridge...

Once you turn off right, you stay on this narrow road for about 8 kms. Just keep going straight.
Directions from Kerry : As you approach the outskirts of Bantry, follow N71 passing the golf club on the right. Take the next left and follow road as above to race start and parking.

They will have special areas set aside for parking. Follow the stewards instructions on the day.

Please note! There is no need to go to the Community centre before the race. They will be taking entries at Cronin's Yard which is approx 50 metres from the start line. The entry fee is €15 and the last time for entries is 11:30am. If you have pre-entered then you can collect your race number at Cronin's Yard from 10am on. The race will start at 12 noon.

Map...Approach from Bantry (Red arrow)....Reg near Start....Community Hall near Finish

Course...
The Mealagh Valley is a lovely quiet scenic spot for a race. It does however come at a price in that the course is very hilly. It's certainly not a race to set a 10 mile PB but it should be considered as more of a challenge.

The start is on a narrow road as shown above. There is a slight climb before the road drops rapidly and then levels out. Soon it drops again and you reach the 1 mile mark. After that, you start to climb again and it seems to get steeper and steeper until the worst section just before the t-junction. It's probably no exaggeration to say that some people will walk this section!

The only way is up...

After that, the going is easier. There are plenty of small drags but nothing major. You pass the 5 mile mark...then the junction at the eastern most point of the course and head west for home.

You might think at this stage that since you are heading back down the valley, it might get easier. Dream on! You get to around 7 miles and there is another long hill. Nothing drastic but still slow going. Eventually, you get some fast downhill sections and you eventually turn left and retrace your footsteps from the start towards the finish line.

Overall.....probably the toughest 10 mile road race in the country but it's a great spot when the weather is nice. As the organisers say, it's got everything except flat sections ;o)

The race director is Geraldine O'Sullivan and she can be contacted on 087 6173376 if you have any questions.

The route can be seen in closer detail on MapMyRun

By the way...watch out for the plane in the field!

Photos from the 2010 race website HERE

Results of the 'Vally Ring' 10 Mile Road Race, Bantry - Sun 14th Feb 2010...

What a stunning day for a road race! The skies in West Cork were a deep blue with loads of sunshine and not a cloud in sight. The temperature however was still pretty low, especially in the shade as evidenced by the frost on the grass at the side of the road out along the course.

Those of you who didn't make the trip to West Cork might be wondering what the race was like? One word.......tough! In fact, incredibly tough! I kind of guessed that it was going to be hilly but it was a lot hillier than I thought it might be. It surely has to be the toughest 10 mile road race in the country. But for all that, it was still an incredible route with some stunning scenery on offer. Everyone I spoke to afterwards felt more or less the same about the race.......really tough!....but still an excellent race.

The main feature of this race of course was the scenery. For the first few miles, we were high above the valley floor and there were great views to our left. On the return trip on the other side, we had great views of Mullaghmesha mountain on the left with Sugarloaf and Hungry Hill on the Beara Peninsula visible way off in the distance. Another unusual feature along the course was the 'house' in the valley below just after the start which happened to be the fuselage of an old plane! In fact, this course had just about everything except flat sections ;o)

For their first outing, Bantry AC should be congratulated on holding an excellent event. Perhaps it's not as high profile as some of the other 10 mile races in Munster but the location is truly exceptional. With the Dungarvan and Mallow races, you always kind of feel that you are never that far from a town. The Mealagh Valley is really a special spot and I would recommend this race to anyone............just be warned........it's tough!! ;o)


Photos....So far, there are 2 sets of photos on offer....See this LINK

Results......

Well over 200 runners turned out for the race and as you would expect, most of them were from West Cork and Kerry.

Bantry Athletic Club VALLEY RING '10'

Sunday 14 February 2010. 11:00am

Provisional Results for All Competitors in finish order. Pace Race Race
Place Time Name Team Race Age Category min/mile
1 0:52:00 O'SHEA, Alan Bantry AC M 05:11.9
2 0:57:23 DORAN, James Riocht AC M 05:44.2
3 0:59:04 HEGARTY, Brian East Cork AC M 05:54.3
4 0:59:16 O'BRIEN, Terry Kilfinane AC M 05:55.5
5 0:59:37 LAFFAN, Tom Bandon AC M40 05:57.6
6 0:59:57 HARRINGTON, John Bantry AC M 05:59.6
7 1:00:01 MURRAY, George East Cork AC M 06:00.0
8 1:01:32 MULLINS, Danny Bantry AC M 06:09.1
9 1:03:51 BARRETT, David unatt/Cork M 06:23.0
10 1:04:02 WILLIAMS, Robbie unatt/Cork M 06:24.1
11 1:04:40 KEOHANE, Don Eagle AC M40 06:27.9
12 1:05:13 SHEEHAN, Tom Bandon AC M45 06:31.2
13 1:05:41 BUBENDORFER, Thomas Star Of The Laune AC M 06:34.0
14 1:06:13 POWER, Pat Eagle AC M 06:37.2
15 1:06:24 DESMOND, John Eagle AC M45 06:38.3
16 1:06:33 O'CONNOR, Pat Eagle AC M40 06:39.2
17 1:06:38 BRODERICK, Donal Midleton AC M40 06:39.7
18 1:06:52 O'ROURKE, Shane Crusaders AC M 06:41.1
19 1:07:18 COFFEY, Philip Carraig na bhFear AC M 06:43.7
20 1:07:33 O'SULLIVAN, Joe Bandon AC M45 06:45.2
21 1:07:54 HARRINGTON, Maureen Riocht AC F 06:47.3
22 1:07:56 HOLLAND, Ann-Marie Eagle AC F35 06:47.5
23 1:08:50 HAYES, Willie St. Finbarrs AC M50 06:52.9
24 1:09:48 O'SHEA, Jerry unatt/Kenmare M 06:58.7
25 1:10:08 CLANCY, Michael Mallow AC M 07:00.7
26 1:10:31 SARGENT, Fergal unatt/Cork M 07:03.0
27 1:10:34 GEDEN, Matthew Bandon AC M40 07:03.3
28 1:11:13 O'CONNELL, Paul Kilfinane AC M 07:07.2
29 1:11:18 O'DONOVAN, Neil unatt/Cork M 07:07.7
30 1:11:37 MURPHY, Seamus Gneeveguilla AC M40 07:09.6
31 1:11:47 STEVENSON, Dominic unatt/Colomane M 07:10.6
32 1:11:54 MCCARTHY, Luke unatt/Baltimore M 07:11.3
33 1:12:08 BYRNE, Eddie Eagle AC M40 07:12.7
34 1:12:32 CAREY, Ken unatt/Cork M50 07:15.1
35 1:12:42 O'DONOVAN, Chris unatt/Drimoleague M45 07:16.1
36 1:13:06 CRONIN, Denis Mallow AC M45 07:18.5
37 1:13:23 DUNPHY, John Eagle AC M40 07:20.2
38 1:13:53 COTTER, Paul Eagle AC M50 07:23.2
39 1:14:18 WIENEKE, Peter Bantry AC M50 07:25.7
40 1:14:31 MORGAN, Ger unatt/Kenmare M45 07:27.0
41 1:14:31 PALMER, Tom unatt/Kenmare M 07:27.0
42 1:14:34 O'SULLIVAN, John St. Finbarrs AC M 07:27.3
43 1:14:35 DESMOND, Andrew unatt/Bantry M 07:27.4
44 1:14:39 O'BRIEN, Gerard unatt/Bantry M 07:27.8
45 1:14:42 O'GRADY, Darragh unatt/Dublin M 07:28.1
46 1:14:52 GRIFFIN, Mark unatt/Rossmore M 07:29.1
47 1:15:06 O'MEARA, Fergal Midleton AC M40 07:30.5
48 1:15:20 GILMORE, Neil Carbery Harriers M45 07:31.9
49 1:15:54 O'BRIEN, Christopher unatt/Skibbereen M40 07:35.3
50 1:17:02 O'MAHONY, Stephen unatt/Cork M 07:42.1
51 1:17:32 KELLEHER, Denis Midleton AC M45 07:45.1
52 1:17:37 O'SULLIVAN, John unatt/Mallow M 07:45.6
53 1:17:48 KINGSTON, Eddie unatt/Bantry M 07:46.7
54 1:17:56 WALSHE, John East Cork AC M55 07:47.5
55 1:18:34 FREIDERLANDER, Eddie unatt/Kealkill M45 07:51.3
56 1:18:35 MCGRATH, Donal unatt/Bantry M 07:51.4
57 1:18:42 WILMOT, Eddie Bandon AC M40 07:52.1
58 1:18:49 O'SULLIVAN, Stephen unatt/Bantry M40 07:52.8
59 1:18:59 KELLEHER, Alan unatt/Innishannon M 07:53.8
60 1:19:03 SWEENEY, John unatt/Dublin M 07:54.2
61 1:19:05 ALGAR, Lynne unatt/Mullingar F 07:54.4
62 1:19:07 TWOMEY, Stephen unatt/Cork M 07:54.6
63 1:19:13 MARKEY, Oonagh unatt/Limerick F 07:55.2
64 1:19:33 DEASY, Richard unatt/Waterfall M 07:57.2
65 1:21:28 HILLIARD, Mark unatt/Clonakilty M 08:08.7
66 1:21:44 HICKSON, Katie unatt/Cork F 08:10.3
67 1:21:57 KEENAGHAN, Nicola unatt/Cork F 08:11.6
68 1:22:18 O'SULLIVAN, Dominic unatt/Bantry M 08:13.7
69 1:22:20 FLEMING, Nora unatt/Cork F35 08:13.9
70 1:22:22 COGAN, Denis unatt/Cork M 08:14.1
71 1:22:25 HENRY, Aiden St. Finbarrs AC M40 08:14.4
72 1:22:29 O'SHEA, Denis unatt/Kenmare M 08:14.8
73 1:22:51 O'DONNELL, Brian unatt/Clonakilty M 08:17.0
74 1:23:11 WARREN, Berenice unatt/Dublin F 08:19.0
75 1:23:15 GRAY, Paul unatt/Drimoleague M40 08:19.4
76 1:23:30 NI MHUIMHNEACHAIN, Gobnait unatt/Macroom F 08:20.9
77 1:23:42 O'DONOGHUE, Donal unatt/Little Island M 08:22.1
78 1:24:20 KELLY, Kathleen unatt/Cork F35 08:25.9
79 1:24:25 COLEMAN, Barry St. Finbarrs AC M 08:26.4
80 1:24:29 KOLL, Simone unatt/Kilbrittain F 08:26.8
81 1:24:31 BARNETT, Theresa unatt/Kinsale F50 08:27.0
82 1:24:38 VAUGHAN, Emmet unatt/Bantry M 08:27.7
83 1:24:39 VAUGHAN, Davitt unatt/Bantry M 08:27.8
84 1:24:50 HARTY, Marie unatt/Tralee F 08:28.9
85 1:25:09 DONEGAN, John unatt/Bandon M50 08:30.8
86 1:25:19 MANNING, Michelle unatt/Bantry F 08:31.8
87 1:25:30 SCANLON, Wendy unatt/Dublin F 08:32.9
88 1:25:40 ROHAN, Mick unatt/Kinsale M 08:33.9
89 1:25:58 HURLEY, Diarmuid Bantry AC M50 08:35.7
90 1:26:54 O'DONNABHAIN, Donnchadh unatt/Cobh M 08:41.3
91 1:27:46 HARTY, Majella unatt/Passage West F35 08:46.5
92 1:28:13 LETTICE, Eoin unatt/Cork M 08:49.2
93 1:28:27 HINDLEY, Fleur Bantry AC F45 08:50.6
94 1:28:43 EVANS, Mary Riverstick-Kinsale AC F45 08:52.2
95 1:28:53 LETTICE, Kieran unatt/Cork M 08:53.2
96 1:28:54 HURLEY, Fionn unatt/Dunmanway M 08:53.3
97 1:29:02 LANE, Kevin unatt/Ballinhassig M 08:54.1
98 1:29:38 COUGHLAN, Anthony unatt/Bantry M 08:57.7
99 1:29:47 BUCKLEY, Kitty St. Finbarrs AC F45 08:58.6
100 1:30:16 COLEMAN, John St. Finbarrs AC M40 09:01.5
101 1:30:32 CASEY, Susan unatt/Carrigtwohill F35 09:03.1
102 1:30:35 REES, Ciaran unatt/Skibbereen M 09:03.4
103 1:31:01 MURPHY, Sinead Bantry AC F 09:06.0
104 1:31:02 NI MHUIRCHEARTAIGH, Catherine Bantry AC F 09:06.1
105 1:31:04 ENRIGHT, Marlene Bantry AC F 09:06.3
106 1:31:28 O'MAHONY, Sinead unatt/Clonakilty F35 09:08.7
107 1:31:36 HEGARTY, Jessie unatt/Bantry M 09:09.5
108 1:32:12 MINEHANE, PJ unatt/Bantry M60 09:13.1
109 1:33:06 SAYERS, Deirdre unatt/Kerry F35 09:18.5
110 1:33:18 O'DONOVAN, Brendan unatt/Cork M 09:19.7
111 1:33:24 HARRINGTON, Deirdre unatt/Bantry F 09:20.3
112 1:33:34 O'CALLAGHAN, Deirdre unatt/Dublin F 09:21.3
113 1:33:38 DUNNE, Jason unatt/Ballygarvan M 09:21.7
114 1:34:18 O'SULLIVAN, Kathy Bantry AC F 09:25.6
115 1:34:47 FITZGERALD, Susan unatt/Killarney F 09:28.5
116 1:34:48 REIDY, Mary unatt/Killarney F 09:28.6
117 1:35:32 O'SULLIVAN, Catherine Bantry AC F50 09:33.0
118 1:35:32 O'SULLIVAN, Lisa Bantry AC F 09:33.0
119 1:35:45 MINEHANE, Mary unatt/Bantry F 09:34.3
120 1:36:35 CREEDON, Marie unatt/Cork F45 09:39.3
121 1:36:46 O'SHEA, Dave unatt/Bandon M 09:40.4
122 1:36:47 CRONIN, Brian unatt/Durrus M 09:40.5
123 1:37:42 CRONIN, Jerry Bantry AC M50 09:46.0
124 1:38:16 BARTON, Paul unatt/Kinsale M40 09:49.4
125 1:38:21 O'RIORDAN, Fiona Eagle AC F40 09:49.9
126 1:39:22 O'MAHONY, Eve Blarney-Inniscarra AC F 09:56.0
127 1:40:24 MCCARTHY, Linda Bantry AC F35 10:02.2
128 1:40:41 HATTON, Anna unatt/London F35 10:03.9
129 1:40:54 MCGRATH, Sheila Bantry AC F35 10:05.2
130 1:41:23 DUKELOW, Belinda unatt/Ballydehob F35 10:08.1
131 1:41:32 BEVAN, Declan unatt/Ballylickey M45 10:09.0
132 1:41:56 CRONIN, Dermot unatt/Ballylickey M 10:11.4
133 1:41:57 FARLEY, Tom unatt/Ballylickey M 10:11.5
134 1:42:44 BARRY, Jacinta Bantry AC F40 10:16.2
135 1:42:45 COLLINS, Pauline Bantry AC F 10:16.3
136 1:42:46 DESMOND, Marguerite Bantry AC F35 10:16.4
137 1:42:47 LAVIN, Margaret Bantry AC F40 10:16.5
138 1:44:37 O'NEILL, Tara Bantry AC F 10:27.5
139 1:44:40 NI NUALLAIN, Nora-Aine St. Finbarrs AC F 10:27.8
140 1:45:48 COLLINS, Bernadette unatt/Dunmanway F45 10:34.6
141 1:45:49 EVANS, Cathy unatt/Bantry F45 10:34.7
142 1:46:23 FINCH, Morgan unatt/Ahkista M 10:38.1
143 1:46:43 POWER, Marie Bantry AC F50 10:40.1
144 1:46:44 SHANLEY, Judith unatt/Bantry F50 10:40.2
145 1:46:54 WIENEKE, Gitte Bantry AC F45 10:41.2
146 1:47:08 BISHOP, Nora Bantry AC F40 10:42.6
147 1:47:09 SHEEHAN, Louise unatt/Farran F35 10:42.7
148 1:48:23 O'SULLIVAN, Lilian unatt/Bantry F 10:50.1
149 1:48:57 FARRELL, Karen unatt/Ovens F 10:53.5
150 1:49:24 O'DRISCOLL, Joe unatt/Durrus M50 10:56.2
151 1:49:52 PADDELL, Norman unatt/Newsactle West M50 10:59.0
152 1:50:00 AHLES, Christian unatt/Bantry M 10:59.8
153 1:50:03 O'CONNOR, Deirdre Bantry AC F 11:00.1
154 1:50:49 CAHALANE, Emma unatt/Skibbereen F 11:04.7
155 1:50:51 DALY, Rose unatt/Skibbereen F 11:04.9
156 1:51:01 O'SULLIVAN, Stacey unatt/Bantry F 11:05.9
157 1:52:36 O'DONOVAN, Colin unatt/Bantry M 11:15.4
158 1:52:36 O'MAHONY, Marie Bantry AC F45 11:15.4
159 1:52:54 O'MAHONY, Aoife unatt/Cork F 11:17.2
160 1:52:56 O'MAHONY, Orla unatt/Ballygarvan F35 11:17.4
161 1:53:50 O'BRIEN, Anne Bantry AC F45 11:22.8
162 1:55:11 O'DONOVAN, Deirdre unatt/Rosscarbery F 11:30.9
163 1:55:12 O'SULLIVAN, Claire Bantry AC F 11:31.0
164 1:55:19 MITCHELL, Darren unatt/Cork M 11:31.7
165 1:56:55 NASH, Carmel unatt/Kilcrohane F35 11:41.3
166 1:59:20 O'LEARY, Marie unatt/Killarney F 11:55.8
167 1:59:33 O'LEARY, Helen unatt/Bantry F50 11:57.1
168 2:00:14 O'MAHONY, Jim unatt/Bantry M50 12:01.2
169 2:06:03 O'MAHONY, Mary unatt/Millstreet F55 12:36.1
170 2:06:36 O'SULLIVAN, Bridget unatt/Glengarriff F50 12:39.4
171 2:07:51 KEAVNEY, Tom unatt/Bantry M 12:46.9
172 2:10:14 REGAN, Maxine Bantry AC F 13:01.2
173 2:10:21 LOWREY, Mary unatt/Clonakilty F 13:01.9
174 2:12:06 MCKENZIE, Kerry unatt/Bantry F 13:12.4
175 2:12:08 KEAVNEY, Luanda unatt/Bantry F 13:12.6
176 2:12:37 O'MAHONY, Ann unatt/Cork F 13:15.5
177 2:13:31 KEANE, Una unatt/Bantry F 13:20.9
178 2:13:39 O'DONOGHUE, Eileen unatt/Bantry F60 13:21.7
179 2:13:52 O'MAHONY, Brendan unatt/Cork M 13:23.0
180 2:14:14 O'MAHONY, Mary unatt/Blarney F45 13:25.2
181 2:14:34 GRACE, Teresa unatt/Bantry F35 13:27.2
182 2:14:43 TRACEY, Anthony unatt/Glanmire M55 13:28.1
183 2:14:44 TRACEY, Anne unatt/Glanmire F60 13:28.2
184 2:15:39 O'SULLIVAN, Kathleen unatt/Bantry F 13:33.7
185 2:15:40 GOGGIN, Paddy unatt/Bantry M40 13:33.8
186 2:15:42 HEGARTY, Ger unatt/Bantry M 13:34.0
187 2:15:45 KEARNEY, Mary unatt/Droumsullivan F40 13:34.3
188 2:17:29 HURLEY, Nora unatt/Bantry F 13:44.7
189 2:23:39 COUGHLAN, Susan unatt/Ballydehob F 14:21.7
190 2:25:24 O'SULLIVAN, Mary unatt/Adrigole F45 14:32.2
191 2:25:26 O'LEARY, Fiona unatt/Bantry F 14:32.4
192 2:25:29 O'LEARY, Katie unatt/Bantry F55 14:32.7
193 2:25:32 O'SULLIVAN, Ger unatt/Killarney M 14:33.0
194 2:30:48 MCCARTHY, David unatt/Bantry M 15:04.6
195 2:30:50 MCCARTHY, Aidan unatt/Bantry M 15:04.8
196 2:31:54 MURRAY, Martin unatt/Bantry M45 15:11.2
197 2:35:42 MCCARTHY, Ann unatt/Bantry F50 15:34.0
198 2:36:50 NASH, Michael unatt/Kilcrohane M 15:40.8
199 2:36:51 KELLEHER, Michael unatt/Ahkista M 15:40.9
200 2:36:52 O'MAHONEY, Clare unatt/Ahkista F 15:41.0
201 2:36:53 O'MAHONEY, Finn unatt/Ahkista M 15:41.1
202 2:36:55 O'LEARY, Donal unatt/Bantry M50 15:41.3
203 2:36:56 O'LEARY, Danielle unatt/Bantry F 15:41.4
204 2:40:37 MCSWEENEY, Catherine unatt/Bantry F40 16:03.5
205 2:40:38 MCSWEENEY, Maura unatt/Bantry F40 16:03.6
206 2:41:55 O'MAHONEY, Geraldine unatt/Bantry F45 16:11.3
207 2:41:56 MCCARTHY, Mary unatt/Bantry F50 16:11.4
208 2:41:57 MCCARTHY, Aidan unatt/Bantry M 16:11.5
209 2:41:58 MCCARTHY, Diarmaid unatt/Bantry M50 16:11.6
210 2:45:33 JUKES, Christine Bantry AC F45 16:33.1
211 2:51:42 O'SULLIVAN, Marie unatt/Leap F35 17:10.0
212 2:51:43 O'CALLAGHAN, Mary unatt/Rosscarbery F50 17:10.1
213 3:09:54 O'SHEA, Michelle unatt/Adrigole F 18:59.1
214 3:09:55 O'SHEA, Mary unatt/Adrigole F60 18:59.2
215 3:10:26 OSULLIVAN, Maura unatt/Adrigole F55 19:02.3
216 3:10:28 DUGGAN, Siobhan unatt/Lauragh F50 19:02.5

WHEELCHAIR: FORDE, Jerry Blarney-Iniscarra AC M55 3:18:02
Results produced by John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions.

Preview of races in Cork next Sunday 14th Feb....Bantry 10 Mile & Cork BHAA Cross Country...

Next weekend is a busy weekend for races with no less than 4 events in the Munster region. On Saturday, there is a 5k in Killarney while at the opposite side of the province, there is a 5 mile race in Waterford.

On Sunday, there are 2 events to choose from...a 10 mile road race in Bantry and a Cross Country race organised by the Cork BHAA in Cork City. Despite the clash of dates, not everyone is interested in running 10 miles or in running cross country so hopefully each event will appeal to a different type of runner.

Bantry 10 (11am).......This 10 mile road race will take place in the Mealagh Valley to the North-East of Bantry town. The route goes up one side of the Mealagh Valley and back down the other side. It is in the countryside all of the time and goes nowhere near Bantry town. The roads are very quiet and if the weather co-operates then it should be a very scenic spot for a 10 mile road race. Another big plus for this race is that the entry fee is only €10 which is very cheap when compared to other events in this area. This is a brand new race and it will be interesting to see how many runners it attracts.

Please note the start line is about 800 metres from the regsitration point and the last entries will be taken at 10:30am. If you are travelling from Cork City then you should plan on leaving at 8:30 to 8:45am at the latest.

For the latest info on this race, you should visit the website for the race and look out for updates.

Cork BHAA Cross Country Race (11am)....This 5 km race takes place in Beaumont Park in Blackrock, Cork City. It is the only cross country race on the BHAA calendar and last year, it attracted just over 100 runners. For anyone new to the running scene, you might think that this cross country race will be a race with mud and dirt everywhere. The reality is that this is just a race on grass rather than on tarmac. If it's wet, it might be a bit slippy but otherwise, it's just like a normal race. As the ground is soft, you'll need to work a bit harder during the race so don't expect your time to be close to your 5 km time on the road.

Registration.....The sign on for this race is at the Cork Constitution Rugby grounds. If you are not sure where that is, click on this link and zoom in and out to get your bearings. As you can see from the map below, Beaumont Park is just accross the road. The Yellow dots show how to get there.

Course......Basically, it is roughly 3 loops around the same course. See the map above. See A...the start and finish point are near here. For the very first lap, you head accross towards E and then back towards B. Other than that, you basically follow the dots above.
A-B....slightly uphill & the ground is just short grass.
B-C...here you are running under trees on a rough path and grass. It is slightly downhill all the way so it's the most likely place you might trip if you are not careful. It can be a bit boggy half ways down.
C-D...this is mostly uphill running and it's slow going. The closer you get to D, the steeper it gets. In fact just before D, a lot of people will walk this. It's steep and you'd be forgiven for going down on all fours trying to get up it! As the ground gets cut up, it gets more difficult the 2nd and 3rd time around. The only thing though is that it's short...just watch your footing!
D-E...initially flat and then gradually downhill.
E-A...more or less flat.

Shoes...the obvious choice are proper cross country shoes but a lot of people won't have these. If the day is dry, you could probably get away with a pair of old runners. You would however have to watch the downhill sections and the sharp corners.

10 Mile Road Races and a new website for the Bantry 10...

If you have been keeping track of the road races in Cork and Munster, you'll have noticed that there are three 10 mile road races in 3 weeks.

The first of these was the Dungarvan 10 which took place yesterday, Sunday the 31st of January. Almost 1000 runners turned out for this race and there was a huge turnout of runners from Cork as well. More details with photos on the Running in Munster website.

Next Sunday on the 7th of February, we have the Mallow 10 race. More details in a few days time.

On Sunday the 14th of February, there is a brand new 10 mile road race in Bantry. There is a new website now for that race and you can find it HERE.

Latest News items.....Mallow 10, County Roads, Bantry 10, etc...

Mallow 10........

The Cork AAI County board held their meeting on Saturday, the 23rd of January and have given their approval for the Mallow 10 race to take place on Sunday, the 7th of February at 12:30pm. That's one week after the Dungarvan 10 and one week before the Bantry 10.

Bantry 10.........

This race is coming up on the 14th of February and it is a new race on the calendar. The entry fee is only €10 and you can enter on the day of the race. By the way, this race takes place in the very scenic Mealagh Valley to the north-east of Bantry and not in the town itself. A new website will be online soon with more details.

Cork AAI County Road Championships......

This was due to take place on the 7th of Feb and had to be moved to make way for the re-scheduled Mallow 10. There was some talk about holding it in Ballinhassig in conjunction with the Rising Sun 4 mile race. The Cork AAI County Board have now decided against this and it will be held instead at some other future date.

GOAL Mile for Haiti.........

There will be a special charity GOAL mile at the CIT track in Bishopstown next Saturday between 2pm and 4pm for the eathquake victims in Haiti. Some recent estimates put the number of dead at nearly 200,000 which if true, is approaching the number that died in that Tsunami in 2004. The big difference is that the Tsunami victims were spread out over a large part of the Indian Ocean whereas in Haiti, the victims are concentrated in a relatively small area.

More details about the GOAL mile below from the Cork County Board...

Everybody is aware of the recent disaster in Haiti, which has caused so much harm to this impoverished nation. A fundraising mile run/jog/walk will be held in the CIT Track on Saturday next (January 30th) to raise funds for the GOAL charity. The event will be the same as the Christmas Goal Mile. The event is being fully supported by the Athletics Community in Cork and the Track is being made available by the Cork Institute of Technology free of charge. There will be no overheads so every cent raised will go straight to the Goal Charity.
There is no minimum or maximum donation. The event is open to all ages and abilities.

Ballycotton '10' Entries....

Just a reminder for everyone that the FINAL list for Ballycotton '10' entries has still not been finalised! A lot of people seem to be under the impression that the list of 2,500 entrants published a few weeks ago was the final entry list. It's NOT!!

The organisers are still processing entries for all those club runners and others who qualified for the later closing dates. The final list will be available soon.