Guest Post: Dublin City Marathon Mile by Mile ...by Pat Walsh

 **DCM Mile By Mile ** 

Pure repost from 2019. Nothing has changed. correct me if I am wrong. Was asked for it. Maybe I will cycle it 😃 I will add more about THE DAY, last few hours and post race stuff.

Mile by Mile guide.. If it helps 😃  🏃♀️🏃♂️

Mile 1 the “Shuffle Mile”. Nervous smiles all round but we are on the way. Be careful of tripping in the crowds and don’t do too much weaving in and out. RELAX. Don’t worry if you lose a few seconds.

Mile 2 has a downhill from Christchurch to the river and pace can pick up. Try to stay easy.

Mile 3 slight uphill through Stoneybatter and careful of footing at first water stop. Lots of bottles on the road.

Mile 4 can get narrow as you enter the Phoenix Park, so just relax and settle.

Mile 5 to 7 through the Park. Slight uphill all the way but lots of room on the road to relax and take it all in. Now we are motoring. The race has started. Shake out the shoulders to relieve tension and get to the #HAPPYPLACE.

Mile 7 at Castleknock is the first of the WELCOME villages. Great crowds, atmosphere. Now you know you are in a Big City Marathon. Take it all in.

Mile 8 has a nice downhill back into the Park and will be quick enough. Don’t go MAD. #PWR 

Mile 9 -10 is back in the Park with a few up and downs but nothing serious. Relax before you head out to the crowds again. 

Mile 11 has the first decent uphill where you run under the Motorway after Chapelizod. Take it easy and it will be gone in a few minutes. Lose time if you have to but don't fight it. Better to be running later

Mile 12 to 16 is back in town with crowds and water stations. Settle yourself. Analyse how you feel and what pace is comfortable. Take in the day and the crowds. Big cheers as you go over the Canal. They do help and lift the spirits. Passing halfway have a smile. On the way home.

Mile 16 to 19. Lovely area through Kimmage, Terenure, Rathgar,. Fairly flat. Great crowds and buzz. Keep the legs turning you are on the way home. Make sure to keep drinking and fuelling. Vital time coming up.* 

Mile 19 to 22 is Make or Break. * 😍😱😍😱 #PWR

Mile 19 to 20 Downhill first half of 19 and relax as nice pull out of Milltown for 2nd half of this mile. Just get up it handy and don't force it.

Mile 20 to 21 nice gentle downhill into Clonskeagh but take it easy and use it to relax focus and draw breath. You have come a long way. We will get home.

Mile 21 to 22 is the toughie and just get up that hill at any pace but keep moving.

Mile 22 to 23 has a nice downhill on Fosters Avenue that you can use to get Heart Rate back on track and steady yourself for home

Mile 23 to 24 is reasonably flat except for climb at UCD flyover where you cross the Road

Mile 24 to HOME. turn the corner at Merrion Shopping Centre. Focus, dig in.. It is straight from here to finish line. No twists or turns, No ups or downs. So 1 foot in front of the other and dream of glory.

“Go on Bull, ‘tis your field” 🏆💪🥉

To sum up the hills to watch --- Mile 10.5 to 11; Mile 19.5 to 20; and 21.5 to 22

Hope this helps…!!

#PWR

Notice...Churchtown South 5 mile road race - Thurs 27th July 2017

The 3rd race of 4 in the Ballycotton Summer Series is coming up on Thursday evening the 27th of July 2017 with the Churchtown South 5 mile road race at 8pm. As always for these races, a large crowd is expected so try to arrive early if you are going....say between 7 and 7:20pm.

Some info from the organisers.......People who have ran the first two races in the Summer Series (Ballyandreen and Shanagarry) are automatically entered for tonight’s race. The numbers are in alphabetical order and can be seen on the wall in the community centre - It would help if people could find their number in advance and ask for it at one of the entry desks. 

The list is also available online HERE

Again, it would be appreciated if people had the correct fee of €5 ready to speed up the process. Entries will open from 6pm onwards with the race starting at 8pm. For new people on the night (who haven’t run the two races), there will be a separate entry desk as normal – entry fee again €5.

With the huge increase in participants, the start of races now poses its own problems. For safety reasons, we urge people to line up in accordance with their ability. Unless you are running under 30 minutes you have no business at the front – the race is over five miles and there will be plenty of opportunity to move up after the initial rush, so pace yourself accordingly. It goes without saying that headphones should not be worn at any stage.....Ballycotton Running Promotions

Overall Series...The overall positions in the Ballycotton Summer Series after 2 races can be seen HERE  (courtesy of John Robinson). Remember, there are top 50 men and top 30 women t-shirts at the end of the series.

A preview of the course with maps, directions and photos can be seen HERE

Preview of the Evening Echo womens mini-marathon in Cork...Sun 25th Sept 2016

Although it is advertised as Munsters Premier 4-Mile Road Race, it is in reality a 3.8 mile charity walk/run with a road race at the front of it. If you intend to race it then you need to get to the start early. There are thousands of women taking part and when there are that many people, it is going to be very crowded.

Remember it starts at 1pm.

Course...The start of this race is on the Centre Park Road.

Mile 0-1....The first mile or so is very flat with only a slight uphill around the 0.8 mile mark as the road joins the Marina. This should be a very fast mile as long as you stay clear of the mass of runners/joggers/walkers/prams....etc.

Start of the Marina section near the 1 mile mark 

Mile 1-2.....Dead flat along the Marina. Probably the most scenic part of the run. Again, it should be a very fast mile. If you have started too fast, this is about where you should find out. Pace yourself for the first 2, you can pick it up over the last 2 if you have gone too slow.

Mile 2-3....This section includes the only real hill. There is a nasty pull from the 2 mile mark up to St.Michael's church, a distance of about 300 metres......

Start of the only real hill near the 2 mile mark

You are going to lose some time here. After that, it's reasonably flat with a slight fall downhill into Beaumount about the 2.7 mile mark. Then past the AIB bank and Post office and take a sharp right down Maryville Road. Around the 3 mile mark, there is a very steep downhill section. By far, the hardest mile.

Mile 3-3.8....After the initial downhill section, the remainder of the mile is flat with the finish on the Monaghan Road, near Kennedy Park.
 
....and finally, it is worth mentioning what a significant event this is for the city of Cork. With around 10,000 taking part and many getting sponsorship, it is probably no exaggeration to say that several million Euro will be raised for various charities. For many of those taking part, it may be closest they ever get to any sort of road race.

Update........A bit more detail in this preview HERE

Preview of the 2016 Cork City Marathon

Now with the Cork City Marathon coming up next Monday, have a look at these previews below to see what the various parts of the course are like.

Course Previews...If you want to see what the route for the Cork City Marathon looks like then watch this 13 minute video put together by Rob O'Farrell...(There are some minor changes for 2016 but essentially this is the route).



Previews.....
1) Marathon...HERE
2) Half-Marathon (13.1 miles)... A preview of the Half-Marathon course with maps and photos can be seen HERE
3) Marathon Relay...
a) Leg 1 of 5 can be seen HERE
b) Leg 2 of 5 can be seen HERE
c) Leg 3 of 5 can be seen HERE
d) Leg 4 of 5 can be seen HERE
e) Leg 5 of 5 can be seen HERE

Preview & Audio description of the Ballycotton 10 course...

With the clock ticking down to the Ballycotton 10 mile road race on Sunday, you can find all the details about the course here... http://munsterraceroutes.blogspot.ie/2013/01/cork003.html


In the clip below, John Cashman of C103 describes the course in his own words. Have a listen and refer to the map further down.

Preview & Audio description of the Ballycotton 10 course...

With the clock ticking down to the Ballycotton 10 mile road race next Sunday, you can find all the details about the course here... http://munsterraceroutes.blogspot.ie/2013/01/cork003.html

Thanks to John Cashman of C103 who put together a great series of interviews which have been on the site for the last few days.

In the final installment below, John describes the course in his own words. Have a listen and refer to the map further down.

Review of the PUMA Pure Nightcat Jacket

I was recently sent a PUMA running jacket for preview. As always, I stated clearly that I would do a preview on the basis that it had to be honest. If I found fault with something or I didn't like something then I would say so.

The jacket I was sent was the PUMA NightCat Jacket. This is it below. I've been running in this for a while now and I find it a nice jacket to wear. The material is light enough that you don't really overheat in it. I've being using it in the cold weather when it was down around 4 deg C and it certainly kept the wind out. I also tried it in light rain and it seemed pretty good. I could see the water drops forming little beads on the surface of the garment rather than soaking straight in. I looked it up on the net and the jacket is not described as waterproof. It's a bit like most running jackets....if it is misty or if the rain is very light and for a short period of time then you're fine. If the rain is torrential then you're going to get wet.

This is the rear of the jacket. It shows the fine pattern a bit better and the ventilation holes.

The jacket I have been using in the past was a yellow Ron Hill one. One obvious advantage of the yellow jacket is that it's a bit more visible during the day but other than that, this is a really nice jacket and does the job.

Here is some product info.....The PUMA Pure NightCat Jacket is made with VisiCELL materials to keep you visible in the darker winter months. With great freedom of movement and improved ventilation this jacket is the perfect addition to your running wardrobe.

VisiCELL...Highly reflective materials are designed to enhance other’s awareness of you in dim light situations, and keep your body visible while you train or play.

3M reflective yarns and additional reflective items for enhanced visibility in low light condition
Lazercut holes in the back for improved air circulation at critical heat zones
Anatomical shaped collar to avoid friction at the hair line
Articulated sleeves for improved flexibility and freedom of movement
Zip pocket with earphone loop on the inside

Men’s NightCat Jacket
RRP €60
Stockist – http://amphibianking.ie
Women’s NightCat Jacket
RRP €60
Stockist – http://amphibianking.ie

I also tried it out at night and took a photo with a flash from a camera. As you can see below, it's only then that you really see the effect of the stripes. It's almost like wearing a high viz jacket. It's suprising just how bright it is and while the yellow jacket I have has some small luminous strips, it's nothing as prominent as this.

I guess the bottom line is would I buy it if I was looking for a running jacket and I'd have to say yes. If you are interested in one then click on the links above or ask a running store that stocks PUMA running gear.

Preview of the Cloyne 5k road race - Wed 8th Aug 2012

One of the main races this week in Cork is the 5k road race coming up in Cloyne in East Cork on Wednesday, the 8th of August at 7:30pm. It might be worth mentioning that this race is suitable for all types of runner.......from those at the front racing it to those at the back who might feel that 5 kms is the maximum distance they could run. All are welcome.

Directions...From Cork get on the N25 Cork to Midleton motorway, not tuning off until you come to the Lakeview roundabout at the end of the dual carriageway. At this roundabout you take the 3rd exit signposted for Cloyne, Whitegate and Aghada. Approximately 1km out this road you will come to a statue – here you can take either of the following routes to Cloyne:-

A). Via Ballinacurra to your left. This is the main road to Ballycotton. When you enter Cloyne via this route, you take a right and the main crossroads in Cloyne and the school is just up the road.
OR

B). Via Saleen. Stay on the road south for Whitegate. You climb a large hill.....down the other side into Saleen.....up another slight hill......and then as you go downhill again, you turn left at the crossroads towards Cloyne (well signposted). This road will bring you directly to the school for registration.

Parking....There will be parking available and will be signposted.

Entries....Entries on the night will be taken at Cloyne National School from 4.30pm. The entry fee is €8 and all proceeds are going towards the National School.

Please note that there are no shower facilities. Also note that headphones are not allowed for insurance reasons as the race is on a public road.

The course.....As courses go, this one is pretty flat. There are no big hills or even anything that you would consider a hill. There are a few spots where the road rises a few metres at most. If it's a fast 5k time you are after then this is the one.

The race starts and finishes on the road outside the school. As you can see above, it's reasonably wide and flat. The section from here to the main crossroads in the village is approx 500 metres.

As you approach the crossroads, you have the first 'hill'. As you can see, it is only a short climb with a few metres gained in height before you turn off right onto a flat road. This is also part of the approach to the finishing straight so you gain coming back.

After the crossroads, you are on Church Street and you head down towards the iconic Cloyne round tower, one of only 2 round towers in the county of Cork. Built approx 1000 years ago and reaching 30 metres in height, it can be seen from various points along the course.

At the road junction at the round tower is the start of the loop. For now, you keep going straight and slightly downhill as you leave the village...

...and then onto a straight flat section...

...and at the end, the road veers around to the left. It begins to climb slightly now to the 1 mile mark but still, very slightly. Overall, a fast mile.

Soon, you come to the next turnoff and you are onto narrow quiet country roads.

Around the 1.5 mile mark, you turn left around a sharp corner and the road stretches ahead.....dead straight and flat with the 2 mile mark way off near the end...another fast mile.

After the 2 mile mark, you take another sharp bend and you start heading west back towards Cloyne on what is another flat road with a few bends. As you approach the round tower for the second time, the road rises slightly...

...and then you turn right back onto Church Street and retrace your steps towards the crossroads, school and the finish line.

Overall.......a fast 5k course on a reasonably flat course on quiet country roads. Considering that it is reasonably close to Cork City and Midleton, it is likely to attract a large crowd.

Upcoming race...Donoughmore 7 Mile Road Race - Fri 20th of July (8pm)

The 30th Donoughmore 7 Mile road race will be held next Friday evening, the 20th of July at 8pm. As road races go, this one is really unique as it's the only 7 mile road race on the calendar. At first, it might seem like a bit of an odd distance but don''t let that put you off. It's really is a well organised race on country roads to the north-west of Cork City....even if it is a little bit hilly ;o)

Directions...Donoughmore is located about 15 miles north-west of Cork City. If you are coming out the Ballincollig bypass or the Carrigrohane straight, look for directions for the R579 road to Nad / Banteer / Kanturk. Stay on this road for about 10 miles and keep a lookout for the turn off right to Donoughmore. Then follow the signs for Stuake. The village is about 2 miles off the R579 road. See map above.

Entries......Entries are taken at the local community hall in the village. The race entry fee €10 and that includes a T-shirt which is good value. For a complete list of prizes on offer, see the race flyer above.

Course....First of all, it is a tough enough course. Plenty of hills but nothing too serious. Some people may find 7 miles to be a bit long but it is only three quarters of a mile beyond the 10 km distance so it's not so bad. The race is on quiet country roads and if you get a nice sunny Summers evening, there are nice views of the Boggeragh Mountains nearby.

The start line for the race is 400 metres south-east of the village.....

As you'll notice going out to the start line, the start of the race is slightly uphill. It's not an issue now so early in the race but it does make for a tough finish later on.

As you run through the village, you pass the finish line.....(note that the entrance on the left takes you to the GAA grounds and the Community Hall)...

....and the on right past the new church and the road levels out again....

In fact, a lot of the first two miles are like this...up and down small hills on small roads with fuschia hedgerows on either side.

After the two mile mark, you run downhill and join the R579 road.

There is likely to be traffic here but it's not too bad as all of the runners will be running on the left on a wide and straight road. This is the fastest part of the course as it's slightly downhill up until the 5 mile mark and the crossroads just beyond it...

The last 2 miles of the race are the real test with a largely uphill drag to the finish. There are no serious hills but you are climbing for most of it. If you have gone out too fast, this is where you'll get caught. Keep it in mind and keep something in reserve when you are doing those first 5 miles.

Overall.........a challenging race over a nice countryside circuit. Well organised and certainly one of the better races.

Preview of the Inniscarra 4 mile road race - Fri 15th June 2012

This 4 mile road race near Inniscarra is ideally placed for any runner living near to Cork City.

Race Flyer...

Directions...

From the N20 Cork to Mallow/Limerick Road:
Exit for Blarney (R617) and drive through village and onto Tower. At the next T-junction, you'll come  to Cloghroe Church. Turn right onto the R579 for Kanturk and turn off left at Blairs Inn. Continue up the hill for 1 mile until you arrive at Inniscarra Community Centre.

Blairs Inn...turn off left here

From the N22 Ballincollig By-Pass / Cork to Killarney Road:
Follow the signs for Banteer / Kanturk R579. Having passed the Anglers Rest Pub take the road straight ahead for Kanturk R579. Follow the road for 7.6km passing through Cloghroe. Turn left at Blairs Inn passing the pub on your right hand side and continue up the hill for 1 mile until you arrive at Inniscarra Community Centre. There is plenty of parking available inside the grounds.

Inniscarra Community Centre

Entries for the race will be taken in the hall shown above...cost €8.

Course......The start of the race is just a short distance away from the GAA Grounds / Community Centre. Initially, it's very fast as you run steeply downhill but this changes very quickly as the road begins to climb just before the turn off left....

Once around the corner, the road continues to climb until roughly the half-mile mark when it eases off. A tough start but at least it's the worst hill out of the way.

From here, the road climbs but at a much more gentler pace. Eventually you come to the 1 mile mark...probably the toughest mile of the race but coming early on, it's not too bad.

The section between one and two mile marks is reasonably flat on a quiet road...

...it should be a fast mile.

At around the 2.3 mile mark, you come into the tiny village of Berrings...

You turn off left here and straight into the second hill. While it's steep, it's not very long. After this, the road flattens out again and starts to drop as you approach the 3 mile mark...a slow mile due to the hill.

From here, the road drops downhill until you join the lower road and start heading east towards the finish. With about 600 metres to go, the road drops rapidly before the last and final uphill section to the finish line.

Overall....Probably not the fastest of 4 mile courses with the three short uphill sections but it's a nice quiet spot for a race. The course is on country roads with very little traffic....ideal spot for an evening race.

5th leg of the Relay in the 2012 Cork City Marathon

5th Leg of the 2012 Cork City Marathon Relay...

Course...Leg 5...So this is it...the 5th and final leg of the Cork City Marathon Relay and also the easiest at 4.5 miles. It starts at the relay changeover point at around 21.7 miles on the Model Farm Road. There is a very slight pull from here to the 22 mile mark by the County Library.

Mile 22......Carry on past the County Council Library on the left and then soon, you will begin the steep descent by the Tennis Village. Around the left bend, along the flat and onto Inchagaggin Bridge.

In previous years (2007-9), you had to run up the steep hill on the other side followed by a long drag. With the introduction of the long riverside section in Mahon in 2010, this hard section is now gone. So you turn right just after the bridge and along a flat section until you join the Straight Road. You'll see the County Hall way off in the distance but not as far as in previous years. Soon, you'll come to the 23 mile mark.........(~mile 10 in the Half-Mara). An easy mile.

Mile 23......This is an easy mile. Dead flat. The county hall starts off in the distance but you are right alongside it at the 24 mile mark.....(~mile 11 in the Half-Mara)

This is where there was substantial flooding back in late 2009 when this area was under water. On the left is the Kingsley Hotel which was very badly effected.

Mile 24..........It starts near the County Hall and proceeds to Victoria Cross. A slight pull over the bridge and then left at the traffic lights and then right onto the Mardyke....past the sports ground.....past Fitgeralds Park....and at the end, you turn left onto the public walkway and on to the distinctive pedestrian bridge.

The 25 mile mark is here......A flat and easy mile. (The 12 mile mark for the Half-Marathon is on the other side of the bridge on the walkway)

Mile 25......Now you are onto a public walkway. Across the new Mardyke bridge and then a sharp right onto the riverside walkway. Here things can get a bit congested. Runners running 3 or 4 abreast can completely block your path. The whole area is wooded so it makes a change from the open roads. After a few hundred metres, you're back out on the North Mall and the wide public road again. Along the North Mall until you get to the junction with Shandon Bridge.

Be careful here. The should be a Garda and /or stewards here stopping traffic to let the runners cross. Just be warned....it's a dangerous junction. Now, onto Popes Quay with the Marathon runners re-tracing their steps of their 2nd mile.

On past St.Mary's church and down the quays to the 26 mile mark. A flat easy mile although a bit narrow in places.

Grand Finale...Starting on the 26 mile mark, you now have 352 metres to go to the finish....

This is the sight that everyone wants to see.....Patrick's Bridge.....the last bridge....with Patrick's Street with the finish line on the other side. It's about here that you begin to hear the noise coming from the finish.  You cross over the bridge and onto Patrick's Street with the crowds on both sides. It's about here that the Half-Marathon runners will pass their 13 mile mark. Up the main street and the finish is just around a slight bend.

That's it, all done. For Marathon runners, you've just completed 26.22 miles and a full marathon. Well done!!

That's it. All 5 stages. All 26.2 miles of the Cork City Marathon. If you've read through all 5 previews, you'll probably feel tired already ;o)

 Now, it's time to run it.