Directions & Parking for the 2017 Ballycotton 10 mile road race

The big race coming up next weekend is of course the Ballycotton '10' in East Cork. With roughly 2,300+ runners expected to take part, the little fishing village is going to be very crowded.

If you are running in this years Ballycotton '10' race for the first time then please note....this race is NOT like other races. You cannot turn up 20 mins before the start, park and just wander over to the start line.

The fishing village of Ballycotton is basically at the end of a cul-de-sac and the approach roads are part of the race course. As a result, the local roads are closed off well before the start of the race and most people have to park in designated car parks.

Getting there.....For anyone not familiar with the area, Ballycotton is in East Cork. If you are coming from the direction of Cork City then turn off at the roundabout on the Midleton by-pass and follow the directions for Cloyne. If you are coming from Waterford / Youghal then take the left at the crossroads in Castlemartyr and head south for Ladysbridge / Garryvoe. Expect traffic delays as you get closer to the parking area.

Please note!...The Gardai will not allow roadside parking in the area. Use the designated car parks.

Here are the instructions from the race organisers.......

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR BALLYCOTTON ‘10’

1. All traffic travelling from Cork City side via Midleton will be directed to Cloyne, and from Cloyne most traffic will be directed to Churchtown South to car parks on Church Road, Ballycotton.

Last year’s field for parking will not be used; the field in operation this year is adjacent to the old one, about 50 metres away.

The second field is a further 500 metres away, which means a walk of about 1200 metres (three-quarters of a mile) to the race headquarters.

2. All traffic traveling from Waterford side via Castlemartyr will be directed to car parks in Garryvoe. Athletes will then be transferred to Ballycotton by shuttle buses.

Anyone traveling from the east (Waterford, Youghal, etc) should be aware of the ongoing hold-up in Killeagh village due to road works.

The main advice, as always, is to come early. This year we also have a new baggage area (detailed in the race programme) which means it will take an extra 15 minutes to get to the start line.

Please read the instructions in the programme along with the FAQs on the Ballycotton website www.ballycottonrunning.com

Please follow Garda & stewards instructions. Our aim is to get all runners to start line in a comfortable & safe manner before the 1.30 start. We also endeavour to get all runners & spectators on the road home in a timely & safe manner too

Parking....There will be 3 car parks in use...In all circumstances, please follow the stewards / Gardai directions on the day.

Car Parks 1 and 2....These are located on the hill above the old church on the way into Ballycotton. This is by far the largest car park and all of the traffic from the west (incl. Cloyne) will be directed here. Car Park 1 is approx 1.2 miles from the start line so it's only a 25 minute walk. Car Park 2 is just around the corner, an extra 5 mins.

Note that it only takes 10 minutes to walk from Car Park 1 to the local primary school (Marquee/Changing/Trouble Desk/Prizegiving, etc).

Car Park 3....This is located at Garryvoe which is 4 miles from the start. This is the one for people coming from the east.

The shuttle buses will take you as far as the road junction by the old church on the way into Ballycotton. There will be barricades here to stop all traffic entering the village. From here, it is about 0.8 miles or a 20 min walk to the start. The local primary school is only 3 mins from here.

Times....If you have read the piece above then it's obvious that it's going to take some time to get to the start line. The race starts at 1:30pm. If you get there at 1:28 then you are going to have over 2,000 runners in front of you packed in tight on a narrow road.

I would recommend that you should try and get to the car parks by 11am to 11:30am. Allow time for traffic congestion on the approach roads. Allow time at the car park to wait for the bus and for the bus to travel in. Allow time for the final walk. You should aim to be at the start line roughly 15-20 minutes before the race starts....about 1:10pm.

Car Pooling.....Consider car pooling with your friends and colleagues to reduce the number of cars traveling to the area. This is especially relevant this year as the fields aren't in the best condition.

Course Preview...A full preview of the 10 mile course can be seen HERE

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.

Preview and description of the Ballycotton 10 mile 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.

Dungarvan 10 voted best 10 mile race in Munster in 2016

The poll for the best 10 mile road race in Munster in 2016 closed recently and the winner was the John Treacy 10 mile in Dungarvan. This race is organised by West Waterford AC and was held in January of 2016. This race has grown in popularity over the years and now gets a huge turnout from Cork every year. At this stage, runners from Cork may well account for over half of all the finishers.

While the Dungarvan race was the clear winner with 32% of the vote, the Ballycotton 10 mile finished in second place with 24.7% while the Cork City 10 Miler was just behind in third with 23.7%.

These were the contestants...

Dungarvan 10 mile road race (Jan 2016)
Mealagh Valley 10 mile road race (Feb 2016)
Ballycotton 10 mile road race (Mar 2016)
Mallow 10 mile road race (Mar 2016)
Great Island 10 mile road race (Apr 2016)
Blackwater 10 mile road race (May 2016)
Ballynonty 10 mile road race (July 2016)
Killarney 10 mile road race (Sept 2016)
John Buckley Sports Cork City 10 Miler (Sept 2016)Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

Notice...Emer Casey 5k road race in Youghal - Thurs 6th Apr 2017

As outlined in a previous post, the Emer Casey 10k race in Youghal is being changed this year. It is changing from a 10k race on a Sunday at the end of May to a mid-week evening 5k race at the start of April. It will be held in the town of Youghal in East Cork on Thursday the 6th of April 2017...

Usually the first evening race in Cork is in mid-April when the sun sets about 8:32pm. With the Emer Casey 5k, it will be on in the town of Youghal so the street lighting will compensate as it gets dark earlier. On the 6th of April, the sun sets at 8:16pm.

With it's location near the county boundary, the race is sure to attract runners from both East Cork and West Waterford.

The race is on a flat fast course on the streets of the historic town and passes under the iconic Youghal Clock Tower...

This race has an Athletics Ireland licence and has been measured accurately by Jones Counter.

Course Preview......A preview of the course can be seen HERE

Info from the organisers....


This is the 11 th year of the Emer Casey Road Race, changing this year to an evening 5k from its previous 10k distance in the beautiful seaside town of Youghal.

Emer Casey 5k Road Race - Youghal - Thursday April 6th 2017

Organised and hosted by the Emer Casey Foundation, in association with Youghal AC. AAI Permit Granted.

This course was measured by John Walshe of Ballycotton.

Registration: Thur 6 th Apr 18:00 to 20:00 Youghal Community Centre, Main Street, Youghal. Changing and toilet facilities available

Entry....  €10 per person (over 16s only). Walkers: 2k or 4k options – Start Time 7pm

Runners: 5k – Start Time 8pm

Note that the start is 1k from the Community Centre.

Course: Flat and Fast – 2.5 loops of the town.

Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3 rd , 4 th Men and Women, category prizes, club team prizes men and

Women (6 to score), junior prizes male and female and spot prizes too. All proceeds go towards the Emer Casey Foundation, a charity which helps fund cancer research.

Post race refreshments after the race in Youghal Community Centre

Results of the Rahan National School 5k fun run in Doneraile Park...Sat 4th Mar 2017

Roughly 80 people took part in this 5k fun run organised by Rahan National School in Doneraile Park.

1 19:07    MANNING, Ruairi    MJ    0:06:10
3 21:13    O'BRIEN, Colm    MS    0:06:51
5 21:59    O'MAHONY, Jim    MS    0:07:05
2 19:09    CRONIN, Mei Ming    Fj    0:06:11
4 21:56    O'MAHONY, Katherine    FJ    0:07:05
10 25:45 O'CALLAGHAN, Carmel    FS    0:08:18

Full results below...

Results & photos of the Killeagh 4 mile road race...Sun 5th Mar 2017

A total of 295 runners took part in this years Killeagh 4 mile road race in East Cork, a jump of 20% on the 246 of 2016.

1     JOHN MEADE     ST FINBARRS AC         21:26     SM     341
2     ANTHONY MANNIX     LEEVALE         21:29     SM     397
3     TIM TWOMEY     LEEVALE         21:52     SM     291
5     AOIFE COOKE     YOUGHAL AC         22:17     SW     384
22     EVELYN CASHMAN     YOUGHAL AC         25:20     SW     451
51     SUSAN MCGRATH     CARRIGTWOHILL         27:50     SW     340

Photos to follow...
1) Dave O'Brien Photography has an album HERE

The full results can be seen below...

Events on this weekend...Sat 3rd & Sun 4th March 2017

The weather forecast doesn't look great for the weekend with the rain never too far away.  It really is a case of hit or miss.

The main race this weekend in Cork is the 4 mile road race in Killeagh. There will be no road works on the main road there this weekend so there shouldn't be any traffic delays. Check out the link below for info and directions.

5k Parkrun...Sat 4th (9:30am)...€free...various locations...  
Cork...Castle Demense, Macroom // Showgrounds, Clonakilty // Bere Island, Beara Peninsula) // Glengarriff // Castlehaven // Ballincollig Regional Park...
Waterford...Tramore // Limerick...University of Limerick // Kerry...Killarney & Tralee // Clare...Kilrush & Clarisford // Tipperary...Templemore

Cork...Sat 4th (11am)...Doneraile Park 5k run...€10...In aid of Rahan National School...

Cork...Sun 5th (11am)...Killeagh 4 mile road race...€10...info ...

Limerick...Sun 5th (12 noon)...Hazelwood College 5k fun run...€10 ...Dromcollogher...

Cork...Sun 5th (1:30pm)... St.Brendan's NS Rathcoole Parents Association 5k fun run/walk...€10...Dromtarriffe GAA Pitch...In association with Duhallow AC...

Schedule for the 2017 European Indoor Championships...Fri 3rd - Sun 5th March

The 2017 European Indoor Championships are being held in Belgrade this weekend and the events with Irish athletes in them is shown below. One event to watch is the women's 1500m. Ciara Mageean is one of the best 1500m athletes in Europe and is a definite medal hope.

Results and live streams on the European Athletics Website.

Day 1...Fri 3rd March 2017
8:45: Phil Healy and Sinead Denny 400m women heats...both out
9:20: Brian Gregan 400m men heats...slowest qualifier for semi-final
10:35: Zak Curran 800m men round 1...out
12:20: Ben Reynolds 60m hurdles men round 1
15:45: Ben Reynolds 60m hurdles men semi-final
16:05: Ciara Mageean and Kerry O’Flaherty 1500m women round 1
16:45: Phil Healy and Sinead Denny 400m women semi-final
17:05: Brian Gregan 400m men semi-final
17:25: Tomas Cotter 3,000m men round 1
18:15: John Travers 1500m men round 1
19:10: Ben Reynolds 60m hurdles men final

Day 2...Sat 4th March 2017
8:45: Ciara Neville and Phil Healy 60m women’s heat
18:25: Zak Curran 800m men semi-final
18:45 Ciara Mageean 1500m women final
19:18 John Travers 1500m men final

Day 3...Sun 5th March 2017
15:00 Ciara Neville and Phil Healy 60m women semi-final
15:55: Tomas Cotter 3,000m men final
16:50 Zak Curran 800m men final
17:10 Ciara Neville and Phil Healy 60m women final

Thomas Kent 10k voted best 10k in Cork in 2016

The poll for the best 10km road race in Cork in 2016 closed recently and the winner was the Thomas Kent 10k. This race in Castlelyons was organised by St.Nicholas AC and was held last November.

The Bweeng 10k finished in 2nd place while the UCC 10k was 3rd.

These were the contestants...

Cork BHAA UCC 10km road race (Apr 2016)
Bweeng 10km road race (May 2016)
Emer Casey 10km road race in Youghal (May 2016)
East Cork Harbour 10km road race (August 2016)
Liscarroll 10km road race (August 2016)
Rebel Run 10km road race (Oct 2016)
Thomas Kent Memorial 10km road race in Castlelyons (Nov 2016)

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

Dry Fit Top for the Mallow 10 mile road race

Mallow AC have just released details of the dry fit top which will be given out at the Mallow 10 mile road race which will be held on Sunday the 26th of March 2017.

As you can see, it's mostly Black with a Red trim. As dry fit tops go, I think it looks pretty good. Thoughts?


Course preview.......You can see an updated preview HERE

Race website......There is more info about the race on the dedicated race website http://mallowtenmile.wordpress.com/

Michael Harty of East Cork AC sets new course record to win the 2017 Adare 10k

This year's Adare 10k road race in Co.Limerick a record crowd of 726 runners, a jump of 22% on the 2016 figure. While many of the races in Munster have seen their peaks a few years back, this one continues to grow and is now one of the main 10k races in the province. The race was organised by West Limerick AC.

The winner of the mens race was Michael Harty of East Cork AC who set a new course record in the process. The person in second place was Sean Hehir who is a former National Marathon Champion.

1 Michael Harty MS East Cork A.C. 00:30:59
2 Sean Hehir MS Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C. 00:31:12
3 Andrew Connick MS Ferrybank A.C. 00:31:46
38 Sorcha Mac Domhnaill FS Donore Harriers 00:38:37
39 Carolyn Maria Hayes FS West Limerick A.C. 00:38:40
42 Caitriona Farrell FS An Bru A.C 00:39:00

Some of the clubs with 10 or more members were....
Mallow AC...27, West Limerick AC 25, Dooneen AC 23, Bweeng Trailblazers 19, An Brú AC 16,  Kilfinane AC 12, St.Nicholas AC 11.

Results & photos on the Running in Munster site.

Notice...Great Island 10 mile & 4 mile road race, Cobh - Sun 9th Apr 2017

Another big 10 mile road race coming up in Cork in the near future is the Great Island 10 in Cobh on Sunday, the 10th of April 2016 at 10:30am. With the likes of the Dungarvan 10, the Ballycotton 10 and the Mallow 10 selling out early, this one is likely to get a big turn out again.

The event is being organised by Ballymore Cobh AC and 75% of the proceeds go towards the Irish Cancer Society. When this race was first set up in 2010, the organisers had a target of raising €100,000 in the space of 5 years. In 2013, they hit the €100k mark one year early and have now exceeded €150k. The aim now is to continue to raise much needed funds for this charity.

For anyone who wants to do a shorter distance, there is also a 4 mile road race. Anyone considering these races shouldn't be put off thinking it's just for serious runners. It's open to everyone...runners, joggers and walkers...the whole idea is to raise as much money for charity.

The 10 mile race will start at 10:30am while the 4 mile race will start at 10:45am.

Entries....You can enter online HERE ...€10 for the 4 mile and €20 for the 10 mile (plus online charges).

Link to postal entries HERE

The race website is HERE.

Course Preview...A preview of the 10 mile course can be seen HERE and a preview of the 4 mile course HERE