Monday 23 July 2018

Carton House 6K Trail Race

The 3rd Annual Carton House 6k Trail Race & Fun Run, Thursday 26th July 2018.



The 3rd annual Carton House 6k Trail Race & Fun Run, in partnership with Athletics Ireland, takes place on Thursday 26th July 2018 at 8pm. This mid-week, summers evening race hosted in beautiful surroundings providing a stunning course where runners ramble through the prestigious Carton House Estate situated in Maynooth Co. Kildare in very close proximity to Meath & Dublin and also very accessible via M50, M4, etc. 

The race attracted a large entry in 2017 with 540 finishers on the night representing numerous clubs from all over Leinster and further afield.

Start of 2017 race


Features include…

  • Medals for all finishers.
  • AAI Permit Event – Chipped Timing
  • Post Race Refreshments
  • Prizes: for Mens, Ladies, Age Categories and Club Teams
  • Race HQ: Grasshopper Inn, Clonee Village
  • Please contact Dunboyne AC or Keith Eglington (086 814 4012) with any enquiries
  • Participants must be 16 years of age or over.


To Enter...


Wednesday 20 June 2018

Clonee 10K Race Preview


The 4th annual Clonee 10k Road Race & Fun Run, in partnership with Athletics Ireland, takes place on Thursday 28th June 2018 at 8pm. 

The mid-week, midsummer, evening time, race attracted an entry of almost 700 in 2017.  The flat course offers great potential for athletes to target a fast time and also gives first time participants a great friendly introduction to the 10k distance.  The emphasis is on a fun evening in a friendly and safe environment.

The 2017 race proved a great success with many comments from competitors on how well it was run and the quality of the organisation shining through (down to ensuring a scheduled fresh pizza delivery for the participants from the back of the pack).



Features include…
  • Medals for all finishers.
  • AAI Permit Event – Chipped Timing
  • Post Race Refreshments. (Pizza)
  • Prizes: for Mens, Ladies, Age Categories and Club Teams.
  • Race HQ: Grasshopper Inn, Clonee Village.
  • Please contact Dunboyne AC or Keith Eglington (086 814 4012) with any enquiries.
  • Participants must be 16 years of age or over.



To Enter...



Sunday 20 May 2018

Run Killarney Half Marathon & 10K

This is the 9th year of The Gleneagle Run Killarney Half Marathon and 10k. It has grown from 500 participants in 2010 to expected numbers of about 3,000 this year. I visited Killarney on the 11th and 12th of May to run both the 10K and Half Marathon Routes. Apart from the spectacular scenery, there's a lot going on that should tempt a runner down to Killarney on the 28th of July:



10K

I ran the 10K on a beautiful Friday evening when I arrived. The race starts at the Gleneagle hotel and out the Muckross Road via Torc and back through the beautiful park on the same final 5k as the half marathon. The first half of this race is under very nice shaded trees. The road is closed, so make sure to take advantage of the racing line, as there are a lot of bends. The second half in the national park is pretty open. I'd recommend holding any fast finish until after Muckross Abbey. Here's my brief video recorded at the end of the route:


Half Marathon

Early Saturday morning I got up to run the Half Marathon route. You will be bused up to the start line in Molls gap, and the route brings you back down to the Gleneagle hotel. It can be overcast up at the gap, so bring a jacket, you can put it in a checked bag, and it will be brought back on the bus to the finish for you. The clouds burn off pretty early in the race, so although it might be cold, prepare for a potentially hot race (sun cream and water!).

This half is pretty down hill at the start. But don't go out too fast, or you will really suffer in the latter parts of the race. Go out easy and conserve energy. Enjoy the breathtaking views around mile 3 and 4 as the course brings you down hill with un-beatable views of the National Park (the only time of the year when this road is closed to cars).

Here's my description of the route, just after finishing it:


Other points of interest:


  • It's one of the really enjoyable finish lines. A great 'beer garden' type atmosphere
  • Usually a great medal
  • Nice finishers tshirt as well
  • Great town to visit and go out in afterwards

REGISTRATION LINK



Saturday 28 April 2018

Day of Irish PB's

An exciting and interesting new event has just been announced by Pop Up Races, the "Day of Irish PB's". This event is aimed at runners of any level who want to break their 5K PB (personal best). It will be held on Saturday 14th July on the Le Cheile AC track in Leixlip, Co. Kildare.



How it works

Encompassing 12 and half laps of the track, each 5,000m race will provide the competitor with the ideal conditions to secure that elusive PB. Each race will be paced by experienced athletes, including Olympians and elite level Irish runners, with the mission of bringing the competitor to their target time. The aim is to provide a family friendly and exciting race day experience that will be one to live long in the memory.

Beginning at 2pm, the first paced race (30 minutes) will start proceeding. The day will build with a crescendo, deploying an all-action packed timetable of graded races.

The Attraction

I'm sure most of you that, like me, are keen on any opportunity to hit a PB, but if it's not immediately obvious how this event can get you there, let me give you a couple of main attractions:
  • International Standard Track - this is built for speed, and obviously no hills to worry about!!
  • Paced Groups - If you've ever trained on the track, you'll know that running with the group is easier than on your own if you are chasing a time. Added to this is the benefit of the experienced pacers for each group, and this is a unique opportunity
  • Track Setting / Atmosphere - with most races the crowd usually gathers around the finish line. This event gives your family / friends the unique opportunity to support you all the way around (12 and a half times). This will also surely encourage better performances. 
  • Camaraderie - With numerous paced groups, there will be lots of other runners watching events either before or after their run. Again adding to the support.


From the Organisers

Anthony Flannery, Race Director said: 'As a keen runner, I wanted to create the ideal conditions for athletes of all standards to compete and thrive. We at Pop Up Races are devoted to the athletics' community, constantly seeking to help each and every athlete achieve their goals. It is my long-held belief to make track and road running accessible to all, within a friendly and exciting race day environment. This truly is an event organised by runners, for runners.'

This is yet another step from Pop Up Races towards improving running in Ireland. At the end of last year, the launched the Kia Race Series, which injected money and an exciting format to a Nationwide series of races. With this new event, they are further adding to the diversity of races available to the Irish runner, helping improve times across the country.

Registration and Group Times:

Follow this link to register, and to see the different pace groups.

Thursday 26 April 2018

Weekend Races 27th - 29th April 2018

Races This Weekend - 21 races so far, see below! Where are you Running?




                                                                                                                               


Here's the list of running races on by county this coming weekend. If there are any that I've missed, just chat a message below and I'll update.


Connaught

  • Roscommon: Friday 27th - Roscommon Harriers AC series - 5K
  • Galway: Saturday 28th - Connemara Adventure Challenge
  • Galway: Sunday 29th - Fr Micheal Mannion Annual Road Race - 5K / 10K
Leinster

  • Dublin: Sunday 29th - Rith Cois Life - 5K
  • Wexford: Sunday 29th - Pettitt’s SuperValu Wexford Half Marathon - 10K / Half Marathon
  • Meath: Sunday 29th - Duleek Cystic Fibrosis Remembrance Run - 10K
  • Wicklow: Sunday 29th - Rith na Lochanna - 5K
  • Kildare: Sunday 29th - Sallins National School Community Fun Run - 5K

Munster

  • Limerick: Friday 27th - Michal Rejmer Memorial - 5Mile
  • Waterford: Saturday 28th - West Waterford AC Series, Waterford to Tramore - 7.5Mile
  • Clare: Saturday 28th - Clare Island Adventure Race
  • Cork: Sunday 29th - Ballymore Cobh AC, Sonia O'Sullivan 10 mile - 10Mile
  • Kerry: Sunday 29th - Tarbert Run - 5K / 10K / 10Mile

Ulster

  • Down: Friday 27th - Scrabo Striders, Run the Runways - 5K / 10K
  • Cavan: Saturday 28th - Run with Catherina - 5K / 10K
  • Derry: Saturday 28th - Rampage, Adventure Race
  • Tyrone: Saturday 28th - St Ciarans run - 5K / 10K
  • Armagh: Saturday 28th - Almac fun run - 5K / 10K
  • Antrim: Saturday 28th - PAT 2018 Run - 10K
  • Tyrone: Sunday 29th - Killeeshil Road Race - 5K / 10K
  • Down: Sunday 29th - Seapatrick run - 5K / 10K

Thursday 19 April 2018

Weekend Races 20th - 22nd April 2018

Races This Weekend - 20 races so far, see below! Where are you Running?




                                                                                                                               


Here's the list of running races on by county this coming weekend. If there are any that I've missed, just chat a message below and I'll update.


Connaught

  • Roscommon: Friday 20th - Roscommon Harriers AC series - 5K
  • Galway: Saturday 21st - Hurt Locker Duathlon
  • Mayo: Sunday 22nd - Run for Boylo - 5K / 10K
  • Roscommon: Sunday 22nd - Athlone Run - 5K / 10K
Leinster

  • Longford: Saturday 21st - Royal Canal Run - 10K / Half Marathon / Marathon / Ultra
  • Kildare: Saturday 21st - Clane GAA Run - 5K / 10K
  • Wicklow: Saturday 21st - Roundwood Reservoir Run - 10K
  • Wexford: Sunday 22nd - 5 for the Dive - 5Mile (postponed)
  • Dublin: Sunday 22nd - Sumo Run - 5K
  • Kildare: Sunday 22nd - Newbridge Educate Together fun run - 5K

Munster

  • Limerick: Friday 20th - Michal Rejmer Memorial - 5Mile
  • Cork: Sunday 22nd - The Great Railway Run - 10K / 25K
  • Kerry: Sunday 22nd - Kingdom Come Run - 5K / 10Mile
  • Tipperary: Sunday 22nd - MMRA League, Silvermines - 7.4K (trail)
  • Waterford: Sunday 22nd - Angela Burns 10K, Ferrybank - 10K

Ulster

  • Tyrone: Saturday 21st - The Cormac Run - 5K / 10K
  • Tyrone: Saturday 21st - Gortin Run - 5K / 10K
  • Down: Saturday 21st - Ballynahinch Lions - 10K
  • Armagh: Sunday 22nd - Run Armagh - 10K
  • Derry: Sunday 22nd - Run DC - 10K

Thursday 12 April 2018

Weekend Races 13th - 15th April 2018

Races This Weekend - 27 races so far, see below! Where are you Running?




                                                                                                                               


Here's the list of running races on by county this coming weekend. If there are any that I've missed, just chat a message below and I'll update.


Connaught

  • Roscommon: Friday 13th - Roscommon Harriers AC, 5k Series - 5K
  • Mayo: Saturday 14th - Up and Over Challenge - 14.5K (hill running)
  • Galway: Saturday 14th - The Delphi Tri Event
  • Galway: Sunday 15th - St. Olivers Family Fun Run - 5K
  • Galway: Sunday 15th - New Inn Run - 5K
  • Sligo: Sunday 15th - Easkey Castle Run - 5K / 10K / 10Mile

Leinster

  • Wicklow: Saturday 14th - Festival of Running - 5Mile / 10Mile / 15Mile/ 20Mile / Marathon
  • Dublin: Sunday 15th - The Great Ireland Run - 5K / 10K
  • Kilkenny: Sunday 15th - The School Run - 5K / 10K
  • Meath: Sunday 15th - Lismullen races - 3K / 10K
  • Kildare: Sunday 15th - Kildare 5K

Munster

  • Limerick: Friday 13th - Michal Rejmer Memorial - 5Mile
  • Waterford: Friday 13th - Butlerstown - 4Mile
  • Cork: Saturday 14th - Cork BHAA, Gas Networks - 5Mile
  • Tipperary: Sunday 15th - Killea Road Run - 5K /10Mile
  • Clare: Sunday 15th - Run Clare, Tuamgraney 10 - 10Mile
  • Kerry: Sunday 15th - Cromane family fun run - 1K / 5K / 10K
  • Cork: Sunday 15th - Rathpeacon NS run - 4Mile
  • Cork: Sunday 15th - MMRA, Trail Race, Curragh Woods - 7K (trail)
  • Cork: Sunday 15th - Karen Fenton Memorial - 5K
  • Cork: Sunday 15th - Firmount NS fun run - 6K

Ulster

  • Antrim: Saturday 14th - Glenarm Castle Challenge - 5K / 10K / Half Marathon
  • Antrim: Saturday 14th - Run round the Castle, Randalstown - 5K /10K
  • Tyrone: Sunday 15th - Creggan Road Race - 5K / 10K
  • Derry: Sunday 15th - Garvagh Trail Run - 21K (trail)
  • Armagh: Sunday 15th - Portadown - 5K / 10K
  • Antrim: Sunday 15th - Centra Run Together Pairs Event Queens