Location...The village of Ardfield is 6 kms from Clonakilty in West Cork...
Closer view...
The main N71 road to Skibbereen goes through the southern side of the town of Clonakilty. At the Y junction shown below, the road to Ardfield is left up the hill...
Course profile...
Course description...The race starts on a narrow road just to east of the Mountain House bar. At the T-junction, you turn left and run uphill. Just ahead, the Mountain House bar can be clearly seen...
The road now continues to drop downhill. After 100 metres, you take a sharp right...
After a short flat section, the road then drops rapidly...easily the steepest part of the course...
At the next junction at 0.4 miles, you turn right and then begin the final uphill stretch to Ardfield itself...
As you approach the church, the finish line is just around the corner to the left. You will repeat this section of the course at the end of the race but for now, you carry straight on.
After a gradual climb out of the village, you come to this junction at 1.5 miles. This is part of the stretch of road that you will be running on twice. First time around, it is from 1.5 miles to 1.8 miles and if you are running slowly, you might see faster runners joining from the left (pink arrow). After you complete the small loop to the north, this will be the 3.3 mile mark.
This is the junction at 1.8 miles. First time around, you stay left. Second time around at 3.7 miles, you turn right.
From this point at 3.7 miles, you continue on a narrow country road until there is a short downhill to a crossroads at 4.7 miles where you can see the ocean ahead. From here, you turn right and head back towards Ardfield...
Initially, the road climbs again but at 4.9 miles, you begin the long gradual downhill descent...
All along this stretch, Ardfield can be seen in the valley to the right. At 5.5 miles, you come to a T-junction where the 10 k race started. This time, you turn left. Just ahead, the Mountain House bar can be clearly seen...
The road now continues to drop downhill. After 100 metres, you take a sharp right...
After a short flat section, the road then drops rapidly...easily the steepest part of the course...
At the next junction at 5.8 miles, you turn right and then begin the final uphill stretch to Ardfield itself...
As you approach the church, the finish line is just around the corner to the left...
Overall......The course is on nice quiet country roads. Anyone who is used to running the Clonakilty Marathon will know much of the course already and this section around Ardfield is probably some of the nicest and most scenic. On a sunny day, this part of the coast near Galley Head is a lovely spot for a race. Worth the trip.
