Cork093

Preview of the Great Island 4 mile road race in Cobh.....

Where to go?.......The race HQ is the Great Island Community Centre is normally located up high in the town of Cobh. They will have areas for car parking in this general area so follow the stewards instructions on the day and they will direct you to the closest car park.



The easiest way to describe where the Community Centre is to follow the road straight up from the St.Coleman's Catheral. As you can see from the photo below, it's a large building and easy to find.

Map of course...




Preview of the Course.......

Start to Mile 2.....The 4 mile starts about 500m from the Community Centre and it's downhill from the off.


 It bottoms out around 400m...then rises slightly...and fall sharply to the crossroads where you turn left...

From here, you're on the same course as the 10 mile runners. This section known as the Tay Road is mostly flat with only a minor climb here and there. Just before the 2 mile mark, you come to a T-junction where you turn left.

Mile 2 to 4.....You are now on the main road to Cobh and anyone who does the Cork BHAA 'Cork to Cobh' race every year should be familiar with this last section. It starts dead flat and as you get closer to 3 miles, there is a slight incline up to the railway bridge. It's hard to really call it a hill and besides, it's pretty short.

Onwards towards Cobh but a slight change after 3 miles. You'll be taking a slight diversion right....

....and using a flatter and quieter road into the town. Anyone who has ran the old 'Streets of Cobh' 5 k race will be familiar with this section. Down past the train station and.........

........on towards the finish in the middle of the town.

Overall........It's a fast 4 mile course. You start on a hill and finish near sea level so there is a net fall. No serious hills or drags.