Location......This is located in the South-West of Cork City and access is via Exit 2 on the N40.
Course Map.......The race starts and finishes next to the Cork City FC Training Grounds in Curraheen.
Profile......The 5k course is mostly flat with just one real climb near the start....
Description.....The race starts on the Curraheen Road and there is a gentle climb from the start. Coming so early in the race and with the field still packed, it shouldn't feel too difficult.
On the other side of the roundabout, it drops down again before climbing again at around the 0.6km mark.
The climb lasts for about 300m and almost straight away starts going downhill for another 300m. At about 1.5km, you turn left onto Melbourne Road.
There is a slight rise along this stretch but nothing too serious. It is followed by a drop and then it's left at the next junction at 2.3km and down Rossa Avenue...
After running through a residential area, you leave the roads behind at 2.9km...
From here, you are onto quiet walkways and probably the nicest part of the course. All of it is flat as it runs alongside the small river. The following sequence of photos shows the course on the walkway...
At about 4.2kms, you leave the walkway and head through a housing estate...
There is a small hill as you climb out of the estate and out onto the Curraheen Road.
From there, it's right and up the last small climb to the roundabout by the main road. From here, it's downhill all the way to the finish line by the Cork City FC grounds.
Overall.......A fast 5k course. The hills are pretty short and shouldn't have too much of an impact, especially as there are some downhill sections to compensate. Very conveniently situated just off the N40 and the Ballincollig Bypass so access is very good.
