Cork010

Preview of the Ballinhassig Straight Mile...


This one mile road race is on a quiet country road just to the south of Ballinhassig near Cork City.

Directions...Take the N71 road from Cork City for Bandon and turn off left for Ballinhassig.

Just as you enter the village, you will see the community hall (see inset pic)....turn right before this and drive south for about a mile.  You'll see the various cars parked near a road junction so you can't miss it.

Note that registration is usually at a car parked at the side of the road. There is no sports hall or anything like that.

Course...The course is almost dead straight and it can be broken up into three pieces....
1) Gradual downhill from the start to about 450 metres
2) Slight rise to about 900m
3) Slight downhill then to the finish line at 1609 metres or one mile.

Here are some photos of the course...

This one shows the start line with the line marked across the road. As you can see, it's a gradual downhill.

At 450 metres, the road levels out near this road junction. The road rises ahead but it really is a gentle gradient. The fact that you are no longer running downhill makes it feel just that little bit harder.

At the crest of the hill at about 900m, there is a very slight bend to the right and the last 700 metres can be seen ahead.

The finish line back near the road junction and the registration car.

Overall.......One of the very few mile races on the road in Munster. A low key event that usually attracts a small gathering with the proceeds going to charity.