This 5k race in North Cork is in Doneraile Park, an old country estate made up of mature deciduous trees and grassland. While it's described as a trail race, it is in reality mostly on narrow roads and paths within the park. It would be wrong to think that it's some sort of cross country race and that you need to run through mud or long grass.
Location.......
Doneraile is located just to the north-east of Mallow so access is very easy from the N20 Cork to Limerick road.
If you are coming from say South Tipperary, then it's just off the N73 Mitchelstown to Mallow road.
Preview of course by Paudie Birmingham of Mallow AC...
Course Map...
Start of the race...
Continue straight for the next mile where the course flattens out....
At the end of the first mile, you take a right over a hump back bridge...
After the bridge there is a slight pull and a left turn...
At the end of a short straight, you take a right turn into the forest...
From here the next mile has some slight up and down hill sections but nothing too serious. Lots of scenery here with thousands of bluebells on show in late Spring and early Summer...
Before you come out of the forest you pass the 2 mile mark and then take a right turn...
After a short run by the duck pond you take a left...
At this point you come across the first serious pull. It is approximately 500m long...
Once over the hill, you pass the 4k mark and leave the forest you take a right turn where you have a steep downhill...
At the end of the downhill, you take a left...
Followed by another left into the home straight...
Continue straight where you will encounter the second serious pull up to the 3 mile mark....
After the 3 mile mark there is a slight dip and then a pull up to the finish line...
The race ends in front of Doneraile House...
Overall........A 5 km race on forest trails and narrow roads of an old country estate. A mixture of grassland and deciduous trees. Fantastic location on a nice sunny day. No traffic. A few smalls but nothing too serious. Expect to run a reasonable time.
