Preview of the Ballincollig Regional Park 3km route...
In the Spring of 2015, Ballincollig Athletic Club launched a new signposted 3km route within Ballincollig Regional Park which is suitable for runners, joggers and walkers.
It is called the Michael O'Donovan 3k Running Route in memory of the former chairman of Ballincollig AC who passed away in 2012.
Excerpt from Ballincollig AC........."Michael O’Donovan was a dedicated and active member of Ballincollig AC . He wasboth a Coach and Club Chairperson of at the time of his passing in 2012. With the support of the O’Donovan Family and Cork County Council, the club decided to mark his involvement in the club by holding a 5k Run in the Regional Park in April 2013 and 2014. In addition to a grant from Cork County Council, income from both of these races was used to develop the Michael O'Donovan 3k Running Route in the Regional Park, Ballincollig."
Directions........Access is via the car park at the western end of the park. The approach road is from the junction outside the SuperValu Supermarket at the western end of Ballincollig.
This is a map of the course. It's very easy to follow as all you need do is to follow the Blue signposts.
The surface is a mixture of tarmac, compacted earth and gravel. See the photos below.....
This is the start of the route...flat with a tarmac surface....
View at 0.25 kms...
View at the junction at 0.75kms...
View of footbridge at 0.8 kms....
After the footbridge, the surface changes to a compact earth/gravel surface which is pretty smooth. This is the 1km mark.....
At 1.2 kms, the path splits. The marked route turns right onto a gravel path which then runs parallel to the path shown below. The surface is ok to run on but not as nice as the rest of the course. If you're not too worried about running the exact 3km distance then you could just as easily take the path straight ahead which is a nicer surface. It would result in the course being maybe 40 metres short of 3kms.
This is the view at the far end of the gravel path around 1.5kms. From here, head north and cross over another footbridge. The surface returns to the smooth compact earth type of path.
Junction at about 1.7 kms...
View at 1.9 kms as you run alongside the canals which were once used for the manufacture of gunpowder in the early 19th century.
Right at the junction at 2kms....
At about 2.3 kms, the path runs alongside the River Lee. Nice soft surface for running.
Near the weir at 2.7 kms, you are back onto a tarmac surface...
Heading towards the finish.....
The finish point at 3kms. The car park is just ahead.
It's possible to get in a longer route in the Regional Park but it usually involves some degree of 'out and back' as opposed to a loop. This is a good starter course for anyone who has never used the park before.
Overall........A nice quiet running route which has been accurately measured to 3kms. Practically dead flat. Suitable for all types of runner from beginners up.
