Directions.........Located in the south-east of county Limerick, Kilfinane is within easy access and is just 15 kms or so east of Charleville and the N20 Cork-Limerick road. If you are coming from Limerick City then turning off the N20 north of Charleville and going via Kilmallock is probably the best option. If you are coming from Cork then turn off at Ballyhea and go via Ardpatrick. Taking the motorway as far as Mitchelstown and then taking the R517 is another option.
Race HQ is usually the Scoil Pól Secondary School.
If you are coming from the west side of Kilfinane (R517) then you should pass the finish line outside the Centra shop.......
The race start is just up the road on the right at the crossroads ahead. For the secondary school, take a left and drive 400m.
Course description...The race starts close to the crossroads in the centre of the town...
After about 200m, you pass the Maple Ballroom on the left......
.....as the road continues to rise gradually.
The photo below near the 1 mile mark is typical of this part of the route...
There is a forest and hill on the right hand side of the road. The road twists and turns as it makes it's way gradually uphill. On the left, there is a view of the valley below and you can see the other parallel road where you head back towards Kilfinane.
At a road junction around the 2.4 mile mark, you turn off left onto the minor road and head downhill again...
This is a lovely quiet country road and there should be little if any traffic. As the slope is gradually downhill, the next 1.5 miles should be very fast.
Around the 4 mile mark, there is a slight climb again before you continue the gradual decent into Kilfinane. At 4.7 miles, you run straight through the crossroads with the grotto...
...and at 4.8 miles, you turn left at the T-junction...
Now for the final sting in the tail...
...the last climb of about 300m to the finish line outside the local Centra shop.
Overall.....Considering that the hills are gradual and there is plenty of fast downhill running as well, you might expect to post a reasonably fast time over this 5 mile course. The trick is to keep things nice and steady for the first 2.4 miles and keep something in reserve for the second half.
