Kerry005

Preview of the Knocknagoshel 5 km run...

Location...Knocknagoshel is a small village located just off the N21 Abbeyfeale to Castleisland road in the north of Kerry

It's only 3 kms from the N21 road and is sign posted...

Registration is at the local community centre which is at the western side of the village...

Course map...The course takes in a loop to the north-west of Knocknagoshel

Course profile...The first km is very tough. Plenty of fast running in the second half.

Course description...The starting point for the Knocknagoshel Harvest Festival 5K run and non competitive walk is outside Roches Bar.

Passing the Village Inn and turning right at Walshs Bar...

After about 500m, things get a lot steeper...

Looking back at the approach road to Cummer Hill...

By the 1 km mark, things have eased off and there is some spectacular scenery looking out over Abbeyfeale Valley...

At about the 1.2 km mark, the run follows an off road section for about 1.5 kms...

Until you meet the tarmac again as you take a left heading for the 3k mark…

Now there is a slight down hill followed by a slight uphill to get to the 4 km mark. After this, you start the fastest part of the route and then turn left back into the village…

The road from here continues to go gradually downhill until you finish just above O’Connors bar back in the village centre again...

Overall......A run that is just over 5 kms in length. Very tough start but plenty of fast running in the second half. Weather permitting, nice views out over North Kerry.

Kerry003

Preview of the 10 mile road race in Castleisland...

This race is organised by An Ríocht AC and takes in the roads around Castleisland in Co.Kerry

Race HQ is at the clubhouse which has the only 400m outdoor running track in Kerry.

Approx course....

Essentially, the course does a loop around the town and then at about 1.5 miles, it heads north and slightly uphill. The peak is near where the road joins the N21 and then, you down south and slightly downhill along the hard shoulder. Then it's back in to do a loop around to the south of the town before finishing back near the athletics track.

Profile...

Some uphill running between mile 2 as you leave the town and mile 3.5 where you join the by-pass. Otherwise, downhill or flat.


Location of An Riocht AC track in Castleisland. This race does a short loop around the town before heading North.

Approx 1.6 miles...straight road north out of the town

Approx 3.7 miles...where the road north joins the bypass. Lots of fast downhill running from here

Approx 6.7 miles....end of the bypass and heading back in towards the town

Approx 7.0 miles...start of the loop to the south of the town

Approx 7.5 miles...Right at the T-junction and then south. Roads are dead flat

Approx 7.7 miles...Turn left onto a quieter country road

Approx 8.6 mile......Turn left and head back in towards the town

Approx 9.2 miles.....Back into the outskirts of the town

Approx 9.5 miles...A hill in the last mile. Several hundred metres long...sharp at first but then eases off

Approx 9.8 miles....Turn left and head down the narrow road towards the sports track

Flat fast run into the finish

Overall....A reasonably fast course. There are two real hills as such. The first one after mile two is more of a gentle incline. The second one at about 9.5 miles is steeper but short. There is a significant amount of flat or slightly downhill running which should make for fast times. If you are going for a fast 10 mile time then this is one to do it on.

Kerry002

Preview of the Castleisland 5k race route...

This 5k route in Castleisland is used by An Riocht Athletic Club on a regular basis for a number of races. Race headquarters is usually at the Sports Centre and track.

The race starts out on the main road outside O'Donoghues garage. You then run through the town before doing a loop on quiet country roads to the south-east of the town.

 

This is the only section where the course overlaps by around 200 metres.

The start line outside O'Donoghues Garage

The road junction near the An Ríocht AC track. First time round, it's just after the start and you run straight through the town. As you get near the end of the race, you turn left here and down the quiet road towards the finish on the track. 

If you are not familiar with the location of the An Ríocht AC track and clubhouse then as you can see from the the photo above, it is clearly signposted from the main road that runs through the town.

Approx 0.7 miles...Turn left onto a quieter country road

Approx 1.3 miles......Turn left and head back in towards the town

Approx 2.0 miles.....Back into the outskirts of the town

Approx 2.3 miles...A hill in the last mile. Several hundred metres long...sharp at first but then eases off

Approx 3.0 miles....Turn left and head down the narrow road towards the sports track

Flat fast run into the finish

Overall....A reasonably fast course. There is only one real hill but it's reasonably short.