Cork athletics: Dates for your diary with three top races before New Year's Day
Members of Shandrum AC at the launch of their annual road race which takes place on December 28.
Runners across the county have choices aplenty when it comes to road action immediately after Christmas, with three top races taking place in a four-day period.
Shandrum, Togher and Grange Fermoy are the respective promotion clubs and all three events are splendidly organised.
First in the spotlight is the Shandrum AC 5K on Saturday, December 28 which begins at 11am, where the local GAA club in Newtownshandrum is the race HQ for all activities.
"We are expecting runners from a number of counties and get great support also for all our races from the local clubs," said club PRO Elaine Coughlan. "It's a nice loop around the village with just one steady climb at around the 3K mark. We have prizes in all categories and course record prizes also."
Last year's winners Anthony Mannix and Michelle Kenny have both confirmed that they will be back to defend their titles.
Online entries from the Shandrum 5K close at 6pm on Friday 27 at 6pm. However walk-in entries will also be taken on the morning of the race.
The next day Togher AC are again anticipating a very large entry for their annual 5K. In fact, close on 800 entries were already received with over a week to go, so the ceiling of 1,000 could well be reached.
"Everything is ready to go for the 11am start on Sunday, which seems to be a very suitable time for people," said club PRO Sue Meaney.
"Our race headquarters will open at 9am and participants should note that it is over 1K from the start line, so we advise all people to arrive in plenty of time. The route covers Togher and Glasheen before finishing close to Togher Park.
"Afterwards Togher Boys School is the venue for refreshments and prize giving. Our club is flying at the moment with huge numbers and in particular, the 'Little Athletics' group is proving very popular and is currently full to capacity. Our juveniles and seniors are thriving also."
Thg final race of 2024 is the Grange Fermoy AC 10K at 12pm on New Year's Eve with a new one-lap course awaiting in the Glanworth area, starting and finishing on the outskirts of the village. Online registrations remain open until Monday, December 30, whilst entries again be accepted on the day.
Clotilde Fitzgibbon from the organising committee said: "The proceeds of the race will go towards the Dr Ashleigh Byrne O'Brian Memorial Fund, a former much-loved club member who passed on to her eternal reward last July. Over 300 entries have been received already, with 450 set as the cut-off point."
Finally, on a lighter note, Ballintotis Fit4Life will host their annual Relay Run on Friday next at 10am. Festive dress is encouraged. This year's chosen charity is East Cork Rapid Response.
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