Great Island Run

10th April

Returning for it's 7th year this year is the Great Island Run, 10 mile race in Cobh, Co. Cork. (also including a 4 mile race). Expect around 600 runners for the 10 mile, and 250 for the 4 mile.

All the money raised from this race is donated to the Irish Cancer Society.

Route

This is a tough enough route, not the worst, and certainly good training. The first 2 miles are fast and downhill, the next 4 miles are pretty challenging. From mile 6 to the finish it's pretty flat, except for a slight incline around 8.5 miles. Also a nice downhill finish with views of cork harbour.

The 4 mile starts downhill and follows the last 3 miles of the 10 mile route.

Registration

Entry for the 10 Mile is €20 online or €25 on the day. Entry for the 4 Mile is €10 online or €15 on the day.

Link to Registration

Just to reiterate, this race is run for the Irish Cancer Society, no profits are taken by organisers.

Mallow 10 Mile

Mallow 10 Mile - 20th March

Another 10 mile race that has been around for a long time and is very popular is the Mallow 10 Mile on Sunday 20th March. This will be the 16th year of the race, organised by Mallow Athletic Club, since it came back. But the event has been around since the 80's in some form.

Entry

Last year they capped the number of entries at 1,500 and sold out, this year they have increased the cap to 1,750, and with everyone training for 10 miles around this time of year, they'll likely sell out again. (Closing date for online entries is March 4th).

As of January 17th, the had exceeded 700 entries. The cost is €20 plus a booking fee of €1.90 and you can register here.

Route

This is a pretty fast course, with a mix of town and rural country roads. No major hills to worry about.

What you Get

Last year entrants received the branded Buff below. Not sure if this is coming back again, but I would guess so. If anyone from the race wants to confirm in the comments below, please do:

Official Flyer

RNLI Reindeer Runs

At this time of the year there are numerous Santa Dash's, Turkey Trots and Reindeer Runs. And I for one, love them all, because usually they are great fun, they encourage new runners, and help spread the Christmas Cheer.....hurray! (As well as help with a little excercise during this season of indulgence).

I decided that I'd like to highlight the RNLI Reindeer runs. This is because they do amazing, brave work as well as being nicely organised races. Added to that, is the fact that there are a few of them:

• 22nd November - Liss Ard (apparently it was good, I missed it)
• 29th November - Fota House, Cork (great location for a run)
• 6th December - Marley Park, Dublin 

Also for our UK friends, there's one this Saturday in Dorset.

Registration

There is a 10K and 5K distance at all these events, as well as a "1k saunter", You get a t-shirt and 'reindeer antlers' for the 10k and 5k races. Here's the prices:

• Adult 10K - €22
• Adult 5K - €20
• 1K Saunter - Free
• Child Ticket - €10
• Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) - €55

Follow this link for Registration

Small bit about RNLI

I had the pleasure of going on-board the LifeBoat down in Castletownbere this summer. This was really interesting and enjoyable. They are some people (both the volunteers and the full time staff) and it was some machine. This picture from the RNLI lifeboat in Cliften, posted yesterday, says a lot about what they do:

Clonakilty Marathon Preview

Run Clon takes place on 5th December in Clonakilty and incorporates full marathon, half marathon and 10K races. This is the 6th running of the event, that started with just the marathon, but has expanded since. In 2010 the marathon had approx. 200 finishers, last year the marathon had over 400, the half marathon had over 700 and the 10k had nearly 800 finishers. With nearly 2,000 runners hitting Clonakilty, this will be one of the last big running events of 2015.

Route

There are three new routes this year for all the events. In the past, I was put off the event by the fact that the routes were loops of the same course (just something that I personally don't like). They have changed that now, so it will be interesting to see what the new routes will be like.

You are guaranteed spectacular views, as the routes cover some amazing views out over the Atlantic. However, you also need to expect to be tested over some hills and there'll likely be a strong wind from the coast in places (so hide behind some tall people!).

Registration

• Marathon - €60
• Half Marathon - €50
• 10K - €30

The Marathon seems to be good value for money at €60. The Half and 10K may be on the high side, however, unlike a lot of 10k races (and some half's) you get a pretty nice finisher medal and technical top. Registration here.

Race Info

Race start is at the Quality Hotel in Clonakilty and is planned for 9am.

When you arrive in Clonakilty town, take the Bypass Road towards the Quality Hotel, on the N71, parking will be at the showgrounds (beside the hotel).

Race packs and finishing t-shirts can be collected upstairs at the Carbery suite in the Quality Hotel on Thurs 3rd 6-9pm; Fri 4th 10am - 9pm; Race Day 6am - 7:30am.

Weather is usually around 8 - 10 degrees, so bring warm gear!

Other

The atmosphere at this race is always enjoyable, everyone in good spirits. There's also some nice perks that are worth mentioning:

1. You get Clonakilty Pudding - if you don't know what this is, you should enter just to find out!
2. Showers available in the Quality hotel
3. Post Race massage
4. Photo Wall - available after the race for you to get a proper high quality pic that you can then download for free afterwards

Clonakilty Marathon

Clonakilty Marathon, Half Marathon, & 10K - 5th December - Cork

http://www.runclon.ie/

Charleville Half Marathon

Charleville Half Marathon - 20th September - Cork

http://www.charlevillehalf.com/

You can register for this race up to the 6pm on the day before, but to avail of discounts, register early.