Update : Sun 9:30am.....Current temp -3 deg C....v little wind...clear
The Dungarvan 10 mile road race has a reputation of being a fast course. If your target is trying out for a PB then this is the one to run. The route takes in a small loop through the town before leaving Dungarvan to take in a bigger loop in the countryside.
(Click on any of the images below for a closer look)
The start point is approximately 1 km from the Sports Centre. The road here is very wide and there is plenty of space. Please note that your time starts with the gun. Even with 1000+ runners taking part, there is no major delay in everyone starting at more or less the same time.
As you can see from the image below, the road rises just after the start. Coming at the start of the race, it's a lot easier than later when you're tired.
After an initial steep section, the going gets easier as you begin the loop around the town. As you can see from the image below, you keep running straight.....take in a short loop.....and then run downhill and re-join the main road and turn right.
You then run back down towards the start line....passing the 1 mile mark....and then on towards the roundabout at the entrance to the town, you take a left and out the main road to the south....
The coure here is now very fast. You will be running inside the hard shoulder and the road up to the 2 mile mark is flat before becoming a gradual downhill......until it's time to turn off right...
Now you are onto a quiet narrow country road and the road rises again gently...
Eventually, the road widens as it approaches the town and an industrial area. The road here is pretty fast and flat. Not long after the 3 mile mark, you rejoin the main road...
However, you're only on this short section of main road for about 100 metres. Then it's straight through the roundabout and take the 2nd left...
.....and then it's onto a reasonly flat road as you leave the town...
The next mile or so is reasonably flat. There are a few very small drags but certainly nothing worth noting.
Just after the 5 mile mark, you reach the most westerly point as the course takes a sharp left. As you approach the corner, you will see other faster runners at the other side of the field...
This section is narrow but dead flat until you turn right at the next junction...
Just around the corner, you soon pass the 6 mile mark. This is followed by a gentle uphill section.....
Nothing too serious but coming at 6 miles, it can have an impact. Eventually, the road flattens out and this is followed by a steep downhill section...
At the end of the hill, you cross a small bridge over the River Brickey and take a sharp left...
The road now follows the river so it's dead flat............(
well, slightly downhill but nothing that you would notice ;o)
It's like this for about 1.3 miles as you pass the 7 and 8 mile mark along the way. At around 8.2 miles, you rejoin the main N25 and you run inside the hard shoulder as you head back towards Dungarvan. Initially the road is flat but soon begins to climb. It nevers gets too serious but coming at 8.3 miles, it can have a huge impact if you are tired. This is arguably the hardest part of the course.
Soon, you pass the 9 mile mark and you are now back on familar ground as you are on the same section of road that you were running on earlier. The road begins to flatten out and it stays like this until you reach the roundabout at the entrance to the town. At this stage, you are getting very close to the finish....
Just after the roundabout, you'll see the sign for the turn off to the left...
Once you turn left, it's only a short run of about 100 metres to the finish.
At the finish line, there will be a timing mat which will record your time as you cross it.
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