Race Notice...Castleisland 10 mile road race - Sun 29th April 2012

This is a brand new race coming up in Kerry on Sunday, the 29th of April at 11am. Located in Castleisland, north Kerry, the Lee Strand Kingdom Come 10 mile is sure to attract a lot of runners from Kerry, west Limerick and the general west Munster region. Castleisland is only a short distance from Killarney and Tralee and the race should be of particular interest to runners there.

Some of you may have already seen some flyers for this race but the exact details on those are a bit sketchy. Here are some more details from the organisers...An Riocht Athletic Club...

Lee Strand Kingdom Come 10 miler - Sun 29th April 2012
1) Entry fee - €30
2) Chip timing
3) All finishers will get a technical running top
4) Finishers will also get 2 guest passes for the facilties at the Castleisland track. These include the use of the track and the state of the art gym, relaxation area (sauna, steam room and jacuzzi). These usually cost €8 so with two, they will have a value of €16. i.e. Guest pass is for two one-off visits. You can find photos of the gym and relaxation area here- http://www.riocht.ie/Website/H&LPage/home_page2.html
5) Course measured accurately with a Jones Counter
6) Post Race Entertainment will include a live band
7) Post race BBQ and drinks for all finishers
8) Bouncing Castles and Face Painting for the kids
9) Masseurs for post race rub down
10) PRIZES...1st 10 Men...1st 10 Women...1st 3 Junior Men...1st 3 Junior Women...Masters 1st 2 Men and Women 0.40,0.50,0.60...1st 2 Mens Teams 4 to Score, 1st 2 Womens Teams 3 to Score, 1st 2 School Teams

Entries.......you can enter online HERE or download the entry form HERE and post it in.

Runners can enter on the morning of the race as well in the clubhouse. There will be assigned times in the lead up to the race where anyone who is able can collect their gift bag which will include their chip as well.

It's worth mentioning also that money raised from the road race will be used for maintenance of the outdoor track in Castleisland. I'm told that it is the ONLY 400 metre track in Kerry and is used by athletes from clubs in Kerry and west Limerick. When you consider that a few months back, the track in the UCD campus was dug up then it really highlights the value of the existing outdoor tracks in the country. It's all very well having plenty of road and cross country races but they will do little to advance the sport of athletics. If children are going to be involved in the sport then they need access to proper local facilties like this. Perhaps for that reason alone, this race is worth supporting. There is no point in complaining about the lack of facilities when they are gone.

Approx course....

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...

More info from the race organisers...

A. Registration/Number Pick Up/Ronhill Top Pick Up/ Changing Rooms/ Access to track for warm up
B. Race Start
C. Race Car Park
D. Finish Line
E. Post Race Goody Bag Collection
F. Post Race Entertainment- Live Band/Race Presentation/Stalls/Bouncing Castles/Face Painting

Race Details-
1. Car Parking will be in the Mart Yard which will be signposted from Main St.
2. Registration will be in the clubhouse building, you will be directed to the specific area once you enter the clubhouse itself.
3. Changing Rooms in clubhouse
4. People have the option of warming up on the track or on our spinning bikes which will be set up outside the clubhouse
5. You can also wait for the mass warm up on the start line!
6. There will be pacers for 60 minutes, 70 minutes and 80 minutes. They will be easily recognizable as the will have a hi-vis bib and a balloon with their target time on them. Ideally you should line up behind or around your pacer!
7. Water stops will be available at roughly the 3, 7 and 9 mile marks as well as the finish line.
8. Medal will be given to all finishers after they cross the finish line.
9. Goody Bag can be collected at the finish line area- isotonic drink, lee strand milk, 2 one off guest passes for the health and leisure club and food voucher.
10. Food can be collected in the kitchen area of the clubhouse, then you can sit outside and enjoy the live band while they refuel.
11. Bouncing Castles and Face painting will be onsite for the kids
12. Members of Castleisland Farmer’s Market as well as sports goods and nutrition retailers will have stalls set up in the finish entertainment area also.

All those who have entered in the race either online before Wednesday 25th April will be entered in a draw to have their entry fee refunded to them!!

Any queries to- riochtathletics@hotmail.com or Kate Mc Sweeney at 087-9228834

Directions....

1) For those coming from Limerick.......HERE
2) For those coming from Cork......HERE
3) Directions as you approach the town from Cork...HERE