Race notice...Kilfinane 5 mile road race - Fri 29th June 2012

The 4th race of 11 in the current Ballyhoura Active Series is coming up next Friday evening, the 29th of June with the Kilfinane 5 mile road race which starts at 7:30pm

Located in the south-east of county Limerick, it is within easy access and is just 15 kms or so east of Charleville and the N20 Cork-Limerick road. If you are coming from Limerick City then turning off the N20 north of Charleville and going via Kilmallock is probably the best option. If you are coming from Cork then turn off at Ballyhea and go via Ardpatrick.

If you are coming from the west side of Kilfinane (R517) then you should pass the finish line outside the Centra shop.......

....and then take the next right and the hall is up the road on the left.

Entries.........the entry fee is €10.The race starts at 7:30pm with registration opening at 6.30pm at the Maple Ballroom across from the soccer pitch at Barrack Street, Kilfinane.

From the organisers..."This Friday 29th we host the fourth race of this years Ballyhoura series. The race last year was a huge success with 150 runners taking part. This year we hope that even more will participate. At 10 euro entry it is one of the cheaper races around and the distance is achievable for even the most novice of runners. Registration from 6.30 at the Maple Ballroom for an 7.30 start and prize giving and refreshments back at the Maple Ballroom afterwards."

Course........Basically, the route goes out in a south-easterly direction on a road heading towards Mitchelstown and  it is slightly uphill. You then return on a minor road going gradually downhill.
The race starts near the centre of the town and the hall where you register.

The photo above near the 1 mile mark is typical of this part of the route. There is a forest and hill on the right hand side of the road. The road twists and turns as it makes it's way gradually uphill. On the left, there is a view of the valley below and you can see the other parallel road where you head back towards Kilfinane.

This is the road junction around the 2.4 mile mark where you turn onto the minor road and head downhill again. This is a lovely quiet country road and there should be little if any traffic. As the slope is gradually downhill, the next 1.5 miles should be very fast.

Around the 4 mile mark, there is a slight climb again before you continue the gradual decent into Kilfinane....

Straight through the crossroads with the grotto to the next T-junction, turn left and then the final sting in the tail...

...the last climb to the finish line outside the local Centra shop.

Overall.....Considering that the hills are gradual and there is plenty of fast downhill running as well, you might expect to post a reasonably fast time over this 5 mile course. The trick is to keep things nice and steady for the first 2.4 miles and keep something in reserve for the second half.