Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Event notice...Bay Run Half-Marathon and 10k - Sun 4th May 2014

Thursday, April 03, 2014

Event notice...Bay Run Half-Marathon and 10k - Sun 4th May 2014

The Bay Run half-marathon in Bantry in West Cork started back in 2007 and has been held on the May Bank Holiday weekend since. Last year, it was announced that the 2013 race would be the last one. The event itself has traditionally attracted large numbers of people to the town of Bantry that weekend and the loss of the race would have meant a big fall off in trade for local hotels, B&B's and businesses.

To keep the race going, the local Maritime Hotel in Bantry took over the organising of the event with the aim of continuing to attract people to the town for that weekend. As well as the usual half-marathon, they have also added a 10k and a family 3k run in order to widen the appeal. They also changed the end of the race to make it more attractive

In terms of location, it's a stunning spot for the race and it would probably ideally suit people that want a weekend away as Bantry is central to the Beara, Mizen and Sheeps Head peninsulas.



The half-marathon is slightly unusual in that it is a point to point event as opposed to a loop. Runners are taken by bus from the town of Bantry to the start line in Glengarriff. The route itself takes in a loop through some woods near Glengarriff and then heading towards the finish line in Bantry.

This parts of Ireland is of course well known for it's hills and mountains and this is relected in the course. There are a few pulls along the route but of course, the advantage of this is the scenic view....


The photo above shows Garnish Island nestled in Bantry Bay with the mountains of the Beara Peninsula in the background. Sugarloaf mounatin with it's sharp sides looks very impressive  from here. It's a stunning part of west Cork with some of the best views in Ireland.

It's probably not the fastest of courses but for anyone who wants to make it part of a long weekend away, it's hard to beat. Entry to the race includes bus transfer and a dry fit t-shirt. The 10k option uses most of the same route and has a bus transfer and dry fit top as well.

The race website is http://www.bayrun.ie

More info in later posts...

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