Bandon Half Marathon
Well done to everyone who participated in 2012 and thank you to everyone who helped make it a great day.
The first man home in the Half Marathon was Kevin Wilmot in a time of 1:14:26 while the winners of the womens race was Carmel Crowley in a time of 1:25:12
In the 10k the winner of the mens’ race was Cathal O’Donnahain in a time of 34:06 and the womens winner was Catherine Keohane in a time of 43:21
For full provisional results as well as a summary of the various categories click here
A large number of photos of the race and presentation now available click here if slideshow doesn’t display for you
Photo above from official race launch was held last recently with various press, sponsors and interested parties in attendance in Bandon Rugby Club. More photos from launch night
The press release distributed on the night is available here.
####### Time is near! get your entry in now! ########
The Half Marathon and 10K take place this coming Saturday 12th May in Bandon. Online entry is now closed. Entries will be taken on Friday 11th May at the Rugby Club on the Clonakilty Road in Bandon from 5pm to 9pm as well as from 7am to 9am on the morning of the race. Race numbers for those already entered can be collected during these times also.
Olympic race walker Robert Heffernan has pledged his support for the forthcoming Bandon Half Marathon and 10K Road Race. Funds raised from the event will be divided equally between Bandon Rugby and Athletic Clubs. Bandon AC is proposing to build a tartan running track in order to improve its existing training facilities. Robert who is from Togher in Cork and a member of Togher Athletic Club is a world class race walking champion. Some of his career highlights include an eighth place finish in the 20KM walk at the 2008 Olympics. He finished in sixth place in both the World Championships in Osaka in 2007 and the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in 2008.
Robert said it would be great to have additional facilities in the County and West Cork in particular. He indicated that if the club succeeded in the venture, he would be willing to come to Bandon to undertake coaching sessions in race walking. He commented that it is always useful for athletes like himself and those of all abilities to have additional training facilities should the CIT and Mardyke tracks be unavailable. Robert and his wife Marian, a sprinter who is also headed for the London Olypmics, made an appearance on the Late Late Show recently.
*****Bonus for Course records!*****
As an added incentive this year, the race committee is offering bonus prizes if someone breaks the course record in either events. Colin Merritt of Carrig na bhFear holds the men’s record for the half at 1.11.35. Bandon AC’s Carmel Crowley is the holder of the women’s record over the distance, 1.24.14. In the 10K, Chris Harrington from Leevale completed the 10k in a time of 34.08 with the women’s top time being 40.16 as completed by Nollaig Hunter.
***T-SHIRTS!***
This year there will be a t-shirt for the first 100 in Half Marathon and first 50 in the 10km. There will also be t-shirts on sale on the day afterward as well. These will be available at cost price for those who want a souvenir.
Bandon Athletic Club, in a joint venture with Bandon Rugby Club, are again organising two races on the running calendar for 2012. The Half Marathon and 10k races are taking place on Saturday 12th of May 2012, ideally positioned 3 weeks before the Cork City full and half marathons.
The races start near the Bandon Rugby Club grounds and both courses cover some of west Corks finest country side. While both courses have a few challenging sections to overcome you are well rewarded by many free flowing sections and a fast finish into the centre of Bandon where there will be a very warm and festive welcome for all finishers.
The races have AAI approval and will be chip timed over an officially measured course. The course will be fully marshaled by experienced stewards to ensure the safety of each athlete. Runners of all abilities, from start up to elite will find this a run to savor.
The Half marathon gets under way at 9.30am and the 10k begins at 10.15am.
The proceeds from this event will be used to fund the further development of both Bandon clubs. The Rugby Club want to further develop their facilities and support for their younger members while the Athletic Club is currently fund raising for the construction of an all weather running track in the town which would be of huge benefit to the West Cork community.
Bandon Athletic Club
Bandon RFC