29th Donoughmore 7M Road Race, Fri 22-Jul-2011, 8pm

This is basically a 10km race with a bonus kilometre at the end. “More bang for your buck”, as they say. The race is organised by Donoughmore A.C. and entry on the night costs €10. There’ll be finishing prizes for everybody as well as the usual post race refreshments. There’ll also be prizes in all the usual categories including Junior and Team (Club/BHAA). A total of 21 BARRS members participated in the 2010 race.

The race starts on a hill at Stuake (A) and the first 2M are up and down on a country road until (B). Shortly after the 2M mark, the course veers left and rejoins the R579. For the next 3M, the course continues south losing about 300ft in elevation until the 5M mark at (C). The course then climbs about 200ft in the last 2M. From point (C) there’s quite a steep pull but this levels off to a gradual incline as you approach Donoughmore Cross (D). Turning left, the final 0.5M is tough with an uphill bend at the School the hardest section. Beyond this bend, the road levels off somewhat for the last 150m finishing at point (E) close to the starting point.

The men’s course record is 33.09 ran by Peter Riley of Leighharriers (UK) in 2006, while the ladies record of 40.02 was set by Valerie Vaughan of  Blarney-Inniscarra A.C. in 2001.

From Cork City and its suburbs, head for the Anglers Rest Bar just off the western end of the N22 Carrigrohane (Straight) Road. Follow the R579 northwards bypassing Muskerry Golf Club and the Tower-Blarney turnoff. After about 10 miles on the R579, you’ll reach the R619 intersection. At this point, right turn for Donoughmore. Alternatively, Donoughmore is about 12 miles SW of Mallow on the R619 Mallow-Coachford road.