Evening Echo Saturday April 3rd
New Venue For First Evening Race Of The Season
Athletics – John Cashman

The first evening road race of the 2010 Cork running season will bring a new venue into the spotlight. East Cork AC has joined forces with Ballintotis Community Council to promote the ‘4’ mile event formerly held in Castlemartyr.
A move of just a few miles west will see Ballintotis host the race for the very first time with a fast course lined up for competitors on Thursday April 22 (8pm start)
Headquarters for the event will be the Church Car Park in Ballintotis which is located beside picturesque Loughaderra Lake, just off the main N25 Road between Castlemartyr and Midleton.
In the heart of this vibrant community the two main focal points are St Colman’s Church and the local National School. But now the ambitious Ballintotis Area Community Council members are undertaking the task of building a Community Centre and the upcoming race is just one of many planned fund raising ventures.
The fixture, which has been held in Castlemartyr in mid April over the last few decades will take on something of a new look at it’s new venue.
For starters the setting promises to be one of the most charming on the busy Cork circuit. St Colman’s Car Park will be transformed with the erection of marquee for changing on the shores of Loughaderra Lake and competitors will be chasing a top prize of a mountain bicycle for first man and first lady across the line (both kindly sponsored by Trabolgan Holiday Village).
Registration, tasty refreshments and the prize giving ceremony will all be centred at the one venue in the Car Park, whilst a large team of stewards are lined up to ensure the smooth running of a race that is expected to produce some fast times.
The course will predominantly take the participants over scenic country roads with the final section skirting Loughaderra Lake as the competitors run beside this well know beauty spot on the Main Road before finishing just in front of the Church.
Entry fee for the race is 10 euro and all taking part will receive a souvenir cap to mark the first road race in Ballintotis. There will also be plenty of spot prizes to be won on the night.
East Cork AC have also introduced a new pre registration option for the race. Runners may register in advance by e mailing obrienlm@eircom.net and then pay their entry fee when arriving on the evening. Ballycotton Running Promotions have also kindly come on board to lend their expertise and support to the race.