Details of this year’s John Buckley Sports Cork Half Marathon have been announced by organisers St Finbarr’s AC.


The thriving city based club hope that this year’s race on Sunday September 11th will attract it’s usual sizeable entry and are pleased to announce a number of new innovations for this popular fixture which starts and finishes in Blarney.


Chip timing will be in use for the first time, whilst the race will also see the introduction of highly visible pacers who will target athletes hoping to break 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours. Meanwhile each runner who completes the course will receive a race souvenir along with a money-off voucher for John Buckley Sports. As an extra touch, runners’ individual race time will be forwarded by text on the day of the race.


As always the fixture which has become a land mark for many runners advancing their preparations ahead of the Dublin City Marathon, will also incorporate the Cork and Munster Half Marathon Championships. Those who have journeyed the by now famous route will be well aware of what lies ahead but for first timers, this Half Marathon offers an interesting challenge overt he traditional ‘out and back’ looped course from Blarney to Grenagh. The most significant features come either side of Grenagh village with a significant climb followed by an appealing descent.


Race headquarters will again be based at Blarney GAA Club where entries will be taken on the day up until 10.30am at a cost of 25 euro. However, it’s a policy that St Finbarr’s AC Race Director Ken Devine and his committee hope that not a huge number of people will follow. Instead there is the attractive option of entering on line at www.stfinbarrsaccom for 20 euro up until September 3rd. Alternatively postal entries may also be sent up until the same date to John Buckley Sports Mulgrave Road, Cork. Enquiries should also be directed to John at 021-4508830.


An extensive prize list covers all categories and includes individual prizes for the first ten men and first five ladies across the line. Team prizes are also up for grabs for both men and ladies.


Ken Devine takes up the duties of chief race organiser from colleague Cathal O’Connell who has co-ordinated the event for the past number of years. This time Cathal who is again enjoying a superb season is likely to be a significant figure towards the head of the field as he gauges his preparations in advance of the Dublin Marathon.


Meantime Ken Devine hopes the feel good factor created by both the Half Marathon and in particular the relay in the Cork City Marathon will boost the forthcoming Blarney race.


“We would especially welcome first time runners to Blarney and newcomers to the distance, especially those who may have been involved in the relay in Cork and got a taste for running. It’s nice to step up and test oneself over a longer route. With still relative long evenings during August it certainly is easier to build up the mileage that later in the year”


Any words of advice from a man who himself is a highly respected and very accomplished runner?


“It is very much a case of building up the mileage gently for new runners. Try to programme a longer run into the schedule ideally at weekends, but be mindful not to take too much of a leap at any one time”, concluded Ken.


The Blarney Half Marathon is certainly the focal point for many established runners, but this year those who fancy the distance have ample opportunity to test their credentials both before and after. The Woodies DIY National Half Marathon Championships will be held in Waterford on the previous weekend. The route on Saturday September 3 is the same was used on the last occasion that the event was held on Suirside, a trip to Tramore and back from the Regional Sports Centre.


Meantime the concluding event in the very successful Ballyhoura Series will also focus on the Half Marathon distance on the following weekend. The race will be based in Charleville on Sunday September 18 and will also incorporate a relay event (4 x 5K).