Ballycotton 2012
Countdown
6 Days To Go
Another winter has passed by and unlike the last few years, the region’s huge running fraternity have had almost perfect weather conditions as many of them accelerated their preparation in advance the famous Ballycotton ‘10’ Mile Road Race. We are now just six days away from the 35th edition of what has grown to be Ireland’s best loved race over the classic distance. The back drop to this year’s race is similar to many in recent years, a near record entry and of course several hundred more people who missed the cut when the deadline dates arrived before Christmas.
Ballycotton quite simply will be at bursting point again on Sunday next. The highly professional organising committee, have again left no stone unturned as hours of preparation by a few of their most committed servants have now turned into days and nights. There has to be an entry limit such is the size of the task, the size of the village and the capacity of the secondary roads to cope with the volume of the traffic which will wind it’s way to this tremendous sporting and social occasion at the picturesque fishing village.
When the final deadline date was reached this year nearly 3,600 entrants were eligible to go to the start line on Sunday week (remember an extra 2 week period has been allowed in recent years for registered AAI members and also all who have completed the Summer Race Series in Ballycotton). Even allowing the expected drop out before the day, expectation is that the final finishing figure will push on in the direction of the record which was recorded in 2006 when 2,813 made it across the line.
The Great Race – 5 Year Landmarks
As we prepare to welcome the 35th winner on big race day, a ramble down memory lane brings us some interesting story lines.
31 In 1978
The first race in 1978 saw the by now famous 31 finishers, amongst them two who were to become ever presents in the Ballycotton 34 year story line, Willie O’Mahony and the face of the race, the legendary John Walshe. Richie Crowley took the honours on a day when 24 of the 31 broke sixty minutes. Such a high percentage reflected the top quality performers and graphically illustrates the changing trend as numbers soared in later years.. Of last year’s 2,384 finishers only 107 succeeded in achieving that notable feat.
Five Years On
Five years on from the inaugural race, 429 crossed the line, but remarkably just as 12 months ago the hour breakers numbered 107. International athlete Neil Cusack set a new standard for the distance of 48:01 whilst Catherine Hourihan of St Finbarr’s established a new ladies best of 61:08.
Kiernan Wins In 1987
By the time the tenth birthday candles appeared in 1987 the finishing numbers had stabilised. Another top name of Irish athletics, Jerry Kiernan led the field home in 48:06. It was a day when a biting easterly wind met the runners on their home ward journey but the work done earlier with the wind by 166 competitors saw them establish a new high for the under 60 minute category. Incidentally, the mighty Liam’O Brien who won in both 1980 and 1981 and came back to triumph again in 1988 and 1989 finished third., D.C.H produced the first three in the ladies race - -top honours going to Ailish Smyth in 57:07.
Griffin Makes History
A jump of a further five races to the 15th edition saw the second biggest number of finishers to that date, 862.The race belonged to John Griffin of St John’s who became the first runner to win the event on three successive years. His triumph in 48:17 saw him claim the crown by just 5 seconds from Jerry Kiernan after a great battle.
20 years of the famous race in 1997 was celebrated with the appearance of the world renowned John Ngugi. Apart from a new high of 1,101 the race saw a classic display by Noel Berkeley whilst in a tremendous ladies race, Marian Sutton edged out Cathy Shun by just 1 second as both ladies broke the existing ladies course record.
Quarter Century In 2002
Ten years ago when the race had reached it’s quarter century, legendary status on the athletics calendar had well and truly been reached. The interest level saw yet another new high of 1636 finishers on a day when a blustery wind and squally showers dominated the morning landscape. 2002 incredibly marked the sixth win in seven years for the amazing Noel Berkeley. It was once again ‘Berkley’s Ballycotton, what proved to be the final triumph in the most remarkable success story of the famed race.
5 Years Ago
So to race 30, in 2007, which saw Alan O’Shea of Bantry AC produce a well over due Cork win, whilst Pauline Curley made it back to back victories in the ladies race. Pre race weather forecasts were far from encouraging, but in keeping with the traditions of this remarkable sporting spectacle, an air of calm descended before race time and we had another near perfect Ballycotton day. 30 years on from the modest first race, 1943 collected their coveted Ballycotton race day mug.
Secret Of Success
But in the midst of all the number crunching, Ballycotton’s secret of success has remained the same. Here is a race whether for 31 or close on 3,000 is organised by runners for runners. It is the best value race on the circuit, it is unique, infectious and has swelled beyond anybody’s belief and ambitions. The core principles of success have stood the test of time through the decades. The race, the occasion, the day is without equal. Once you go there, you are hooked. Just look at the number of people who are running around the course over the next few days – they just can’t wait for the real event.
Sadly several of those who played active roles through the corridors of time have passed on to their eternal reward. Their memory will live on as no doubt this great race will for many years to come.
John Cashman
* article as per Midleton News February 22nd
