BALLYCOTTON 2012
COUNTDOWN
2 DAYS TO GO

Record Number Of Midleton Runners Set For Ballycoton
Ballycotton Countdown – John Cashman Evening Echo

Midleton AC again tops the entry list in this year’s Ballycotton ‘10’ Mile Road Race with 150 affiliated club members set to go to the start line at 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon.
The thriving East Cork Club will see some of it’s newest members make their debut in the big race on Sunday, with the work of coach of Vincent Connolly who oversees the development of beginners’ paying rich dividends. Over the past few years Vincent has run a weekly session each Wednesday, strictly for newcomers. It is a glowing testament of his dedication that several members who became club life under his tutelage have actually since gone onto run the Dublin City Marathon.
At the other end of the scale Midleton AC will have a number of runners how have seen it all before in Ballycotton for whom the first Sunday in March has become the highlight of their running year.
One of the club’s most famous faces is Donie O’Connell who lives in nearby Churchtown South and who along with his wife Kathleen has been competing in the race for many years
“It’s our All Ireland Final without doubt’ comments Donie. All year were looking forward and building up to the great race, the day that our local area is thrust in to the athletics spotlight on a national scale. The best advice I can give to people is to pace yourself properly. I have seen it over the years that runners take off too quickly, become under pressure after a few miles and then see a stream of fellow runners come up and pass them out”.
Kathleen has run the race on 18 occasions but due to injury has not been on the start line in recent years.
“When I first broke the sequence a few years back it was almost like a bereavement not to able to run. But there comes a time when injury takes it’s toll and one has to accept that you cannot run the 10 mile distance. Instead I be will taking photos, stewarding and cheering on the athletes.
Meantime, Midleton AC men’s team captain Edmond O’Sullivan is the man responsible for putting his club charges through their paces on a weekly basis. Edmond heads up the coaching team on Mondays and Wednesdays and says that it’s a fantastic testament to the dedication of the club committee that such a large number of from Midleton AC are taking part in this year’s race.
“The increase in membership has been absolutely phenomenal. It’s terrific to see that we have over 250 current members here in Midleton. The word Ballycotton is on everybody’s lips throughout the season. People talk about running in great events such as the marathon, but in this part of the county, Ballycotton is the race everybody wants to run”.
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Breaking Ballycotton News------ Alan O Shea Out Of Big Race
Alan O'Shea from Bantry AC has been forced to withdraw from Sunday's Ballycotton 10 Mile Road Race due to illness. O'Shea who finished second last year and won the tilte on 2007 has failed to shake off the effects of a flu' which has hampered his preparations over the past two weeks.
Reigning Ballycotton champion Sergiu Ciobanu who won last year in 49:36 is favourite to win the 35th running of the race which begins at 1.30pm. Ciobanu, who like O'Shea has also won the Cork City Marathon finished in second place in the Woodie’s DIY inter-clubs championships last weekend. Paddy Hamilton from Annadale in Belfast, second in both the Dungarvan 10-miler and Adare 10km to Sean Hehir, will probably be Ciobanu’s main challenger
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- Now some very important final points courtesy of Danny McCarthy our club registrar, who is vastly experienced on big race day.
The Do’s and the Don’ts For Ballycotton 10 (For first timers mainly)Those who bought new singlets should rinse them and wear them a little before Sunday just to make sure they don’t chaff etc also wear nothing new on the day. All gear should be broken in before hand.Drink plenty of water Friday and Saturday and very little Sunday.(You could be hanging around the start for a while)Bring an old t shirt/top that you can wear to the start and then discard before the race starts. You could be waiting at the start and get cold.We will meet up around 12 on the cliffs where there will be cars where you can leave your gear take photos etc and do your warm up on the pitch n putt course nearby.Please DO NOT wear headphones as they are not allowed by the club.Please DO NOT run more than two abreast as this makes it very difficult for other runners to get past your group. Remember it’s the runner in front has the right of way no matter how slow they are.Remember that on the day there will be Ballycotton 10 gear for sale ie t shirts ,hoodies etc and you may want to purchase a souvenir so bring a few bob.Be sure and SMILE at the 3 Mile mark and crossing the finishing line as these are where the video cameras will be.Good Luck to every one of our members old and new. MassageDo consider having a massage before and/or after Special Rates Available for club members from Neilus Aherne 0868438355
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Message from our club colleague Mike Dolphin
My father Joe Dolphin will be videoing the race on Sunday he will be covering the start/ finish and the 3 mile mark. You can purchase the DVD on the Sunday night for 15 euro's or contact me direct on 0872257418 or Joe Dolphin 0872461888.Cheers Mike Dolphin.

In recent years we have organised a club viewing of this DVD and we hope to do the same this year in a new a very special secret venue soon to be announced

Remember to keep an eye to the Running In Cork blog and also our own Midleton AC blog during Friday and Saturday for more race info and updates.
Also read the full race day instructions in the programme.


Finally Best of Luck again to all involved and to those not running please consider lending a helping hand in the race. CALL TOMMY HARTNETT 086-2386390

- Talk on Sunday
John Cashman