Athletics: Big turnout expected for west Cork's Mealagh Valley Ring race
THIS Sunday sees the third annual 10-mile race taking place around the beautiful Mealagh Valley Ring area outside Bantry, an event which is very much a local community effort.
This challenging course through some of the best scenery in west Cork is expected to attract a large turnout of runners for the main event which gets under way at 12.0, the walkers having set out an hour earlier at 11.0.
Entries cost €15 and can be made on the Run Ireland website.
On Sunday morning, entries (at €20) will be taken up to 11.30.
Any profits from the race will be divided between Build4Life4Kids, a Cystic Fibrosis fundraising group aiming to raise €2m to provide a specialised kids' unit within Cork University Hospital in Cork City, and the two primary schools in the valley.
The parents' associations of the schools will provide invaluable assistance on the day, in particular the now famous refreshments, along with soup, sandwiches and delicious home baking.
Last year's race was won by George Waugh in 55:46, with Maureen Harrington taking the women's title for the second year when posting a time of 70:14.
The previous year, local Bantry man Alan O'Shea set a course record of 52:00 in the inaugural event, a mark that is unlikely to be broken for quite some time to come.
For more information on Sunday's race, call Geraldine on 087-6173376.
Irish Independent
