Race Information - 37th Evening Echo Women's Mini-Marathon 2018
37th Evening Echo Cork Women's Mini-Marathon - Race Information & FAQ
Centre Park Road, Cork
1pm Sunday September 16th 2018
Organised and Hosted by Cork Athletics
Enter 37th Evening Echo Cork Women's Mini-Marathon
| The Course | FAQ |
The 2018 Course
Major changes are planned for this year's race. The changes have been introduced to make the event a more memorable and pleasurable experienced for all participants, walkers and runners alike.
The biggest change is that course will be a 6km race (or 3.73 Miles) event. This means that all participants should be able to assemble and start on Centre Park Road, eliminating the hectic merge of previous years, at the Mill Road / Centre Park Road, making for a much smoother start for all.
Time Zones
Another change new to the race is the introduction of Time Zones. These will be self-selected zones, starting at Sub-24 Minutes, starting with 2 to 3 Minute (exact ranges yet to be decided) zones, with higher ranges as times increase.
So....How will this work? Will I be told which Time Zone I must Go To?
The zones are entirely voluntary - YOU choose the time zone most appriate for your own expected finish time. The zones will be clearly marked on both sides of the road, between the start line and the the junction of Centre Park Road and Victoria Road.
Walkers
I've always walked the course, but I've always started at the front. Can I do the same this year?
The time zones are completely voluntary, however we urge to please not start at the front, but further back, in a zone appropriate to your own estimated finish time. If you do start at the front, you will be passed, immediately after the start, by thousands of runners, going much faster than you, possibly leading to a less than pleasant experience. The principle behind the time zones is that all participants will start smoothly, getting right into their own pace from the outset, leading to a far more enjoyable and safe experience. This will only work properly if all participants start in a realistic time zone for their pace and finish time.
Starting on Centre Park Road
1km Mark
1km Mark - Just After Marquee Entrance
Turn right, onto Marina, at Lee Rowing Club
2k Mark
The 2km Mark is approx. half-way along the Marina, just after the turn onto the Old Railway Line Pathway
Marina, approaching Blackrock Village
3km
The 3km Mark is just after Blackrock Village, approaching St. Michael's Church
Approaching St Michael's Church, Blackrock
4km Mark
The 4km mark is on the downhill section approaching Ballintemple
Downhill into Ballintemple
Maryville
Turn right onto Maryville
CAB / Pairc Ui Caoimh
Downhill on Maryville, passing CAB
5km Mark
The 5km Mark is adjacent to Suttons Coal depot, and just after Pairc Ui Caoimh
Passing Sutton's Coal, with a kilometer to go
The Finish Line - 6km
The Finish Line, by Kennedy Park
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
2. Where is the entry desk in Cork
4. I entered online this week but I never got my number.
5. I lost/forgot my race number.
7. I haven't entered and don't have a number
8. I haven't entered, I want all my money to go to charity
10. I intend running, is there a separate area for runners?
11. I intend walking, but I want to get away early. Can I start at the front?
14. Are there water stations along the course?
15. Are there toilets on the course?
16. What medical backup is there?
17. What if I see a medical emergency?
18. Will there be traffic on the course?
19. What happens when we finish?
20. When will the results be available?
21. Can I bring my dog with me?
22. Can I bring a buggy or stroller?
24. Can push a bed or similar?
25. May I wear an IPOD, MP3 player or similar.
1. How can I enter?
You can enter:
a) Enter Online
b) at the Mini-Marathon entry desk, upstairs in Debenham's Department Store, in Patrick's St/Merchant's Quay, Cork. The Marathon Office will open early in September
FAQ list
2. Where is the entry desk in Cork
The Mini-Marathon entry desk is upstairs in Debenham's Department Store, in Patrick's St/Merchant's Quay, Cork . The Mini-Marathon Desk will open early in September
FAQ list
3. Can I enter online?
Yes you can. Online Entry Link
FAQ list
4. I entered online this week but I never got my number.
Numbers will not be posted out until a week or so before the event.
FAQ list
5. I lost/forgot my race number.
Go to one of the desks on Victoria Road and Mill Road, on Sunday morning
FAQ list
6. Where do I wear my number?
Wear your number on your FRONT. This is essential to ensure that
a) Your details can be recorded quickly after you finish
b) Most importantly, that you can be identified rapidly in the event of a medical emergency.
c) So that you can be identified in photos and videos.
FAQ list
7. I haven't entered and don't have a number
If you don't have a number, you will NOT be admitted to the start area. If you join in somewhere along the course, you will NOT be covered by the race insurance and will be taking PERSONAL LIABILITY for any mishap you may cause. After you finish you will NOT receive a finisher's medal or goodie bag.
If you are involved in a medical emergency, we will not know who you are and will not have your details.
FAQ list
8. I haven't entered, I want all my money to go to charity
This event costs a lot of money to organise, however the event organisers, Cork Athletics County Board, maintain the entry charge at a low rate, significantly below that of most other similar events.
There are many "hidden" costs that you may not have considered; Insurance entrants in this event are covered by insurance - anyone who has not entered will not be covered. Portaloos, barriers, including transport for these, security personnel, medical services, race numbers, pins (yes - you may only use 4, but some 50,000 pin are required @ approx. €15 per 1,000), phone & postage, race flyers, information leaflets (distributed to houses and businesses along the course), signage, public address, race radios and many, many more costs.
No Athletics Ireland official or steward receives any money from this event - all time and services are provided free of charge. The big winners in this event are the various charities chosen by the charities themselves - approx. €1.5 million will be raised for charity from this year's Evening Echo Mini-Marathon - all of which will be given directly to the charities by the participants. So, if people didn't pay their entry fee, it would not be possible to cover the costs of organising and running this event and the big losers would be the charities.
FAQ list
9. Where do I go on the day?
Entrance to the start holding area is via Mill Road and/or Centre Park Road, off Victoria Road. Other roads in the area will be closed off and barriered, with security personnel present. There will be no access from the quay areas.
Entry to Mini-Marathon start/holding area
Mini-Marathon pre-start holding area
FAQ list
10. I intend running, is there a separate area for runners?
There is no separate start area for runners. However there are time zones and all runners and walkers are expected to line up in zones appropriate to their level of fitness, pace and expected finish time
FAQ list
11. I intend walking, but I want to get away early. Can I start at the front?
You will not be prevented from starting at the front, but, if you're walking, please do NOT line up towards the front, otherwise there may be jostling and pushing. You will have a far more pleasant experience if you line up in the zone nearest to your estimated pace/finish time. This will allow everyone to move off quickly, without being held up by slower people in front of them, making for a frustrationg time all round. We want everyone to enjoy their experience.
FAQ list
12. What is the Route?
The route can be seen here, on MapMyRun. the start line is on Centre Park Road. The race continues east, along Centre Park Road, as far as the Marina, where it turns right and heads east towards Blackrock village. Turning right in Blackrock, at approx. half-way, the route heads back, along Blackrock Road, towards the city, and the finish area. In Ballintemple, the course turns right into Maryville, passing the 3 mile mark, before turning left onto Monaghan Road and directly on to the finish line. The course is essentially flat, with only one real, relatively short, drag/hill, coming out of Blackrock village.
FAQ list
13. How long is the race?
The race is 6 kilometres (3.73 Miles) long, and is marked in kilometres.
FAQ list
14. Are there water stations along the course?
The water stations are at the finish area, in Kennedy Park. For safety (trip/fall hazard) and environmental reasons, there are no water stations along the route.
When you have finished your water bottle, please dispose of it in one off the bins provided, in a public litter bin, or take it home with you. We want to recycle as much material as possible. To help us, please empty your drink bottle and dispose of it in one of the recycle bins
Please respect the environment and the goodwill of those living along the route and in the start and finish areas.
FAQ list
15. Are there toilets on the course?
There will be portaloos
a) On Victoria Road, before entering the start/holding area.
b) On Mill Road, in the start/holding area.
c) In Blackrock Village, at approx. 2 miles
d) In Kennedy Park
FAQ list
16. What medical backup is there?
There is a Medical Plan in place for this event. There will be several ambulance and first-aid crews along the route. There will be stationary ambulances
a) In Blackrock Village (manned by The order of Malta)
b) In Kennedy Park (manned by St John's Ambulance Brigade)
A Red Cross ambulance will follow at the rear of the race.
In addition there will be two roving Civil Defence ambulances, along with a Civil Defence jeep.
There will also be several para-medics on bicycles
There will be a medical doctor will be in attendance at the finish area, in Kennedy Park
FAQ list
17. What if I see a medical emergency?
Each steward on the course has the contact details for the race medical personnel, so contact one of them.
In the event of a major emergency, do not hesitate to ring 999 or 112.
FAQ list
18. Will there be traffic on the course?
The route will be closed to traffic, however given the large number of houses and premises opening onto the route, it will not be possible to keep all traffic off of it, but yes, it will, essentially be traffic free.
The course will be opened up gradually, after the main body of walkers has passed through. After that stragglers will be asked to use the footpaths.
FAQ list
19. What happens when we finish?
After you finish, you will be directed into Kennedy Park, where you will be directed to the goodie bag & finishers medal areas, where you must hand in your race number to receive your goodie bag & finishers medal. No Number - No goodie Bag or Finishers Medal!! There will be Water in the finish area.
FAQ list
20. When will the results be available?
The official results will be published in a special souvenir supplement of The Evening Echo, on Saturday September 22nd. The results will also be published online on the website of the race timing company, MyRunResults, immediately after the race. The results will also be posted on the event organiser Cork Athletics website
FAQ list
21. Can I bring my dog with me?
No. Guide dogs may be used by visually impaired participants. Other Assistance dogs are also permitted, however all other dogs are prohibited for safety and insurance reasons - NO EXCEPTIONS!
FAQ list
22. Can I bring a buggy or stroller?
No. Buggies or strollers may not be used on the course, for safety and insurance reasons. There will be approx. 8,000 participants in this event, in a relatively confined space, so buggies and strollers on the course will impede and endanger other participants .
FAQ list
23. Can I use roller blades/skates/scooter/etc?
No. These items are ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED. None of these may be used on the course, for health and safetyty and insurance reasons. There will be approx. 8,000 participants in this event, in a relatively confined space.
FAQ list
24. Can push a bed or similar?
No. These items are ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED. None of these may be used on the course, for safety and insurance reasons. There will be approx. 8,000 participants in this event, in a relatively confined space.
FAQ list
25. May I wear an IPOD, MP3 player or similar.
These are NOT recommended, for safety and insurance reasons. If you wear headphones you will probably not hear the entretainment provided before the event. More importantly, you won't be able to hear instructions that may be given over the public address or by race stewards/officials. Why not leave the headphones at home, and enjoy the special buzz and atmosphere of this unique event!
FAQ list
26. Race Timing
The race will be chip timed by MyRunResults. Chip timing means that YOUR time does not start when the gun goes, it starts when YOU cross the start line.
FAQ list
27. Race Timing Chip
Your race timing chip is in the tab on your race number. Do NOT fold, bend, tear or otherwise damage this tab, or your time may not be recorded. Equally, do NOT put your number in your pocket, bag or cover it under your jacket.
FAQ list
28. Where to wear your number
Please wear your number on your chest. This enables you to be identified quickly in an emergency, but also for photos and videos, and also for finish line cross checks, and to give you your finish time and place, should your chip malfunction.
If you wear your number on your back (It's not a football match!!), you risk not being identified.
FAQ list
Course Map
Course Elevation Profile
Kennedy Park
