WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON ON THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 30th.
The Waterford Greenway Half Marathon takes place this Saturday, August 30th, with 850 runners set to line up in Kilmacthomas at 9am for the 13.1-mile journey to the finish line in Ballinroad.It’s all systems go, with the club committee working diligently behind the scenes to make it a memorable day for everyone taking part, especially our many visiting athletes.For some, this will be their very first time running on the Waterford Greenway, and we hope they enjoy the experience and leave with great memories of one of the finest amenities we have here in Waterford. Hopefully, it will encourage them to return again in the future with family and friends to explore even more of what Waterford’s Gem has to offer.All that’s left now is to hope the man above looks down favourably on us and gives us a fine, dry and wind-free morning! With a little help from the weather, we’ll have the perfect opportunity to showcase this amazing amenity right on our doorstep for all to enjoy.
Best of luck to all 850 runners — we look forward to welcoming you on Saturday!
SPONSORS.
We are delighted this week to announce our associate sponsors of the upcoming Waterford Greenway half marathon. We welcome back once again some old friends of this event who yearly come on board to sponsor the race and likewise we also welcome some new sponsors this year whom we are delighted to see involved with the race. In no particular order we welcome and thank Flahavans Kilmacthomas,HFS Hickey Fabrication services Kilmacthomas, Dungarvan Transport, Coach House Kilmacthomas, Solas Na Mara Helvick,IFAC Accountants.
THE PAUL BRUNNOCK AND PAULA COLLINS PERPETUAL CUPS.
Some years ago in this race we introduced 2 special cups when the club and families of two of our cherished members Paul Brunnock and Paula Collins who sadly have passed to their eternal reward and are remember with the introduction of these two beautiful trophies presented in their memory. The Paul Brunnock cup to the men’s winner and the Paula Collins cup to the Ladies winner of the Waterford Greenway half marathon So for the fourth occasion these two cups will have the winners names inscribed on them
PRIZES ON OFFER.
The prizes for this race will be as follows. 1st 5 Men and Women
Ladies Categories
1st and 2nd O/35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60,65
1st Junior
Men
1st and 2nd O/40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65,70
1st Junior
We will also have 2 Men’s and 2 Ladies team prizes with first 3 finishing positions to score outside individual prize winners.
Note: Cash prizes will be given to the Men’s and Ladies winners and all category prizes will be vouchers.
RACE DAY PACK.
Your race pack containing your number were posted last week please ensure to bring it with you on race day. We ask runners not to transfer numbers as this ultimately delays proper and correct race results. If you forget your number on the day we will be on hand to help you out. If any information on your number is incorrect please contact My Run Results directly on support@myrunresults.com
SPECIAL PARKING NOTICE FOR WEST WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON.
With limited parking around the vicinity of the finish line on race day , we are appealing to all our club members and indeed all local runners taking part not to park on the roadway around Ballinroad at all on the morning, leaving as many spaces as possible to our visiting runners. We are asking all runners taking the bus to start in Kilmacthomas to park in Beresford’s field ( by kind permission) which will be signposted at Ballinroad. You cooperation with this matter is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to us on the day.
BUS TO START LINE.
There will be buses to the start for those who require them. These buses will be parked on the Clonea Road (Beside The Railway Cottage Eircode X35X295) and we ask that you fill these as quickly aspossible. There will be limited parking in this area and we ask that all visitors to the area park with respect for locals and other Greenway users.Buses will leave for the start line in Kilmacthomas as soon as they fill, from 6.50am onwards with thelast bus leaving at 8am sharp. These buses will take you to the start line only.
KEEP GREENWAY GREEN.
In keeping with the ‘Green’ ethos of the race we ask that you leave no trace and leave the Greenwayas you find it. Any gel wrappers can either be carried to the finish line or left at one of the 3 water stops. Anyone seeing dumping on the route will be disqualified –no exceptions!
COURSE INFORMATION.
This is perhaps one of the flattest routes for a half marathon in the country with a net elevation of -100 mts. Please note that the course this year has a slightly altered start and finish line, the race start is now 2km from the coach house café and the finish line will be 100 meters the Waterford side of the Railway café in Ballinroad. Not only is it flat it also contains some incredible scenery along the way. From the old Workhouse built in 1850 in the beautiful village of Kilmacthomas over the Kilmacthomas viaduct to the stunning views of the Comeragh mountains to the North, cross over Durrow viaduct past Durrow Railway Station where the old platform and station still stand. Then it’s on to the spectacular Ballyvoile tunnel, a 400mt long tunnel which is full of atmosphere (don’t forget to watch out for the fairy door’s on either side). Next you will cross over the Ballyvoile viaduct, blown up in 1922 but now restored to its former glory. From here you can almost smell the sea as you round the headland and take in the spectacular views of Clonea strand and Dungarvan Bay. Then it’s downhill all the way to the finish as you take in the sights along the way, through the 12 mile mark and the playground in Ballinroad to the finish line just 400 meters from the playground area.
SHARED SPACE ON RACE DAY
As this is a SHARED SPACE (i.e the Greenway will be open to other users on the day) we respectfully request that all runners keep to the left of the path. Runners must be aware of bikes and oncoming Greenway users at all times. THIS IS A SHARED SPACE. KEEP LEFT AND PASS RIGHT. Please do not run any more than 2 abreast and leave room for others to pass. We cannot stress this strongly enough we do not want any accidents on the day and rules of the road will still apply to this route.
WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON RACE PACERS.
We will provide some pacers for this race but as it is a unique course and a shared space we will limit the pacers as we feel that pacers could potentially create too many large groups of runners which could cause a problem. To this end we have decided to go with pacers for the following times.
1 hour 25 mins
1 hour 30 min
1 hour 40 mins
1 hour 45 mins
1 hour 50 mins
2 hours
2 hours 10 mins
2 hours 20 mins
2 hours 25 mins
Pacers will be easily recognisable on the day as they will be holding balloons. We request that runners slot themselves in behind the pacer who they feel most comfortable with. The start will be narrow and to avoid accidents or tripping it is advisable to go behind the pacer that you can keep up with. This will ensure that the start is safe and secure for all. Remember you will be chip timed anyway so it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to cross the start line.
WATER STOPS.
We will provide water at 3 locations along the route and also at the finish line in your post-race goody bag. Please be aware that due to restrictions on dumping etc. this water will be in cups to minimise dumping/clean-up of a 13.1 mile route.In keeping with the ‘Green’ ethos of the race we ask that you leave no trace and leave the Greenway as you find it. Any gel wrappers can either be carried to the finish line or left at one of the 3 water stops. Anyone seeing dumping on the route will be disqualified –no exceptions!
EARPHONES.
As with all West Waterford A.C. races, the use of Headphones is not allowed… We have to insist on this rule as you need to be aware of cyclists (listen for bells ringing) and other runners trying to pass and also so that you can hear safety stewards instructions. Why do you need headphones? You will be running along some of the most scenic areas in the country, look around you…. Take it in and perhaps chat to your fellow runners along the way!
THE FINISH LINE.
When you complete your run please proceed through the finish tunnel. Please do not block up this area and proceed to The Railway Café area where your T Shirt pick up takes place, Gear dropped at start line can be picked up at top of Greenway at Clonea junction also.
EVAN WINS BRIDEVIEW 4 MILE.
The Rathcormac 4 mile road race was held last Thursday evening and a field of 129 competed. The race was hosted by Bridevale AC and held in ideal weather conditions. Club member Evan Fitzgerald made a very welcome return to the road racing scene after some months and it was a winning return as he took the honours in a time of 19.37 from Paul Harnett East Cork 2nd in 1942 and third home was Stivan Simpson Grange Fermoy AC in 20.47,Sinead O’Connor Leevale AC in a time of 22.18 was the first lady. Well done to Evan on his winning return.
