With less than two weeks to go to the forthcoming Bandon Half Marathon and 10K road races on May 12th, entries for both events are flowing in. You have until May 7th to register online. Half Marathon entry is €25 with the 10K being €15. There will be limited entry on the morning of the race at €5 extra per race. As an added incentive this year, the race committee is offering bonus prizes for the first person to break the course record in both events. Colin Merritt of Carrig na bhFear holds the men’s record for the half at 1.11.35. Bandon AC’s top female road runner, Carmel Crowley is the holder of the women’s record over the distance, 1.24.14. In the 10K, Chris Harrington from Leevale completed the 10k in a time of 34.08 with the women’s top time being 40.16 by Nollaig Hunter.
Registration and number collection will be available on Friday 11th May from 5pm to 9pm and on the morning of the race from 7am to 9pm. Full details including course routes etc and updates can be found on the race website www.bandonhalfmarathon.com. The town of Bandon is going to be in festival mode on the day in order to make your visit to the gateway to West Cork one to remember. Bandon Co Marketing group is working with many of the businesses in the area to ensure that the town becomes involved with the event. There will be a Health and Fitness promotion with schools taking part in an art and colouring competition. Entries will be displayed in shop windows throughout the town. Various exercise and fitness groups, Pilates, Tai Chi etc will have displays at the MUGA(Multi Use Games Area) venue on the Innishannon Road. There will also be demonstrations of how to use the exercise machines in the outdoor gym at the Muga for those who have not yet availed of this facility. It is also intended to have a kayaking/canoeing display on the river on the day.