Cork drivers give way to runners
Most of the course is closed to traffic but vehicular access to the city is permitted on two main routes — Wilton Road and the Carrigrohane Road — but with stop-go systems in place.
Gardaí have advised drivers to use the city’s ring and link roads when possible, although contra-flows will operate in the Jack Lynch Tunnel, the South Ring Road to Mahon and on the South City Link.
Participants and spectators are also urged to avail of Bus Eireann’s Park and Ride service from the Black Ash centre on the South City Link (N27). Buses will operate every 10 minutes from 7.30am to 7.15pm.
Meanwhile, the African Gospel Choir, the Barrack Street band and local samba bands and musicians are due to perform around the city to support the runners and to keep spectators entertained.
The marathon is going green this year by giving all runners on the full course a recycled T-shirt. Participants will receive an under-armour performance catalyst T-shirt made from four recycled plastic bottles.
Race director Jim O’Donovan says a tremendous amount of organisation has gone into the event.
“We will have 8,000 runners, probably four or five hundred volunteers, 15 ambulances on duty, up to a hundred first aid personnel to look after the runners and we will have several hundred volunteers doing water stations on the route.”
The marathon and team relay will start on St Patrick’s St at 9am. The wheelchair marathon gets under way a few minutes earlier.
The half marathon will start on the Ringmahon Road at 11.30am.
The team relay offers runners, joggers and walkers of all distances an opportunity to take part in the marathon without having to complete the full 26.2 miles.
Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan will be on the starting line, having made the trip from Australia.
Tim Lucey, Cork City manager, who is running in the marathon, has congratulated the runners, whatever their result is on the day.
“To all those competing, the very best of luck, you’ve got to the line which is a major achievement in itself and, whatever happens on the day, congratulate yourself and enjoy it.”
Last year’s winners were Moldovan Sergiu Ciobanu and Lucy Brennan — her third win in a row.
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