Coachford racing to honour world champion

The honours keep coming for race walker Olive Loughnane, who was recently awarded a gold medal for the 2009 20km World Championships after the lead athlete was disqualified for a drug offence.

Coachford's Autumn Festival will return for its seventh year next month with a five-mile road race the main attraction and local resident Loughnane's achievements will be recognised in a ceremony at the event.

The village already sports a tribute to the Olympian in the form of a permanent sculpture and will use the occasion to celebrate her upgraded medal achievement.

Over €50,000 has been raised for charity through mid-Cork village's festival in recent years with Marymount Hospice and Suicide Aware set to be the main benefactors for 2016.

This year's edition runs from August 18-21 with the race taking place on Friday 19. Registration will be from 5.30pm with the race starting at 7pm sharp.

The presentation to Olive Loughnane will follow at 8.30pm.

The 5-mile road race has accreditation from Athletics Ireland and chip timing for the first time, with runners set to compete in individual age categories, a team contest, and a juvenile section.

There will also be a prize for the first family to cross the line.

For more info visit the Coachford Autumn Festival Facebook page.