River Moy 1/2 Marathon 16th May 2010. The first River Moy ½ Marathon will take place on Sunday 16th May 2010 at 11am in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Runners and walkers of all levels are encouraged to take part in what looks set to be a great event.
The course starts and finishes at the Ballina Rugby Club, Creggs Rd, Ballina, Co.Mayo. A brilliant atmosphere is expected as family members, friends and supporters will be able to see competitors throughout the course along with lively musical entertainment at the start of the race. The race is been organised to meet the very highest standards, with chip timing for all participants, an Athletics Ireland certified course, technical running shirts and great goodie bags which will be jammed packed full of fantastic products for our runners to enjoy. Run Wild, Run West. All details of the event & entry can be found on www.rivermoymarathon.ie
The Course Description–The half marathon route is relatively flat with a few challenging hills along the way. Most of the half marathon will be run on roads on either side of the banks of the River Moy. Just over one mile of the course will take participants through Belleek Woods. There is an excellent trail surface on this part of the scenic terrain, which is used daily by local runners and walkers.
As the title suggests, Competitors will run in the heart of the northwest of Ireland, along the banks of Europe’s most famous salmon fishing river, the River Moy which will be the scenic backdrop for most of this race.
The River Moy half marathon will start on Cregg’s Road, Ballina and on reaching the Quay Road, there will be a sharp turn left as the race makes its’ way along the River Moy towards the town of Ballina. The first mile will take participants through the quaint Quay village.
At Riverslade, the town of Ballina comes into view and the impressive steeple of St. Muredach’s cathedral can be seen for the first time. On reaching the main Ballina to Sligo road at Bunree bridge, the participants will turn right and make their way towards the town. Nephin mountain should be visible as it provides a lovely backdrop to the entire North Mayo area. As the bridge comes into view, all runners will prepare to leave the east bank and make the transition to the west bank!!!
On crossing the bridge, a sharp right onto Batchelors Walk, turning right on a short sharp incline will bring all runners to the imposing gate lodge of the old Belleek estate and through the archway therein.
Belleek woods will be on the right hand side of the route and then the runners veers left. The runners will then face a gradual incline to the main Ballina to Killala road where the runners turn right and make their way along the right hand side of the road for approximately two miles.
The half marathon route edges towards Killala but takes a sharp right at what is called ‘the half way house’ locally. It is also quite close to half way in the race also! All participants will be glad of the gentle decline towards a right turn which will take them back in the direction of Ballina again. A long straight stretch will bring runners into a series of short sharp hills before the green canopy of Belleek woods come into view again. On reaching the gate of the woods, the underfoot conditions change. This is a much used route for local walkers, joggers and runners. Please note that the surface is a typical trail through woods but it is a nice change from the roads..
With the River Moy directly on the left, participants will make their way at various speeds and levels of comfort through the woods. On reaching the end of the wooded avenue, the race veers left onto a rough trail road to bring all into Ballina again. A welcome downhill will bring the race into Ballina again and onto the banks of the river at Bachelor’s Walk.
On crossing the bridge this time, runners will appreciate that the finishing line is not too far away. All steps are retraced down the Sligo Road to Bunree Bridge and through Riverslade to the Quay Village. The welcome turn onto Cregg’s Road will bring all runners to the finish line at Ballina Rugby club.