Call for athletes to register today to avail of special early bird discount
MARCH 29, 2012: As many athletes approach the halfway stage of their preparation and training for the 2012 Cork City Marathon, event organisers are calling on those who haven’t already signed up to register today to avail of the special early bird discount, which is available until the end of March.
Some 10,000 people are expected to take part in this year’s Cork City Marathon, which includes a half marathon and relay event. An estimated €3 million is expected to be raised for over 150 different charities.
Even at this early stage, Cork City Marathon Race Director, Jim O’Donovan, is reporting an increase in entries from 2011: “We have had a great response to this year’s event, which looks likely to be our most successful marathon yet. We have received a ton of entries already with many more looking to sign up. If you are thinking about signing up, however, I’d advise you to do so today to make the most of our special early bird discount.”
Race ambassadors Catherina McKiernan and Karl Henry are also calling on people to join in the fun this June bank holiday weekend. For leading personal trainer and RTÉ’s Operation Transformation fitness expert Karl Henry, the Cork City Marathon is a particular favourite: “This is one of my favourite marathon routes in Ireland and I’m expecting a great mix of participants to take part due to the full, half and relay options, with everyone working towards the same goal – to finish the race! My advice to those hoping to be part of the 2012 event is to remember that you don’t have to run the marathon; you can walk it, jog it or join a relay team.”
Olympian and Irish race ace Catherina McKiernan added: “The Cork marathon is certainly one of the most challenging events on the racing calendar, but it’s also one of the most appealing thanks to a fantastic course that takes you the length and breadth of Cork. The warm reception that participants receive from the Corkonians can really make a big difference to runners in the later stages of the race.”
The 2012 Cork City Marathon will take place on Monday, June 4, and is long-established as ‘the marathon for everyone’. Organised by Cork City Council, it offers runners of all fitness levels the opportunity to challenge themselves on a demanding but thoroughly enjoyable course with more race options than ever for participants in 2012. This includes – for the first time – the Inter-Services competition, which is sure to create extra excitement on race day.
The Inter-Services competition as part of the 2012 Cork City Marathon challenges uniformed service personnel in Ireland and abroad to compete in the inter-services marathon and relay event for the title of 2012 Cork City Marathon Inter-Services Champions. This is a competition for uniformed service personnel, e.g. Airport Fire & Police, the Ambulance service, the Coast Guard, Defence Forces, Fire Service and Registered Nurses, the Naval Service, an Garda Síochána, the Postal Service and the Prison Service. The competition is open to all serving and retired members, and international entries are welcome.
Cork City Marathon Race Director, Jim O’Donovan, said: “The relay is one of the most popular events in the Cork City Marathon, which is why we wanted to add something special to this year’s competition. I firmly believe that the Inter-Services competition will add an even bigger buzz on race day in Cork.”