The Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon will celebrate a decade of sporting success on Bank Holiday Monday 6 June 2016. In ten years the marathon has grown to be one of the biggest events on the Irish sporting calendar, attracting almost 100,000 runners to participate in the full and half marathon as well as the team relay and youth challenge.
To celebrate 10 years, the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon is calling on all uniformed personnel to participate in the newly launched ‘Battle of the Badges’. The category encourages teams and individuals from the various uniformed bodies, such as the Gardaí, Naval Service, Registered Nurses, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Coastguard, or anyone in uniform, to run for the honour of their profession.
“In the past ten years the Cork City Marathon has earned a reputation for being inclusive. We encourage individuals of all levels and abilities to get involved – from first timers to professional athletes. This year, to mark our 10 year anniversary, we are encouraging participation – and some healthy competition – among colleagues in uniform,” said Jim O’Donovan, Race Director, Cork City Marathon.
“We want to see as many uniformed services as possible represented in the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon 2016. It’s all about team spirit, participation and that special sense of achievement. There will be also be awards for the winning individuals and teams” he added.
The 26.2 mile Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon course is internationally recognised, with certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). One of the fastest courses in Ireland, the Cork Marathon has been praised for its inclusivity, with entry fee concessions for those who are unwaged and in receipt of benefit ensuring that young and old and those with varying ability are included in the marathon.
Commenting on behalf of the headline sponsor of Cork City Marathon, Karen O’Donoghue, Marketing Manager with the Irish Examiner said: “We are delighted to partner with Cork City Marathon again in 2016 for this special celebratory marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 June. We look forward to welcoming several thousand runners, spectators, volunteers and runners of all levels, speed and fitness.”
Entry forms and full details on the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon 2016 are available online at www.corkcitymarathon.ie. Early bird entry is available until 31 December 2015.
About Cork City Marathon
Cork City Marathon was revived in 2007 after a break of 21 years. It reflected a growing interest or a rekindling of interest in road running that had peaked in the mid-1980s but had waned in the intervening years.
One of the innovations in the Cork City Marathon was the inclusion of a Team Relay challenge, with teams of between 2 and five members combining to cover the 26.2 mile distance. In 2013, a Youth Team Relay was introduced, providing an opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 18 to participate in what is one of the most challenging and rewarding sporting and personal achievements.
Eligible entrants for Battle of the Badges
Serving and/or Retired Uniformed Service Personnel, including but not confined to:
- Airport Fire & Police
- Ambulance Service
- An Garda Síochána
- Registered Nurses
- Naval Service
- Postal Service
- Prison Service
- Civil Defence
- Coast Guard
- Customs
- Defence Forces
- Fire Service