Cork City Half-Marathon Results - March 1986

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 Results of Cork City Half-Marathon 1986

Cork

Sunday March 16th 1986

A BLE registered event

Tony O'Leary, Leevale AC coming in to win the Cork City Half-Marathon 1986

 Nuala Logan, Limerick AC, women's winner of Cork City Half-Marathon 1986

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Cover of Cork Examiner's Special Race Supplement

Best event of its kind

By Ann Mooney

CLOSE on 1,000 runners participated in the third annual Guin- ness/Cork Examiner Half Marathon held on Sunday, March 16, proving once again that the event is one of the best of its kind in the country.

While numbers decline at other road races, this 13.1 mile run continues to maintain its entries, something which speaks well for the superb organisation of the event.

The Friends of the Irish Wheelchair Association (Cork Branch) were once again the main organisers and they did an outstanding job, as always. Under the chairmanship of Pat Maher, the race went off smoothly and Pat’s wife Carmel as competition secretary proved to be a very valuable asset, ensuring that results and entries were completely in order.
Speaking about results, I am reliably informed that Glanmire Electronics did a fantastic job of getting the results together and they were presented to the press in record time this year. As can be seen from this results supplement their work was top class.

The proceeds from the Guinness/Cork Examiner Half Marathon normally go towards the funding of a proposed new regional headquarters for wheelchair users in Munster, which will have the most up-to-date facilities and services. But this year the money will also be used to help send the Irish Wheelchair team to the World Games in Sweden.

The interest of the wheelchair athletes in the event was evident from the number who participated in the event, and these superb athletes, including Cork’s Kay McShane, always distinguish themselves and are firm favourite with the watching crowds.

FESTIVE AIR

The Guinness/Cork Examiner Half Marathon has a special atmosphere all its own and there is always a very happy and festive air about it. This year this was further enhanced by the fact that the start was a new one, on the South Mall, as opposed to Grattan Street, in previous years, and much of early stages of the run were around the city streets.

This certainly created spectator interest and this year the crowds all around the route, but particularly in places like Douglas, the city centre and for the finish and start on the South Mall, showed a huge increase in numbers.

The performance by the Manning Brothers Band who entertained the onlookers and indeed the runners, was a huge success and should be considered as a regular feature of the road race organisation.

The appearance of the army and navy running teams once again added its own unique touch to the affair. The army team of over 30 runners started off 10 minutes before the main bunch of athletes, accompanied by a jeep, and collectors with buckets. This, combined with the individual sponsorship efforts of the runners, is a most praiseworthy and commendable effort on the part of the armed forces.

The naval team created its own special record at this year’s event, as there were over 100 participants, all members of the new recruit classes. Both the army and navy teams ran in formation, and sang and chanted en-route, entertaining and indeed encouraging the other runners in the process.

To organise a running event of the size of this half marathon requires a great deal of dedication and effort on the part of many people. Keane’s Timing plays a very important role and Pat Keane and his team always ensure that things go smoothly and efficiently on the day.

This year a sophisticated new digital timing clock, brought in from Sweden, was in use on the day. Situated on an 8’ high gantry, it was operational from the moment the Lord Mayor Aid. Dan Wallace T.D. pulled the trigger of the starting pistol, thus ensuring complete accuracy in the timing of individual performances. And runners crossing the finishing line could check their own times easily as a result.

Voluntary organisations as always played a very important role in the manning of feeding stations, and stewarding, of the 13.1 mile route. These include the Red Cross, who had a first aid station in the Imperial Hotel, St. Johns Ambulance, Civil Defence, community associations, Venturer scouts, Cork Corporation and of course the gardai.

Mick Burke and his C.B. team operated a communication system for the race which proved highly successful and the staff of the Imperial Hotel were marvellous in organising the race headquarters.

Jurys Hotel presented a special holiday prize, while Dan Air in conjunction with West Cork Travel presented a holiday for two in Jersey, both of which were won by some of the lucky runners.

Other Cork firms and organisations which contributed to the event were — Vita Cortex, Instant Hire, CMP Dairies, the Imperial Hotel, Adidas, Ballycotton Running Promotions, Cork Co. BLE, the Army and Navy, Cork Local Radio and Cork Multi-channel, Junior Chamber, Cork Crystal, the School of Commerce, where changing facilities were available, CPC Foods Ltd., Ormond & Aherne, Gestetner Photo Copiers, Murphys Transport Ltd. and the Manning Brothers.

Joe Byrne and the staff of Glanmire Electronics who provided the computerised results

They're off - heading down the Mall

Members of the Army team setting out in formation with Lt. Sean Webb in charge

Peter Malone, Manager Jury's, presenting a voucher to Pat Maher, Chairman Friends of the Wheelchair Accociation. On right is Donie Walsh, Leevale AC

Enjoying the early stages

Lord Mayor Ald. Dan Wallace, T.D. starting the event, watched by Tim O'Sullivan Guinness, and Seamus Horgan, "Cork Examiner"

Some of the women in the field

Results of Cork City Half-Marathon 1986

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