Route 2 Crook

frash

http://goleengaa.com/?page_id=2194

Anyone here ever done it?
Gonna be down that way that weekend and considering it.

kyomi

I'm in West Cork at the moment and plan on running the Route 2 Crook - it'll be my third time doing it. It's one of the most spectacular races I've done, with amazing views of the Fastnet lighthouse and Crookhaven from across the bay. It's tough though - the hills aren't too high but there's a lot of them, especially in the last mile, although there's a nice steep downhill to the finish line. Perhaps not a PB course but well worth doing, with loads of local support along the way, especially in Goleen village, where it starts, and Crookhaven itself. But the best bit is the delicious sandwiches and home-made cakes afterwards!

frash

kyomi wrote: »

I'm in West Cork at the moment and plan on running the Route 2 Crook - it'll be my third time doing it. It's one of the most spectacular races I've done, with amazing views of the Fastnet lighthouse and Crookhaven from across the bay. It's tough though - the hills aren't too high but there's a lot of them, especially in the last mile, although there's a nice steep downhill to the finish line. Perhaps not a PB course but well worth doing, with loads of local support along the way, especially in Goleen village, where it starts, and Crookhaven itself. But the best bit is the delicious sandwiches and home-made cakes afterwards!

Sounds good.
I know the road well.
You mightn't notice the hills too much when driving but I bet they're tough running.
Good to hear about the support along the way.

Do they close the road off totally or are cars still going by (albeit warned beforehand of runners ahead)?

kyomi

The roads aren't closed, but at the start, the traffic is stopped by marshals until the runners have gone by. In normal years there isn't much traffic as people tend to know the race is on and avoid the route (there's an alternative route that takes cars off the main route until the last mile and a half) but this year the road is closed to traffic anyway due to a rockfall.

The last mile and a half, where the alternative route joins the main route, can have a bit of traffic. Last year, by the time I was approaching Crookhaven (around 35 mins) there were a few cars stuck in traffic that people had to run around, but I'd say if you were a faster runner you could avoid all that!

By the way, even though the road is closed because of the rockfall, the organisers are saying the race will go ahead as planned. I've seen the rockfall and it's only on one side of the road (you can still cycle that route even though it's closed to cars), so I presume there will be barriers and we will just run around it.

frash

kyomi wrote: »

The roads aren't closed, but at the start, the traffic is stopped by marshals until the runners have gone by. In normal years there isn't much traffic as people tend to know the race is on and avoid the route (there's an alternative route that takes cars off the main route until the last mile and a half) but this year the road is closed to traffic anyway due to a rockfall.

The last mile and a half, where the alternative route joins the main route, can have a bit of traffic. Last year, by the time I was approaching Crookhaven (around 35 mins) there were a few cars stuck in traffic that people had to run around, but I'd say if you were a faster runner you could avoid all that!

By the way, even though the road is closed because of the rockfall, the organisers are saying the race will go ahead as planned. I've seen the rockfall and it's only on one side of the road (you can still cycle that route even though it's closed to cars), so I presume there will be barriers and we will just run around it.

Heard about the rockfall alright & I know the alternate route too.
Heading down there (from Dublin) tomorrow.

I wouldn't be the fastest runner around so hoping to do the five miles in around 50 mins.

I was on to the organisers - the fastest it's been done is 24 mins & the slowest was one & 15 so I'll hopefully be mid-table somewhere

frash

Great event today!!

Sambos with cake & tea after.

Followed by a lovely pint of Murphy's

kyomi

Yes, I really enjoyed it too. Found the first half tough, the second was much nicer - helped by the fact that the wind was behind us for all the hills near the end! Enjoyed the tea and lovely buns afterwards too.

Rashers23

kyomi wrote: »

Yes, I really enjoyed it too. Found the first half tough, the second was much nicer - helped by the fact that the wind was behind us for all the hills near the end! Enjoyed the tea and lovely buns afterwards too.

I would have run 10 miles for the great feed we got at the finish..well done to the organisers for putting on a great race again this year.