RACE BRIEFING
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Dear Participants,
Thank you for signing up for the Longford AC Ray Flynn Mile, 5km and 1km kids event on Friday, October 11th 2024. Below, you’ll find all the essential race details, including route information, road closures, parking, and the race timetable. We look forward to seeing you for a great evening of running!
Race HQ & Registration
Race HQ is located at the Longford Athletics Centre, where race registration and prize-giving will take place. Registration will open at 5:30 p.m. and close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to arrive early to collect your race number and familiarize yourself with the course.
Please enter the College via the main avenue at Ballinalee Road / St Mel’s Road.
Road Closures and Traffic Considerations
Please note that the following streets will be closed to traffic from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the evening of the event:
- New Street
- Ballymahon Street
- Dublin Street
In addition to these street closures, several junctions will also be affected by traffic management measures during this time.
The impacted junctions are as follows:
Main Street (R198) and Ballymahon Street (N-63-590)
Main Street (R198) and Dublin Street (N-63-592) and Geraldine Terrace (L-3006-0)
Dublin Street (N63-592) and Dublin Road (R393-232)
New Street (N63-594) and Dublin Street (N63-592)
New Street (N63-594) and Breadens Lane (L-30111-0)
Earl Street (L-3011-0) and Market Square (N63-587)
Ballymahon Street (L-3011-0) and Market Square (N63-587)
Harbour Row (L-3012-0) and Market Square (N63-588)
Traffic management
Stewards will be in place to guide both participants and residents during the race period. Please plan accordingly and arrive early if you are driving. We apologies for any inconvenience caused by the closures and thank you for your understanding.
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Parking
Parking for the event will be available at St. Mel’s College. Participants should enter via the main entrance to St. Mel’s College on the Ballinalee Road. Parking will be available on the basketball courts and on the nearby gravel area within the College grounds. Please follow the guidance of stewards to ensure smooth parking and avoid congestion.
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5K Night Run Route
https://www.strava.com/routes/3261836375790601016
The 5K race will start on Dublin Street just beyond the Cathedral. The course follows an anti-clockwise loop:
From Dublin Street, head up Ballymahon Street and down New Street, continuing this loop until reaching Market Square.
From there, turn left to Harbour Row, running toward the canal.
Continue under the railway bridge, running along the left side of the canal to the stone bridge, before turning back along the opposite side.
Return through Harbour Row, head up to Market Square, then down Ballymahon Street and back to Dublin Street, finishing near the Cathedral.
Stewards will be positioned throughout the route to ensure your safety.
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Mile Route (Elite Men & Women)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3233564025802142190
The Mile races start on Ballymahon Street and follow a clockwise loop:
Runners will proceed down Ballymahon Street and onto Dublin Street, past the Cathedral.
After completing two full laps of this triangular course, participants will finish on Dublin Street.
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Kids Races
There are three different routes for the Kids Races:
1km (5th/6th Class): 1.5 laps starting at Ballymahon Street (Market Square) and finishing at the Cathedral.
600m (3rd/4th Class): Starts at New Street (Temperance Hall) and completes 1 lap of the triangle, finishing at the Cathedral.
400m (2nd Class & lower): Begins at Market Square and runs a two-thirds lap, ending at the Cathedral. Parents must run with children in this event.
Stewards will be available throughout the kids’ race routes to ensure the safety of all participants.
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Post-Race
Join us for post-race refreshments and the presentation of prizes at 9:00 p.m. at the Athletics Centre. Cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers in the 5K and Mile Races, while medals will be available for all participants in the Kids Races.
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Safety Instructions
Athletes will be reminded that they are participating in a road race on public roads. Although traffic management measures are in place, please be aware of your surroundings and follow the rules of the road.
Stewards and marshals will be positioned at key points to manage traffic and ensure safety for all participants.
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First Aid & Water Stations
First Aid stations will be available at the finish area and along the 5K route. Water will be available at the finish line.
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Race Cancellation
In the unlikely event of adverse weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will notify participants via email, social media, and local radio.
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Thank you for supporting the Longford AC Ray Flynn Mile. We appreciate your participation and look forward to a great evening of racing.
Best of luck!
Kind regards,
Longford AC Race Committee
info@longfordac.com
