Page 14 - COBH EDITION 15th MARCH DIGITAL VERSION

OCEAN TO CITY 2019

This year’s race takes place on Saturday 1 June 2019. Registration is now open!
Important accommodation notice for travelling participants: The Cork City Marathon takes
place on the day after Ocean to City, which will bring thousands of runners into the city. To
avoid lodging difficulties we strongly advise travelling participants to reserve their accommo-
dation as early as possible. See Accommodation Guide.
Ocean to City – An Rás Mór is Ireland’s very own long-distance rowing race attracting hun-
dreds of participants annually. Started in 2005, it has grown from its origin as a race for tra-
ditional fixed-seat boats into an all-inclusive rowing and paddling event, embracing everything
from traditional wooden working boats, currachs, skiffs, gigs and longboats to contemporary
ocean racing shells, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddle boards.

With thousands of spectators each year, the race is a real flagship event for Cork Harbour;
one of the largest natural harbours in the world. An Rás Mór (”The Big Race”) appeals to a
wide range of rowers and paddlers from across Ireland and beyond. It includes races over
four course distances: the 28km Ocean Course, 22km City Course, 13km Monkstown Course
and the 4km Youth Course – all finishing to a warm welcome in Cork’s city centre.

Modelled on London’s Great River Race, start times are staggered with the slowest boat types
leaving first, and the fastest boat types leaving last. Celebrating both traditional boats and
the more competitive contemporary craft, An Rás Mór is much more than just a race… it is a
test of endurance, a personal challenge and a shared effort.
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Ballymore Cobh AC Notes
Tokyo Marathon - Sunday March 3rd.

On a very cold and wet day, Orla O’Rourke and sister Kathryn had a 5:30am alarm call to get
to the start line of the race.
For both ladies, this event marked the culmination of there grand slam of marathon majors,
namely -Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London and now Tokyo.
Thankfully Kathryn remembered to set her alarm as Orla totally forgot. What a story that
might have been when Orla would have had to re-book flights to next years Tokyo marathon
after sleeping through this year’s
Once both sisters arrived at the starting area, they had to wait for an hour in the freezing wet
conditions before the race began, armed only with plastic ponchos to keep the elements at
bay.

The run was wet throughout, and due to the very tall buildings in the city, Orla was unable to
get an accurate GPS signal on her watch to keep an eye on her pace.
She instead gauged her progress by the official clocks dotted around the course.

The weather and lack of GPS proved no match for Orla, who flew around the course to set a
new personal best in an incredible time of 3:14:23
On completion of the race, both sisters were brought in to a special tent reserved for “6-star
finishers” (Those that have completed the 6 majors). Here they had photos taken before at-
tending an official party later that evening where they were awarded snoods and medals by
marathon royalty Deena Kastor (photos attached).
For all of us in Ballymore Cobh AC, once again we want to send our congratulations to Orla
and Kathryn who have entered a very elite club by finishing the big six.