Deadline For Cork City Marathon Registration Extended To May 18th

Due to the influx in entry enquires, the 2017 Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon has extended its registration deadline to Thursday 18th May

The hotly-anticipated 2017 Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon is just around the corner and the level of entries to date has surpassed all expectations.  After a decade of participants marking the end of their June Bank Holiday weekend crossing the finish line of the Cork City Marathon, organisers have answered the requests from past and potential participants to move this iconic race to Sunday 4th June. This date change has indeed proved to be extremely popular among runners and walkers alike who are flocking to the registration page to add this bucket list event to their diaries. In light of this surge in late entries and registration enquires from those interested in taking part, organisers have made the decision to extend the deadline for entries from Friday 12th May to Thursday 18th May. Entries are now due in by midnight for online entries and postal entries received on or before 5pm on Thursday 18th May.

With almost 10,000 participants last year and increased numbers expected for 2017 in the Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay, Inter-Services Championships and Youth Challenge, the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon has firmly secured its place on the Irish sporting calendar as one of the must-attend events of the year.  Over the years, the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon has become more than a marathon, recognised for its inclusivity. It’s for runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes, fitness enthusiasts and supporters. It is for those looking for a way to get fit, to set a new personal best; a way to raise money for a local charity or a fun day out with family and friends.

The marathon is a platform for outstanding achievements and unforgettable memories and this year will be no different.  Among those already registered to take on this sporting challenge are some amazing individuals such as Boston Firefighter Greg MacCurtain, great grandnephew of the former Lord Mayor of Cork Tomas MacCurtain, who will be running his first ever marathon with 6 year old daughter Abby, in her modified wheelchair.  Abby is battling Leigh’s Disease, which is a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system, but won’t stop her taking to the streets of Cork this June! Others are running on behalf of some very worthwhile charities such as 26-year-old Cobh native, Niall Kavanagh who is running to raise money and awareness for Cork Mental Health Foundation. Some participants are running to fulfil their own personal goals, for example New Jersey athlete, Daniel McCann who is in pursuit of joining the prestigious Seven Continents Club. He has competed the Great Wall of China Marathon and the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon will secure a special spot as his first Europe Marathon. Many runners who take part in the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon are touched by the sense of community, spirit and atmosphere which surrounds this special race, just like Kildare man, Peter Mooney, who has run all the Cork City Marathons since the race returned to the city in the mid-2000s.

Speaking in relation to the entry extension, Race Director, Jim O’Donovan urged those who have not yet done so to make use of this window to secure their place on the starting line. “I would encourage individuals of all ages, levels and abilities who have not registered yet, to make use of this entry extension and get involved in the 2017 Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon. It will be a fantastic day in the city and a great way for participants to take in the iconic Cork sights and sounds as they take to the streets. We’re calling on everyone, from first timers to professional athletes, to lace up your trainers and we look forward to seeing you at the start and finish line!”

Now in its 11th year, the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon is an internationally-recognised marathon welcoming participants from home and abroad, with certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).  Cork is a qualifying race for, amongst others, the prestigious Boston City Marathon. The Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon is a City Council initiative in partnership with Athletics Ireland, Cork Business Houses Athletics Association (BHAA), An Garda Síochána, Cork Education & Training Board, the HSE, Cork City Fire Service, Voluntary First Aid & Medical bodies such as St. John Ambulance, Irish Red Cross, Order of Malta, and Civil Defence, as well as local groups and communities.

The Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon organisers are delighted with the number of seasoned and first-time participants who have registered for this year’s race. They hope that this deadline extension will ease the pressure for those still needing to enter and would encourage those thinking about taking part to register and become a part of this memorable day of personal achievement and community. Remember, this is more than a marathon so entries are still open for the Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay, Inter-Services Championships and Youth Challenge. Register now or find out more information on the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon 2017 online at www.corkcitymarathon.ie. For helpful training tips or to share your Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon journey follow them on Facebook and Instagram\corkcitymarathon or on Twitter @TheCorkMarathon #MoreThanAMarathon