Rosscarbery's Surf, Turf ‘n' Tar route will see participants visit historic Castlefreke estate

THE second Rosscarbery Surf Turf ‘n’ Tar half marathon and 10k race event takes place on May 19th with registration open for the coveted 1,000 spots. 

Last year saw 420 runners and walkers take part in this unique event covering beach, road, forest and trail runs, and this year’s chip-timed event looks set to be hugely popular. 

The half-marathon race starts at 9am and the 10k starts 15 minutes later at the Celtic Ross Hotel (race HQ), with a route down the Warren Road and then over the Cliff Walk into Owenahincha, where participants will run through Owenahincha and make their way to Castlefreke estate. 

By kind permission of Stephen Evans Freke, all participants will run through the castle grounds, alongside the castle. 

The 10k race goers will loop around the castle and return to Rosscarbery via the Cliff Walk and finish by crossing the estuary via a pontoon onto the Pier Road.  

The half-marathon route leaves the castle grounds and enters wood trails recently completed by Coillte. The runners then take on the Long Strand, extending just over one mile of beach running and then onto the trail leading to Lord Carbery Cross. 

The race then goes back via the castle, through Owenahincha, running the beach, over the Cliff Walk and across the Warren Strand and across the estuary via the pontoon, to finish on the Pier Road adjacent to the hotel.

Organised by Rosscarbery Business Association, in conjunction with Rosscarbery Steam Runners AC, all proceeds will go back into Rosscarbery community, to enhance amenities and promote the area. 

Proceeds from last year’s event financed a new community website for Rosscarbery, contributed to the ‘Light up Rosscarbery’ Christmas campaign and other smaller projects.

Sponsors and supporters inlcude The Celtic Ross Hotel, the Freke family, Kinetica, Rosscarbery Recipes, Bushby’s Strawberries, Lisavaird Co-Op and Clona Dairies.

Registration is now open (€25 for 10k and €35 for half-marathon) and will close on May 11th, or when full. See facebook.com/rosscarberysurfturfntar for registration details.

Bib pick-up will be available in The Celtic Ross Hotel on Friday May 18th, and on the morning of the event, from 7am. 

See also, page 7