Best of luck to all of our athletes taking part in Ballina tomorrow! We have some strong teams going and hopefully everyone will have an enjoyable experience. The races start at 1pm, but please try to be there an hour beforehand. The program/entries are here. The club has a good history at Connacht level in the last 10 years. Last year we won 8 sets of team medals including 7 Connacht titles. Our previous best years were in 2010 and 2005 when we won 10 sets of team medals. A summary of previous performances from the club's juvenile teams in Connacht cross country is here.

It will take between 2 and 2.5 hours to travel to Ballina (see googlemaps). The weather is predicted showery in general but accuweather shows the sun will be shining in Ballina during the races .

With all the rain, I'm sure the course will be mucky in spots so bring plenty of changes of socks etc. Its handy to have 3 pairs of socks – 1 for warmup, 1 for race and 1 for after race.

The easiest route to take is via the N17 as far as Kilkelly and turn left there, i.e:-
– Athenry
– Tuam
– Claremorris bypass
– Knock bypass
– Kilkelly bypass (go into Kilkelly and turn here for Swinford)
– Swinford
– Foxford
– Ballina

There is another route but its a little more complicated:
– Athenry
– Tuam
– Claremorris bypass
– Knock bypass (turn off bypass for Kiltimagh)
– Kiltimagh
– Bohola
– Foxford
– Ballina

Ballina AC have indicated that once you enter Ballina, there will be signs for ATHLETIC / CROSS COUNTRY to direct to the course … so keep an eye out for them. Its close enough to Dunnes Stores shopping centre.

The following gives detailed directions to Beleek Castle:- http://www.belleekcastle.com/Location/. The cross country course is on the grounds of the castle – you pass it as you travel along Castle Road.