If you are visiting Cork for the weekend and fancy some out-of-town shopping, you are in the right place. You now take the slip road up past Mahon Point Shopping Centre. You won’t have your wallet or purse with you but that’s ok, it’s not open yet anyway. Call back after the race when it’s open and reward your efforts with a cup of coffee and get yourself something nice to remember your achievements in Cork. Just before the 11-mile mark, you’ll see the picturesque Blackrock Castle ahead. Perched on the shore of Lough Mahon, the castle was originally built as a fortified defence in the 16th century to protect the upper harbour and port. The castle was destroyed by fire twice, in 1722 and again in 1827, after which the castle as we see it today was designed by James and George Pain. Within the castle, you can explore the universe at the CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, or enjoy a meal in the Castle Café and Restaurant in the courtyard – a lovely setting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. After the Castle, you enter the flat walkway that sweeps along the edge of Lough Mahon. We are being very good to you, another flat mile completed as you pass the 12-mile mark. Take a look around and ask yourself, ‘have I ever run a City marathon in such a nice place?’. You have the beautiful River Lee estuary to your left and across the water are Rochestown and Passage West. Next up it’s time to catch the train! Just before the 13- mile mark, we leave the Lough Mahon walkway using a steep bridge over the N40. But don’t worry, it’s just a short, steep hill and the rewards are worth it. Down off the short bridge and you enter the Old Cork to Passage West Railway line and another dead flat section. This is a spectacular section of the course. This is Greenway heaven! You get about a mile and a half of this, so enjoy it. 27 Cork City Marathon 2026
Sporting Mahon & Blackrock
Blackrock Castle
The Lee Estuary
The Railway Line
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