The New Year is the perfect time to put new year resolutions into play. With the Cork City Marathon now open for registration, there is no excuse not to make 2014 your marathon year! Whether it is the full or half marathon, the team relay, youth relay or the inter-services championships, the Cork City Marathon offers a pace and length suited to everyone. You just have to sign up!

Speaking at the launch of the event which will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd June, race director Jim O’Donovan said: “The Cork City Marathon 2014 is all about encouraging individuals of all levels and abilities to get involved – from first timers to professional athletes. In recent years we have developed the concept of group participation with the introduction of the Team Relay, Youth Relay and the Inter-Services Championships encouraging some healthy competition among colleagues and school mates.

“We are encouraging everyone to get involved in 2014, it’s all about team spirit, participation and that special sense of achievement. Make 2014 the year that you run the Cork City Marathon,” he added.

Now in its eighth year, the Cork City Marathon is an internationally recognised marathon, with certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). In 2013, over 7,000 people took part in the Cork City Marathon, an event that is quickly becoming one of the major events in the Irish sporting calendar.

This year will see also see a Guinness Wold Record Challenge by Alex O’Shea, who will attempt to break the record for running a marathon in his full firefighter attire, including fire hazard boots.

Entry forms and full details on the Cork City Marathon are available online at www.corkcitymarathon.ie/entry/.