Bogus race steward sends runners the wrong way in Glasgow trail race

The BBC news site has a report that a bogus race steward directed some runners onto the wrong path at a 10km trail race in Glasgow last Sunday. About 30 runners ended up taking a 1.5 mile (2.5km) detour by someone who had removed some direction arrows and then pretended to be a race official.

One of the race organisers said... "Some people came across the line and they were saying they were following arrows but they went the wrong way. We've had lots of different stories from the runners who were affected. But they all said they were told where to run. The sad part for us is that the sign was buried, whoever did this made a point of doing it. It clearly wasn't an impulsive move".

The full BBC article can be seen HERE

Ireland is the most popular place for parkrun worldwide

There was an interesting article on the RTE website last weekend about how Ireland is now the most popular place for parkrun worldwide with around 9% of the population now registered.

In the article, it states that there are currently 112 5k events in Ireland, and 42 junior 2k events. In 2024, there were more than half a million finishes at 5k parkrun events across Ireland, with more than 100,000 at junior 2k parkruns.

The very first parkrun started in London in 2004 while the first parkrun in Ireland started in November of 2010. The first parkrun in Dublin started in Malahide in November 2012 while the first parkrun in Cork started a year later with Macroom starting in May of 2013.

While the report focused on the Mullingar, the comments by participants could apply to any parkrun.

"It's not a competition, this isn't a racing club. Come out and walk it or crawl it. The people at the start are just as important as the walker who come in at the end. I know it's called parkrun but it isn't about running, it's about moving, it's about fun and it's about community."

The full article can be seen HERE

Results of the North Cork AC 5k in Doneraile Park - Sun 16th Feb 2025

The annual North Cork AC 5k race in Doneraile Park was held this year on Sun 16th Feb 2025. For whatever reason, there was a big drop in numbers this year going from 171 last year to just 90 in 2025.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Luke Hever North Cork AC 18:09 MS 339
2 Darragh Frost Doneraile 19:03 MS 314
3 Mark O'Brien Kilworth 19:44 MS 434
5 Maeve Doody North Cork AC   20:16 FJ 195
7 Sally-Ann Lynch Donoughmore AC  20:42 FS 388
11 Michaela Flynn North Cork AC 21:49 FJ 473

Full results HERE

Results & Photos of the Carrigaline 5-mile road race - Sun 16th Feb 2025

Mark Walsh of Leevale AC wins the 2025 Carrigaline 5m road race

The annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5-mile road race in Carrigaline was held on Sunday the 16th of February 2025 with 281 runners crossing the finish line. Despite the weather forecast for loads of rain, it amounted in the end to nothing more than a few spits. 

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Mark WALSH 26:15 6348 M M35 Leevale A.C.
2 Sean DAVIN 26:30 6198 M MS St. Finbarrs A.C.
3 John MEADE 26:43 6262 M M45 St. Finbarrs A.C.
15 Michelle KENNY 29:51 44 F F45 Leevale A.C.
19 Emma FITZPATRICK 30:35 628 F FS Leevale A.C.

21 Linda KELLY 31:09 6231 F F50 Watergrasshill A.C.

Full results HERE

Michelle Kenny is the first woman home in a time of 29m 51s

Photos to follow...

1) There are 3 galleries going up on the Running in Cork Facebook page...

a) Album 1 of 3 b) Album 2 of 3 c) Album 3 of 3 . (This covers all the runners up to about 47 min finish time. The battery on the camera died at this point - forgot to charge it after Dungarvan! Joe has loads at about the 4.5m mark below so he should have got you)

2) Joe Murphy has several galleries...

a) Album 1 (skip through them to find the faster runners at about 4.5 miles) b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 e) Album 5 f) Album 6 

3) Mick Dooley has some finish line photos HERE

4) Siobhan Russell has a gallery HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 15th Feb 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 15th Feb 2025. Approximately 1,232 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... Conditions were mild and misty for this weeks eleven 5k parkruns in Co Cork.

Glengarriff... Well done to Neil Flynn who completed his 100th parkrun this morning.

All 100 of Neil's parkruns have been in Glengarriff Woods.

Ballincollig... Well done to Diarmuid Coakley who completed his 200th parkrun this morning while both Gordon Murphy and JJ Murphy hit the century.

Clonakilty... The Clon crew giving the course a bit of TLC before this weeks 5k parkrun...

ONGOING

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 308 this week, 369 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:34

2 Liam KEARNEY Male VM40-44 17:41

3 Ríain BRENNAN Male SM20-24 Leevale AC 18:31

27 Aoibhín O'CONNOR Female SW20-24 22:29

34 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 22:55

35 Niamh MORAN Female SW30-34 22:57

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/363/

Tramore Valley Park: 241 this week, 236 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:11

2 Karl HORGAN Male SM30-34 Cork Triathlon Club 19:33

3 Colum NUGENT Male SM30-34 19:41

18 Catherine TUCKER Female SW30-34 Durham City Harriers AC 22:14

28 Ruth FORBES Female VW40-44 22:58

29 Aine Cait NI CHEALLACHÁIN Female SW20-24 23:00

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/140/

Glen River: 57 this week, 70 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Colin MORRISON Male VM50-54 20:32

2 Donal FALLON Male VM40-44 Mt. Hillary AC 21:12

3 Brian WALLACE Male VM45-49 21:23

15 Ciara HOARE Female JW11-14 25:40

18 Claire MCGONAGLE Female VW55-59 26:17

20 Heather NORVEIL Female VW35-39 26:40

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/246/

Midleton Greenway: 294 this week, 286 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Michael HARTY Male VM40-44 15:01

2 Nick HOGAN Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 17:01

3 Anthony O'GRADY Male VM45-49 17:40

6 Nadine FORDE Female VW40-44 18:14

9 Fiona SANTRY Female VW35-39 19:27

22 Maire WALSH Female VW40-44 Midleton AC 22:01

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/3/

Mallow Castle:  59 this week, 82 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Anthony MANNIX Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 16:27

2 Tadgh CARROLL Male SM30-34 19:02

3 John KELLY Male VM50-54 Mallow AC 19:40 

10 Róisín Aiyara MURPHY Female JW10 23:00 

11 Deirdre DUFF Female VW35-39 23:09

14 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 23:53

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/169/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 44 this week, 50 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:23

2 Robert RIORDAN Male SM18-19 18:24

3 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 St Catherines AC 18:52

8 Muirna TWOMEY Female VW50-54 21:35

10 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:36

11 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:44

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/146/

Macroom Castle Demense: 68 this week, 58 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:45

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 20:00

3 Rory MCELROY Male JM15-17 West Muskerry A.C. 21:00

11 Jacinta BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Killarney Triathlon Club 23:49

18 Noreen STEWART Female VW40-44 24:54

20 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 25:13

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/514/

Clonakilty: 34 this week, 56 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor O'SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:58

3 Barry CRONIN Male VM45-49 22:48

4 Padraig O'FLYNN Male VM40-44 22:52

2 Maura REGAN Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:38

9 Karina JONINA Female SW30-34 24:18

11 Laura WHITE Female SW25-29 26:18

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/469/

Glengarriff Woods: 62 this week, 77 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM45-49 22:13

2 Daniel CRONIN Male SM30-34 22:20

3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 22:21

9 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:57

16 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:58

18 Majella O' MAHONY Female VW35-39 28:12

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/387/

Bere Island: 43 this week, 30 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:42

6 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 28:01

7 Clodagh WHELAN Female SW30-34 28:28

2 John Kevin MALONE Male SM20-24 21:43

3 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 23:17

4 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 26:29

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/479/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 20 finishers this week, 21 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 22:11

2 Donncha O'BRIEN Male VM45-49 23:43

3 Luke CONNOLLY Male JM10 25:45

9 Catherine BOYD Female SW30-34 28:50

11 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 29:25

14 Sharon POULTER Female VW40-44 32:12

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/399/

For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: RPE ...by Pat Walsh

* RPE * - Rate of Perceived Exertion.

I was speaking to someone recently about running and how best to use a watch.  They were having difficulty when the watch showed something different in terms of pace than what they were expecting. This threw the head into chaos and the run wasn’t enjoyable and a bit all over the place in terms of pacing.

A watch should merely be a tool to confirm what you should be feeling and you need to learn this so you can train and race accordingly.

Over time, learn what it feels like to run easy, run hard and race and then let the watch be confirmation of exactly that. 

Your Heart Rate and breathing will be better indicators of your exertion levels rather than just time. 

If you are flat out racing, then that is your max and nothing the watch will say can change that.

If you are on an easy day and your heart and watch says you are going fast then SLOW DOWN.

Get used to looking at heart rate levels as you run. These will always tell you what effort you are putting in. Is it where you want to be?

On a bad day your heart rate may be high and you may have to accept this and maybe wonder why? Are you tired, lacking energy or maybe have some illness or virus.?

A watch is a very useful tool for tracking distances, heart rate and speed so that you can get balance right in training. In interval training it shows how hard you pushed.

On a personal level I use Heart Rate on my watch to make sure I don’t go too high or into any zone that may endanger my health. I’m old.

If you are close to a PB a few times and can’t quite hit it, then use the watch to fix your pace and go for it. It is another useful tool to help.

Bottom line, learn to listen to your own body. Think of the gears on your car and know what gear you are in at any stage. Learn to use them all. 

Sixth gear for too long will finish you and burn out the engine. By the same token stay in first and second gear too long and you are going nowhere. 

There was some fine runners before digital wrist watches. There are some great runners now, who carry one but never look… They know.

Have a lovely weekend and learn to love your running shoes, your fellow runners and your ability to just run. It is all in the heart not in the watch.

#pwr

Notice: Carrigaline 5 mile road race - Sun 16th Feb 2025

Eagle AC are organising their annual 5 mile road race in Carrigaline on Sunday, the 16th of February 2025 at 11am.

Update: Sat 15th Feb - Please note that they will be taking entries on the morning of the race from 9:30am (€20)

The entry link is here... https://eventmaster.ie/event/1p4GUwDHeM

From the organisers.... Eagle AC is delighted to announce the return of the 36th annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5 Miler in Carrigaline on February 16th 2025 at 11am.

Most popular Half-Marathon races in Ireland in 2024

I had a recent post about the top 10-mile races in Ireland in 2024 up on the blog. In this post, we'll look at the most popular half-marathons in Ireland in 2024.

During the year, I've been tracking all of the half-marathon races in Ireland and I think I've got most if not all of them. As far as I can tell, there were just over 90 half-marathon events in Ireland in 2024.

The most popular half-marathon in the country is the Dublin Half which was held in late September. No doubt a lot of people were using this as part of their training for the Dublin Marathon at the end of October.

It's probably no great surprise that Dublin is at number one considering the population of the capital and the huge pool of runners in Dublin and the surrounding counties. This would also explain why the two editions of the Clontarf Half in July and November come in at numbers 6 and 4 on the list.

Belfast as the second largest city in Ireland also comes in second place in terms of half marathon numbers.

The Cork City Half-Marathon on the June Bank Holiday weekend was in third place and just 24 finishers ahead of Clontarf.

The Great Limerick Run Half-Marathon did very well and was just over 200 runners shy of the Cork numbers despite being a smaller city.

The Waterford Half in November was in 9th place and significantly ahead of the Waterford Viking Half in June which was in 20th place.

Some of the races on the list have their numbers limited for various reasons. One such event is the Dingle Half at number 10. This one sells out about 10 months ahead of the race and would no doubt get many more runners if they could accommodate them.

The Charleville Half-Marathon got a boost from hosting the National Half-Marathon Championships in 2024 and came in at number 13. The question now is will they manage to hold onto those numbers in 2025 as the half-marathon championships move up to Tullamore?

Tullamore which is at 22 got a boost from hosting the 2023 championships and managed to hang onto the gains in 2024.

Other 'local' half-marathons of interest were... The Run Kilarney Half was at 23 and just outside the top 20 with the sister Run Kilkee Half in Co Clare at 27. The inaugural Youghal Half finished in a credible 29th place. The Waterford Greenway Half is another one that has to limit the numbers and comes in at number 31. The Border Half in Limerick was number 34 and Clonmel comes in at number 37.

In the bottom half, we have the Stone Mad Half in Blarney at 44 and the Tralee and the Surf n Turf in positions 47 and 48. The new Skibbereen Half is at 53.

Back in the Kingdom, we have Tralee at 47, Kerryhead at 51, Gap of Dunloe at 55, Valentia at 56 and Ballybunion at 74.

Beyond this and you're into events with fewer than 100 finishers.

Looking at the overall list, there are more than double the number of half-marathon events compared to 10-mile races and it remains one of the most popular distances and targets for runners.

Penny Dinners Fundraiser... Lent 2025

From Sinéad Crowley... "Hunger doesn't wear club colours.

This Lent it would be great to be joined in supporting Cork Penny Dinners and instead of giving something up, give something to someone hungry instead. 

This is a non perishable food collection only, which Caitriona Twomey and her team will ensure goes exactly where it's needed to be, starting on Wednesday, March 5th and ending on Sunday April 13th, to allow for distribution for Easter. 

Clubs, groups, organisations, collect on their own premises and deliver directly to Penny Dinners or transport can be provided by arrangement. 

GAA, rugby, art, football, running, book, golf, drama, swimming clubs, and much more  - again, hunger doesn't wear club colours. 

Over a dozen have signed up now including my own local GAA Club in Clonakilty. 

A full list will be posted nearer the start of the collection so you know who's in your area. 

If you would like to support too please contact me at 086 1508747 or bruachnafeile@gmail.com for more information. 

I'd be really thrilled to hear from you ♡ xxx "

Results of the Skibbereen 5m & 10m road races - Sun 9th Feb 2025

The annual Noreen McCarthy Memorial 10-mile and 5-mile road races were held in Skibbereen in west Cork on Sunday 9th Feb 2025 on what was a dry cold day.

This event was traditionally held in November every year but the organisers decided to move it to the spring time to see how it would get on. The numbers for the 10-mile jumped 27% this year but while this sounds impressive, it's still in the ballpark of other years.

The 5-mile numbers however have been transformed with the Spring 2025 edition more than double that of the previous event in November 2023. Going just off the results for the 5-mile race alone, it looks as if the move to a spring date was a success.

10-mile... Top 3 men & women

1 Danny Mullins Bantry AC 54:28 MS 1093
2 Simon Nolan Bandon AC 55:40 MS 1199
3 Justin Ryan West Waterford AC 56:41 MS 1185
7 Clara Ryan St Finbarrs AC 1:02:53 FS 1183
9 Julie O'Brien Durrus AC  1:03:55 F40 1098
21 Sinead O'Regan Courcey AC 1:12:32 F45 1172

Full results HERE

5-mile... Top 3 men & women

1 Michael Dullea Drimoleague     27:57 M45 89
2 Brendan Walsh Cork     29:53 MS 316
3 Enda Fitzmaurice Durrus     30:02 M45 411
12 Anna O'Neill Doheny AC     35:01 F55 292
17 Emma O'Sullivan Skibbereen     35:41 FS 388
28 Alice O'Driscoll Castletownsend     36:47 SF 366

Full results HERE

Photos... (Updated Tues 11th Feb)

1) Garry Minihane has a short video HERE

Garry also has two albums... Album 1 ... Album 2 ...

2) Skibbereen AC have some photos of the start of the 5-mile race HERE ...and of the 10-mile race HERE 

Finish line photos HERE and HERE

Well done to visually impaired runner Ross Gallagher who managed to get a 5-mile personal best time at the Skibbereen 5m today (also a shout out to Meave Quinlan who was the guide runner!)

5 Meave Quinlan Dunmanway     46:28 FS 299
96 Ross Gallagher Dunmanway     46:28 MS 99

Results of the Cork BHAA Janssen 5k - Sun 9th Feb 2025

The annual Cork BHAA Janssen 5k road race was held in Little Island on Sun 9th Feb 2025 on what was a cold but dry morning.

As can be seen from the chart above, the numbers are up 16% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...

 Pos Name Cat Prize Time Company Team
1 Aidan Noone M1 00:15:41 Dept of Ed M-A-1
2 John Meade 0/45M M2 00:15:42 Dept of Ed M-A-1
3 Darren McCann M3 00:15:46 Navy
8 Hannah Steeds F1 00:16:13 Eli Lilly F-A-2
12 Sinead O'Connor 0/35F F2 00:16:36 Dept of Ed F-A-1
29 Michelle Kenny 0/45F F3 00:17:30 Dept of Ed F-A-1

Full results HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 8th Feb 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 8th Feb 2025. Approximately 1,335 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... Cold but dry was the order of business for this weeks eleven 5k parkruns in Co Cork.

Ballincollig... Well done to Zofia Babisz who hits a century of parkruns this weekend. All 100 have been at the Ballincollig event.

ONGOING

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 369 this week, 332 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:44

2 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 18:05

3 John COAKLEY Male JM15-17 18:11

9 Aoife COOKE Female VW35-39 19:17

18 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:00

34 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 21:38

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/362/

Tramore Valley Park: 236 this week, 262 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Robbie MULHALL Male SM25-29 17:06

2 Tadhg CROWLEY Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 18:06

3 Fergal SARGENT Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:24

10 Orla DRUMM Female VW40-44 Crusaders A C Dublin 19:55

18 Helen WALSH Female VW50-54 Togher AC 21:27

28 Marion COAKLEY Female SW25-29 22:21

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/139/

Glen River: 70 this week, 46 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 17:40

2 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:29

3 Patrick RAHILLY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:39

15 Claire COSTELLO Female VW40-44 25:13

18 Elaine MOORE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 25:37

24 Veronica BELL Female VW35-39 27:18

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/245/

Midleton Greenway: 286 this week, 636 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Peter HOWIE Male VM35-39 Ballymore Cobh AC 17:26

2 Shane O'REGAN Male SM30-34 17:55

3 Odhran OSULLIVAN Male JM15-17 18:27

19 Maire WALSH Female VW40-44 Midleton AC 22:14

25 Anna PRESTON Female SW30-34 23:01

27 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Bweeng Trail Blazers 23:14

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/2/

Mallow Castle:  82 this week, 78 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Luke HEVER Male SM20-24 North Cork AC 17:54

2 Sean LYNCH Male SM20-24 18:58

3 Darragh FROST Male SM30-34 19:09

12 Martina LYONS Female VW50-54 22:40

17 Doireann FRAWLEY Female JW11-14 23:50

19 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 23:56

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/168/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 50 this week, 65 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:24

2 Robert RIORDAN Male SM18-19 18:26

3 Cian HOGAN Male JM15-17 20:18

8 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:47

9 Maggie O MAHONY Female VW50-54 23:28

13 Siobhain LEAHY MCCARTHY Female VW45-49 25:01

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/145/

Macroom Castle Demense: 58 this week, 57 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 19:16

2 Tony O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 20:59

3 Robert FITZGERALD Male JM15-17 21:04

7 Maeve BOLAND Female SW30-34 Eagle A.C. 22:48

14 Annie MCELROY Female JW11-14 West Muskerry A.C. 24:04

19 Tina POWER Female VW40-44 24:47

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/513/

Clonakilty: 56 this week, 40 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Killian O'LEARY Male VM35-39 19:27

2 Chris HAYES Male VM35-39 21:30

3 Declan RICE Male VM40-44 22:01

8 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:50

9 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 24:14

11 Moira MCCARTHY Female JW15-17 24:32

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/468/

Glengarriff Woods: 77 this week, 78 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Billy O MAHONY Male JM15-17 20:44

2 Ray KELLEHER Male VM45-49 Kenmare Athletics Club 20:47

3 Liam O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 22:11

7 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 23:48

9 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:53

18 Mary LAWTON Female VW55-59 Durrus Athletic Club 27:04

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/386/

Bere Island: 30 this week, 33 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Nina MURPHY Female SW30-34 20:50

3 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:27

7 Niamh GIBBONS Female SW25-29 Kirkcaldy Wizards 28:06

2 Calum REID Male SM30-34 Kirkcaldy Wizards 21:13

4 Luke BROWNE Male JM10 26:06

5 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 26:38

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/478/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 21 finishers this week, 28 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 22:16 

2 David LEONARD Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 24:13

3 Donncha O'BRIEN Male VM45-49 24:35

11 June CONNOLLY Female JW10 31:45

15 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 33:00

16 Sharon POULTER Female VW40-44 33:14

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/398/

For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: Spring ...by Pat Walsh

 * Spring *

In Celtic mythology the 1st of February was Imbolc, a festival to celebrate life and new beginnings and marking the arrival of spring. We associate this now with St Brigid who was a Celtic goddess of healing, poetry and blacksmithing. 2 of out of 3 isn’t too bad for me. Note to self: get out the hammer and anvil.

“When one flower blooms, spring awakens everywhere.” – John O’Donohue

Last week felt like Spring for me anyway. 

A new parkrun in Midleton last Saturday which drew a massive crowd of smiley heads. 

There was a run for the ages with the winners and a huge crowd on Sunday in Dungarvan at the John Treacy 10mile. Super top class finishing times mixed with 2840 people of all abilities going over the finish line.

Running is strong in Ireland and we should be so grateful to have this sport / recreational amenity available to us. It is there to get out of it whatever you want from it and what you are willing to work for.

The weather has been great, after our recents storms it was beautiful. Bright now until 6pm (I sound like my Dad, RIP, saying that). I thought only older people had a fixation on this but then I looked at my birth cert and the truth dawned on me.

I’m still a bit crocked but trying to be positive. I’m on the mend and it only needs time and patience. I can volunteer to help and I’m free to spectate at events. This can bring its own joy and sense of fun where you can go home from something that you were part of. You still can do hugs and chats and banter with the added bonus of going for a mid-run coffee while all the merry gallopers are out the country somewhere bursting a gut.

The Bike is having a great time as my go-to fresh air exercise. It is quite photogenic and was loving that I cleaned it up for the cycles and the pictures. Feel free to contact if you want company on the new Greenway.

I can swim but I find the pool monotonous after a few lengths and please don’t be mentioning open water swimming. I have suffered enough.

SO spring off the couch and spring into action. A good week and year awaits you. Feel free to comment about your week and how wonderful you are. Don’t let the weeks slip pass now. The multitude of races will be coming soon and you want to be able for them.  Above all, live life and enjoy it, don’t waste it or miss the opportunity to better yourself. Loads of help and support out there.

Midleton Greenway parkrun

If you are living locally to Midleton and would like to volunteer at this weeks parkrun or any other week in the future please contact the link below. No experience required, just a willingness to help. These runs cannot survive without a steady supply of volunteers. Link below to volunteer.

https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/volunteer

Have a lovely weekend and #keeponrunning

#pwr

The Running in Cork Facebook page now has over 20,000 followers...

A few weeks back, the Running in Cork Facebook page passed the 20,000 mark in terms of the number of followers. At the time of writing, it has 20,494 followers.

What impact does this have? With Facebook, it's all about the algorithm. When you put up a post there, they don't show that post to all of your friends or followers. They first see what kind of initial response the post gets and that then determines how many people they will eventually show the post to.

The number of followers here is an important consideration. If a page has 200 followers, you're pretty much talking to yourself. If it has 2,000 followers then you're starting to get places. When you have 20,000 followers, you can really get the word out.

A case in point is the new Midleton Greenway 5k parkrun. On the 7th of January, I put up a post on the blog about the new parkrun and I then put up an associated post on the Running in Cork Facebook page. That post was viewed 86,398 times on Facebook and reached 52,184 accounts there.

On the 28th of January, I put up a reminder on Facebook and it got 41,999 views there and reached 32,401 accounts. On the 31st of January, I put a guest post by Pat Walsh up on the blog and the associated graphic on Facebook got 15,896 views and reached 12,016 accounts.

Add up all of those views on Facebook and the number of visitors to the blog and it was probably no great surprise that the inaugural Midleton Greenway parkrun had 636 finishers and according to Pat, broke the record for Ireland for a new parkrun by about 250.

If we look at the recent Dungarvan 10m, then it's important that the winners get credit and as much publicity as possible for winning. My photo of Fearghal Curtin on Facebook got 53,683 views and reached 39,770 accounts. My photo of Niamh Allen got 71,406 views and reached 52,952 accounts.

And then of course we have the photo of Birthday girl Maggie Dunne! Maggie who was aged 80 when she ran this years Dungarvan 10 got 77,283 views and reached 58,197 accounts!

If anyone wants to follow the Running in Cork page on Facebook then you'll find it HERE

Friday Jigsaw: Mick Dooley & Kate Veale - Feb 2025

It's been a while since I had a jigsaw up on the blog! 

This one has 130-pieces and it's a photo of Mick Dooley with top Irish racewalker Kate Veale at the recent Dungarvan 10m road race.

You can find the jigsaw HERE