Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Council announce plans for upgrade of Greenway in Passage West - Nov 2024


Cork County Council have just announced their plans to upgrade an existing 2km long stretch of Greenway in Passage West. It will go from the Cork County/City boundary to Mariner’s Quay, Passage West and includes widening the existing 2.5m path to 4m.

This follows on from the stretch of Greenway from Mahon over the Douglas Estuary to Rochestown and then east to the city limits. Planning for that section was approved in 2023 and it's just a case of starting it.

A lot of people use these routes for running and exercising and it's very likely that large parts of the Greenway will be closed to the public while the works are going on.

For more information, go to https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/resident/planning-and-development/public-consultations/active-part-xab-development-consultation/part-xab-proposed-passage-west-pedestrian-and-cycle-route-passage-west-co-cork

Other than the plan to widen the Greenway, the biggest change as far as I can see from the drawings is the removal of a car park in Passage West and the reduction of an existing park to facilitate on street parking. 

In time, the plan is to have a Greenway going from Carrigaline to Cork City via Monkstown & Passage West.

Existing 2.5m wide section of Greenway near Passage West

Entry procedure for the 2025 Dublin City Marathon


The next Dublin Marathon is coming up on the 26th of October 2025. The organisers have recently released the details on how to enter.

Note the key entry dates... Mon 18th Nov 2024 & Thurs 21st Nov 2024.

Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2025 entries... "The Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2025 entries will open to the 2024 participants for 72 hours from Monday 18th of November to Wednesday 20th of November. It will also open for the same time frame for all women who entered the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon, this is to encourage and support more female entrants to the marathon.

Applications for entries for the 2025 Irish Life Dublin Marathon via the lottery system will go live on the event website (https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/) on Thursday 21st of November 2024 and will close midnight on Wednesday 27th of November.

There is an administration charge of €5 per lottery entry which is redeemable against an entry fee of €110 if successful and non-redeemable if unsuccessful.

Registrants will learn their entry status from the lottery via email / SMS on Monday 2nd of December. One entry per person is permitted."

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 17th Nov 2024


The first race of five in the Cloyne Commons Winter Series was held on Sun 17th Nov 2024 with 336 runners taking part.

Top 3 men & women...

 Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 240 Michael Harty East Cork AC M40 11:58
2 275 Conor McAuley Leevale AC M40 12:38
3 69 Aidan Noone Leevale AC M 12:50
9 50 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 14:22
10 18 Nadine Forde Leevale AC F40 14:30
18 1994 Tamzin Muldowney East Cork AC F 15:16

Full results below...

Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 240 Michael Harty East Cork AC M40 11:58
2 275 Conor McAuley Leevale AC M40 12:38
3 69 Aidan Noone Leevale AC M 12:50
4 112 David Barrett Ballymore/Cobh M 13:08
5 99 Kenneth Kelleher East Cork AC M45 13:09
6 110 Kieran McKeown Grange Fermoy AC M50 13:47
7 251 Seamus McSweeney Grange Fermoy AC M50 14:03
8 62 Paul Spiteri Midleton AC M45 14:13
9 50 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 14:22
10 18 Nadine Forde Leevale AC F40 14:30
11 61 Cillian Histon Ballymore/Cobh M 14:36
12 7 Andrew de Klerk Ballintotis Fit 4 Life M45 14:40
13 89 Aaron McEvoy East Cork AC M 14:42
14 41 Michael O Mahony Walsh St Nicks MJ 14:53
15 103 Aaron Harte Unattached M 14:59
16 241 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:59
17 79 Liam Walsh Pat Walsh Running M 15:07
18 1994 Tamzin Muldowney East Cork AC F 15:16
19 243 John Connolly Aghada RC M40 15:26
20 384 Conor Bakx Unattached M 15:29

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k - 17th Nov 2024


The Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k was held in Cork City on Sun 17th Nov 2024 on what was a nice mild sunny morning.

There was a total of 487 finishers which is up 2.5% on the 475 last year.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Gavin O'Rourke M1 00:15:17 Eli Lilly M-A-3
2 Daniel Buckley M2 00:15:20 Ken's Track Club M-A-2
3 Nathan O Leary M3 00:15:42 Army
45 Siobhan Hoare 0/45F F1 00:18:26 Bon Secours F-A-2
69 Linda O Connor 0/50F F2 00:19:02 Musgrave
79 Olive Kelly 00:19:38 Temp Reg

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Derek Costello has three galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3


Saturday, November 16, 2024

Results & Photos of the Churchtown 10-mile road race in N Cork - Sat 16th Nov 2024


The second edition of the Churchtown 10-mile road race in N Cork was held on Saturday, 16th Nov 2024 with 379 runners crossing the finish line, a jump of 17% on last year.

Top 5 men & women...

1 Karl Fitzmaurice Shannon AC 53:43 MS 110 Course Record
2 Vivian Foley Eagle AC 55:45 M50 120  
3 Sean Davin St Finbarrs AC 55:55 MS 86  
4 Karl Lenihan West Limerick AC 56:01 M45 219  
5 Cathal Lombard Leevale AC  56:30 M45 224  
11 Kealey Tideswell Clonmel AC  59:57 F40 453 Course Record
30 Grace Reilly Abbeyleix   1:05:01 F40 418  
31 Molly Deely London 1:05:20 FS 90  
45 Rachel Hawker Kenmare 1:08:12 FS 154
53 Suzanne Shine Clonmel AC 1:09:19 F45 441

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Eamon Doody has a gallery of about 450 photos HERE

2) Susan Daly has a gallery of photos HERE

Members of Blarney Happy Feet at the Churchtown 10-mile road race. Photo: Eamon Doody

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 16th Nov 2024



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 16th Nov 2024. Approximately 1048  runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Report... It was cool but dry for this weeks ten 5k parkruns in Co Cork. It was another week with over 1000 finishers and once the new 5k parkrun in Midleton starts up, the number of weeks over 1000 should increase. 

Macroom... Well done to Niall Cronin who completed his 100th 5k parkrun at the Macroom event. Niall did his first parkrun back in February of 2014 and all 100 of his runs have been in Macroom.

100 parkruns for Niall Cronin

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide)... Well done to Grainne Finn who completed her 100th 5k parkrun! All of Grainne's 100 parkruns have been at the Youghal event and her first parkrun was on the 11th of June 2021. She also has 109 volunteer credits!

Century for Grainne Finn


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, 389 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Liam RYAN Male VM45-49 17:44
3 James CALLANAN Male VM55-59 19:32
4 Unknown
2 Aoife COOKE Female VW35-39 18:49
14 Clare MADDEN Female VW40-44 Togher AC 20:50
24 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:41


Tramore Valley Park: 231 this week, 275 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Cian KELLY Male SM20-24 St Finbarrs AC 17:08
2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:22
3 Owen DWYER Male VM40-44 17:52
10 Sandra MANNING Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 19:16
11 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:21
12 Teresa MURPHY Female VW45-49 Kent AC 19:28

Tramore Valley Park results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/130/

Glen River: 66 this week, 63 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 18:09
2 Anthony HARTY Male SM20-24 Dooneen AC 20:17
3 Brendan HALLISSEY Male VM45-49 20:27
12 Deborah O Female VW45-49 23:23
15 Mags HASSETT Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 24:23
19 Shirley BUCKLEY Female VW60-64 Stragglers 25:23


Mallow Castle: 58 finishers this week, 88 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Patrick MAHER Male SM30-34 16:20
2 Geoff COLLINS Male VM50-54 19:32
3 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 19:36
10 Marina QUINLAN Female VW35-39 22:02
15 Ciara LEHANE Female VW40-44 Crusaders Athletic Club 22:50
19 Muireann MURPHY Female JW11-14 23:47


Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 60 this week, 47 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Ian THOMPSON Male VM50-54 With Me Now 19:51
2 Mike MCMAHON Male VM50-54 21:18
3 Don O ROURKE Male VM40-44 21:21
6 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:25
13 Sharon THRELFALL Female VW50-54 Ware Joggers 25:32
18 Martina BEECHINOR Female VW50-54 26:25


Macroom Castle Demense: 75 this week, 65 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Anthony MANNIX Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:28
2 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 19:23
3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 19:42
30 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:15
32 Maretta BRENNAN Female VW55-59 Volunteers parkrun Club (Unofficial) 26:50
34 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 27:23


Clonakilty: 46 this week, 51 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 James HOWE Male JM15-17 20:10
2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 Ranelagh Harriers 20:44
3 Barry CRONIN Male VM45-49 21:13
9 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:15
10 Tania HELEN Female SW30-34 23:21
15 Lucy CRONIN Female JW11-14 25:53


Glengarriff Woods: 83 this week, 69 last week.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Bobby TANGNEY Male VM45-49 Kenmare Athletics Club 19:31
2 Liam OCONNOR Male VM45-49 21:27
3 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:54
4 Mairead CROWLEY Female SW20-24 22:46
11 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:51
19 Julia COOPER Female VW40-44 27:39


Bere Island: 42 this week, 30 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:28
3 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:27
7 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 27:18
2 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 21:47
4 Adrian J.P. BYRNE Male VM70-74 23:43
5 Cian TWOMEY Male JM10 26:47


Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 18 finishers this week, 30 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 25:41
3 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:28
10 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 32:50
2 John Joseph O LEARY Male VM35-39 25:56
4 James O'CONNELL Male VM40-44 27:37
5 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 28:37


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

Guest Post: Exercise or Sport ...by Pat Walsh


 ** Exercise or Sport **

I attended a wonderful seminar during the week from Jessie Barr in MTU about ‘Mental Health in Sport’. She was a great athlete and is now working in Sport Campus Ireland with elite athletes around sports psychology.  A fantastic and fascinating speaker.

The points made here are my own and probably a poor representation of all that she was speaking about. The nearest I ever got to Elite, was last Christmas with a box of Elite Kimberly Biscuits.

Why if exercise is so good for us do so many athletes end up in forms of depression and despair? 

The figures are huge and frightening. I was surprised and not in a good way.

Do we understand the difference between exercise and participating in sport?

Exercise is just getting off the couch and moving for the good of your health without any care around performance.

Sport is where we are performing with rules, timings, classification and the obvious comparisons with our fellow athletes.

Some great points made and many interesting snippets to think about. This actual one-off lecture could run as a weekly course for a year, such is the broad range of the subject and learning how to avoid pitfalls or how to deal with them.

Do we put pressure on ourselves or do we allow others to do it?  Have we a strategy for coping with this or do we let it spoil our enjoyment and it becomes a chore?

Is our immersion in the sport all-consuming so that we have no other outlet for our energies and mind if the sport is taken from us due to illness, injury or retirement? That can be difficult. It affects everyone regardless of their level of performance.

Jessie spoke at an elite level about those she works with but for us mere mortals can we take valid learnings from her findings. 

Are we setting ourselves up to fail and hence develop mental issues around that?

Have we got the actual time available to train for our goals. Are our lives too busy with other things, that the training we need simply cannot be done?

Have we set a realistic goal for improvement. Are we pitching too high in terms of pace and distance?

A huge issue currently is post event stress. For us training for a few months for some big event (like the Dublin Marathon) and what happens afterwards. We have spent months of our lives pounding the roads. Living sleeping, eating and dreaming of the marathon. Now it is all over and what do you do? 

Your fellow runners who were non-marathon have moved on to the next event and you are stuck recovering and well back on training levels. It isn’t easy. 

Does it affect your mood and life?

I’m offering no answers here only questions. I don’t have them. I’m writing to show you that if you are feeling down every now and then you are not alone. Try to understand why it is that way and maybe plan in the future to have some better coping mechanisms.

Where in our plans are the rest periods, the mental breaks, the fun stuff to reinvigorate us?

Don’t be too hard on yourself and let your sport and pastime become the source of stress and anguish. 

There is enough other things in life to do that.

‘Go easy on me, baby
I was still a child
I didn't get the chance to
Feel the world around me’

Most of us are self-training where we are are own coach, counsellor, performance analyst and all-round worst critic.

I will try to follow up in future posts.

Go easy on ourself. You are fantastic. Pat said so.

‘I had no time to choose
What I chose to do
So go easy on me’

#pwr

Thursday, November 14, 2024

New 5k parkrun in Midleton on the way!


Good news! A new 5km parkrun will be starting in Midleton in a few weeks time!

This will be the eleventh 5k parkrun in Co Cork and joins the Youghal event as the second one in the East Cork region.

For any new runners reading this, this will be held every Saturday morning at 9:30am and it's free.

The 5k parkrun will start on the new Greenway which is on the north side of the train station in Midleton. Participants will then head east and they will turn near the road junction which is shown in the photo above.

The course is dead flat and is really about as fast a course as you could want. The only slow part is the turn around point.

Considering we're now in the middle of November, it usually takes a few weeks to organise things so we're probably looking at a start date in January of 2025.

It's also worth noting that as the parkrun starts and finishes next to the train station, getting there by train is an option for people living in say Glounthaune or Carrigtwohill.

The organisers are also looking for more volunteers to help out.  If interested, send an email to john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com and he will put you in touch with the event director there.

Results & Photos of the Run in the Dark 5k & 10k in Cork City - Wed 13th Nov 2024


The annual Run in the Dark 5k & 10k in Cork City was held this year on Wed 13th Nov 2024.

The full results of both races can be found HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has a gallery HERE

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Cloyne 4k Winter Series - Nov 2024 to Mar 2025


The Cloyne 4k Winter Series is a set of five low key races in the village of Cloyne in east Cork with an entry fee of just €5! As can be seen from the flyer above, there are five dates. Complete 4 out of the 5 to get a high tech dry fit top.

Each race starts at 9:30am and registration opens in Harty's Bar from 8:30am.

There are no hidden charges, online fees, one-day licence fees or other add-on's, you just turn up on the day and throw €5 into the biscuit tin.


The start line is 500m away down a narrow country road.

The course is essentially one loop with a slight overlap and it's a flat and fast course.


This race is very much in the tradition of many of the old road races in East Cork and the Ballycotton area where the entry fee was very modest for a high quality race.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Results of the Thomas Kent 10k in Castlelyons - Sun 10th Nov 2024


The Thomas Kent 10k in Castlelyons was held this year on Sunday 10th Nov 2024 with a total of 375 runners crossing the finish line. This is down 8% on last year.

This race had to be rescheduled from a month earlier and in general, rescheduled races tend to have slightly lower numbers as some people won't be able to make the new date due to other commitments.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Sergiu Ciobanu Clonliffe Harriers AC 32:20 M40 53
2 Barry Twohig St. Finbarrs A.C. 32:55 M45 438
3 Sean Davin Cork 34:40 MS 93
13 Michelle Kenny Leevale AC 37:27 F45 499
26 Linda Kelly Watergrasshill AC  39:34 F50 198
31 Sharon Cantwell Moyne AC 40:20 FS 39

Full results HERE

New world best parkrun time of 13:44 set in Belfast


Nick Griggs completed the Victoria Park 5k parkrun in Belfast on Sat 9th Nov 2024 to set a new world best time for a parkrun. 

The 19-year old runner from Tyrone completed the 5k course in a time of 13m 44s beating the previous fastest time of 13:45 set by Andy Butchart at Edinburgh’s parkrun last June.

Last December, Irish international athlete Ciara Mageean set the women's parkrun record on the same course, running the distance in a time of of 15:13.

Notice: Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 8th Dec 2024


This popular 5 km road race is coming up in the town of Newmarket in North-West Cork on Sunday the 8th of December 2024. This is a fast 5k course and gets a good turnout every year. The race starts at 1pm.

Update: 12th Nov 2024 - 100 places added... 30 places left!

Update: 13th Nov 2024 - SOLD OUT

Entries HERE


As you can see from the race flyer above, one of the main attractions this year is that there is a long sleeve dry-fit top included in the entry.

Saturday, November 09, 2024

Results of the Eyeries 5-mile road race - Sat 9th Nov 2024

This 5-mile road race on the Beara peninsula attracted a field of 196 runners.

Top 3 men & women...
Bib Pos. Name Club AC Gun Time  
914 1 John LENEHAN City of Derry Spartans M 26:38  
837 2 Aidan NOONE Leevale A.C. M 27:35  
935 3 Donal COAKLEY Leevale A.C. M 27:44  
894 5 Hannah STEEDS Leevale A.C. F 28:46  
909 12 Claire MC CARTHY Leevale A.C. F45 31:11  
834 22 Nina MURPHY Beara A.C. F 34:05


Full results HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 9th Nov 2024



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 9th Nov 2024. Approximately 1107 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Report... The weather was overcast and mild for this weeks ten 5k parkruns in Co Cork.

Ballincollig... No volunteers, no parkruns! Well done to Siobhan Holland who earned her 100th volunteer credit at the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig. In addition to the century of volunteer credits, Siobhan also has completed 131 parkruns.

A century of volunteer credits for Siobhan Holland


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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 389 this week, 309 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Sean TWOHIG Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 17:31
2 Paul PENNEY Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 18:15
3 Sam O RIORDAN Male SM18-19 Leevale AC 19:35
16 Rachel GOGGIN Female SW30-34 20:52
19 Kathleen RYAN Female VW35-39 21:18
31 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:18


Tramore Valley Park: 275 this week, 298 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 16:55
2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:34
3 Unknown
16 Clare MADDEN Female VW40-44 Togher AC 20:36
26 Helen WALSH Female VW45-49 Togher AC 21:45
31 Roisin CLEARY Female SW25-29 22:10

Tramore Valley Park results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/129/

Glen River: 63 this week, 69 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Colin MORRISON Male VM50-54 20:08
2 Brian LINEHAN Male VM60-64 21:52
3 Bryan GLENDON Male VM45-49 21:53
17 Yan ZHANG Female VW35-39 Sanctuary Runners 26:20
21 Mary OSULLIVAN Female SW20-24 26:31
22 Clodagh BENNETT Female VW45-49 26:47


Mallow Castle: 88 finishers this week, 74 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Tadhg SULLIVAN Male SM25-29 Bweeng Trail Blazers 16:43
2 Bill MYERS Male SM30-34 19:42
3 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 20:09
13 Laura OWENS Female SW25-29 22:45
16 Aoife MCSWEENEY Female SW25-29 23:59
18 Andressa LENIN BRAVO Female SW30-34 24:13


Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 47 this week, 61 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Chris O'CONNELL Male VM45-49 St Catherines AC 20:00
2 Adrian GALVIN Male SM20-24 20:29
3 Paddy HUGHES Male VM50-54 21:49
6 Becky CASSIN Female SW25-29 23:05
7 Susan BYRNE Female VW40-44 23:40
8 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 24:32


Macroom Castle Demense: 65 this week, 132 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Magnolia RR 18:50
2 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:55
3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 19:35
4 Martina KIELY Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:48
18 Claire CURTIN Female VW35-39 West Muskerry A.C. 24:52
22 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 25:38


Clonakilty: 51 this week, 43 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 David HICKEY Male VM40-44 20:02
2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 Ranelagh Harriers 20:47
3 Barry CRONIN Male VM45-49 21:34
11 Sophia KINGSTON Female SW25-29 25:13
12 Laura WHITE Female SW25-29 25:18
14 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 26:12


Glengarriff Woods: 69 this week, 101 last week.

Top 3 men & women...
1 JP TREACY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:19
2 Trevor MCGUIRK Male VM40-44 19:35
3 Peter LITTLE Male VM45-49 20:14
6 Michelle BRENNAN Female SW25-29 21:32
11 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:25
12 Mairead CROWLEY Female SW20-24 24:38


Bere Island: 30 this week, 46 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 21:36
2 Michael ADAMS Male VM50-54 Lonely Goat RC 22:35
3 Declan MOONEY Male VM35-39 23:06
4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:44
8 Laura WALSH Female SW20-24 28:38
11 Joanne SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 30:25


Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 30 finishers this week, 24 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Merlin HETHERINGTON Male SM30-34 20:27
2 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM45-49 23:36
3 Brian MCCARTHY Male VM40-44 24:45
5 Erin BUSHE Female SW25-29 25:58
7 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 27:12
8 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:15


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