Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Simon 5k Turkey Trot - Sun 8th Dec 2019

253 runners turned out for this years Cork BHAA Simon 5k Turkey Trot in Balckrock in Cork City.

1 Barry Meade  18:07
4 Paul Downey 19:21
3 James Ahern 19:15
2 Niamh Moore 18:21
14 Linda O'Connor 20:52
20 Lelia Kenny 21:35

Results

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has two galleries... Part 1 ... Part 2
2) Mick Dooley has some photos HERE

 

First home... Niamh Moore and Barry Meade. Photo: Mick Dooley

Irish womens team win Silver at the European Cross Country Championships

The European Cross Country Championships were held this year in Lisbon, Portugal and Fionnuala McCormack led the Irish women to a Silver team medal.

The three scoring members of the Irish team all finished in the top 20.

Individual results HERE

Post race interview with Fionnuala McCormack... - Fourth 27:44.02
"It's difficult because I've come fourth so many times before, and it's very painful to be honest. But we got a team medal today, and that's good. We had a very successful team (european cross country) championships this year, I don't think we've ever won these many medals as a whole group before - and going into Dublin next year, that's promising. 

For me, as an individual, yes, it hurts coming fourth so many times before but the course was brilliant, the crowd were great - it's what cross country is meant be, I like that about it. The only thing I don't like, it's my position. I suppose I love running, and I really like competing, and it's easier when you stand on the podium, but having done that before I know what it feels like, so I keep trying to do it again. I suppose being fourth isn't that far away, so everytime I convince myself this year will be my year. 

I kind of moved to the marathon, but I never really moved from cross country, so it's nice to be able to be here, and be competitive and not just be just a number because it's my 16th time. It will be a big year for us next year - the last time it was in Ireland it was 10 years ago now, and we had quite high expectations for our team that year, and it didn't really come off so, hopefully next year, we can spread the pressure between all of us, and we can all be successful.  "

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 7th Dec 2019

84 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City.

1 John LONGAN Male SM25-29 St Finbarrs AC 18:58
2 Florent CHEVALLIER Male SM30-34 19:33
3 Brendan LYNCH Male VM45-49 19:44
5 Franziska SKOGSHOLM Female SW20-24 19:52
21 Sandra WALSH Female VW45-49 24:07
26 Aoife O'NEILL Female SW30-34 24:52

Full results

Photos...
1) The organisers have a gallery HERE

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 7th Dec 2019

The monthly free timed 5k parkrun was held this morning on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway. The next one is on the first Saturday in January.

Some photos HERE

Results of the Waterford Half-Marathon - Sat 7th Dec 2019

Just over 2,000 runners turned out for this years Waterford Half-Marathon on Saturday the 7th of December 2019. From what I hear, the modified course was a bit on the hilly side.

Even though there were no Cork runners in the top 3, there were large numbers in the results.

1 Derese Yared     3027     1:04:13 4:54/M     Carrick Aces A.C.    
2 Clohisey Mick 3022     1:05:23 4:59/M     Raheny Shamrock A.C.    
3 Keogh Eric     3020     1:07:48 5:11/M     Donore Harriers
35 Fitzgerald     Ruth     3024     1:20:00 6:06/M     Waterford A.C.    
50 Kehoe Fiona     3006     1:21:38 6:14/M     Kilmore A.C.    
60 Carthy Jackie 3029     1:22:58 6:20/M     Kilmore A.C.

Full results

Cork fail to field team for Munster cross country championships

The Munster Intermediate Cross Country Championships were held this year near Thurles in Tipperary on Sunday the 1st of December 2019. The numbers however were poor with just 33 club runners from all of Munster taking part in the men's and women's races respectively.

In the Intermediate men's race, Cork failed to field a county team despite it being the largest county in the province.

Just Tipperary and Limerick managed to field a county team while only three clubs from Tipperary and Limerick were able to put together a club team.

In the Intermediate women's race, three out of the six Munster counties managed to field a team including Cork. The only club from Cork that managed to field a team was St.Finbarr's AC.

There has been a long downward trend for cross country and the poor numbers in this and other competitions meaning that people are often getting county and provincial medals just for turning up.

The results of the Intermediate cross country competition are up on the Munster Athletics website.

Winner of the Douglas Credit Union 5k pre-entry draw...

L-R... Padraig Sheehan receiving a pair of NIKE Air Pegasus shoes from Conor Kavanagh of John Buckley Sports after winning the pre-entry draw to the recent Douglas Credit Union 5k.

Notice: Mallow 10 mile road race - Sun 22nd March 2020

The Mallow 10 mile road race is coming up on Sunday the 22nd of March 2020 at 12:30pm. Entries opened on Friday December 6th.

There will be a lot of demand for this race and it will certainly sell out. Outside of the Dungarvan 10, this is probably the second most popular 10 miler in Munster.

Going on previous entries, the Dungarvan 10 is an event that sells out in hours where as the Mallow 10 sells out in weeks. There is also a race dry fit top for all participants.

Entry link HERE

From Mallow AC... "We are delighted to announce that Co-op Superstores continue as title sponsor of the Mallow 10 mile road race on Sunday 22nd March 2020.

This is the second year Co-op Superstores are title sponsor and we are delighted to have such a great local business onboard.

The Co-op Superstores Mallow 10 mile race goes on sale next Friday 6th December. Get in early as this race sells out fast!

Club website with details... https://mallowac.ie/ "

Updated info will appear here and on the race website... https://mallowtenmile.wordpress.com/

Notice: Screening of two mountain running films in CIT - Thurs 19th Dec 2019

There is a screening of two new films about mountain running coming up in CIT in the western suburbs of Cork City on Thurs 19th of December 2019. The first film starts at 6:30pm.

Tickets HERE

Film 1... Paddy O'Leary from Wexford will be attempting the Wicklow Round - a 26-peak, 100km, off-trail challenge in the mountains to the south of Dublin. Along the way, he’ll visit pubs, kitchens, and farmhouses across the country to learn about Ireland’s mountain running community and history.



Film 2... In June of 2019, Corkman Paul Tieney completed all 214 peaks in the Lake District in record time of six days and six hours. In total, he ran an incredible 318 miles (511 km) ascending a total of 36,000m (118,000ft), the equivalent of four ascents of Everest! See previous post.

Notice: CIT Sports Seminar Series - Dec 2019 to Apr 2020

Following the success of last year, there will be another CIT Sports Seminar Series again this year.

Update Thurs 5th Dec 2019: Good turnout for the first talk in CIT on Nutrition & Performance as can be seen below. Next talk is in January.

More info below...

Cork runner Eoin Keith wins 170km ulta race in Oman

Last weekend, Eoin Keith from Cobh in Co.Cork finished first in the 170km UTMB race in Oman on the Arabian Peninsula.

Eoin crossed the finish line in a time of 36 hours, 4 minutes and 29 seconds and ahead of some 2,000 competitors.

The profile of the route can be seen above and it included a 3,000 metre summit. Note that Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain by comparison is just over 1,000m!

In a post race interview, Eoin said...“It was so technical, possibly the most technical race I’ve ever done. There was a long 1,000m descent which you normally would expect to make tons of time on but we were so slow. It makes it easier to keep going mentally because it’s so technical that you need to concentrate pretty much the entire time.

There’s no real let up mentally and it was intense racing all the way. But very enjoyable, Oman is a gorgeous country and the mountains are truly spectacular.”

Sonia O'Sullivan Goes Back To School

Sonia Goes Back To School... Sonia O'Sullivan made a special visit to her Alma Mater- St Mary's National School in Cobh - the place where as a child she daily ran around the school yard. On this visit, she joined children as they completed The Daily Mile- a regular activity at the school.

Sonia, who celebrated her 50th Birthday on November 28th- the day she was inducted into the Athletics Ireland Hall Of Fame, was delighted with the warm reception she received at St Mary's National School.

"I have lovely memories of running to and from school all those years ago and I am delighted to see that the teachers and children at St Mary's are now making The Daily Mile part of their school day, " Sonia said.

St Mary's National School Principal, Fiona O'Callaghan, welcomed Sonia back to school and the children had many questions for Sonia to answer.

"It was great to have Sonia come and visit us and participate with the children in The Daily Mile, " Fiona O'Callaghan said.  "Her talk with the children was hugely inspirational and they were also delighted to get the chance to run with her."

The Daily Mile is promoted by Athletics Ireland in association with Local Sports Partnerships.

For more information on The Daily Mile- visit: thedailymile.ie

 

Thanks to John Hennessy for the report and photos.

Notice: Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 15th Dec 2019

This popular 5 km road race is coming up in the town of Newmarket in North-West Cork on Sunday the 15th of December 2019. This is a fast 5k course and gets a good turnout every year.

Entries... You can pre-enter online HERE for €15

You can also enter on the day for €20.

The race HQ this year is at the Hi-Lands which is a change to the usual High Street Bar (see preview). As you can see from the race flyer above, there are lots of generous prizes on offer.

Course Preview...Lots more info including directions, photos, course details, etc can be seen HERE

This race is organised by Duhallow Athletic Club. More info on their website... https://duhallowac.wordpress.com/

Paul Pollock runs a 2:10 Marathon making him the 2nd fastest Irishman

Paul Pollock ran an incredible time of 2h 10m 25s in the Valencia Marathon on Sunday making him the second fastest Irishman ever. Only John Treacy has run faster with a PB of 2:09:15 back in 1988.

Top 10 Irish times...
1 2:09:15 NR John Treacy 3 Boston MA 18 Apr 1988
2 2:10:25 Paul Pollock 18 Valencia 01 Dec 2019
3 2:10:54 Mark Carroll 6 New York NY 3 Nov 2002
4 2:11:27 Andy Ronan 3 Boston MA 15 Apr 1991
5 2:11:30 John Woods 1 Wexford 24 Apr 1988
6 2:12:01 Stephen Scullion 2 Dublin 27 Oct 2019
7 2:12:19 Dick Hooper 2    Wexford 24 Apr 1988
8 2:12:20 Jerry Kiernan    9 Olympics Los Angeles CA 12 Aug 1984
9 2:12:21 Louis Kenny 1 Huntsville TX 13 Dec 1980
10 2:13:06 Danny McDaid 1 Limerick 11 Apr 1976

This was a huge improvement for Paul Pollock as he took more than five minutes off his previous best time for the distance of 2:15:30 in Japan in 2017.

Results & Photos of the Douglas Credit Union 5k in Tramore Valley Park - Sun 1st Dec 2019

The inaugural Douglas Credit Union 5k was held on Sunday the 1st of December 2019 in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City. A total of 219 people took part on what was a cold but sunny morning.

Some fast times were recorded on this course with the first 3 men breaking 16 minutes and the first 3 women going under 20 minutes!

593    1 Adam Kiely    Leevale A.C. M 0:15:49   
1969    2 Brian Kearney Leevale AC   M40 0:15:58   
977    3 Eric Curran    Leevale A.C. M 0:15:59
579    17 Breda Gaffney Mallow AC F40 0:18:26   
1157    27 Rachel Smith F 0:19:16   
354    34 Linda O'Connor F40 0:19:45

Full results

Photos to follow...
1) There will be two albums going up on the Running in Cork Facebook page.
...a) Start and first lap
...b) Second lap

In the men's race, it was down to three at the halfway mark...

In the men's race, it was down to three at the halfway mark

By the end of the second lap, Adam Kiely had opened up enough of a gap to take the win comfortably

Brian Kearney managed to stay ahead of Leevale team mate Eric Curran for 2nd place

Breda Gaffney of Mallow AC was the clear winner in the women's race

Rachel Smith (#1157) was 2nd with Linda O'Connor (#354) finishing 3rd

L-R... Padraig Sheehan receiving a pair of NIKE Air Pegasus shoes from Conor Kavanagh of John Buckley Sports after winning the pre-entry draw to the Douglas Credit Union 5k