Running in Cork, Ireland
Welcome to the Running in Cork blog, home of the Cork running community. This is the largest website in Cork & Munster for news on road races and general running news. Included are a current race calendar, race previews, photos, results as well as some local, national and international news items.
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 13th Jun 2026
Guest Post: Pilgrimage ...by Pat Walsh
* Pilgrimage *
I took a few days staycation break in Ireland this week and one of the highlights was a first visit to the ruins of the old Dunlewey Church in beautiful Donegal. Always on my agenda, always associated with Clannad and their music. It was mystical, magical, wonderful. Why did I wait until after the death of Moya Brennan to go visit?
As runners we have wishes and goals. Maybe we should give them a bit more priority.
Do we wait until we can’t and then say why didn’t I? Life can throw curveballs.
Life can bring it’s share of difficulties and obstacles and it is in running that we escape from the tedium and become ourselves.
I always wanted to do……?
Do it,
Don’t wait until you can’t,
Don’t have regrets,
What have you put on the long finger for the future but not made a definite plan?
What should you have trained for but didn’t, and made an excuse?
Is there things to do and places you would like to go?
I have a lot of great memories and races ran, but am I finished? NO
Make a new list of memories to create, not things I should have done.
Running / training isn’t easy but sometimes life isn’t either. Put the work in and take the rewards. They last a lifetime. It isn't easy getting out to train but it has to be done.
Go visit the places you want to, run the races you dreamed of. Always remember nothing learned or gained on the couch.
Open your eyes and see what is around you. Travel the world but don’t neglect the beauty of our own country.
The future starts today.
Few early morning runs on the banks of the River Finn were good for the soul. Donegal didn't disappoint.
Until I reached sweet Clady banks where the silvery salmon play,
I strolled around through old Bunbeg and down along the shore,
And gazed with admiration on the green fields of Gaothdobhair’…. Clannad
#pwr
Results of the Cork and Waterford Injury Jockey Fund 5k in Conna - Fri 12th Jun 2026
The Cork and Waterford Injury Jockey Fund 5K was held in Conna in NE Cork on Friday 12th of June 2026 on a dry fine evening. There were 102 finishers on the night which is down a bit on the 116 in 2025.
1 William Verling Castlelyons MS 16:55
2 Michael Corbett St. Finbarrs M45 17:15
3 Peter Verling Castlelyons MS 18:05
7 Hannah Smith Leevale AC FS 18:36
17 Liz O'Shea Grange-Fermoy AC F45 21:00
27 Lisa Crowley Watergrass Hill AC F45 22:05
Results HERE
Friday, June 12, 2026
Results of the 3rd consultation of the Cork to Kinsale Greenway - June 2026
The results of the third public consultation of the proposed Cork City to Kinsale Greenway has been now been published.
You can view it HERE
Some key points...
a) This is how the number of submissions to the third consultation compares to the previous two...
b) In favour or against...
51% said that there would be no benefit. Roughly 50% said that they would use it.
It's worth noting that there has been a very active disinformation campaign against the proposed greenway and the above results may or may not be representative of the people living near the proposed greenway.
These were the top 10 objections to the proposed greenway...
1 Impact on local residents/farmers - Obviously some farmers will have some serious concerns as their farm and rightly so. It doesn't mean that those concerns cannot be assuaged.
As for residents, there were people telling elderly residents that the council were going to knock their homes for a 'cycle route'! There seems to have been a perception that just because a house was within the 400m wide potential corridor for the greenway then it might be knocked. The council have never said that they were going to demolish peoples homes for the greenway.
2 Privacy, security or safety concerns - That old chestnut again. Your biggest safety concern is outside your front gate and it's called a public road. Look at any of the property websites and one of the features often listed is access to a local greenway.
Perish the thought that someone might break into your house and make off down the greenway on a bike with your 50-inch TV under their arm.
3 Environment or wildlife concerns - Some will have have genuine concerns. Some couldn't care less and will use this as an excuse.
4 Cost and value concerns - The real answer here is what is the actual cost / benefit analysis? Contributions like 'They'd be better off fixing the potholes' doesn't add anything to the debate.
5 Antisocial behaviour concerns - See number 2. Usual scaremongering and nonsense.
6 Perceived lack of transparency or information - This was the third consultation.
7 Increased traffic and parking concerns - That will depend on the final plans for the greenway.
8 Preference for alternative routes - That was covered in the earlier consultations.
9 Opposition to CPOs & 10 Use of private land - It's hard to use just public land only for any public projects like roads or greenways.
Hill of Hysteria... There's a concept called the 'Hill of Hysteria'
A project is announced, there's a mad panic about it with lot of hysteria and after the project is completed. people wonder what was all the fuss about?All of the above is supposed to be completed by 2027 according to the timeline above.
I suspect the real issue for now is the political will to see this project through to its completion.
Previous Posts...
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Results of the Cork BHAA Musgraves 5k - Wed 10th June 2026
1 Brian Canty 16:03 Temp Reg
2 Gerald O'Sullivan M1 16:28 Gas Networks Ireland
3 Sean Dineen 16:29 Temp Reg
21 Hannah Steeds F1 17:17 Eli Lilly
31 Orla Drumm 0/40F F2 17:37 HSE
34 Michelle Kenny 0/45F F3 17:42 Dept of Ed
Full results HERE
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Notice: John Hayes Memorial 5k in Innishannon - 28th June 2026
The John Hayes Memorial 5k in Innishannon is coming up on Sunday the 28th of June 2026 with a start time of 1pm. This is a charity event in aid of Cancer Connect and the entry fees are €20 for a family, €10 per adult and €5 per child.
You can enter on the day or you can pre-enter / donate at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZV9DNRB
From Triona O'Sullivan... "Unfortunately on 28th Of May 20225, I lost my uncle John Hayes unexpectedly and in his memory I want run in his honour. In total, John had run 112 times at parkrun and volunteered on 28 occasions. He mostly ran at Macroom but he also visited some other local parkruns including Ballincollig, Bere Island, Clonakilty, Glen River and also Killarney and Tralee. He was involved in Cork BHAA and did many races."
This charity 5k will be held at Valley Rovers GAA grounds in Innishannon which is next to the N71 road and the Bandon River.
The course is on the 800m long 'Bleach Walk' which is named in memory of the linen bleaching industry which used to operate here in the 18th century.
The run is untimed and the 5k course will be approximately six laps.
RIP: Ciarán Ó Lionáird
It was announced on Tuesday that former Irish Olympian and Cork native Ciarán Ó Lionáird died suddenly in Montreal, Canada at the age of 38.
Ciarán Ó Lionáird grew up in Toonsbridge near Macroom, Co Cork and represented Ireland in the 1500m at the 2012 London Olympics. He won a bronze in the 3000m at the 2013 European Indoor Championships in Sweden.
Link - RTE News
Tuesday, June 09, 2026
Notice: Dromcollogher Carnival 4-mile road race - Mon 22nd June 2026
The Dromcollogher Carnival 4-mile road race in Co Limerick is coming up this year on Monday 22nd of June 2026 with a start time of 8pm.
This race is a popular one with runners from the north Cork area as well as Co Limerick of course.
More info HERE
Carrigaline AC receive Community Spirit Award
Monday, June 08, 2026
Training programme for the 2026 Dublin Marathon
The 2026 Dublin Marathon is coming up on Sunday the 25th of October 2026. If anyone would like to optimise their training then I will be starting individualised training programmes soon.
The marathon programme starts on the 22nd of June. The cost is €144.
The length of programme really depends on where you are as a runner and what your initial endurance fitness is like.
After an initial consultation and we agree on what days you can train, a programme is sent out every week by email and weekly feedback is required. That will determine what the programme is like for the following week.
If interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com
If you have another event in mind like an autumn half-marathon then send an e-mail to the above address.
Saturday, June 06, 2026
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 6th Jun 2026
Guest Post: Was it just me ...by Pat Walsh
* Was it just me *
Taking time to reflect properly on last weekends Cork Marathon I was struck by the friendliness and warmth of the occasion. Us runners are super anyway and good to encourage each other but last Sunday through the 3 events, Full, Half, 10K there was a little extra this year.
I think the energy, sense of celebration, acknowledgement of grief that the family and friends of Ellen Cassidy brought to the day just lifted each and every person there.
Greetings were more open, smiles were larger, encouragement was everywhere. I honestly lost count of the number of people who said some version of ‘ we should be grateful to be able to take part today ’.
Fair play to the organisers who went out of their way to accommodate the family and while the loss of a loved one can never be overcome, then hopefully last Sunday will provide some solace to them for the future. To Eamon Hayes and those in charge of Cork City Marathon I wish to say very well done.
There was some fantastic and quality running at the business end of the field and the local runners Ryan Creech 1.04.51 in the half and Niamh Allen 32.14 in the 10k would feature in any quality race anywhere.
As I watched at the finish, there were many who walked over the line at the end. They cheered, they celebrated, they finished the quest that they started. Where running was once an elite sport, it is now a mass participation event for people of all ages and fitness levels and that is to be applauded.
I walked last year myself when I was recovering from injury and I like to think I took part the same as everyone else.
The crowds out supporting, the kids with jellies and water, the housing estate that turned it into a sea of yellow, Ellen’s friends in their yellow vests with tears of joy, the cheers on the new finish line on the Grand Parade.
Was it just me the eternal optimist who felt it or did anyone else feel that we witnessed and participated in a very unique occasion?
Does it take some tragic event to lift us or should we strive to make every day, every run, every event be a celebration of life and our good fortune to be able to take part. It doesn't take much to be nice, to say thanks, to be supportive.
Not everyone is so lucky. Make every day special. Have a lovely weekend and thanks for supporting my ramblings.
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.” …Yeats.
#pwr #BeNice
Friday, June 05, 2026
Results of the Farran NS 5k - Fri 4th Jun 2026
Farran Fun Run 2026 Overall Results
6/5/2026 1
Place Bib Name Gender Eligible Div Finishing Time Div Place
2 71 O Connell Ray Male Over 18 Male 0:17:51 2
3 138 O''Riordan' Sam Male Over 18 Male 0:18:06 3
4 94 Healy Shane Male Over 18 Male 0:18:27 1
5 167 O''Donoghue' Tiarnan Male Over 18 Male 0:18:36 2
6 3 O Brien Jerome Male Over 18 Male 0:19:10 3
7 169 Sheehan Colin Male U-18 Male 0:19:13 1
8 151 Kenny Michelle Female Over 18 Female 0:19:15 1
9 84 Skally Mark Male U-18 Male 0:19:17 2
11 137 Collins Donal Male Over 18 Male 0:19:44 5
12 90 Cronin John Male Over 18 Male 0:19:49 6
13 179 Daskauskas Gediminas Male Over 18 Male 0:20:06 7
14 24 Byrne Robert Male Over 18 Male 0:20:40 8
15 83 White Evan James Male Over 18 Male 0:20:49 9
16 99 Mc Cann Gerard-James Male Over 18 Male 0:21:11 10
17 139 Butler David Male Over 18 Male 0:21:21 11
18 15 Mc Carthy Fiona Female Over 18 Female 0:21:23 2
19 172 Burts Gerard Male Over 18 Male 0:21:27 12
20 148 Healy Isla Female U-13 Female 0:21:35 3
21 182 Helleboid Damien Male Over 18 Male 0:21:37 13
22 174 Moore Trevor Male Over 18 Male 0:21:38 14
23 270 Bourke Aidan Male Over 18 Male 0:21:45 15
24 31 Mc Hugh Alex Male U-11 Male 0:21:49 1
Thursday, June 04, 2026
Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 30th May 2026
This monthly free timed 5k was held on on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway on Saturday 30th of May 2026.
Wednesday, June 03, 2026
Notice: 2-Million Step Challenge Charity Run in Blarney - Sat 6th June 2026
From Trish at VisionFitness in Blarney...
"On Saturday 6th June, our members and local community will be taking part in a 2 Million Step Challenge, running from 8am to 6pm, to raise funds for the 6year Darragh O’Sullivan who was diagnosed with with an aggressive cancer.
Participants will spend the day walking, running and exercising to collectively reach the ambitious target of 2 million steps. The event is open to all fitness levels and is focused on bringing the community together to support a local family during an incredibly difficult time.
Darragh’s mom Clare is a member with us here at Visionfitness. Clare’s other son was born with Down Syndrome and underwent major heart surgery as a baby. To then be told that another child has a life-threatening cancer diagnosis is something no family should have to face alone. We wanted to do something practical as a community to help.
All steps counted must start and finish at the Gaelscoil Mhuscrai in Blarney(this is where Darragh attends school) and is where Visionfitness is located T23EA29
If any of the runners want to do a run Saturday it would be great for them to do it down the school and all the steps counted!"
Donation Link... https://gofund.me/0250d36da
























