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

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 8th November 2025. Approximately 1282  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... It seems to have been mostly overcast and dry for most of the 5k parkruns in Co Cork this weekend with maybe the exception of Bere Island and Glengarriff.

Ballincollig... This was the 400th edition of the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park.

Tramore Valley Park... The largest parkrun in Co Cork is Ballincollig but there was a surge in numbers for the 5k parkrun this weekend in Tramore Valley with 343 finishers so they take the crown... for a week anyway 😊

Well done to Brendan Macguire who completed his 100th parkrun this weekend!

ONGOING

 

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

Upcoming milestones....

a) ) 

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 341 this week, 379 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Holly CARROLL Female SW20-24 17:53

11 Ciara HICKEY Female SW25-29 20:02

37 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:02

2 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:52

3 Joseph MCGEE Male SM20-24 19:04

4 John MULVIHILL Male VM45-49 19:09

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/400/

Tramore Valley Park: 343 this week, 249 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Daniel BUCKLEY Male SM20-24 15:15

2 John BUCKLEY Male SM18-19 16:41

3 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 16:47

40 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:20

56 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 21:26

58 Mari BURKE Female VW45-49 21:43

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/178/

Glen River: 88 this week, 64 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Stuart MOLONEY Male VM45-49 18:20

2 Eoin CULLINANE Male VM35-39 19:49

3 Rob BAGNALL Male SM30-34 20:21

8 Fiona KAVANAGH Female SW25-29 23:00

10 Mags HASSETT Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:46

15 Saoirse CORRIGAN Female SW20-24 24:33

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/284/

Midleton Greenway: 178 this week, 170 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul CASHMAN Male VM45-49 Watergrasshill AC 16:50

2 John COLLINS Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 18:00

3 Noel CONROY Male VM35-39 18:36

29 Anna DORIS Female VW55-59 Midleton AC 21:52

42 Sinead FITZGERALD Female VW45-49 23:10

50 Beata SAMBORSKA Female VW35-39 24:23

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/41/

Mallow Castle: 73 this week, cancelled last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Vinny GRIMES Male SM30-34 18:57

2 Shane COLLINS Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:15

3 Brenno BANDEIRA Male SM30-34 20:05

5 Lucy BACKUS Female SW30-34 20:34

22 Aoife O FLYNN Female VW35-39 25:10

24 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:24

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/205/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 41 this week, 36 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Lee CURLEY Male SM30-34 19:27

3 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:27

4 Isaac LANDERS Male JM15-17 20:59

2 Kelly FITZGERALD Female SW25-29 19:56

5 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:34

9 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:51

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/184/

Macroom Castle Demense: 65 this week, 73 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finn YORE Male JM15-17 West Muskerry A.C. 16:30

2 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:44

3 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:04

15 Claire CURTIN Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 25:37

20 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:22

22 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 27:12

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/551/

Clonakilty: 46 this week, 42 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Struan SIMPSON Male VM35-39 17:25

2 Kevin O'BYRNE Male VM35-39 19:50

3 Olan MURPHY Male SM20-24 19:51

7 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 23:15

9 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 23:35

17 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 25:01

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/505/

Glengarriff Woods: 57 this week, 80 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Cathal D'HONDT Male JM11-14 21:19

3 Dolf D'HONDT Male VM40-44 25:16

4 Paul Pio O'CALLAGHAN Male VM45-49 Pulse Triathlon Club 25:20

2 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:14

7 Lily MANNING Female SW18-19 25:51

10 Ciara FOX Female SW25-29 26:40

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/425/

Bere Island: 55 this week, 51 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Graham LONG Male SM30-34 Rejoov Runners 21:49

2 Colin LONG Male SM30-34 22:54

3 Colin GLEESON Male VM70-74 Beara AC 24:27

5 Leahanne SULLIVAN Female SW25-29 25:47

6 Edel MURPHY Female VW55-59 26:14

10 Ann Marie ROBERTI Female VW60-64 27:51

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/517/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 14 finishers this week, 24 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 19:39

2 Donal DIGNAN Male SM30-34 23:18

3 Stephen CONNOLLY Male VM45-49 24:40

7 Kate FAIRHURST Female VW40-44 28:43

9 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 31:07

14 Patricia O'DRISCOLL Female VW45-49 37:17

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/437/

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

Guest Post: Longevity in Running - Part 1 ...by Pat Walsh

 * Longevity in Running, Part 1 *

Over the next few posts I will discuss running, and how to maintain and enjoy it though out your life. Of course certain fads come and go, but running as a form of exercise and as an aid for mental health is with us for a long time and will continue into the future. 

Some will run for a few years and move to something else which is fine and natural. I’m talking to runners who just want to run for as long as life will allow.

I don’t have definitive advice that will ensure your future, but I will discuss my own experiences and learnings from many years of highs and lows, fun and tears and everything in between. Maybe there is something there for you and maybe not.

A running career cannot be only defined by medals and trophies but the ability to run successfully through the decades of your life, at whatever pace suits you for that particular period. #pwr

* Enjoyment

Above all, you must enjoy what you are doing. If you are forcing yourself out and worrying in advance, then you are on a slippery slope to failure. Not every day will be fun but you must let yourself relax, embrace the actual session whether training or racing and find fun and joy in the act of running. Yes, you can train hard and enjoy it, the act of pushing yourself.

If you can’t sleep or eat and find yourself irritable in the days leading to a race then this is not a sustainable situation long term. 

You will not continue to do something if you don’t enjoy it. 

A little pre-race nerves are ok with the odd ‘can I do it moment?’. We all have those moments, but a running lifestyle is dependent on you enjoying what you do as a mood lift and emotional release from the pressure of everyday life.

You can’t be a 100% happy bunny all the time, as there will be setbacks, but enjoy the fact that your are out there, active, moving, socialising, laughing. If there is the occasional down, then park it and move on.

Smile for the pictures, put on a happy face, chat to fellow runners, have the cuppa and come home a better person. Lifting yourself will also help raise the spirits of those around you. 

“Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.”

* Reality

Accept who you are and what you can do. Of course look at the results and who is performing, but remember that any day you do the best you can, then that is your best and should not be judged against the times and placing of anyone else. 

Who knows what anyone else is dealing with. Some may be at the end of a good training block and targeted the race. Another may be returning from injury and lucky to be there. You are You. No one else like you.

We are all different in terms of our ability anyway. With the best of training and conditioning I would never have made the Olympics. I have accepted that years ago even if I allow myself the occasional dream.

Be the best you and that is all you can do. This will mean different results depending on your age but without acceptance, there is no future as you will always be striving for the impossible. 

Learn to live and love yourself for who you are. 

“No matter how slow you go you are still lapping everyone on the couch.”

---

I will continue over the next few weeks to talk about Progression, Strength, Mental Health, Family / Work  / Training Balance, Mental Strength, Injuries, Aging, Gratitude. Hope you will stay with me..!

Have a lovely weekend. Feel free to comment as I love the feedback.

#pwr

Full house with the cycle to the Macroom parkrun - 1st Nov 2025

Over the last 18-months or so, both Grellan McGrath and myself have been cycling to the various 5k parkruns in Co Cork.

It started off as just going for a cycle to a parkrun but it kind of morphed over time into a challenge to see if we could do all eleven of them.

In July of 2025, we cycled to Glengarriff for number nine, post HERE.

In August of 2025, we made the long trip down to Bere Island for number ten, post HERE.

The last remaining one was Macroom for number eleven. The difficulty at this time of year is the early morning start in the dark and getting there before 9:30am.

To make it more interesting and a bit of a challenge, we planned a route where we would avoid using the national N roads or Regional R roads as much as possible. That of course meant lots of hills!

We waited for the clocks to change at the end of October so that we would have an extra hour of daylight in the morning. Even at that, the clock was literally ticking for when we could do it before it was too dark in the mornings so we decided on Saturday the 1st of November.

I left my place at 6:20am in the dark and it was bit like the previous trip to Glengarriff in that I was heading off when some people were still coming home from the night before.

After 2kms or so, I came across four young fellas walking along the road in the dark with one of them wearing a wizards hat! As you do.😄

I eventually got to Grellan's place in Ballincollig just before dawn and we set off on the journey west... Ballincollig - Kilumney - Aherla - Cloughduv - Crookstown - up the hill to Kilmurry - down by the Gearagh - back up another hill and down into Marcroom with about 10-minutes to spare.

Parkrun #93 for Grellan McGrath

I had done the Macroom parkrun once before in 2015 but that was traveling there by car, getting there by bike was a completely different proposition.

Macroom is probably the most technical of the parkruns in Co Cork in that it has multiple loops. It's a kind of course where the first timers briefing is a bit of a waste because it seems so confusing but once you do it, it's pretty obvious.

Last Saturday, there were plenty of stewards at the critical junctions so there wasn't much chance of going wrong.

There are a few pulls in the 5k course but nothing too bad. Overall, it's a nice 5k parkrun set in a woodland setting which happens to be part of the local golf course.

After finishing the parkrun, I took a few photos of some runners behind me... Album.

Anyway, we both finished and job done, number 11 of 11. It was a case of then going to Lynch's Café for a cuppa before heading home via Bealnamorive, the Model village and then cross country to Ballincollig.

At the end of the loop from Ballincollig, we were on the R618 for only 3kms and spent the other 67kms of the loop on quiet country roads.

After leaving Grellan in Ballincollig, I got home just over an hour later with a total of 113kms on the bike.

In conclusion... That's it, job done, we had cycled to all eleven of the 5k parkrun in Co Cork. It's probably safe to say that we're the only two to have done it as not too many people cycle to the parkruns let alone doing all of them in the county,

It raises an interesting question... I wonder how many people have completed all eleven parkruns in Co Cork regardless of transport? 50? 100?

As for what's next? First up, Grellan will be doing his 100th parkrun sometime around Christmas hopefully.

As for the bike and 2026??? The Kingdom looks interesting...

Plans announced for new Greenway at Dunkettle Roundabout - Nov 2025

As the Port of Cork moves its operations from Tivoli to Ringaskiddy, the old docklands area is due to be redeveloped. As part of the project, there is a plan for a new greenway going from Horgans Quay to where the Dunkettle Roundabout is now. This will in turn connect to the greenways going to Glanmire and to Midleton.

The Port of Cork Company have just announced that they will be applying for planning permission in November 2025, to significantly upgrade access to and from its Tivoli Docks site in Cork City.

As part of the plan at the eastern end, the Dunkettle roundabout will be replaced with a new junction which will include a greenway. The image below shows the southern side of the new Dunkettle juntion is shown below.

The key feature of the new junction is that traffic on the N8 going east-west or west-east will pass unimpeded under a new bridge with no traffic lights.

The road above marked A is the new access road from the redeveloped Tivoli site to the new junction.

Traffic from Glanmire will pass over the new N8 bridge which will have traffic lights. They will then turn right onto the down ramp B and will merge with the N8 traffic going into the city. 

Traffic coming out of the city and heading towards Glanmire will take a slip road to the right where there will be traffic lights, very similar to what it is like at the moment.

From a walking / running / cycling point of view, there is going to be a new greenway which is highlighted above in green.

As can be seen from the image, the new greenway will come out of the city and run parallel to the railway line. It will then go under a bridge and do a small loop to gain height to cross over the junction.

The image below shows the northern side of the junction.

Traffic on the N8 flows unimpeded under the new bridge.

Traffic coming out of the city and heading towards Glanmire will use the offramp marked A which will have traffic lights.

Traffic coming from the east that wants to go to Glanmire will use the offramp marked B. The image shows two lanes turning right for Glanmire. There is one lane left for the new redeveloped Tivoli site.

Traffic coming from Glanmire heading towards the city cross over the bridge and turn right. Glanmire traffic heading east take the slip road at C and then merge with the N8 traffic.

Greenway users will have to negotiate two traffic junctions with traffic lights. The good thing here is that these are slip roads which will be no way as busy as the N8.

The image above shows the western end of the Tivoli site near Silversprings and the new greenway is shown in green.

In conclusion... That's the current plan as it stands and if it goes ahead then I'd guess that it might be something like the mid-2030's before it's built. 

Who will use the new greenway? There are plans for some 6,500 new homes in the new Tivoli site which is a town in itself and it's likely those residents will be the biggest users of the greenway.

Going off other greenways, the biggest users will be walkers with the balance split between runners and cyclists.

Results of the Run the Line 5k on the Crosshaven Greenway - Sat 25th Oct 2025

There were 35 finishers for the October 2025 edition of the free timed 5k run on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 1st Nov 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 1st November 2025. Approximately 1162  runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Report... After all the rain on Friday, the weather cleared nicely for  most of this weeks 5k parkruns in Co Cork this weekend. The one casualty was Mallow which had to be cancelled due to water on the course.

Flooding on the Mallow Castle parkrun course

Midleton... Pat Walsh pictured with Evan Fitzgerald who completed the Midleton Greenway 5k parkrun this weekend in a new course record time of 14m 47s!

Glen River... Well done to Philip Littlewood who completed his 100th 5k parkrun at the Glen River event this weekend.

Macroom... There are a few finish line photos HERE

Parkrun number 210 for visually impaired runner Ross Gallagher at the Macroom event

 

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

Upcoming milestones....

a) ) Ballincollig will be holding their 400th event on the 8th of November.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 379 this week, 359 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Michael MCTERNAN Male VM40-44 17:46

2 Unknown

3 Tadhg DALY Male SM18-19 18:42

14 Caitriona MCGETTIGAN Female SW25-29 19:42

21 Kathy WELLAM Female VW45-49 Sale Harriers Manchester 20:30

25 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:53

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/399/

Tramore Valley Park: 249 this week, 285 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 17:21

2 Michael KERRIN Male VM45-49 Maree AC 18:13

3 Benedict O'CONNELL Male VM35-39 Vegan Runners 18:23

10 Karen WALSH Female VW45-49 19:33

28 Ciara HOARE Female JW15-17 22:11

29 Esther REYNOLDS Female VW35-39 22:16

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/177/

Glen River: 64 this week, 92 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David CARRASCO COQUILLAT Male SM20-24 19:51

2 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 21:30

3 Mat WILLIAMSON Male SM30-34 21:36

8 Siun MOAKLEY REILLY Female JW11-14 24:05

9 Katie BIRCH Female SW30-34 24:20

12 Helen MOAKLEY Female VW40-44 24:45

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/283/

Midleton Greenway: 170 this week, 135 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Evan FITZGERALD Male SM20-24 West Waterford AC 14:47

2 Kacper MARCINIAK Male SM25-29 17:01

3 John COLLINS Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:46

7 Sally-Ann LYNCH Female SW30-34 20:04

17 Nicola COMER Female VW35-39 22:12

18 Niamh CALLANAN Female SW25-29 22:25

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/40/

Mallow Castle: .. this week, .. last week.

First 3 men & women... CANCELLED

Mallow results... 

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 36 this week, 36 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Micheal CRONIN Male SM30-34 19:42

2 Adam BULMAN Male SM25-29 20:05

3 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:25

4 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:17

10 Saoirse CORRIGAN Female SW20-24 23:36

14 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:35

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/183/

Macroom Castle Demense: 73 this week, 52 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 19:08

2 Donal FALLON Male VM40-44 Mt. Hillary AC 20:13

3 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:14

21 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:21

28 Linda LEHANE Female VW40-44 28:04

29 Marie MCCARTHY Female VW50-54 28:24

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/550/

Clonakilty: 42 this week, 40 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Dermot WOODS Male VM50-54 St Finbarrs AC 19:54

2 Alex O SHEA Male VM50-54 19:58

3 Neil WILSON Male VM60-64 20:11

7 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 22:39

9 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 23:14

11 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 23:34

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/504/

Glengarriff Woods: 80 this week, 74 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 21:09

2 Liam O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 21:44

3 David MCCARTHY Male VM35-39 21:47

8 Meave QUINLAN Female VW40-44 24:40

10 Bríd O'LEARY Female VW35-39 24:49

13 Deirdre HARRINGTON Female VW50-54 Durrus Athletic Club 25:12

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/424/

Bere Island: 55 this week, 51 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 20:54

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:43

6 Laoise Ann O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 24:38

2 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 21:44

3 Garry MORIARTY Male VM45-49 22:13

4 Rich KING Male VM40-44 Hogweed Trotters 23:10

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/516/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 14 finishers this week, 24 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 John Joseph O LEARY Male VM35-39 26:55

2 Stephen MURPHY Male VM65-69 Rising Sun AC 27:17

3 James WHITE Male VM35-39 27:59

9 Catherine BAILEY Female VW45-49 31:59

10 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 35:46

11 Lucie RYCOTT Female VW55-59 CCPR Crew 36:15

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/436/

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

Guest Post: The Mental Change ...by Pat Walsh

 * The Mental Change *

I’m writing some of this on Thursday morning with the wind and rain lashing at the window. The clocks changed last weekend to put us in Winter time, but have we changed our mental process to help us cope and to keep running?

I normally run on a Thursday morning as part of my weekly recovery plan but seeing the forecast and the fact that I’m a snowflake, I went yesterday evening before it got dark. And I had a little lie-in this morning.

This can be a time to test our resolve, cold mornings, dark evenings, leaving a cosy bed in the morning or a fireplace in the evening to head out for a run. You can do it and you will be proud of yourself but a little positive mental thought process is no harm.

I will run, because I’m training for something important and it doesn’t matter what the conditions are, as maybe that is the way the event might be.

I will run, as it is important to overcome any obstacles that may appear and that can only be positive reinforcement for myself. Running in wind and rain is character building.

I will run, but slightly adapt day and time so that at the end of the week I have achieved all I expected.

I will run, because I have a few boxes full of tops, coats, hats, leggings for whatever the weather is and a working washing machine when I get home.

I will run, because if I give in to failure I will only feel bad about myself for the rest of the day.

I will run, because my friends are going and I don’t want to be a wossie. 

I will run next Thursday morning.  (Miss B 😃 )

Please be careful, wear bright clothing or hi-viz. Get a rechargeable light for night time. There is a fantastic range of options available nowadays.

Be warm and err on the side of too hot rather than too cold.

Get changed and showered ASAP if you are cold and wet. Yes, the coffee afterwards would be nice but the ensuing head cold isn’t worth it.

Finally, it is about the positive, YES I WILL, rather than mopping and procrastinating about whether you will or not. I WILL

'Cold sunlight glinting on the rocky fields of cloud,
The high shrill note of Winter's happy piper
Rises and lifts my dreamer far above the crowd'....Kavanagh.

Have  a lovely weekend and #keeponrunning

#pwr

2026 Adare 10k sells out in just 3-hours

The Adare 10k in Co Limerick is one of the most popular 10k races in Munster and the 2026 edition will be held on Sunday the 22nd of February.

The 1000 entries went on sale at 6am on Friday the 31st of October and amazingly, they sold out in about 3 hours!

The full entry fee with the t-shirt option is about €40 so it's not the cheapest of races but this higher price did nothing to quell the demand.

In comparison, the 2025 race sold out in 11 hours. The 2024 race was under 48 hours and the 2023 race was 9-days.

The race is organised by West Limerick AC and it's taken a lot of work over many years to make it such a success.

Four national M55 titles in a row for Dr Vivian Foley

It's been a remarkable year for Cork runner Vivian Foley who claimed his 4th national M55 title of the year at the Dublin City Marathon last weekend.

Back in June of 2025, Viv was the first M55 home in the National 5-mile championships in the Phoenix Park with a time of 27m 37s.

In July, he the first M55 again in the national 10-mile championships in the Phoenix Park again with a time of 58m 59s.

The national half-marathon was held in Tullamore at the end of August and Viv took the M55 title again with a time of 1h 15m 25s.

The Dublin City Marathon also doubles up as the national marathon and Viv posted an impressive time of 2h 39m 12s for his 4th national M55 title of the year.

And if all that wasn't enough, Viv also finished 2nd M55 in this years Boston Marathon with a time of 2:43:58!

Video: 1970 - Mindset of a Marathon Man

BBC Archives posted this video on YouTube recently.

Description: Mindset of a Marathon Man

Jim Alder - Glasgow born and Morpeth raised - the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, describes his thoughts and feelings about Marathon running, and how it has affected his life. In the end it is a question of how hard you drive yourself, and for sheer guts and dogged perseverance Jim Alder will take some beating in the 1970 Commonwealth Games Marathon in Edinburgh.

Clip taken from Look Stranger: The Marathon Man, originally broadcast on BBC Two, 21 July, 1970.

Result & Photos of the Dublin City Marathon - 26th Oct 2025

 

Top 10 Irish Men & Women...

Marathon
5. 21 David Mc Glynn (MS) Waterford A.C. 2:11:01 
6. 16 Ryan Creech (MS) Leevale A.C. 2:11:42 
7. 17 Paul O' Donnell (MS) Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 2:12:11 
10. 32 Stephen Mc Auley (MS) Letterkenny A.C. 2:17:31 
11. 23 William Maunsell (M40) Clonmel A.C. 2:17:51 
13. 31 Michael Fox (M35) Armagh AC 2:19:03 
14. 35 Jamie Fallon (MS) Craughwell A.C. 2:19:37 
15. 18 Jake O' Regan (MS) St. John's A.C. 2:20:42 
16. 22 Sean Tobin (MS) Clonmel A.C. 2:21:40 
17. 20 John Travers (MS) Donore Harriers A.C. 2:23:21 

6. 115 Ava Crean (WS) Back 2 Boston Running Club A.C. 2:34:12 

8. 111 Ann Marie Mc Glynn (W45) Strabane AC 2:36:24 

9. 112 Nichola Sheridan (WS) Bohermeen A.C. 2:39:56 

10. 121 Meghan Ryan (WS) Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 2:40:33 

11. 113 Caitlyn Harvey (WS) RoadRunners AC 2:41:27 

13. 114 Gladys Ganiel (W45) North Belfast Harriers 2:43:19 

14. 123 Fiona Stack (W40) Raheny Shamrock A.C. 2:44:14 

15. 3563 Judith Storm (W35) City of Derry Spartans 2:47:20 

16. 3624 Cliona Murphy (WS) Dublin City Harriers A.C. 2:47:23 

17. 148 Maebh Brannigan (WS) Galway City Harriers A.C. 2:48:24 

Full results HERE

What a fantastic result for 19-year old Ava Crean from Limerick! Ava won the Charleville Half-Marathon in September with a time of 1:15:22 and is now the first Irish woman home in the 2025 Dublin City Marathon with a time of 2h 34m 12s.

Ava has been on a remarkable journey over the last few years. She only started running in 2020 during the pandemic to get fit and as she noted in a recent interview... " I remember when I started running, I couldn’t even run a hundred meters without stopping or taking a break".

After starting a University course in Manchester in September of 2024, she signed up for the local marathon with an estimated finish time of 3h 30m. The Manchester Marathon duly arrived in April of 2025 and she ran 2h 49m!

Just one week later, she returned to Limerick to run in the home marathon and she improved on her Manchester result with a new PB of 2h 43m 38s. 

After this result, she said in an interview... “After getting 2:49 in Manchester, I said to myself ‘I will do limerick for fun’ and I told everyone that I will do it easy, but inside I knew I would get competitive – but only competitive to beat my old time, I didn’t know at all I would win. It was a bit hard, but I wasn’t in pain or anything, my legs were just very tight when I ran Limerick.”

Fast forward to Dublin and she has now dropped her PB to 2:34 and wins the Irish national title in the process.

Cork club runners under 3:00 (M) and 3:30 (F) shown below.

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has a large number of photos...

200m before finish

a) Album 1 (under 2:37) b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 e) Album 5 f) Album 6 g) Album 7 h) Album 8 i) Album 9 j) Album 10 k) Album 11 l) Album 12 m) Album 13 

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 25th Oct 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 25th October 2025. Approximately 1219  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... There was a big jump in numbers this weekend with the dry weather with well over 1200 people participating in the parkruns in Cork.

Glen River... Well done to Denis Carroll who reached his double century!

Denis did 129 of the 200 at the Glen River event.

ONGOING

 

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

Upcoming milestones....

a) ) Ballincollig will be holding their 400th event on the 8th of November.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 359 this week, 258 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 TJ BROSNAN Male SM30-34 Togher AC 18:47

2 Conor LAVERY Male SM20-24 19:09

3 Stephen MOORE Male VM50-54 An Ríocht A.C 19:13

5 Caitriona MCGETTIGAN Female SW25-29 19:20

30 Fiona KAVANAGH Female SW25-29 21:55

38 Niamh COLLINS Female VW45-49 22:32

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/398/

Tramore Valley Park: 285 this week, 236 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean LANDERS Male SM25-29 17:54

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 17:58

3 Michael KERRIN Male VM45-49 Maree AC 18:10

7 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW40-44 19:04

8 Anne O'DONOVAN Female VW35-39 19:07

12 Siobhan HOARE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 19:36

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/176/

Glen River: 92 this week, 66 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 17:42

2 Lorcan VALLELY Male VM45-49 Armagh AC 18:14

3 Tadhg CROWLEY Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 18:36

11 Saoirse DEMEGER Female SW30-34 23:15

12 Bente PRESSE Female SW25-29 23:17

16 Maura FITZGERALD Female VW35-39 24:38

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/282/

Midleton Greenway: 135 this week, 106 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Darren MCCANN Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 16:54

2 Struan SIMPSON Male VM35-39 17:51

3 Gabriel LE DONNE Male JM15-17 17:52

6 Rebecca MC EVOY Female SW30-34 St Finbarrs AC 18:48

20 Nicola COMER Female VW35-39 22:25

39 Sarah O'BRIEN Female JW11-14 25:39

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/39/

Mallow Castle: 71 this week, 63 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 James MAHER Male VM35-39 18:35

2 Dan HENWOOD Male VM35-39 19:51

3 Brenno BANDEIRA Male SM30-34 19:53

14 Martina LYONS Female VW50-54 23:09

21 Gillian GROEGER Female VW45-49 25:52

22 Roisin KELLEHER Female SW30-34 26:29

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/204/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 36 this week, 48 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:26

2 Isaac LANDERS Male JM15-17 20:32

4 Krzysztof PAWLIK Male VM45-49 Youghal AC 22:01

3 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:26

7 Niamh CALLANAN Female SW25-29 23:17

15 Sophie DINEEN Female SW20-24 25:45

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/182/

Macroom Castle Demense: 52 this week, 39 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 19:44

2 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:01

3 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:05

20 Eimear COLUMBY Female SW25-29 24:16

21 Eliza CANTY Female JW10 24:35

24 Claire CURTIN Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 25:06

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/549/

Clonakilty: 27 this week, 42 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Darragh SCOTT Male VM45-49 19:05

2 Conor O SULLIVAN Male SM20-24 19:57

3 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 West Cork Triathlon Club (WCTC) 20:28

8 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 22:23

11 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 23:30

21 Liz O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 28:21

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/503/

Glengarriff Woods: 74 this week, 35 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM15-17 21:27

2 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:43

4 Gary FORDE Male VM40-44 21:54

3 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 21:46

8 Caroline O'SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 23:46

9 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:30

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/423/

Bere Island: 51 this week, 29 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 21:40

6 Pat SHEEHAN Male VM60-64 Kenmare Tri Club 25:32

10 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 26:49

2 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:40

3 Laoise Ann O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 24:56

4 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 25:18

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/515/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 24 finishers this week, 11 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Stefan MOORE Male VM35-39 22:23

2 Dan COLLINS Male VM40-44 Lucan Harriers 22:38

3 Stephen CONNOLLY Male VM45-49 22:51

9 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 26:29

13 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 29:52

14 Frances LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 31:13

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/435/

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

Guest Post: Dublin City Marathon ...by Pat Walsh

 * Dublin City Marathon *

The year has rolled around again and DCM is happening this Sunday. Our premier Marathon in the Country, in the Capital City and many are preparing to undertake the run.

Best of luck to all who take part.

There can be criticisms of entry process, the price and course itself, but I dare say that is common for all marathon in big cities around the world. I’m happy we have a good marathon to sell to the world and as a past participant, I’m proud to have the medal. The atmosphere is unbelievable and unique in City Marathons.

Been there, done that, have loads of t-shirts. Not for me anymore due to injury restrictions, but some words of advice from myself and Sia to those taking part.

'One foot in front of the other, babe

One breath leads to another, yeah

Just keep moving, oh

Look within for the strength today

Listen out for the voice to say

Just keep moving, oh

Enjoy

You have done the work and now enjoy the day. Don’t be getting stressed or anxious, nothing to be gained in that. Make is special, make it memorable.

Relax

So much wasted energy before the race going here and there, dancing on your feet, walking to meet people for photos. Relax, stroll to the start, sit down if you can (bring a bag to sit on) and wait for the race to start.

Slow Down

Bring an extra layer to dump after a mile or two when you warm up. Don’t take off at pace to warm up, it will be the death of you later. Whatever pace you intend running at, then slow the first four miles by another 20 seconds at least. If you are still running at Mile 23 you will get these minutes back. For too many people the race is over at the 10 mile and it is a slow slog home from there.

Settle into the run, go easy, let the miles pass you by and focus on cruising to the finish. One foot in front of the other.

First and Last

If it is your first marathon the you are guaranteed a PB so why kill yourself. That can be for the next one. If you are an experienced runner then go carefully and use your experience. Many plans are made, but for many of us we never know when we cross the line that it might be our last marathon and the decision may not be in your own hands. Love every moment of the day and savour it. Your children love you anyway.

Go, go, go, figure it out,

figure it out, but don't stop moving

Go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, you can do this-

Post the pictures, tell the world, be glad of the health and fitness to complete a wonderful achievement. Don’t take it for granted the gift you have.

If this isn’t your fitness level or your goal this weekend, then just get out and run. We need to keep going, be grateful and acknowledge what a joy it is to be able to run. Many are denied the privilege. Put a smile on and go out to spread joy. Be an ambassador for health. Your mental health will thank you.

Have a lovely weekend wherever you are

#PWR

Notice: The Great Railway Run 25km - Sun 19th Apr 2026

The annual 25km Great Railway Run from Cork City to Carrigaline is coming up on Sunday the 19th of April 2026. 

Enter: You can enter online HERE

A bus service is provided between start and finish locations. Bus (€5) including return baggage transfer can ONLY be booked when registering.

The race will start at 9:30am on Monahan Road and takes in a 1.6 mile / 2.6km loop first which is shown below.

The race then proceeds along the route of the old railway line to Carrigaline finishing at the Lions Youth Centre on Church Road.

The route for 2025 is shown below. If there are any changes then the post will be updated closer to the date.

The run will roughly follow the route of the old Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway which ran from 1850 until 1932. 

More details on the event website.

There are two things that stand out for me about this event.

1) Point to Point... Most race routes take the form of some sort of loop where the start and finish points are near each other. This is one of the very few that goes from point to point. There's something special about starting an event in Cork City and ending up down in Carrigaline.

2) Prep for the Cork City Marathon... The Great Railway Run comes 6-weeks before the Cork City Marathon and it's a good opportunity to try out your planned marathon pace. Do a short warm up before the event and then run the 25kms are your marathon pace. You should be reasonably comfortable by the time you get to the finish line. If not, you might need to revise your plans. It's also a great training session as part of your marathon preparation.

25K Prizes...

€3000 in prize money sponsored by Phelans Pharamacy. Prizes will be awarded for best overall placings as well as for age categories. Strictly one prize per entrant. The Joe West Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to the fastest male and female in the 25K race. Cash prizes will be as follows:

Men Overall: 1st €500, 2nd €250, 3rd €120, 4th €75

Men Categories: Wheelchair, M40, M45, M50, M55, M60, M65 - 1st in each category €50

Women Overall: 1st €500, 2nd €250, 3rd €125, 4th €75

Women Categories: Wheelchair, W40, W45, W50, W55, W60, W65 - 1st in each category €50

The prize giving will be held after the race at approximately 12:45pm in the Carrigaline Lions Youth Centre on Church Road.

Raffeen with the railway crossing on the left

Results of the West Cork SCAR Duathlon - Sat 18th Oct 2025

 The Skibbereen Charity Adventure Race (SCAR) was held on Saturday 18th October 2025 with about 167 finishers overall.

The SPORT event had 14.5kms of running with 37.5kms of cycling and had 99 finishers. The shorter TASTER event had 7kms of running and 20kms of cycling and there were 68 finishers in that event.

Full results https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/SCAR/2025/SCAR/