Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 18th Jan 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 18th Jan 2025. Approximately 1276 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Report... The conditions were overcast and dry for this weeks 5k parkruns in Co Cork.

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 393 this week, 400 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Michael O DONOGHUE Male VM45-49 18:25

2 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:28

3 John COAKLEY Male JM15-17 18:30

19 Sinead BARNETT Female SW25-29 21:02

9 Mari BURKE Female VW45-49 21:56

33 Fiona VERLING Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:02

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/359/

Tramore Valley Park: 337 this week, 362 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Michael BYRNE Male VM40-44 17:41

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:37

3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:45

18 Deirdre WALLACE Female VW35-39 20:57

38 Sandra KEYES Female VW40-44 22:10

44 Emily OCONNELL Female SW25-29 22:28

Tramore Valley Park results...   https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/137/

Glen River: 92 this week, 66 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Aaron BEGGS Male VM35-39 North Down AC 19:02

2 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 Togher AC 21:31

3 Bryan GLENDON Male VM45-49 22:02

12 Claire COSTELLO Female VW40-44 23:45

24 Mary PAPPIN Female VW40-44 26:16

25 Fi OMEARA Female VW40-44 26:16

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/242/

Mallow Castle:  83 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 19:30

2 Fanahan MCSWEENEY Male SM30-34 19:47

3 John KELLY Male VM50-54 Mallow AC 19:59

9 Bernadette O'DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 22:23

13 Andressa LENIN BRAVO Female VW35-39 23:05

15 Ciara LEHANE Female VW40-44 Crusaders Athletic Club 23:34

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/165/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 58 this week, 65 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ruby DEVEREAUX Male JM11-14 16:53

2 James 0 MAHONY Male VM35-39 19:41

3 Robert RIORDAN Male SM18-19 20:02

4 Zena MULLANE Female VW35-39 20:23

9 Mary O DONNELL Female SW20-24 22:09

10 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:10

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/142/

Macroom Castle Demense: 94 this week, 71 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:53

3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 19:46

4 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 19:55

2 Martina KIELY Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:08

11 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 22:39

16 Edel O'LEARY Female VW40-44 23:41

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/510/

Clonakilty: 66 this week, 41 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 19:29

2 David HICKEY Male VM40-44 19:30

3 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 Ranelagh Harriers 21:16

5 Catherine FINCH Female VW45-49 21:42

9 Moira MCCARTHY Female JW15-17 24:45

11 Karina JONINA Female SW30-34 25:04

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/465/

Glengarriff Woods: 88 this week, 81 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 James MCCARTHY Male SM20-24 20:54

2 Shane O BRIEN Male JM15-17 21:24

3 Billy O MAHONY Male JM15-17 21:29

8 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 23:43

9 Ellen MCCARTHY Female SW25-29 24:04

11 Emma BURKE Female SW20-24 24:34

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/383/

Bere Island: 31 this week, 44 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Liam OCONNOR Male VM45-49 21:04

3 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 23:16

5 Adam WALSH Male SM20-24 25:36

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 22:47

4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:04

6 Livia SUTER Female SW20-24 25:42

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/475/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 34 finishers this week, 23 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 22:16

3 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 23:57

4 Donnacha MC CARTHY Male VM35-39 24:17

2 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 23:52

9 Rosalind BUTTERWORTH Female VW35-39 Petts Wood Runners 26:32

12 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 28:25

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/395/

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

Guest Post: Personal Satisfaction ...by Pat Walsh

 * Personal Satisfaction (PS) *

For 2025, may I introduce a new concept to your running. The idea of satisfaction with what you do, and gratitude to be able to do it.

So many people are unhappy with performance and times, so much that it takes from the overall enjoyment of being able to run. There is no long term future in that.

Elite athletes operate on a different level where their daily lives are structured around whatever type of training is required on any given day. Everything else will be made to fall into place around this. Rest, nutrition, coaching, psychology is fine tuned for maximum performance.

Us ‘normal’ runners are a different lot. We juggle daily domestic requirements, work takes another chunk of our lives and we are left to try to fit what we can into the rest of the week. We shoehorn training in around what we can get done. There is also injuries, recovery, sleep, nutrition, lack of full time physio assistance to be considered. What time will you be home to cook the dinner for us?

So before you beat yourself up after a race where you didn’t hit the time you wanted then ask yourself why?, but don’t be hard on yourself.

Maybe a better way to approach it would be, to do the best you can and then be willing to accept that and be satisfied.

Even with the best training there will be bad weather, a hilly course, or some other small thing to set you back. It isn’t a setback it is merely a recalibration of what you could possibly achieve on that day.

Some people avoid a challenging course as they will not hit a time. Forget that, make it a best performance for that course.

Before you go to your next race, try to approach it with anticipation and excitement, rather than fear and trepidation. It is much more enjoyable. 

When you are asked after the next race how did you get on you can reply:-

‘All things considered, I’m fantastic, there was tremendous personal satisfaction from what I achieved today’
or else, if that is too eloquent and full of bull say: 
’ I’m pleased'
’The Joy of Running can only be achieved through acceptance of oneself and our limitations…. 
‘Heaven can wait, I wanna dance one more time’ …Guetta

Have a lovely weekend

#pwr

Training programme for the 2025 Cork City Marathon

The Cork City Marathon is coming up on Sunday 1st June 2025. I have a standard 18-week training programme starting on the 29th of January which costs €144. 

The weekly programme is tailored for each individual and requires weekly feedback by email. It's suitable for anyone looking to do their first marathon or for someone who wants to improve their times.

There are also 14,16 & 18 week programmes for the half-marathon.

If interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

If anyone is interested in training for any other race then you can find details on the coaching page... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/p/coaching.html

Section of Blackrock to Passage Greenway to be temporarily closed - Spring 2025

Cork City Council has announced that a small section of the Blackrock-Passage Greenway (from Atlantic Pond to Holland Park Greenway access ramp) will be temporarily closed for 3 months to facilitate the construction of the new children’s playground and woodland walkways.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted onto the Marina Promenade, rejoining the Greenway at Holland Park.

Notice: The Great Railway Run 25km - Sun 13th Apr 2025

The annual Great Railway Run from Cork to Carrigaline will be held this year on Sunday the 13th of April 2025. 

Entries: You can enter online HERE

The 25km route is the same as 2024. It 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 2025 route is shown below...

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 7-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.

Event Beanies: Beanies with the Great Railway Run logo can be purchased during registration for €10. Anyone who purchased a beanie can collet it after the race at the Carrigaline Lions Youth Centre. A limited number of beanies may be available to purchase after the race.

Raffeen with the railway crossing on the left

Notice: Cork BHAA MTU 5k in Bishopstown - Sun 2nd March 2025

The Cork BHAA MTU 5k is coming up on Sunday the 2nd of March 2025 at 10am.

The entry fee is just €5 for registered BHAA runners and €10 for non-registered. You enter on the morning of the race.

There will also be a free MTU race mug for the first 400 to enter on the day.

Some key points...

• All parking will be in the tiered car parks.
• Registration/catering & prizegiving will take place in the MTU Arena and there will be pedestrian access from the tiered car parks.
• Entry is on the day, no pre-entry.
• Shower facilities will be available in the MTU Arena.
• The start of the race will be around the main entrance to the tiered carpark/swimming pool roundabout.
• The finish will be on the athletics track on the MTU campus.
•  The 5k is for over 16’s only.

From the organisers: "We are asking runners to bring their own reusable cup for refreshments after the race. MTU has a Ditch the Disposables campaign across all MTU campuses which involves removing single-use cups from all canteens as part of it’s commitment to environmental sustainability. "

Course... There is a slight change in the course this year and it's shown below...

The first km is mostly on a public road and this gives the field a chance to thin out it goes onto the Greenway behind MTU. It's a pretty flat course and there are no real hills to speak of. 

This is always a popular event and should get a good turnout.

Sharon Rynne of Leevale AC takes title at Tom Walsh 10k in Limerick - Sun 12th Jan 2025

While Sunday the 12th Jan 2025 was a quiet day for road races in Cork, the annual Tom Walsh 10k in Caherconlish, Co Limerick attracted a large field of 416 runners.

Sharon Rynne of Leevale AC was the first woman home in a time of 36:45 while fellow team mate Conor McCauley finished 3rd in the men's race.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Ger FORDE 31:13 523 M M40 Kilkenny City Harriers
2 Niall SHANAHAN 32:03 471 M M40 An Bru A.C.
3 Conor MCCAULEY 32:25 368 M M40 Leevale A.C.
1 Sharon RYNNE 36:45 469 F FS Leevale A.C.
2 Dee COLLINS 36:54 520 F F40 Ennis Track A.C.
3 Dymphna RYAN 37:53 461 F F40 Dundrum A.C.

Full results HERE

Guest Post: Mary Sweeney completes 200 parkruns! ...by Mick Dooley

Congratulations to Mary Sweeney on achieving her 200th parkrun this morning in Ballincollig, the Queen of road running in Cork and beyond . An amazing lady that travels the length and breath of the country to road races to represent both club and county for almost half a century. 

Mary & friends celebrate the 200th milestone

She reminded us all of this day 40 years ago when she won the home countries cross country in Mullingar. Mary has completed at every distance from 5k right up the marathon.  And thanks to the reintroduction of the Cork City Marathon in 2007 Mary got back on the Marathon shoes to bring her Marathon total to  53 marathons.

Mary with photographer extraordinaire Mick Dooley!

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 11th Jan 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 11th Jan 2025. Approximately 1154 runners and walkers took part in the 9 events in Co Cork.

Report... The milder conditions saw a return to more normal numbers this weekend with 9 out of the 10 parkruns going ahead. Despite the fact that Mallow was cancelled, the overall numbers still broke through the 1000 mark.

Tramore Valley Park... There was an exceptionally large turnout of 363 runners  and walkers this week, the second highest ever for the event.

Macroom Castle... Well done to Felicity Dawson who completed her 250th 5k parkrun this weekend! 171 of the 250 have been at the Macroom event.

250 parkruns for Felicity Dawson

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 400 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM50-54 Leevale AC 18:22

2 Daire REILLY Male VM35-39 18:28

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:45

18 Ella COLLINS Female SW18-19 Bandon AC 20:35

45 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 21:52

48 Davina FENTON Female VW45-49 Ballinora National School 22:15

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/358/

Tramore Valley Park: 363 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Steven BEASLEY Male VM35-39 17:59

2 Darragh O'CONNOR Male JM15-17 Belgooly AC 18:09

3 Owen DWYER Male VM40-44 18:13

14 Fiona RIORDAN Female SW30-34 20:19

24 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:57

29 Vikki DONNELLY Female VW35-39 21:06

Tramore Valley Park results...   https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/136/

Glen River: 66 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Marcus BISHOP Male M30-34 17:47

2 Jimmy BRAY Male SM30-34 Sanctuary Runners 18:53

3 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:57

25 Heather NORVEIL Female VW35-39 26:58

26 Claire MCGONAGLE Female VW55-59 27:12

31 Donna O' NEILL Female SW25-29 27:53

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/241/

Mallow Castle: CANCELLED this week, 55 last week.

First 3 men & women...

Mallow results... 

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 65 this week, 55 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Robert RIORDAN Male SM18-19 19:18

2 Thomas O NEILL Male VM35-39 19:57

3 Cian HOGAN Male JM15-17 21:09

7 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:17

9 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 23:30

10 Martha MORRISON Female VW45-49 23:33

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/141/

Macroom Castle Demense: 71 this week, 72 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul MC GUINNESS Male SM25-29 19:21

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 19:43

3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 20:16

18 Noreen STEWART Female VW40-44 25:05

19 Valerie NEVILLE Female VW45-49 25:08

25 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 25:21

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/509/

Clonakilty: 41 this week, 33 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Barry CRONIN Male VM45-49 22:07

2 Declan RICE Male VM40-44 22:43

3 Lennart LINDENFELD Male JM15-17 23:49

11 Laura WHITE Female SW25-29 26:47

12 Sophia KINGSTON Female SW25-29 26:53

14 Moira MCCARTHY Female JW15-17 27:39

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/464/

Glengarriff Woods: 81 this week, 50 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Trevor MCGUIRK Male VM40-44 19:48

2 Shane O BRIEN Male JM15-17 21:32

3 Liam OCONNOR Male VM45-49 21:46

8 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 25:00

9 Meave QUINLAN Female VW35-39 25:13

15 Lora SMITE Female SW18-19 27:24

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/382/

Bere Island: 44 this week, 31 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Andy JAMES Male VM45-49 parkrun World tourists 23:01

4 Adam WALSH Male SM20-24 26:04

7 Luke BROWNE Male JM10 26:29

2 Marina QUINLAN Female VW35-39 23:42

3 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:49

5 Livia SUTER Female SW20-24 26:05

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/474/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 23 finishers this week, 12 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 19:23

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 22:24

3 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 23:07

7 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 25:26

11 Frances LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 29:02

13 Therese LYNCH Female VW60-64 35:05

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/394/

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

Guest Post: Be Safe ...by Pat Walsh

 * Be Safe *

Hey folks, I hope everyone is safe and well. 

I didn’t run this week but then I think that might apply to most of you as well. Don’t worry about it.

We get these weeks every now and then, so it is important to accept it and don’t put yourself or anyone else in danger by taking a risk. 

Losing a weeks training may be a setback. A fall or an injury picked up could have far longer consequences for your fitness.

If you take a week off in Summer for a holiday then that is ok, so put this week in perspective, it shouldn’t have a major effect. 

'O Wind, if Winter comes can Spring be far behind?'...

It can be hard so early in the New Year when plans are swirling in the head and you are bursting to get going but don’t risk it.

Thanks for all the lovely comments with regards my injury. I may not be running for some time and getting my head around that has been difficult. I’m waiting for specialist appointment to plan a recovery and hopefully it will include the bike, as that will give some decent aerobic exercise and fresh air.

I’m not the first and won’t be the last to pick up a serious injury. It is the head now needs to come to terms with all of it.

I usually run a few days every week and have done since 'forever'. I have never missed an entire month and as of tomorrow I will be 6 weeks off the road. Eternity.

- Adaptations required

Relax, but that isn’t my strongest feature.
Rest, but I don’t understand the word.
Eat less, as I am now burning a lot less calories.
Stop looking at Garmin outputs as that only gives me envy.
Work on flexibility and strength… but until I have a clear picture, I’m afraid to do too much.
Patience, but I had to even check how to spell it ..! 
‘Patience, give me some of that sweet patience, Lord, I will keep my eye on my goal’ … 

- Positives to it all

More time for coffee.

I’m free to cycle on the Midleton - Youghal Greenway (hopefully) so if anyone wants some company let me know.

I’m not filling the washing machine with mounds of dirty wet gear from running.

I don’t have to get up early on Saturday Mornings.

More time for reading. Santa was good to me and I have a fine stash.

Fortune saved on entry fees to races but that will probably spent on more coffees..!

‘Even if the hopes you started out with are dashed, hope has to be maintained.’ ....

Have a lovely weekend and stay safe. The thaw is on the way.

#pwr

Upcoming road races on Sun 12th Jan 2025

With the arrival of milder weather and all of that snow melting, things should be back to normal in terms of travel this weekend. Unusually, things are a bit quiet in Cork as regards road races. 

Any runners in east Cork might be interested in a 5-miler organised by West Waterford AC in Colligan Woods near Dungarvan on Sunday.

 Waterford ... Sun 12th Jan 2025 (12noon)... Colligan Cup 5-mile... €10... Colligan Woods, NW of Dungarvan... info... entries...

For runners in north Cork, there is the Tom Walsh 10k in Caherconlish. Note the new earlier start time!

 Limerick ... Sun 12th Jan 2025 (11am)... Tom Walsh 10k race... €26.75... Caherconlish... Dry fit running top for first 500 to register... info... PLEASE NOTE THE NEW START TIME OF 11AM

In addition to these races on Sunday, there are of course the usual 5k parkruns on Saturday at 9:30am.

Some of the ones further north in Munster are cancelling due to the slow melt.

Mallow has cancelled.

Top Cork BHAA races of 2024...

The Cork BHAA races are some of the most popular on the road race calendar. In this post, we'll look back at what the most popular Cork BHAA races were in 2024.

As can be seen from the chart above, the most popular race was the John Buckley Sports 5k! In 2024, this one  had over 1000 finishers and I think that might have been a first for a Cork BHAA race.

The next three were the PwC 5k, the Gas Networks Ireland 5k and the Musgrave 5k and all three were a step above the rest.

The numbers gradually taper away and the races are a mix of warm summer evening races and cool winter morning events.

The least popular race was the ESB cross country 5k and this reflects the fact that most people don't like cross country.

In a previous post, I had a look at the Cork BHAA calendar for 2025... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2024/12/cork-bhaa-calendar-for-2025-announced.html

I'd have no doubt that the races this year will be as popular as ever.

Midleton Greenway 5k parkrun starts 1st Feb 2025

It's official, the new 'Midleton Greenway' 5k parkrun is starting at 9:30am on Saturday 1st February 2025!

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

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.

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

The official page for the new parkrun can be found at... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/

From Cork Sports Partnership... The inaugural event will take place this Sat, 1st Feb at 9.30am from the Midleton Greenway Car Park at the rear (north side) of Midleton train station. This is an out and back course on Midleton Greenway turning at Fitzfiddler’s Bridge.

Cork Sports Partnership, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and Parkrun Ireland are delighted to have funded and supported the start up of this new Parkrun for Cork!

 The event is a free timed 5km and is available for all abilities and fitness levels

Notice: Karen Fenton Memorial 5k in Ballinora - Sun 13th April 2025

The Karen Fenton 5K Memorial Run is scheduled to take place this year on Sunday 13th of April 2025 @ 12:30pm. The location is for the 5k is in Ballinora which is just to the south of Ballincollig in the western part of Cork City.

Entries open 1st Feb...You can enter online HERE

From the organisers.....The annual Karen Fenton Memorial Run will be hosted in Ballinora, Waterfall on April 13th, 2025. 

This event is a 5km road race, which is being organised and hosted by the Fenton Family, in association with St Finbarr's AC, in memory of Karen Fenton, who passed away from Ovarian Cancer, on the 30th of April 2017, aged 43. 

We are delighted to welcome runners and walkers back to Ballinora for this special community event for all the family!

​Any additional donations are welcome as we continue to fundraise for ovarian cancer and support services.

More info here... https://karenfenton.ie/

Location...Ballinora is located just south-west of Cork City and to the south of Ballincollig.

It can be accessed by taking Exit 1 on the Ballincollig bypass or going via Waterfall. See the course map below.

Course..... The 5k starts just to the north of Ballinora on a quiet country road.

The course is pretty reasonable with a gentle climb although it does have a bit of a see-saw finish...

There are two small hills at the end which while a bit testing are also quite short. An action packed last km! :o)

This is a video of the course from a few years ago...

Guest Post: IRISH 10-MILE RANKINGS 2024 ...by John Walshe

What follows is a ranking list over the popular 10-mile distance for all men (under 55:00) and women (under 65:00) for the year 2024.

This list shows the time (gun), name/club/category, the race and finishing position, along with the date. Where an athlete appears more than once, just the surname is used after the initial listing.

Although the popularity of the 10-mile distance cannot be denied, the standards up front show a decline in performances from previous years.

In 2024, the fastest women’s time was the 56:23 recorded by national marathon champion Ann-Marie McGlynn. In both 2022 and 2023 Aoife Cooke led the way with respective times of 54:19 and 54:50.

The numbers of performances for women under 60:00 was 20, compared with 18 in 2023 and 34 in 2022. The total to make the cut-off standard of 65:00 was 111, somewhat similar to 2023 (106) and 2022 (117).

However, the men’s list is somewhat more alarming. Just two men – Hugh Armstrong and Keelan Kilrehill – broke 50 minutes in 10-mile races in 2024. The previous two years showed nine (2023) and eight (2022).

Even allowing for the half-dozen or so not on this list who undoubtedly were inside 50 minutes in their half-marathons, it still leaves less inside this standard than some individual races had in the past.

The total number of performances for men under the 55:00 cut-off was also well down at 99, compared with 147 (2023) and 127 (2022).

The Irish Runner race in the Phoenix Park (which incorporated the national championship) saw the highest standard amongst the men with 21 finishing under 55:00 while Trim, with 17 under 65:00, was the top race for the women.

As usual, any additions or corrections are welcome and can be made on the comments section wherever this list appears.

MEN

49:29 Hugh Armstrong (Ballina) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 17
49:56 Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valle) Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 21
50:12 Armstrong Naas (1) Mar 03
50:28 Conor Duffy (Glaslough) Edenderry (1) Jul 14
50:50 Peter Somba (Dunboyne) Mallow (1) Mar 24
50:50 Sean Doyle (Cork City) Mallow (2) Mar 24
51:11 Ger Forde (KCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 21
51:12 Jamie Fallon (Craughwell) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 21
51:31 Conor Duffy (Glaslough) Trim (1) Feb 04
51:32 Jake O’Regan (St Johns) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 21
51:33 Somba Trim (2) Feb 04
51:37 Sean Tobin (Clonmel) Kilsheelan (1) Mar 17
51:37 William Maunsell (Clonmel) Kilsheelan (2) Mar 17
51:37 Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork) Cobh (1) Apr 07
51:57 Oisin Spillane (Ennis TC) Dungarvan (1) Feb 04
51:58 John-Paul Williamson (DCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 21
52:01 John Kinsella (Bilboa, M40) Dungarvan (2) Feb 04
52:01 Martin Hoare (Celbridge) Trim (3) Feb 04
52:02 Somba Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 17
52:05 O’Donoghue Kinsale (1) Feb 25
52:09 David Glynn (unatt) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 17
52:13 Glynn Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 21
52:19 Matthew McKeekin (Sligo) Sligo (1) Sep 22
52:24 Killian Mooney (DSD) Roscommon (1) Jun 29
52:26 Williamson Roscommon (2) Jun 29
52:32 Ieuan Hopkins (Brothers Pearse) Dungarvan (3) Feb 04
52:33 Gareth King (Portadown) Armagh (1) Oct 06
52:34 Conor McAuley (Leevale, M40) Mallow (3) Mar 24
52:37 Eanna O’Bradaigh (DSD) Edenderry (2) Jul 14
52:40 Somba Limerick (1) Apr14
52:42 Paul Moloney (Mallow, M40) Mallow (4) Mar 24
52:42 Eanna O’Bradaigh (DSD) Roscommon (3) Jun 29
52:44 Eddie O’Connor (Brothers Pearse) Dungarvan (4) Feb 04
52:53 Timothy Johnston (Annadale) Derry (1) Mar 09
52:53 Evan Fitzgerald (unatt) Cobh (2) Apr 07
52:53 Eoghan Barry (DCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 21
52:56 Pat Fitzgerald (Waterford) Dungarvan (5) Feb 04
52:57 Fitzgerald Kinsale (2) Feb 25
53:04 Liam Naughton (DCH) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (4) Aug 17
53:08 Karl Fitzmaurice (Shannon) Limerick (2) Apr 14
53:10 Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley) Derry (2) Mar 09
53:12 Edward McGinley (unatt, M40) Larne (1) Apr 13
53:13 Vinny Connolly (Mullingar) Kilcock (1) Aug 18
53:16 Shane Collins (Leevale) Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 21
53:19 Collins Mallow (5) Mar 24
53:20 Stephen Conroy (Clane) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 21
53:21 Mooney Edenderry (3) Jul 14
53:21 Brian Conroy (Clane, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(10) Jul 21
53:27 Mossy Bracken (Moycarkey-Coolcroo) Dungarvan (6) Feb 04
53:30 Tomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(11) Jul 21
53:31 Mihail Sprincean (Clonliffe) Stook (1) Mar 03
53:32 Brian Murphy (Iveragh, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(12) Jul 21
53:35 David Rooney (Raheny) Dublin (Irish Runner)(13) Jul 21
53:39 Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe, M4) Kinsale (3) Feb 25
53:40 Kevin Moore (Mullingar) Edenderry (4) Jul 14
53:42 Cillian O’Leary (Raheny, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(14) Jul 21
53:42 James Elgar (GCH) Corofin Loop (1) Nov 03
53:43 Fitzmaurice Churchtown (Mallow) (1) Nov 16
53:44 John Durcan (Togher) Cobh (3) Apr 07
53:46 David Mahon (GCH) Cobh (4) Apr 07
53:50 John Meade (St Finbarrs, M40) Mallow (6) Mar 24
53:50 Fitzpatrick Dublin (Frank Duffy) (5) Aug 17
53:51 Forde Trim (4) Feb 04
53:56 Gavin Kelly (Clane, M45) Dublin (Irish Runner)(15) Jul 21
53:58 Collins Cobh (5) Apr 07
53:59 Alexander Wallace (St Cocas) Castleblaney (1) Jul 27
54:00 Bracken Fethard (1) Jul 28
54:06 Michael Brady (Raheny) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (6) Aug 17
54:07 Barry Twohig (St Finbarrs, M45) Mooreabbey (1) Jul 07
54:12 Colin Griffin (Ballinamore, M40) Trim (5) Feb 04
54:15 Patrick Maher (unatt) Mallow (7) Mar 24
54:16 Karl Nolan (Clonliffe) Raheny (1) Apr 01
54:18 Mathew Glennon (Mullingar) Edenderry (5) Jul 14
54:18 O’Leary Kilcock (2) Aug 18
54:19 John Shine (Leevale) Mallow (8) Mar 24
54:20 Derek Griffin (unatt) Mallow (9) Mar 24
54:20 Somba Kilbeggan (1) Aug 04
54:21 David Meehan (Tulla) Dublin (Irish Runner)(16) Jul 21
54:22 Dermot Gorman (Carrick-on-Suir, M40) Dungarvan (7) Feb 04
54:27 Kevin Donagher (Rath-WSAF, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(17) Jul 21
54:28 Chris Madden (Beechmount) Larne (2) Apr 13
54:28 Mick Fogarty (Ferbane, M45) Edenderry (6) Jul 14
54:31 Chris Jeuken (Derg) Cobh (6) Apr 07
54:31 Tony Forristal (East Cork) Cobh (7) Apr 07
54:31 Louis McCarthy (Rath-WSAF, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(18) Jul 21
54:32 Donal Coakley (Leevale) Dublin (Irish Runner)(19) Jul 21
54:37 Gorman Edenderry (7) Jul 14
54:38 Michael McMahon (North Cork, M40) Mallow (10) Mar 24
54:39 Forristal Stook (2) Mar 03
54:43 Coakley Mallow (11) Mar 24
54:46 Gorman Mooreabbey Jul 07
54:46 Declan O’Mara (DSD, MJ) Edenderry (8) Jul 14
54:47 Griffin Dublin (Irish Runner)(20) Jul 21
54:47 John Lenehan (City of Derry) Motherwell (21) Mar 31
54:49 Shane O’Donnell (Rosses) Derry (3) Mar 09
54:51 Barry Sheil (Longford, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(21) Jul 21
54:53 Anthony Sharkey (Raheny) Raheny (2) Apr 01
54:58 Noel McNally (Roadrunners, M40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (7) Aug 17
54:59 Gorman Fethard (2) Jul 28

WOMEN

56:23 Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny, F40) Trim (1) Feb 04
56:58 Grace Lynch (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 21
57:08 Michelle Finn (Leevale) Cobh (1) Apr 07
57:13 Aoife Kilgannon (Sligo) Sligo (1) Sep 22
57:20 Catherine Mullen (Metro-St Brigids) Trim (2) Feb 04
58:25 Becky Woods (unatt) Naas (1) Mar 03
58:31 Niamh Moore (Leevale) Mallow (1) Mar 24
58:41 Noreen Scanlan (Lettterkenny, F40) Bundoran (1) Mar 02
59:09 Kealy Tideswell (Clonmel, F40) Mallow (2) Mar 24
59:09 Moore Roscommon (1) Jun 29
59:15 Ciara Wilson (DMP) Dungarvan (1) Feb 04
59:15 Breege Connolly (CNDR, F45) Sligo (2) Sep 22
59:16 Adrianna Mulligan (Longford) Trim (3) Feb 04
59:21 Claire Fagan (Mullingar) Ardagh (1) Dec 28
59:30 Caitlyn Harvey (Ro:sses) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 17
59:35 Heather Murphy (St Michaels, FJ) Edenderry (1) Jul 14
59:39 Murphy Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 21
59:45 Rachel Birt (Annalee) Kilbeggan (1) Aug 04
59:55 Tideswell Cobh (2) Apr 07
59:57 Tideswell Churchtown (Mallow) (1) Nov 16
60:09 Catherine Thornton (GCH) Trim (4) Feb 04
60:10 Faye Dervan (DCH) Kilcock (1) Aug 18
60:11 Sally Forristal (St Josephs) Dungarvan (2) Feb 04
60:14 Cristin Scollard (DCH) Dungarvan (3) Feb 04
60:33 Catherine Whoriskey (C of Derry, F35) Bundoran (2) Mar 02
60:35 Tideswell Kilsheelan (1) Mar 17
60:37 Caitlyn Harvey (RRAC) Trim (5) Feb 04
60:38 Sorcha McAllister (DCH) Edenderry (2) Jul 14
60:45 Helen McCready (Rosses, F35) Derry (1) Mar 09
60:48 Clare McGuigan (Lifford-Strabane,F40) Larne (1) Apr 13
60:53 Tideswell Stook (1) Mar 03
60:58 Fiona Roche (Raheny, F40) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 21
61:09 Sheila O’Byrne (Sli Cualann) Kilcock (2) Aug 18
61:16 Tideswell Stook (1) Nov 10
61:19 Dee Grady (Ennis TC, F35) Dungarvan (4) Feb 04
61:22 Sarah Mulligan (DSD) Edenderry (3) Jul 14
61:22 Robyn McKee (Annadale) Armagh (1) Oct 06
61:33 Lauren Dermody (Castlecomer) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 21
61:37 Sarah Flanagan (Raheny, F40) Raheny (1) Apr 01
61:37 Caroline MacNabb (East Down) Portaferry (1) Jul 16
61:43 Aisling O’Connor (Edenderry) Naas (2) Mar 03
61:45 Kate Kelly (Athlone) Athlone (1) May 18
61:46 Fiona Stack (Raheny, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 17
61:49 Mulligan Roscommon (2) Jun 29
61:54 Meghan Ryan (DCH) Trim (6) Feb 04
62:00 Sarah Baryga (Sli Cualann, F45) Trim (7) Feb 04
62:00 Noreen Brouder (Sportsworld, F45) Trim (8) Feb 04
62:05 Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry, F45) Trim (9) Feb 04
62:05 Caroline Hassett (Templemore, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 17
62:10 Noémie Leduc (Grange-Fermoy) Dungarvan (5) Feb 04
62:22 Dee Collins (Ennis TC, F35) Roscommon (3) Jun 29
62:27 Stack Bundoran (3) Mar 02
62:28 Evelyn Coughlan (Tullamore) Ardagh (2) Dec 28
62:35 Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry, F45) Raheny (2) Apr 01
62:35 Eavan McLoughlin (DCH) Edenderry (4) Jul 14
62:37 Maria Ní Mhaolagáin (Rosses) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (4) Aug 17
62:39 Catherine Murphy (Eagle, F45) Dungarvan (6) Feb 04
62:43 Dympna Ryan (Dundrum, F40) Fethard (1) Jull 28
62:43 Pamela Kirk (Roadrunners, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (5) Aug 17
62:45 Emma Furey (St Laur O’Toole, F35) Dungarvan (7) Feb 04
62:46 Evelyn Twomey (unatt) Dungarvan (8) Feb 04
62:46 Adele Walsh (St Senans, F45) Dungarvan (9) Feb 04
62:52 Ciara Cunningham (Tir Chonaill) Bundoran (4) Mar 02
62:52 Kirk Portaferry (2) Jul 16
62:54 Aoife O’Leary (Sportsworld, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (6) Aug 17
62:55 Aedin Corr (Donore, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 21
63:03 Sinead Lambe (Metro-St Brigids) Trim (10) Feb 04
63:08 O’Leary Trim (11) Feb 04
63:17 Ciara O’Connor (Edenderry) Trim (12) Feb 04
63:30 Maria McCambridge (DSD, F40) Roscommon (4) Jun 29
63:33 Aoife Cooke (Eagle, F35) Kinsale (1) Feb 25
63:33 Theresa Hughes (F40) Athlone (2) May 18
63:37 Nollaig O’Neill (unatt, F50) Dungarvan (10) Feb 04
63:38 Hassett Dungarvan (11) Feb 04
63:38 Murphy (Eagle) Kinsale (2) Feb 25
63:39 Kerrie Maher (Edenderry) Trim (13) Feb 04
63:45 Meghan McCarthy (KCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 21
63:49 Michelle Kenny (Leevale, F40) Kilsheelan (2) Mar 17
63:51 Elisoa Crawford (North Belfast, F50) Larne (2) Apr 13
63:54 Ciara Brady (Raheny) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 21
63:55 O’Leary Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 21
63:57 McCambridge Edenderry (5) Jul 14
64:01 Emma Boyle (Craughwell) Craughwell (1) Sep 01
64:04 Leduc Mallow (3) Mar 24
64:06 Sinead Murtagh (Newcastle & D, F40) Portaferry (3) Jul 16
64:16 Nadine Forde (Leevale, F40) Edenderry (6) Jul 14
64:16 Donnellan Kilcock (3) Aug 18
64:16 Niamh Staunton (St Abbans) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (7) Aug 17
64:16 Jane-Ann Healy-Meehan (GCH, F40) Craughwell (2) Sep 01
64:18 Catherine O’Connor (unatt, F45) Trim (14) Feb 04
64:18 Maebh Brannigan (GCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 21
64:23 Niamh Cronin (St Finbarrs, F45) Mallow (4) Mar 24
64:25 Murtagh Trim (15) Feb 04
64:25 Aisling Wyer (unatt) Naas (3) Mar 03
64:28 Murna Griffin-O’Malley (unatt, F45) Mallow (5) Mar 24
64:29 Murphy Cobh (3) Apr 07
64:30 Aoife Carroll (Sportsworld) Kilcock (4) Aug 18
64:31 Brady Raheny (3) Apr 01
64:33 Louise Smith (North Belfast, F50) Larne (3) Apr 13
64:34 Ciara Broderick-Farrell (Liffey Valley) Kilcock (5) Aug 18
64:36 Jane Bandila (Dunboyne, F40) Trim (16) Feb 04
64:38 Nadine McIntyre (Enniskillen) Bundoran (5) Mar 02
64:41 Healy-Meehan Coroifin Loop (1) Nov 03
64:46 Eiimear McCracken (Annadale, F40) Portaferry (4) Jul 16
64:47 Adrienne Jordan (unatt, F45) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (8) Aug 17
64:48 Dee O’Keefe (Brothers Pearse, F45) Dungarvan (12) Feb 04
64:48 Lauren O’Sullivan (unatt) Trim (17) Feb 04
64:49 Linda Grogan (Dundrum, F40) Danesfort Jun 09
64:52 Kathleen Law (Ballymena, F35) Larne (4) Apr 13
64:57 Siobhan Hoare (Togher, F45) Dungarvan (13) Feb 04
64:59 Breda Gaffney (Mallow, F50) Kinsale (3) Feb 25