Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 25th Sept 2021

The numbers were up slightly for this weeks 5k parkruns around the county and Bere Island has made a low key restart.

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers were up 14% this week with 283 taking part in this weeks parkrun. It is slowly getting closer to the long term average of 300.

First 3 men & women...
1 Peter SMALLCOMBE Male SM18-19 16:40
2 Nick HOGAN Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 17:45
3 Tony MC KEON Male SM30-34 18:54
16 Aine CROTTY Female SW30-34 KPMG Running Club 21:01
19 Clodagh KELLEHER Female JW15-17 21:21
36 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 22:45

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=196

Mallow Castle: 108 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun on the grounds of Mallow Castle which is up 17% on last week. Two weeks ago, the numbers were 107.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

2 Unknown

3 Brian BARRY Male VM40-44 18:45

5 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 18:58

22 Denise QUILTER Female VW35-39 Millstreet Athletic Club 23:08

27 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW35-39 23:35

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=3

Glen River: ...

Macroom Desmense: There was a modest turnout of 40 for this one in Macroom which is down slightly on the 43 of last week. The long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:34

2 Enda O'FLAHERTY Male VM35-39 20:50

3 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 20:51

14 Leah BRADLEY Female JW11-14 26:13

15 Elaine CURRAN Female VW40-44 26:21

17 Mairead MURPHY Female VW45-49 26:26

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=343

Clonakilty: 30 completed this weeks 5k parkrun which isn't too far off the long term average of 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM35-39 18:57

2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 20:39

3 Donal MCCORMACK Male VM35-39 20:52

5 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:09

11 Katie HARTE Female SW25-29 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 26:27

13 Karin CONNOLLY Female VW45-49 Bishopstown Orienteering Club 30:12

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=300

Castlehaven: ...

Bere Island: The 5k parkrun on Bere Island restarted in a low key fashion with 28 taking part. The long term average is 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

4 Unknown

6 Unknown  

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 25:51

3 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 26:46

5 Noelette BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 29:37

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=301

Glengarriff: ...

Ongoing...

Notice: Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k in Tramore Valley Park - Sun 3rd Oct 2021

Following on from the success of the inaugural event in 2019, the second Douglas Credit Union Charity 'Current Account' 5k is coming up in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City on Sunday the 3rd of October 2021 at 11am.

The entry fee is €15 + an online fee of €1.05.

ENTER HERE

You can also enter on the morning of the event.

Please note that there will be a draw for a free pair of NIKE AIR PEGASUS shoes for all those who pre-enter courtesy of John Buckley Sports.

Funds raised will go to two charities, RNLI Lifeboats & Cork Cancer Care Centre.

Access by car is of course via the South Link Road. There is a pedestrian entrance from near Douglas Shopping Centre but it's a fair bit away.

The 5k course itself is basically two 2.5km loops...

There are no real hills to speak of and the course is a mix of a compact gravel surface and tarmac.

More info about the park at this LINK

Considering its central location and proximity to the South Ring Road, it should get a good turnout.

Friday Jigsaw: Glen River 5k parkrun restarts - Sept 2021

Just to highlight the fact that the weekly 5k parkruns have restarted, this weeks online jigsaw is of a small group before the Glen River event last weekend. Photo courtesy of Mick Dooley.

You can find the 88-piece jigsaw HERE

12-Week Couch to 5k Running Programme for Beginners - Q4 2021

This 12-week running programme is designed with beginners in mind and get them used to running on a regular basis. The programme is tailored for each individual person and it's not some sort of generic one-size fits all plan. The plan is dynamic in that it adapts according to the progress being made.

The problem with fixed plans is that they are not going to suit everyone. Every person is different and each person progresses at their own rate.

With the 12-week plan, some people will able to run say the 5k distance early on in the programme. In that case, the remainder of the programme is used to move beyond the 5k distance. Others might take 12-weeks to get to their 5k distance. The priority is that each person is making gradual progress at their own rate.

This is how it works...

a) You'll have to answer questions initially so that a suitable programme can drawn up. This will be based on what you do currently and what time you have available. It's a plan designed to suit your life and work schedule as opposed to the other way around.

b) An email is sent to you every week with your individual training programme. You'll have to provide feedback every week and the following weeks plan will be based on this.

c) You really do have to follow the plan. There is no point dipping in and out of it or be off doing other things every weekend when you're supposed to be doing a training session. The plan can be adapted if training days are missed but they should be occasional.

d) The plan is targeted at someone who can't make the more typical Couch to 5k classes on offer and needs something more flexible.  

The cost for the 12-weeks is €69.

While the 12-week programme officially starts on the 27th of September 2021, the dates are flexible as it is tailored for each individual.

If interested, email: johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

Cork runners take podium places at the Castleisland 5k - Fri 17th Sept 2021

The third race of three in the Castleisland 5k Autumn series in Co. Kerry was held on Friday the 17th of September 2021 and there were several Cork runners in the podium places.

In the men's race, Kieran McKeown of Watergrasshill AC finished in second place with a time of 16:23.

Work completed on the running track in Carrigaline - Sept 2021

Update 22nd Sept 2021: The new running track in Carrigaline has now been finished and is open to the public.

As you can see from the photos above and below courtesy of Cork County Council, they made a fine job of it.

The track which is behind the Community Centre is about 430 metres in length and it connects in to the other paths in the Community Park so that bigger loops can be completed. As outlined below, it could form the basis of a very nice weekly 2k parkrun for kids if the local community got the ball rolling.

More info below...

Charleville Half-Marathon Entries Close Thursday 23rd Sept...

Just a reminder that entries for the 2021 Charleville Half-Marathon close on Thursday the 23rd of September.

More info in this previous post HERE

Or go to the race website to enter... http://www.charlevillehalf.com/

Notice: IMRA Glensheskin Woods Half-Marathon nr Fermoy - Sat 30th Oct 2021

This might be of interest to those of you who want to try something different.

The Munster branch of IMRA are holding a trail half-marathon in Glensheskin Woods near Fermoy on Saturday the 30th of October 2021. Note that it starts at 7:30pm so torches are required!

This is very much in the same format as the popular Ballyhoura Moonlight Half-Marathon which takes place in the Summer months.

ENTRY HERE

Some details...

DESCRIPTION: Glensheshkin Woods Half Marathon

COUNTY: Cork

DATE: Saturday 30 October, 2021

TIME: 19:30

CLIMB (M): 300

DISTANCE (KM):21.00

MARKING: Only major junctions marked - Only major junctions marked

GPS ALLOWED: Yes

ENTRY CLOSES: 2021-10-16 23:59:00

ENTRY LIMIT: 200

ENTRY COST: €30 Online entry only for this race.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION:Mostly runnable trail, but will include some short challenging sections

GETTING THERE:Kilworth Woods, Kilworth, Co. Cork. From the square in the centre of the village, follow yellow Avondhu way-markers and the sign for Ballyporeen (15km). After 1km, turn left into Glensheskin Wood and walk over the bridge into the carpark.

Map showing location of start HERE

This is the souvenir race mug...

As with all IMRA events, annual membership costing €10 is required. They also have some requirements for the event such as wearing jackets, etc. See the race page HERE

Bristol half marathon winner disqualified after finishing first in the wrong race

On Sunday the 19th of September, the Bristol Half-Marathon (21.1km) was held alongside the Bristol 10k in the Great Bristol Run. It wasn't without controversy however.

The first man home in the Half-Marathon was Omar Ahmed as shown above. The problem however was that he had entered the 10k race but ended up accidentally running the half marathon in just 63 minutes. It seems that he went the wrong way when he reached the point where the course split for the two distances. He was later disqualified.

A spokesperson for the organisers said... "Ahmed entered the 10K as an elite runner and not the half marathon. Therefore he was not officially part of the half marathon race and has to be disqualified. Rules are rules and in this case they say we have to disqualify Omar. We salute his performance, and he has been invited to take part in next week's Great Manchester Run as an elite athlete. Of course, we also look forward to welcoming him back to Bristol for 2022's Great Bristol Run."

What the organisers don't say is how could the lead man in the 10k take the wrong course? Was there not a lead bike for the 10k? Was the split in the course obvious with large signs?

Results & Photos of the IMRA Glen of Aherlow Trail Half-Marathon - Sat 18th Sept 2021

The main running event in Munster last weekend was the IMRA Glen of Aherlow Trail Half-Marathon on Saturday the 18th of September 2021 which attracted a field of 130 runners. Tom Blackburn was the first man home while the first woman finished in second place overall.

Looking through the results, there were plenty of runners from Cork in the event as well.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Tom Blackburn 413 M55 1:40:08 Mooreabbey Milers Limerick
3 Conor Murphy 195 M45 1:43:29 Cork and Kerry Trail Runners Kerry
4 Gearoid Kennedy 2151 M40 1:44:23
2 Sophie Daly 902 F 1:42:41 Kerry
29 Trish Dorgan 1125 F40 1:58:47 Cork
40 Miriam Beasley 361 F45 2:01:35 Star of the Laune AC Kerry

The full results are HERE

Photos... 
1) The organisers have a number of galleries... START... GALLERY 2 ... GALLERY 3 ... GALLERY 4 ... GALLERY 5

Guest Post: PWR / SRR Ballycotton 10-Mile ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Pat Walsh Running / Saturday Road Runners Ballycotton 10 **

Lovely morning when some of my crew and our welcome guests from SRR ran the Famous Ballycotton 10 route.

Why?.... Why Not?🤣🤣

Time to be getting out there again to mix with people and exercise in the beautiful Autumn day that we had. Peach of a morning and was even a little too hot towards the end but no complaining. 🤓🧐

Thanks Saturday Road Runnersfor travelling to us for the gallop. Hope you enjoyed the visit to the sunny East Cork. Weather always good here and I hope you behaved and got home safely. 

Winner on the day. No idea, think everyone who ran was a winner.

Well done to the lads who missed a sign and did the inaugural Ballycotton 15 mile. Must Map that route 😃

Life is for living and after 18 months it is time to go again.

Few more races on the horizon that I am signed for, and a few more hopefuls in the pipeline. Be very afraid as I might turn up to a venue near you.

I will attend and run and finish. Forget the watch, Take the pics,  Smile and move on. Racing is postponed until 2022

“Well we are all here again for the Ballycotton 10

Lined up and ready for to go” The Great Dick O’Brien.

#pwr

Current advice on carpooling while travelling to races - Sept 2021

Mountaineering Ireland is the national association for hillwalking clubs in Ireland and they recently got some guidelines from Sport Ireland about travelling and carpooling for their members. The guidelines for walkers would obviously apply to any runners travelling or car pooling as well. 

The advice is as follows:

• In line with the return of public and private transport participants may wish to return to the use of carpooling.
• Private transport carrying those not yet vaccinated or of mixed immunity should be aware of the higher risk.
• The use of appropriate face coverings is recommended.
• If carpooling, consider use of a pod system in which the same participants pool together for all activities.

For clubs that utilise private coaches etc. the advice is as follows:

1. While Public transport is operating at full capacity, Private Coach Tour activity is limited at 75% capacity with protective measures.
2. Sporting Organisations organising transport to/from events should implement private Coach Tour capacities (75%).
3. Protective measures such as physical distancing, mask wearing etc. should also be implemented.

Advice from Sport Northern Ireland for clubs, members and all other participants in Northern Ireland is as follows:

• When sharing transport e.g., private car when travelling to and from venues, it is important to maintain a flow of clean air through the vehicle. Ideally by opening windows back and front.

Podium finish for Cork runner Michelle Kenny at Galway Cross Country - Sat 18th Sep 2021

 

The Castlegar AC Open Cross Country was held at the Galway Race Course on Saturday the 18th of September 2021. There were 105 finishers in the adults races with the women completing a 4k course while the men ran 6k.

Cork runner Michelle Kenny managed to get a podium place with a third place finish.

Ladies 4k
936 1 Aoife Kilgallon Sligo A.C. F 0:14:30  
950 2 Breege Connolly City of Derry AC Spartans F40 0:15:07  
1263 3 Michelle Kenny Leevale A.C. F40 0:15:32

Results

To be honest, I only came across this result by accident! I was checking up on the result for someone I'm coaching and I noticed that a runner from Cork had finished in 3rd place.

The course was described to me as a "Good honest course with lots of uphill and downhill, lots of twists and turns, ground very firm."

There are a few members of Leevale AC also listed in the men's race.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 18th Sept 2021

It looks as if there was a slight uptick in numbers for the 5k parkruns in Cork this weekend with 569 taking part in contrast to the 525 for last week. The overall number for the seven events was down about 15% on the long term average. There certainly isn't any sign of a surge in numbers returning to the weekly events around the county.

The Bere Island parkrun is still on the missing list and they hope to return soon.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 248 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun which is up on the 210 of last week but still well down on the long term average of 300.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ger FORDE Male VM40-44 Crusaders Athletic Club 17:24
2 Hafiz ULAG Male SM20-24 17:25
3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:27
25 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:35
33 Clodagh KELLEHER Female JW15-17 22:30
34 Claire ROCKALL Female SW30-34 22:32

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=195

Photos:

1) Colette Ryan has a gallery HERE

Mallow Castle: 92 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in Mallow which was down on the 107 last week. One unusual feature of the results was that just one man finished ahead f the first two women.

First 3 men & women...

1 Barry MEADE Male VM35-39 18:21

4 Grzegorz KOZIMALA Male VM40-44 19:55

5 Aaron CAHILL Male SM30-34 19:59

2 Martina KIELY Female VW35-39 St Finbarrs AC 18:33

3 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 19:32 

27 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW35-39 24:17

 

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=2

Macroom Desmesne: 43 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in Macroom which is down on the 51 of last week. The long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig SHEAHAN Male VM55-59 Millstreet Athletic Club 19:30

2 Rory MCELROY Male JM11-14 West Muskerry A.C. 21:05

3 Ciaran SLATTERY Male VM35-39 21:13

7 Mcguinness MARINA Female VW45-49 2018 Operation Transformation 24:29

11 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 25:04

12 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 25:12

Macroon results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=342

Clonakilty: 29 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun at the Clonakilty Showgrounds which is down on the 38 of last week. The long term average is 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM35-39 19:14

2 Joe HALLISSEY Male VM40-44 19:51

3 Liam DOUGHERTY Male VM35-39 20:28

5 Debra O'LEARY Female SW30-34 22:00

8 Helen ANDERSON Female VW45-49 23:25

12 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 26:32

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=299

Glen River Park: 82 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in the northside of Cork City  which is up from the 56 last week. The long term average is 88.

First 3 men & women...

1 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 19:27

2 Edward AHERN Male SM25-29 19:53

3 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 20:04

12 Aileen O MAHONY Female VW35-39 22:42

21 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:48

31 Ann HIGGINS Female VW55-59 Sportsworld 25:38

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=71

Photos:

1) Mick Dooley has a small gallery HERE

Castlehaven: 25 turned out in Rineen Woods for the Castlehaven 5k parkrun which is up a bit from the 21 of last week. The long term average is 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 22:26

2 Brian MCCARTHY Male VM35-39 22:40

4 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 23:26

3 Laura MCNALLY Female VW35-39 22:51

5 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 24:10

6 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 25:26

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=221

Glengarriff: 50 runners turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods which is up on the 42 of last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women...

1 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:03

2 Kevin GLEESON Male VM35-39 22:05

3 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 22:29

7 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW50-54 25:15

8 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 26:00

9 Jacquie O'SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 26:27

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=215

Blackrock Greenway Closed until November 2021

The Greenway in Blackrock in Cork City is being upgraded at present and a new section closed on the 13th of September. The photo above from the Cork Cycling Campaign shows a barricade up on the Greenway near the pedestrian crossing over the N40 in Mahon.

Week starting: 13.09.2021 // Duration: Approx. 2 months work in this section of works.
​
Works Location: The closure that will be in place, will be from Blackrock Station to the Flyover Bridge on the N40.

​As can be seen from the map above, roughly 1.7kms of Greenway will be closed so it's going to have a big impact on users.

The diversion from the pedestrian bridge at the N40 is the Yellow dotted line which goes around by Mahon Point and up by the CSO office on the Skehard Road junction.

From there, the detour goes over by Church Road. The official detour is listed below.

If someone wants to avoid the works completely and go around by Blackrock Castle then it's an extra 1.5kms.
 
****
 
Diversions to be in place:
 
From Rochestown to Blackrock Station.
Exit Greenway at the bridge of the flyover and proceed to R852
Proceed up R852 to Skehard Road
From Skehard Road proceed to Church Road
Proceed from Church Road to Blackrock Road
Enter back onto Greenway at Blackrock Bridge.
 
From Pairc Ui Chaoimh to Rochestown
Exit Greenway at Blackrock Bridge
Blackrock Road
Church Road
Skehard Road
Proceed up R852
Follow the diversion on to bridge at Flyover.