Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland

Sunday, February 08, 2026

Results of the Skibbereen 10-mile & 5-mile road races - Sun 8th Feb 2026

The annual Noreen McCarthy 10-mile and 5-mile road races in Skibbereen were held on Sunday 8th February 2026.

In the 10-mile race, there were 75 finishers which is the same as 2025. In the 5-mile race, there were 9 finishers which is down on 2025 but still up on the 2024 numbers.

Top 5 men & women in the 10-mile...
 1 Jonathan Perrott Innishannon     59:47     59:47 MS 51
2 Mark Kelly Bandon   1:03:39   1:03:38 M40 20
3 Ivan Sweetnam Dunmanway   1:03:46   1:03:44 M45 78
4 Luke McCormack St Finbarrs AC   1:03:53   1:03:52 MS 28
6 Dylan Coleman Killeagh   1:05:12   1:05:10 MS 58
5 Julie O'Brien Durrus AC   1:04:13   1:04:14 F40 34
16 Linda O'Sullivan Glounthane   1:10:07   1:10:05 F55 46
25 Shona-Brid O'Sullivan Courcey AC   1:12:41   1:12:36 FS 49
33 Grace Good Aherla   1:17:47   1:17:43 FS 14
35 Ciara Magner Watergrasshill AC   1:18:06   1:18:06 F40 25

10-mile results

Top 3 men & women in the 5-mile...
1 Michael Dullea Skibbereen AC     26:39 M45 529
2 Justin Ryan Skibbereen     27:20 MS 942
3 Patrick O'Driscoll Drinagh     27:58 MS 950
11 Hazel White Clonakilty     33:36 FS 953
12 Orla Hayes Skibberreen     33:45 FS 940
15 Ellen McCarthy Skibbereen     34:20 FS 706

5-mile results

Members of Watergrasshill AC at the Skibbereen race. Donal O'Donoghue finished first in the M55 category in the 10-mile after running in the Cork BHAA 5k race earlier in the morning.


Results of the Cork BHAA J&J Innovative Medicine 5k - Sun 8th Feb 2026


The Cork BHAA J&J Innovative Medicine 5k was held in Little Island on Sun 8th Feb 2026 and attracted a field of 352 runners. This is the same race as the previous Janssen 5k as that company has changed its name to the parent company.

The numbers are down about 15% on last year and as the chart shows above, it's a case of the numbers returning to the 2024 levels. It's perhaps another sign that the numbers for the BHAA races have now levelled off as shown in this previous post.

Top 3 men & women...

 Pos Name Cat Prize Time Company Team
1 Frank O'Brien M1 15:03 Irish Rail
2 Aidan Noone M2 15:23 Dept of Ed M-C-3
3 Fearghal Desmond M3 15:26 Induct
19 Sharon Rynne 0/35F F1 17:38 Kepak
23 Carol Finn 0/35F F2 17:50 Carol Finn Physical Therapy
34 Breda Gaffney 0/50F F3 18:31 Avondhu MF

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has the following galleries...

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3

d) Finish 1 e) Finish 2 f) 

First place finish for Frank O'Brien

Saturday, February 07, 2026

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 7th Feb 2026



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 7th February 2026. Approximately 1355  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... After a chilly January, it was a nice mild morning for the first 5k parkrun of February.

ONGOING

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

Upcoming milestones....
a) Glen River #300 in late Feb
b) Youghal #200 in late Feb

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  361 this week, 345 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Alan O'BRIEN Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 17:23
2 Unknown   
3 Shane BUCKLEY Male SM30-34 18:24
26 Laura DENNEHY Female SW20-24 22:37
49 Simona VOSYLIUTE Female VW40-44 24:15
50 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW50-54 Eagle A.C. 24:15


Tramore Valley Park: 263 this week, 300 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Evan O'ROURKE Male SM20-24 Maree AC 16:37
2 Unknown    
3 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 18:13
15 Siobhan HOARE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 20:47
22 Sheila LUCEY Female VW35-39 21:38
26 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:59


Glen River: 70 this week, 69 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Scott HARKER Male SM30-34 20:05
2 Aaron HORNIBROOK Male VM35-39 20:43
3 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 21:16
11 Arnbjorg THEODORSDOTTIR Female SW25-29 24:18
14 Francesca ANDREWS Female SW30-34 Bitton Road Runners 25:35
19 Kamila JAKUBOWSKA-SWITAJ Female VW45-49 Fota Island Running Club 26:48


Midleton Greenway: 176 this week, 178 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Michael O DONOGHUE Male VM45-49 18:29
2 Cian DUNNING Male SM18-19 St Catherines AC 19:03
3 Paul FLYNN Male VM55-59 Swansea Harriers AC 19:09
8 Emma BELL Female SW18-19 20:53
14 Emily DIJKSTRA Female SW25-29 21:45
16 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 22:06


Mallow Castle: 110 this week, 88 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Thomas BROWNE Male SM20-24 16:32
2 John MCGUINNESS Male VM45-49 18:00
3 Matthew COOKE Male JM15-17 18:44
11 Kate O CONNELL Female SW20-24 22:21
19 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 23:29
21 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 23:44


Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 55 this week, 45 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 James MAHER Male VM35-39 19:04
2 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:28
3 Ian GEARY Male VM45-49 21:33
5 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 23:01
6 Martha MORRISON Female VW45-49 23:10
14 Cliona O'KEEFFE Female VW40-44 24:50


Macroom Castle Demense: 71 this week, 79 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Jack MURPHY Male VM35-39 Eagle A.C. 18:42
2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 19:17
3 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:07
19 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 23:34
28 Tina POWER Female VW40-44 24:57
30 Eimear COLUMBY Female SW25-29 25:30


Clonakilty:  64 this week, 58 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Niall MCCARTHY Male SM30-34 17:21
2 Colman MURPHY Male VM50-54 18:32
3 Eoghan MINIHAN Male JM15-17 19:46
31 Moira MCCARTHY Female JW15-17 27:53
33 Helen O'LEARY Female VW65-69 27:58
35 Katie HARTE Female SW30-34 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 28:41


Glengarriff Woods: 117 this week, 100 last week.

Top 3 men & women...
1 David MCCARTHY Male VM35-39 21:11
2 Micheal COPPINGER Male JM15-17 21:44
4 Jay MURDOCH Male VM40-44 22:10
3 Rachel HAWKER Female SW30-34 Kenmare Athletics Club 21:46
8 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 24:16
9 Jacobo ESCURÍS Female SW20-24 24:38


Bere Island: 45 this week, 56 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Tom DICKINSON Male VM35-39 22:40
3 Tadhg HOBBS Male SM18-19 24:13
5 Cian TWOMEY Male JM11-14 25:38
2 Laura O' SULLIVAN FENTON Female VW40-44 Beara AC 22:59
4 Clare O SHEA Female SW25-29 24:18
6 Jane MCINTYRE Female VW50-54 26:14


Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 23 finishers this week, 22 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 David LEONARD Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 22:52
2 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 23:06
3 James LAVERY Male SM30-34 23:08
13 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW45-49 Manchester Tri Club 30:57
14 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 31:11
15 Louise LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 32:41


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

Guest Post: Lifebuoy ...by Pat Walsh

 * Lifebuoy *

Last Sunday I ran in Dungarvan at the John Treacy 10 mile race. First long run in 14 months. The sun shone and I was pleased. It was slow but honest, running every step of the way. It was the 1st of February, the start of Spring and it was a glorious sunny day to match my cheery disposition. Thanks Sheila and Anna for the team-tagging to get me around.

Great to meet so many friendly faces again and thanks to the organisers for another fantastic event. It gets better every year and getting 3000 runners around the course and over the line without a snag is a testimony to your professionalism. 

Injuries happen but if you honestly believe in yourself you will find a way back. Giving up wasn’t an option. Expectations will have to change, patience is needed by the bucket load and the watch will become an irrelevance bar logging your mileage. You must learn to ignore what others are doing and just focus on yourself and what you can and can’t do. 

What is ahead? Not sure. One thing I have learned (finally) is that after any prolonged effort of training and achieving a goal race, then the next step is a rest. Too many of us, myself included, ploughed straight into the next Big Thing without any sort of recovery built into a plan.

You will go backwards, that is in no doubt, but ultimately you cannot move forward if you don’t allow the body to rest, little niggles to clear up and build up reserves for whatever lies ahead.

Am I justifying my resting or taking a week off because the weather has turned s***e again. You decide?

New Year ahead and so much to look forward to. Make your plan, dream your dreams and get out there. No-one can do it for you, only yourself.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Have a lovely weekend and if you are running don’t forget a lifebuoy and a snorkel.

John Treacy Dungarvan 10 Mile 

#pwr

Friday, February 06, 2026

Friday Jigsaw: Pat Walsh & Co at the Dungarvan 10


It's been a while since I put up a jigsaw! This 150-piece online jigsaw is of Pat Walsh & company at the 2026 John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race last Sunday.

You can find it HERE

Thursday, February 05, 2026

Notice: Karen Fenton Memorial 5k in Ballinora - Sun 26th April 2026



The Karen Fenton 5K Memorial Run is scheduled to take place this year on Sunday 26th of April 2026 @ 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...You can enter online HERE

Entries will also be taken on the day for the same price.

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

The Karen Fenton Memorial Run 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.

Kids welcome to join for a fun walk/run. Or for those athletes amongst the kids they are most welcome to be chipped and timed.

Any additional donations are welcome as we continue to fundraise for Ovarian Cancer treatment, diagnosis and support services.

Teams are encouraged. Perhaps chat with your colleagues, form a team or teams and compete!

Visit http://www.karenfenton.ie/ for more information.

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...


Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Notice: Midleton Greenway 10-mile race - Sun 8th March 2026


The second running of the Midleton Greenway 10 Mile Race will take place on the new Midleton to Mogeely Greenway on Sunday March 8th 2026, at 11am.

Entries: You can enter online HERE

Entry Fee: €30 (+ booking fee). Please Note: Entries Limited

Online entries close midnight Thurs 5th March


The map above shows the route and it really is dead flat. The race starts at the start of the Midleton Greenway, goes as far as the old railway station in Mogeely and then turns back.

The turnaround point in Mogeely is shown below...


The route crosses one small country road and this will be manned by stewards. A view of the Greenway is shown below...


Nice and quiet. You run on the left on the way out, you run on the left on the way back.

There will also be a special beanie for all participants.

It's also worth mentioning that this is a fundraiser for a new athletics track in the East Cork region.


The group behind this is CEASC - Cork East Athletic Sporting Community. This is a big project and will take years before it's completed but this event will help to promote and fund the project.


Just one more thing. Everything is very close for the race. The race HQ is the GAA club which is across the road from the railway station. You go through the railway station and over the footbridge and you're at the start of the Midleton Greenway. More info below...

Info from the organisers.... Our second undertaking of this 10-mile race, takes place on Sunday, March 8th on the Midleton to Mogeely Greenway (that's 5 miles out and back).  This flat, fast course, with course records set by Michael Harty (50mins 16 secs) and Hannah Steeds (57 mins 33 sec) in last year’s inaugural race, will yet again attract athletes from near and far.

A vibrant atmosphere is guaranteed along the race course, and the safety of the Greenway is ideal for families to come along and support competitors on the day.

But this isn't just another race; all proceeds will go towards delivering a regional athletic sporting hub to, and for, all communities of Cork East. This sporting hub will provide all weather and all year round, fully inclusive spaces, delivering opportunities for all ages and all abilities to enhance their physical and mental health, build friendships and strengthen communities through competitive and recreational sport.

Lead group at the turnaround point in the 2025 race

Our team of race organisers have been busy planning this race for the past few months and are delighted with the support from Cork County Council, Iarnród Éireann and our race sponsor Eirgrid.

This is an Athletics Ireland registered event, hosted by hosted by Aghada Running Club in association with CEASC.

Route: The race will start on the new Greenway which is on the north side of the Midleton train station (Eircode: P25 RX85). Participants will then head east along the Greenway to Mogeely where they will turn and return to Midleton. This is as fast a course as you could get.

Start Area: Midleton Greenway at North Side of Midleton Train Station

Race HQ & Registration: Race HQ, Registration and Post Race Refreshments will be Midleton GAA Club (Eircode: P25 TD73) which is directly opposite the main entrance to Midleton Train Station.

Main Entrance to Midleton Train Station &  Race HQ Midleton GAA Club

Also the train from Cork which stops in Little Island, Glounthaune and Carrigtwohill will bring you directly to the race start and Registration HQ.

Prizes: Male and Female Overall: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place

Note: The 1st place Male and Female prizes will be doubled if the winning athlete breaks the course record.

Category Prizes:  Female: 1st and 2nd place in each of the following age categories: O35, O40, O45, O50, O55, O60 and O65

Male: 1st and 2nd place in each of the following age categories: O40, O45, O50, O55, O60, O65 and O70

Loads of Spot Prizes

Note: This is a community fundraising event. Tickets will be non-refundable

More details on the CEASC Website... https://www.ceasctrack.com/

Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Midleton 5k parkrun is 1-year old


The Midleton 5k parkrun started on the 2nd of February 2025 and it is now one year old! The numbers are shown in the chart above and it really has been a great success. Let's have a look at some stats.

a) The first event had 636 finishers.

b) There were 51 events in the first year and the average number of finishers per week for the full year was 165.

c) The most obvious aspect of the chart is the large initial surge in numbers. If we take out the first four events, we get an average of almost 147 for the rest.

d) Looking at the chart, it seems to take about 8 weeks for the novelty factor to wear off so if we ignore those first 8-weeks then we get an average of about 140. This could probably be considered to be what the real average is for the event at present. 

e) Looking back at my own stats, I put up two posts on the blog about this parkrun starting... one in Dec of 2024 and one in Jan of 2025. The associated posts I put up on the Running in Cork Facebook page got about 43,000 and 89,600 views respectively. It's obvious that there was a lot of interest in this new event in Midleton.


The 'Surge Problem'... This is a problem facing new 5k parkruns starting up near urban areas.

Parkrun tourism is a thing and some people will travel far and wide to take part in inaugural events. Hence, the huge spike of 636 finishers.

Add to that, you have the novelty factor as people try out a new parkrun for the first time to see what it like. In the case of Midleton, it seems to have taken about 8-weeks for this to end and for the numbers to level off at a more natural level.

Problems... The caveat here is that the Midleton example is a sample size of one but it's a useful template for what other new events would experience.

a) Parking... Can a new event cope with the influx of cars for the inaugural event and the first few weeks?

b) Course capacity... Is the course wide enough to cope with all of those people for the first few weeks? 

c) Volunteers... While experienced volunteers from nearby parkruns are likely to help out with the start of a new parkrun, the core team of any new parkrun are a group of people learning the ropes while the numbers are at their highest.

The big numbers put a lot of stress on the system... timekeepers trying to count all finishers, the person trying hand out all the finish tokens, the funnel person trying to keep everyone in sequence and all of the barcode scanners trying to record everyone.

Solution???... I have heard that some new parkruns try to keep the inaugural event quiet and not to announce it in advance. A small number of local people know about it and they manage to get the first event completed without any big numbers or drama.

It's only a partial solution however as after the inaugural event, the cat is out of the bag and the novelty factor kicks in.

Looking forward, there's talk of a new 5k parkrun in Carrigaline and they are likely to experience some of the same issues as Midleton.

At least these are 'good problems' to have, it would be worse if the numbers were so poor that there weren't enough volunteers for an event to be viable or carry on.

Notice: Skibbereen 10-mile & 5-mile road races - Sun 8th February 2026


Skibbereen AC are holding their annual 10-mile road race in west Cork on Sunday the 8th of February 2026. There is also a 5-mile option for anyone preferring a shorter distance.

This is very much a traditional type of road race with loads of refreshments afterwards (i.e. tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes, etc) and there are hot showers in the GAA club changing rooms.

Proceeds from both races go towards the Palliative Care Services in Skibbereen Community Hospital and St Patrick's BNS classes for children with autism.

Entries HERE

Registrations will also be taken on the day at the O Donovan Rossa GAA pavilion from 10:30am onwards. The entry fee for the 10 mile is 25 Euros while the entry fee for the 5 Mile run is 20 Euros.

The 10 Mile race will get underway at 1pm with the 5 Mile Run starting at 1:15pm.

Sunday, February 01, 2026

Results & Photos of the John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race - Sun 1st Feb 2026


In contrast to some previous years, the weather was stunning for this years John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race with blue skies and sunshine. Almost 3000 runners took to roads for this race in west Waterford, the largest of its kind in Munster.

Despite what the final times might suggest, there was a real tussle in the men's race for first place. From my elevated vantage point, I could see that at about 9.5 miles that both Jake O'Regan and Killian Moon were running together. However as you can see from the photo I took above with about 450m to go, Jake had opened up a commanding lead on the final hill.


In the women's race, Emily Sisson from the US was the clear winner with a time of 53m 22s. Emily has a marathon best time of 2h 18m.

Top 10 men & women...

1 Jake O'REGAN 48:47 2102 M MS St. John's A.C.
2 Killian MOON 50:04 2123 M MS Donore Harriers A.C.
4 Paul MOLONEY 50:41 2118 M M45 Mallow A.C.
5 Evan FITZGERALD 50:45 2122 M MS West Waterford A.C.
6 Kane COLLINS 51:07 2099 M MS Donore Harriers A.C.
7 Sergiu CIOBANU 51:32 782 M M40 Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
8 Damien MADIGAN 51:48 552 M MS North Cork A.C.
9 Sean DAVIN 51:56 298 M MS St. Finbarrs A.C.
10 Mark WALSH 52:09 2097 M MS Leevale A.C.
1 Emily SISSON 53:22 4458 F FS New Balance
2 Jessica COYNE 55:56 4140 F FS Leevale A.C.
3 Dee GRADY 56:41 4456 F F35 Ennis Track A.C.
4 Kealey TIDESWELL 59:22 3248 F F40 Clonmel A.C.
5 Lauren DERMODY 59:28 3015 F FS Castlecomer A.C.
6 Niamh STAUNTON 59:36 4257 F FS St. Abbans A.C
7 Elle O'DRISCOLL 1:01:20 4182 F FS Liffey Valley A.C.
8 Carol FINN 1:01:37 3601 F F35 Leevale A.C.
9 Caroline HASSETT 1:01:54 3189 F F40 Templemore A.C.
10 Mollie O'DONNELL 1:02:13 3565 F F35 Liffey Valley A.C.

Full results HERE 

Photos... (Updated 2nd Feb 21:13)

1) There are about 1600 photos up on the Running in Cork Facebook page...

a) Pre-race b) Just after the first loop - 1 of 3 c) Just after the first loop - 2 of 3 d) Just after the first loop - 3 of 3

e) Last hill 1 f) Last hill 2 g) Last hill 3 h) Last hill 4 i) Last hill 5 j) Last hill 6 k) Last hill 7 l) Last hill 8 m) Last hill 9 n) Last hill 10 o) Last hill 11 p) Last hill 12 q) Last hill 13 r) Last hill 14 s) Last hill 15 t) Last hill 16 u) Last hill 17

2) MyRunResults have a small gallery of some of the faster runners HERE

3) Mick Dooley has loads of high quality photos... a) 1-mile mark b) 3-mile mark c) Top finishers d) Finish line

4) Sportsphoto Ireland has about 500 photos HERE

5) John Troy has plenty of photos HERE

6) Maurice Cronin has a batch of photos... Start ... 9m mark ...

Video...

1) Anthony Foley has an aerial view of the start HERE

6.000 EURO DONATED TO CHILDRENS HEALTH FOUNDATION CRUMLIN BY RUNNERS OF THE DUNGARVAN 10

From West Waterford AC... "This year our charity partners at the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 was the Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin and we were delighted that you the runners through your generosity and also from the race organisers West Waterford AC donated 6,000 euro to this most worthy charity.


Our thanks to Catherine Sheehan Community Engagement Executive children’s foundation Crumlin came along on Sunday and was presented with the cheque on behalf of all who donated to the cause.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 31st Jan 2026



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 31st January 2026. Approximately 1340  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... After weeks of ice and rain, it was a lovely day for this weeks 5k parkruns in Co Cork and the numbers swelled to over 1300 finishers across the eleven events.

Tramore Valley Park... Well done to Catherine Lordan who completed her 100th 5h parkrun this weekend! 47 of these were at TVP while 50 were in Ballincollig.

Ballincollig... Well done to Jane Moffat who earned her 250th parkrun volunteer credit 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) Glen River #300 in late Feb
b) Youghal #200 in late Feb

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  345 this week, 224 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Unknown   
2 Shane BUCKLEY Male SM30-34 18:39
3 Tony MC KEON Male VM35-39 18:44
20 Fiona KAVANAGH Female SW25-29 21:49
31 Lauren CLARKE Female JW15-17 Westport AC 22:37
43 Maressa MILLS Female VW40-44 23:35


Tramore Valley Park: 300 this week, 206 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Oisin WHYTE Male SM20-24 18:10
2 Michael O REGAN Male VM50-54 18:40
3 Kevin PURSER Male VM50-54 Sinfin RC 18:57
16 Carmel CROWLEY Female VW55-59 20:28
21 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 20:39
42 Tania HELEN Female SW30-34 22:24


Glen River: 69 this week, 58 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:08
2 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 Togher AC 21:15
3 David CLARK Male VM35-39 21:35
10 Mags HASSETT Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:42
15 Magdalena SMIGAJ Female SW30-34 24:27
17 Caroline GREENOUGH Female VW55-59 Steel City Striders RC 24:42


Midleton Greenway: 178 this week, 85 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Noel CONROY Male VM40-44 18:42
2 Jamie BUCKLEY Male SM30-34 18:58
3 James 0 MAHONY Male VM35-39 19:10
8 Emma BELL Female SW18-19 20:49
11 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 21:06
17 Lily MURRAY Female SW20-24 21:59

Mallow Castle: 88 this week, 67 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Thomas BROWNE Male SM20-24 16:53
2 Vinny GRIMES Male SM30-34 19:49
3 Noel O DONOGHUE Male SM25-29 20:04
18 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW40-44 23:41
22 Sadhbh O LEARY Female JW11-14 24:20
25 Aoife O FLYNN Female VW35-39 24:28


Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 45 this week, 20 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Alan COLEMAN Male VM35-39 19:48
3 Pj AHERNE Male VM35-39 23:19
4 Tim LLEWELLYN Male JM10 24:32
2 Éadaoin COLEMAN Female VW40-44 22:14
8 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:52
10 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 25:54


Macroom Castle Demense: 79 this week, 55 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Henry BROWNE Male VM45-49 18:54
2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 19:03
3 Tony OSULLIVAN Male VM45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 21:29
19 Mary MCHUGH Female VW40-44 24:55
27 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:30
28 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:37


Clonakilty:  8 this week, 25 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Alex O SHEA Male VM50-54 St Finbarrs AC 19:15
2 Tadhg COFFEY Male JM10 21:20
3 Noah O'SHEA Male JM15-17 21:50
8 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 23:15
13 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 23:55
14 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 24:07


Glengarriff Woods: 100 this week, 88 last week.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Peter LITTLE Male VM50-54 20:06
2 Darren ALLMAN Male SM20-24 20:42
3 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 21:14
5 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 21:28
10 Meave QUINLAN Female VW40-44 24:45
26 Mary MANNION Female VW60-64 29:26


Bere Island: 56 this week, 41 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:15
3 Julia O SULLIVAN Female SW18-19 24:26
7 Emma FENTON Female JW11-14 24:54
2 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 21:45
4 Tadhg HOBBS Male SM18-19 24:35
5 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 24:44


Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 22 finishers this week, 14 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 19:08
2 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 21:46
3 Stephen CONNOLLY Male VM45-49 23:47
4 Sharon LEVIS Female VW45-49 26:22
9 Kamila JAKUBOWSKA-SWITAJ Female VW45-49 Fota Island Running Club 28:40
11 Sharon POULTER Female VW45-49 29:20


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

Friday, January 30, 2026

Notice: Ballintotis 4-mile road race - Thurs 23rd April 2026


As the evenings gradually begin to get brighter, it's good to look forward to the Ballintotis 4-mile road race in east Cork. The race is on Thurs 23rd April 2026 at 7:45pm.

Enter HERE


From the organisers... All Set For Year 15 In Ballintotis

As the evenings gradually begin to get brighter, it's good to look forward to the Ballintotis 4-mile road race in East Cork. This year's race is on Thursday 23rd April 2026 and please note it will begin at 7:45pm. This is an important consideration if you're coming from the city and going through the tunnel. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time.

At the ready - the start of the Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race in 2025

Entries opened on Sunday February 1st at https://eventmaster.ie/event/LdBbtp3H76.  It's year 15 this time around with another very big line up expected to take part - the 2025 race saw exactly 1,200 finishers - the second highest in the history of an event which is organised by the Ballintotis Road Race Committee in association with East Cork AC. 

A year ago three former race winners led the honours list as Leevale's Ryan Creech won the race for the second time in a new course record  of 19:05, getting the better of Sean Doyle of Cork City AC by 16 seconds, with East Cork's Michael Harty finishing third in a high class field.  Fiona Everard of Bandon AC, made a winning debut at the venue to take the ladies honours and has since gone on to enjoy a stellar cross country season at home and away.  

Olympian Lizzy Lee from Leevale is the current ladies course record holder (21:22), with her Irish International colleague Claire McCarthy posting the second fastest time around the course.

Runners head for the Finish Line in Ballintotis in 2025

Once again another top quality athletics occasion is set to take place at the picturesque location.  The usual comprehensive prize list awaits again with entry fee priced at €15 (including service charges) for Athletics Ireland members - non members pay an additional €2.  Intending participants should note that there is an option of  number postal service for an extra cost - this option will however not be available after Tuesday April 14th.  Alternatively  race numbers can also be collected  on Wednesday April 22nd (5pm to 8pm) or on race day Thursday April 23rd from 1pm until 7pm at Ballintotis Community Centre. Just like recent years, this year's race will also incorporate the Cork County Road Championships.

The history books tell us that this 4 mile race formerly took place in Castlemartyr, but East Cork AC moved the race to Ballintotis, which has proved a hugely popular location, with the venue boasting in excess of 1,000 participants on a number of occasions. The scenic 4 mile loop includes a lap of road bordering Loughaderra Lake in the closing stages. Again this year's race offers great value for money with a very attractive prize structure of 1st to 6th overall and a full list of category prizes in all age groups (1st, 2nd and 3rd). As always all participants will receive the famous Ballintotis running buff.

Ballintotis - home of the big race on Thursday April 23rd

In the inaugural race 15 years ago James McCarthy took top spot with a time of 19:54. McCarthy went on to win the race a remarkable eight times in a row, his best time being 19:23 set in 2016. Then in 2018 ... a new man was on the podium as another East Cork A.C competitor Michael Harty won in style and in the process set a new course record of 19:15, with the previous record also being broken by Sergiu Ciobanu who was runner up. Following the 2 year covid break the race has bounced back in style and continues to be one the most popular and high profile 4 mile road races in Ireland. Ryan Creech has since broken the course record on two occasions.

Race HQ - Ballintotis Community Centre

*Finally,  please note updated info regarding this year's race with details of car parks etc will be highlighted in the week before the race..  

Email enquiries to ballintotisrace AT gmail DOT com  OR call 089 4175296

Further ongoing updates will also be available on Ballintotis Community Council facebook page

Flooding of the Clonmel parkrun course - Jan 2026


While many of the parkrun in Ireland get cancelled due to ice on the course, the Clonmel 5k parkrun has to put up with flooding as well when the River Suir bursts its banks.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Looking ahead to the 2026 Dungarvan 10-mile road race - Sun 1st Feb


The big race in Munster this coming weekend is of course the John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile on Sunday 1st of February.

Entry List... The race sold out back at the end of December 2025. The full list of the 3587 people who entered can be seen HERE

The gender split is 59% male and 41% female. 34% of the male field is under the age of 40 while 33.4% of the female field are under 40. 

I think a lot of people not involved in running think that it's a sport for young adults but the reality is very different. Most of the adults in road races and in athletic clubs are in the masters category.

Entries for this race opened on the 1st of Dec 2025 to Athletics Ireland club members only and there were 1,600 in the first week. When it opened to all on the 8th of December, the overall numbers swelled to 2600 by 5pm of that day. Overall, 48.5% of the entries are non-club entries.

Course... This is the 10-mile course...


There is a small loop at the start and then the route is mostly a big loop to the west of Dungarvan.

This is the start of the race...


The white line above show how the 3000 or so runners will be spread out for the start of the race. 

Once the race starts, the fast runners are off straight away but it will take a while before the back of the field will start moving. That's pretty normal and it doesn't matter because your time doesn't start until you run under the start line gantry.

However, it's important that the runners at the back stay on the right hand side of the road and clear the Collins Rd junction as soon as possible. A few minutes after the start of the race, the front of the race with cars, lead bikes and fast runners is going to come flying around the corner from Collins Road.

If you're going to use the portaloo then give yourself plenty of time. You don't want to be on the left hand side of the road a few minutes after the race has started and then find a wall of fast runners blocking you from getting to the start line.

This map shows the early and late stages of the race...


Early stages - Yellow arrows - You can see the loop at the start... then south on the Cork road until you turn right at about 1.9 miles and up a gradual hill. You then run past the finish line area... past the 3-mile mark and the start of the loop to the west.

Late stages - Pink arrows - There is a gradual climb up from the Brickey River to the 9-mile mark and then in along the flat towards Dungarvan. Before the roundabout, you turn left and up a slight hill and then around two corners to the finish line.

Overall there are a few small pulls along the route but it's a reasonably fast 10-mile route.

Weather Forecast... It looks pretty good. The isobars are well spread out so it's likely it will be cool but dry with light winds.

Addition info from West Waterford AC...

Parkrun Cork page now updated with links to previous posts...


I recently updated the Parkrun Cork page on the site with links to all the previous parkrun related posts. See HERE   (scroll down the page a bit to see them) 

It's interesting to follow the journey of parkruns getting established in Cork... from starting about whether it might be an idea to start parkrun in Cork... to now where there are eleven.