Results of the Cork BHAA Radisson Blu 5k - Sun 1st Oct 2023

The Cork BHAA Radisson Blu 5k race was held on Sun 1st Oct 2023 with a field of 200 runners. Even though it was held on the usual BHAA 5k circuit in Little Island, this was a new race on the calendar.

Top 3 men & women...

Pos Name Cat Prize Time Company Team 
1 Brian G Murphy 0/40M M1 00:16:02 Uisce Éireann 
2 Tom McKenzie M2 00:16:24 Inua Hospitality 
3 Andrew Hobbs 00:16:32 Temp Reg 
14 Carol Finn 0/35F F1 00:17:55 Carol Finn Physical Therapy 
28 Vicki Spiteri 0/35F F2 00:19:04 HSE 
34 Elaine Cardiff 0/35F F3 00:19:32 Dept of Ed F-A-1

Full results HERE

Results of the Douglas Credit Union 5k - Sun 1st Oct 2023

First place finishes for Gavin Kenny & Linda Kelly

The annual Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k was held in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City on Sunday 1st Oct 2023 with 146 crossing the finish line, a jump of 62% on the figure for 2022.

Proceeds from this event went to two deserving charities, Cork Cancer Care Centre and Feileacain. 

Top 3 men & women...

Bib Pos. Name Club AG Chip Time Gun Time  
2983 1 Gavin KENNY Bandon A.C. M 16:13
2976 2 Conrad WATT M 16:44
2981 3 Jason O MAHONY Eagle A.C. M40 16:56
2899 4 Linda KELLY Carrigaline Road Runners A.C. F40 19:12
2428 9 Olive KELLY F40 19:30
2416 15 Norleen KENNY F40 21:49

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Pop Up Races has a gallery of finish line photos HERE

Running in Cork News Bites - September 2023

New feature! Sometimes I come across some news items of interest but I don't have the time to put up individual posts about them. I'll collect these here every month under the new News Bites post.

Here are a selection of short news items that I came across during the month of September 2023.

27th Sept 2023 - Rosscarbery 5k deferred... A 5k run is usually held in Rosscarbery in October every year. The upcoming event has been deferred until the Spring of 2024.

26th Sept 2023 - Record number of Junior parkrun events... The parkrun organisation have announced that a record 427 junior parkrun events were held worldwide last weekend. There are currently 7 in Co Cork with an 8th on the way in Haulbowline.

26th Sept 2023 - Dingle entries open Wed 27th Sept... The Dingle Marathon & Half-Marathon will be held next on Saturday 7th September 2024. Entries open on Wed 27th Sept 2023 and the entries for the half will be snapped up in no time. If you want to do it then enter asap. It's €84.73 for the full marathon and €73.83 for the Half-Marathon. - Update: The Half sold out on the 28th of Sept.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 30th Sept 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 30th Sept 2023. Approximately 339 runners and walkers took part in the 9 events in Co Cork.

Notes... Ballincollig was cancelled this week due to flooding, numbers for the other events were down due to the wet weather.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 252 this week, 302 last week. Long term average 285

First 3 men & women... CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING ON THE COURSE

Ballincollig results... 

Tramore Valley Park: 139 runners took part in this event, 179 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...

1 Fergal MURPHY Male SM20-24 18:07

2 Edmond BYRNE Male VM50-54 18:11

3 Eoghan CORMICAN Male SM30-34 18:40

8 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:50

12 Sophie O CALLAGHAN Female JW11-14 20:52

14 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 20:55

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/75/

Glen River: 46 this week, 70 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Mike GASCOIGNE Male VM35-39 UK parkrun tourists 20:36

2 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 21:19

3 John KELLY Male VM45-49 21:58

8 Maria FITZGERALD Female VW45-49 Ealing Eagles Running Club 23:10

15 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 27:53

17 Sarah BYRNE Female SW30-34 28:14

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/176/

Mallow Castle: 24 finishers this week, 50 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Daire O SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 17:54

2 Unknown    

3 Ken DEANE Male VM40-44 21:07

7 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 26:40

9 Mary WALSH Female VW55-59 28:14

10 Eleanor RYAN Female VW35-39 29:12

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/103/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 31 this week, 46 last week. The long term average is 57.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:31

2 Pj AHERNE Male SM30-34 19:56

4 Wojciech GASIOROWSKI Male VM45-49 Polish Runners Club Ireland 21:35

3 Breda LYNCH Female VW35-39 20:52

7 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 24:09

9 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:54

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/81/

Macroom Desmense: 24 this week, 35 last week. Long term average is 51.

First 3 men & women...

1 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 19:16

2 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 21:10

3 Diarmuid HOLLAND Male VM50-54 22:10

7 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 23:25

8 Claire CURTIN Female VW35-39 24:03

9 Carrie DESMOND Female VW40-44 24:44

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/445/

Clonakilty: 16 finishers this week, 33 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:24

2 John FREYNE Male VM55-59 26:13

4 Slarti BARTFAST Male VM50-54 26:58

3 Katie HARTE Female SW30-34 26:46

7 Niamh RYAN Female VW40-44 30:45

8 Rebekah FREYNE Female SW20-24 30:56

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/399/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 39 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 52 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:43

2 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 22:05

3 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 23:20 

9 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 25:10

10 Roisin COMER Female SW25-29 25:31

12 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:20

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/316/

Bere Island: 12 this week, 39 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 

1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:24

2 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:45

5 Laura OBRIEN Female VW35-39 28:36

3 Breandan MURPHY Male SM20-24 26:27

4 Tadhg HOBBS Male JM15-17 28:04

6 Darren MCGILL Male VM40-44 28:37

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/406/

Castlehaven: 8 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 23 last week. Long term average 28.

First 3 women & men...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 22:05

2 Brendan CROWLEY Male VM40-44 23:30

3 Owen COLLINS Male SM25-29 26:15

7 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:46

8 Mary HOURIHANE Female VW65-69 43:07

...

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/327/

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

Sports First Aid Training Course in Cork City - Q4 2023

Cork Sports Partnership are organising a series of  Sports First Aid courses in Cork City on four dates in Q4 of 2023. They run from about 9:30am to 3:30pm and they cost €42.40.

Considering the modest fee, a lot of clubs might consider paying for some of their members to attend.

The courses will be held at the Old Cork Waterworks Experience Events Centre on the Lee Road which is about 400m west of Thomas Davis Bridge.

From Cork Sports Partnership... "This Sports First Aid Training course is advisable for anybody who is involved or participates in sport ie coaches, parents, teachers, physical activity leaders etc. Delivered in person this course is interactive and delivered by ER Training. 

Upcoming Dates: Saturday 28th October, Sunday 12th November, Sunday 26th November, and Saturday 2nd December 2023

Contact Louise at lburke AT corksports DOT ie for questions or queries"

You can register HERE

Friday Jigsaw: Cork City Marathon 2023

For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo from the 2023 Cork City Marathon and someone in Bishopstown using a water hose to help cool down one of the runners. 

You can find the 150-piece jigsaw HERE

Brooks Shoe Trial at John Buckley Sports - Tues 3rd Oct 2023

Brooks are one of the current sponsors of the parkrun and they are holding a number of shoe trials and fitting around the country. On Tuesday the 3rd of October 2023, they will be at John Buckley Sports in Cork City which is across the river from the Opera House.

Parkrun Ireland sent out the following message... "Are you looking for the perfect shoe for your parkrun journey? Join our friends at Brooks and their team of Tech Rep experts as they travel around the country offering free shoe fittings and technical advice to all walkers, joggers and runners!"

📍John Buckley Sports - Mulgrave Rd, Camden Quay, Cork

📆 Tuesday 3 October

⏰ 17:00 for a 5k trial run

"Register for a free try-on event and 5k run at 17:00 from the retail store with the chance to trial the latest Brooks products, followed by post-run refreshments – what could be better?!"

You can register at this LINK

Dublin Grant Thornton 5k race numbers improve in 2023

One of the big road races this week in Ireland was the Grant Thornton 5k in Dublin on Tues 26th Sept with 3,011 runners crossing the finish line. It can be interesting to look at big races like this and see what the national trends might be.

As can be seen from the graphic above, there was some recovery in numbers in 2023 compared to a big drop in 2022. The Grant Thornton 5k race in Cork shows a similar pattern in that the numbers were much higher in the years before 2020 with a big drop in 2022 and then a modest recovery in 2023.

The Dublin numbers for 2023 are down 29% on the figure for 2019 while Cork shows a very similar pattern with a 30% drop for the same 2023 to 2019 comparison.

It also follows the pattern for a lot of road races i.e. numbers in 2023 were better than 2022 but not back to where they used to be.

The big question now is if the bigger race numbers will return over the next year or two or are the numbers for 2023 the new norm? With race entry fees rising, I suspect it'll be the latter.

Notice: Éalú Lua Adventure Race in Ballingeary - Sat 30th Sept 2023

The Éalú Lua Adventure Race takes place this Saturday (30th September) in Ballingeary. Participants will run, cycle & kayak around the picturesque villages, hills & valleys as well as Locha Lua.

Registration will close at the latest noon on Thursday. This is an ideal event for new to or starting out in adventure racing.

Update - 28th Sept 2023 : CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST

From the organisers... "A Chairde, We regret to inform you that due to the current and forecasted heavy rainfall and strong winds  we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Éalú Lua Adventure Race. We have sent an email with further information including refund details to all entrants. 

We apologise for any convenience caused. 

Ó foireann Éalú Lua."

📆 Sat, 30th Sept
📍 Balllingeary
⏰ 10am - Four waves
🏃🏻‍♀️ 5km Run
🚴🏻‍♂️ 20km Cycle
🛶 1.5km Kayak

Notice: Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k in Tramore Valley Park - Sun 1st Oct 2023

The fourth Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k is coming up in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City on Sunday the 1st of October 2023 at 11am.

The entry fee is €12 (plus €1 online fee) and all proceeds from this event go to two deserving charities, Cork Cancer Care Centre and Feileacain. 

ENTER HERE

(€6 for U16's... must be accompanied by an adult)

You can also enter on the morning of the event.

There will be prizes for top 3 men and women along with spot prizes for those taking part.

Runners, joggers, walkers and buggies are all welcome.

This is a chip timed race through popupraces.ie

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

Single use shoes help Ethiopian woman set new marathon world record in Berlin

At the 2023 Berlin Marathon last weekend, Tigist Assefa from Ethiopia set a new women's world record for the marathon with a finishing time of 2h 11m 53s. The previous record of 2:14:04 was set by Brigid Kosgei in the 2019 Chicago Marathon. The previous record to that was the 2:15:25 set by Paula Radcliffe in the 2003 London Marathon.

Assefa also ran the 2022 Berlin Marathon in a time of 2:15:37, which was the third-fastest women’s marathon in history at the time.

The improvement of the new record was 2m 11s and it's fair to say that the huge improvement will raise a lot of eyebrows. Irish sports journalist Cathal Dennehy made the following observations...

1) Tigist Assefa's time of 2:11:53 was faster than the first 11 men's winners of the Berlin Marathon (1974 to 1984).

2) It took until 1967 for a man to run a marathon this fast.

3) The half-marathon split of 1:06:21 would have been a half-marathon world record for women until 2001.

A lot of coverage has been given to the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes which weigh just 138 grams. Like other modern high tech shoes, these ones have a forefoot rocker which is designed to trigger forward momentum and increase energy return.

Not only do these shoes cost an eye-watering €500 but Adidas say that they are designed for 'one race – so one marathon – plus familiarisation time'.

The world record time was due in no small part to the technology of these new shoes but I'm sure a lot of people will question if there was something else.

Cork runner Michael Harty wins the Rathfarnham 5k - Sun 24th Sept 2023

The big race in Dublin over the weekend was the Rathfarnham 5k with a field of 996 runners. The winner was Michael Harty from Cloyne in East Cork who finished in a time of 14m 32s.

Top 3 men...
1 Michael HARTY 14:32 8231 M M40 East Cork A.C.
2 Daniel STONE 14:37 5051 M M DUB MS Raheny Shamrock A.C.
3 David SCANLON 14:38 5169 M M DUB MS Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.

Full results HERE

Notice: Paul Brunnock Memorial Run - Sat 4th Nov 2024

This brand new event is coming up on the Waterford Greenway near Dungarvan on Saturday 4th November 2023.

Here are the race distances with entry fee and starts times...

50K Ultra - € 35 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 8:30 AM

Full Marathon - € 30 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 8:30 AM

Half Marathon - € 25 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 9:00 AM

10K - € 15 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 9:30 AM

5K - € 10 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 12:00 NOON

ONLINE ENTRY... https://www.njuko.net/paulbrunnockmci

These are the basics as far as I know...

1) The start and finish point is near the Railway Cottage at Ballinroad which is just to the east of Dungarvan.

2) Each distance will be on the Greenway and it's a case of running out and back.

3) The various turn around points are shown above. The 5k goes straight out 2.5kms, turns around and comes back. 

The 10k turns around just before the Ballyvoyle Tunnel and also crosses the Ballyvoyle Viaduct. There are some great views of Clonea Strand and Helvick Head on the way back.

The Half runners get to run through the tunnel twice and cross two viaducts.

The marathon runners turn at the far side of the Coach House in Kilmacthomas while the 50k ultra runners turn a bit further on at the 25k mark.

4) As per the Greenway code, everyone should run on the left.

5) As you might expect with an old railway line, any gradients are very gentle.

From West Waterford AC... "PAUL BRUNNOCK MEMORIAL RUN. 

Many of you will remember back to the 2nd of January 2023 when word filtered throughout our club and the wider running community that we had lost Paul Brunnock. For anyone who knows Paul you will remember him in his West Waterford AC club running gear, most probably Blue shorts and his absolute love for running.

As it turns out Paul had always had an idea of using the greenway to host a running event. Paul being Paul couldn’t decide if it should be a fast 5k event or long a 50k event or, perhaps something in the middle. Paul left his idea on the long finger and unfortunately he never got to compelete it.

Our club West Waterford AC in association with Marathon Club of Ireland have decided to come together to complete Pauls vision. Together we will host the Paul Brunnock Memorial Run. Mark your calendar for Saturday the 4th of November 2023. 

When West Waterford AC and Marathon Club of Ireland will come together and host the Paul Brunnock memorial Run. A 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon and a 50k. 

We want to use the event to remember Paul and while it will no doubt be an emotional day, we hope to gather as many of Paul’s friends, fellow runners, club-mates and strangers to remember the great man we so suddenly lost. 

As it’s a memorial event we won’t be presenting prizes for winners but we can guarantee all entrants a special Paul Brunnock commemorative medal. More importantly than medals, we are presenting you the opportunity to participate in an event that originated in the mind of Paul Brunnock. 

Paul was a warrior on the roads. He completed it all. 5k’s, 10k’s, Half Marathon’s, Full Marathons, Back to Back Marathons, 50k’s, 100k’s, 100 milers the list goes on and on.

To quote another warrior ... “What we do in life echoes in eternity” 

What Paul achieved in his life will never be forgotten. Let’s all come together to celebrate Paul and let’s help to complete his vision of a running event on the greenway. 

(Blue Shorts Optional) " Stay Classy "

ONLINE ENTRY... https://www.njuko.net/paulbrunnockmci

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 23rd Sept 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 23rd Sept 2023. Approximately 779 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 252 this week, 302 last week. Long term average 285

First 3 men & women... 

1 Govinda O'SULLIVAN Male SM25-29 Eagle A.C. 18:09  

2 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:23

3 Jonathon KAKLAMANIS Male JM15-17 19:11

33 Mary SWEENEY Female VW60-64 St Finbarrs AC 22:46

55 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 24:22

62 Maria MADIGAN Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 24:50

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/295/

Tramore Valley Park: 179 runners took part in this event, 193 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...

1 Donncha HUGHES Male SM20-24 Blackrock AC 16:34

2 Shane COONEY Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:35

3 David MURPHY Male SM25-29 St Finbarrs AC 18:07

17 Sophie O CALLAGHAN Female JW11-14 20:33

28 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:08

40 Kelly FOLEY Female VW35-39 22:34

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/74/

Glen River: 70 this week, 74 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Alan SMITH Male SM30-34 Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC 19:39

2 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 19:47

3 Marko HRNCIC Male VM35-39 21:04

19 Misha PANKHANIA Female VW35-39 24:14

26 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:11

27 Apolline EHKIRCH Female VW35-39 26:30

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/175/

Mallow Castle: 50 finishers this week, 49 last week. The long term average is 64.

First 3 men & women... 

1 John CROWLEY Male VM35-39 20:55

2 Thomas CROSSAN Male VM35-39 20:56

3 Ken DEANE Male VM40-44 20:57

9 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:24  

11 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:26

12 Grainne POWER Female SW30-34 25:37

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/102/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 46 this week, 46 last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 James COADE Male SM30-34 19:48

5 Ronald ILSLEY Male VM60-64 22:34

7 Mike MCMAHON Male VM50-54 23:52

2 Breda LYNCH Female VW35-39 20:49

3 Sarah STANBRIDGE Female SW30-34 Crawley Saints and Sinners Running Club 21:18

4 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:18

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/80/

Macroom Desmense: 35 this week, 40 last week. Long term average is 51.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:26

3 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 22:03

4 Enda O'FLAHERTY Male VM40-44 22:46

2 Martina KIELY Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:23

11 Claire CURTIN Female VW35-39 24:40

13 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:17

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/444/

Clonakilty: 33 finishers this week, 29 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:00

2 Chris HAYES Male VM35-39 22:19

3 Declan MC PEAKE Male SM20-24 23:28

6 Emily GLEN Female VW35-39 23:50

8 Anna O'NEILL Female VW50-54 24:07

10 Claire ROCKALL Female SW30-34 24:42

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/398/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 52 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 68 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 21:19

2 Cathal D'HONDT Male JM11-14 21:38

3 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:40

7 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:20

9 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 23:05      

12 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:19

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/315/

Bere Island: 39 this week, 39 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 

1 Billy MORIARTY Male JM11-14 St Brendan's AC Ardfert 20:26

2 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 20:37

3 Peter JOHNSON Male VM55-59 Striders of Croydon AC 21:35

4 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 22:51

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:06     

10 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 26:15

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/405/

Castlehaven: 23 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 13 last week. Long term average 28.

First 3 women & men...

1 Joshua BRAIN Male VM35-39 Rogue Runners 20:21

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:12

3 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:22

4 Pinja HAIKKA Female VW35-39 Rogue Runners 22:40

6 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 23:07

8 Catherine AIREY Female SW30-34 Highgate Harriers 24:48

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/326/

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

Photos of the Farran NS 5k in Farran Woods - Thurs 21st Sept 2023

Farran National School held their annual 5k fun run in Farran Woods on Thurs 21st Sept 2023.

Joe Murphy has two photo galleries... Album 1 & Album 2

Results below...