Running Events - Weekend 23rd & 24th Oct 2021

If you fancy a run somewhere this weekend then there are plenty of events to choose from the calendar.

There are THREE that I will highlight...

BHAA race in Little Island: The Cork BHAA are restarting again with a 5k race in Little Island on Sunday. While the race will be in the usual format, the general idea is that you stay outdoors as much as possible. It's not a case of going back to sit down in a hall later for a cuppa and a chat.

"Entrance to the hall will be via a queue outside the building to minimise numbers indoors at any time. Masks must be worn inside the hall and toilet areas. Once registered, runners will be asked to leave via the emergency exit. There will be no waiting around inside the hall. If you are with a group of runners, we advise having one person register for the group."

More info in this previous post HERE

New 5k parkrun in Youghal: There is a new 5k parkrun in Youghal starting on Saturday and this should be great for all runners in the East Cork / West Waterford region. It's just off the bypass so it's very easy to get to. More info in this previous post HERE

2km Junior parkrun in Cobh: After a very long absence, this 2k parkrun for children is restarting on Sunday 24th October.

The running events in the southern counties of Ireland are shown below...

 - - - October 2021 - - -

...

 Kilkenny ... Fri 22nd Oct 2021 (7:30pm)... Kilkenny City Harriers Streets of Kilkenny 5k... €21.40... T-shirts to first 500 to register...

 Dublin ... Sat 23rd - Sun 24h Oct 2021... KBC VIRTUAL Dublin Marathon ...€10 ...Virtual event... 

Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (9:30am)... 5k parkruns - Various locations - Free
Cork - Ballincollig, Glen River, Mallow, Macroom, Clonakilty, Castehaven, Glengarriff Woods, Bere Is , Youghal /// Kerry - Killarney, Tralee, Listowel, Inch /// Limerick - University of Limerick, Newcastle West, Mungret /// Clare - Ennis, Kilrush, Clarisford, Illaunmanagh /// Tipperary - Clonmel, Templemore, Borrisokane, Knockanacree /// Waterford - Waterford City, Tramore /// Kilkenny - Kilkenny Castle /// Carlow - Carlow town, Tullow /// Wexford - New Ross, Gorey, Wexford Racecourse ///

 Kerry … Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (9am)... Brandon Bay Half-Marathon… €43…Beach race…

 Clare ... Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (9am)... Run Kilkee Half-Marathon... €58.85... finishers top & medal...

 Clare ... Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (12:30pm)... Run Kilkee 10k... €37.45... finishers top & medal... 

 Kerry ...Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (11am)... Hardman Valentia Half-Marathon... €42.80... 

Cork... Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (5pm)... Rosscarbery Steam Engine 5k... €15...

Sun 24th (9:30am)... 2k Junior parkruns - Various locations - Free - For 4 to 14 yr olds
Cork - Cobh ///

Cork... Sun 24th Oct 2021 (11am)... Cork BHAA 5k race ... €5 reg / €10 non-reg... Little Island...

 Kerry ... Sun 24th Oct 2021 (9am)... Tralee Half-Marathon... €35... T-shirt & medal...

Friday Jigsaw: Belfast 24-hour

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to last weekend and the top three men and women in the Belfast 24-hour ultra running event.

Photos courtesy of John O'Regan.

You can find the 209 piece jigsaw HERE

Guest Post: Belfast 24-hour ...by Alex O'Shea

The Belfast 24-hour is held every year in Victoria Park in East Belfast with contestants running on a 1-mile loop for 24 hours. It also doubles up as the Irish 24-hour championships. 2021 results HERE

In this guest post, Cork runner Alex O'Shea gives his account of the event.

Belfast 24-hour ...by Alex O'Shea

Warning it's a long one. 

The National 24hr running Championships took place 16/17 October in Belfast. A new national record set. Congratulations Ed & team. I like many look forward to reading Eds account and was fortunate to witness his endeavour.

Some personal big mile stones reached with 33 people running over 100miles and a few people running personal bests in difficult conditions. First timers and veterans all rising to the challenge.
So many people 
So many amazing stories.

Athletes encouraging and supporting each other through the many highs and lows in what is 24hr ultra running. But as their are highs there are lows and many people withdrew for various reasons during the event. 

New 200m running track planned for Bweeng in Co Cork

In this post, we'll look at how three local clubs in a community are coming together to build a sports facility in Co Cork and could serve as an example for other projects in the county.

The village of Bweeng is located about 14kms to the south-west of the town of Mallow and has a population of just over 500. Despite the low population, the local athletics club... Bweeng Trail Blazers, the local soccer club and local GAA club are planning to build a sports facility which will include a 200m running track.

While some are obsessed with the need for 400m tracks, the reality is that a smaller 200m track will satisfy probably 90% of the needs of a juvenile athletics club. Children involved in athletics tend to concentrate on events like sprinting, hurdles, turbo javelin, shot put, high and long jump and all these can be catered for with a 200m track.

Here is a video about the project...

If you would like to support this project then they are selling tickets for a raffle with a very generous first prize.

For more information, go to https://www.bweengsportsfacility.com/

Notice: Online talk by coach Steve Macklin

As outlined in a previous post, Cork Sports Partnership are currently promoting their 'Celebrating Athletics in Cork Week 2021'.

They have sent on a poster for one of the talks which will be given by endurance running coach Steve Macklin. This will be given online by Zoom on Tues 26th Oct 2021 and it's free.

More info on the events and how to register on the Cork Sports Partnership website HERE

Results of the Irish 24-hour championships in Belfast - Sun 17th Oct 2021

The 2021 Belfast 24-hour race was held last weekend and this was also the Irish 24-hour championships.

There were 99 contestants in the 24 hour event with an impressive 33 going over the 100-mile mark.

The first man was Ed McGroarty who completed 256.57kms in the 24 hours which will be a new national record once confirmed. In a previous post, I had a report of how Ed had run from Mizen to Malin in a new record time last July.

From a Cork point of view, Aidan Hogan of Rising Sun AC put in another impressive performance to finish in second spot to take a national Silver medal.

Alex O'Shea of St Finbarrs AC finished in 5th place just three weeks after completing the 250km Spartathlon in Greece!

Thanks to John O'Regan for the following photos...

Belfast 24hr & Irish Championship - Men

1. Ed McGroarty (Lifford /Strabane AC) - 256.57Km (TBC as *NR)
2. Aidan Hogan (Rising Sun AC) -243.36Km
3. Keith Russell (Navan AC)- 232.67Km
* National Record

Belfast 24hr & Irish Championship - Women
1. Aoife Mundow (Drogheda & District AC) - 211.76Km
2. Lorraine McMahon (Wexford Marathon Club)- 206.81Km
3. Joanne Rice (Navan AC)- 186.9Km

Notice: Rebel Run 10k & 5k in Cork City - Sun 7th Nov 2021

The Rebel Run 5k & 10k is coming up on Sunday 7th November 2021 at MTU (a.k.a CIT) Bishopstown in Cork City. The 5k starts at 9.30am with the 10k starting at 9.45am. 

Entries HERE

This is a very popular event and is organised by Cork Sports Partnership, MTU Sports Department and Leisureworld. The numbers are limited this year so it is likely to sell out faster than usual. 

From Cork Sports Partnership... "The Cork Rebel Run first took place in October 2012 and has grown to become a popular event on the running calendar in Cork ever since. Organised by Cork Sports Partnership, MTU Sports Department/Athletics Club and Leisureworld Cork, the event has grown over the years to now host over 1000 participants annually.

The addition of the inclusive Rebel Run a Mile programme and a number of community Couch25Ks over the last few years ensures that people of all abilities and fitness levels are part of the Cork Rebel Run events. 

The Cork Rebel Run will take place on Sunday November 7th 2021. To ensure a safe and enjoyable return numbers are limited so early registration is advised."  

The event will have chip timing and there is also a dry fit top for all participants.

More info on the event website... https://www.corksports.ie/cork-rebel-run/

Entry Fee > 10k €20 // 5k €15

Courses...The 10k can be seen HERE

The 5k course starts with the 10k, takes in the walkway riverside behind CIT and finishes on the track as well. Approx 5k course HERE

Guest Post: Be The Best You Can ...by Pat Walsh

** Be The Best You Can**

A lot of long posts recently, (sorry) so I will try to be brief this week.🤣

‘Be the best you can’….. could mean a lot of different things to many of us in running terms and it is important.
We all have different abilities and yes we can all improve.
Being realistic, some of us will never win a race, while others have that ability but maybe are not living up to it.
Finding out where you are and improving to your OWN potential is something we should aspire to. We owe it to ourselves.
.
Don't worry if some of your buddies are faster. Due to genetic make-up, strength, age, height and stride length we have our limitations and there will always be someone faster.

Domestically we might not have the time to train, but I question that sometimes as it can be a handy opt out.
How many have settled for the back of the field and the social side of it all. You can still have fun but the cuppa is nicer if you are a minute quicker.
On the flip side how many have the ideal make-up and do not push on further as they are comfortable coasting along without over stressing themselves.
🏃

We are only getting one shot at this so don’t waste your life on what other runners are doing. Just take a long hard look at yourself and see where can you go to just improve yourself and maximise your own potential.
May be a tough read on a Friday morning, but let it sink in and see where your thoughts and dreams may lie.
🏃

2022 is a bit away yet, but now is the time to dream and plan it.
Just think of the person you saw at a race one time, who came in well down the field but was ecstatic when they finished. Kissing, hugging, Laughing, Crying (all pre-covid)
What personal goal did they hit? 
What dream was fulfilled that day? 
How hard and for how long had they to work to achieve it?
It could be you.🥰
🏃

'My Goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be..'
Have a nice weekend, be kind, have fun and smile 😃
#pwr

Results of the Bere Island 5-mile road race - Sat 16th Oct 2021

A grand total of 72 runners turned out for this 5-mile road race on Bere Island in West Cork. The 2020 edition of this race was cancelled in 2020 and when it was held in October of 2019, it had 94 finishers so it's down around 23% this year.

Top 3 men & women...

1128 1 Conor Murphy Kenmare A.C. M40 0:32:23 0:32:23  
1121 2 Patrick Mc Carthy M50 0:32:43 0:32:43  
269 3 James Murphy Tara A.C. M40 0:33:15 0:33:15
1544 6 Deirdre O'Sullivan Beara A.C. F40 0:35:10 0:35:10  
277 9 Clare O Shea F 0:36:16 0:36:16  
1129 10 Nina Murphy F30 0:36:29 0:36:29

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe & Anne Murphy have a gallery HERE

And they're off!...start of the 2021 Bere Island 5-mile - Photo: Anne Murphy

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 16th Oct 2021

Results of this weeks eight 5k parkruns around the county...

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers were up 13% this week with 320 taking part and it's the first time they have gone above 300 since the parkruns restarted. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:15

3 Nick HOGAN Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 17:39

13 Rosaleen MACKEOWN Female VW45-49 Leevale AC 19:22

16 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:41 

18 Aoife MAHONY Female VW40-44 Cork Triathlon Club 19:44

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=199

Mallow Castle: 80 finishers this week, 84 last week. The average of the 5 events at Mallow Castle is 95.

First 3 men & women...

1 Donagh POWELL Male SM30-34 16:56

2 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:22

3 Unknown

6 Gillian MURPHY Female SW30-34 Star of the Laune AC 20:26

17 Ciara KIELY Female JW10 North Cork AC 23:10

26 Davina CROWLEY Female VW40-44 24:40

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=6

Glen River: 69 took part this week, up 1 on the 68 of last week. The long term average is 87.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 18:08

2 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC  18:40

3 Barry WALSH Male VM35-39 20:10

9 Anita LOCKE Female VW35-39 St Finbarrs AC 24:36

27 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 26:02

28 Aoife O'NEILL Female SW30-34 26:25

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=75

Macroom Desmense: 30 this week, down from the 42 of last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:38 

2 Unknown 

3 Simon FOLEY Male VM35-39 21:42

7 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 25:14

8 Leah BRADLEY Female JW11-14 26:09

12 Sinead TWOMEY Female VW35-39 27:16

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=346

Clonakilty: CANCELLED DUE TO HORSES ON THE COURSE!

First 3 men & women...

Clonakilty results... 

Castlehaven: 18 finishers, 23 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:40

2 Aidan HOLLAND Male VM35-39 25:26

3 Danny SMITH Male VM60-64 26:19

5 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 29:58

6 Siobhan RYAN Female VW40-44 2018 Operation Transformation 30:35

9 Catherine QUIGLEY Female VW60-64 Crosby Stormers 31:27

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=225

Bere Island: The numbers were up to 40 this week from last weeks 28. Perhaps it's due to the Bere Island 5 mile race in the afternoon? Long term average is 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 James LONG Male VM35-39 Cork Triathlon Club 20:11

2 Rade INIC Male VM45-49 Petts Wood Runners 21:20

3 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 21:33

4 Mary FITZSIMONS Female VW55-59 Tralee parkrunners on Tour - TpoT 21:36

10 Clare MURPHY Female VW60-64 25:23

11 Madeleine ROLINSON-LORD Female SW25-29 25:30

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=304

Glengarriff Woods: After the cancellation due to flooding last week, 34 turned out this week. Long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:39

2 Dominic MANNING Male VM35-39 23:37

3 John BELCHER Male VM50-54 23:51

6 Stacey O SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 25:33

9 Chloe COPPINGER Female JW11-14 26:45 

10 Alice COPPINGER Female VW40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 26:45

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=218

IMRA Halloween Half-Marathon places head towards selling out

In a previous post, I had info about the IMRA Halloween Half-Marathon in Glensheskin Woods near Kilworth in NE Cork coming up on Saturday the 30th of October 2021.

There is an entry limit of 200 places on this event and as of now, there are about 50 40 30 18 7 6 5 4 2 1 left!!

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

It may not sell out yet but if you are thinking about it then you should really enter asap.

The IMRA link is HERE

Notice: Celebrating Athletics in Cork Week October 2021 ...from the Cork Sports Partnership

Cork Sports Partnership are teaming up with communities, athletics clubs & local instructors to roll out the first ever ‘Celebrating Athletics in Cork Week’.

By day, different clubs & communities will host FREE Little Athletics events for kids aged 6-12 & by night, we have a variety of informative workshops & webinars!

On Fri, 22nd Oct from 6-9pm in MTU Athletics Track, the first ever Teenage Track & Field Development Night will take place. This is aimed at teenagers who have an interest in T&F

For more information & registration on Little Athletics Events click here

For more information & registration on the informative webinars & workshops click here

For more information & registration on the Teenage Youth Development Session click here

Friday Jigsaw: Barrs at the 2017 Ballycotton 10 mile road race

 

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to the 2017 Ballycotton 10-mile road race and members of St. Finbarr's AC waiting for it to start.

You can find the 216 piece jigsaw HERE

Notice: Run Killarney Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 13th Nov 2021

The Run Killarney Half-Marathon and 10k is usually held every year in July but couldn't go ahead this year because of all the restrictions. Now that the restrictions have been eased, it will be held on Saturday 13th November 2021.

The event website is here... https://runkillarney.com/

The event includes a dry fit top and a medal.

The Half-Marathon has a start time of 8:30am while the 10k starts at 8:50am.

This will obviously be of interest to anyone who wants a weekend away in Killarney.

Half-Marathon: The start of the half has traditionally been up at Molls Gap with the competitors running down to the finish line outside the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney.

While restrictions have eased, there would obviously be issues transporting a lot of people by bus up to the start line. As a result, the course is closer to the national park.

10k: The 10k follows the same route to the half except it turns around sooner.

Full details including how to enter can be found on the event website... https://runkillarney.com/

Results & photos of the IMRA trail race in Rochestown Woods - Sun 10th Oct 2021

 

A total of 78 runners turned out for this IMRA trail race in Rochestown Woods on Sunday 10th October 2021.

First 3 men & women...
1 Colm O Connor 2318 M35 0:32:36 Cork
2 Cathal Prior 1096 M45 0:33:31 Cork
3 Edward Ahern 2327 M 0:34:04 Cork
7 Kealey Tideswell 1485 F35 0:36:05 Clonmel AC Tipperary
20 Kate Jackman 296 F 0:39:47 Wexford
36 Grainne O'Callaghan 393 F 0:43:55 North Cork AC Limerick

Full results... https://imra.ie/events/results/id/2111/

Photos...

1) There is a gallery on the IMRA website HERE

2) Some photos on the Running in Cork Facebook page (Quality isn't great)