Notice: Bandon AC 5k road race - Thurs 30th Apr 2026

The third edition of the Bandon AC 5k is coming up this year on Thursday 30th April 2026 at 7:30pm.

Entries HERE

Bandon AC have built a full size 400m athletics track and all proceeds from the race go towards this project.

Info from the organisers: "Start line: Colaiste Na Toirbhirte, the race will start at 7:30pm SHARP. Finish line: Mart / Old Still

Race route: The race will start adjacent to Colaiste Na Toirbhirte and run up in the direction of Kilbrittain Rd (The race will not be turning onto any part of the bypass), the race will turn left once on the Kilbrittain Road for approx. 500m and will stay on the left hand side of that road, it will then take another left off the main road to Curraveda East, it will go through crossroads here and again between the Monarone / Tullyland road, it will turn left onto the Mill road and will finish before reaching the junction by the Old Still and the Mart.

Artists impression of the new athletics track

Parking: NO PARKING ON THE RACE ROUTE, We advise anyone that is taking part to park at St Patrick's Church Car Park, here there will be enough space for all participants. There is limited amount of parking at Bandon GAA, parking also near the finish and in Car parks around the town. Parking can be a 15/20 minute walk mostly uphill so plan accordingly to be at the race start on time.

We ask all to only park in the designated parking areas and to AVOID parking on the bypass and in nearby housing estates and to obey general road safety rules. 

If you have any questions please feel free to respond to this email and I will do my best to answer your query. 

We have been overwhelmed with the support locally and this has been a huge help for us in organising prizes and paying for the event."

Course... The race start just off the Bandon Relief Road and the first 500m is downhill to a junction with the Kilbrittan Road, a very fast start. Then there is a short 500m gradual climb until you turn off left  after the 1km mark and onto a quiet country road.

From the 1km mark, it's reasonably flat for the next km. Just after the 3km mark, there's a turn left and then it's very gradual downhill through a glen to the finish line. Despite what the profile above might suggest, you're following a stream all the way down a glen for the last 2k so there is no climbing here.

It's probably one of the fastest finishes of any race as you don't lose that height advantage in one burst, it's more of a gradual 2km downhill stretch which is ideal.

Overall, a nice fast 5k course on quiet country roads to the south of Bandon.

Results of the Run the Night 5-mile in Cork City - Wed 11th Feb 2026

This night time 5-miler in Cork City attracted a very large field of 1742 runners on Wed 11th Feb 2026.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Open Kris Liepins (#36) 26:13
2 50-59 Michael Morgan (#24) 27:03
3 Open No Name (#854) 28:16
1 Open Marie Howard (#195) 31:47
2 Open Anna O’Keeffe (#118) 32:11
3 40-49 Katalin Szabo (#239) 33:11

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some pre-race photos HERE and post race HERE

Notice: Banteer 5 mile road race - Sun 8th March 2026

This years Banteer 5-mile road race organised by Mount Hillary AC is coming up on Sunday the 8th of March 2026 at 10am.

Entries HERE

The village of Banteer is about 20kms to the west of Mallow and just south of the N72 road. There are age category prizes up to O70 and the course is reasonably flat.

From Shane Riordan - race director... “This is the first race in the 2026 Rebel Diamond League so you need to enter to be able to win one of the famous Diamond League cups. We are expecting a great crowd on the day so please get your entries in here... https://eventmaster.ie/event/3zEvix4tZW

Mount Hillary AC with our main sponsor , Tarrant’s Skoda Banteer, are delighted to launch the 'Fast and Flat' Banteer 5 Mile Road Race which will take place on Sunday 8th March at 10am

The total elevation is only 24m over the 5 miles so we expect some fast times . We are looking forward to welcoming you to a quality race on a fast and flat scenic 5 mile route and I’m sure you will enjoy the refreshments afterwards where there will be lots of home baking delights. 

We have buffs/snoods for the first 200 people to enter online so be sure to enter early to secure yours .

Banteer has a proud history in Athletics with it being the birthplace of two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Dr. Pat O’Callaghan. We would like to continue this rich tradition by providing a quality road race."

Banteer is located about 20kms to the west of the town of Mallow in N Cork. It's just 1km south of the N72 Killarney to Mallow road.

The distance from Cork City is about 54 minutes and it's probably quicker to go via the main N20 road to Mallow and then take the N72 west. The alternative R579 route via Cloghroe and up over the hills to Nad might be shorter but it has a lot of twists and turns.

Banteer is also centrally located for any runners in Kerry or S Limerick.

Notice: Strength & Conditioning Workshop for Female Athletes - 3rd Mar 2026

Cork Sports Partnership in association with MTU are holding a strength and conditioning workshop for female athletes on Tues 3rd March 2026 at 6:30pm.

Strength and conditioning is something that a lot of runners neglect but it can play an important part in running form and in injury prevention. Considering the class only costs €5.30, it's for nothing.

From Cork Sports Partnership... "To celebrate Women in Sport Week, Cork Sports Partnership in partnership with Munster Technological University (MTU) is excited to host an upcoming Strength & Conditioning Workshop for Female Athletes, designed to empower women in sport through evidence-based training and performance education.

The workshop will be led by Laura Dyson who is a lecturer in the MTU Early Childhood, Sport & Leisure Department. The session will explore key topics such as strength development, injury prevention, performance monitoring, and tailored conditioning strategies for female athletes.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in both theory and practical sessions, gaining valuable insights into how structured strength and conditioning programs can enhance athletic performance and long-term well-being. This event represents a fantastic opportunity for athletes, coaches, and students alike to connect, learn, and advance the standards of female athletic performance within the sporting community.

This workshop is a combination of theory and practical work. Participants should expect to participate in light physical activity.

Workshop Details - Tuesday March 3rd - 6:30pm to 8:45pm
€5 per person
Limited Places
MTU Cork Campus - Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for exercising
Please bring a notepad & pen and a bottle of water"

Link - https://eventmaster.ie/event/7ZZYIyeFdv

Mystery race number in the post...

Someone sent on a photo of the race number /bib that they received from MyRunResults during the week. The name and address on the envelope was written by hand as opposed to a printed label and there is no indication whatsoever as to what race the bib is for.

I've blanked out the persons details as they're not relevant but the ID for the race is 6707. Looking the MyRunResults website, it's not obvious which race this is.

I checked the QR Code and it's a generic one for the MyRunResults website. The postmark is from Drogheda so it looks the same as other MyRunResults postmarks.

The problem is that some people enter numerous races and there can be a regular stream of race bib being delivered... some for races in the next week and some for weeks in advance. Without the race name on the envelope or bib, they have no idea of knowing what race the bib is for.

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 31st Jan 2026

This free timed 5k run on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway was held on Sat 31st Jan 2026.

Results...

 Place Name Time
1 Rory O'Sullivan 18:52.0
2 Sebastian Long 19:29.8
3 Dan Leahy 20:25.7
4 Sean Sisk 21:03.5
5 Myles Leacy 21:45.2

6 Robert O'Brien 23:07.5
7 Jason O'Neill 23:08.2
8 Jamie Torpey 23:15.8
9 Andrew Foley 24:14.4
10 Simon Pope 24:49.3

Notice: Carrigaline 5-mile road race - Sun 15th Feb 2026

Eagle AC are organising their annual 5 mile road race in Carrigaline on Sunday, the 15th of February 2026 at 10am - NOTE THE EARLIER START TIME

The entry link is here... https://eventmaster.ie/event/QmzoCnKSOy

A look at the new course.... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-look-at-new-course-for-carrigaline-5.html

From the organisers.... Eagle AC is delighted to announce the return of the 37th annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5 Miler in Carrigaline on February 15th 2026 at new start time of 10am.

We have a new course, new start line and a new & much improved finish area. We will release details of this once it’s been officially measured. The community centre is still our base but the race start time is now 10am, not 11.

Endurance cyclist raises over €1400 for new athletics track in Bandon

Declan Fitzgerald is an endurance cyclist from west Cork and he recently presented a cheque of €1438 to Bandon AC for their new athletics track fund.

Declan who is known as the 'Pedalling Postie' on social media channels competed in the Mondello 24-hour race last June which involves doing multiple laps of the 3.5km racing circuit.

The sponsorship that Declan raised went to the new athletics track and Kilbrittain national school.

Carrigaline parkrun meeting - Thurs 12th Feb 2026

A core team has now been established for the proposed new 5k parkrun in Carrigaline but they are still looking for additional volunteers.

The next meeting will be held at 8pm in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thurs 12th Feb 2026.

"Everyone welcome — runners, walkers, supporters, curious locals. Come along and see how you can get involved!"

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 MS 51
2 Mark Kelly Bandon   1:03:39 M40 20
3 Ivan Sweetnam Dunmanway   1:03:46 M45 78
4 Luke McCormack St Finbarrs AC   1:03:53 MS 28
6 Dylan Coleman Killeagh   1:05:12 MS 58
5 Julie O'Brien Durrus AC   1:04:13 F40 34
16 Linda O'Sullivan Glounthane   1:10:07 F55 46
25 Shona-Brid O'Sullivan Courcey AC   1:12:41 FS 49
33 Grace Good Aherla   1:17:47 FS 14
35 Ciara Magner Watergrasshill AC   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

Photos...

1) Skibbereen AC have the following photos...

a) Start of the 10-mile  

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) Finish 3 g) Finish 4 h) Finish 5 i) Finish 6

First place finish for Frank O'Brien

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

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/411/

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

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/188/

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

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/297/

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

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/52/

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

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/215/

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

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/197/

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

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/563/

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

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/519/

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

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/440/

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

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/531/

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

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/451/

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 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

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...