Guest Post: Does it get any easier?... by Pat Walsh

* Does it get any easier? *

How many times have we been asked that question by fellow runners, or maybe you have mentally thought it for yourself.

We run hard, we push ourselves, we are wrecked at the finish and maybe we didn’t achieve what we hoped for. What was all the training for? Why doesn’t it get easier as time goes on?

The answer lies in our own hopes and expectations. 

Did we aim too high with no thought for our physical limitations and our ability to find time to train. 

Did we not rest enough between training sessions (or is the case with so many busy people, that just don’t have the time to rest and recover).

Did we look at our birth cert.

If training hard is what we do to improve, then sleep, rest and proper nutrition are equally important to ensuring that the training gains materialize in a race. There is no professional reading this, only ordinary runners doing the best they can.

Do we let others push us towards unrealistic targets or maybe feel we could match or improve the times of friends but maybe without the same amount of training. 

I love the expression (NO) that some people use so glibly to say ‘you would be well able to do that’ without any knowledge of what the other person is capable of actually achieving. 

It can get easier if you find peace with where you are at any stage of your running life. Run hard and then accept that, as the here and now. You will find that your performance will improve if you relax and take the outcome rather than set a goal to be disappointed with.

Our bodies are fantastic and allow us to get out there and run. Finishing a run and the temporary tiredness, followed by the euphoria of chatting to other runners and proving I can still do this time and time again is maybe acceptance that this is getting easier. If it is that bad why do we enter the next race.

You run for the physical, mental and social benefits that running brings. It challenges your mind and body. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy so don’t ask.

“Smile As you find a rhythm 
Working you, 
slow mile by mile, 
Into your proper haunt.” Seamus Heaney

Lecture and pontificating over. Have a lovely run this weekend.

#pwr

Cork County Council announce details of new Carrigaline to Ringaskiddy Walk/Cycle route - Sep 2026

4th Sep 2026 -  Cork County Council has just announced details of a new Walk/Cycle route connecting the town of Carrigaline to the port of Ringaskiddy. An approximate map of the route is shown above in green.

A lot of the proposed route runs alongside the new M28 motorway which is currently under construction. This means that a lot of the new walk/cycle route is already under development and it's not running through a lot of private property.

Some key points...

1) Distance - The total distance of the route is about 5kms.

2) Heron's Wood - The western section will be a branch off the greenway which is due for development in Heron's Wood (The section already built is in yellow above). This is part of the Greenway which will go to Cork City via Monkstown and Passage West. The red dot on the map shows the road crossing.

3) Fernhill - The next section will go through the old Fernhill golf course and comes out on An Bothar Siochain road (Cogan's Lane). This road was used in the past for the Carrigaline 5-mile road race but it will become a cul-de-sac once the M28 is built.

Route through the old Fernhill golf course

The route then continues east towards Shanbally and runs alongside the M28 motorway. This unbroken section of the route is about 2.2kms in length.

4) Shanbally - To the south of Shanbally, there is a road crossing (red dot on map).

After crossing here, the route continues east for about 200m before turning left and through a tunnel under the M28. From here, it runs alongside a new roundabout and continues east but this time on the northern side of the M28. This unbroken section is about 1.6kms in length.

5) Barnhely - There will be another junction crossing on the road that goes from Coolmore Cross to the port of Rungaskiddy. On the eastern side, there will be a new spur down to the port with the main route continuing east to the south of new road.

Strava... A lot of people record their exercise activities on the Strava App, especially cyclists and runners. Let's have a look at the 'heat map' for the last week.

Walking...Walking is by far the most popular exercise, dwarfing both running and cycling. Even though the vast majority of walkers don't record their exercises on Strava, enough do so we can get a rough idea of the popular walking routes.

The problem with a lot of the roads around Carrigaline is that they are 'rat runs' during the day for cars. It's actually the same with a lot of built areas. There are islands of exercise activity in towns and villages and they end where the footpaths stop.

At the moment, there is no safe walking route from Carrigaline to Ringaskiddy so the new route will make a huge difference.

Running... Again, there is a distinct lack of runners using the roads between Ringaskiddy and Carrigaline. It's not hard to imagine that sometime in the future, people will be running from Carrigaline on the new route to the park in Haulbowline and back again.

There are a number of road races in this area as well such as the Carrigaline 5m, the 25km Great Railway Run and some Cork BHAA races. Will they start using parts of the new walk/cycle route?

Cycling... Cyclists cover a lot more distance than the runners and walkers so the map shows a lot more activity. The main benefits of the new route here are that it's safer for cyclists and it will take some cyclists off the other busy roads so motorists benefit.

Active Travel Route... While the new route will obviously be used for exercise, it's also likely to be a busy active travel route. The simple fact is that Carrigaline is a major population centre with over 18,000 people and Ringaskiddy is a major industrial area with many people working there.

Total number of trips from Carrigaline as per the 2022 Census

Considering the distance from Carrigaline to Ringskiddy, it's not hard to imagine say someone in the future on an e-Bike doing 20kph covering the distance in about 20-25 minutes and actually be faster than travelling to work by car at peak hours.

More Info... You can find a full report and drawings HERE

You can follow the link there and submit your own thoughts on the project. If you're in favour of this project then leave a message of support.

Results & Photos of the Cloughduv 5k - Wed 2nd Sep 2026

Saoirse Twomey was the first female home with a time of 17m 18s

The annual Cloughduv 5km was held on Wed 2nd of Sept 2026 and there were 323 finishers.

First 3 men & women...

1 163 16:13.2 Michael Corbett Male
2 21 16:22.8 Barry Donovan Male
3 324 16:49.3 Paul Cashman Male
6 17 17:18.7 Saoirse Twomey Female
10 325 17:51.7 Michelle Kenny Female
12 317 18:36.5 Aoife Lucey Female

Photos to follow...

1)  a) Finish line 1 - 16:13 to 25:36 b) Finish line 2 - 25:44 to 31:00 c) Finish line 3 - 31:02 to 44:59 

d) Finish line 3 - 45:00 plus, prizes & start 1 

Full results below...
 Position Bib Finish Time Name
1 163 16:13.2 Michael Corbett 
2 21 16:22.8 Barry Donovan 
3 324 16:49.3 Paul Cashman 
4 214 16:58.8 Alan O Brien
5 316 17:13.2 Jason O'Mahony
6 17 17:18.7 Saoirse Twomey 
7 338 17:40.0 Rick Bradfield
8 336 17:46.7 Tiernan O'Donoghue
9 334 17:50.0 Davin Jennings
10 325 17:51.7 Michelle Kenny 
11 191 18:25.9 Mark Kelly
12 317 18:36.5 Aoife Lucey 
13 29 19:12.3 Gearoid Hickey
14 403 19:14.1 Alyan Dasair
15 318 19:15.7 Rebecca O'Neill

Results & Photos of the Cape Clear Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 29th Aug 2026

The Cape Clear Half-Marathon & 10k was a new event on Cape Clear Island in west Cork and it organised by Outer Edge Events, a commercial UK race event company. As can be seen from the photo above, it looks like they got a good day for it.

One notable feature of this event was what seemed like a very high entry fee. The half-marathon entry fee was €125 and the 10k was €85 which is well above what most people would expect to pay for these kind of distances. That price included a chartered ferry to take contestants across to the island. If people were staying on the island or used the regular ferry then the prices were €95 for the half and €70 for the 10k.

Despite the price, the numbers taking part were pretty good. The half got 125 while the 10k had 178 finishers. It shows that if an event is unique or unusual then some people are willing to pay a premium to take part.

The courses were particularly demanding with 750m of ascent in the Half Marathon and over 400m in the 10k. 

Top 3 in each event...

Half Marathon 
1st Place:🥇 Brendan Joy  - 1:49:11
2nd Place 🥈 Niall Duncan (Togher AC) - 1:57:29
3rd Place 🥉 Sean O’Brien - 2:04:08

Ladies Half Marathon 
1st Place 🥇 Laura Clements - 2:11:47
2nd Place 🥈 Karen Walsh - 2:12:19
3rd Place 🥉 Linda O’Sullivan (Watergrasshill AC) - 2:28:03 

10KM
1st Place 🥇 John Durcan (Togher AC) - 54:16
2nd Place 🥈 Patrick Geary (Butter Running Club) - 54:36
3rd Place 🥉 Kenneth Kingston (Bantry) - 55:23

Ladies 10KM
1st Place 🥇Boonie Keating - 58:31
2nd Place 🥈 Emma Meade (Sportsworld AC) - 1:07:19
3rd Place 🥉 Niamh Julian - 1:07:21

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) The event organisers have some photos HERE

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 29th Aug 2026

These are the results of the Run the Line timed 5k on Saturday the 29th of August 2026 on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway.

 

New 5k parkrun starting in Dungarvan!

It was announced recently that a new 5k parkrun is on the way for Dungarvan in Co Waterford! 

It looks like it will be on the Waterford Greenway and the start and finish will be near the Railway Cottage in Ballinroad which is about 4kms to the east of Dungarvan town.

I had a look at a map and they can fit in a 2.5km out and back course between the Railway Cottage and the first set of gates. If this is the case then it will be very like the Midleton Greenway parkrun.

It would seem as if plans for the new parkrun are at an advanced stage and they are looking for volunteers. The provisional start date is for sometime in October of 2026.

There is an information evening at the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, on Thursday, 24th September 2026 at 7pm if anyone is interested in finding out more and how to get involved.

For more info, email Thomas at tshawhamilton AT waterfordsportspartnership DOT ie

Once launched, Dungarvan parkrun will take place every Saturday at 9.30am from the Railway Cottage on the Waterford Greenway.

Business of Sport: How the Sub-2 Marathon Shows Athletics’ Big Problem

This video from the Business of Sport team looks at the finances within athletics and it should be of interest to anyone with an interest in the sport.

Video is from April 2026.

Notice: Cloughduv 5k on Wed 2nd Sept 2026

This timed 5k is coming up in the village of Cloughduv on Wednesday the 2nd of September 2026 at 7:00pm.

With the evenings closing in, this is one of the last evening races. Entry is on the night.

Results of the Chris Harrington Memorial 5k in Tramore Valley Park - Sun 30th Aug 2026

The Chris Harrington Memorial 5k organised by Leevale AC was held in Tramore Valley Park on Sun 30th of Aug 2026 and there were 221 finishers.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Luke Merrigan (#1691) 15:36 Under 18 (1) Male  (1)
2 Mark Walsh (#1619) Leevale A.C. 15:43 35-49 (1) Male  (2)
3 Barry Donovan (#1623) Leevale A.C. 16:08 35-49 (2) Male  (3)
6 Jane Buckley (#1620) 16:27 Senior (1) Female  (1)
8 Hannah Smith (#1639) 17:25 Senior (2) Female  (2)
9 Michelle Kenny (#1611) Leevale A.C. 17:31 35-49 (1) Female  (3)

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has three galleries... a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3

2) Gearóid Ó Laoi also has three galleries... a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3

23:23 for former Irish international rugby player Donncha O'Callaghan

Results & Photos of the Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon - Sat 29th Aug 2026

Wet start for the 2026 Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon

The big race in Munster this weekend was the Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon which sold out months ago. There were 712 finishers this year which is up 7.4% on last year despite the rain and wet conditions.

Full results HERE

West Waterford AC committee members and Track Fund committee members along with European under-18 800 meters silver medallist Isabelle Gaffney at this year's Waterford Greenway half marathon. All proceeds from the event were donated to the track fund. Pictured L/R Declan O'Callaghan, Kevin Forde, Isabelle Gaffney, Cait Verling and Tom Leahy

Photos...
1) West Waterford AC have the following galleries...
a) Start and Finish 1 b) Finish 2 c) Finish 3 d) Finish 4 e) Finish 5 f) Finish 6

2) John Troy has some photos of the start HERE

First 5 women (L-R)… Jean Lucey (875) 5th, Shona Keane, Dooneen AC (907) 2nd, Ciara Wilson, DMP AC (952) 1st, Evita Volginaite, Glanmire AC (950) 3rd & Marie Howard, Leevale AC (950) 4th

First 5 men (L-R)... David Power, Rathfarnham WSAF AC (380) 5th, Dermot Gorman, Carrick on Suir AC (529) 4th, Aidan Connell, West Waterford AC (315) 3rd, Evan Fitzgerald, West Waterford AC (542) 1st & Peter Tuohy (375) 2nd

Prize winners below...

Prize Winners Waterford Greenway Half 29/08/2026

Joanne Sullivan is the first person in Cork to complete 500 parkruns!

29th of August 2026 - A little bit of parkrun history was made this weekend when Joanne Sullivan became the first person in Co Cork to complete 500 parkruns! 

Not only is this a big milestone for Joanne but it's an important milestone for parkrun in Co Cork as a whole as we finally have someone in the county reaching the blue 500 mark.

Some stats...

1) The very first parkrun in Co Cork was in Macroom in May of 2013. The second parkrun was Clonakilty in February of 2014 and Bere Island was the third event to start in August of 2014.

2) Joanne completed her 500th parkrun on the 12th birthday of the Bere Island event.

3) Joanne was a volunteer for the very first Bere Island parkrun on Sat 30th of Aug 2014. Joanne's first run was at the Bere Island parkrun the following week.

4) Amazingly, all 500 of Joanne's parkruns have been at the Bere Island event, there were no visits to other parkruns.

5) Joanne also has an impressive 489 volunteer credits!

Here's to 1000! 

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 29th Aug 2026

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 29th August 2026. Approximately 965 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Glen River... The one and only Mick Dooley congratulating Olive McCarthy on completing her 400th parkrun at the Glen River event this weekend. Olive also earned her 200th volunteer credit!

At the same event, Danielle O'Flynn completed a century of parkruns...

Ballincollig... Yvonne Hackett completed her 50th parkrun at the Ballincollig Regional Park.

Bere Island... This was the 12th birthday of the 5k parkrun on Bere Island!

Joanne Sullivan became the first person in Cork to complete 500 parkruns! See separate post HERE

Well done to Jack Barry who completed his 2nd century! All 200 of Jack'd parkruns were on Bere Island.

Macroom... Diarmuid Holland completed his 250th 5k parkrun with 240 at the Macroom event.

Visitor Oliver Munn from the UK reached 200.

Youghal... There is no parkrun in Youghal for the foreseeable future so we're back to ten parkruns in Co Cork every week going forward. See this previous post.

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

Upcoming milestones....

Macroom is the oldest parkrun in Co Cork and they will be holding their 600th event on the 24th of October 2026.

***

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/439/

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/217/

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/326/

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/80/

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/244/

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/592/

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/546/

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/469/

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/560/

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/480/

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

Guest Post: Castlehaven parkrun report ...by Pat Walsh

* Castlehaven parkrun report *

We had a lovely visit last Saturday to this most quaint and beautiful parkrun. A nice jog on a woodland trail but book-ended by some unique performances.

Runner Gerry O'Boyle to run coast of East Cork - 27th to 30th Aug 2026

Gerry O'Boyle will be running along the coast of east Cork from Thurs 27th to Sun 30th of August and he would welcome any company.

Gerry writes... "I've been running around the coast of Ireland for the last nine years. (running a few times every month) I've already covered the provinces of Ulster, Connacht and most of Munster. It's 5,396km so far around the Irish coast - and I've reached..... Midleton. 

I wll be running on the Thursday evening (27th), Friday morning (28th) and Sunday morning (30th) when I hope to reach Youghal. On the Saturday I'll just do the parkrun in Midleton. I try to stick to the coast as much as possible and I'm hoping you guys can help especially with the section between Ballycotton and Roches Point."

See blog for more detail... https://cliftoncoastalrun.blogspot.com/

Clonmel Half-Marathon numbers for 2026

The 2026 edition of the Clonmel Half-Marathon was held on Sunday the 23rd of August.

Results HERE

There were 467 finishers which is up 6.6% on 2025 but as can be seen from the chart above, it is still well down on the historical peaks pre-2020.

Why the big drop?... If we go back about a decade ago, the Clonmel event was kind of the main half-marathon in Munster if you wanted to do one in August.

Compare that to 2026. There was a half-marathon in Limerick City at the start of August. Then there was the Youghal Bay half-marathon a week later with almost 1000 finishers. The Clonmel half was on the 23rd and the Waterford Greenway half-marathon which has sold out is coming up next weekend.

As most runners will choose to do a local event, the net effect is that the catchment area of the Clonmel Half has shrunk. Looking forward, it's likely that the Clonmel numbers will stay at the 400-500 mark unless some other new event starts up putting more pressure on it.