Big update of the race calendar - Feb 2026

I recently updated the race calendar on the blog and it took a LOT of trawling around a multitude of websites to extract the date.

You can view it HERE

Here are a few observations...

1) Doing a quick search, it has 166 5k runs, 114 10k runs, 27 10-milers and about 80 half-marathons.

2) Despite the fact there is a city the size of Limerick and the huge numbers attending the Great Limerick Run on the May Bank Holiday weekend, there was a major lack of regular races there in the past. There seems to be a gradual increase in the number of events appearing there.

3) Waterford seems to be as lopsided as ever. While West Waterford AC are as busy as ever organising events in the west of the county, there is a serious lack of running events in Waterford city.

4) The running scene in Dublin seems to be as hectic as in Cork. Not a weekend goes by without some event happening in the capital. The adjacent counties seem to very busy as well.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 21st Feb 2026

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 21st February 2026. Approximately 1191 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... After the cold conditions last week with the thermometer down around 0 deg C, it was a complete change this week with a reading of 11 deg C up at Cork Airport.

Tramore Valley Park... Well done to Michael M O'Sullivan who completed his 100th 5k parkrun this weekend in Cork City. Michael's usual parkrun is on Bere Island where he has completed 95 events.

Midleton... Well done to Kathleen O'Connell who completed her 100th 5k parkrun this weekend!

The majority of Kathleen's parkruns were split between Midleton and Tramore Valley Park.

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 on the 28th of Feb

b) Youghal #200 on the 7th of Mar

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  321 this week, 244 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Anthony MANNIX Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:24

2 Brian COLLINS Male SM25-29 18:55

3 Andrew KANE Male JM15-17 19:36

25 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 22:31

38 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:42

39 Aoife COOKE Female VW35-39 23:46

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/413/

Tramore Valley Park: 281 this week, 191 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul CROSSLEY Male SM30-34 Lindley Running Club 16:41

2 Thomas BROWNE Male SM20-24 16:53

3 Raphael BRUNNBAUER Male SM20-24 17:45

5 Siobhan HOARE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 19:05

7 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:37

9 Fiona RIORDAN Female SW30-34 19:59

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/190/

Glen River: 67 this week, 70 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David CARRASCO COQUILLAT Male SM25-29 18:50

2 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 20:44

3 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 Togher AC 21:03

5 Irene EIGHAN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:39

24 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW55-59 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:22

25 Eileen KENNY Female VW75-79 27:12

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/299/

Midleton Greenway: 144 this week, 107 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Noel EARLY Male VM45-49 18:58

2 James O MAHONY Male VM35-39 19:03

3 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 19:15

8 Annmarie BURNS Female VW40-44 20:43

12 Suzanne ALCOCK Female VW35-39 21:12

22 Emma BELL Female SW18-19 21:59

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/54/

Mallow Castle: 75 this week, 67 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brian AHERN Male VM45-49 19:41

2 Vinny GRIMES Male SM30-34 20:01

3 Liam AHERNE Male VM45-49 Mallow Tri Club 21:03

11 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW40-44 22:50

17 Aoife O FLYNN Female VW35-39 23:26

25 Annette JORGENSEN Female VW55-59 25:13

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/217/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 44 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:14

2 John COUGHLAN Male VM45-49 20:52

3 Brendan COLEMAN Male VM45-49 20:57

6 Eva MURPHY Female SW20-24 22:34

9 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 23:16

10 Sinead HICKEY Female VW40-44 Killarney Valley AC 23:19

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/198/

Macroom Castle Demense: 58 this week, 71 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Henry BROWNE Male VM45-49 18:43

2 Damien OMAHONY Male SM30-34 20:07

3 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:36

14 Mary MCHUGH Female VW40-44 25:05

22 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:23

23 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:24

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/565/

Clonakilty:  47 this week, 43 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Donnacha RYAN Male JM11-14 19:41

2 Ben RYAN Male VM40-44 19:43

3 Robert KEHOE Male VM45-49 Ballincollig Athletic Club 19:49

10 Aimee LAVERY Female SW30-34 23:16

13 Eibhlín MURPHY Female JW15-17 24:34

14 Luisne DÉISEACH Female JW15-17 24:35

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/521/

Glengarriff Woods: 60 this week, 105 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM15-17 19:53

2 Eamon RYAN Male VM40-44 Lucan Harriers 20:10 

3 Ray SMITH Male VM60-64 Kenmare Athletics Club 20:27

5 Rachel HAWKER Female SW30-34 Kenmare Athletics Club 22:26

10 Sharon LEVIS Female VW45-49 24:53

11 Caroline O'SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 25:10

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/442/

Bere Island: 61 this week, 45 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Vincent O SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 19:53

2 Fergus ROONEY Male VM45-49 22:37

3 Tadhg HOBBS Male SM18-19 22:51

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:11

7 Julia O SULLIVAN Female SW18-19 24:52

8 Nina MURPHY Female VW35-39 25:04

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/533/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 37 finishers this week, 25 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Jack DUNCAN Male SM30-34 19:33

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 21:44

3 James LAVERY Male SM30-34 23:06

10 Nicky STANIFORTH Female SW30-34 25:57

16 Clare KENWARD Female VW55-59 Haywards Heath Harriers 28:52

21 Lisa STANIFORTH Female SW30-34 30:33

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/453/

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

Guest Post: Memories ...by Pat Walsh

 * Memories *

I recently celebrated a birthday, nothing significant or category changing, just one of the run of the mill ordinary forgettable ones that signify the passing of another year. Another year further away from Olympic qualification.

My friend Graham (thanks) sent some pictures to me on the day. He had captured these at various events over the last few years. Beautiful memories filled with lovely people. Some of the races I have no idea of how I ran or what time, I just remember being there on the day, taking part or supporting and meeting fellow runners. Yes I admit, I did steal his bike one time. Memories to cherish.

If we never went out and took part then how can we have anything to look back on and make us smile. You won’t remember the day you sat on the couch doing nothing, only staring idly at at some rubbish on a screen.  But you can reminisce about a race, a run, a cuppa when the picture pops up again in memories. It can bring a warm glow.

So as we near the end of February and 2 months of 2026 will have slipped by, what have you done to make this a memorable year? You will get the t-shirt and the medals and while some people aren’t fans or collectors, I personally love looking back at whatever token I have from old events. I did it, I was there, I took part, I finished.

Always look forward to the next event, next race, next gathering and never be afraid to get out there. I’m slowing down, that is inevitable, but it shouldn’t stop me just because of some clock. If you are always looking back and comparing then you are on a slippery slope. The next memory to be made awaits you.

I’m going to do different parkruns that I haven’t done yet.

I’m going to attend some new races and make a few road trips.

I will look at my watch for distance and heart rate, not pace. 

I will to cycle more to lessen the pounding on my body from running.

I will stick to agreed weekly and monthly guidelines for total mileage.

I will accept the aging process and rejoice any day I can be active.

- Make your own kind of music, sing your own special song -(S McC)

On the morning of my birthday I got up early and ran 4 miles alone as the sun was rising. It was fab. To think this time last year I was in rehab for a serious injury and a few months of no running ahead of me. So I celebrated a year of progress. I can honestly say I’m better than a year ago. As I ran, I listened to some music and a song from Katy Perry came on. I won’t say what age I am, but my Spotify age is 31. That really is grasping at straws and delusional. 

‘I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar’

Take care and just get out there and do something that you will remember.

#pwr

Greenways of Ireland Map - 2026

The Irish Cycling Campaign website recently published a map of all the greenways in Ireland on their website.

While it doesn't go into fine detail, it does show locations that are safe for cycling, walking and running.

It's interesting to see the big picture as to how the greenway network is being developed across the country.

You can find the map HERE

Friday Jigsaw: Eagle AC Quality Control

For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo of the Eagle AC Quality Control Department busy at work checking out the refreshments for the Carrigaline 5-mile road race last weekend.

It has 120-pieces and you can find it HERE

Top 10-mile road races in Ireland in 2025

I've been keeping a tab on all of the 10-mile races in Ireland in 2025 and I finally got around to compiling a list of the top 20.

1) The Frank Duffy 10-mile in Dublin is the top 10-miler in the country with over 3,600 finishers. It was also the top race in 2024 and is not only a reflection of the event itself but the huge pool of runners  in the capital.

2) The largest 10-miler in Munster is the John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile and it's also the second largest 10-mile race in Ireland. It was also in second place in 2024.

3) The Derry Walled City 10-mile saw a huge jump in numbers in 2025 and jumped from 6th to 3rd place. It had around 500 extra finishers in 2025 which was a jump of about 30% on the previous year.

4) Seven 10-mile races managed to attract more than 1000 runners in 2025, the same as 2024.

5) Five of the top twenty 10-milers were in Co Cork. Three of the top 10 were in Cork.

6) In 2024, the average number of finishers for the top 20 races was 1025. In 2025, that had risen to 1112 which is an increase of about 8.5%. 

7) It's worth noting that some events have their numbers capped so they have a limit of how many people can take part.

8) I managed to find about 44 10-mile events in 2025. 16 of these were in Munster.

9) In terms of Munster races, Mallow stayed at number 7. Kinsale and Cobh swapped places with Kinsale dropping to 9th and Cobh going up to 8th. 2025 was the inaugural year for the Midleton Greenway 10m and they jumped straight into 13th place.

Kilkishen in Co Clare dropped from 14th to 18th while Churchtown in Cork went up a place from 15th to 14th. The Beat the Train 10-mile in Co Waterford dropped from 20th down to 21st even though their numbers actually increased.

Further down the list for 2025, Dooneen in Limerick was 28th, Tralee and the Gap of Dunloe were 29th and 30th respectively and Kilsheelan & Mooreabbey in Tipp were 35th & 36th.

10) I found three events that were held in 2024 but were missing in 2025.

In conclusion... That is a broad overview of the 10-mile races in Ireland. Even though there are a lot more half-marathons on the calendar, the 10-mile distance still remains a firm favourite with many.

Link...
a) Previous post - Top 10-mile races in 2024

Training programmes for the 2026 Cork City Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k

The Cork City Marathon is coming up on Sunday 30th May 2026. I have a standard 14-week training programme starting on the 23rd of February which costs €112. 

The weekly programme is tailored for each individual and requires weekly feedback by email. It's suitable for anyone looking to do their first marathon or for someone who wants to improve their times.

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

Notice: Cork BHAA Stryker 4 mile race in Carrigtwohill - Tues 28th Apr 2026

This 4 mile race in Carrigtwohill in East Cork is coming up on Tuesday the 28th of April at 7:30pm. 

As with all Cork BHAA events, the entry fee is €5 for registered runners and €10 for non-registered.

Located just a few minutes drive from the Jack Lynch tunnel, this one is very close to Cork City and is easy to get to.

The race HQ is the local community centre and the race route takes in a loop to the north of Carrigtwohill. Note that the start line is a few hundred metres away so allow plenty of time to get there.

The course is the same as last year. The race will take a left at the local Aldi and then make use of the new roads that pass by the new apartment block and schools. This is a reasonably quiet section and the wide roads will allow the field to thin out nicely in the first mile.

As BHAA races go, this one is noted for having some pretty good prizes and of course, there are loads on offer with the various categories and teams.

As in previous years, the organisers are holding raising funds for the Children's Units in both the CUH in Cork and the UHL in Limerick.

From the organisers... "Stryker 4 Mile Road Run raffle in aid of CUH (Cork University Hospital) Charity. Closing Date 12:00, Sunday, 10th May 2026

Raffle Description - The Stryker 4 Mile Road Run is taking place on April 28, 2026 at 7:30pm in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork. Registration is open from 6pm at the Carrigtwohill Community Centre. All funds raised will support the Children’s Units in Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick.

Prizes - Overnight stay at a luxury hotel, vouchers and much more

Buying tickets couldn't be easier - go to WAITING FOR THE LINK - Tickets cost €5 each"

'The Sharp Turn'... The organisers want to highlight that runners will need to take a sharp turn onto the greenway at about the 3.2-mile mark which is the most south-westerly part of the course.

After passing the 3-mile mark, runner cross over the railway and then down to the junction. The route takes a sharp left turn and this is especially important for the faster front runners.

The organisers don't want people running on the hard shoulder of the busy road.

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.

Notice: The Great Railway Run 25km - Sun 19th Apr 2026

The annual 25km Great Railway Run from Cork City to Carrigaline is coming up on Sunday the 19th of April 2026. 

Enter: You can enter online HERE

A bus service is provided between start and finish locations. Bus (€5) including return baggage transfer can ONLY be booked when registering.

Training session on the new Bandon AC athletics track - Tues 17th Feb 2026

Tues 17th Feb 2026: - Just a quick post to note that Bandon AC are holding their first training session this evening at the new 400m athletics track to the south of the town.

Work is still ongoing on its development but the track itself is finished and ready for use.

A higher resolution version of the image above can be seen on the Running in Cork Facebook page.

Some photos of the track can also be seen in this previous post from January 2026... Work continues on the new athletics track in Bandon

The Bandon AC 5k is coming up on Thurs 30th of Apr 2026 and the proceeds from the race go towards the development of the athletics track.

Notice: Cork BHAA MTU 5k in Bishopstown - Sun 1st March 2026

The Cork BHAA MTU 5k in Bishopstown is coming up on Sunday the 1st of March 2026 at 10am.

The entry fee is just €5 for registered BHAA runners and €10 for non-registered. You enter on the morning of the race.

There will also be a free waterproof technical running cap with the MTU logo for the first 400 to enter on the day.

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 15th Feb 2026

The 4th race of 5 in the ongoing Cloyne 4k series was held on Sunday 15th of February 2026.

Top 3 men & women...

1 1505 Neil Barrett Cork City MJ 12:59
2 1550 Fionn Buckley Midleton AC MJ 13:30
3 983 Paul Cashman Watergrasshill M45 13:39
17 1239 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 15:04
21 1023 Sadhbh Cronin Midleton AC FJ 15:32
31 1166 Ava Keane Unattached FJ 16:37

Provisional results below...

 Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 1505 Neil Barrett Cork City MJ 12:59
2 1550 Fionn Buckley Midleton AC MJ 13:30
3 983 Paul Cashman Watergrasshill M45 13:39
4 1102 James Grufferty Glanmire AC M40 13:43
5 1115 Aaron Harte Unattached M 13:56
6 1554 John O Donovan Ballymore Cobh M 13:59
7 1547 Sean O Connell Cork City MJ 14:08
8 1546 Daithí O Donovan Cork City MJ 14:12
9 1376 Michael O Mahony Walsh St Nicks MJ 14:20
10 1172 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:32

Results & Photos of the Carrigaline 5-mile road race - Sun 15th Feb 2026

 

The 2026 Carrigaline 5-mile road race was held this year on Sunday 15th of July on what turned out to be a dry sunny morning. There was 282 finishers which is almost the exact same as last year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Nathan O'LEARY M MS 6257 25:31
2 GAVIN O ROURKE Leevale A.C. M MS 6314 25:45
3 Colm TURNER Brothers Pearse A.C. M M40 6094 26:14
9 Michelle FINN Leevale A.C. F M35 6315 27:47
15 Michelle KENNY Leevale A.C. F F45 6195 29:48
17 Orla DRUM Crusaders A.C. F F40 6335 30:13

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) There are 250 photos up on the Running in Cork Facebook page. All photos were taken at Coolmore Cross which was about the 3.5-mile mark.

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4

2) Mick Dooley has some post race photos HERE

3 Joe Murphy has loads of photos... a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 e) Album 5 f) Album 6 g) Album 7

First 5 men (L-R)... Gavin O'Rourke 2nd, Nathan O'Leary 1st, Colm Turner 3rd, Aidan Noone 4th & John Meade 5th

First women... Michelle Finn of Leevale AC

First man... Nathan O'Leary