Notice: Ballintotis 4-mile road race - Thurs 20th April 2023

The Ballintotis 4-mile road race is coming up on Thursday 20th April 2023 at 8pm. This race is notable for two main reasons...

1) It's the first 4-mile evening road race in Cork after the clocks change.

2) It's the biggest 4-mile road race in Cork.

The entry link is HERE

There's always a great buzz at this race as it's one of the first big evening races in daylight.

From the organisers... The 12th running of the  Ballintotis 4 mile road race, hosted by Ballintotis Area Community Council and held in association with East Cork AC, will take place this year on Thursday April 20th  (starting time 8pm.)   

In 2010, the first staging of the race took place and attracted 425 runners, a figure which at that time well exceeded the organisers' expectations.  Our 10th anniversary race in 2019 saw a record breaking 1240 finishers.

The event formerly took place in Castlemartyr, but East Cork AC moved the race to Ballintotis, which has proved a hugely popular location, with the venue boasting in excess of 1,000 participants on a number of occasions. The scenic 4 mile loop includes a lap of road bordering Loughaderra Lake in the closing stages. 

Again this year's race offers great value for money with a very attractive prize structure overall and a full list of category prizes in all age groups (1st 2nd and 3rd) as well as the opportunity to win one of the many spot prizes on offer. As always all participants will receive the famous Ballintotis running Buff.

Registration is open on line from February 1st and is limited to participants over 15 years of age.

Registration costs 15 euro  including service charge, with the option of  availing of your race number being posted out for an additional cost.             .

Please enter on  https://eventmaster.ie/event/JVojipvHRk/VdKAcwyTJ

From Wed Feb 1st onwards 

In the inaugural race 12 years ago James McCarthy took top spot with a time of 19:54. McCarthy went onto win the race a remarkable eight times in a row, his best time being 19:23 set in 2016. Then in 2018 ... a new man was on the podium as another East Cork A.C competitor Michael Harty won in style and in the process set a new course record of 19:15, with the previous record also being broken by Sergiu Ciobanu who was runner up. Our 2019  race saw a new name on the roll of honour - as yet another East Cork Man - Kevin O'Brien broke the tape in a time of 20.13.

The entry was a remarkable 1,170 runners in 2015.  Irish Olympian Sonia O Sullivan was among those taking part  that year following up on her previous visit in 2013.  

Fellow Olympian Lizzy Lee from Leevale is the ladies course record holder (21:22), with her Irish International colleague Claire McCarthy posting the second fastest time around the course.   Fiona Santry of East Cork A.C made it back to wins in the ladies race in 2019 to complete a fine double..

Last year was a truly memorable one for both Michael Harty and Lizzy Lee who were crowned race winners again in Ballintotis after their respective superb performances.

Anybody requiring further information on this year's race can e-mail their query to ballintotisrace@gmail.com or call 086 8778182.

* * * 

Location... Ballintotis is located just west of Castlemartyr in East Cork.

Preview......You can see a preview of the course HERE

Please arrive early as very large entry expected.

Where it all began - the start of the very first Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race in 2010.

The success of the Ballintotis event which was brought to the picturesque venue by East Cork A.C in 2010, is due to a number of factors. It's fair to say that the generous sponsorship and backing from the local business community has been a key component in it's rise and with this in mind, the local Ballintotis Race Committee wish to acknowledge again the wonderful backing of the their sponsors.

Here are some updates and advice for those taking part  this year in the race or walk or indeed coming to watch the action.

Car Parks
There will be a number of  main Car Parks for runners and walkers and these will be located in close proximity to the Race HQ at Ballintotis Community Centre. At various times, different Car Parks may be prioritised to cater for traffic flow - so the advise is to please follow the instructions of gardai and stewards who will be on duty. In relation to the Car Parks on race route – cars  will not be allowed exit until all runners have passed.

Race Start/Finish
The race begins at 8pm sharp – the Start Line is approx 200 meters from the Church on way to the main Road. The Finish Line is in front of the Church. ALL RUNNERS ARE ASKED TO BEGIN THE RACE IN THE TIME ZONE, WHICH REFLECTS THEIR EXPECTED FINISHING TIME. The year’s race is again chipped timed by Ronan Wogan and the team at myrunresults and as always there will be with timing mats at the start and finish line.

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All Race Enquiries to 086-8778182

Notice: IMRA Mt Hillary Trail Race nr Banteer - Sun 5th Feb 2023

The next IMRA trail race is on Mt Hillary near Banteer on Sunday 5th Feb 2023. The distance is 9.3kms with an ascent of 320m. It starts at 11am.

It costs €7 to enter and as per usual, IMRA membership for 2023 is required (€10).

Enter HERE

Details...

COUNTY: Cork
DATE: Sunday 5 February, 2023
TIME: 11:00

CLIMB (M): 320
DISTANCE (KM): 9.50
RACE MARKING: Route fully marked - Route fully marked
GPS ALLOWED: Yes
ENTRY CLOSES: 2023-02-04 18:00:00
ENTRY COST: €7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: The route will be marked, and consists of forest roads and narrow paths. It may be mucky and slippy and will be steep in sections so appropriate footwear is recommended.
The route can be viewed at https://strava.app.link/9l6K7XYcqwb

GETTING THERE: Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co. Cork
Registration and parking is at the Glen Theatre in Banteer. For those coming from Mallow, head West on the N72 (towards Killarney) for about 20km. Turn left at the R579 junction (signposted Banteer/Nad). Travel on this road for about 3km (going straight through Banteer Village) and the Glen Theatre is on the right hand side.

Parking is limited, so please make every effort to carpool.

The race starts approx. 1km from the Glen Theatre. There is no parking available at the race start location, so treat this as the warm-up and cool-down. The route to the start is on public roads, so caution is needed.

Please do not attempt to park at the race start location. Registration will not be possible there, the road is narrow, and lorries and farm machinery need access.

ORGANISERS INSTRUCTIONS:MANDATORY SHOWERPROOF JACKET MUST BE CARRIED/WORN DURING ALL IMRA EVENTS
No jacket = no result. Bring the mandatory jacket and have it crossing the finish line.

THERE IS NO SELF-TIMING AT IMRA EVENTS
You should start the race at the specified gun-times, or choose a distance that suits your ability.
Main Race 11am 9.5km. Short Race (includes Juniors) 11:15am 5km. Kids Race 10:30am 1km - Parent/adult must run with them.

Event link... https://imra.ie/events/view/id/2264

Help wanted for Junior 2k parkrun in Togher

As the poster says, there is a group trying to get a free 2km Junior parkrun up and running in Clashduv Park in Togher in Cork City. Just like the normal 5k parkruns for adults that take place every Saturday at 9:30am, the Junior 2k parkruns take place at 9:30am on Sundays.

As of January 2023, there are two Junior parkruns in Cork... one in Ballincollig Regional Park and one in Cobh. There really should be way way more.

One of the criteria for junior parkruns is that the children must be within sight of race stewards at all times. A flat grassland like Clashduv Park is ideal for this. Looking at the map below, it looks like two or three loops of the park might be required to get the 2k distance.

If you want to help get this 2k parkrun up and running in Togher than email john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com.

New surface for Tramore Valley Park

It was a pleasant surprise at the Tramore Valley 5k parkrun last Saturday to see that Cork City Council have put down a new tarmac surface! This replaces the old compact gravel surface which was there for years and was prone to have pools of water on it.

I'm not sure how much of a difference it will really make running wise but it's a dead flat surface. It's not hard to imagine kids on roller blades and scooters now able to use it to say nothing about parents pushing buggies. 

As it's not prone to any real traffic other than council vehicles, there is no real potential for potholes or anything to spoil it in the future.

It really does feel as if it's a finishing touch to a proper public park whereas the old gravel path felt like a bit of a temporary arrangement.

The only potential downside is the perhaps the possibility of ice in frosty weather so that will be something to watch out for.

The Tramore Valley 5k parkrun course is shown above and it's basically two 2.5km loops. The section in Yellow is the the older tarmac. The section in Red is the new tarmac section and it's probably about 1.5kms in length.

Regardless of whether it's faster or not, the new section is a pleasure to run on. There is a free 5k parkrun on there every Saturday morning at 9:30am and you can have a look for yourself.

Link...
1) Parkruns in Co Cork

Results of the Corth Cork AC 5k in Doneraile Park - Sun 29th Jan 2023

This 5k in Doneraile park on Sunday the 29th of January 2023 was organised by North Cork AC. 

First 3 men & women
1 Cian McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix & district AC) 16:14.9
2 Barry Twohig (St.Finbarrs) 16:25.2
3 Kieran McKeown (Grange Fermoy) 16:56.9.
1 Kate McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix & district AC) 17:42.5
2 Jennifer Goggin Walsh ( Carrig na BhFear) 21:00.3
3 Emily O’Leary (St.Finbarrs) 22:01.0

Full results below...

Guest Post: The 4th weekend ...by Pat Walsh

 ** The 4th weekend **

It is a while since I tried a frivolous post so here goes.

Alarm went off early this morning. Dark, so very dark and you are questioning your resolve to get up early Saturday and get the long run done. We are 4 weeks into the New Year and this is the time that resolutions are being challenged. 

I wont let it beat me. No such thing as bad weather. The gang will be waiting and I love it but must it be soo cold and soo dark. 

Swung out of bed, Oh my Lord the hamstrings are tight, they will need some TLC before I run. The physio that told me they were like the legs of a table wasn’t far wrong.

The Breakfast of champion runners, a cuppa and a bowl of Bran Flakes. OMG so tasteless but I need the energy. Today is the day we tackles Popes Hill as part of the route. 

Thankfully I got the gear ready last night in case I had a total meltdown in plans. 4 layers found, gloves and hat, very little left open to the elements. The sky is brightening. Do a little warm up and a few stretches while the kettle is boiling. 

Random Spotify playlist on the speaker to break the early morning silence and just as I am beginning to move... it happens. 

“ The Greatest ” the ultimate running song.
Don't give up (no no)
I won't give up (no no)
Yes my buddy Sia has appeared to inspire and save the day. Kitchen aerobics are all the fashion.
With a bounce in my step I head off. What hill? What long run? I have this.
I am a runner, I run on Saturday as always.
“And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
But I, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I need another love to be mine
Cause I, I got stamina”

The sun is up, the gang are ready willing and available. I found myself again, why did I ever doubt it. We do it, we love it. Stretching credibility now—we sailed up the hill and coasted home. The reality may be different but we did it and will never admit anything else. 

10 miles done and the clock is south of 10am. Yes I am alive. Yes I ran. Yes thanks to my good running friends. The day is sorted. The weekend has found its fulcrum. 

"I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest." 

I will sleep well tonight and no run tomorrow. 

Dedication to the weekend Long run is either total infatuation or absolute insanity. You decide.. 

#pwr

A quick look at the numbers for 5k parkruns in Co Cork - Jan 2023

The chart above shows the number of finishers per week for the 5k parkruns in Co Cork for the month of January 2023. There were 10 parkruns each Saturday except for the 14th of January when there were 8 resulting in a drop in the overall numbers.

The 10 events in Co Cork on the 28th of January 2023 attracted around 950 runners and walkers.

It's easy to overlook but 5k parkruns are now the largest organised running events on the calendar in Cork. With roughly 700-900 finishers per week every week, they eclipse nearly all of the individual road races in the county.

A list of the ten 5k parkruns in Co Cork can be found HERE with links to each event.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 28th January 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 28th January 2023. Approximately 950 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 321 this week, 287 last week. Long term average 288

First 3 men & women... 

1 Sean TWOHIG Male SM30-34 St Finbarrs AC 17:18

2 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 18:31

3 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 19:02

11 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:52

17 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 Leevale AC 20:33

21 Dawn ATHERTON Female VW35-39 Knowsley Harriers AC 20:54

Ballincollig results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/261/

Tramore Valley Park: 218 runners took part in this event. 174 last week. The long term average is 164.

First 3 men & women...

1 Toby BENHAM Male SM25-29 Crusaders A C Dublin 17:39

2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:41

3 Daire REILLY Male VM35-39 18:41

14 Annmarie BURNS Female VW35-39 20:59

46 Kelly FOLEY Female VW35-39 23:19

47 Alison WOLFE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 23:25

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/42/

Glen River: 63 this week, 83 last week. The long term average is 76.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Aidan MAHER Male JM15-17 Carraig na bhFear AC 17:41

2 David MAHER Male SM18-19 Carraig na bhFear AC 17:59

3 Timmy COLBERT Male JM15-17 19:19

23 Aoife O'NEILL Female SW30-34 25:43

24 Emer MAUGHAN Female VW50-54 26:15

28 Allie PHILLIPS Female JW11-14 Carraig na bhFear AC 26:27

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/141/

Mallow Castle: 70 finishers this week, 66 last week. The long term average is 66.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:40

2 Darragh FROST Male SM25-29 20:08

3 Patrick O KEEFFE Male VM50-54 Mt. Hillary AC 21:03

9 Aine QUANE Female SW30-34 22:51

12 Edel DWYER Female SW30-34 23:31

15 Eleanor RYAN Female VW35-39 24:44

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/68/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 61 this week, 74 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Unknown ??

2 John MURPHY Male VM50-54 18:23

3 Micheal CRONIN Male SM30-34 18:35

4 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 St Catherines AC 18:36

8 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:30

10 Sorcha KILGANNON Female JW15-17 22:46

12 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 23:22

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/47/

Macroom Desmense: 55 this week, 65 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:32

2 Conor O'RIORDAN Male VM40-44 20:16

3 Darren CREED Male SM30-34 20:21

12 Lisa KINGSTON Female SW18-19 24:49

13 Karen O' CALLAGHAN Female VW45-49 24:54

17 Rachel KELLEHER Female JW15-17 25:32

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/410/

Clonakilty: 33 finishers this week, 39 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women...

1 Naoise Ó FLAITHEARTAIGH Male SM20-24 16:52

2 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 18:04

3 Olan BRAZIER SCANNELL Male JM11-14 20:34

7 Roisin HURLEY Female SW25-29 22:05

14 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 23:51

15 Anna O'NEILL Female VW50-54 23:57

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/366/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 71 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was 95 last week, long term average is 59.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Michael MINEHANE Male VM45-49 Marathon Club Ireland 21:01

2 Micheal COPPINGER Male JM11-14 21:13

3 Michael MCSWEENEY Male VM50-54 Beara AC 21:30

14 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 26:05

19 Maura FARRELL Female VW60-64 27:04

25 Michaela Anna O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 29:55

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/281/

Bere Island: 25 this week, 23 last week, long term average of 45. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:19

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

4 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 27:10

3 Breandan MURPHY Male SM20-24 24:36

6 John F O SULLIVAN Male VM60-64 31:21

8 Tadhg HOBBS Male JM15-17 32:05

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/371/

Castlehaven: 32 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 34 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...

1 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 Castlehaven GAA 20:49

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 20:54

3 Donal MCCORMACK Male VM35-39 22:24

5 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 24:08

8 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 25:25

10 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 26:55

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/292/

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

Friday Jigsaw: Cork BHAA Crew

For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo from Mick Dooley of the Cork BHAA crew at the finish line of the recent 5k race in Little Island.

You can find the 104-piece jigsaw HERE

Training programme for the 2023 Cork City Marathon & Half-Marathon

The Cork City Marathon, Half-Marathon & Relay will be held on Sunday the 4th of June 2023.

I will be starting 18-week programmes for the marathon and 14-week programmes for the half-marathon. If anyone wants a longer lead in time then that's an option as well.

20-weeks starting 16th Jan - €145

18-weeks starting 30th Jan - €133 - Official Marathon start

16-weeks starting 13th Feb - €120

14-weeks starting 27th Feb - €108 - Official Half-Marathon start

If I coached you in the past then there is a reduced fee.

Each programme is sent out weekly and is tailored for each individual. Weekly feedback by email is required.

If interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

IMRA event calendar updated for 2023

I updated the IMRA page on the site with all of the events for 2023 and it's really surprising just how many there are. Munster is easily the busiest area in terms of trail running events in contrast to other parts of the country.

There's something there for nearly everyone... from trail running in a woods to running up the side of a mountain. Some takeaway points...

1) If you can run 10k comfortably then you should be fine for the easier events.

2) Annual membership of IMRA is required and which costs €10 for the year.

3) You will need to bring a jacket with you.

You can find the updated list HERE

Notice: IMRA Glengarra Woods Trail Race nr Mitchelstown - Sun 29th Jan 2023

After a very successful trail race at Corrin Hill Woods on the 15th, the IMRA are holding their next trail race on Sunday the 29th of January 2023 at Glengarra Woods near Mitchelstown. This is a good introduction to trail running for anyone starting off.

The distance is 7.3kms with a 187m climb. If you can run a 10k comfortably on the road then you should be ok for this. 

Details and registration at https://imra.ie/events/view/id/2263

Note that IMRA membership is required which costs €10 for the year. The trail race costs €7.

From IMRA... " Our next trail race will be at Glengarra Woods, in the foothills of the Galtee Mountains, on Sunday 29th January. We have long (7.3km) and short (3km) courses available. If you're new to trail running, this would be a great course to try out.

Details and registration at https://imra.ie/events/view/id/2263
DESCRIPTION: Glengarra Woods
COUNTY: Tipperary
DATE: Sunday 29 January, 2023
TIME:11:00
CLIMB (M):187
DISTANCE (KM):7.30
ENTRY CLOSES: 2023-01-28 18:00:00
ENTRY COST:€7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s. Online entry only for this race."

Glengarra Woods is just off the M8 motorway between Mitchelstown and Cahir. If you're coming from near Cork City then take exit 12 and follow the old N8 road.

Results of the Cork BHAA IFF-DuPont 5k race in Little Island - Sun 22nd Jan 2023

The Cork BHAA held their first road race of 2023 with the IFF-DuPont 5k in Little Island on Sunday 22nd January 2023. As can be seen from the chart above, the numbers staged a bit of a recovery this year with a 20% jump in numbers compared to last year.

While the numbers aren't back at pre-pandemic levels, they're pretty close and are very similar to 2018 and 2016.

Top 3 men & women...
1 James Hayes M1 00:15:11 Dept of Ed M-A-2
2 James McCarthy M2 00:15:19 Rooskagh Coffee Co.
3 John Meade 00:15:22 Temp Reg
12 Lizzie Lee 0/40I F1 00:16:10 Apple F-A-2
18 Michelle Kenny 0/40I F2 00:17:09 Dept of Ed F-A-1
23 Carol Finn F3 00:17:35 Carol Finn Physical Therapy

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has a gallery of post race photos HERE

First 3 women (L-R) ...2nd Michelle Kenny, 1st Lizzie Lee & 3rd Carol Finn

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 21st January 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 21st January 2023. Approximately 940 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 287 this week, cancelled last week. Long term average 288

First 3 men & women... 

1 Alan O'SHEA Male VM40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 15:45

2 Sean BROWNE Male VM55-59 19:06

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM35-39 19:10

7 Gail MURRAY Female VW45-49 Belgooly AC 20:23

10 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:27

19 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:18

Ballincollig results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/260/

Tramore Valley Park: 174 runners took part in this event. 316 last week. The long term average is 164.

First 3 men & women...

1 John GOGGIN Male VM40-44 17:13

2 John O MAHONY Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:16

3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:24

16 Sandra MANNING Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 20:35

27 Lynda O'GORMAN Female VW45-49 22:56

41 Alison WOLFE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 24:13

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/41/

Glen River: 83 this week, 100 last week. The long term average is 76.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Ken INCE Male VM35-39 Eagle A.C. 18:13

2 Barry WALSH Male VM35-39 18:26

3 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:30

10 Derval DEVANEY Female VW45-49 Belpark Triathlon Club 21:46

14 Ellie CAFFERKEY Female JW11-14 22:45

19 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 23:02

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/140/

Mallow Castle: 66 finishers this week, cancelled last week. The long term average is 66.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Iain BUCKLEY Male JM11-14 18:09

2 Darragh FROST Male SM25-29 20:21

3 Cathal DWANE Male VM40-44 20:38

20 Johannah MCSWEENEY Female JW10 25:27

22 Orla CUNNANE Female VW45-49 25:55

25 Clodagh BENNETT Female VW40-44 26:20

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/67/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 74 this week, 64 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Andrew DE KLERK Male VM45-49 Ballintotis Fit4Life 19:13

2 Paul KEARNEY Male VM35-39 Aghada Running Club 20:34

3 Cody COUGHLAN Male JM15-17 21:06

10 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:54

15 Éabha KENEFICK Female JW11-14 23:45

17 Sorcha KILGANNON Female JW15-17 23:50

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/46/

Macroom Desmense: 65 this week, 58 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:27

2 Henry BROWNE Male VM40-44 19:09

3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 19:39

13 Margaret GALVIN Female SW30-34 23:26

20 Marie CONDRON Female VW35-39 24:46

21 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 24:47

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/409/

Clonakilty: 39 finishers this week, 41 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 18:30

2 Olan BRAZIER SCANNELL Male JM11-14 20:25

3 Rían FITZGERALD Male JM11-14 20:40

12 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:51

18 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 27:07

19 Marykate MCCARTHY Female JW11-14 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 27:08

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/365/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 95 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was 64 last week, long term average is 58.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Peter LITTLE Male VM45-49 19:55

2 Declan WHOOLEY Male VM35-39 Raheny Shamrock AC 20:26

3 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:45

11 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:44

18 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:51

24 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW55-59 26:56

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/280/

Bere Island: 23 this week, 31 last week, long term average of 45. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Ben MURPHY Male VM40-44 21:55

2 Ultan MURPHY Male JM15-17 22:46

4 Breandan MURPHY Male SM20-24 24:25

3 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 22:55

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:32

7 Joanne SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 29:28

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/370/

Castlehaven: 34 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 27 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...

1 Patrick GEARY Male SM25-29 20:24

2 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 Castlehaven GAA 21:10

3 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:17

6 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 24:23

12 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:26

13 Sile COLLINS Female SW25-29 28:32

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/291/

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

 

Guest Post: Focus and Realism ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Focus and Realism **

What do we want, what should we focus on for the year ahead?

To be honest only you can answer that for yourself. 
Short and fast -- long and a bit slower -- OR a mixture of both. You decide.  
Where does your true potential lie and have you the time and inclination to go with it?

This is not a lecture post, it is simply to get you to ask yourself what do you really want, are you capable of doing it and will you put in the time and effort to succeed? If so, then go for it. Give it your best shot and see where it takes you. The next few weeks are vital in creating a solid base for the year.

The answer may be NO and that is fair enough too. Do you want to just stay active and running with your friends?

Life at the moment can have its share of difficulties and troubles so if all you want to do is get out the door for a run and take part in the occasional race then that is fine too. 

Your life, live it on your terms. I suppose the trick here is that if training is haphazard and not clearly focused then don’t beat yourself up on times or performances. 

Run for the sake of it and be glad to participate.

** If we have learnt anything from the last few years then:

Overthinking and overplanning can be a wasted effort, who knows what the future holds. Do the best you can at any given time.

Our general health and well-being is our best method of enjoying life.

We need our buddies and our miles, that is a given for sanity, fitness and general quality of life.

We need to support and encourage one another as clearly it isn’t coming from on high. The recent decision by Athletics Ireland to surcharge those non-club runners to run in races could be one of the biggest errors ever. In a time when running is declining anyway, it was the last thing that was needed.

So get out your running shoes, contact your buddies, plan your routes and coffee stops. Be grateful and thankful for the freedom to run. Enjoy every time that you are running. Life can be short, pressures can be huge but there is a solution. RUN.

Have a good weekend. 

#PWR