Running in Cork, Ireland
Welcome to the Running in Cork blog, home of the Cork running community. This is the largest website in Cork & Munster for news on road races and general running news. Included are a current race calendar, race previews, photos, results as well as some local, national and international news items.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 11th Apr 2026
Guest Post: Evening Races ...by Pat Walsh
* Evening Races *
The first of the local evening races is on next week with the staging of the BHAA PWC 5k in Cork. I haven’t heard a cuckoo yet but this surely is a sign that winter is behind us.
The evening races are here: It is time to be getting out the Summer garb and consigning the multiple layers to the back of the cupboard. Peel away the layers like an onion. Find the shades and sun lotion. Emerge from the darkness.
The evening races are here: It will be good to meet those runners who only do the shorter runs. There was limited opportunities during the winter but now I see a midweek race in the calendar almost every week.
The evening races are here: As I write this with so much doom and gloom in the world it will be a chance for escapism from realities even for a little while and mix with like-minded caring people. How are you doing? Great to see you running.
The evening races are here: I have no speed training done to prepare for them. Nothing unusual there, did I ever?. I will make it up as I go along and tell others I’m preparing for a late Summer burst of glory…! No point peaking too early in the season.
The evening races are here: Sales of fake tan lotion will increase. It still rains in Summer so ‘fake tan streak’ is a real and worrying possibility. There will be photographers.
The evening races are here: A lovely way to see the towns and villages to support the clubs or charities that organize these races. The challenge for the best after race cuppa is real and it amazes me the effort some events go to with wonderful local support. Sandwich, (ham cut from the joint with fresh white bread and Kerrygold butter) served with a cup of tea. Simple man, simple pleasures please take note...!
The evening races are here: Life isn’t sitting at home watching the soaps on TV, it is getting out in the fresh air, being sociable and active.
The evening races are here: Maybe I might win a prize for the first time this year. Then I suppose why change the habits of a lifetime. Participating and completing are rewards to me.
The evening races are here: I’m alive with the privilege of being healthy enough to take part for another year. Maybe see you to say hello at some event.
The evening races are here:
Let your soul and spirit fly,
Into the mystic" Van Morrison
#pwr
Friday, April 10, 2026
MCI marathon in Westmeath cancelled due to fuel shortages
"Unfortunately, with concerns over the current fuel crisis/shortage and ongoing traffic disruptions across the country, we have had a number of entrants looking to defer entries, so we have made the difficult decision to cancel Saturday’s event (11th April) in Lilliput, Westmeath. Sincere apologies to all who entered or made arrangements to join us on the day. "
This isn't a typical type of road race in that the numbers are pretty small (51 in 2025) and many people are driving from many parts of Ireland to get to it.
However, it might be a sign of what might be coming with people giving road races a skip because they can't get fuel for their cars or might want to save the fuel for the rest of the week.
Notice: Cork BHAA PwC Anthony Reidy Memorial 5k in Cork City - Wed 15th Apr 2026
The Cork BHAA PwC 5k in Cork City is coming up on Wednesday the 15th of April 2026 at 7:30pm.
Reminder from the organisers... We would encourage people to register in advance. Pre-register on Eventmaster http://www.eventmaster.ie/custom/event/pwc5k until 2pm on Tuesday 14 April. Race numbers can be collected from One Albert Quay from 9am-7pm on race day.
Registration is also available on the evening in PwC, One Albert Quay from 6pm.
This is always a very popular race and should get a good crowd again as it's centrally located in the heart of Cork City and about as flat a 5k course as you can get. It's also the first evening race of spring 2026 in Cork City!
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns - Q1 2026
The parkrun organisation have a number of milestones going from 25 to 500 parkruns. The thing about milestones is that they are open to everyone and anyone can aspire to reach a certain level.
A number of people have recently passed the 250 mark and it's a significant achievement as it takes at least five years to complete. Thanks to all those who sent on updates and corrections.
Cork 250 Rules... As with any list, there must be some sort of guideline or rules. The criteria I went with are simple...
- At least 100 of the 5k parkruns must be in Co Cork
- Only the information on the parkrun website counts
Monday, April 06, 2026
Notice: The Cheetah Run 5k in Fota Wildlife Park - Thurs 14th May 2026
The Cheetah Run 5k in Fota Wildlife Park organised by Eagle AC is coming up on Thursday the 14th of May 2026 at 8pm. As well as there being the usual 5k race, there is also a one-mile race for juveniles (11-15 year olds).
UPDATE: Entries opened Tues 7th Apr 9am
UPDATE: 9:15am - 50% gone in just 15 mins!
UPDATE: 12:05pm - Sold out in just under 3-hours! It took 21 hours to sell out in 2025.
Enter HERE
From Eagle AC... "We’re excited to announce that this year’s Cheetah Run will take place on May 14th, 2026!
Mark your calendars, as entries for our super popular Eagle AC Cheetah Run at Fota Wildlife Park open on April 7th at 9 AM - and they sell out quickly! Make sure to grab your spot and avoid any disappointment!
Get your tickets here: https://eventmaster.ie/event/mLL2iyVFM8/vZXQuGmHQ
The 16th year of the annual Eagle Athletic Club Cheetah Run was officially launched by masters athlete Billy Cabal.
Aged 83, Billy has completed more Cheetah Runs than any other runner since its inception in 2008. Online registration opens on April 7th at Eventmaster.ie and the popular race is set to take place on Thursday, May 14th, 2026, at Fota Wildlife Park. The annual race continues to serve as a key fundraising event for Fota Wildlife Park, and funds raised during the event support the Park’s vital ongoing conservation work.
Also in attendance at the launch of this year’s event were emerging Cork athletes, Alison Brennan (Ballymore Cobh AC) and siblings Louise and Laura Twohig (Blarney Inniscarra AC).
The yearly event features a 5k route for adults (aged 16 years +) and a 1-Mile Race for junior runners (11-15 years) and is sponsored by John Buckley Sports and Brooks Running. Last year, the event raised €5,000 for the Red Panda Network, helping protect this endangered species. Funds raised annually support Fota Wildlife Park's conservation programmes, including endangered species protection and native wildlife initiatives."
***
5k Course... The same 5k route will be used again which takes in all areas of the Wildlife Park. There will be prizes for the first 5 men and women as well as the usual age categories.
There will also be a 20% discount voucher for John Buckley Sports. The savings on say a new pair of shoes would cover the entry fee. This must be used in the period two weeks after the race.
Juvenile 1 Mile Race.....There is also a 1 mile race for juveniles this year (Ages 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15). This will take place before the 5k race at 7:15pm. The numbers will be limited to 125. Entries for this will open also on the 1st of April. The one mile race has been measured accurately by Jones Counter, will be chip timed and all finishers will receive a medal. Please note that there are no prizes in the juvenile race.
5k Race...There will be prizes for the first 5 men and women as well as the usual age categories.
I would seriously advise people that have an interest in doing this race to enter as soon as it opens.
This is one race that sells out every year. Updates about the race will be made available here and on the race page on the Eagle AC website.
Sponsor...John Buckley Sports is one of the race sponsors and is one of the main specialist running shops in Cork City. They have a wide stock of gear in the shop and on their website....www.johnbuckleysports.com
They have been in business since 1981 and it's fair to say that the shop is highly regarded by many of the runners on the local road race scene. They also have a app which you can download to your smartphone which gives a generous discount when using it.
Brooks Running is also a sponsor... https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_ie
Sunday, April 05, 2026
Photos of the Galleyflash Rowing Club 9km run/walk - Sun 5th Apr 2026
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| Sinead O'Regan of Courceys AC was the first woman |
This new 9km run/walk was organised by Galleyflash Rowing Club on Sunday 5th of April 2026. The event was held at Long Strand near Rathbarry and roughly 100 people took part.
1st: Aidan McCarthy, 2nd: Brendan Walsh, 3rd: Rob Kehoe
1st: Sinead O'Regan, 2nd: Áine Ní Ghloinn, 3rd: Anna O'Neill
Photos by the organisers HERE
Guest Post: A visit to the Worcester Pitchcroft parkrun ...by Tom Scriven
Thanks to Tom Scriven for the following report. Tom is a regular at the Tramore Valley Park parkrun in Cork City.
WORCESTER PITCHCROFT PARKRUN - 28/03/2026We planned a recent trip to Worcester in the English Midlands, and as the trip involved a weekend stay, it seemed reasonable as a registered parkrun participant, to check for parkrun events in the Worcester area.
One of the two Worcester events, the Worcester Pitchcroft one, is held on the Worcester horse racecourse. Strangely, it seems the English parkruns are held at 09:00 hrs as distinct from the usual 09:30 hrs.
Thus I arrived at the Racecourse in good time and observed the normal pre-start notices, not surprisingly they followed the notices we're accustomed to. I estimated that approx 500 participants attended with the usual array of runners, walkers, buggy pushing parents and dog lovers.
The course (pardon the pun) involved a double loop around part of the racecourse, the terrain included tarmaced paths, a gravel laneway, a matted crossing of the racecourse and the final section is held on the actual racecourse ground. The 2nd lap was shorter and involved rounding the turn of the racecourse.
The organisation was of the usual standard, I duly received the email result before noon. The atmosphere was a jovial one and as the parkrun course was a 2-lap variety, like the Cork Tramore Valley course, I as a walker, at the close of lap 1, was overtaken by the faster running finishers. Undeterred, I continued and achieved a finishing time within my normal range.
The Worcester event cemented my already formed opinion of parkruns, it's a brilliant idea that allows participants to catch another event when one is travelling. There's an array of courses, eg, tarmac paths in Cork's Tramore Valley, woodland paths in Glengarriff and tarred public roads (with minimum traffic!) In Bere Island.
I applaud the "No fee - No prizes model, the sole emphasis is on getting in a 5K run or walk. Due to the nature of the Worcester course a small number of volunteer helpers was sufficient, however, despite the large number of participants, the checking of barcodes at the finish chute passed very smoothly.
As the final 100m or so, was held on the actual racecourse, I could momentarily imagine I was Gaelic Warrior or any other recent horserace winner as I approached the 'finish' sign.
Being a 'parkrunner' is a little addictive and attending an event on Saturday morning, if at all possible, is now part of the week. I applaud the idea, I applaud the volunteers and I applaud all the participants. Finishing the event is the goal and each participant is treated equally.
Of course, (pardoning the pun again!), it's not always appropriate to have a coffee station nearby, but after participating and especially when meeting a 'long lost friend' a snack and a chat is always enjoyable. Being a walker, (my days of running are alas behind me!) relaxing with a coffee is easier. I can always strive for a faster time next week, not quite the daunting wait of a full year as in the former days of the 'Ballycotton 10'
But back to the parkruns, wherever your choice, I'll borrow a phrase from the equine world, 'Tally ho'
Saturday, April 04, 2026
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 4th Apr 2026
Friday, April 03, 2026
Results of the Streets of Killarney 5-mile - Fri 3rd Apr 2026
The first woman was Michelle Finn of Leevale AC in Cork who won the Killarney race 24 hours after winning the Streets of Kilkenny 5k!
Full results HERE
New section of Greenway between Glenbrook and Monkstown is open - Apr 2026
Over the last few days, contractors have been putting the finishing touches to the new greenway between Glenbrook and Monkstown and it is now finally open as can be seen in the photo above.
It's not that long but it's another step in getting a full greenway between Carrigaline and Cork City.
The map above shows the location. The bright green section is the new greenway which is about 730m in length. The dark green section is the existing narrower section which runs under the 'Cut and Cover' railway tunnel and comes out in Monkstown.
The new greenway starts at the cross harbour ferry as shown above and heads south.
The photo above shows the end of the new section and transitions onto the narrower 400m section. The 'Cut and Cover' railway tunnel can be seen in the distance and Monkstown is around the corner.
Video... The video below shows part of the new greenway starting from the car ferry...
Cork to Carrigaline Greenway... This is a map of the approximate route for the full 17.5km greenway which will go from Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City to Carrigaline.
As of the Spring of 2026, there is a greenway from Cork City to Passage West which is about 8kms in length and there is a short 500m section in Carrigaline. The balance is about 9kms.
This new section from the car ferry to Monkstown reduces the undeveloped section from about 9 to 8kms. It's not a huge amount but it's another step in the overall project.
Impact???... The previous footpath was reasonably wide so the impact for walkers and runners of the new section is pretty small, it just means that there is more space. The bigger impact will be for slower cyclists in that the greenway is a lot safer than the main road for adults and children. Motorists benefit because there are fewer cyclists on the road that they need to pass.
In terms of road races, the Great Railway Run from Cork to Carrigaline and the Cork Down Syndrome charity half-marathon from Haulbowline to Pairc Ui Chaoimh use this new section of greenway.
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Notice: Karen Fenton Memorial 5k in Ballinora - Sun 26th April 2026
Part 2 of the South Kerry Greenway near Glenbeigh opens 2nd Apr 2026
The first part of the South Kerry Greenway opened near Goldens of Kells on the 19th of December 2025. See previous post.
The second part of the South Kerry Greenway near Glenbeigh will be opened at 2pm on Thursday 2nd of April 2026. This has been announced in several media outlets over the last few days but if you're not from the area then it's not really clear about what's really happening. I have put together a map shown above which shows the new stages.
The first stage at Kells is about 3.1kms in length and has been popular with walkers. The only thing though is that it's a bit in the middle of nowhere and people have to drive there to get access.
The second stage however starts in the village of Glenbeigh so local walkers and runners can access it from home. It is 4.2kms in length which gives 8.4kms for anyone going out and back. That's probably a roughly 90-minute walk for someone so it's pretty reasonable.
This new section basically has high ground to the west so there are no sea views but the semi-circle of mountains to the south provide a lovely backdrop to this section.
It is expected that an additional 2kms will be added to this section by the summer of 2026. The plan is to add an additional 10kms to the Greenway in 2027.
While the full greenway is 32kms in length and goes from Glenbeigh to Reenard (south west of Cahersiveen), the jewel in the crown so to speak is the section between the first and second sections.
This will have elevated views out over Dingle Bay and will include three short tunnels and one bridge.
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| New section of greenway near Glenbeigh |
Once these two sections are connected then the greenway project takes on a whole new life. It was the same as the Waterford greenway. Once the section from Dungarvan to Kilmacthomas opened, the visitors flocked in.
It should be the same for Glenbeigh. Cyclists can use it for an easy out and back cycle and there will be plenty of choices for walkers and runners. It's great to see some progress at last.
Wednesday, April 01, 2026
Cork City Marathon finish line moves to the Grand Parade...
The organisers of the Cork City Marathon have announced that the finish line for the 2026 event will move from Patricks Street to the Grand Parade.
The full marathon will now start on the Grand Parade and finish by the city library on the Grand Parade.
The half-marathon will still start on Monahan Road which is about 500m from the city hall and it will finish on the Grand Parade.
The 10k will start somewhere on the South Mall and will finish on the Grand Parade.
According to the organisers.... "Exciting News! We have new start and finish lines this year, designed to improve safety, increase capacity, and create a stronger city-centre experience for runners and spectators!". They also put out a press release which was a masterclass in a public relations word salad.
What it means... 1) It makes no difference to the runners or spectators experience, it's just a different finish line.
2) They had about 20-metres in width available for a finish line on Patricks Street. It's about 30-metres on the Grand Parade so it's easier for the organisers.
3) Patricks Street is one of the main retail areas of Cork City. By moving the finish line to the Grand Parade, it means a lot less disruption for retailers and shoppers on Patricks Street.
Slí Cumann na mBan... This is the name of the riverside walk which went from the Mardyke Walk to the Irish Distillers plant by the North Mall. The Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k will no longer use this section and instead, it will take a more direct route towards Washington Street and the finish line on the Grand Parade.
This walkway was useful from an organisers point of view in the past as it meant that fewer roads would need to be closed. It is however quite narrow and was a real bottleneck when the number of runners was high.
By keeping the runners on public roads, it should mean that the numbers can be increased in the future.
In summary... The reality is that the Cork Marathon event is starting to fall behind and wasn't living up to its full potential. Cork City is the 3rd largest city in Ireland and in 2024, the Cork Half-Marathon was the 3rd largest half-marathon in Ireland. In 2025, it dropped down to 7th place because it wasn't able to cater for the demand.
Moving the finish to the Grand Parade means that it is moving from a retail area to a more suitable location for a sporting event. Removing the riverside walk will enable larger numbers in future allow the event to live up to its true potential.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 28th Mar 2026
28 runners turned out for the free Run the Line 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway on Saturday 28th of March 2026.







































