Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 11th Jul 2026

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 11th July 2026. Approximately 1028 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... Conditions were very warm for this weeks parkrun in Co Cork with 21 deg C being recorded at Cork airport at that time of the morning. Midleton was cancelled this weekend as some of the volunteers were taking a break.

Most parkruns... The person with the most parkruns this week is Jennifer Melbourne from the UK who completed her 645th parkrun at the Glen River event.

Ballincollig... Clare Murphy completed her 100th parkrun!

Glen River... Christine O'Leary completed her 100th parkrun.

Mallow... Gary Peck, a visitor from the UK chose Mallow to do his 500th event.

Bere Island... There was a jump in numbers for the parkrun this week as quite a few runners were on the island to take part in the Midsummer 5k later in the day.

Ian O'Brien completed his 250th parkrun with his second outing on the island. 211 of Ian's total were done at the Ballincollig event.

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

Upcoming milestones....

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  250 this week, 224 last week.

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/432/

Tramore Valley Park: 239 this week, 240 last week.

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/210/

Glen River: 65 this week, 72 last week.

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/319/

Midleton Greenway: CANCELLED this week, 138 last week.

Midleton Greenway... They were taking a break this week with a lot of the volunteers away on holidays.

Mallow Castle: 75 this week, 69 last week.

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/237

Youghal (Pobalscoil na Tríonóide) : 64 this week, 44 last week.

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/218

Macroom Castle Demense: 42 this week, 58 last week.

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/585

Clonakilty: 50 this week, 61 last week. 

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/539

Glengarriff Woods: 80 this week, 86 last week.

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/462

Bere Island: 134 this week, 67 last week. 

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/553

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 28 finishers this week, 24 last week.

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/473

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

Guest Post: Random Diary Entries ...by Pat Walsh

* Random Diary Entries *

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.”

10th October

Not sure if I can run in the morning. Where did the Summer go and leave Winter in so quickly. I will need a long sleeve and a woolly cap. All I have is my Summer gear and the winter stuff was either dumped or buried at the bottom of a cupboard. Hope I washed it before I put it away. Could be a fair hum from some of the gear if it didn’t see the washing machine before I stashed it. I suppose nothing major ahead until the Turkey Trot  and it would be ok to miss a run. I’ll sort the gear for next week. I hate missing a run,

10th January

Not sure I can run in the morning. Baltic weather out there. Frost and ice in the forecast for tomorrow morning. Have to be careful, as one slip and a fall on icy footpaths and it could be a hip or a collar bone out of action for the year. Bambi on ice comes to mind. Couldn’t be taking a chance on it. I’ll stay in bed and let the lunatics off for themselves. You have to mind yourself. A nice hot whiskey before bed and set no morning alarm call. Bad start to the Year, World domination may have to be put on hold for a while. I hate missing a run.

10th April

Not sure I can run in the morning. Where in the name of God did that wind come from. One of those storms that blow in from the Atlantic named after some imbecile in the weather department. Storm Lilith I ask you. How can we have respect for a storm named after a character in ‘Cheers’. It could be a bit wild and bring down a few trees or branches. I can handle most weather conditions but wind and rain is just not nice. I wouldn’t like to get a cold or the flu and be suffering for the Easter Holidays. I hate missing a run.

10th July

Not sure I can run in the morning. You couldn’t make this up. A heatwave in Ireland just as I am hitting my peak in training. Tropical temperatures during the day and night. Advisory to not over exert the body in these conditions, and to be fair it is like a sauna out there. 

'Hot summer nights, mid-July

When you and I were forever wild'.... Lana Del Rey

I have the fair skin complexion of a Northern European with zero tolerance for very hot temperatures. I’m sweating putting on my running gear. Can you imagine exposing my milky white legs and arms to that sun, I could be scalded. George Lee says this could become the new normal. Will I even bother replacing my running shoes as they could be sticking in the tar like the current ones. I had great plans for July to be ready for the Autumn. I hate missing a run.

In Ireland we are lucky to live in a temperate climate where outdoor activities are possible all year round if you actually want to do it. 6.30am is a beautiful time of the day on the Greenway at the moment. Existence precedes essence, I run therefore I am.

Have a lovely weekend and stay safe.

#pwr

Results of the Tracton 4-mile road race - Fri 10th July 2026

Clean sweep for Leevale AC in the women's race... (L-R) Hannah Steeds 1st, Sinead O'Connor 2nd & Lizzie Lee 3rd

The 5th edition of the Tracton 4-mile road race was held on Fri 10th of July 2026 and a record 299 runners took part, up 6% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
134 1 John BLACK North Belfast Harriers 1. M M 20:54  
71 2 Vivian FOLEY Eagle A.C. 2. M M50 21:27  
116 3 Michael CORBETT St. Finbarrs A.C. 3. M M50 21:57   
124 7 Hannah STEEDS Leevale A.C. 1. F F 22:28  
135 10 Sinead O CONNOR Leevale A.C. 2. F F40 23:01  
128 14 Lizzie LEE Leevale A.C. 3. F F40 23:46

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) PopUpRaces has a gallery of finish line photos HERE

2) Joe Murphy has some race photos HERE 

Carol Murphy on Bere Island reaches 500 volunteer credit milestone

 

Well done to Carol Murphy who reached the 500-volunteer milestone at the Bere Island 5k parkun last weekend! With one parkrun per week, it takes about 10-years to reach this milestone.

Back in April, Maretta Brennan was the first person in Cork to reach the 500-volunteer credits milestone at the Ballincollig parkrun. Maretta reached this impressive 500 total by volunteering at both the 5k parkrun on Saturday and the junior 2k parkrun on Sunday.

In Carol's case, she is the first person in Cork to reach the 500-volunteer milestone by volunteering only at 5k events. Carol has also as of last Saturday completed 360 5k parkruns with the vast majority on Bere Island.

Joanne Sullivan on Bere Island is on track to become the first person in Cork to complete 500 5k parkruns on Saturday the 22nd of August 2026.

Notice: Tracton 4-mile road race - Fri 10th July 2026

Tracton AC are holding their Tracton 4-mile road race on Friday the 10th of July 2026 at 8pm.

You can pre-enter online HERE

Update - 10th July: 1) The forecast is for 19 deg C, about 6 deg cooler than Cork City!

2) Note that there are some closed roads around Ballinrea Cross to the north of Carrigaline and the road from Five Mile Bridge to Ballygarvan is also be closed due to the heat. Be sure to leave early to avoid any delays due to traffic.

3) Online entries are open until 7pm but they will also be accepting in person registrations at the centre tonight.

Info from Tracton AC... "Tracton AC are hosting a 4-mile road race on Friday 10th July 2026 at 8pm in beautiful Minane Bridge (near Carrigaline, and 20km south of Cork city). 

South Kerry Greenway predicted to generate €22-38 million of economic activity annually

Kerry County Council recently posted the image on social media showing the projected social and economic benefits of the new South Kerry Greenway.

Projected Social and Economic Benefits
🚴 Jobs Created: 300 to 540 - (Supporting local employment in tourism, hospitality, retail and related services)
🏃‍♀️ Visitors Annually: 230,000 to 430,000 - (Boosting footfall, supporting businesses and enhancing our communities)
🚲 Annual Impact: €20m to 38m - (Driving economic growth and investment across South Kerry)
Source: PWC

The whole Greenway from Caherciveen to Glenbeigh is about 32kms in length and roughly half of it is open now to the public.

See previous posts...

First 3km section of the new South Kerry Greenway is now open to the public - 19th Dec 2025

Part 2 of the South Kerry Greenway near Glenbeigh opens 2nd Apr 2026

Notice: Kinsale Regatta 5 Mile - Fri 31st July 2026

The annual Kinsale Regatta 5-mile road race is coming up this year on Friday 31st of July 2026 with a start time of 7:30pm.

Update - 8th July 2026: 700 places gone, 300 places left.

You can enter HERE

This event is a fundraiser for Sailability Ireland which helps people with disabilities experience sailing.

Elevate Credit Union sponsor Cork runner Ryan Creech

Elevate Credit Union recently announced that they are sponsoring Cork runner Ryan Creech as he gets ready to represent Ireland on the international stage.

Elevate Credit Union... "Big News! 🚨 We are incredibly proud to sponsor Ryan Creech as he prepares to wear the Irish singlet in the marathon at the European Championships in Birmingham! 🇮🇪

Ryan’s story is pure inspiration. Juggling a full-time job, a young family, and bouncing back from 5 surgeries, he proves what’s possible with relentless work ethic. Next stop: Birmingham. Ultimate goal: The LA Olympics! ⚡️

Join us in backing Ryan on this incredible journey."

Elevate Credit Union has offices in Douglas, Grange, Glanmire and Passage West and they are merging this year with Synergy who operates in Fermoy, Watergrasshill and on the Lower Glanmire Road in Cork city.

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 27th June 2026

This free timed 5k was held on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway on Sat 27th of June 2026.

 

Training programme for the 2026 Dublin Marathon

The 2026 Dublin Marathon is coming up on Sunday the 25th of October 2026. If anyone would like to optimise their training then I am running individualised training programmes at the moment and the  cost is €144.

The length of programme really depends on where you are as a runner and what your initial endurance fitness is like.

After an initial consultation and we agree on what days you can train, a programme is sent out every week by email and weekly feedback is required. That will determine what the programme is like for the following week.

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

If you have another event in mind like an autumn half-marathon then send an e-mail to the above address.

https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/p/coaching.html

Notice: West Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon - Sat 29th Aug 2026

The West Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon is coming up this year on Saturday the 29th of August 2026 at 9am. This scenic half has a limit of 750 entries so I would advise anyone that is interested to enter asap.

Entry fee includes a specially commissioned  Greenway dry-fit t-shirt !

ENTRIES HERE

Update - 5th July 2026: This event is now sold out. It took just 5-days to sell all 750 entries.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 4th Jul 2026

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 4th July 2026. Approximately 1083 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... A nice dry morning for the eleven 5k parkruns in Co Cork this weekend with temperatures in the range of 15 to 18 deg C.

Most parkruns... The person with the most parkruns this week is Sharon Maria Boland from the UK who is on 630 parkruns.

Tramore Valley... Ballincollig parkrunner Pawel Switaj made the journey to Tramore Valley Park to do his 250th 5k parkrun this weekend.

At the same event. Liz O'Donovan earned her 25th volunteer credit.

Ballincollig... Brian O'Sullivan completed his 100th 5k parkrun with 97 of them in Ballincollig.

Bere Island... Well done to Carol Murphy who reaches the 500-volunteer milestone. Report HERE

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

Upcoming milestones....

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  224 this week, 243 last week.

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/431/

Tramore Valley Park: 240 this week, 198 last week.

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/209/

Glen River: 72 this week, 38 last week.

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/318/

Midleton Greenway: 138 this week, 103 last week.

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/73

Mallow Castle: 69 this week, 61 last week.

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/236

Youghal (Pobalscoil na Tríonóide) : 44 this week, 23 last week.

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/217

Macroom Castle Demense: 58 this week, 56 last week.

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/584

Clonakilty: 61 this week, 36 last week. 

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/538

Glengarriff Woods: 86 this week, 66 last week.

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/461

Bere Island: 67 this week, 76 last week. 

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/552

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 24 finishers this week, 29 last week.

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/472

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

Guest Post: A Run ...by Pat Walsh

* A run *

The weather is picking up again and hopefully the good vibe will last for a while. 

The last few weeks / months haven’t been easy on the body or the mind. It happens, 

"We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called "life".... Prince 

Too many funerals and not enough celebrations. Hearing of illnesses and injuries to friends. Lots of bad news on the TV and radio. Doom scrolling on the internet.

When you enter a race online and have to scroll down a long way to find your birth year.. Jaysus 😃

The one saving grace through it all has been a run. 

The appreciation that I can run, when so many others that want to be active cannot do it.

On my own, a slow run and sorting the head out in a quiet place free from distractions where I can think.

Meeting someone to run and chat with, where there is a welcome ear and support while we cover the miles.

Going to a race and meeting everyone for smiles, hugs, laughs and yes we run a bit. The social bit is priceless.

Look at your watch when you finish a race and be happy that you and your watch got to the end line whatever the time is. It is an affirmation that you are alive.

The cuppa after a run.

The feeling afterwards when you are showered and dressed, where you feel you ran some of the bad stuff out and you have a little pep in your step.

We all have choices in our lives. 

Be positive or be negative. 

Some use the cliché glass half full or half empty. I like half full after I have drank the top half of a nice beer and half of it it still left…. but not for long and fill it again.

Live to the full each day or barely exist.

Be a support for others and know that everyone has some issue that they need help with.

'we give each other a smile with a future in it' John Donne

I won’t get religious or spiritual or predictions of an after life. I can’t predict tomorrow why would I be pontificating?

Enjoy your best life and in the absence of professional and scientific authority just listen to an aging slogger who has seen life. 

But go for a run.

#pwr

Notice: Cork BHAA Gas Networks Ireland 5k road race in Cork City - Wed 22nd July 2026

This years Cork BHAA Gas Networks Ireland 5k road race in Cork City is coming up on Wed 22nd July 2026 at 8pm.

Entry fee is €5 for registered runners and €10 for non-registered. Registration is open from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at Cork Boat Club in Blackrock village, with the first 500 entries receiving a free short sleeve dry fit t-shirt.

There are no pre-entries so get there early on the night to enter.

You will need to be there in person to pick up the t-shirt, you can't pick up a t-shirt for someone else.

The 5k race will be held this year on the Blackrock - Mahon Greenway, the same as last year.

The race starts on the Greenway near the old Blackrock railway station which is just off the Blackrock  Road. This is about 800m from Cork Boat Club.

The race then takes in the Blackrock and Mahon Greenways. It's dead flat except for the bridge over the South Ring Road. The finish line is near Blackrock Castle which is about 1km from the Boat Club.

Parking is limited near the Boat Club so it would be worth getting to registration as early as possible: Other parking areas include the far side of Blackrock Castle, near Shandon Boat Club and city side of Blackrock church.

Getting to the start line... From the Boat Club, go up the Blackrock Road to the left of the Natural  Foods Bakery. After you pass St Michael's church, you'll see the entrance to the Greenway on the left  at the bridge.

Again a reminder, if you want one of the dry fit tops then get there early!

Results of the Corkbeg 4-mile road race - Thurs 2nd July 2026

First 3-women (L-R)... Sharon Rynne 2nd, Jessica Coyne 1st & Catherine Murphy 3rd

The annual Corkbeg 4-mile road race was held this year on Thursday the 2nd of July 2026 on what turned out to be a lovely sunny summer evening.

There were 226 finishers this year which is up just over 5% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...

1 281 Colm Deasy Leevale AC M 20:52
2 262 Sean Russell Leevale AC M 21:28
3 384 Trevor Cummins Great Island AC M40 21:35
4 292 Jessica Coyne Leevale AC F 21:54
11 299 Sharon Rynne Leevale AC F35 23:45
22 247 Catherine Murphy Eagle AC F45 24:56

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some photos HERE

Corkbeg 4 Mile 2026 Provisional Results - Thursday July 2nd, 2026
Place Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 281 Colm Deasy Leevale AC M 20:52
2 262 Sean Russell Leevale AC M 21:28
3 384 Trevor Cummins Great Island AC M40 21:35
4 292 Jessica Coyne Leevale AC F 21:54
5 301 Michael Corbett St. Finbarrs AC M50 22:09
6 297 Paul Kearney Aghada Running Club AC M40 22:18
7 352 Alfie Davis Leevale AC M50 23:09
8 302 Cathal O'Connrll St. Finbarrs AC M60 23:16
9 313 Thomas O'Neill Youghal AC M 23:34
10 367 Elton Heffernan M40 23:38