Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Long cycle to Glengarriff to do my 100th 5k parkrun - Sat 12th July 2025


After gradually tipping away at the parkruns most weekends, the time had finally arrived to do my 100th 5k parkrun. I had originally planned to go back to Macroom where I did my first parkrun but I wanted to do something special, some place that was a challenge to get to and then do #100 there.

I enlisted the help of my traveling companion Grellan McGrath and we hatched a plan to cycle to Glengarriff in West Cork, a round trip of 205kms for me and 160kms or 100 miles for Grellan.

I left my house at 3:40am last Saturday on what was a dark and foggy morning. As I headed through Douglas, the only movement was taxis and late night revellers walking home.


I called to Grellan at 4:40am in Ballincollig and then we began the long journey west in the dark and the fog.

The kms flew by... first Crookstown and then Beal na Blath as the sky began to get brighter as we headed west on the 'Bantry Line'. As we approached some high ground by Coppeen, we popped above the fog and the sun cast long shadows from us about 50m or so down the road. It wasn't to last though and we dropped back into the fog again.


After what seemed like hours, we finally arrived in the fog at the Cousane Gap, the metaphorical and  literal gateway to West Cork.

Up the hairpin bend and over then down the other side. And then everything changed completely, we popped out of the fog to be presented with a spectacular view of the mountains of West Cork with blue skies and sunshine.

Downhill to Kealkill and on to Ballylickey for a well earned break and a cuppa. On arriving, we met some of the Ballincollig parkrun crew on their way to Bere Island for the parkun and Mid-Summer race.

Always conscious of time, we pressed on after the cuppa westwards and arrived at the Gate Lodge for Glengarriff Park about 8:35am, in plenty of time and just over 100kms done.


After a 1km or two to kill some time, it was time to warm up for the parkrun. You might think a 100km cycle is a good warm up for a 5k parkrun but you use different muscles when you're cycling. Off I went and ran a slow 2kms just to be sure.

As can be seen from the photo at the top of the post, the numbers were modest with 71 taking part. The plan was just to run at my usual 5k pace so that it would feel like a good workout. Just follow the person in front of me and hang in there for 24 or so minutes.

9:30am duly arrived and we were off. After a few hundred metres, the field thinned out and I found myself in 5th position. The problem was the first four runners had by now disappeared and I was leading a group of runners on a course where I hadn't a clue where to go!

What to do? Do I slow down and hope the guy behind me knows where to go? In the end, I needn't have worried as the organisers had directions arrows everywhere. As I approached every junction, it was clear what direction I needed to go as I opened up a gap.


Someone mentioned to me before that the Glengarriff parkrun was a hilly course. I had visions of us running up the side of a hill and back down again. The reality is that these 'hills' are short little pulls that are about 20-50m in length. As I found out, they seem to be a regular feature in the second half of the parkrun.

After about 3kms, these 'short hills' began to have an impact. I'd be running away fine but as soon as I hit one, my pace would really drop. Was it the fatigue from the long cycle or just a lack of training? Who knows.

Eventually some runners from behind caught me on one of these 'hills'. On the other side, I could keep up with them but they'd open a gap then on the next 'short hill'. Eventually I finished the parkrun in 8th position with a time of 23m 36s.

The reality is that the position and time aren't important. To me, it felt like an appropriate pace for a 'good workout', I finished and it was parkrun number 100.

Job done, now it was time for the hard part which was the journey home. First off, back to Ballylicky for some food but not before Grellan went for a 400m swim in the sea to make it a quasi-triathlon for the day.


I planned a different route home that the one that we used to come down. I didn't fancy going back over the Cousane Gap and back up the 'Bantry Line' with all the cars and traffic so I opted for a quieter and more direct hillier route.

'Hillier' being the opportune word because when you see a Strava segment named 'The Wall' on the route, it can only mean one thing.


Onwards we went, over 'The Wall' and on to Kilmicheal, Teerelton and Lissarda. Grellan described the route home as 'beautiful but brutal' 😂 I was thinking more 'safe and scenic' but it was pretty brutal with the temperature in the mid 20's and the tar melting on the road.

Anyway, we survived. I left Grellan in Ballincollig and he had completed 160kms and 100 miles for the day. By the time I got home, I was at 205.6kms with 1752m of climbing. A long day.

Final thoughts....

Glengarriff... It's a really nice place for a parkrun. I like the fact it's one big loop, I like the twists and turns and even the 'short hills' are ok. It would be a lovely place to have as your 'home' parkrun.

Volunteers... Thanks to all the volunteers who turned out every week to make this 100 parkrun possible for me. The recommended ratio for runs to volunteering is 10:1 so going on the basis of some OCD and maintaining a perfect ratio, I had to earn exactly 10 volunteer credits before I could do #100. 

100 parkruns... As a target, it's a nice figure that anyone can work towards. It's nice to have something to focus on to get you out the door on a Saturday morning.

What's next? We have two parkruns in Cork that we haven't cycled to... Macroom and Bere Island. Macroom will be the easy one, Bere Island will be a two day journey.

That'll be another story.

Monday, July 14, 2025

Results of the Run Skibb Half-Marathon & 10k - Sun 13th July 2025



The Run Skibb Half-Marathon & 10k was held this year on Sunday 13th of July 2025 on what was a dry but very warm day.

This was the second year of this event and the numbers were up for both races. The Half increased by 19% while the 10k went up 13%.

Half Marathon - Top 3 men & women...
1 30-39 Sean Dinneen (#319) 1:17:12
2 30-39 Nathan Ryan O'Hehir (#219) 1:17:45 
3 30-39 Padraig Sheehan (#249) 1:18:56
1 40-49 Karen Walsh (#359) 1:29:45
2 50+ Breda Gaffney (#336) 1:32:46
3 30-39 Rachel Goggin (#205) 1:33:12

10k - Top 3 men & women...
1 30-39 Eddie O'Connell (#1205) 36:45
2 40-49 Michael Dullea (#1281) 37:11
3 40-49 Conor O'Leary (#1385) 37:22
1 30-39 Hannah Steeds (#1380) 37:27
2 30-39 Hazel White (#1244) 45:04
3 50+ Anna O'Neill (#1292) 47:05


Photos...
1) The organisers have some photos HERE and HERE 

Notice: Cork BHAA Gas Networks Ireland 5k road race in Cork City - Wed 16th July 2025


This years Cork BHAA Gas Networks Ireland 5k road race in Cork City is coming up on Wed 16th July 2025 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 long 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.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Results of the Cloyne Summer 4k road race - Sun 13th July 2025

Nadine Forde - First woman

The Cloyne Summer 4k was held on Sunday 13th July 2025 with proceeds going to Marymount Hospice.

Top 3 men & women...
1 2097 Michael Harty East Cork AC M40 11:53
2 2109 Andy Goulding Leevale AC M 13:51
3 2138 Alan O Sullivan Eagle AC M40 14:04
10 2096 Nadine Forde Leevale AC F40 15:44
13 2261 Katie Hennessy Midleton AC FJ 16:19
14 2103 Sadhbh Cronin Midleton AC FJ 16:24

Full results below...

1 2097 Michael Harty East Cork AC M40 11:53
2 2109 Andy Goulding Leevale AC M 13:51
3 2138 Alan O Sullivan Eagle AC M40 14:04
4 2117 Paul Kearney Aghada AC M40 14:13
5 2098 Michael O Mahony Walsh St Nicks AC MJ 14:36
6 2142 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:50
7 2104 Aaron Harte Unattached M 14:54
8 2102 Mark Cronin Midleton AC M45 14:58
9 2264 Martin Hennessy East Cork AC M55 14:59
10 2096 Nadine Forde Leevale AC F40 15:44

Results & Photos of the Bere Island Midsummer Run - Sat 12th July 2025


Blue skies and sunshine was the order of the day for this years Bere Island Midsummer Run with the 5k and 10k races being held on Saturday 12th July 2025.

In the 10k event, there were 30 finishers.


The 5k race was more popular with 51 finishers.


The overall numbers in 2025 were down a bit one previous years with the peak for this event back in 2018.

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has several galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3 ... Album 4 ... Album 5 ... 
2) Mick Dooley has a gallery HERE
3) Proinnsias O'Keeffe has a big gallery HERE

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 12th Jul 2025



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 12th July 2025. Approximately 1037 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Bere Island... This weekend saw the parkrun on Bere Island in west Cork held its 500th edition.

Well done to Graham Meikle who completed his 300th parkrun at the Bere Island event.


Ballincollig... Well done to Sarah Dolan on reaching 100 parkruns and Charles Kinnane on hitting 200!

ONGOING

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 237 this week, 264 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Lawrence PRUNTY Male VM35-39 17:44
2 Liam COTTER Male SM20-24 Bishopstown Orienteering Club 17:57
3 Brian COLLINS Male SM25-29 18:58
4 Aoife COOKE Female VW35-39 19:50
23 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 22:03
25 Ella COLLINS Female SW18-19 Bandon AC 22:10


Tramore Valley Park: 163 this week, 225 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Darren MCCANN Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 17:06
2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:38
3 Keith WEIR Male VM45-49 Orangegrove Athletics Club 19:41
6 Aoife QUIGLEY Female VW40-44 Crusaders Athletic Club 20:11
9 Alison DONNELLY Female SW25-29 Togher AC 20:52
22 Adrienne O'DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 22:45


Glen River: 64 this week, 58 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 17:47
2 Ricardo MANRIQUE Male SM25-29 22:08
3 Russell DICKINSON-DEANE Male VM55-59 Newcastle Frontrunners 22:24
8 Caroline WOOD Female VW60-64 Arena 80 AC 23:26
15 Sarah MACLENNAN Female VW35-39 25:27
22 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW55-59 UCC Staff Athletics Club 27:08


Midleton Greenway: 140 this week, 116 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Adam GRAY Male SM20-24 17:50
2 Colum ROCHE Male VM35-39 Portmarnock Athletic Club 18:44
3 Johnny COMER Male VM35-39 19:33
12 Suzanne ALCOCK Female VW35-39 21:15
18 Ciara REGAN Female SW30-34 Crusaders Athletic Club 21:54
27 Maeve HIGGINS Female VW60-64 23:47


Mallow Castle: 51 this week, 60 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Sean LEAHY Male JM15-17 Croydon Harriers 17:56
2 Thomas BROWNE Male SM18-19 18:24
3 Tadgh CARROLL Male SM30-34 20:04
10 Frida BROWNE Female JW11-14 23:27
14 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:36
17 Aileen BUCKLEY Female SW30-34 St Finbarrs AC 25:51


Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 56 this week, 33 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Dylan BYRNE Male SM20-24 18:50
2 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:59
3 John MURPHY Male VM55-59 19:05
7 Maeve MCGOVERN Female VW40-44 Thompson Estate AC 21:43
12 Sarah SALMON Female JW10 23:20
15 Anna PAWLIK Female VW40-44 Youghal AC 23:58


Macroom Castle Demense: 33 this week, 33 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 David BRADLEY Male JM11-14 20:56
2 Kevin SHANLEY Male VM40-44 21:10
3 Robert FITZGERALD Male JM15-17 21:19
13 Claire CURTIN Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 26:32
14 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:54
16 Danielle SEXTON Female JW11-14 West Muskerry A.C. 27:50


Clonakilty: 38 this week, 48 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Bryan GALLWEY Male VM40-44 21:28
3 Diarmuid Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN Male VM40-44 Leevale AC 23:56
4 John FREYNE Male VM55-59 24:03
2 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:12
6 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 24:35
11 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 25:56


Glengarriff Woods: 71 this week, 86 last week.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:52
2 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 18:13
3 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM11-14 20:16
11 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 24:45
12 Tania HELEN Female SW30-34 25:21
17 Marion RUSSELL Female VW40-44 27:09


Bere Island: 154 this week, 69 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:14
3 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:41
5 Trevor MOORE Male VM45-49 Togher AC 22:08
2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:37
4 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 21:59
12 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 24:57


Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 29 finishers this week, 7 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Patrick GEARY Male SM25-29 21:39
2 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 24:40
3 Pat FOGARTY Male VM60-64 24:49
7 Patricia MOYNIHAN Female VW55-59 30:49
9 Sharon COOMBES Female SW25-29 31:49
10 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 31:59


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

Friday, July 11, 2025

Results of the Tracton 4-mile road race - Fri 11th July 2025

First 3 men (L-R)... Conor McCauley 2nd, Nathan O'Leary 1st & Nick O'Donoghue 3rd

The annual Tracton 4-mile road race was held this year on Friday 11th of July 2025 with 282 runners crossing the finish line.

Top 3 men & women...
4444 1 Nathan O LEARY Leevale A.C. M 20:28  
686 2 Conor MC CAULEY Leevale A.C. M40 20:55  
727 3 Nick O DONOGHUE East Cork M 21:24  
667 15 Lizzie LEE Leevale A.C. F40 23:21  
919 33 Linda KELLY Watergrasshill A.C. F50 25:31  
726 40 Meadhbh MOYNIHAN Leevale A.C. F 26:08  

Full results HERE

Photos... 
1) Pop-Up Races have some finish line photos HERE
2) Joe Murphy has several galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3 ... Album 4 ... Album 5 ...  Album 6 ...
3) Mick Dooley has some post race photos HERE 

Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns - Q2 2025


The parkrun organisation have a number of milestones 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...

  1. At least 100 of the 5k parkruns must be in Co Cork
  2. Only the information on the parkrun website counts
I'm sure there are plenty of people in Dublin and elsewhere who over 250 but this post is about the parkruns in Cork.

***

Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns Club - Q2 2025... The end of June 2025 was the end of Q2 so it's time to check up on who is on the 250 plus parkrun list.



Joanne Sullivan continues to lead the charge with 440 5k parkruns completed and is on track to reach the magic 500 mark sometime in the autumn of 2026.

The one change in the top 3 is Finola Crowley jumps into third place so Bere Island now fills the top three spots.



The only addition to the top 250 list is Enda Kiernan of the Macroom parkrun so the list now has 47 names.

Needless to say, it's the army of parkrun volunteers that keep the show on the road and the 'super volunteers' have 250 or more credits.


The change in the top three is that Maretta Brennan of the Ballincollig parkrun now moves up into second place. The volunteer list grows by two to thirteen with Donal O'Donoghue of the Glen River parkrun and Pawel Switaj of the Ballincollig parkrun joining.

Errors & Omissions... If you know of any runner of volunteer missing who might at 250 or more at the end of March 2025, leave a comment with their name and parkrun.

Link... More information about the 5k parkruns in Co Cork can be found HERE

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

Entries for the Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon are now open


The Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon is coming up this year on Sat 30th Aug 2025. There is a limit of 750 entries and it sells out every year.

Update - 14th July: Just 50 of the 700 places left now.

This event is organised by West Waterford AC and participants are transferred by bus from the finish line near Dungarvan to the start line by the Coach House near Kilmacthomas.


The entry fee includes a dry-fit top.

This is certainly a unique half-marathon. Instead of doing a big loop or going out and back, this one is one of the very few that go point to point.

On a sunny day, it's one of the nicest half-marathons in the country. The early 9am start means it's over before it gets too hot.


If you're interested then enter as soon as possible. Entry link... https://eventmaster.ie/event/Omp7SpmH0Z

More info... https://munsterrunning.blogspot.com/2025/07/notice-west-waterford-greenway-half.html

Tuesday, July 08, 2025

Notice: Tracton 4-mile road race - Fri 11th July 2025


Tracton AC are holding their Tracton 4-mile road race on Friday the 11th of July 2025 at 8pm.

You can pre-enter online HERE

Info from Tracton AC... "Tracton AC are hosting a 4-mile road race on Friday 11th July 2025 at 8pm in beautiful Minane Bridge (near Carrigaline, and 20km south of Cork city). 

Sunday, July 06, 2025

Notice: Youghal Bay Half-Marathon & 10k - Sun 10th Aug 2025


The Youghal Bay Half-Marathon & 10k in east Cork is coming up this year on Sunday the 10th of August 2025

The 10km race will start at 9:30am while the Half-Marathon will start at the later time of 11:30am.

Entries HERE

Info from Youghal AC... "A multi-lap course through the medieval streets of Youghal, the beautiful scenic Front Strand area and the Greenway. This is the perfect course to set a PB and is an ideal warmup up for those training for an Autumn Marathon. 

Saturday, July 05, 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 5th Jul 2025



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 5th July 2025. Approximately 999  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Macroom... The upcoming 5k parkrun on Saturday 19th of July is cancelled due to a large golf competition.

Glengarriff... Well done to Mohammed Ali who completed his 100th parkrun this weekend.

ONGOING

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 264 this week, 290 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Govinda O'SULLIVAN Male SM25-29 Eagle A.C. 17:28
2 Paul O'HALLORAN Male SM25-29 18:58
4 John Paul PEYTON Male SM25-29 19:50
3 Aoibhín O'CONNOR Female SW25-29 19:36
42 Deborah O Female VW45-49 24:17
45 Mairead PEREZ Female VW50-54 Eagle A.C. 24:22


Tramore Valley Park: 225 this week, 237 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Barry TWOHIG Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 16:02
2 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 16:46
3 John COAKLEY Male JM15-17 17:26
9 Siobhan HOARE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 19:57
10 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:13
15 Nicole HARRINGTON Female SW20-24 20:32


Glen River: 58 this week, 61 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 20:36
2 Roger BETTS Male VM45-49 21:13
3 Matthew ELLIS Male SM30-34 21:17
9 Ana TURCAN Female SW30-34 23:13
10 Maria NOONAN Female JW15-17 24:05
23 Caoimhe WEBB-BROWNE Female JW10 26:56


Midleton Greenway: 116 this week, 143 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Michael BYRNE Male VM40-44 18:38
2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:45
3 James 0 MAHONY Male VM35-39 19:07
13 Natalia GUERRAS Female VW35-39 21:08
31 Maeve MCGOVERN Female VW40-44 Thompson Estate AC 23:57
32 Mary-Jane CASEY Female JW11-14 24:22


Mallow Castle: 60 this week, 73 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 William DUCEY Male VM60-64 17:47
2 James MAHER Male SM30-34 18:16
3 Donagh POWELL Male VM35-39 19:05
14 Jennifer QUINLAN Female SW30-34 24:11
18 Clodagh BENNETT Female VW45-49 25:12
19 Aileen BUCKLEY Female SW30-34 St Finbarrs AC 25:15


Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 33 this week, 48 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Malcolm OCONNELL Male VM50-54 17:42
2 Dylan BYRNE Male SM20-24 19:02
3 Edward KENNEALLY Male VM35-39 20:13
6 Anna PAWLIK Female VW40-44 Youghal AC 22:04
11 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:03
12 Eva MURPHY Female SW20-24 24:06

Macroom Castle Demense: 33 this week, 39 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 19:12
2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 19:50
3 Sean O DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 21:35
14 Betty O RIORDAN Female VW65-69 28:53
15 Mary O'DONOGHUE Female VW50-54 29:08
17 Sinead TWOMEY Female VW35-39 30:19


Clonakilty: 48 this week, 57 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Tiarnan O DONOGHUE Male JM15-17 Togher AC 18:58
2 Anthony GILLEN Male VM55-59 Sportsworld 20:02
5 Pat O'CONNOR Male VM55-59 Eagle A.C. 21:32
3 Niamh TOBIN Female SW30-34 21:15
4 Esther O'FLAHERTY Female VW45-49 Galway City Harriers 21:19
11 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 24:28


Glengarriff Woods: 86 this week, 90 last week.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Oisin BRADY Male SM20-24 19:26
2 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 19:46
3 John JORDAN Male VM40-44 20:15
14 Nan KEARNEY Female VW45-49 Sanctuary Runners 24:03
15 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 24:15
17 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 25:30


Bere Island: 69 this week, 69 last week. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Liam OCONNOR Male VM45-49 21:04
2 Unknown  
3 Luke MCNEILL Male JM11-14 22:40
4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:36
5 Nina MURPHY Female VW35-39 24:25
8 Katie VERDON Female VW45-49 24:53


Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 7 finishers this week, 213 last week.

First 3 men & women...
1 David WOODS Male SM30-34 27:21
3 Donnchad KENNEDY Male SM30-34 Castlehaven GAA 36:48

2 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 32:52
4 Therese LYNCH Female VW60-64 37:20
5 Mary HOURIHANE Female VW70-74 42:38


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

Friday, July 04, 2025

Guest Post: ANOTHER FINE RUN FROM FEARGHAL CURTIN ...By John Walshe


ANOTHER FINE RUN FROM FEARGHAL CURTIN ...By John Walshe

Competing in one of the most iconic of Fourth of July road races, Fearghal Curtin today (Friday) finished a highly credible 14th at the Peachtree 10km held on the streets of Atlanta, Georgia.

Winner over the same distance at the Cork City 10km on June 1st, Fearghal – again in his Youghal colours - was almost a minute faster on this occasion as his time of 28:54 wasn’t too far off his PB of 28:24 which he recorded in more favourable conditions in Spain two years ago.

With the temperature already in the high 20s when the race began at 6.50am, the Peachtree course is a point-to-point one which includes a number of challenging hills. This did not deter winner Patrick Kiprop from setting a hectic pace, averaging 4:16 per mile for the first half of the race. Despite fading fast as the finish approached, Kiprop held on for a four second victory over his fellow Kenyan Vincent Langat in a time of 27:35.

The women’s race was even closer with Helen Obiri, also Kenya, piping Senayet Getachew from Ethiopia by one second, 31:29 to 31:30.  

The first six men were all from Kenya with just one American in the top ten. Fearghal’s impressive performance can be gauged from the fact that he was just four places behind Pat Tiernan from Australia who has a marathon best of 2:07:45. The official results show that Fearghal placed 14th out of a total of 43,003 finishers!

First held in 1970 when just 110 finished, this year an estimated 52,000 entered. That inaugural race was won by Jeff Galloway who would go on to compete at the Munich Olympics two years later and would now be well-known to many runners for his training programmes and published books.

Just two Irishmen have won the race, Eddie Leddy (29:52) in 1979 and John Doherty (27:56) in 1986. John Treacy was fifth in the 1992 event in a time of 28:39.

Fearghal Curtin earlier this year when he won the John Treacy 10-mile in Dungarvan

Fearghal Curtin’s invitation to Peachtree came as a result of his performances this year which has seen him record times of 2:11:35 for the marathon and 61:12 for the half. He now heads to Flagstaff, Arizona, for a spell of altitude training. From there he hopes to fulfil a second invitation, this time to another famous race, the Beacon to Beacon 10km in Maine on August 2nd.

This was founded back in 1998 by Joan Benoit-Samuelson, winner of the first women’s Olympic Marathon in 1984. The idea was to give back to her own community by staging a world-class road race in Maine and including a charitable component to help support local children. The race draws top athletes from around the globe and features 6,500 runners, 800+ volunteers and thousands of spectators.

According to its website, the picturesque 6.2-mile course in Cape Elizabeth begins near the entrance to Crescent Beach State Park, winds along tree-lined streets and ocean vistas, ending 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams at the historic Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

Hopefully that green and white Youghal vest with its own distinctive logo depicting the town’s lighthouse will again feature amongst the elites on the American road racing circuit in a month’s time.

Thursday, July 03, 2025

Results of the Corkbeg 4-mile road race - Thurs 3rd July 2025

First place finish for Tony Forristal of East Cork AC

The weather is a bit hit and miss at the moment but it was a lovely sunny evening for this years Corkbeg 4-mile road race in Whitegate on Thurs 3rd July 2025.

Top 3 men and women...

1 461 Tony Forristal East Cork AC M 20.12
2 411 Conor McCauley Leevale AC M40 20.23
3 439 Sean Davin St. Finbarrs AC M 21.08
11 345 Lizzie Lee Leevale AC F40 22.47
23 474 Fiona Santry East Cork AC F35 23.39
24 486 Tamzin Muldowney East Cork AC F 23.53

Organised by East Cork AC

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has the following galleries...
a) Start b) Race 1 b) Race 2 c) Race 3 d) Race 4 e) Race 5 

Corkbeg 4 Mile 2025 Results - Thursday July 3rd, 2025

Place Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 461 Tony Forristal East Cork AC M 20.12
2 411 Conor McCauley Leevale AC M40 20.23
3 439 Sean Davin St. Finbarrs AC M 21.08
4 485 Darren McCann Unattached M 21.41
5 174 Kenneth Kelleher East Cork AC M45 21.42
6 363 Eoin Downing Unattached M 21.47
7 396 Nathan Ryan O'Hehir St. Finbarrs AC M 21.55
8 393 Ryan Mulroy St. Finbarrs AC M 22.09
9 333 Tim Twomey Leevale AC M45 22.14
10 453 Gearoid O Flynn Eagle AC M40 22.26

Sinead O'Connor wins Coillte 10k in Tipperary - Wed 2nd July 2025

First place finish for Sinéad O'Connor

The Coillte 10k in Dundrum, Tipperary is one of the top 10k road race in Munster and always attracts a high quality field.

This year, they had a record field of over 400 finishers with runners from all over Munster taking part.

The first women home was Cork runner Sinead O'Connor of Leevale AC with a time of 34m 40s.

Top 3 men & women...
 Place Athletes name Club Location Category Gun Bib
1 Karl Fitzmaurice Shannon AC MS     30:57 198
2 Joshua Burgess Lewes AC MS     31:03 1
3 Kenneth Rogers St John's AC MS     31:09 401
17 Sinead O'Connor Leevale AC FS     34:40 348
18 Dymphna Ryan Dundrum AC F40     34:55 404
20 Dee Grady Ennis Track AC FS     35:04 218

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Aileen Moore has a gallery HERE

2) John Kenrick has a large gallery HERE

3) Dermot Hever has a big gallery HERE

4) Niall Moran has a small gallery HERE