Results of the Charleville Half-Marathon - Sun 26th Sept 2021

The main race in Cork this weekend was of course the 2021 Charleville Half-Marathon in the north of the county. A total of 327 runners took part on what was a windy day for a race.

Top 10 men & women...

1 Yared Derese (#109) 01:05:32 01:05:15 Open (1) Male  (1)
2 Jake O'Regan (#538) 01:06:31 01:06:15 Open (2) Male  (2)
3 Sergiu Ciobanu (#44) 01:07:57 01:07:41 Open (3) Male  (3)
4 Martin Hoare (#202) 01:10:11 01:09:54 Open (4) Male  (4)
5 Kane Collins (#59) 01:10:31 01:10:14 Open (5) Male  (5)
6 Brian Geraghty (#161) 01:14:00 01:13:43 O45 (1) Male  (6)
7 David Carter (#41) 01:14:30 01:14:14 Open (6) Male  (7)
8 Josh O'Sullivan-Hourihan (#549) 01:14:59 01:14:42 Open (7) Male  (8)
9 Gareth Murran (#451) 01:17:08 01:16:51 Open (8) Male  (9)
10 Sadanand Magee (#286) 01:17:11 01:16:54 Open (9) Male  (10)

1 Aoife Cooke (#65) 01:20:43 01:20:26 Open (1) 26
2 Jennifer Montague (#616) 01:22:14 01:21:56 Open (2) 31
3 Alicia Hudelson (#212) 01:23:30 01:23:12 Open (3) 35
4 Angela McCann (#296) 01:24:31 01:24:13 O50 (1) 39
5 Carmel Crowley (#89) 01:29:02 01:28:44 O50 (2) 65
6 Niamh Cronin (#84) 01:29:04 01:28:46 O45 (1) 66
7 Katie Hickson (#198) 01:29:26 01:29:07 O40 (1) 73
8 Irene Eighan (#132) 01:29:40 01:29:21 O40 (2) 75
9 Julie Mc Carthy (#294) 01:32:32 01:32:12 Open (4) 86
10 Sinnead Oakes (#506) 01:32:59 01:32:39 O45 (2) 90

Full results HERE

First 3 women - Alicia Hudelson #212 3rd, Aoife Cooke ##65 1st & Jennifer Montague #616 2nd

Photos...

1) The organisers have a large number of photos...

a) Finish line & post race

b) 13-mile mark

c) 13-mile mark album 2

d) Pre-race

Guest Post: To Run or Not to Run ...by Pat Walsh

 ** To Run or Not to Run ** 🥰

Hi Folks, nothing major this week but just an observation about running in Ireland at the moment and where it is for us. I’m writing this for the ‘ordinary’ runner in Ireland.
🏃‍♀️

Most restrictions are lifted and we are free to travel, free to meet up and race but numbers attending do not match what many thought would be an expected surge in people to get back racing.
Road Running in Ireland had gone through a boom phase last 10 years, with the majority of numbers in the fun / social / bit of exercise category. ‘The gang at the back’
These made up the numbers at any large race and for them it was a social occasion, a reason to train for few weeks coming up to it and it provided a weekly get out of the house option to meet some friends and have a cuppa.

This was lost for 19 months now and many turned to other forms of exercise. People for a long time could only meet family or travel somewhere close to home, so the routine was lost and replaced with another option that more suited lifestyles. For me, a warm jacket and a cuppa from the boot of the car after a few miles kept the sanity. For many others it was time to look elsewhere and walking, cycling and sea swimming attracted huge numbers. New habits were formed that will not be dropped instantly.
🏃‍♀️

This is all understandable. Clubs and running groups, despite their best efforts, struggled to keep people motivated and training. Hard to go on your own when the reason you started was to meet other people.
Then the question you asked, why I’m doing this when there is nothing to train for?  All races were cancelled.

The good club runners and the elite were used to training solo at times and had better ways of fixing goals and targets on an on-going basis.
Virtual races lost their gloss a while ago for me anyway.
🏃‍♀️

I am not pessimistic just pragmatic. 
What lies ahead will be slow and gradual.
Races prices have increased to cover lower numbers. The post-race cuppa is gone for the foreseeable future. Breaking everyone up into starting pods and moving everyone on at the finish line means you may not even meet some of your buddies.
So if you have not been training regularly and not shooting for a PB, then races do not have the draw they once had.
🏃‍♀️

This will get better in time as we learn to live again. Clubs and group numbers will pick up when there are firm goals and races to run. A big race like DCM would draw many back to the roads for the months leading up to it. 
🏃‍♀️

All I am doing with this post is outlining the reason why many fell off the running wagon or struggled to stay on board. It was understandable and no need to beat yourself up over it.
Life was turned upside down and we adapted. 
🏃‍♀️

It will turn again in time. Fashions, fads and other reasons come into play.
Maybe a sea swim in the depths of January, or a cold 2 hour cycle on a wet road always mindful of traffic could be difficult. It might make a handy 5 mile run and an indoor cup of coffee afterwards sound more attractive.
Groups will get back together and offer the support and fun they always did. Races will find better ways of attracting runners. 
Whatever you do, exercise, get out in the fresh air and stay chatting to people.
🏃‍♀️

Any respectful opinions welcomed but no criticisms of anyone or any groups please. Be positive.
Charleville Half Marathon for me this weekend and I’m looking forward to a nice easy run with company.
#pwr #KeeptheFaith #KeeponRunning
🏃‍♀️

Results of the Allihies 5-mile road race - Sat 25th Sept 2021

This 5-mile race in Allihies on the Beara Peninsula attracted a smallish field of about 90 runners.

First 3 men & women...
1 Nick O'Donoghue East Cork AC M30 0:27:55 
2 Michael Dullea Skibbereen A.C. M40 0:31:04 
3 William O'Donoghue Mooreabbey Milers A.C M50 0:32:02 
7 Rosaleen McKeown F40 0:33:32
8 Deirdre O'Sullivan Beara A.C. F40 0:34:44
13 Clare O Shea F 0:35:47

Results HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 25th Sept 2021

The numbers were up slightly for this weeks eight 5k parkruns around the county and Bere Island has made a low key restart.

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers were up 14% this week with 283 taking part in this weeks parkrun. It is slowly getting closer to the long term average of 300.

First 3 men & women...
1 Peter SMALLCOMBE Male SM18-19 16:40
2 Nick HOGAN Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 17:45
3 Tony MC KEON Male SM30-34 18:54
16 Aine CROTTY Female SW30-34 KPMG Running Club 21:01
19 Clodagh KELLEHER Female JW15-17 21:21
36 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 22:45

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=196

Start of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun - Photo by Joe Murphy

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has a gallery HERE

Mallow Castle: 108 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun on the grounds of Mallow Castle which is up 17% on last week. Two weeks ago, the numbers were 107.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

2 Unknown

3 Brian BARRY Male VM40-44 18:45

5 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 18:58

22 Denise QUILTER Female VW35-39 Millstreet Athletic Club 23:08

27 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW35-39 23:35

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=3

Glen River: The were 73 finishers in this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in the northside of Cork City which is down a bit on the 82 of last week. The long term average is 82.

First 3 men & women...

1 Willie WALSH Male VM45-49 Carraig na bhFear AC 18:53

2 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 19:43

3 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 19:53  

19 Clare KEAVENEY JIMENEZ Female SW25-29 24:24

21 Lisa SHINE Female VW35-39 Crusaders Athletic Club 24:55

27 Sheena FLEMING Female VW35-39 26:10

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=72

Macroom Desmense: There was a modest turnout of 40 for this one in Macroom which is down slightly on the 43 of last week. The long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:34

2 Enda O'FLAHERTY Male VM35-39 20:50

3 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 20:51

14 Leah BRADLEY Female JW11-14 26:13

15 Elaine CURRAN Female VW40-44 26:21

17 Mairead MURPHY Female VW45-49 26:26

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=343

Clonakilty: 30 completed this weeks 5k parkrun which isn't too far off the long term average of 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM35-39 18:57

2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 20:39

3 Donal MCCORMACK Male VM35-39 20:52

5 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:09

11 Katie HARTE Female SW25-29 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 26:27

13 Karin CONNOLLY Female VW45-49 Bishopstown Orienteering Club 30:12

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=300

Castlehaven: There were 22 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Rineen Woods near Castlehaven.

First 3 men & women...

1 Chris HAYES Male SM30-34 Castlehaven GAA 22:05

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 23:00

4 Michael WILSON Male VM50-54 26:37

3 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 24:12

6 Emma HORLER Female VW55-59 27:01

8 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:16

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=222

Bere Island: The 5k parkrun on Bere Island restarted in a low key fashion with 28 taking part. The long term average is 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

4 Unknown

6 Unknown  

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 25:51

3 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 26:46

5 Noelette BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 29:37

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=301

Glengarriff Woods: This seems to be the one parkrun in Cork that recorded numbers above the long term average. There were 61 finishers this week, 11 up on the 50 of last week and ahead of the long term average of 58.

First 3 men & women...

1 Peter LITTLE Male VM45-49 20:44

2 Sean O'SHEA Male JM15-17 21:45

3 Kevin GLEESON Male VM35-39 21:50

6 Orla CROSBIE Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:50

9 Marie Therese BRADY Female VW45-49 25:37 

11 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 25:57

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=216

Notice: Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k in Tramore Valley Park - Sun 3rd Oct 2021

Following on from the success of the inaugural event in 2019, the second Douglas Credit Union Charity 'Current Account' 5k is coming up in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City on Sunday the 3rd of October 2021 at 11am.

The entry fee is €15 + an online fee of €1.05.

ENTER HERE

You can also enter on the morning of the event.

Please note that there will be a draw for a free pair of NIKE AIR PEGASUS shoes for all those who pre-enter courtesy of John Buckley Sports.

Funds raised will go to two charities, RNLI Lifeboats & Cork Cancer Care Centre.

Access by car is of course via the South Link Road. There is a pedestrian entrance from near Douglas Shopping Centre but it's a fair bit away.

The 5k course itself is basically two 2.5km loops...

There are no real hills to speak of and the course is a mix of a compact gravel surface and tarmac.

More info about the park at this LINK

Considering its central location and proximity to the South Ring Road, it should get a good turnout.

Friday Jigsaw: Glen River 5k parkrun restarts - Sept 2021

Just to highlight the fact that the weekly 5k parkruns have restarted, this weeks online jigsaw is of a small group before the Glen River event last weekend. Photo courtesy of Mick Dooley.

You can find the 88-piece jigsaw HERE

12-Week Couch to 5k Running Programme for Beginners - Q4 2021

This 12-week running programme is designed with beginners in mind and get them used to running on a regular basis. The programme is tailored for each individual person and it's not some sort of generic one-size fits all plan. The plan is dynamic in that it adapts according to the progress being made.

The problem with fixed plans is that they are not going to suit everyone. Every person is different and each person progresses at their own rate.

With the 12-week plan, some people will able to run say the 5k distance early on in the programme. In that case, the remainder of the programme is used to move beyond the 5k distance. Others might take 12-weeks to get to their 5k distance. The priority is that each person is making gradual progress at their own rate.

This is how it works...

a) You'll have to answer questions initially so that a suitable programme can drawn up. This will be based on what you do currently and what time you have available. It's a plan designed to suit your life and work schedule as opposed to the other way around.

b) An email is sent to you every week with your individual training programme. You'll have to provide feedback every week and the following weeks plan will be based on this.

c) You really do have to follow the plan. There is no point dipping in and out of it or be off doing other things every weekend when you're supposed to be doing a training session. The plan can be adapted if training days are missed but they should be occasional.

d) The plan is targeted at someone who can't make the more typical Couch to 5k classes on offer and needs something more flexible.  

The cost for the 12-weeks is €69.

While the 12-week programme officially starts on the 27th of September 2021, the dates are flexible as it is tailored for each individual.

If interested, email: johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

Cork runners take podium places at the Castleisland 5k - Fri 17th Sept 2021

The third race of three in the Castleisland 5k Autumn series in Co. Kerry was held on Friday the 17th of September 2021 and there were several Cork runners in the podium places.

In the men's race, Kieran McKeown of Watergrasshill AC finished in second place with a time of 16:23.

Work completed on the running track in Carrigaline - Sept 2021

Update 22nd Sept 2021: The new running track in Carrigaline has now been finished and is open to the public.

As you can see from the photos above and below courtesy of Cork County Council, they made a fine job of it.

The track which is behind the Community Centre is about 430 metres in length and it connects in to the other paths in the Community Park so that bigger loops can be completed. As outlined below, it could form the basis of a very nice weekly 2k parkrun for kids if the local community got the ball rolling.

More info below...

Charleville Half-Marathon Entries Close Thursday 23rd Sept...

Just a reminder that entries for the 2021 Charleville Half-Marathon close on Thursday the 23rd of September.

More info in this previous post HERE

Or go to the race website to enter... http://www.charlevillehalf.com/

Notice: IMRA Glensheskin Woods Half-Marathon nr Fermoy - Sat 30th Oct 2021

This might be of interest to those of you who want to try something different.

The Munster branch of IMRA are holding a trail half-marathon in Glensheskin Woods near Fermoy on Saturday the 30th of October 2021. Note that it starts at 7:30pm so torches are required!

This is very much in the same format as the popular Ballyhoura Moonlight Half-Marathon which takes place in the Summer months.

ENTRY HERE

Some details...

DESCRIPTION: Glensheshkin Woods Half Marathon

COUNTY: Cork

DATE: Saturday 30 October, 2021

TIME: 19:30

CLIMB (M): 300

DISTANCE (KM):21.00

MARKING: Only major junctions marked - Only major junctions marked

GPS ALLOWED: Yes

ENTRY CLOSES: 2021-10-16 23:59:00

ENTRY LIMIT: 200

ENTRY COST: €30 Online entry only for this race.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION:Mostly runnable trail, but will include some short challenging sections

GETTING THERE:Kilworth Woods, Kilworth, Co. Cork. From the square in the centre of the village, follow yellow Avondhu way-markers and the sign for Ballyporeen (15km). After 1km, turn left into Glensheskin Wood and walk over the bridge into the carpark.

Map showing location of start HERE

This is the souvenir race mug...

As with all IMRA events, annual membership costing €10 is required. They also have some requirements for the event such as wearing jackets, etc. See the race page HERE

Bristol half marathon winner disqualified after finishing first in the wrong race

On Sunday the 19th of September, the Bristol Half-Marathon (21.1km) was held alongside the Bristol 10k in the Great Bristol Run. It wasn't without controversy however.

The first man home in the Half-Marathon was Omar Ahmed as shown above. The problem however was that he had entered the 10k race but ended up accidentally running the half marathon in just 63 minutes. It seems that he went the wrong way when he reached the point where the course split for the two distances. He was later disqualified.

A spokesperson for the organisers said... "Ahmed entered the 10K as an elite runner and not the half marathon. Therefore he was not officially part of the half marathon race and has to be disqualified. Rules are rules and in this case they say we have to disqualify Omar. We salute his performance, and he has been invited to take part in next week's Great Manchester Run as an elite athlete. Of course, we also look forward to welcoming him back to Bristol for 2022's Great Bristol Run."

What the organisers don't say is how could the lead man in the 10k take the wrong course? Was there not a lead bike for the 10k? Was the split in the course obvious with large signs?

Results & Photos of the IMRA Glen of Aherlow Trail Half-Marathon - Sat 18th Sept 2021

The main running event in Munster last weekend was the IMRA Glen of Aherlow Trail Half-Marathon on Saturday the 18th of September 2021 which attracted a field of 130 runners. Tom Blackburn was the first man home while the first woman finished in second place overall.

Looking through the results, there were plenty of runners from Cork in the event as well.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Tom Blackburn 413 M55 1:40:08 Mooreabbey Milers Limerick
3 Conor Murphy 195 M45 1:43:29 Cork and Kerry Trail Runners Kerry
4 Gearoid Kennedy 2151 M40 1:44:23
2 Sophie Daly 902 F 1:42:41 Kerry
29 Trish Dorgan 1125 F40 1:58:47 Cork
40 Miriam Beasley 361 F45 2:01:35 Star of the Laune AC Kerry

The full results are HERE

Photos... 
1) The organisers have a number of galleries... START... GALLERY 2 ... GALLERY 3 ... GALLERY 4 ... GALLERY 5

Guest Post: PWR / SRR Ballycotton 10-Mile ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Pat Walsh Running / Saturday Road Runners Ballycotton 10 **

Lovely morning when some of my crew and our welcome guests from SRR ran the Famous Ballycotton 10 route.

Why?.... Why Not?🤣🤣

Time to be getting out there again to mix with people and exercise in the beautiful Autumn day that we had. Peach of a morning and was even a little too hot towards the end but no complaining. 🤓🧐

Thanks Saturday Road Runnersfor travelling to us for the gallop. Hope you enjoyed the visit to the sunny East Cork. Weather always good here and I hope you behaved and got home safely. 

Winner on the day. No idea, think everyone who ran was a winner.

Well done to the lads who missed a sign and did the inaugural Ballycotton 15 mile. Must Map that route 😃

Life is for living and after 18 months it is time to go again.

Few more races on the horizon that I am signed for, and a few more hopefuls in the pipeline. Be very afraid as I might turn up to a venue near you.

I will attend and run and finish. Forget the watch, Take the pics,  Smile and move on. Racing is postponed until 2022

“Well we are all here again for the Ballycotton 10

Lined up and ready for to go” The Great Dick O’Brien.

#pwr

Current advice on carpooling while travelling to races - Sept 2021

Mountaineering Ireland is the national association for hillwalking clubs in Ireland and they recently got some guidelines from Sport Ireland about travelling and carpooling for their members. The guidelines for walkers would obviously apply to any runners travelling or car pooling as well. 

The advice is as follows:

• In line with the return of public and private transport participants may wish to return to the use of carpooling.
• Private transport carrying those not yet vaccinated or of mixed immunity should be aware of the higher risk.
• The use of appropriate face coverings is recommended.
• If carpooling, consider use of a pod system in which the same participants pool together for all activities.

For clubs that utilise private coaches etc. the advice is as follows:

1. While Public transport is operating at full capacity, Private Coach Tour activity is limited at 75% capacity with protective measures.
2. Sporting Organisations organising transport to/from events should implement private Coach Tour capacities (75%).
3. Protective measures such as physical distancing, mask wearing etc. should also be implemented.

Advice from Sport Northern Ireland for clubs, members and all other participants in Northern Ireland is as follows:

• When sharing transport e.g., private car when travelling to and from venues, it is important to maintain a flow of clean air through the vehicle. Ideally by opening windows back and front.