Cork runner Brian O'Shea is running a 5k every day in 2021 for charity

Brian O'Shea is currently running a 5k every day since the 1st of January 2021 and is raising funds for Pieta House.

Brian writes... "I started running a 5km on the 1st January 2021 and have completed one every day since. I am doing this to raise funds for Pieta House. I now have less than a month to go to complete the 365 days.

I’ve completed: 

- 11 months
- 334 days of consecutive 5k’s 
- 1,670 km

I would be very grateful if anyone could sponsor me: https://www.gofundme.com/28mt11dydc

Thanks,
Brian."

Additional info...

1) Echo Live article

Dungarvan 10 mile entries open on Wed 1st Dec 2021...

The John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race will be held at the start of February next year and now is the time to look at some key dates. Note that there is a limit of 3000 entries and the entry fee is €30.

Update 2nd Dec 2021: All 3000 entries are now gone. 

Back in late 2019, the 3000 entries for the 2020 race sold out in the space of 3-hours. 

This time around, entries for club runners opened on the 24th of November with entries opening for everyone on the 1st of December at 7am. Even with the extended club entry, it took around 27 hours to fill the event. 

Effectively it means that anyone that wants to do the Dungarvan 10 was able to enter regardless of whether they were a member of an athletics club or not.

To keep things in perspective, any race getting 3000 entries is really excellent. It's just that the level of demand is much lower than it was two years ago.

Guest Post: Glen River parkrun 3rd Birthday! ...by Julie O'Leary

Saturday the 27th of November marked the 3rd anniversary of park run in the Glen River Park. 

The event is a free weekly timed 5km run every Saturday morning at 9.30am. It is entirely volunteer run, and nearly 200 people have volunteered at the event since its inception. Over 1,900 individuals have taken part since the beginning- average 85 each week. We have lots of regular attendees- as well as being our 3rd birthday Mary O'Halloran from Togher AC celebrated her 50th parkrun and Darren Curtin from Douglas his 100th!

Glen River has become known in parkrun circles for the challenging hill on the course and the friendly welcoming atmosphere. Highlights over the 3 years included visits from Sonia and Sophie O'Sullivan and from "the running Lord Mayor" John Sheehan (he took his chain off to run!)

The event has helped to bring attention back to the lovely wildlife park hidden away in the Glen and this year we plan to run events on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. All welcome!

Julie O'Leary 

If anyone would like more information about this 5k parkrun on the northside of Cork City, go to their website... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/

Guest Post: PWR Part 2 - The future

 ** PWR Part 2 - The future **

On Friday, I am retired from work. Yes, you did read that correctly but no panic, I'm still running. It is only the day job I'm giving up.

It is totally voluntary, as there was a redundancy offer open and as I'm not far from retirement anyway, it made sense and was a total no-brainer to walk.

Don't get me wrong, I had many years with co-workers and I can honestly say I enjoyed the most of it, so I will miss the companionship, laughs, stories and general fun.

I joined the Department of Post and Telegraphs in 1980, which became Telecom Eireann, then Eircom and I leave Eir a long time later. Enough of that, Chapter closed.
🙌

"There is a tide in the affairs of men. 
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune" Shakespeare. 
Take your opportunities when they arise and who knows where it could lead.... from my Secondary School English. Long time ago.
🤓

What is next?
Well I suppose the traditional presentation of the Gold Watch to bring home and sit with the pipe and slippers doesn't really fit my image. A Garmin GPS watch and a new pair of runners would be far better for me. Spare me the Nike fancy shoes as my hamstring doesn't move that fast anymore.
The new bike needs to get some road miles.

There are hills and roads to be walked, nice routes to run, coffee to be drank and plenty of time to do it. 
I must do some of the beautiful Greenways around the country and The Wild Atlantic Way is calling. Feel free to invite me.

I would love to add to my sporting academic qualifications so who knows what areas I will dabble in. Maybe also look at some Creative writing classes. Every day is a school day.
Plenty books to be read and a promise not to get out of bed any morning until it is bright.
I'm qualified for Seniors Golf (OMG) so we will strike a few balls.
When do I get the Free Travel Pass?
🏃

Hopefully things get better for us all next Year and I will resume my coaching and planning for anyone who is interested in some event and needs guidance. Let me know and we can chat.

I love helping in case it wasn't obvious 🤣
🏃

So have a lovely weekend, I'm keeping things very low key as not the time for big gatherings or parties. A few pleasures to be postponed until a more opportune moment. Could still do the long run with the gang tomorrow, if they don't mind running with a pensioner. 
🏃

Take care everyone and I promise to write about running again soon but then who will listen to an old retired fella? Answers on a Postcard and send to: S Claus, N Pole, D25 M12.🎅

🎼"Go easy on me, baby
I was still a child
Didn't get the chance to
Feel the world around me
I had no time to choose
What I chose to do
So go easy on me" 🎤 Adele

#pwr #keeponrunning 🎤🎼

Results of the Glenville 4 mile race - Sun 28th Nov 2021

The Glenville 4 mile race was held on Sunday the 28th of November and there were 351 finishers. While this is a healthy number for a local road race, it is 29% down on the figure for the last outing in 2019 when 495 runners crossed the finish line.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan O'SHEA Bantry AC M M40 1868 19:40
2 Denis HEGARTY  Watergrass Hill AC M MS 593 20:16
3 John MEADE St Finbarrs AC M M40 1858 20:28
18 Rynne SHARON Kilmurry Ibrickane North Clare F FS 1714 23:34
24 Kealey TIDESWELL Clonmel AC F F35 1873 24:16
27 Linda O'SULLIVAN Watergrass Hill AC F F50 1782 24:29

The full results are up on the MyRunResults website HERE

Results of the Clonakilty Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 27th Nov 2021

There was a real nip in the air for this years Clonakilty Marathon with over 1000 runners taking part across the three events.

In the 10k, there were 250 finishers. As you can see from the chart above, this is well down on previous years for whatever reason. (Update: I'm told that the entry fee for the 10k was €50 which could well explain the drop in numbers)

Top 3 men & women...

1 Kieran MCKEOWN 00:34:45 5289 M Watergrasshill A.C.
2 Conor O'LEARY 00:35:44 5215 M
4 Craig HARRINGTON 00:37:35 5111 M Togher AC
3 Catherina MCKIERNAN 00:37:20 5284 F
12 Aileen O'MAHONY 00:42:27 5216 F
13 Pauline ROBERTSON 00:42:32 5267 F Brothers Pearse AC

In the Half-Marathon, there was 920 finishers which compares well to previous years.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Tudor MOLDOVAN 01:12:20 2382 M MS Clonliffe Harriers
2 Niall SHEIL 01:16:23 2127 M M40 St Killians AC
3 Kevin GILLEECE 01:17:02 8344 M M40 Kilfinane AC
28 Niamh CRONIN 01:29:23 2402 F F40 St Finbarrs AC
32 Aoife MAHONY 01:30:26 2015 F F40 Eagle AC
38 Selenia NOLAN 01:31:27 2308 F F40 Ennis Track AC

In the marathon, there were 417 finishers which again compares well to previous years.

1 Alexander WALLACE 02:32:00 730 M M40 St Cocas AC

2 Mick SILKE 02:46:46 8309 M M40

3 Ciaran HUGHES 02:49:00 385 M MS Dublin Runners

30 Tara MALONE 03:11:55 664 F F40 1Zero1

33 Colleen ROBINSON 03:12:59 712 F F40

38 Dolores DUFFY 03:15:11 830 F F50 Watergrasshill AC MCI

Full results of all three races on the MyRunResults website HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 27th Nov 2021

There seems to be a big drop for most of the 5k parkruns in the county on the 27th of November. I suspect that cold northerly wind may be a factor and not just other events taking place this weekend. 

Results of this weeks nine 5k parkruns around the county. 

Ballincollig Regional Park: 214 this week, 299 last week. Long term average 299.

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean DINEEN Male SM25-29 Cork Triathlon Club 18:21

2 Unknown

3 Thomas GILMORE Male JM15-17 Ballincollig Athletic Club 19:18

25 Deirbhile O'KEEFFE Female SW20-24 21:56

27 Davina FENTON Female VW40-44 22:05

30 Ella COLLINS Female JW15-17 22:21

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/205/

Mallow Castle: 60 finishers this week, 103 last week. The long term average is 97.

First 3 men & women...

1 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:44

3 James CROWLEY Male VM45-49 LOVE2RUN 19:06

4 John KELLY Male VM45-49 Mallow AC 19:39

2 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 18:50

10 Máire MCKENNA Female VW40-44 22:03

14 Norah MCGLYNN Female JW15-17 22:54

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/12/

Glen River: 60 this week, 67 last week. The long term average is 85.

First 3 men & women...

1 John LONGAN Male SM30-34 St Finbarrs AC 18:42

2 Ben O'SULLIVAN Male JM15-17 19:25

3 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 19:45

21 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 25:32

23 Claire PHILP Female SW30-34 25:54

25 Gemma FORDYCE Female VW45-49 26:15

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/81/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 55 this week, 75 for last week. The long term average is 82.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan COLEMAN Male VM40-44 19:31

2 Micheal CRONIN Male SM30-34 20:19

3 Tom O RIORDAN Male VM45-49 Watergrasshill AC 20:36

9 Janette O SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 22:34

16 Claire MURPHY Female VW45-49 25:28

21 Rose KINSELLA Female VW35-39 26:47

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/6/

Macroom Desmense: 44 this week, 65 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 20:29

2 Diarmuid HOLLAND Male VM45-49 20:34

3 Enda O'FLAHERTY Male VM35-39 20:49

12 Rachel KELLEHER Female JW15-17 24:20

14 Lisa KINGSTON Female JW15-17 25:57

16 Leah BRADLEY Female JW11-14 26:14

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/352/

Clonakilty: There was no 5k parkrun in Clonakilty due to the Clonakilty Marathon taking place.

32 this week, 29 last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/307/

Castlehaven: 23 finishers this week, 20 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 22:36

10 Danielle SHEEHY Female SW25-29 26:39

15 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 31:25

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 22:37

3 Donal ODONOVAN Male VM40-44 23:17

4 Donnacha MC CARTHY Male VM35-39 23:23

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/231/

Bere Island: 17 this week, 21 last week, long term average of 47. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Gary O'DRISCOLL Male SM25-29 Beara AC 18:53

2 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 21:19

3 Jocelyn DUFÉTEL Male VM45-49 Beara AC 26:49

4 Laura WALSH Female JW15-17 29:18

5 Noelette BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 30:48

6 Joanne SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 30:49

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/310/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 38 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 55, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:53

2 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM40-44 20:56

3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:48

6 Maria JONES Female VW35-39 Sportsworld 22:12

7 Caroline KELLY Female SW30-34 London City Athletics Club 22:13

8 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:09

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/224/

Weather for the Clonakilty Marathon & parkruns on Sat 27th Nov 2021

The weather for the weekend is a bit of a mixed bag. On Saturday, it's going to be cold with a strong north-westerly wind during the morning. It is however likely to be sunny.

The map shows the situation on Saturday. There is a high pressure system out in the Atlantic rotating clockwise and there is a low pressure system over the North Sea going anti-clockwise.

The net result is like someone left the fridge door open and cold Arctic air flows down over Ireland and the UK.

On the plus side, that strong wind should prevent any frosts or ice on the roads and it should be a bright sunny morning. The only thing is that it's going to feel really cold.

A map of the half-marathon and 10k courses are shown below. Essentially, you will have the wind behind you for the first half and into your face for the second half for each race.

Over the years, the Clonakilty marathon has had more than its fair share of bad weather. This time around, it looks like it's going to be one of the better ones. There are some lovely scenic spots out along the marathon and half-marathon routes with expensive views over the Cork coastline.

Hills... For the 10k, there is a modest hill marked in Orange which starts around the 4.5 mile mark. It lasts about 0.7 miles. This hill is also near the end of the half-marathon course around the 11 mile mark.

For the half-marathon, there is a major hill at 4.7 miles which is about 2 miles in length. It's more of a long slog than being steep.

Gear???... I suspect it might be a day for the long sleeve with maybe a singlet over it. Only the fastest runners will opt for a singlet on its own.

5k parkruns... It should be a really good day for doing a parkrun, just wrap up!

Friday Jigsaw: Michelle Finn from Cork winning the 2021 Irish Senior Cross Country Championships

For this weeks jigsaw, we go back to last weekend when Michelle Finn from Cork won the 2021 Irish Senior Cross Country Championships in Dublin.

You can find the 121-piece jigsaw HERE

Age distribution of a recent 10 mile race in Waterford - Nov 2021

The Beat the Train for DSI 10 mile run was held last weekend on the Greenway in Waterford and attracted a field of 180 runners.

Unusually, they gave the year of birth of each of the runners in the results. Needless to say, I had to make a chart for it! 😄

As you can see, the finishers range in age from 17 to 70 with the vast majority between 35 and 50 years old.

It's interesting to note how few runners in their twenties took part. In most races, runners under 35 are listed as MS (Male Senior) or FS (Female Senior) and it's impossible to know what their exact age is.

This matches previous results which shows that the bulk of 'Senior' runners are in fact in their thirties with very few in their twenties. This is also reflected in the adult membership of most athletic clubs which are now up around 85-90% masters i.e. aged 35 and above.

Running or at least taking part in organised running events doesn't seem to attract many adults in their twenties.

Survey: Do you use miles or kms when you are running and training???

I have to admit that my brain is hardwired in miles and I've always used minute per mile and distances in miles when I was out running. 

When I started coaching, I had to adjust and use both kms and miles and use whatever the athlete was familiar with.

So my question is... what do you use when you are running? Miles or kms?

Fill out the short survey form and we'll see in a week what it looks like.

Click HERE

No Newmarket 10-mile road race in 2022

Duhallow AC have announced that there won't be any 10-mile road race in Newmarket in NW Cork in 2022. If it was going ahead then it would be held on the second Sunday of March, the traditional date of the now discontinued Ballycotton 10-mile road race which ended in 2017.

The chart below shows the numbers for the Newmarket 10-mile. From 2018 to 2020, it had been growing steadily. 

Undertaking two big races in a year is a big commitment for a small club so it probably shouldn't be a big surprise to see them drop one.

The question now is if someone else will pick up the old Ballycotton date?

Notice: Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 19th Dec 2021

This popular 5 km road race is coming up in the town of Newmarket in North-West Cork on Sunday the 19th of December 2021. This is a fast 5k course and gets a good turnout every year.

Entries... You can pre-enter online HERE

Update 10th Nov 2021: 350 of the 500 places are now gone.
Update 12th Nov 2021: 400 of the 500 places are gone.

Update 14th Nov 2021: 440 of the 500 places are gone.

Update 16th Nov 2021: 470 of the 500 places are gone.

Update 17th Nov 2021: 490 of the 500 places are gone.

Update 22nd Nov 2021: Extra 100 places released.... "Online entries back up and going again due to popular demand extra 100 places added. Entries will close at midnight this Friday’s 26th of November"

Update 22nd Nov 2021: Just 50 left now.

Cork runner Michelle Finn wins the National Cross Country Senior Title - Sun 21st Nov 2021

Cork runner Michelle Finn of Leevale AC was this years winner of the Irish Senior Cross Country Championships which were held in Dublin.

1 Michelle FINN 00:27:22 77 F Senior Leevale A.C.
2 Sarah HEALY 00:27:34 145 F Senior F U23 U.C.D. A.C.
3 Roisin FLANAGAN 00:27:41 59 F Senior Finn Valley A.C.
4 Aoibhe RICHARDSON 00:27:42 71 F Senior Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.
5 Aoife COOKE 00:27:56 53 F Senior Eagle A.C.
6 Annmarie MCGLYNN 00:28:01 85 F Senior Letterkenny A.C.
7 Mary MULHARE 00:28:06 110 F Senior Portlaoise A.C.
8 Ciara MAGEEAN 00:28:13 15 F Senior City of Lisburn A.C.
9 Niamh ALLEN 00:28:30 32 F Senior Crusaders A.C.
10 Niamh KEARNEY 00:28:32 111 F Senior Raheny Shamrock A.C.

Full results HERE

Unlike the Cork County Senior Championships where the numbers were so bad that they couldn't hand out some team medals, the national event had much better attendance.

In the women's race there were 109 finishers with some of the best female runners in the country appearing in there.

In the men's race, there was an even bigger turnout with 192 taking part. The full results are on the MyRunResults website.

Interesting fact... While Michelle Finn won the women's race, the men's race was won by Hiko Tonosa. Both are coached by Feidhlim Kelly.

Guest Post: Bump ...by Pat Walsh

** Bump **

Found it hard to write a post this week. Am I the only one feeling that we have hit a bump in the road and there could be a few tough months ahead of us. The numbers aren’t great and not getting any better, so it is hard to make plans with any degree of certainty.
I for one am sick of this, same old narrative on the news and in the media, same voices preaching and no-one listening, enforcing regulations that don’t make sense. We need guidance with a firm voice and a clear message, not the shambles of the last week. Show us a path out of this. PLEASE..! 🥺

What can we do? 🏃
Keep running to give the mind and body a break from it all.
Keep in contact.
Keep looking after yourself.
Keep having the cuppas after the run, even if you need a coat and a hat.
Keep dreaming of a better 2022.
Keep following the plan and hope for a Christmas 10mile.
Keep up the positivity and self help.
Keep your eyes and ears open as we approach Christmas and see who is in need of help.
Keep out of Copper Face Jacks after midnight.
Keep up the strength and flexibility work for your long term running career.
Keep listening to music and watching funny videos.
Keep training.
Keep living your life, but be careful and have respect for everyone else.
Keep lacing up the runners and getting out. The 4 walls of home seem bigger when you return.
Keep the faith and believe in the future.
Keep caring.
Keep on Keeping on.

Have a nice weekend and stay safe. I'm hoping to run the "Beat the Train 10mile" in Kilmeaden Co. Waterford in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland 🚂🚂
Saturday Road Runners

“Gotta keep on going, looking straight out on the road
Can't worry 'bout what's behind you or what's coming for you further up the road
I try not to hold on to what is gone, I try to do right what is wrong
I try to keep on keeping on
Yeah I just keep on keeping on”😍 🎤🎤
My Silver Lining - First Aid Kit

#pwr #keeponkeepingon 🚂