Running in Cork News Bites - September 2023

New feature! Sometimes I come across some news items of interest but I don't have the time to put up individual posts about them. I'll collect these here every month under the new News Bites post.

Here are a selection of short news items that I came across during the month of September 2023.

18th Sept 2023 - Planning for Maglin Greenway refused... It's disappointing to see that Cork City Council has refused planning for the proposed Maglin Greenway to the south of Ballincollig. This was part of a project that would have eventually seen a Greenway running from Bishopstown to Killumney. The Malgin section was going to be built on what was the old railway line that used to run to Macroom. This area of Ballincollig used to be controlled by Cork County Council and they left a space through residential areas for the development of a future walkway. Since the expansion of the city limits, Cork City Council however have now failed to deliver on this.

18th Sept 2023 - Clonakilty Marathon... With just two months to go, the organisers of the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon have  announced that they will be holding their event this year on Sat 25th Nov 2023. Unlike previous years, the Clonakilty Marathon will be in Courtmacsherry... a bit like one of the Ryanair airports! :o))

They will be holding their usual marathon, half-marathon and 10k races. The entry fees for these events are expensive but they're popular with a lot of runners and they should get a good crowd.

14th Sept 2023 - Richmond Marathon in London Cancelled Due to heat... The organisers of a running event in Richmond, London have apologised after cancelling a marathon when more than 1,000 runners were still on the course in sweltering 30C conditions. Thousands of runners had attended the event for its 10k, half and full marathon. But participants were later told that the event had been cancelled and they would need to walk to the finish line as the extreme heat was causing runners to fall ill. Temperatures surpassed 30C on Sunday amid a protracted heatwave across the UK. Link... https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/richmond-runfest-apologises-race-cancelled-runners-b1106341.html

12th Sept 2023 - Article on the Clashduv Junior parkrun... Matt Shields, Country Manager for parkrun Ireland writes...“2023 is proving to be a very positive year for junior activity in Cork”. Check out the article on the parkrun website about the new 2km junior parkrun in Clashduv Park in Togher... https://blog.parkrun.com/ie/2023/09/12/clashduv-junior-parkrun/

11th Sept 2023 - 102-year-old finishes the Great North Run half marathon... Bill Cooksey, a World War II veteran, crossed the finish line in 5hrs 41mins. Link... https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a45078283/102-year-old-great-north-run-oldest-person-run-half-marathon/

9th Sept - Parkrun Milestones... The Mallow Castle 5k parkrun celebrates its 100th event... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2023/09/mallow-castle-5k-parkrun-hits-100-mark.html

8th Sept - Dublin Marathon medal controversy... The organisers of the 2023 Dublin City Marathon have said that this years medal will pay tribute to W.B. Yeats on the 100th Anniversary of his Nobel Prize for Literature. Each finisher will receive a medal with an image of the poet along with the engraved quote: "There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't met yet". However, the Director of the Yeats Society has said there is "no certainty" that a quote to be used was ever actually said by him. Controversy or a 'storm in a tea cup'? Link... https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0908/1404150-dublin-marathon/

6th Sept 2023 - Malin to Mizen Run for Charity... Starting on October 8, Peter Ryan will run from Malin Head in County Donegal to Ireland’s most southerly point at Mizen Head in County Cork. The challenge will take place over five days culminating on World Sight Day 2023 (October 12), with the longest leg challenging Peter to run more than three consecutive marathons in just one day. All funds raised from the 586 km challenge will be donated to the NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) to aid the development of the country’s first mobile information and eye health awareness unit, the Vision Van. Link... https://sportforbusiness.com/ryan-running-malin-to-mizen-in-marathon-fundraiser/

6th Sept 2023 - 11,000 runners disqualified for cheating at Mexico City Marathon... Runners are said to have used cars, bikes and public transport to cut sections of the course. Link... https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a45019101/runners-cheating-mexico-city-marathon/

1st Sept 2023 - Centre Park Road Development... The Echo announced that a company was granted a 10-year planning permission to develop 1,325 residential units, including apartments and duplexes, in 10 buildings at the Gouldings site, Centre Park Rd/Monahan Rd, in the city. This is an area used at the moment for a lot of road races as it's mainly an industrial area that tends to be quieter during the evening time and at the weekend. Will it change when there are thousands of people living there? As the city centre gets busier, will road races get pushed more towards the outskirts of the city and onto Greenways? Link...https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41214073.html

Notice: Churchtown 10-mile road race - Sat 18th Nov 2023

This brand new 10-mile road race is coming up in the village of Churchtown in north Cork on Saturday 18th November 2023.

Entries HERE

Churchtown is located just 4kms west of the N20 Cork to Limerick road so access couldn't be easier.

All runners in the race will receive a microfleece travel towel as shown above.

Course... The 10-mile route is shown below...

As you can see, the course is a 10-mile loop to the north-east of Churchtown. The road on the right is the N20.

It looks like a reasonably fast course and I'd put it on a par with the likes of Dungarvan or Mallow. I have a brief preview of the course here... https://munsterraceroutes.blogspot.com/2013/01/cork127.html

Family day out??... It might be worth mentioning that the Donkey Sanctuary is only 4kms away near Liscarroll if anyone wants to make it a family day out.

From the organisers... "We are delighted to announce Fitness Solutions Mallow as our Main Sponsor for The Churchtown 10 Mile Road Race!

We would like to thank Sue and all the staff in Fitness Solutions for their kind sponsorship. Please support local and for all your running needs, call in to Fitness Solutions in Mallow."

Results & Photos of the Echo Women's mini-marathon - Sun 17th Sept 2023

The Echo women's mini-marathon was held on Sunday 17th Sept 2023 on what was an overcast but dry day. A total of 2664 runners and walkers crossed the finish line this year, a drop of 8% on the figure for 2022.

The first woman was Lizzie Lee pictured above in a time of 17m 19s, just 7-seconds ahead of Hannah Steeds in second place.

Top 5 women...
1 Lizzie LEE Leevale AC 17:19
2 Hannah STEEDS Leevale AC 17:26
3 Amy POLLMANN-DAAMWN An Riocht 17:43
4 Carol FINN Leevale AC 17:44
5 Michelle KENNY Leevale AC 17:48

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) There are 8 albums up on the Running in Cork Facebook page....
a) Album 1 of 8

b) Album 2 of 8

c) Album 3 of 8

d) Album 4 of 8

e) Album 5 of 8

f) Album 6 of 8

g) Album 7 of 8

h) Album 8 of 8

2) The Snapper has several albums at Pairc Ui Chaoimh...

a) Album 1

b) Album 2

c) Album 3

3) Joe Murphy has several albums...

a) Album 1 - Front runners

b) Album 2

c) Album 3

d) Album 4

e) Album 5

Numbers... A post event article in the Echo claimed the following... "The annual Mini-Marathon got underway at 12 noon on Kennedy Quay and between 4,000 and 5,000 people participated in today’s event."

This is way more than the actual number of 2,664 recorded by the chip timing company crossing the finish line.

The numbers for the Echo Women's mini-marathon are shown above and there has been a dramatic drop since 2019.

Not so long ago, the entry fee for this event was down around €10. Now it's €20-€25 which is a lot considering the participants get nothing like a dry fit running top and none of the entry fee goes to charity.

Over the years, the participants of the Echo Women's mini-marathon have generated millions for charity. By contrast, the organisers give nothing to charity.

I suspect a lot of women are questioning the point of paying €20-€25 for an entry fee when they can just do a run for free and give that money to a charity instead.

Results of the Rockchapel 5k - Fri 15th Sept 2023

A smallish crowd of 62 runners turned out for this 5k road race in Rockchapel in NW Cork.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Thomas Kiely North Cork AC 16:30 Male 122
2 Killian Lynch West Limerick AC  16:38 Male 89
3 Johnny O Sullivan Grange Fermoy A.C 17:52 Male 109
7 Emma Flynn North Cork AC 18:33 Female 119
8 Michaela Flynn North Cork AC  19:11 Female 120
11 Siobhan Daly An Riocht  19:37 Female 132

Full results HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 16th Sept 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 16th Sept 2023. Approximately 853 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 302 this week, 253 last week. Long term average 285

First 3 men & women... 

1 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:37

2 Nicholas KAKLAMANIS Male SM20-24 18:53

3 Lance DOHERTY Male VM45-49 Somerville Road Runners 19:09

12 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:01

13 Ella COLLINS Female JW15-17 Bandon AC 20:13

28 Niamh O'RIORDAN Female SW30-34 Galway City Harriers 21:23

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/294/

Tramore Valley Park: 193 runners took part in this event, 131 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...

1 Heywood RICHARDSON Male SM25-29 16:18

2 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 17:27

3 James GRUFFERTY Male VM40-44 18:15

15 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 20:58

17 Ciara O'GORMAN Female SW18-19 21:06

31 Laura MAYE Female SW30-34 22:34

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/73/

Glen River: 74 this week, 60 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:50

2 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 20:19

3 Stephen GEOGHEGAN Male VM50-54 St Finbarrs AC 21:23

15 Yan ZHANG Female VW35-39 Sanctuary Runners 26:08

16 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:13

18 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 26:54

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/174/

Mallow Castle: 49 finishers this week, 66 last week. The long term average is 64.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Conor LAVERY Male SM20-24 19:27

2 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 20:46

3 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 21:15

5 Niamh LAVERY Female JW15-17 21:30

6 Norleen KENNY Female VW40-44 21:51

9 Denise TWOHIG Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:19

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/101/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 46 this week, 37 last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Peter BONNER Male VM45-49 Grantham Running Club 19:24

2 Keith BARRY Male VM45-49 St Catherines AC 19:30

3 Ciaran COLEMAN Male VM45-49 20:54

6 Anna PAWLIK Female VW35-39 24:09

8 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 24:25

10 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 24:30

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/79/

Macroom Desmense: 40 this week, 37 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:23 

2 Sam O'RIORDAN Male SM18-19 Leevale AC 19:02

3 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 21:56

6 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 22:43

12 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:20

14 Teresa MOORE Female VW45-49 26:43

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/443/

Clonakilty: 29 finishers this week, 38 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Darragh WINTERS Male JM15-17 20:32

2 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 21:16

3 John HEFFERNAN Male VM45-49 21:49

13 Kathleen O'REGAN Female VW35-39 26:42

14 Jennifer AHERNE Female SW30-34 27:27

16 Caroline O'DONNELL Female SW30-34 28:18

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/397/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 68 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 46 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:18

2 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:37

3 Dolf D'HONDT Male VM40-44 21:44

11 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:39

13 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 24:55

17 Karen CROWLEY Female SW25-29 25:17

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/314/

Bere Island: 39 this week, 65 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 

1 Fionn HANLEY Male JM15-17 24:11

6 Unknown

11 Edwin HARPER Male VM65-69 34:19

2 Alaw Haf O'ROURKE Female SW20-24 24:29

3 Breeda O'SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:45

4 Mags O'NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 28:34 

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/404/

Castlehaven: 13 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 24 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 20:52

2 John O'MAHONY Male SM25-29 20:55

3 Neil O'DRISCOLL Male VM45-49 26:30

5 Olive MCCARTHY Female VW50-54 Togher AC 30:20

6 Frances LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 30:22

9 Patricia O'DRISCOLL Female VW45-49 32:46

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/325/

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

Guest Post: Plan for Fun ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Plan for Fun **

Does a little planning add to the fun of running or not?

Do you just go where the road takes you? 

Do you not worry about fuel or hydration and wonder sometimes why your run wasn’t as much fun as you may have thought?

We are all different and have varying ways of approaching things.

I personally like to:

have my run planned, 
have my hydration and fuel in the days leading up to it,
have adequate rest before a long run,
have re-fueling stops sorted if required,
and know where the hills are so I can be mentally ready for them.

This comes to mind watching the rugby this week and the athletics a few weeks ago. I was listening to the interviews about the preparation in advance and the ability to perform. Most of the outcomes can be pre-determined by the preparation. They speak of little glitches in preparation having huge consequences on the day.

As amateurs we cannot hope to match 10-20% of their levels of readiness, but we can still help ourselves. How we can we just rock up on the day and hope it all goes well.

Running should and can be fun. But the most fun is from a well planned run where you enjoyed it all, hit no surprise dips and finished without being totally shattered or dehydrated.

Fun is looking back after the run and thinking that it was ok, I was capable, I was able to chat, I wasn’t dying for water or feeling my energy levels had bonked.

No-one reading this article is a professional but never be afraid to learn from them and adapt their best practices to suit your own needs.

Don’t be a slave to the watch or get too worried about times. If your enjoyment is a run with friends, then do a little in advance to make it as enjoyable as possible. 

Sometimes the fun is sitting having a cup of coffee afterwards and not having to lay on the ground hoping to drink it through a straw.

That is fun, that is the secret to developing a love of running rather than a chore to do.
Long-term we stay doing what we enjoy or else it becomes just a passing hobby.
'Proper preparation and planning, prevents poor performance‘

Another holiday pic to brighten your weekend. No fears, I’m at home in the rain.. 

#pwr #havefun

Guest Post: THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF A THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION ...by John Walshe

THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF A THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION ...By John Walshe (a shortened version of this article appears in the Echo of 14/09/2023)

At the Cork BHAA race in Little Island earlier this year, it would be safe to assume that few of the 400 participants would be aware of the running achievements of the smiling lady behind the counter patiently handing out cups of tea and coffee.

But it’s not only for the numerous competitive honours achieved that Brid Murphy should be acknowledged and remembered, but also for the remarkable, inspiring and equally tragic story that lays behind her introduction to the sport.

Once described in a magazine as “bubbling and effervescent and who speaks with a merry twinkle in her soft and musical Cork voice,” as she sits in the family home at Glounthaune looking out over Cork Harbour, one cannot but help notice the change in tone as she emotionally recalls a heart-rending incident all of 40 years ago.

“Our little boy David, our third child, was born on December 23, 1982 and he tragically died of a cot death on February 7, 1983. Naturally enough, the whole family – my husband David and our two other children, Vincent and Valerie – were devastated.”

Brid, a native of Mallow, then aged 30, had heard of cot deaths. But, naturally enough, never thought it would darken their door. The family lived in Ballyvolane at the time and after the tragedy she hated being on her own in the house when her two children had gone to school and with David at work.

 “A number of my neighbours had started training for the Echo Mini-Marathon and my brother Michael, who knew I liked sports, suggested that I join them as I found it very hard to get up in the morning and get myself motivated.

“There was one neighbour who used to go out at seven in the morning and I started with her, another one went out at 10 o’clock and I joined her as well and then a group of us would go out again in the evening. It was just something to focus on.”

Brid Murphy (L) pictured with Ann Cummins (R) at a Cork BHAA race earlier this year

It was quite an achievement for someone who had never run before. And, in the autumn of 1983, when she was expecting her second daughter, Edel, Brid completed the Mini-Marathon for the first time. “The doctor said it was okay to run, he knew it was helping me and helping the family as well.”

Moving on to 1986, Brid’s running had now progressed to such an extent that she had joined Leevale Athletic Club. “I got a lot of help there from the late Kevin Barry who made me very welcome, along with Anne Murphy from Dublin, then based in Cork, who made out a training schedule for me.”

That year she ran the Mini-Marathon (then over 10km) in 42 minutes. The following year she finished second and although first place would elude her, she would also add another second in 1995, along with four third-place finishes (1990, 91, 92, 94).

“It was Pat Dempsey, who lived near me, along with Jackie Motherway, who got me into marathon running. I only had one long run done when I ran Dublin in 1987, and despite hitting the wall I finished in 3:47. The following year, again training with Pat and with advice now from Donie Walsh, I broke the three hours.”

The years of 1989, 1900 and 1991 saw her finish third on each occasion at the Dublin show-piece. Her fastest time of 2:43:00 was achieved in 1992, which also gained her the coveted BLE national title. First that year was Karen Cornwall from the UK in 2:41:58 and just 11 seconds ahead of Brid was Ethiopian Addis Gezahegne who had recorded 2:35:05 in Rotterdam the year before.

That time of 2:43:00 would remain the fastest by a Cork woman until Sonia O’Sullivan’s 2:29:01 in London 13 years later. It still places Brid Murphy fifth on the all-time Cork list. She would retain her national title the following year in Clonmel, recording 2:51:33. Nebraska-based Catriona Dowling, home on holidays for the race had kept Murphy company for 13 miles before the Dubliner moved ahead. By 20 miles she had a lead of two minutes, but the Leevale athlete never panicked and closed her down with two miles to go to take the win.

Brid would add another marathon title in 1996; this was no doubt the sweetest of all as it took place in her home town of Mallow. Her time of 2:52:52 gave her a margin of almost 20 minutes over Mary-Beth Dillon from the USA. Having decided not to travel to Boston, her decision proved to be correct as she took her third national crown, a remarkable achievement at 43 years of age. Third overall that day was another vet, Eileen Kenny from St Finbarr’s (mother of Leevale’s Michelle).

The IAAF World Marathon Cup was incorporated into the London Marathon of 1991 and there, as part of the Irish team, Brid had recorded another fine time of 2:47:41. At that stage she was part of a national marathon squad led by Brendan O’Shea, a former national marathon champion himself but better known as the man who had guided Jerry Kiernan to ninth place in the 1984 Olympic Marathon. “When I had finished third the first time in Dublin, Brendan got in contact and he was very good to me, including me in weekend coaching sessions and the like.”

Training in the lead up to marathons would reach an elite level of 100 miles a week. “Maybe for about three weeks, we would reach that amount. On a Sunday morning we would do 22 or 23 miles and then go out again in the evening to bring the total up to the full marathon distance.”

The Belfast Marathon of 1992 saw Brid finishing second behind Catherine Smyth from Dublin. This was not without drama, as she explains: “The morning of the marathon I was on the way down for breakfast when the lift broke. I was there for about three-quarters of an hour and the hotel said as it was a Bank Holiday they didn’t know when they could get me out.” Luckily, it was Brendan O’Shea who managed to locate someone to get the problem sorted. Amazingly, Murphy wasn’t fazed as she went on to record what would be her second fastest time of 2:45:49.

Brid Murphy’s athletics CV certainly makes impressive reading. Numbered among her other achievements are three victories in the Cork to Cobh 15-mile (1993, 94, 96); two Ballycotton Summer Series overall victories (1990, 91); three times a scoring member of the winning Leevale team in the Cork County senior cross-country (1990, 91, 92). Twice in 1991 she broke the hour for 10 miles – at Ballycotton (59:59) and Charleville (59:52).

In 1992, Brid received the Irish Runner/Seiko Award for Outstanding Performances in Athletics and other honours to come her way include a Waterford Crystal Achiever Award in 1994 and a Munster Athlete of the Month for April 1996.

“Looking back, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it and got great opportunities out of it,” says this remarkable and inspirational woman. And she has no regrets given the opportunities and prizes now available in races, especially for women: “No, prizes were never that important to me. If I won something, it was great,” she says with a smile, recalling the type of awards then on offer such as tea sets, bread bins and the like.

There’s no doubt that Brid owes a lot to the Echo Women’s Mini-Marathon and those neighbours in Ballyvolane where it all began. “That really got me going, mentally and physically. It was the first time I ever went running, I started to meet more people and it took the whole family out of a tragic situation and started me into doing something I would never have done.

“Along the way, I also raised a lot of money through sponsorship for research into cot deaths through the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association. Especially in the marathons, even if you felt bad, that was certainly an incentive to keep going.”

A list of previous guest posts from John Walshe can be seen HERE

New athletics track opens in Newcastle West - Sept 2023

On the 14th of September 2023, the new athletics track in Newcastle West in Co Limerick was officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. As you can seen from the photo above, the track is also floodlit which is essential for the dark winter months.

Up to now, most athletic tracks have been in cities like Cork, Limerick and Waterford. This is one of the first of a new wave of athletic tracks which are being built in regional towns. 

For reference, Newcastle West in west Limerick has a population of about 7,000 people. New 400m athletic tracks are being constructed in Clonmel (pop 17,000) and Bandon (pop 7,000).

There are plans for new tracks in Mallow (pop 13,000) and Carrigaline (pop 16,000). This then raises the question of whether it's viable to have athletic tracks in towns like Midleton (pop 13,000), Youghal (pop 8,000) or Fermoy (pop 7,000)?

New athletic tracks are probably of most benefit to juveniles and a cheaper 200m track might suit nearly all of their requirements. An obvious place to have one would be in a town like Bantry in west Cork (pop 3,000). It might be too small to justify a full size 400m track but a 200m track might be perfect?

Photos...
There are photos of the launch in Newcastle West by Eamon Doody HERE

Friday Jigsaw: Cork City 10-miler 2014

For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo taken by Joe Murphy at the 2014 Cork City 10-miler. The photo shows Orla Drumm on her way to winning the race.

This is a tough jigsaw with 396-pieces. You can find it HERE

Organisers of Echo Women's mini-marathon shorten course after huge drop in numbers

In 2022, the numbers taking part in the Echo Women's mini-marathon event dropped a whopping 56%... see this previous post. This year, the organisers have now reduced the course from 6kms to 5kms in length.

The 6k course used to go down the Marina to Blackrock and then back up the Blackrock Rd. The new 5k course stays mostly on the Centre Park Rd and Monahan Rd and in around Pairc Ui Chaoimh which means that the Marina and Blackroad Rd can stay open to other users.

The new 5k course has a number of sharp bends which is usually a bad idea when there are a lot of people taking part but the field should have thinned out by the 2km mark so it shouldn't be an issue.

Note that this is a commercial event and none of the proceeds go to charity. If you're doing it, consider making a donation to your chosen charity.

Mallow Castle 5k parkrun hits the 100 mark - Sept 2023

The Mallow Castle 5k parkrun held its 100th edition on the 9th September 2023. The first one was on the 4th of September 2021 and the average number of participants per event is 64.

The chart above shows the numbers for all 100. The numbers seemed to have dropped off in 2022 compared to 2021 but there seems to a recovery in 2023.

This is of course not the first 5k parkrun in Mallow. The previous Mallow Town 5k parkrun was held in the town park next to the river and it was held 55 times with an average of 75.4.

If we take out the first few events then the average for the current Mallow Castle event isn't that far off the old Mallow Town event.

The new Mallow Castle event is also on a paved surface whereas the old parkrun could often be muddy in wet weather as sections were on grass.

For more information on the Mallow Castle 5k parkrun, go to https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/

For more info on the parkruns in Co Cork, click HERE

New junior parkrun starting in Haulbowline Park - Q4 2023

There has been a lot of interest in junior parkruns in Cork in the last year and as of Sept 2023, there are seven up and running. It now looks like number eight is on the way!

A new junior parkrun for Haulbowline Park in Cork Harbour has now been approved and is expected to start in Q4 of 2023. This one should be of special interest to parents in Carrigaline as it's only a 7km drive away.

The course will be two loops of the grassland park.

They are currently looking for volunteers to help out. If you want to help get this 2k parkrun up and running then email john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com .

For more information on the 5k and 2k parkruns in Co Cork, go to the parkrun page on the blog.

Results of the Charleville Half-Marathon - 10th Sept 2023

Michael Harty winning the 2023 Charleville Half-Marathon

The Charleville Half-Marathon was held on Sunday 10th Sept 2023 with 993 runners crossing the finish line.

Top 5 men & women...
1 Michael HARTY East Cork A.C. M M40 5543 (1:07:03) 1:07:04
2 William MAUNSELL Clonmel A.C. M MS 555 (1:07:13) 1:07:13
3 Sean DOYLE Cork City A.C. M MS 1349 (1:09:00) 1:09:00
4 Jake O'REGAN St. Johns A.C. M MS 1378 (1:09:31) 1:09:31
5 Andrew NEVIN Mullingar Harriers A.C. M MS 297 (1:11:18) 1:11:18
1 Barbara CLEARY Donore Harriers A.C. F F50 835 (1:19:19) 1:19:20
2 Isobel OAKES Sligo A.C. F FS 1144 (1:19:47) 1:19:53
3 Sinead LYNCH F F45 1048 (1:22:43) 1:22:43
4 Caroline MCLOUGHLIN F FS 1083 (1:23:45) 1:23:49
5 Catherine MURPHY Eagle A.C. F F45 1120 (1:24:24) 1:24:30

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) MyRunResults have some finish line photos HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 9th Sept 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 9th Sept 2023. Approximately 757 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 253 this week, 312 last week. Long term average 284

First 3 men & women... 

1 Fintan KERINS Male SM30-34 17:52

2 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 18:31

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:35

19 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 21:58

21 Mairead PEREZ Female VW50-54 Eagle A.C. 22:05

39 Claire ROCKALL Female SW30-34 23:35

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/293/

Tramore Valley Park: 131 runners took part in this event, 149 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...

1 Michael O DONOGHUE Male VM40-44 19:26

2 Martin O LEARY Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 20:19

3 Kieran O DONOGHUE Male VM40-44 20:59

7 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:31

17 Noreen O FARRELL Female VW35-39 23:04

18 Kelly FOLEY Female VW35-39 23:07

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/72/

Glen River: 60 this week, 66 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Liam MORONEY Male SM25-29 Mornington Chasers 18:47

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM40-44 19:34

3 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:05

16 Helen MOAKLEY Female VW40-44 25:29

19 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:14

20 Rosie DIGNAM Female VW35-39 26:32

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/173/

Mallow Castle: 66 finishers this week, 65 last week. The long term average is 64.

First 3 men & women... 

1 John BROWNE Male VM40-44 20:55

2 Unknown

4 Unknown

3 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Bweeng Trail Blazers 21:33       

11 Máire MCKENNA Female VW45-49 23:55

15 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:57

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/100/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 37 this week, 50 last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 John POWER Male SM25-29 23:30

3 John O'REGAN Male VM50-54 Le Cheile AC 24:32

5 Liam BYRNE Male JM10 24:44

2 Sinead KANE Female VW40-44 Leevale AC 23:48

4 Oona ROYCROFT Female VW55-59 24:43

8 Ornaith KEANE Female SW25-29 26:20

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/78/

Macroom Desmense: 37 this week, 30 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...

1 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 20:17

2 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 21:31

3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:39

13 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 26:54

14 Sarah CUDDIHY Female JW15-17 27:15

16 Maria NEVILLE Female VW50-54 West Muskerry A.C. 28:14

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/442/

Clonakilty: 38 finishers this week, 29 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Sam O'RIORDAN Male SM18-19 Leevale AC 18:33

4 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 20:42

5 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 20:43

2 Lucy O'FLYNN Female SW18-19 19:47

3 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:33

12 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:56

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/396/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 46 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 63 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:56

2 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM11-14 22:02

3 Cathal D'HONDT Male JM11-14 22:40

5 Amelia VAN BASTEN Female SW20-24 23:07

9 Karen CROWLEY Female SW25-29 25:15

10 Marian MINEHANE Female VW40-44 25:19

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/313/

Bere Island: 65 this week, 51 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 

1 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 Kenmare Athletics Club 19:58

2 Unknown  

3 Unknown

6 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 22:03

9 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:12

11 Anita HAMILTON Female VW65-69 Cosmic Hillbashers 27:33

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/403/

Castlehaven: 24 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 30 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...

1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:14

2 James WHITE Male VM35-39 22:23

5 Unknown

3 Catherine AIREY Female SW30-34 Highgate Harriers 23:59

4 Ruthann SHEAHAN Female VW45-49 Athenry Athletics Club 26:14

7 Mary Anne MCCARTHY Female SW30-34 28:40

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/324/

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

Guest Post: Run Long ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Run Long **

I spoke last week of long runs and marathons so hopefully a few helpful tips here for the Long run segment of your training.

Starting slow is vital. Whatever average pace you hope to achieve, then go slower at the beginning to allow yourself time to warm up and get the correct energy systems moving. 

20 - 30 seconds per mile for the first 3 miles

12 – 20 seconds per Km for the first 5Km

This allows the body to adapt to the training without shocking the system. It allows use of stored energy rather than depleting what is in the muscles too early in the run. 

It also has an insurance element built in that if you are not feeling great on the day then maybe you can just continue at the slower pace and still complete your run. 

Going too hard early on and you might end up walking home.

If you are feeling good then pick up the pace in the middle section of the run. Relax the body, don’t get too worried about the watch and just let the miles go by.

Slow towards the end and allow the body to recover before you stop completely. This is good for the head and the body. If you are increasing the weekly long run you want to finish on a high and know that next long run, where you will go further can be achieved. Also coming to a stop after a long run at pace can cause lactic to lodge in the muscles, which can be hard to shift.

So slow down the end of the run and if you have the time get a 400 - 500 metre walk immediately as you sip some water. This can do wonders for helping stiffness the day after.

In the days before the run eat well. You can’t run on bad food or too little food.

Drink plenty of water and wake on the day of the run feeling hydrated.Sip on water or whatever your chosen drink is all through the run. You may feel you can finish the run without water but all you are doing is putting yourself into a more dehydrated state that takes longer to recover from. 

Get the head right before you start. You will be out there for a long time so get into a settled steady state where there is work being done but allow yourself to enjoy it. 

Success comes from embracing the challenge and hitting your targets. This is best done in a positive frame of mind. Negativity and moaning have no place in any plan or in anyone’s lives actually.

If you read the post and look for words of wisdom there are none. Simple, practical advice that most people perform anyway without even thinking about it.

Run to enjoy and not to suffer. 

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S. Elliot

Have a lovely weekend. 

No fear, I’m not off in some sun kissed paradise. This is an old photo from the Algarve.

#pwr