Cork Womens Mini Marathon...(Updated Sun 7th Oct)

Looks like the weather was pretty good for this one. It was certainly better than what had been forecast.

So, did you do it? What did you think of it? The weather? Wind? Hills? Well run? Let others know by using the Comment link below and I'll post the comments here.

Results...By the way, if you are looking for the results, they were in last Saturday's Evening Echo as a pull-out supplement. They were pretty disappointing in that they only gave the finishing times for the first 10. What about everyone else?!?!? Click on the image up top to see the finishing places for the top 100 women. They only gave times for the top 10.

Top 20...

N O’Sullivan (Riocht, F45) 21:52; 2 K Harty (Newcastle) 22:11; 3 B Dennehy-Willis (Bandon, F35) 22:23;

4 C McCarthy-Crowley (Bandon, F35) 22:50; 5 C McCarthy (Leevale) 22:52; 6 C Parnell (Leevale, F50) 23:26;

7 MM Meade (North Belfast) 23:33; 8 A Donnelly (St Finbarrs, F45) 24:12; 9 M Sweeney (St Finbarrs, F45) 24:29;

10 AM Healy (Eagle, F35) 25:02; 11 J Killeen (Kilmurry-Ibrick NC, F40 25:13); 12 M Crowley (Bandon) 25:17;

13 S Kennedy (UCC) 25:27; 14 N Hunter (Leevale, F35) 25:36; 15 J Hough (Midleton, F45) 25:40;

16 M Sheehan (Grange-Fermoy, F50) 25:44; 17 F Hickey (Youghal) 25:54; 18 S Drennan (Mideton, F40) 26:02;

19 S McGarry-Leahy (St Finbarrs) 26:16; 20 E Mellamphy (unatt) 26:17.

Photos...The are now about 150 photos up on the Eagle AC website. To view them, click on this LINK

Another set of 18 photos at this LINK

Race Report in the Irish Examiner...
"Almost 10,000 women take part in charity mini-marathon... By Eoin English

THEY had lithe aching limbs, sweaty brows and were panting to catch their breath after one of the country’s biggest road races yesterday. And the almost 10,000 women who took part in the Evening Echo Cork Women’s Mini Marathon found the going tough too. For some it was a serious race but for the handful or so who brought their pet dogs along, Munster’s biggest charity fundraiser was a just a bit of fun.

In a refreshing change from the regular drag and fancy dress runners, one woman was seen striding down Centre Park Road with three greyhounds in tow. “Barking mad, boy. They’re all barking,” quipped one wit on the safe side of the barrier as the Vhi Healthcare supported race streamed down the Marina towards Blackrock Village. Marathon runner Bernice Glavin, who earlier this year wrote an inspiring book on her successful battle with breast cancer, crossed the finishing line close to Kennedy Park under the three-quarters of an hour mark. And Labour TD Kathleen Lynch, who ran a successful election campaign earlier this year, opted to walk this one. It is estimated that up to €2 million was raised for local charities and hospitals by runners who completed the four-mile run through the city’s docklands region. And while the serious runners were crossing the finishing line in just over 20 minutes, most competitors were just happy it didn’t rain.
The race was won by Niamh O’Sullivan of An Riocht Athletics Club in Castleisland, Co Kerry, in a time of 21 minutes 52 seconds. Kaly Harty, from Co Down, crossed the line in second place with Breda Dennehy, who flew in from the US to take part, coming in third. Noreen Murphy, the chairwoman of the Cork branch of the Athletics Association of Ireland, said things had come a long way since the 1980s. “I remember running down the street for the race in 1985 just grabbing people to try and make up the 300 runner mark. And to see the crowds here today is just wonderful,” she said."...Source (Irish Examiner Website 24th Sept 2007)

Reports...
"What a brilliant race. I did it in 38 minutes so i'm well trilled with that.The atmosphere was amazing. It felt so good to be part of all those people who raised money for all the charities."...Sandy


"Brilliant race, great to see so many charities having their names on display, I did it on 49 minutes, I was well pleased with that looking forward to next year"...Anne


(...with thanks to John Quigley of Eagle AC for the photo above)