About 860 runners turned out for the inaugural East Cork Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k on Saturday the 0th of August 2016. The breakdown per event was as follows...
Full 26.2 mile marathon...94
Half-Marathon...335
10km...431
I was running in the Half-Marathon and it was certainly a challenging course. Only the last few miles of the race were flat while the first 9 miles seemed to be a constant mix of uphill or downhill running. As courses go, I thought it was a nice course mostly on quiet country roads but it wouldn't be a one for running personal best times.
Weather wise, it was certainly a lot dryer than what had been forecast. I'd imagine that on a nice sunny day, it would be a very nice route for a half.
In terms of numbers, they were pretty good. It's always going to be hard to get big numbers for a full marathon but 335 for a half and 431 for a 10k is pretty respectable for an event in rural East Cork.
Marathon...
1 Raivis ZAKIS 02:51:46 M (1)M35 (1) West Waterford AC
2 Chris HORGAN 03:06:19 M (2)MO (1)
3 Denis KEANE 03:09:01 M (3)MO (2) Marathon Club Ireland -
6 Rachel STOKES 03:20:07 F (1)F35 (1)Kerry Crusaders
10 Mary SWEENEY 03:31:029 F (2)F55 (1)St Finbarrs AC
35 Michelle BURKE 04:04:08 F (3)F35 (2)Pacer 4.00
Half-Marathon...
1 Philip HEARTY 01:15:52 M (1)M35 (1) West Waterford AC
2 Christopher MURNANE 01:21:22 M (2)MO (1) St Finbarrs
3 Paddy KAVANAGH 01:27:00 M (3)MO (2)
18 Sharon WOODS 01:36:42 F (1)F40 (1) Mallow AC
28 Esther MURPHY 01:39:46 F (2)F40 (2) Midleton AC
42 June O'SHEA 01:43:11 F (3)F35 (1)
10km...
1 Conor GOLDEN 00:37:34 M (1)MO (1) Leevale AC
2 Michael DOLPHIN 00:37:38 M (2)M35 (1) Leevale AC
3 Kealan O'CONNOR 00:37:49 M (3)M40 (1) Grange Fermoy AC
10 Emma LEAHY 00:41:0200:41:08 F (1) FO (1)
13 Jennifer GOGGIN - WALSH 00:42:11 F (2)FO (2) Ballymore Cobh AC
20 Clodagh MCMORROW 00:43:06 F (3)FO (3) Wellness Centre Apple
The full results can be seen on the MyRunResults website.
Photos...Updated Sun 4th Sept
1) There is a small gallery up on the Running in Cork Facebook page HERE
2) Mike O'Grady Photography has a number of galleries....... Album 1 , Album 2
Album 3 , Album 4 , Album 5 , Album 6
3) Donal O'Regan has a gallery HERE
4) David Ahern has a gallery HERE
5) Katie Pierce O'Shea has an album HERE
Video...
1) From the organisers...
Excellent event well done to the organisersender. Definitely will be back year.
ReplyDeleteA really well organised event!!! A hilly and challenging course but well stewarded, lots of water, gels, bars etc!! There was a great buzz going through Whitegate!!
ReplyDeleteWill be back next year :-)
M Landers.
Excellent event, great stewarding at every crossroads. Just iron out those hills on the second half of the marathon course and it will be perfect...
ReplyDeleteDid the 10k. Was a tough course but thought it went very well for first year. You'd expect better weather in August. Wind didnt help.. Defo be back next year. Well done to the organisers.
ReplyDeleteGreat event, for a first time event everything went smooth and a credit to the organisers.....even the goodie bag put Cork City Marathon to shame!!!
ReplyDeleteWell organised , good atmosphere , did the full and hills are tough. Nice quality t shirt. Well done everyone.
ReplyDeleteWell organised event in a very pretty part of East Cork,
ReplyDeleteGreat inaugural event.
ReplyDeleteAs previous commenters have said, put some of the more established events to shame.
Running events organised by runners for runners. These are the events that will guarantee to bring us back time after time.
Well done to all involved. Can't wait for next year.
Where could i find pics of the half marathon may i ask ?
ReplyDeleteI ran the half, and it was a very nice course, and very well organised. Water stations were plenty and nice buzz throughout. The hills were a tough challenge but it was great to get over them.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see photos but as with every race they are only on facebook which is silly.
Well done Aghada, will definitely be back
Did the half marathon today. Tough course but didn't expect it to be easy. Very we'll organised and marshalled. Really enjoyed the burger at the end. Will be back next year.
ReplyDeleteDid the 10K. Nice flat course. Very well organized. Will be back next year.
ReplyDeleteVery well organised. So many water stations and marshals who were so encouraging!
ReplyDeleteThanks to the organisers and the volunteers who made this a stress free run. Great to have a marathon outside your back door. Looking forward to next year. Charlie Moore
ReplyDeleteA great event very well organised and sign posted, I did the 10K great route minus the Galeforce winds lol..goodie bag was great and the Burger also. Much better stuff than a few other raves I've been to! Will definitely be back next yr ��
ReplyDeleteI have been to loads of races as a spector and have taken part in the walk section as well.As a spector I have never ever notice the time passing by at races as there generally unbelievable atmosphere by those watching the race and the commentor on the PA system really knows there stuff and know where the racers are in the race and who is who. Today I went with my husband who did half Marthon and I thought the course for this was suppose to be flat not up hills and what I hear about the course obviously somebody who knows nothing about races or marathons, obviously design this course. I really as a spector thought it was a joke and I had a bucket shoved in my face to pay 2.50 for what, I know it went to Mary mount but my husband spent enough on his race and that should of been enough, we got nothing as spectors, if we wanted something we were paying for it. It was a money racket. I have done walks and pay x amount for a walk and my husband a race and generally don't cost loads and you have people beating out sandwiches, cakes and tea to beat the band and that's generally all races nearly have that. Even a cup of tea free today would of been nice and I thought all stall were on top of one another, they should of been spread out. I'm annoyed as we were there early and promised a carnival atmosphere and I saw nothing for children only face painting and I thought there be bouncing castles and so on... I think it was more about money then about those who were taking part and those supporting them. Been to way better races with unreal atmosphere, today was a joke.
ReplyDeleteI think that was a bit harsh. For a first time event I expect teething issues but let's not forget all the positives such as great medals and goody bags, great bag drop off and parking facilities, prompt and accurate race starts, good routes with no messy or dangerous terrain, great community spirit from start to finish and for an unbelieveably good cause. Yes there was things that can be improved upon next year; that's to be expected. But the community here are one of a kind; from old to young, active to sedentary, runners to non runners.. Well they really showed such positivity and community spirit that should b bottled and replicated but other parishes/communities.
DeleteFair play guys. Marymount is close to myheart and I'm in cancer Medicine as a professional so we are all proud of ye. Until next year- over a d out!
You can come down next year and try putting bouncing castles in that wind.
DeleteAlways one moaning comment�� It was a fantastic event, so well organised from start to finish. A credit to anyone who was involved in the organisation. I will definitely be back next year!
ReplyDeleteI ran the half today .I run a lot of these events, this was my third in 2 months, Waterford, Rock n Roll, and this race. I was well aware of the hilly aspect of the course as the profile of the race was clearly shown on this blog, and the organisers sites.The stewarding and waterstations were second to non. Well done to all. The money went to great cause so if that's the money racket. Well done. I'm amazed that the lady who sent the message didn't even take part, and wanted to be made a fuss of, very selfish I think. Supporting any race is a voluntary pastime,supporting is the individuals own choice. I will be there next year. Well done all.
ReplyDeletewell done to the organisers who did a fantastic job what an undertaking ,I did the half and yes it was a challenging course but that makes it better when you reach the finish line .the support was fantastic along the way will definitely be back next year .
ReplyDeleteReally well organised event from the parking at the start to the burgers and sausages at the end. Did the half, hilly but maybe us 'flat' runners need the odd push to take on those climbs.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great opportunity for me to do my own personal bit of fundraising for Marymount who cared for my dad earlier this June - and also for Aghada GAA who were fantastic all day long.
So to all involved in the organising well done and see you next year to take on the hills and support Marymount.
I have benn to many half marathons both national and international . This one was right up there at the top . The support locally was fantastic . The volunters were so helpful and pleasant especially the teenagers. The t shirt ,the finish line, the food everything was great . Would diffenatly come back it was a credit to everyone involved .
ReplyDeleteI ran the half yesterday and was well aware from the website that it was going to be hilly. From the warm up at the start, to the support on the course, the water and food stations, the music, to the hot food, the medal and t shirt this was a fantastic event. Yes, a cuppa tea would be nice at the end for the runners. No complaints from me though as I feel the runners got their monies worth. As a spectator you could have bought a drink and supported the locals. I for one look forward to next year's event. Thanks to all involved.
ReplyDeleteI echo the above comments, superb day of races and food for a small East Cork Community. I live in the area so it was great just to cycle down the road. Its not easy to organise these events and for their first time organising one as big as this everyone did a fabulous job. What I really liked at the end was when you came over the finish line some shook your hand, something so small but meant a lot. I'm sure the organisers will learn a lot from the comments here, I do think a 'free' cup of tea would have been nice and may be a bit more clapping from the supporters but they are very minor things. Well done again guys you did East Cork proud!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDid the half yesterday myself, was a tough one but got through it with a time I was delighted with. Good event, especially for a first time on. A few things that could have been done slightly better, but a few other good things I hadn't seen elsewhere too. Well done to all the organizers!
ReplyDeleteI ran the half yesterday and well done for taking on the huge task of running 3 seperate races together on your first year. Community spirit was excellent water stations were plentiful with power bars at some stations which was a brilliant touch. From what I hear the 10k route was lovely but as a half marathon runner yesterday I must say it was brutally hilly. You expect some hills but they just kept coming. I'm glad to have completed a hilly course with 790ft elevation but for anybody who this was there first half I really felt for them. Pacers came in with nobody left to pace which is a good indication of how challenging the route was. I kept thinking of how hard it will be when the full marathon runners reached this part of the route as I passed there mile markers. Maybe next year take a few hills out and it would be a superb race. Overall I enjoyed the day great community, great hosts, fab tshirt and medal and super fast results posted online. Well done to the organiser's and volunteers and it was for a great cause with Marymount. Next year unless the route changes I think I'll do the 10k. Again well done on organising a great day.
ReplyDeleteGlass half full or glass half empty? Forget the 10 km next year. You conquered the hills this year. Annihilate the next year ��
DeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteI'm in Ireland on holidays from Spain. I love running in Ireland in August ... A lot fresher than in Spain!. I run the 10 km. I really enjoyed the race. Funny went i went to check the resulta and i saw that i was included in the female list! Antonio Hervas is a male!!... Great race otherwise
Google maps is freely available for people to research the course. Maps were published, in fact they reduced a few hills. Surely people did some homework....
ReplyDeletePersonally on a marathon perspective everything was good. Even the wibbly wobllies were cheering on full marathon runners from the pub. Top class support. Make it hillier next year Says I.
Big well done to all the organisers of this race! Did the half marathon and it was a lovely challenging course! The facilities by and large were excellent in terms of water stations, gels etc. Really enjoyable day! Lovely to see all the support from the locals and ppl who volunteered and acted as stewards. Also a big thanks to the pacers for their efforts also. I'll be tempted to run the full next year - even with those hills. Great training run overall! Thanks so much to everyone!
ReplyDeleteI ran the Half Marathon. My very first one and boy did i pick a good one hills and all. lol. but i have to say it was very enjoyable. The hills were doable i thought. The encouragement from spectators to get up the hills were second to none. It was a very well organized event and for a first timer. Plenty of water stations support music . The weather was good . The wind was murder. but hey it cant be perfect running weather all the time in Ireland. The pacers were great too. from the parking guys to bag drop guys brilliant. May be a few more toilets at the start of the half next time and a cupppa tea. Thats what i wanted more but my money was in my car at carpark . But never mind its only a minor thing I survived with out it. The burgers were great and the medals and shirt are great too. I hope to come back next year. Maybe I may take in more of the beautiful surrounds around us . Well done to everyone involved Bigger events should sit up and take note. Roll on 2017.
ReplyDeleteI did the half and it was my first time in a race since school sports in the 80s. By the time i hit the flat bit at Whitegate I thought i was going to die. but it was class all the same. Gonna try rope some friends in to compete next year to share in the hardship. Thanks to the lady who saved my life with the energy bar and bottle of water right at the end. I thought the organisation was superb.
ReplyDeleteI ran the half marathon,tough course but support along the way was great! Really chilled atmosphere at start line and the finish line well thought out! Great job,great day,was fab for the kids too! Definitely will be back next year!
ReplyDeleteAs a resident in the Parish of Aghada for almost forty years, I am bursting with pride reading all the positive comments following the inaugural running of the East Cork Harbour Marathon. I have first hand knowledge of the huge task that the Organisers faced in bringing this event to fruition. The cooperation of various organisations within the Parish along with the support of Cork Co Council, the Gardai, Civil Defence and many others was unique. The spirit of enthusiasm generated by the people of the Parish was palpable and it's heartening to see how much that was appreciated by the Runners on the day. It brings to mind that great old Gaelic saying.... Ni neart go cur le cheile.
ReplyDeleteRunners, you can be sure of the following...... Your comments will be noted and anything that can be improved upon will be worked on, and you will be sincerely welcomed and supported next year by the People of Aghada and East Cork. Mile buiochas do gach einne.
Hi guys I completed my first ever marathon at the East Cork Harbour Marathon and unfortunately the only shirts left where large and medium - I'm a xl minimum - (I think if there where any the 10k and HM guys nabbed them) running a full marathon was a huge thing for me and my family as we lost our baby in July and I ran it in his honour and to raise money for a organisation that helped us at that time called "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" and I think we've managed approx 2,500 euro. I'm not a runner and only started training in June and at that I was injured and of course we lost Louis. I had a few people doubt I'd make it weighing in at over 17 stone and being 6'4" I'm not exactly built for distance running and so the t-shirt was going to be a huge thing for me on a personal level. I finished in 5 hours 7 minutes.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am wondering is if there is anyone who reads this who has a xl ECHM shirt they would swap for the large one I got or even let me buy it from them?
I seen you on the course, you should be really proud of yourself, what a fantastic achievement. I'm sure the organisers if they read this will sort you out for a t-Shirt. Well done again.
DeleteHi Paul. I'm very sorry for your recent loss. You're most welcome to my XL top. Make contact with Ballymore Cobh A.C. and they'll organise it for you.
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