Results & Photos of the IMRA Corrin Hill Trail Race near Fermoy - Sun 27th June 2021

As we get back to some sort of normality, the Irish Mountain Running Association have been busy organising a series of trail races throughout the country.

On Sunday the 27th of June, they held a 6.5km trail race on Corrin Hill near Fermoy and it attracted 102 participants.

First three...

1 John Magner 919 M40 0:28:06 Watergrasshill AC Cork
2 Tom Lupton 898 M35 0:28:20 TT Racers Laois
3 James McIntyre 807 M45 0:28:25 Clare
22 Julie Mc Carthy 1379 F35 0:33:47 Limerick
27 Nessa Rochford 774 F45 0:34:56 Cork
34 Ashleigh Byrne O Brien 1144 F35 0:35:39 Grange Fermoy AC Cork

Full results... https://imra.ie/events/results/id/2050

Photos... https://imra.ie/events/photos/id/2050/

12 year old girl from Belfast sets new 5k record for her age with a time of 16:27

Back in April of this year, I a post up about how 12-year old Emer McKee from Belfast had set a world record time for her age group with a time of 16 minutes 40 seconds.

At a 5k race in Lisburn last Sunday, Emer took 13 seconds off her record with a new time of 16m 27s!

The photo above shows Emer in the race with the 61-year old Tommy Hughes who finished in 16m 32s.

Friday Jigsaw: Barrs at the 2017 Donoughmore 7

 

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to 2017 and a photo of some St Finbarr's AC members at the start of the Donoughmore 7 mile.

You can find the 221 piece jigsaw HERE

Notice: IMRA Ballyhoura Moonlight Marathon & Half-Marathon - Fri 23rd July 2021

At last, a REAL event!! The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) are holding a moonlight marathon and half-marathon on Friday the 23rd of July 2021 in the Ballyhoura Mountains in Co. Limerick.

This is a unique event and is a combination of road and trail running on quiet country road, forest trails and hillside paths.

As can be seen from the flyer, the full 26.2 mile Marathon starts at 9pm while the Half-Marathon starts at 10pm.

Please note that numbers are limited. Entry includes special event t-shirts.

From the IMRA... "This years Moonlight Marathon will start from Scoil Pol in Kilfinnane at 9pm (Half-10pm). The challenge will follow the route of the summer event and last years Moonlight challenge. We hope for a full moon clear night. Moonlight Marathon Tee Shirts can be collected at registration. 

**** Please note : No transfers or Refunds. Entry will be €50 (Half €40) and will include fully marked route and aid stations. 

On finishing , challengers can enjoy hot showers and Breakfast roll with tea/coffee. 

Mandatory Kit: High Visibility Top (to be worn at all times) along with a flashing rearlight on bag/jacket. The High Visibility MUST be visible at all times so if you are wearing a raincoat bor pack it should be placed over that.!!!! No deviation from this folks, if not compliant, no race start. Waterproof jacket, gloves, headwear, headtorch and spare batteries, bottle with min 250ml capacity, foil blanket and mobile phone with event organizers number (given on night)."

* * *

ENTRIES

Ballyhoura Moonlight Marathon Challenge >> CLICK HERE

Ballyhoura Moonlight Half-Marathon Challenge >> CLICK HERE

Note that membership of the IMRA is required (€10 for 2021) but this also covers you for any of their other events that you want to do this year.

Irish actor Colin Farrell runs Brisbane Marathon in 3h 53m

Last weekend, the Irish actor Colin Farrell was spotted completing the Brisbane Marathon in Australia in a respectable time of 3 hours 53 minutes and 14 seconds. He finished 229th out of 683 finishers.

This was reportedly the first marathon for the 45-year old actor and the average pace works out as 8:54/mile or 5:32/km.

Guest Post: Reasons to Run? ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Reasons to run? **

It is time to move on folks. The future is looking better and they could be some decent races before long.

I was injured and my own plans for a decent Half  Marathon recently went a bit astray. No failure, just refocus, new plan and we will get it done for the August Bank Holiday.

After that I am certain we can aim for an ACTUAL race. Why not.

Watched the James Vincent Mc Morrow concert recently live from Dublin with a crowd of 500 at a trial event. It is a start, it is reason for optimism. It can only get better.

When will we see a controlled trial race. All other sports are getting there.

"Sometimes my hands they don't feel like my own

I need someone to love I need someone to hold" JVM

Get out there again. I love my Weekend Long run and now the group is growing again it is brilliant.

Remind yourself of why you run. Posted something similar last year and no harm to remind ourselves.

I run to see the Sun rise and the birds singing 🌞
I run so I can eat afterwards 🍳
I run as it gives me self-worth and importance 😂
I run so my pants still fits👖
I run for the wonderful company 🙌
I run for the chance of a coffee ☕️
I run to escape 🏃‍♀️🏃
I run so I have an excuse to do nothing for the rest of the day 🛋
I run to feel alive 👏
I run to chat and share life with people and I missed it when it was taken from us 🥰
I run to find the best of nature  🧐
I run to find a few good photo opportunities 📸📸
I run for my Garmin as it loves the road and clocking up the miles 🤣
I run so I can bore non-running people 🤓
I still run and hope to be back at races soon 😃 

Time to get moving again. Have a good weekend.

Keep the faith and keep in touch. Keep looking for positive signs. They are out there. 

**

"I will not cave under you
For my heart is an unending tomb
I will not trouble your rest
For my heart is infinity blessed" JVM 🎙

#pwr

Friday Jigsaw: Start of the 2016 East Cork Harbour Marathon

This weeks 117-piece online jigsaw is from the start of the 2016 East Cork Harbour Marathon.

You can find it HERE

Jerry Forde wheelchair fund reaches target of €4770!

Good news! The GoFundMe page to raise the money for a new racing wheelchair for the main man Jerry Forde has reached the target of €4,770! As outlined in a previous post, Jerry's chair was written off in a recent accident.

When I put up the post on Tuesday, the fund was a €1400 so the donations really poured in over the following 48 hours before it closed on Thursday.

A big shout out as well to Proinnsias O'Keeffe for getting the ball rolling on this. This is more than just a fundraising drive as it needed someone to manage the project.

It's not just a case of raising the funds and picking a model out of a catalogue. The user must be measured and each chair has to be manufactured to the exact specifications.

Now that the funds are there, we will hopefully see Jerry in action soon again.

I'll be one of the first to know when he takes delivery because his Lordship will inform me that he wants to go on a training session! 

Beep, Beep, Beep!

Fundraising campaign for new chair for Jerry Forde

Beep Beep Beep! Jerry Forde was involved in an accident recently and his racing wheelchair was pretty much written off.

While the main man is OK, several thousand Euro has to be raised for the purchase of a new chair.

There is a GOFUNDME page HERE

Cork runner Proinnsias O’Keeffe got the ball rolling on this and the donations are rolling in. If you can help out, it would be great.

His Lordship resting at Blackrock Castle

Results of the East Cork Road Championships - Tues 15th June 2021

The East Cork Road Championships were held in the village of Ballynoe on Tuesday the 15th of June 2021. There were 43 in the women's race and 71 in the men's race.

1 Jennifer Goggin Walsh Carraig na bhFear AC F 12.04
2 Jen Preston East Cork AC F 12.09
3 Sarah Treacy Watergrasshill AC F 12.15

1 Tim O'Donoghue East Cork AC M 25.26
2 Kevin O'Leary East Cork AC M 26.02
3 Frank O'Brien Midleton AC M 26.27

Full results below...

Women's Result

Place Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 510 Jennifer Goggin Walsh Carraig na bhFear AC F 12.04
2 515 Jen Preston East Cork AC F 12.09
3 564 Sarah Treacy Watergrasshill AC F 12.15
4 516 Norah O'Brien East Cork AC F 12.24
5 518 Andrea McNamara Midleton AC F 12.31
6 525 Eileen Leahy Midleton AC F 12.59
7 548 Sarah Mulcahy St. Catherines AC F 13.03

Guest Post: DEATH OF FORMER BALLYCOTTON WINNER ...by John Walshe

DEATH OF FORMER BALLYCOTTON WINNER ...by John Walshe

Karen MacLeod, a Scottish international runner who won both the Ballycotton ‘10’ and Ballycotton ‘5’ races back in the 1990s, died suddenly last week at the age of 63.

Karen MacLeod in the 1996 Olympic marathon in Atlanta

Although born in Tanzania, Karen grew up on the picturesque Isle of Skye off the north coast of Scotland. She didn’t start competitive running until the age of 24, having moved to Bath in England. Most of her best performances came when in the F35 age category, including her Ballycotton ‘10’ victory in 1996 when she set a course record of 55:34. The time would remain as the fourth fastest on the all-time list in the 40-year history of the race.

That same year of 1996 she qualified for the British Olympic team in the marathon where in the heat and humidity of Atlanta she finished 45th in 2:42:08. With a PB of 2:33:16 - which was set when finishing fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Canada in 1994 - Karen won international marathons in Bordeaux, Majorca and Seville. She also recorded personal bests of 33:17.88 (10,000m), 53:42 (10 miles) and 73:07 (half-marathon).

However her career was brought to an end in 1998 when she fell ill at the Boston Marathon. She was diagnosed as having Berger’s disease – a rare kidney problem – and she later had a kidney transplant from her sister Deborah. Just last November, as a act of gratitude to her sister, Karen teamed up with a number of top Scottish folk acts to raise funds for Highlands and Islands renal services through a charity album.

Many tributes have been paid to Karen on social media, including one from fellow international athlete Amanda Wright who wrote: “Devastated to read of the death of my great running friend and travelling partner. Beautiful person inside and out, you will be greatly missed, forever in my memories.”

Her kindness and concern was shown the year after her Ballycotton ‘10’ win and Olympic marathon when she was looking forward to returning to defend her title. When injury ruled her out she sent a two-page hand-written letter describing her disappointment, along with a card of good wishes from the Isle of Skye. 

She also mentioned the possibility of taking in one of the summer races and, true to her word, on an August evening in 1997 she turned up at Ballycotton where she again established another course record of 28:27 for the five miles.

Sadly, Karen MacLeod is the third Ballycotton ‘10’ winner to have died in the past 12 months following the passing of Pat Hooper (1979 winner) last October and Jerry Kiernan (1983 and 1987 winner) in January. Also deceased are Jim Dingwall (1985 winner) who passed away in 2005 and Ursula Noctor who died at the young age of 28 in 1993, just five years after winning the race.

May they all rest in peace.

Guest Post: Sunday Thoughts... by Pat Walsh

 ** Sunday Thoughts **

Beautiful day and the mood is good.🤣

I have been critical of our leaders when I thought it was needed. In the interest of fair-play things are moving along nicely now.

Our boundaries are opening up and our ability to mingle is increasing so let us use this.😍

I love literature and the writings of Yeats Heaney and Kavanagh.

I sing along to all music and love well written lyrics.🎼

--- Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame! --

Sadly my current message is far more mundane and simple. No fancy writing, no hidden meanings. 

"Get off your arse and get out there". There is a world to be discovered. Have a lovely week. Summer has arrived (I hope) 🥰

#pwr #bekind

UK study finds a link between 'vigorous exercise' and Motor Neurone disease

RTE are carrying a news item on their website at present titled..."Motor neurone disease linked to 'vigorous exercise' - UK study"

It then goes on to clarify... "Frequent strenuous exercise increases the risk of developing motor neurone disease (MND) for those genetically predisposed to the illness"

No doubt a lot of the people will just read the headline and no further.

Friday Jigsaw: Mallow AC on Tour - Fota 2017

For this weeks jigsaw, we go back to 2017 and Mallow AC at the start of the Fota race.

You can find this 165-piece jigsaw HERE

Guest Post: June Bank Holiday ...by Pat Walsh

 ** June Bank Holiday ** 🏃🏃

We should have been running the streets of Cork last weekend but for the second year we have to miss it. Pity, as I did like the day out with the crew. And yes we did make a FULL Day out of it plus some of the night. I do miss the fun of the day and the huge numbers of people we met before, during and after the race. We will be back again. 😍💞

I have enough 'virtuals' done to keep me going for a while and would love a decent race. I am in good form mentally and not being too critical here but this intrigues me.

All the emphasis on return to sport is about spectators attending elite matches and events. Brilliant but, these were taking place anyway and it is only a few spectators get to see them. Elite sport has continued with only a few interruptions. I am happy for them and watching on TV has kept me sane.

Yes I would love a ticket for Cork V Limerick first round of the Hurling but I would also like to see a local Park run as a trial event. Maybe a few 5k’s around the country with limited entries and see how they get on. 

We know enough now to understand the importance of exercise for our overall health. We need to start events for ‘us’, the ordinary man. 50 people in June, 100 in July and growing as the country opens up. It will be hard to have nothing and go to a big 500+ event without some smaller trials. 

All online entry, staggered starts, no presentation of prizes, no after run grub or tea, bring your own water, move away immediately after race. Just see how we go and what we can do safely. 

This must happen first. The Government can give guidelines, but it is up to each individual sport to implement them safely. We learn, we grow, we move on. 🏃‍♀️🚶🏃🚶‍♂️🏃‍♂️

The powers that be in Athletics should be making greater efforts to start events off again for runners. Make a safe trial event, document what worked and didn’t. What can improve and what went OK. Publish findings and the whole country can learn.

Not a moan and I can live with the situation as it is, but just an opinion. 🤪🤔

What to do next to help.

Get your buddies together again and start planning.

Who has gone missing and needs a helping hand and friendly voice to start them off again.

Staying within all guidelines, reach out to others to join you for a run. Somebody from another area or group and be free to make a return visit. Show off your own area.

The mornings and evening are long and bright, get your own gang into their cars and go somewhere different that you haven’t run for a while.

Find an old race route and run it. Imagine the glory of crossing the finish line. 🏅

Have a time trial every few weeks. A 5k or a 4mile. Warm-up together, race hard at your pace, cool down together. See where your fitness is right now.

The possibilities are endless and only limited by imagination. Doing nothing isn't an option.

Good luck to anyone running this weekend, I hope the weather is good, the company great, the laughing infectious and the miles go gently by. If you have a Cork T-shirt from a previous race then put it on. 

Treat yourself to a cuppa and who knows in a few weeks we might be able for something stronger.

Feel free to post any Bank Holiday run pics on this page to cheer us all up. 💞🏃

Thanks for all kind comments and messages.

"Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all." Emily Dickinson

#pwr #keeponrunning

The Guardian Podcast: The danger and beauty of ultrarunning

In a recent 100km mountain race in China, 21 competitors died after a sudden change in the weather.

The sport of Ultra-Running has enjoyed huge growth worldwide in recent years going from 120,000 finishers in 2008 to over 600,000 finishers in 2018.

In this podcast, the Guardian looks at the sports of Ultra-Running... its attractions and its problems.

You can find the 30 minute podcast HERE

Cork Runner Michelle Finn secures Olympic Qualification

From Leevale AC... Michelle Finn has secured her place at this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games in the 3000M Steeplechase when the crossed the line in second place at Paavo Nurmi Games

A stunning new personal best of 9:29.25, knocks almost ten seconds off her previous PB and is within the Olympic Qualification Standard time of 9:30.00. Michelle’s time in Finland moves her up to second on the all-time Irish list, just over a second behind Roísín McGettigan’s 14 year old all-time Irish record.

Full story... https://www.leevale.org/2021/michelle-finn-secures-auto-qualification-for-tokyo-olympics/

Guest Post: The Group ...by Pat Walsh

** The Group **

“These people raised me 🎼

And I can't wait to go home” 

First effort this week at a collective run since the Christmas Holidays, all of 5 months ago and it was dreamlike. It has been such a weird, strange time.

It is such a wonderful feeling to be back among friends again. The sun came out to welcome us back. WE ARE BACK 🌤☀️

We are all different and what we need differs from person to person

Some found the solitude to be Ok and came to peace with it.

For the quiet introverted person it was a good time, without the need to be mixing with big gangs and being pulled from race to race among huge crowds.

Personally as an extroverted person, I found it difficult. I survived and I am mentally stronger but I would not like to repeat it. We changed with regulations and did what we could under the circumstances.

It was hard in the cold, wet months to just go out on your own. We had no goals and little motivation. Widening the limits and allowing you to run with 1 other was huge. For that I am eternally grateful to MissAG who had to put up with my moans, rants, silly opinions and other faults too many to mention since the start of the Year. Counselling can be organised 😍🤣

So we are now back with ‘The Gang’ and maybe easier to get out more often. Lots more ears to be moaning into but so many more friendly faces and voices that will lift us all again.

🏃🏃

I interviewed myself…! I can do that, as I am weird. 🤪

What are you training for?

I still have no idea and it isn’t too important. Live for the moment we are in.

What was the first group session like?

Christmas morning in a house full of children. The sound of voices and laughter was wonderful. There was a little bit of running done.

What will the emphasis be in the training session?

Just having a run, a laugh, a few miles, a getting to know one another again and get back to the friendship and support that we previously had.

Where will you do your training?

Somewhere nice and scenic where I feel part of nature

What will be the pace of the training runs?

Slow enough so that we can be having the chats

Should you be doing some speed training?

Yes is the answer, but if you have not done it for months then you do need to be careful and slowly introduce it again. The Physios of the world are already counting the money.

Will you ever get serious?

Hopefully never, but if a few races start coming along we might try to focus in on them.

Will there be coffee and buns?

You can chalk that one down. I dream of a long run and a big brekkie served to me afterwards 🍩☕️

How did you feel?

 “And I'm on my way 🎼

I still remember these old country lanes

When we did not know the answers

And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real

When we watched the sunset over the castle on the hill”

😍😍

We are on the way back from the abyss slowly but surely. It is time for optimism and hope. Thanks Ed for a few lyrics for this article.

Have a lovely week 😍

#pwr #survive21 #keeponrunning

The Informal Virtual Cork City Half-Marathon - 5th June 2021

 

The Cork City Marathon and Half-Marathon would normally have been held on this Bank Holiday weekend if it wasn't for the pandemic. As the event is virtual this year, lots of Cork runners are out in the fine weather doing their own run.

A group of 15 or so local runners met up for their own informal virtual half-marathon on Saturday and used the Cork City to Passage West Greenway as well as local walkways. 

Joe Murphy has a gallery of photos HERE

Online Jigsaw: Cork City Marathon Pacers - 2018

 

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to 2018 and a photo of the 3:15 pacers on the Blackrock Greenway during the Cork City Marathon.

The 117-piece jigsaw can be found HERE

Guest Post: The Next Steps... by Pat Walsh

 ** The Next Steps ** 

🏃‍♀️ What is behind us can be assigned to the past and never to be changed. IT HAPPENED.

What happens next is important. The Nightmare is nearly over.

It is like starting a New Year again and this is a modified version of a post from a while back. Most New Year starts were mainly a physical one, where as this time there is a mental side to it too.

Mistakes were made, we got lazy, lacked motivation and consumed food and drink that maybe we should not have. It is understandable and OK and you were not alone.

It was easy to let the head and enthusiasm drop and I can get that. There was pressure on everyone with lots of worry, stress, anxiety that many of us just could not cope with.

My own head went a bit funny at times, lacking all the fun, life, social contacts that I had taken from me and wondering when I would see my family and friends again. Yes we could run but without all the FUN bits it wasn’t so easy to train.

If you want to make a fresh start and be ready to run races later in the Summer / Autumn now is the time to start. We have more freedom and can meet more people. It isn’t going to change overnight but it is getting better folks.

Simple tips

🏃‍♀️ Dumb the rubbish 

You have no chance while you fuel yourself on these foodstuffs. You need some simple proper food to provide the energy to run. Once the house is clean, do not restock. If it isn’t in the house then you cannot eat it.

Forget some fancy detox, just ditch the rubbish… Simple as...

Lose a few pounds and you will run quicker. That is not in doubt. You will also feel better about yourself.

🏃‍♀️ Get off the couch.

If you have made a start already then well done.  If not then just put on the gear and go out the door for a few easy miles. There is no magic formula, you will only get out what you put into it, so off your arse and move. Try to get more active generally and walk or cycle on in-between days. MOVE. It all helps

🏃‍♀️ Plan your week

Make a weekly plan and stick to it. Share it with your friends and that will help motivate you to stick to it. Keep it simple. A few weeks of this = “A NEW YOU”.., Sample below and it does not have to be any more than this.

Easy Run Monday, 

Some speed work Wednesday, 

Long run Saturday. 

Zoom class of strength and stretching some morning or evening. Plenty good videos on YouTube.

Set some time aside alone to get the mental side sorted. This can be done while walking in a scenic location. Be positive and count your blessings. If you look you will find them.

🏃‍♀️ Water

We have had some terrible amounts of tea, coffee, fizzies and alcohol. Do your body a favour and just get loads of water over next few weeks.

Benefits are so numerous, from weight-loss, rehydration, skin complexion, suppleness and many more that you should ask yourself … WHY NOT?

🏃‍♀️ Strength 

Take a long term approach to strength work. Are you strong enough to get the results you want from running? A strong core helps leg strength and leg drive and keeps the body in best position for running. Few minutes a couple of times per week.

🏃‍♀️ Flexibility🤸‍♀️🤸‍♂️

We need to keep the body flexible to prevent injury and some work on this is always required. Put it in the plan. You might be strong enough but you will always need flexibility work.

For strength and flexibility. Any issues won’t be fixed overnight but take time and patience. Also you can never stop and the older you get the more important they are. 

Note to self: I do need to read and remind myself of that a few times.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

There will be races this year and after missing them so much for the last 14 months now is the time to get ready again. I don’t know where or when they will happen but they will.

Pick a target race sometime into the future. If it doesn’t happen then run it as a Virtual anyway.

Have a lovely weekend. Be good, be kind, be safe.

#pwr #keeponrunning #Survive21