Results of the Stone Mad Half-Marathon in Blarney - Sun 31st Oct 2021

This was a new half-marathon on the calendar and attracted a field of 283 runners which is a reasonable turnout for its first outing. The event had a limit of 500 so it got nowhere near that number.

First 3 men and women...

 1 30+ Damian KENNEALLY (#104) 01:12:30 01:12:28
2 40+ Kevin GILLEECE (#109) 01:14:59 01:14:56
3 40+ Mark SMITH (#102) 01:15:12 01:15:11
Female
1 50+ Linda SULLIVAN (#146) 01:25:13 01:25:09
2 40+ Niamh CRONIN (#126) 01:25:53 01:25:50
3 40+ Linda O CONNOR (#150) 01:27:42 01:27:38

Full results on the SportsSplits website HERE

Update: Someone sent me a message to say they measured the course to be short at 13.06 miles (should be at least 13.1 and most likely 13.2 miles on a GPS watch). I wonder if others found the same?

Photos: Joe & Anne Murphy have several galleries.... Start HERE // Album 2 // Finish 1 // Finish 2

Top Irish Marathon Times for 2021 - Updated End Oct 2021

Irish Ultrarunner John O'Regan put up a post recently about the top Irish times in the marathon for 2021.

John writes... " Best Marathon Performances for Irish Athletes so far this year. 19 Men under 2:29, youngest age 28. 20 Women under 3hr, 3 under age 30 but could be more.

Hopefully updated before end of year. You’d need to email statistics AT athleticsireland DOT ie "

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 30th Oct 2021

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

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers this week were pretty much the same as last week with 255 taking part. Long term average 299.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran COSTELLO Male SM25-29 Piranha TC 17:50

2 Richard HOBSON Male SM30-34 18:33

3 John O MAHONY Male VM45-49 18:38

15 Anna JAKONCZUK Female SW30-34 20:11

33 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:04

35 Máire MCKENNA Female VW40-44 22:12

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/201/

Mallow Castle: 90 finishers this week, 76 last week. The average of the 8 events at Mallow Castle is 90.

First 3 men & women...

1 John MCGUINNESS Male VM40-44 18:39

3 David HAYES Male VM40-44 19:50

4 Peter BRENNAN Male JM11-14 19:55

2 Carol FINN Female SW30-34 19:31

16 Norah MCGLYNN Female JW15-17 22:27

24 Barbara LEHANE O' MAHONEY Female VW40-44 Mallow AC 23:56 

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/8/

Glen River: 71 took part this week, up on the 52 of last week. The long term average is 86.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 18:16

2 Ben O'SULLIVAN Male JM15-17 20:03

3 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 20:08

9 Anita LOCKE Female VW35-39 St Finbarrs AC 22:08

10 Charlotte BISHOP Female VW35-39 22:09

15 Valerie MCDONOUGH Female VW50-54 North Down AC 23:10

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/77/

Youghal: The new Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 89 this week as compared to 100 for the inaugural event last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul DUGGAN Male VM55-59 St Finbarrs AC 18:03

2 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC 18:19

3 Brendan COLEMAN Male VM40-44 20:13

9 Stephanie ILSLEY Female VW60-64 22:41

18 Lucy NAYLOR Female SW30-34 23:48

19 Lisa SHINE Female VW35-39 Crusaders Athletic Club 24:10

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/2/

Macroom Desmense: 40 this week, 45 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:44

2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 20:19

3 Diarmuid HOLLAND Male VM45-49 20:28

11 Clodagh MURRAY Female JW11-14 22:44

18 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 24:50

21 Mairead MURPHY Female VW45-49 26:01

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/348/

Clonakilty: 26 this week, 30 last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Damien KELLY Male VM35-39 20:45

2 Fintan KEOWN Male SM30-34 20:52

3 John HEFFERNAN Male VM45-49 22:27

4 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 25:00

6 Brid KELLY Female VW40-44 25:55

7 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 27:19

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/304/

Castlehaven: 25 finishers this week, 31 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Zoe QUINN Female VW45-49 Raheny Shamrock AC 21:10

2 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 21:51

9 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:36

3 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 22:42

4 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 23:25

5 Ian O GORMAN Male VM35-39 23:29

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/227/

Bere Island: 33 this week, 55 last week, long term average of 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 21:32

2 Billy MORIARTY Male JM11-14 St Brendan's AC Ardfert 22:21

3 Garry MORIARTY Male VM45-49 22:36

4 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 23:39

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 Beara AC 25:11

6 Natalie TREACHER Female VW40-44 Beara AC 25:32

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/306/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 53 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Callum MCELHINNEY Male JM15-17 Bantry Athletic Club 19:29

2 Michael MCSWEENEY Male VM45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 21:36

3 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 22:43

12 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW50-54 25:07

13 Chloe COPPINGER Female JW11-14 25:29

14 Alice COPPINGER Female VW40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 25:31

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/220/

John Treacy to retire as CEO of Sport Ireland

CEO of Sport Ireland John Treacy has announced he will step down from his position at the end of the year. He has been in the position since Sports Ireland's establishment in 2015 and prior to that performed the same role for the Irish Sports Council since 1999.

John Treacy was one of Ireland's best distance runners and won a silver medal in the marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Des Cahill of RTE Sport caught up with John on Friday morning and the interview can be heard HERE

Friday Jigsaw: BHAA Little Island race - Oct 2021

As the Cork BHAA races have now restarted, we have a jigsaw this week of some runners at the event.

The photo was taken by Mick Dooley and you can find the 192-piece jigsaw HERE

Three Half-Marathons in Kerry last weekend - 23rd & 24th Oct 2021

On the October Bank Holiday weekend, there were no fewer than THREE half-marathons in Co Kerry which seems a bit crazy. It's a bit like waiting for a bus and then three come along at the same time.

Brandon Bay: The largest event in terms of overall numbers was the Brandon Bay Half-Marathon, 10k & 5k on the 23rd of October. The numbers in the half-marathon were pretty modest with 151 taking part but there were 232 in the 10k and 181 in the 5k which brought the total number of finishers up to 564 which is really good for a running event in Kerry. Results HERE

Considering that the Brandon Bay event was on a beach out on the Dingle peninsula, a lot of people may have used it as part of a weekend away so it probably made sense to have it on a Bank Holiday weekend.

Tralee: The second largest event was the Tralee Half-Marathon on Sunday the 24th of October. This had 199 finishers which is modest enough for a half-marathon. As of how many would they have got if it wasn't on the same weekend as Brandon Bay??? Who knows. Results HERE

Valentia Island: The third event was on Valentia Island on the south-west of Kerry and it seems to have been the one that got squeezed out. There were just 57 finishers in the half-marathon which would have meant there were huge gaps in the field with people running on their own for much of the race. The associated 10k fared even worse with just 26 finishers giving a combined total of 83 participants. Results HERE

Valentia Island is a stunning spot for a race albeit a little hilly. It's not hard to imagine them getting much bigger numbers if they could pick a better weekend.

Irish runner Caitriona Jennings finishes 3rd in the Hong Kong Marathon

Irish runner Caitriona Jennings was in action in the 2021 Hong Kong Marathon last Sunday where she finished in third place with a time of 2h 51m 31s.

The prize structure for the first three finishers in the marathon was as follows...

US$ - 1st $15,000, 2nd $6,000 & 3rd $4,000

Only last August, Caitriona set a new Irish record for a woman in the 100k distance when she helped the Irish women's team secure the Anglo Celtic 100k Plate for the first time... see previous post HERE

Cork runner Lizzie Lee wins the Streets of Galway 8k - 24th Oct 2021

One of the biggest road races in the country over the weekend was the Streets of Galway 8k with a whopping 989 finishers. 

Cork's own Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC was the first woman home in a time of 26m 57s.

Top 5 men & women...
 1 332 Devane Donal M Senior Men Ennis track 0:24:21 0:24:21
2 450 Shanahan Niall M Senior Men An bru 0:24:24 0:24:24
3 1032 Fitzgerald William M Senior Men Craughwell ac 0:24:31 0:24:31
4 1089 Fallon Keith M Senior Men Gch 0:25:05 0:25:05
5 898 McCauley Conor M Senior Men Leevale ac 0:25:27 0:25:27
11 2 Lee Lizzy F Senior Women 0:26:57 0:26:57
31 393 Casey Regina F F40 Gch 0:29:25 0:29:24
38 200 Moran Ellen F Senior Women Galway city harriers 0:29:55 0:29:50
45 1164 Finn Carol F Senior Women Leevale 0:30:53 0:30:51
52 1205 Smyth Kate F Senior Women 0:31:15 0:31:13

As can be seen from the list above, Carol Finn of Leevale was 4th woman while Conor McCauley was 5th man.

The full results can be found on the Red Tag Timing website HERE

This race was last held in August 2019 which is now about 26 months ago.

A map of the 8km course is shown below and as you can see, it took the runners on a tour of Galway City.

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA 5k in Little Island - Sun 24th Oct 2021

After an absence of about 19 months, the Cork BHAA got their show back on the road on Sunday the 24th of October 2021 with a 5k road race in Little Island. I had expected a large turnout for this race but in the end, it was modest enough with 184 finishers.

I looked back at some of the BHAA results in Little Island from the Spring of 2020. The FMC 5k in Jan 2020 had 429 finishers while the Janssen 6k in Feb 2020 had a much lower 175.

Maybe 184 isn't so bad after all, it's just that I was expecting more. The main thing is that the BHAA are back again and I'm sure they'll have a full calendar of events for 2022.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Gavin O'Rourke M1 00:15:27 Eli Lilly
2 Michael Harty 0/40A M2 00:15:32 Harty Tax Consulting
3 Ruairi Casey M3 00:15:42 Poppulo
16 Sinead O Connor F1 00:17:53 Dept of Ed
31 Andrea Bickerdike F2 00:19:10 MTU
35 Joyce Wolfe 0/40I F3 00:19:30 Joyce Wolfe Physiotherapy

Full results are on the BHAA website HERE

Photos...

1) Derek Costello has 3 galleries,,,

start   https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX1B14z

finish part 1 https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWZZuMx

finish part 2 https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWZZStP

2) Anne Murphy has a gallery HERE

Guest Post: To Improve ...by Pat Walsh

 ** To Improve **

For many of us we would always like to be running a little better, a little quicker and further up the field but what do we do about it?
I am writing these articles in an effort to help concentrate minds as we move towards a New Year and hopefully get back to all the races we loved.
* Plan
* Perform
* Evaluate

Plan: We pick a Goal and train towards it, but is it adequate?
Is our goal time realistic? Can you improve from your current fitness to that goal in the time period?
Does it cover all parts of what is required on race day? Is it fast enough if it is a short 5k. Has it a stamina component if it is 10 mile or half marathon. 
We do need to train specifically for the key event we want to perform in. 
Note… the same training week-in week-out will not cover from 5k to the Marathon.
🏃

Perform: We perform on the day and hope it goes well. But maybe if we prepared better, we would perform better. 
Were you rested, hydrated and fuel on board. 
Did you have the right clothing and shoes for race day? 
Did you know the course at some level and know where the hills were or maybe where you might have some headwind miles?
Did you have a realistic pace and target based on your training? 
It is pointless putting months of training and letting yourself down by not mentally preparing yourself for the actual run.
🏃

Evaluate: And finally to the last stage. Take a day or 2 and have a realistic look at the overall race. 
What did you do well?  
What could you improve on? 
Where could you have trained better? 
Do you need more speed work or tempo runs?
Would it help if I lost a few pounds? (Be kind please)
Ask a trusted friend or coach who knows you for a realistic opinion?
Look at your Garmin and see your pace / Heart Rate and could you have gone quicker at some stage or maybe should you have been slower at the start.
All key learning and vital if you want to improve. Write down the key points and be positive.
🏃

I do think this last phase is where the majority of us never properly engage. We drive blindly forward towards the next goal without any tweaking or changing of our weekly routine, when some obvious improvements may be overlooked. It is the Irish Way.
So maybe I have some of you thinking about a better way. I will expand on some of these stages at a later time.
🤣🤣

But if you want to just run for the fun, to clear the head and don’t care about any of the above, you are more than welcome to do that as well. In fact I’m surprised you have even read this post down to here. There is plenty of room for us all whatever we want. 
Be inclusive, Be tolerant of all.
😍🥰

Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend. Enjoy your run wherever you are and if you are doing DCM virtual I hope it is the last Virtual that you ever run. Actual is the new Goal.
A dream without a plan is just a wish💖
#pwr #NoMoreVirtual #smile

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 23rd Oct 2021

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

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers were down 19% this week with 259 taking part, perhaps due to the BHAA 5k on Sunday in Little Island? It was also the 200th Ballincollig 5k parkrun!

First 3 men & women...

1 Cillian O'LEARY Male VM40-44 Raheny Shamrock AC 16:26

2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:16 

3 Lorcan BENJACAR Male JM15-17 18:06

12 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:41

40 Karen BEVAN Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 22:05

45 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 22:30

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/200/

Mallow Castle: 76 finishers this week, 80 last week. The average of the 7 events at Mallow Castle is 93.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matt COUGHLAN Male VM40-44 Piranha TC 18:41

2 Thomas BROWNE Male JM15-17 19:05

3 George O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 19:36

18 Máire MCKENNA Female VW40-44 22:51

25 Grace KIELY Female JW11-14 24:23

27 Davina CROWLEY Female VW40-44 24:56

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/7/

Glen River: 52 took part this week, down on the 69 of last week. The long term average is 87.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 Togher AC 20:16

2 Dermot WOODS Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:56

3 Rian KENNY O SULLIVAN Male JM15-17 21:51

8 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:38

18 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 26:15

19 Helen O'CALLAGHAN Female SW25-29 26:37

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/76/

Youghal: The new Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got off to a great start with 100 taking part. It just goes to show that there is a demand for this type of event in East Cork.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul KEARNEY Male VM35-39 Aghada Running Club 18:16

2 Jack BARRETT Male SM25-29 20:10

3 Brian WALL Male VM35-39 Aghada Running Club 20:43

22 Siobhan KEARNEY Female VW50-54 Tralee parkrunners on Tour - TpoT 24:36

23 Chloe WALSH Female SW25-29 24:45

30 Emer HANNIGAN Female VW45-49 25:52

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/1/

Macroom Desmense: 45 this week, up from the 30 of last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:24

2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 21:48

3 Matt MURPHY Male JM15-17 21:57

10 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 24:44

11 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 24:53

17 Emilia TWOMEY Female JW11-14 25:57

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/347/

Clonakilty: No horses on the course this week as the 303rd Clonakilty 5k went ahead and attracted a field of 30 participants.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran WATERS Male SM30-34 Portmarnock Athletic Club 19:55

2 Richard CASEY Male VM50-54 22:28

3 John SANTRY Male VM35-39 Dell EMC Running Club 22:56

4 Sinead CROWLEY Female JW15-17 22:59

7 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 25:39

9 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 26:22

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/303/

Castlehaven: 31 finishers, 18 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:17

3 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 23:06

4 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 23:07

2 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 22:42

5 Caroline KELLY Female SW30-34 London City Athletics Club 23:23

6 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:29

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/226/

Bere Island: The numbers were up to 55 this week from last weeks 40. That's the highest figure since the 5k parkrun resumed at the start of October and is above the long term average of 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 Edward AHERN Male SM25-29 19:16

2 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:27

3 Olan MURPHY Male JM15-17 22:25

7 Clare KEAVENEY JIMENEZ Female SW25-29 23:19

8 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 23:51

11 Katie VERDON Female VW40-44 24:35

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/305/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 55 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods with plenty of McElhinney's in the results. Last week was 34, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Callum MCELHINNEY Male JM15-17 Bantry Athletic Club 18:55

2 Darragh MCELHINNEY Male SM20-24 Bantry Athletic Club 19:27

3 Enda FITZMAURICE Male VM40-44 19:31

11 Claire Elizabeth MOLLOY Female VW40-44 23:57

14 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:33

18 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW50-54 25:12

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/219/

Running Events - Weekend 23rd & 24th Oct 2021

If you fancy a run somewhere this weekend then there are plenty of events to choose from the calendar.

There are THREE that I will highlight...

BHAA race in Little Island: The Cork BHAA are restarting again with a 5k race in Little Island on Sunday. While the race will be in the usual format, the general idea is that you stay outdoors as much as possible. It's not a case of going back to sit down in a hall later for a cuppa and a chat.

"Entrance to the hall will be via a queue outside the building to minimise numbers indoors at any time. Masks must be worn inside the hall and toilet areas. Once registered, runners will be asked to leave via the emergency exit. There will be no waiting around inside the hall. If you are with a group of runners, we advise having one person register for the group."

More info in this previous post HERE

New 5k parkrun in Youghal: There is a new 5k parkrun in Youghal starting on Saturday and this should be great for all runners in the East Cork / West Waterford region. It's just off the bypass so it's very easy to get to. More info in this previous post HERE

2km Junior parkrun in Cobh: After a very long absence, this 2k parkrun for children is restarting on Sunday 24th October.

The running events in the southern counties of Ireland are shown below...

 - - - October 2021 - - -

...

 Kilkenny ... Fri 22nd Oct 2021 (7:30pm)... Kilkenny City Harriers Streets of Kilkenny 5k... €21.40... T-shirts to first 500 to register...

 Dublin ... Sat 23rd - Sun 24h Oct 2021... KBC VIRTUAL Dublin Marathon ...€10 ...Virtual event... 

Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (9:30am)... 5k parkruns - Various locations - Free
Cork - Ballincollig, Glen River, Mallow, Macroom, Clonakilty, Castehaven, Glengarriff Woods, Bere Is , Youghal /// Kerry - Killarney, Tralee, Listowel, Inch /// Limerick - University of Limerick, Newcastle West, Mungret /// Clare - Ennis, Kilrush, Clarisford, Illaunmanagh /// Tipperary - Clonmel, Templemore, Borrisokane, Knockanacree /// Waterford - Waterford City, Tramore /// Kilkenny - Kilkenny Castle /// Carlow - Carlow town, Tullow /// Wexford - New Ross, Gorey, Wexford Racecourse ///

 Kerry … Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (9am)... Brandon Bay Half-Marathon… €43…Beach race…

 Clare ... Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (9am)... Run Kilkee Half-Marathon... €58.85... finishers top & medal...

 Clare ... Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (12:30pm)... Run Kilkee 10k... €37.45... finishers top & medal... 

 Kerry ...Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (11am)... Hardman Valentia Half-Marathon... €42.80... 

Cork... Sat 23rd Oct 2021 (5pm)... Rosscarbery Steam Engine 5k... €15...

Sun 24th (9:30am)... 2k Junior parkruns - Various locations - Free - For 4 to 14 yr olds
Cork - Cobh ///

Cork... Sun 24th Oct 2021 (11am)... Cork BHAA 5k race ... €5 reg / €10 non-reg... Little Island...

 Kerry ... Sun 24th Oct 2021 (9am)... Tralee Half-Marathon... €35... T-shirt & medal...

Friday Jigsaw: Belfast 24-hour

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to last weekend and the top three men and women in the Belfast 24-hour ultra running event.

Photos courtesy of John O'Regan.

You can find the 209 piece jigsaw HERE

Guest Post: Belfast 24-hour ...by Alex O'Shea

The Belfast 24-hour is held every year in Victoria Park in East Belfast with contestants running on a 1-mile loop for 24 hours. It also doubles up as the Irish 24-hour championships. 2021 results HERE

In this guest post, Cork runner Alex O'Shea gives his account of the event.

Belfast 24-hour ...by Alex O'Shea

Warning it's a long one. 

The National 24hr running Championships took place 16/17 October in Belfast. A new national record set. Congratulations Ed & team. I like many look forward to reading Eds account and was fortunate to witness his endeavour.

Some personal big mile stones reached with 33 people running over 100miles and a few people running personal bests in difficult conditions. First timers and veterans all rising to the challenge.
So many people 
So many amazing stories.

Athletes encouraging and supporting each other through the many highs and lows in what is 24hr ultra running. But as their are highs there are lows and many people withdrew for various reasons during the event. 

New 200m running track planned for Bweeng in Co Cork

In this post, we'll look at how three local clubs in a community are coming together to build a sports facility in Co Cork and could serve as an example for other projects in the county.

The village of Bweeng is located about 14kms to the south-west of the town of Mallow and has a population of just over 500. Despite the low population, the local athletics club... Bweeng Trail Blazers, the local soccer club and local GAA club are planning to build a sports facility which will include a 200m running track.

While some are obsessed with the need for 400m tracks, the reality is that a smaller 200m track will satisfy probably 90% of the needs of a juvenile athletics club. Children involved in athletics tend to concentrate on events like sprinting, hurdles, turbo javelin, shot put, high and long jump and all these can be catered for with a 200m track.

Here is a video about the project...

If you would like to support this project then they are selling tickets for a raffle with a very generous first prize.

For more information, go to https://www.bweengsportsfacility.com/

Notice: Online talk by coach Steve Macklin

As outlined in a previous post, Cork Sports Partnership are currently promoting their 'Celebrating Athletics in Cork Week 2021'.

They have sent on a poster for one of the talks which will be given by endurance running coach Steve Macklin. This will be given online by Zoom on Tues 26th Oct 2021 and it's free.

More info on the events and how to register on the Cork Sports Partnership website HERE

Results of the Irish 24-hour championships in Belfast - Sun 17th Oct 2021

The 2021 Belfast 24-hour race was held last weekend and this was also the Irish 24-hour championships.

There were 99 contestants in the 24 hour event with an impressive 33 going over the 100-mile mark.

The first man was Ed McGroarty who completed 256.57kms in the 24 hours which will be a new national record once confirmed. In a previous post, I had a report of how Ed had run from Mizen to Malin in a new record time last July.

From a Cork point of view, Aidan Hogan of Rising Sun AC put in another impressive performance to finish in second spot to take a national Silver medal.

Alex O'Shea of St Finbarrs AC finished in 5th place just three weeks after completing the 250km Spartathlon in Greece!

Thanks to John O'Regan for the following photos...

Belfast 24hr & Irish Championship - Men

1. Ed McGroarty (Lifford /Strabane AC) - 256.57Km (TBC as *NR)
2. Aidan Hogan (Rising Sun AC) -243.36Km
3. Keith Russell (Navan AC)- 232.67Km
* National Record

Belfast 24hr & Irish Championship - Women
1. Aoife Mundow (Drogheda & District AC) - 211.76Km
2. Lorraine McMahon (Wexford Marathon Club)- 206.81Km
3. Joanne Rice (Navan AC)- 186.9Km

Notice: Rebel Run 10k & 5k in Cork City - Sun 7th Nov 2021

The Rebel Run 5k & 10k is coming up on Sunday 7th November 2021 at MTU (a.k.a CIT) Bishopstown in Cork City. The 5k starts at 9.30am with the 10k starting at 9.45am. 

Entries HERE

This is a very popular event and is organised by Cork Sports Partnership, MTU Sports Department and Leisureworld. The numbers are limited this year so it is likely to sell out faster than usual. 

From Cork Sports Partnership... "The Cork Rebel Run first took place in October 2012 and has grown to become a popular event on the running calendar in Cork ever since. Organised by Cork Sports Partnership, MTU Sports Department/Athletics Club and Leisureworld Cork, the event has grown over the years to now host over 1000 participants annually.

The addition of the inclusive Rebel Run a Mile programme and a number of community Couch25Ks over the last few years ensures that people of all abilities and fitness levels are part of the Cork Rebel Run events. 

The Cork Rebel Run will take place on Sunday November 7th 2021. To ensure a safe and enjoyable return numbers are limited so early registration is advised."  

The event will have chip timing and there is also a dry fit top for all participants.

More info on the event website... https://www.corksports.ie/cork-rebel-run/

Entry Fee > 10k €20 // 5k €15

Courses...The 10k can be seen HERE

The 5k course starts with the 10k, takes in the walkway riverside behind CIT and finishes on the track as well. Approx 5k course HERE

Guest Post: Be The Best You Can ...by Pat Walsh

** Be The Best You Can**

A lot of long posts recently, (sorry) so I will try to be brief this week.🤣

‘Be the best you can’….. could mean a lot of different things to many of us in running terms and it is important.
We all have different abilities and yes we can all improve.
Being realistic, some of us will never win a race, while others have that ability but maybe are not living up to it.
Finding out where you are and improving to your OWN potential is something we should aspire to. We owe it to ourselves.
.
Don't worry if some of your buddies are faster. Due to genetic make-up, strength, age, height and stride length we have our limitations and there will always be someone faster.

Domestically we might not have the time to train, but I question that sometimes as it can be a handy opt out.
How many have settled for the back of the field and the social side of it all. You can still have fun but the cuppa is nicer if you are a minute quicker.
On the flip side how many have the ideal make-up and do not push on further as they are comfortable coasting along without over stressing themselves.
🏃

We are only getting one shot at this so don’t waste your life on what other runners are doing. Just take a long hard look at yourself and see where can you go to just improve yourself and maximise your own potential.
May be a tough read on a Friday morning, but let it sink in and see where your thoughts and dreams may lie.
🏃

2022 is a bit away yet, but now is the time to dream and plan it.
Just think of the person you saw at a race one time, who came in well down the field but was ecstatic when they finished. Kissing, hugging, Laughing, Crying (all pre-covid)
What personal goal did they hit? 
What dream was fulfilled that day? 
How hard and for how long had they to work to achieve it?
It could be you.🥰
🏃

'My Goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be..'
Have a nice weekend, be kind, have fun and smile 😃
#pwr

Results of the Bere Island 5-mile road race - Sat 16th Oct 2021

A grand total of 72 runners turned out for this 5-mile road race on Bere Island in West Cork. The 2020 edition of this race was cancelled in 2020 and when it was held in October of 2019, it had 94 finishers so it's down around 23% this year.

Top 3 men & women...

1128 1 Conor Murphy Kenmare A.C. M40 0:32:23 0:32:23  
1121 2 Patrick Mc Carthy M50 0:32:43 0:32:43  
269 3 James Murphy Tara A.C. M40 0:33:15 0:33:15
1544 6 Deirdre O'Sullivan Beara A.C. F40 0:35:10 0:35:10  
277 9 Clare O Shea F 0:36:16 0:36:16  
1129 10 Nina Murphy F30 0:36:29 0:36:29

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe & Anne Murphy have a gallery HERE

And they're off!...start of the 2021 Bere Island 5-mile - Photo: Anne Murphy

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 16th Oct 2021

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

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers were up 13% this week with 320 taking part and it's the first time they have gone above 300 since the parkruns restarted. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:15

3 Nick HOGAN Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 17:39

13 Rosaleen MACKEOWN Female VW45-49 Leevale AC 19:22

16 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:41 

18 Aoife MAHONY Female VW40-44 Cork Triathlon Club 19:44

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=199

Mallow Castle: 80 finishers this week, 84 last week. The average of the 5 events at Mallow Castle is 95.

First 3 men & women...

1 Donagh POWELL Male SM30-34 16:56

2 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:22

3 Unknown

6 Gillian MURPHY Female SW30-34 Star of the Laune AC 20:26

17 Ciara KIELY Female JW10 North Cork AC 23:10

26 Davina CROWLEY Female VW40-44 24:40

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=6

Glen River: 69 took part this week, up 1 on the 68 of last week. The long term average is 87.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 18:08

2 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC  18:40

3 Barry WALSH Male VM35-39 20:10

9 Anita LOCKE Female VW35-39 St Finbarrs AC 24:36

27 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 26:02

28 Aoife O'NEILL Female SW30-34 26:25

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=75

Macroom Desmense: 30 this week, down from the 42 of last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:38 

2 Unknown 

3 Simon FOLEY Male VM35-39 21:42

7 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 25:14

8 Leah BRADLEY Female JW11-14 26:09

12 Sinead TWOMEY Female VW35-39 27:16

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=346

Clonakilty: CANCELLED DUE TO HORSES ON THE COURSE!

First 3 men & women...

Clonakilty results... 

Castlehaven: 18 finishers, 23 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:40

2 Aidan HOLLAND Male VM35-39 25:26

3 Danny SMITH Male VM60-64 26:19

5 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 29:58

6 Siobhan RYAN Female VW40-44 2018 Operation Transformation 30:35

9 Catherine QUIGLEY Female VW60-64 Crosby Stormers 31:27

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=225

Bere Island: The numbers were up to 40 this week from last weeks 28. Perhaps it's due to the Bere Island 5 mile race in the afternoon? Long term average is 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 James LONG Male VM35-39 Cork Triathlon Club 20:11

2 Rade INIC Male VM45-49 Petts Wood Runners 21:20

3 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 21:33

4 Mary FITZSIMONS Female VW55-59 Tralee parkrunners on Tour - TpoT 21:36

10 Clare MURPHY Female VW60-64 25:23

11 Madeleine ROLINSON-LORD Female SW25-29 25:30

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=304

Glengarriff Woods: After the cancellation due to flooding last week, 34 turned out this week. Long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:39

2 Dominic MANNING Male VM35-39 23:37

3 John BELCHER Male VM50-54 23:51

6 Stacey O SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 25:33

9 Chloe COPPINGER Female JW11-14 26:45 

10 Alice COPPINGER Female VW40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 26:45

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=218

IMRA Halloween Half-Marathon places head towards selling out

In a previous post, I had info about the IMRA Halloween Half-Marathon in Glensheskin Woods near Kilworth in NE Cork coming up on Saturday the 30th of October 2021.

There is an entry limit of 200 places on this event and as of now, there are about 50 40 30 18 7 6 5 4 2 1 left!!

ENTRY CLOSES:2021-10-16 23:59:00

It may not sell out yet but if you are thinking about it then you should really enter asap.

The IMRA link is HERE

Notice: Celebrating Athletics in Cork Week October 2021 ...from the Cork Sports Partnership

Cork Sports Partnership are teaming up with communities, athletics clubs & local instructors to roll out the first ever ‘Celebrating Athletics in Cork Week’.

By day, different clubs & communities will host FREE Little Athletics events for kids aged 6-12 & by night, we have a variety of informative workshops & webinars!

On Fri, 22nd Oct from 6-9pm in MTU Athletics Track, the first ever Teenage Track & Field Development Night will take place. This is aimed at teenagers who have an interest in T&F

For more information & registration on Little Athletics Events click here

For more information & registration on the informative webinars & workshops click here

For more information & registration on the Teenage Youth Development Session click here

Friday Jigsaw: Barrs at the 2017 Ballycotton 10 mile road race

 

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to the 2017 Ballycotton 10-mile road race and members of St. Finbarr's AC waiting for it to start.

You can find the 216 piece jigsaw HERE

Notice: Run Killarney Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 13th Nov 2021

The Run Killarney Half-Marathon and 10k is usually held every year in July but couldn't go ahead this year because of all the restrictions. Now that the restrictions have been eased, it will be held on Saturday 13th November 2021.

The event website is here... https://runkillarney.com/

The event includes a dry fit top and a medal.

The Half-Marathon has a start time of 8:30am while the 10k starts at 8:50am.

This will obviously be of interest to anyone who wants a weekend away in Killarney.

Half-Marathon: The start of the half has traditionally been up at Molls Gap with the competitors running down to the finish line outside the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney.

While restrictions have eased, there would obviously be issues transporting a lot of people by bus up to the start line. As a result, the course is closer to the national park.

10k: The 10k follows the same route to the half except it turns around sooner.

Full details including how to enter can be found on the event website... https://runkillarney.com/

Results & photos of the IMRA trail race in Rochestown Woods - Sun 10th Oct 2021

 

A total of 78 runners turned out for this IMRA trail race in Rochestown Woods on Sunday 10th October 2021.

First 3 men & women...
1 Colm O Connor 2318 M35 0:32:36 Cork
2 Cathal Prior 1096 M45 0:33:31 Cork
3 Edward Ahern 2327 M 0:34:04 Cork
7 Kealey Tideswell 1485 F35 0:36:05 Clonmel AC Tipperary
20 Kate Jackman 296 F 0:39:47 Wexford
36 Grainne O'Callaghan 393 F 0:43:55 North Cork AC Limerick

Full results... https://imra.ie/events/results/id/2111/

Photos...

1) There is a gallery on the IMRA website HERE

2) Some photos on the Running in Cork Facebook page (Quality isn't great)

Is this the end of the road for the Irish Runner magazine???

I recently checked out the social media feeds for the Irish Runner magazine and I noticed that they have been inactive for months. From what I understand, the last print issue was in July of 2021 and subscribers were told that it was being 'made over' to make it better.

Ian O'Riordan who is the athletics journalist for the Irish Times wrote on Twitter this week that it has gone out of business...

The Irish Runner magazine was started by Frank Greally back in 1981 at the start of the running boom and it has been going for 40 years. It was taken over by Athletics Ireland about 10-15? years ago and in the last few years, it was outsourced to an outside company to produce. From what I hear, that outside company has now stopped publishing it.

Despite it being the official publication of Athletics Ireland, they have said nothing about its demise.

The Irish Runner magazine has played a huge role in the coverage of athletics and running in Ireland for four decades. 

It would be a shame to see it go without Athletics Ireland making an announcement about it and noting the part that Frank Greally and the magazine played in the promotion of the athletics and running in the country.

Update - Fri 15th Oct 2021: Athletics Ireland finally woke up and issued this statement today...

We'll have to wait and see what their 'multimedia strategy' might be. I know some people like to have a physical copy of a magazine in their hand to read rather than on a PC, tablet or phone. If they stop printing a physical magazine, will people pay for a digital product when so much information is already on Facebook and websites?

When I put up this post a few days ago, I thought it would generate more interest than it did. I really did get a sense of general indifference by many people to the fate of the Irish Runner magazine.

Youghal 5k parkrun to start on Saturday 23rd October 2021

The good news is that there is a new 5k parkrun starting in Youghal on Saturday the 23rd of October 2021 at 9:30am.

The venue is located just off the Youghal bypass which means easy access for runners from East Cork and West Waterford. It's not hard to imagine it attracting runners from Midleton to Dungarvan.

It will be called the Pobalscoil na Tríonóide parkrun which is the name of the local school.

As can be seen from the map above, the school is just a few hundred metres away from the slip roads on the Youghal bypass.

The course as shown on the parkrun website seems to be out and back with a large loop at the end. This seems to be 1.25kms in length so four laps of this circuit would make 5kms.

The course is described as such... "The course is 5000m (5k) long. This has been accurately measured by us with a professional measuring wheel. The course is at Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal. The course is run entirely on permanent paths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place."

There seems to be a fall in the ground towards the northern end of the loop but the difference between the highest and lowest points of the course seems to be only about 8 metres so it shouldn't be an issue.

In conclusion... Prior to the Youghal parkrun, there was a large gap on the map with the nearest parkruns being in the Glen in Cork City, up in Clonmel or in the nature reserve in Waterford City. There are a lot of active runners in the East Cork / West Waterford regions and a free weekly 5k parkrun is likely to be a draw.

The course also looks idea for a 2km childrens parkrun but one step at a time 😉

The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide parkrun website is HERE

You can find a list of parkruns in Cork on my page HERE