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Sunday, January 30, 2022

Guest Post: Thanks ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Thanks **

Hey many thanks to those who messaged why I didn't post yesterday. I'm OK. 

Simple explanation is.. time for a break..

I have posted every kind of rubbish last 2 years when we were all lost ( me included) and tried to keep the spirits going and to lift the mood.
It is time to draw a line under that and put it into a box in a dark cupboard where it belongs. Get out again. Thanks everyone who engaged with me during this period.
🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️

I will be back to annoy you again don't worry. I have plans for a new course to help people to integrate and move again. Time for a fresh start. 🥰

If last 2 years taught us anything was "don't sweat the small stuff', there are serious issues to be dealt with so get on with life best we can.

Pontificating over.. It will be safe to go on social media,  😃 

Final word to my buddy Annie Lennox who has been an ear companion when it was tough.
....
Hey Hey I saved the world today
Everybody's happy now
The bad thing's gone away
And everybody's happy now
The good thing's here to stay
Please let it stay....

Anyone needing help or advice please feel free to ask. I love the interaction.
#pwr #2022 #timetostart


Saturday, January 29, 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 29th Jan 2022


Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 29th January 2022

Ballincollig Regional Park: 372 this week, 402 last week. Long term average 299.

First 3 men & women...
1 Darren MCCANN Male VM35-39 17:51
2 Grzegorz SIENICKI Male VM35-39 17:55
3 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:03
19 Deirdre CASEY Female VW35-39 20:36
21 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 Leevale AC 20:47 
30 Karen SCULLY Female VW40-44 21:26


Glen River: 86 this week, 100 last week. The long term average is 84.

First 3 men & women...
1 John MEADE Male VM40-44 17:20
2 Cathal O'CONNELL Male VM55-59 St Finbarrs AC 18:52
3 Timmy HAWKINS Male JM15-17 Belgooly AC 19:01 
19 Paula MULCAHY Female VW45-49 24:33
27 Sibusisiwe MHLOPHE Female SW30-34 Togher AC 25:35
34 Mona EL KAFSI Female VW35-39 26:30


Mallow Castle: 107 finishers this week, 83 last time. The long term average is 90.

First 3 men & women...
1 Brian O'KEEFFE Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 17:37
2 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:26
3 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 19:15
11 Ciara KIELY Female JW10 North Cork AC 21:47
18 Norah MCGLYNN Female JW15-17 22:58
21 Denise QUILTER Female VW35-39 Millstreet Athletic Club 23:30


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 89 this week, 109 for last week. The long term average is 80.

First 3 men & women...
1 John MURPHY Male VM50-54 18:15
2 Ryan COADY Male SM25-29 18:36
3 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC 18:47
16 Claire MURPHY Female VW45-49 23:53
26 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW10 25:55
27 Seoda KINSELLA Female JW11-14 25:56


Macroom Desmense: 78 this week, 77 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:45
2 Padraig SHEAHAN Male VM55-59 Millstreet Athletic Club 18:52
3 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 19:21
15 Marion COAKLEY Female SW20-24 24:25
18 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 24:51
22 Orla LINEHAN Female SW30-34 25:40


Clonakilty: 43 finishers this week, 41 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...
1 Simon NOLAN Male VM35-39 19:17
2 John LUCEY Male SM25-29 St Finbarrs AC 19:54
3 Jeremy MOLONEY Male SM30-34 20:48
17 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 25:38
18 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 25:56
19 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 26:02


Glengarriff Woods: There were 101 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 108, long term average is 59.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Dylan MURPHY Male JM15-17 Tara Athletic Club 20:44
2 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 21:01
3 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:03
9 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 23:38
13 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 24:29
17 Marian MINEHANE Female VW35-39 24:47


Bere Island: 28 this week, 27 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...
2 Paul O'BRIEN Male VM35-39 21:11
3 Garry MORIARTY Male VM45-49 21:20
4 Garry HILLIARD Male VM45-49 21:26
10 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 24:13
12 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:32
19 Claire MCCARTHY Female SW25-29 30:35


Castlehaven: 24 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 28 last week. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...
1 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:39
2 Brendan CROWLEY Male VM35-39 21:54
4 Donnacha MC CARTHY Male VM35-39 22:38
3 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 22:12
6 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 24:02
7 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 26:14

Friday, January 28, 2022

Friday Jigsaw: Cork BHAA FMC 6k - Jan 2022


For this weeks jigsaw, we go back to last weekend and the finish of the Cork BHAA FMC 6k race in Little Island.

There is a good bit of colour in this one so it's a little harder than usual with 247 pieces.

You can find it HERE

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Training programme for the 2022 Cork City Marathon & Half-Marathon


The Cork City Marathon, Half-Marathon & Relay will be held on Sunday the 5th of June 2022.

I will be starting an 18-week training programme for the full marathon on the 31st of January and the cost is €99.

A 14-week programme for the half-marathon starts on the 28th of February and the cost is €79.

If anyone would like more time to prepare for the half then the cost is €89 for 16-weeks and €99 for 18-weeks.

Each programme is sent out weekly and is tailored for each individual. Weekly feedback by email is required.

If interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

€4.3 million allocated for new bridge over N40 from Tramore Valley Park to Grange - Jan 2022

The Government recently announced a large number of grants for multiple Greenways, pedestrian and cycle paths and under projects. This came under the title of 'Active Travel Investment Allocations'.

A total of €46.9 million was allocated to Cork City Council projects with a further €20.4 million allocated to Cork County Council projects. Some of the projects are shown at the bottom of this post.


One of the grants was for €4.3 million for a new pedestrian bridge over the N40 South Ring Road connecting the Tramore Valley Park to Grange. I have more information about this project in a post from February 2021.

From what I understand, work on this project is going to commence in a few weeks. I don't know what the completion date is but I presume sometime in 2023?

The impact of this bridge is that it opens up the Tramore Valley Park a whole new area with lots of houses.


There was also a grant for €60,000 for a study to investigate the possibility of connecting the Kinsale Road & the Black Ash car park to the Tramore Valley Park. At present. there is no provision for pedestrians to cross the South Link Road.

It's not hard to imagine in a few years time that there will be a weekly 5k parkrun in Tramore Valley Park with people accessing it from all directions.

Some of the projects funded...

Project Code: Project Name 2022 Allocation
CCC/19/0009 Grange Road Transport Corridor & Tramore Valley (N40 bridge) €4,300,000
CCC/19/0010 Ballybrack Valley Pedestrian & Cycle Track (Phase 4) €400,000
CCC/20/0006 Glanmire Cycle Way and pedestrian improvements €1,700,000
CCC/20/0009 Passage Greenway (Ph. 2 from Mahon to Passage-west) €200,000
CCC/20/0018 Curraheen Pedestrian and Cycleway upgrade €100,000
CCC/20/0021 Passage to City Centre Greenway - Phase1 (N40 to Docklands) €3,000,000
CCC/20/0023 Half Moon Lane Improvement Scheme €100,000
CCC/21/0005 Marina Promenade Pedestrian and Cycle facilities €600,000
CCC/21/0007 Lea to Sea Cycle Route Study €200,000
CCC/21/0008 Viaduct to City Cycle Route Phase 1 (Viaduct to Kinsale Road) €220,000
CCC/21/0017 Mayfield to Glen Cycle Route €200,000
CCC/21/0018 Ballincollig to City Centre (Classes Lake to Carrigrohane) €50,000
CCC/21/0020 Donnybrook Hill Pedestrian Upgrades €550,000
CCC/21/0021 Douglas to Grange Bridge Cycle Route €350,000
CCC/21/0022 Kilcully & Upper Glanmire Pedestrian Improvement Scheme €400,000
CCC/22/xxxx Dunkettle Road Ph. 2 Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme €500,000
CCC/22/xxxx Curaheen Road Pedestrian and Cycle scheme €380,000
CCC/22/xxxx Maglin Greenway Ph. 1 €75,000
CCC/22/xxxx Glanmire to City Centre Ph. 2 Cycle Scheme (Dunkettle to City) €75,000
CCC/22/xxxx Sarsfield Road to MTU Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme €60,000
CCC/22/xxxx Sarsfield Rd to Clashduv Rd Cycle link €60,000
CCC/22/xxxx Bessboro to Mahon - Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme €60,000
CCC/22/xxxx Kinsale Rd to Tramore Valley Park - Pedestrian and Cycle Connection €60,000
CCC/22/xxxx Shanakiel/Strawberry Hill Cycle Scheme €60,000
CCC/22/xxxx Rochestown Rd to Douglas Cycle Scheme €60,000
CCO/22/xxxx Ballinacurra - Middleton Pedestrian and Cycle Route (Phase 1 Balllyanne woods Car Park to Broderick St) €1,150,000
CCO/22/xxxx Carrigaline - Ringaskiddy and Passage (Phase 1 Rafeen to Passage) €1,000,000
CCO/22/xxxx Little Island - Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge €270,000
CCO/22/xxxx Crosshaven - Pedestrian and Cyclist facilities €150,000

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Results & Photos of the IMRA Corrin Hill Trail Race - Sun 23rd Jan 2022


The IMRA Corrin Hill trail race was held on Sunday the 23rd of January near Fermoy with 159 runners completing the 8.4km course. That was down a fraction on the 165 that took part in January of 2020.

1 Nick Hogan 272 M40 0:39:40 Cork
2 Paul Minogue 966 M35 0:40:51 Clonmel AC Tipperary
3 Seán Quirke 138 M40 0:40:52 Bilboa AC Limerick
12 Roisin Howley 716 F 0:44:34 Clare
14 Marie-claire McCarthy 136 F 0:45:30 Clonmel AC Tipperary
24 Róisín McLaughlin 1240 F 0:47:16 Grange Fermoy Cork



Photos...
1) The organisers have 3 galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3 ...

Monday, January 24, 2022

Cork runner Brian O'Shea raises €7,000 for Pieta House!

Cork runner Brian O'Shea (L) presenting a cheque for €7,000 to Darran Coyle Garde of Pieta House

Last year, I had a post up about how Cork runner Brian O'Shea was running a 5k every day in 2021 and was raising funds for the Pieta House charity.

Brian has been in touch to say that he completed a 5k for 366 days in a row which included the New Year's Day 5k parkrun in Ballincollig at the start of 2022.

Brian writes... "Delighted to present Darran Coyle Garde from Pieta in Cork with a cheque for €7,000 as a result of the 5k a day challenge I completed in 2021. "

Brian would like to thank the running community in Cork for all the support and donations.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Results of the Cork BHAA FMC 6k road race in Little Island - 23rd Jan 2022

The first road race on the Cork BHAA calendar was held in Little Island on Sunday the 23rd of January 2022 with a reasonable turnout of 330 completing the 6km course.

However as the chart above shows, the numbers were well down on recent years. The last time the numbers were lower was way back in 2007.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Gavin O'Rourke M1 18:35 Eli Lilly M-A-1
2 Jeremy O Donovan 0/40A M2 19:18 Eli Lilly M-A-1
3 Darragh Mulcahy 19:23 Temp Reg
17 Sinead O Connor 0/35H F1 20:39 Dept of Ed F-A-1
18 Martina Kiely 0/35H F2 20:44 Dept of Ed F-A-1
27 Sharon Rynne F3 21:55 Kepak

The full results are up on the Cork BHAA website HERE

First 3 women (L-R) Sharon Rynne 3rd, Sinead O'Connor 1st & Martina Kiely 2nd. Photo: Mick Dooley

First 3 men (L-R) Darragh Mulcahy 3rd, Gavin O'Rourke 1st & Jeremy O Donovan 2nd. Photo: Mick Dooley

Photos...

1) Joe & Anne Murphy have a large gallery HERE

Permission granted for new 400m athletics track in Carrigaline


Cork County Council has just granted planning permission to Carrigaline Rugby Football Club (RFC) and Carrigaline Athletics Club (AC) for a new multipurpose sports facility at Kilnagleary, Carrigaline.

The 6.3 hectare site will have a 400-metre athletics track as well as three standard size grass playing pitches.

Carrigaline currently has a population of about 16,000 and is one of the fastest growing towns in Cork. By the time this facility is completed, it may well be closer to 20,000.

This is one of several new athletic tracks planned for the county including one at Mallow (pop. 13,000) and Bandon (pop. 7,000).

Guest Post: 10 Mile ...by Pat Walsh

 ** 10 Mile ** 🏃

It is coming into the season of Spring races and it is time for us to move on and tackle 2022.

Many of my crew and lots more runners around the country are training for 10 mile races, which are coming up soon and are very popular.

10 mile is an ideal distance this time of year and benefits are numerous.
* It helps build stamina and provides a solid block of training that can be built upon if you wish to go longer later this year.
* It gives strength and stamina to those who will go back to shorter races and fine tune their speed later in the spring.
* It is a reasonable distance and should be achievable for most runners without undue stress. Just be careful doing too much too soon if your training has slipped. 😢

🏃‍♀️ Experienced Runners
If you have 10 mile races done already and you have a goal time in mind then maybe this will help
Make your long run at least 10 miles each week. That way you have no fear of the distance and can concentrate on the pace of your run.
Try to get a few miles each week towards the end of the long run close to race pace and get used to feeling that pace.
You should be getting 20+ miles a week in total and 1 session to include speed work quicker that desired Min/ml pace of the race. 
One good tip I like is maybe 2 or 3 weeks before the race make the long run an 11 or 12 mile. That way the distance is well conquered and the body has got used to operating for a longer time than it will be on Race day. That can help shorten the 10 mile race.
First race of the Year, Golden Rule, … ‘Don’t kill yourself’.

🏃‍♀️ First Timers and returning runners
Forget the watch --- Just do it.
Don’t climb through the miles too quickly, you will get injured or sick. 
Give yourself enough time to prepare in some fashion that you can enjoy it. Delay the 10 mile until you are ready.
Paste on a smile, relax and be happy to finish the race
Plenty more races that you can then improve on.
If you training isn’t at the 10 mile yet then no panic, just add one mile each week to your long run until you get there.
Don’t forget to include some form of speed work each week. 
Don’t cram a 10mile the week before the race as you will only turn up tired and lacking energy. Take the week easy leading up to the race and just go out there and do it. 



Progression 👏
If you get the 10mile done, fair play. Look at pace and what went right and wrong. Put a plan in place to rectify any problems and just go on and do better next time. The Year is long ahead of you.
If you feel you are not ready for the 10mile and that it has come too soon in the Year, then do not despair. Patience in building to it, is better than the injury or burn-out from trying it too soon.
At the moment, I am taking on clients for 2022, so if you have some goal that you think I could help with then feel free to contact me.

This weekend ---- Get out, go for a run, enjoy it and be grateful that you can. You know it makes sense...

#pwr #keeponrunning

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 22nd Jan 2022


Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 22nd January 2022. The numbers seem similar to last week which was about 40% up on the previous week.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 402 this week, 400 last week. Long term average 298.

First 3 men & women...
1 Alan HAYNES Male VM35-39 17:24
2 Senan O REILLY Male JM15-17 17:37
3 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:58
27 Rachel LEDWITH Female JW11-14 Belgooly AC 20:32
37 Deirbhile O'KEEFFE Female SW20-24 21:30
40 Mairead PEREZ Female VW45-49 21:38


Glen River: 100 this week, 102 last week. The long term average is 84.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conrad WATT Male SM30-34 Magnolia RR 18:01
2 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 18:08
3 Cian MCCAFFERTY Male SM30-34 19:39
15 Niamh SHEEHAN Female SW30-34 Togher AC 22:56
17 Robyn MAHER Female JW11-14 Carraig na bhFear AC 23:17
21 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:02


Mallow Castle: 83 finishers this week, 114 last time. The long term average is 91.

First 3 men & women...
1 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:32
2 Brian AHERN Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:44
4 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 19:19
3 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 18:52
15 Norah MCGLYNN Female JW15-17 23:13
19 Orla NOLAN Female VW50-54 Dromahane Roadrunners 23:31


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 109 this week, 135 for last week. The long term average is 77.

First 3 men & women...
1 Ciaran MCNAMEE Male SM18-19 17:21
2 Patrick TROY Male VM45-49 18:24
3 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC 18:31
4 Emma LANDERS Female JW15-17 18:43
5 Avril CASHMAN Female JW15-17 18:43
7 Alex CASHMAN Female JW15-17 20:09


Macroom Desmense: 80 this week, 53 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:47
2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 20:24
3 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 20:35
12 Jennifer RING Female VW40-44 22:55
15 Lisa SHINE Female VW35-39 Crusaders Athletic Club 23:41
18 Aoife BARRY-MURPHY Female SW25-29 23:55


Clonakilty: 41 finishers this week, 40 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...
1 Carmel CROWLEY Female VW50-54 19:58
8 Sinead CROWLEY Female JW15-17 23:38
11 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 25:27
2 Jeremy MOLONEY Male SM30-34 20:54
3 Conor DOYLE Male SM30-34 21:41
4 Ciaràn O'LEARY Male JM10 21:55


Glengarriff Woods: There were 108 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 110, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Hannah STEEDS Female SW25-29 Bristol and West AC 18:46 
11 Alice COPPINGER Female VW40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 23:10
12 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 23:25
2 Callum MCELHINNEY Male JM15-17 Bantry Athletic Club 19:57
3 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:44
4 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 20:50


Bere Island: 26 this week, 12 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Olan MURPHY Male JM15-17 23:30
2 Colin GLEESON Male VM65-69 Beara AC 23:55
5 Breandan MURPHY Male SM18-19 25:14
3 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 24:12
4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:33
6 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 26:43


Castlehaven: 28 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 32 last week. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...
1 Eoin DALY Male SM30-34 21:17
2 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 Castlehaven GAA 22:05
3 Richie HARNEDY Male VM35-39 22:07
7 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:49
9 Anne-Marie GREEN Female VW55-59 25:59
10 Danielle SHEEHY Female SW25-29 26:14

Friday, January 21, 2022

Training programme for the Limerick Half-Marathon & 6-mile in May


The Great Limerick Run Half-Marathon is coming up on Sunday the 1st of May 2022.

While there are plenty of generic 'one size fits all' plans about, many if not most are of little value. Every person is different and any proper training plan should be specific for each individual.

A 14-week training programme for the Limerick Half-Marathon starts on the 23rd of January 2022 and costs €79. 

A 12-week programme for those doing the 6-mile event starts of the 6th of February and cost €69. There is also the option of making it 14-weeks for €79 if someone wants a bit more time to get ready.

Each programme is sent out weekly and is tailored for each individual. Weekly feedback by email is required.

If interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

Friday Jigsaw: Glen River 5k parkrun - Jan 2022


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a nice easy one from the Glen River 5k parkrun last weekend in Cork City. Photo by Mick Dooley.

You can find the 110-piece jigsaw HERE

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Running in Cork photos go viral on Facebook...


In the last few weeks, I have two photos which went viral on the Running in Cork Facebook page.

I took a photo of Olympic rowing Gold medalist Paul O'Donovan at the finish line of the Newmarket 5k on the 19th of December 2021. When I put the photo up on the Running in Cork Facebook page, it reached in excess of 235,000 people which is pretty amazing.

At the end of Togher 5k race, Mick Dooley took a photo of the first three women including Olympian Michelle Finn and sent it on to me. I then posted that on the Running in Cork Facebook page and it reached over 87,000 people!

I know there are loads of running related pages and groups on Facebook but many are a bit like bubbles, just reach a small number of the usual people and just get lost in the 'noise'.

I would hope that Facebook posts like those shown above reaches a much wider audience and makes a lot of people aware of the running scene in Cork.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Notice: IMRA Corrin Hill Trail Race nr Fermoy - Sun 23rd Jan 2022


The IMRA are holding a trail race on Sunday the 23rd of January 2022 at Corrin Hill to the south-west of Fermoy. This is a good introduction to trail running for anyone starting off.

Note that IMRA membership is required which costs €10 for the year.

More info on the IMRA website... https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/2133/

More info on the 2022 IMRA events HERE




Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Results & photos of the Ballyhoura Winter Moonlight Challenge - 14th Jan 2022


The IMRA Ballyhoura Winter Moonlight Challenge was held on Friday evening the 14th of January 2022 with an impressive 176 runners finishing the course. That's pretty amazing for a 28km trail race that was run in the dark in the middle of January.

Top 5 men & women...
1 Barry McEvoy 118 M 2:06:43 Laois
2 Raivis Zakis 652 M40 2:07:49 West Waterf... Waterford
3 Michael Lyons 497 M35 2:21:25 Grange Ferm... Cork
4 Paul Tierney (Tipp) 846 M40 2:24:35 GoTri Adven... Tipperary
5 Sam Hand 141 M 2:24:58 Kilmallock ... Limerick
13 Laura O Driscoll 731 F40 2:39:15 North East ... Louth
34 Michelle Nolan 186 F50 2:52:00 Cork
40 Elaine Collins 235 F 2:55:05 Cork
42 Roisin Howley 716 F 2:55:58 Clare
68 Cora Fenton 677 F50 3:08:27 Kilmallock ... Limerick

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) The Irish Mountain Running Association has two galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2... 

Notice: Adare 10k in W Limerick - Sun 27th Feb 2022


The annual Adare 10k road race is coming up on Sunday the 27th of February 2022 at 1pm.

Organised by West Limerick AC, this is a hugely popular race and attracts a large field of about 700 runners, way beyond the usual 200 or so that most races get. It sells out every year.

Update 18th Jan 2022: This race has now sold out! It's really impressive to see such strong demand for this race with 1000 places filled. While many races struggle to attract runners, others are going from strength to strength.

The first batch of 600 went on sale on the 4th of November 2021 and filled out within days. The second batch of 400 went on sale on the 14th of January and sold out in about three days.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 15th Jan 2022


Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 15th January 2022. The numbers were up around 40% on last week.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 400 this week, 302 last week. Long term average 298.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conrad WATT Male SM30-34 Magnolia RR 17:20
2 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:29
3 Simon NOLAN Male VM35-39 18:36
24 Rachel LEDWITH Female JW11-14 20:33
30 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 21:07
38 Ella COLLINS Female JW15-17 21:36


Glen River: 102 this week, 77 last week. The long term average is 84.

First 3 men & women...
1 Cian MCCAFFERTY Male SM30-34 20:16
2 Cathal O'CONNELL Male VM55-59 St Finbarrs AC 20:35
4 Michael NAUGHTON Male VM50-54 Wibbly Wobbly Wonders 21:08
3 Anita LOCKE Female VW35-39 St Finbarrs AC 20:59
9 Celine TAUBMAN Female SW20-24 22:58
14 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:51


Mallow Castle: 114 finishers this week, 94 last time. The long term average is 89.

First 3 men & women...
1 Brian O'KEEFFE Male VM40-44 Kent AC 17:15
2 Darren COLEMAN Male SM30-34 17:19
3 Aidan MAHER Male JM15-17 Carraig na bhFear AC 17:49
8 Emma FLYNN Female JW11-14 North Cork AC 19:25
10 Isobel KELLEGHER Female JW15-17 20:01
14 Michaela FLYNN Female JW10 North Cork AC 20:30


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 135 this week, 75 for last week. The long term average is 72.

First 3 men & women...
1 Padraig MAHONY Male VM45-49 18:16
2 John MURPHY Male VM50-54 18:25
3 Patrick TROY Male VM45-49 18:29
15 Anne-Marie PEFFERS Female VW45-49 20:53
17 Chloe MCCARTHY Female JW10 Youghal AC 20:58
19 Caoimhe BOURKE Female JW11-14 21:17


Macroom Desmense: 80 this week, 53 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 19:14
2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 20:10
3 Finn YORE Male JM11-14 West Muskerry A.C. 20:16
13 Hannah MURPHY Female VW40-44 22:25
18 Jennifer RING Female VW40-44 23:08
27 Aoife BARRY-MURPHY Female SW25-29 24:06


Clonakilty: 40 finishers this week, 35 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...
1 Daniel DOLLARD Male JM11-14 19:18
2 Sam ORIORDAN Male JM15-17 Leevale AC 21:16
3 Tomás MARKEY Male JM15-17 22:35
15 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 25:53
16 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 25:55
18 Lucy CRONIN Female JW11-14 27:26


Glengarriff Woods: There were 110 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 73, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Connie O SHEA Male SM25-29 20:18
2 John BELCHER Male VM50-54 22:12
3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 22:18
4 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 22:33
5 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 23:29
6 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 23:39


Bere Island: 26 this week, 12 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Olan MURPHY Male JM15-17 22:46
2 Ciarán O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 23:08
3 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 24:31
6 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 25:55
7 Laura WALSH Female JW15-17 29:04
9 Edel MURPHY Female VW50-54 29:22


Castlehaven: 32 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 19 last week. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...
1 Ruairi HOURIHANE Male SM30-34 20:55
2 Henry BROWNE Male VM40-44 21:03
3 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:58
4 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 22:21
6 Emer COURTNEY Female VW35-39 24:51
11 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 29:27

Friday, January 14, 2022

Runner Eoin Keith from Cobh wins the 2022 Pennine Way Winter Spine Race


Eoin Keith from Cobh is one of the top Ultra runners in the country and he has just won the recent Montane Winter Spine race in England!

This is his 3rd Winter win and comes only half a year after winning the Summer Event, where he also set a new course record.

The race involves running the full 431km (268-mile) length of the Pennine Way national trail from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders . The course has an overall ascent of 13,135m (43,093ft) and overall descent of 13,255m (43,487ft), with the highest point being Cross Fell at 892m (2,926ft).

While Keith set a new record with a time of 77hrs 34mins 52secs last Summer, the Winter event was much tougher and took 92 hours 42 minutes and 30 seconds.

Friday Jigsaw: Cork BHAA Cross Country - Jan 2022


For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to last weekends Cork BHAA ESB Cross Country in Beaumont Park.

You can find the 187-piece jigsaw HERE

Photo by Joe Muphy

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Guest Post: RIP Ashling ...by Pat Walsh


** RIP Ashling **

I don’t know Ashling Murphy but my heart is aching for the loss of a young girl out for a run. So many have been forced to run on their own the last 2 years. We have discovered Trails, Walkways, Beaches, quiet Country Roads and so many new and enjoyable areas to exercise. Ashling Murphy was killed while out for a run.

What happened is sad, sensless, without explanation or reason and all we can do is grieve the loss of a fallen runner. First rule of running, is to come home safely. This poor girl went for a run in daylight on a busy recreational walkway, happy that she was doing the best she could.

To her Family and friends, of which there are so many, I offer my condolonces. To those whose lives she touched may she be forever in your memory.

Words fail me.

My friends in Ballymore AC (Cobh) are holding a run in her honour at 4pm on Saturday afternoon from the Heritage Centre in Cobh. This is roughly the time of the assault. Just an easy mile or 2, dressed in black, in a dignified and thoughtful manner respecting the occasion. Feel free to join them or run your own run at the same time.

#pwr 😢💔💔🏴🏴

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Race calendar passes 800,000 pageviews! - Jan 2022

I just noticed that in the last few days, the race calendar on the Running in Cork blog has passed 800,000 pageviews!

I should clarify that '800,000 pageviews' is not the same as 800,000 people. One person could look at the calendar every day and each one will count as a pageview. Still though, 800,000 is a huge number for one page on an Irish running website.

The actual total number of pageviews to the calendar is even higher as it is mirrored on the Running in Munster site as well. This one is more used by runners outside of Cork but in Munster.


As you can see from the image above, the total between the Running in Cork and Running in Munster sites is just over 1,150,000 pageviews!

I'm not exactly sure when I started the calendar? I'd guess it was probably around 2007 or 2008 so it's roughly 14 years old.

I know for sure that it is by far the largest running calendar in Ireland today. Some of the chip timing companies have their own calendar but they are usually for races that they are doing the timing for.

The calendar covers the 9 most southern counties in Ireland and there really isn't any good calendar for the rest of the country.

The main success of the calendar comes from the time invested in keeping it up to date....and it takes quiet a bit of time every week.

As always, the race calendar is here... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html

Sunday, January 09, 2022

Results & photos of the Cork BHAA ESB Cross Country 5k - Sun 9th Jan 2022

166 runners turned out on what was a damp morning for the Cork BHAA ESB Cross Country 5k race in Beaumont Park in Cork City. This was the first race of the year for the BHAA.

As can be seen from the chart above, the numbers are down a bit on recent years.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Nick Hogan 0/40A M1 00:18:51 UCC
2 Barry Twohig 0/40A M2 00:19:55 Emerald Fencing
3 Alfie Davis 0/45B M3 00:19:04 UCC
18 Niamh O'Sullivan 0/55L F1 00:21:36 Tralee Physical Therapy
19 Sinead O'Driscoll 00:21:45 Temp Reg
24 Linda O Connor 0/45J F2 00:22:01 Musgrave

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has loads of photos... Album 1 ... Album 2...

Guest Post: IF ...by Pat Walsh

 ** IF **

Weird week, weird times, weird post. Blame it on a Padnemic.
Sometimes only music makes sense, other times poetry. Running always makes sense. I may be going half daft but that is relative to the starting position. I wasn’t great anyway.

Playing around with Rudyard Kipling’s ‘IF’ ( 1910 ) which was once voted best Poem of the 20th Century. I’m trying to bring perspective on the situation and save myself from going mad.

I have been injured so walking gives more time for thinking and taking photos. 

RK: If you can keep your head when all about you ,  Are losing theirs and blaming it on you.  
Pat: If you can ignore 20K+ cases per day  And believe in yourself.

RK: If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,    But make allowance for their doubting too.  
Pat: If you can be take assurances from fellow runners that we are in this together,        And know that we’ll see free road in front of us soon.

RK: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies.
Pat: If your head is in the right place,         Then the NPHET lads can take a hike.

RK: Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,     And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.
Pat: If you can put social media in its correct position,   And don’t be reading or listening to shite.

RK: If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;       If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim.
Pat: If you can just be yourself,       And not a version or what someone thinks you should be.

RK: If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,     And treat those two impostors just the same.
Pat: We are runners        and have faced every emotion under the Sun

RK: If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Pat: No reply to one of the great Poets and Poems.

Obviously I have a lot of time on my hands 😃

Hope you are all well and forgive me for this indulgence
#PWR

Saturday, January 08, 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 8th Jan 2022


Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 8th January 2022. 

Ballincollig Regional Park: 302 this week, 226 last week. Long term average 298.

First 3 men & women...
1 Nick HOGAN Male VM40-44 Sanctuary Runners 17:58
2 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:47
3 John COLLINS Male SM30-34 Skibbereen AC 18:52
18 Gail MURRAY Female VW40-44 Belgooly AC 20:56
20 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 Leevale AC 21:10
21 Rachel LEDWITH Female JW11-14 21:10


Glen River: 77 this week, 55 last week. The long term average is 84.

First 3 men & women...
1 Nathan Ryan O HEHIR Male SM30-34 19:30
2 Daithi DE BAROID Male SM30-34 Fremantle Triathlon Club 19:47
3 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 19:50
9 Helen WALSH Female VW45-49 Togher AC 22:31
13 Niamh SHEEHAN Female SW30-34 Togher AC 23:42
20 Mary COTTER Female VW55-59 Tracton AC 26:34


Mallow Castle: 94 finishers this week, 52 last time. The long term average is 89.

First 3 men & women...
1 Brian O'KEEFFE Male VM40-44 Kent AC 17:23
2 Brendan FLANAGAN Male VM45-49 18:47
3 Brian AHERN Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:54
4 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 19:21
14 Robyn MAHER Female JW11-14 Carraig na bhFear AC 23:18
15 Niamh MC DAID Female SW20-24 Sportsworld 23:45


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 75 this week, 54 for last week. The long term average is 72.

First 3 men & women...
1 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC 19:12
2 Ciaran O MATHUNA Male SM20-24 19:17
3 Ryan COADY Male SM25-29 19:19
12 Chloe MCCARTHY Female JW10 Youghal AC 21:48
15 Éadaoin COLEMAN Female VW40-44 22:16
16 Caroline GEARY Female VW40-44 22:19


Macroom Desmense: 53 this week, 60 last time on the 18th of Dec. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...
1 Diarmuid HOLLAND Male VM45-49 20:23
2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 20:32
3 Martin CANTY Male VM40-44 Melbourne Midday Milers 21:44
22 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 25:19
23 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 25:36
28 Mairead MURPHY Female VW45-49 26:44


Clonakilty: 35 finishers this week, 34 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...
1 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:36
2 Andrew BURNS Male SM30-34 23:12
3 Shane WINTERS Male JM10 23:13
13 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 25:26
14 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 25:58
21 Karin CONNOLLY Female VW50-54 Bishopstown Orienteering Club 29:44


Glengarriff Woods: There were 73 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 85, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Connie O SHEA Male SM25-29 20:27
2 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:16
3 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 22:36
4 Tamela MACIEL Female SW30-34 West End Runners 22:45
5 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:03
15 Marian MINEHANE Female VW35-39 25:24


Bere Island: 12 this week, 35 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Olan MURPHY Male JM15-17 23:41
3 Breandan MURPHY Male SM18-19 25:50
6 Graham REID Male VM60-64 35:07
2 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 25:00
4 Edel MURPHY Female VW50-54 30:15
5 Joanne SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 32:15


Castlehaven: 19 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 22 last time. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...
1 Enda FITZMAURICE Male VM40-44 20:33
2 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 20:44
3 Ruairi HOURIHANE Male SM30-34 21:18
7 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:46
8 Anne-Marie GREEN Female VW55-59 23:50
10 Frances LYNCH Female VW55-59 Sanctuary Runners 28:01

Friday, January 07, 2022

Friday Jigsaw: Fermoy 10k - Dec 2021


For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to the end of 2021 and the finish line of a 10k race in Fermoy.

Mick Dooley took a photo of the first three women... (L-R) Niamh Moore 3rd, Michelle Finn 1st & Courtney McGuire 2nd

You can find the 216-piece jigsaw HERE

Lottery entry for the 2022 Dublin City Marathon opens 6th January


The organisers of the Dublin City Marathon (30th Oct 2022) have announced that an online lottery system for entries will open on Thursday the 6th of January 2022 for 1-week.


Details below...

***

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

Cork BHAA calendar for 2022 announced

The Cork BHAA have released their provisional calendar for 2022 and there are 14 events listed. That is a reduction of 3 on the 17 they had listed for 2020 and 2019.

As far as I can see, the events that are missing are the HSE 5k in Tramore Valley Park, the VMWare 5k in Ballincollig and the Novartis 5k in Ringaskiddy.

The list is provisional so some might reappear.

Dates and time may change

Date Time Company Distance Venue/ Contact
Sun. 9 January 11.00 am ESB Cross Country Challenge 5km Beaumont Park, Blackrock
Sun. 23 January 11.00 am BHAA 5km Little Island
Sun. 13 February 11.00 am Janssen Pharmaceuticals 6km Little Island
Sun. 6 March 11.00am MTU 5km MTU (formerly CIT), Bishopstown
Sun. 27 March 11.00am UCC / Carmel Lynch Memorial 10km TBC
Wed. 13 April 7.30 pm Stryker 4 Miles Community Centre, Carrigtwohill
Wed. 4 May 8.00 pm Pfizer’s 6 Miles Ringaskiddy
Tue. 17 May 8.00 pm John Buckley Sports 5km Marina
Wed. 15 June 8.00 pm Musgrave S&S Club 5km Cork Boat Club
Wed. 20 July 8.00 pm Gas Networks Ireland 5km Cork Boat Club
Wed. 27 July 8.00 pm DePuy Synthes 4 Miles Ringaskiddy Community Centre
Sun. 2 Oct 8 am BHAA Cork-Cobh 15 Miles
Sun. 13 Nov 11.00 am Cork Mental Health 5km Little Island
Sun. 11 Dec 11.00 am Cork Simon Christmas Run 5km Blackrock Hurling Club, Blackrock

I have now updated the race calendar with the Cork BHAA events for 2022 and if there are any changes, I'll update it.

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

12-Week Couch to 5k Running Programme for Beginners - Q1 2022

This 12-week running programme is designed with beginners in mind and get them used to running on a regular basis. The programme is tailored for each individual person and it's not some sort of generic one-size fits all plan. The plan is dynamic in that it adapts according to the progress being made.

The problem with fixed plans is that they are not going to suit everyone. Every person is different and each person progresses at their own rate.

With the 12-week plan, some people will able to run say the 5k distance early on in the programme. In that case, the remainder of the programme is used to move beyond the 5k distance. Others might take 12-weeks to get to their 5k distance. The priority is that each person is making gradual progress at their own rate.

This is how it works...

a) You'll have to answer questions initially so that a suitable programme can drawn up. This will be based on what you do currently and what time you have available. It's a plan designed to suit your life and work schedule as opposed to the other way around.

b) An email is sent to you every week with your individual training programme. You'll have to provide feedback every week and the following weeks plan will be based on this.


c) You really do have to follow the plan. There is no point dipping in and out of it or be off doing other things every weekend when you're supposed to be doing a training session. The plan can be adapted if training days are missed but they should be occasional.

d) The plan is targeted at someone who can't make the more typical Couch to 5k classes on offer and needs something more flexible.  

The cost for the 12-weeks is €69.

While the 12-week programme officially starts on the 10th of January 2022, the dates are flexible as it is tailored for each individual.

If interested, email: johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

Results & photos of the IMRA Bweeng 10k trail race - 1st Jan 2022


The first race of the new year on the IMRA calendar was a 10k trail race near Bweeng on the 1st of January 2022. A total of 129 runners took part in this challenging course which had a total of 330 metres of ascent.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Barry McEvoy 118 M 0:39:12 Laois
2 Nick Hogan 272 M40 0:40:26 Cork
3 Seán Quirke 138 M40 0:41:20 Bilboa AC Limerick
24 Carol Finn 565 F 0:48:20 Cork
29 Michelle Nolan 186 F50 0:49:59 Cork
33 Ide Kelleher 400 F50 0:50:44 Mallow AC Cork

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) There is a small gallery HERE