This 5k race in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City was held on Sunday the 7th of August 2022 and attracted a field of just 56 runners which is very poor. A 5k race in Cork City would be expected to get at least 100 finishers and this one was way down.
Why the poor numbers? This 5k would have been planned months ago but in the meantime, the 5k parkrun in Tramore Valley Park has restarted in July. The parkrun uses the exact same course as the race and its free. The race on the other hand cost €12 to enter.
Some might argue that a 5k race isn't the same as a 5k parkrun as the race has prizes. But for people that won't be in the prizes, the choice is a free timed 5k for free on Saturday morning with the parkrun OR €12 for a timed 5k on the exact same course on Sunday morning.
The prize fund for the top 3 men & women was €700 and the 56 entries would just about have paid for that. Add in the chip timing and all the other costs associated with putting on a race and the finances are well into the red.
Chip Timing... It seems crazy to have the expense of chip timing for just 56 runners. With such low numbers, you could just use a watch and have someone write down the times.
Top 3 men & women...
4925 2 Andrew Hobbs Leevale AC M 16:46
4420 3 Ken Ince Eagle A.C. M 16:58
4933 14 Mary Sweeney St. Finbarrs A.C. F60 21:37
4393 18 Alanna Barry F 22:51
4405 19 Colette Crowley Wibbly Wobbly Wonders F40 22:59
This is a funny one really. I took part because I hadn't been able to do a parkrun the last few weeks and evening races are usually too tricky with work and family. Friendly people there but I would say that as it wasn't a club race perhaps the idea of doing the timing themselves was considered too demanding. According to the site, 60+ people had signed up before the date, with 15 euro entries on the day. Also not well promoted I wouldn't say, although promotion hasn't always meant large numbers in recent times.
ReplyDeleteI wonder also what sort of intersection there is between people who do the road races and people who do parkruns regularly, never seems like there is a huge overlap but maybe more than we imagine.
A decent number of regular Ballincollig parkrunners take part regularly in the BHAA and other road races.
DeleteFirst I heard of that race was when I read that post this morning & I keep an eye on the races coming up around Cork.
ReplyDelete