Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: January 2023

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Help wanted for Junior 2k parkrun in Togher


As the poster says, there is a group trying to get a free 2km Junior parkrun up and running in Clashduv Park in Togher in Cork City. Just like the normal 5k parkruns for adults that take place every Saturday at 9:30am, the Junior 2k parkruns take place at 9:30am on Sundays.

As of January 2023, there are two Junior parkruns in Cork... one in Ballincollig Regional Park and one in Cobh. There really should be way way more.

One of the criteria for junior parkruns is that the children must be within sight of race stewards at all times. A flat grassland like Clashduv Park is ideal for this. Looking at the map below, it looks like two or three loops of the park might be required to get the 2k distance.

If you want to help get this 2k parkrun up and running in Togher than email john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com.

Monday, January 30, 2023

New surface for Tramore Valley Park


It was a pleasant surprise at the Tramore Valley 5k parkrun last Saturday to see that Cork City Council have put down a new tarmac surface! This replaces the old compact gravel surface which was there for years and was prone to have pools of water on it.


I'm not sure how much of a difference it will really make running wise but it's a dead flat surface. It's not hard to imagine kids on roller blades and scooters now able to use it to say nothing about parents pushing buggies. 

As it's not prone to any real traffic other than council vehicles, there is no real potential for potholes or anything to spoil it in the future.


It really does feel as if it's a finishing touch to a proper public park whereas the old gravel path felt like a bit of a temporary arrangement.

The only potential downside is the perhaps the possibility of ice in frosty weather so that will be something to watch out for.


The Tramore Valley 5k parkrun course is shown above and it's basically two 2.5km loops. The section in Yellow is the the older tarmac. The section in Red is the new tarmac section and it's probably about 1.5kms in length.

Regardless of whether it's faster or not, the new section is a pleasure to run on. There is a free 5k parkrun on there every Saturday morning at 9:30am and you can have a look for yourself.

Results of the North Cork AC 5k in Doneraile Park - Sun 29th Jan 2023

This 5k in Doneraile park on Sunday the 29th of January 2023 was organised by North Cork AC. 

First 3 men & women
1 Cian McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix & district AC) 16:14.9
2 Barry Twohig (St.Finbarrs) 16:25.2
3 Kieran McKeown (Grange Fermoy) 16:56.9.
1 Kate McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix & district AC) 17:42.5
2 Jennifer Goggin Walsh ( Carrig na BhFear) 21:00.3
3 Emily O’Leary (St.Finbarrs) 22:01.0

Full results below...

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Guest Post: The 4th weekend ...by Pat Walsh

 ** The 4th weekend **

It is a while since I tried a frivolous post so here goes.

Alarm went off early this morning. Dark, so very dark and you are questioning your resolve to get up early Saturday and get the long run done. We are 4 weeks into the New Year and this is the time that resolutions are being challenged. 

I wont let it beat me. No such thing as bad weather. The gang will be waiting and I love it but must it be soo cold and soo dark. 

Swung out of bed, Oh my Lord the hamstrings are tight, they will need some TLC before I run. The physio that told me they were like the legs of a table wasn’t far wrong.

The Breakfast of champion runners, a cuppa and a bowl of Bran Flakes. OMG so tasteless but I need the energy. Today is the day we tackles Popes Hill as part of the route. 

Thankfully I got the gear ready last night in case I had a total meltdown in plans. 4 layers found, gloves and hat, very little left open to the elements. The sky is brightening. Do a little warm up and a few stretches while the kettle is boiling. 

Random Spotify playlist on the speaker to break the early morning silence and just as I am beginning to move... it happens. 

“ The Greatest ” the ultimate running song.
Don't give up (no no)
I won't give up (no no)
Yes my buddy Sia has appeared to inspire and save the day. Kitchen aerobics are all the fashion.
With a bounce in my step I head off. What hill? What long run? I have this.
I am a runner, I run on Saturday as always.
“And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
But I, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I need another love to be mine
Cause I, I got stamina”


The sun is up, the gang are ready willing and available. I found myself again, why did I ever doubt it. We do it, we love it. Stretching credibility now—we sailed up the hill and coasted home. The reality may be different but we did it and will never admit anything else. 

10 miles done and the clock is south of 10am. Yes I am alive. Yes I ran. Yes thanks to my good running friends. The day is sorted. The weekend has found its fulcrum. 

"I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest." 

I will sleep well tonight and no run tomorrow. 

Dedication to the weekend Long run is either total infatuation or absolute insanity. You decide.. 

#pwr

Saturday, January 28, 2023

A quick look at the numbers for 5k parkruns in Co Cork - Jan 2023

The chart above shows the number of finishers per week for the 5k parkruns in Co Cork for the month of January 2023. There were 10 parkruns each Saturday except for the 14th of January when there were 8 resulting in a drop in the overall numbers.

The 10 events in Co Cork on the 28th of January 2023 attracted around 950 runners and walkers.

It's easy to overlook but 5k parkruns are now the largest organised running events on the calendar in Cork. With roughly 700-900 finishers per week every week, they eclipse nearly all of the individual road races in the county.

A list of the ten 5k parkruns in Co Cork can be found HERE with links to each event.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 28th January 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 28th January 2023. Approximately 950 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 321 this week, 287 last week. Long term average 288

First 3 men & women... 
1 Sean TWOHIG Male SM30-34 St Finbarrs AC 17:18
2 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 18:31
3 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 19:02
11 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:52
17 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 Leevale AC 20:33
21 Dawn ATHERTON Female VW35-39 Knowsley Harriers AC 20:54


Tramore Valley Park: 218 runners took part in this event. 174 last week. The long term average is 164.

First 3 men & women...
1 Toby BENHAM Male SM25-29 Crusaders A C Dublin 17:39
2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:41
3 Daire REILLY Male VM35-39 18:41
14 Annmarie BURNS Female VW35-39 20:59
46 Kelly FOLEY Female VW35-39 23:19
47 Alison WOLFE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 23:25


Glen River: 63 this week, 83 last week. The long term average is 76.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Aidan MAHER Male JM15-17 Carraig na bhFear AC 17:41
2 David MAHER Male SM18-19 Carraig na bhFear AC 17:59
3 Timmy COLBERT Male JM15-17 19:19
23 Aoife O'NEILL Female SW30-34 25:43
24 Emer MAUGHAN Female VW50-54 26:15
28 Allie PHILLIPS Female JW11-14 Carraig na bhFear AC 26:27


Mallow Castle: 70 finishers this week, 66 last week. The long term average is 66.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:40
2 Darragh FROST Male SM25-29 20:08
3 Patrick O KEEFFE Male VM50-54 Mt. Hillary AC 21:03
9 Aine QUANE Female SW30-34 22:51
12 Edel DWYER Female SW30-34 23:31
15 Eleanor RYAN Female VW35-39 24:44


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 61 this week, 74 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Unknown ??
2 John MURPHY Male VM50-54 18:23
3 Micheal CRONIN Male SM30-34 18:35
4 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 St Catherines AC 18:36
8 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:30
10 Sorcha KILGANNON Female JW15-17 22:46
12 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 23:22


Macroom Desmense: 55 this week, 65 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:32
2 Conor O'RIORDAN Male VM40-44 20:16
3 Darren CREED Male SM30-34 20:21
12 Lisa KINGSTON Female SW18-19 24:49
13 Karen O' CALLAGHAN Female VW45-49 24:54
17 Rachel KELLEHER Female JW15-17 25:32


Clonakilty: 33 finishers this week, 39 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women...
1 Naoise Ó FLAITHEARTAIGH Male SM20-24 16:52
2 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 18:04
3 Olan BRAZIER SCANNELL Male JM11-14 20:34
7 Roisin HURLEY Female SW25-29 22:05
14 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 23:51
15 Anna O'NEILL Female VW50-54 23:57


Glengarriff Woods: There were 71 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was 95 last week, long term average is 59.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Michael MINEHANE Male VM45-49 Marathon Club Ireland 21:01
2 Micheal COPPINGER Male JM11-14 21:13
3 Michael MCSWEENEY Male VM50-54 Beara AC 21:30
14 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 26:05
19 Maura FARRELL Female VW60-64 27:04
25 Michaela Anna O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 29:55


Bere Island: 25 this week, 23 last week, long term average of 45. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:19
2 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:11
4 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 27:10
3 Breandan MURPHY Male SM20-24 24:36
6 John F O SULLIVAN Male VM60-64 31:21
8 Tadhg HOBBS Male JM15-17 32:05


Castlehaven: 32 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 34 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...
1 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 Castlehaven GAA 20:49
2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 20:54
3 Donal MCCORMACK Male VM35-39 22:24
5 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 24:08
8 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 25:25
10 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 26:55


For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Friday, January 27, 2023

Friday Jigsaw: Cork BHAA Crew


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo from Mick Dooley of the Cork BHAA crew at the finish line of the recent 5k race in Little Island.

You can find the 104-piece jigsaw HERE

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

IMRA event calendar updated for 2023


I updated the IMRA page on the site with all of the events for 2023 and it's really surprising just how many there are. Munster is easily the busiest area in terms of trail running events in contrast to other parts of the country.

There's something there for nearly everyone... from trail running in a woods to running up the side of a mountain. Some takeaway points...

1) If you can run 10k comfortably then you should be fine for the easier events.

2) Annual membership of IMRA is required and which costs €10 for the year.

3) You will need to bring a jacket with you.

You can find the updated list HERE

Monday, January 23, 2023

Notice: IMRA Glengarra Woods Trail Race nr Mitchelstown - Sun 29th Jan 2023


After a very successful trail race at Corrin Hill Woods on the 15th, the IMRA are holding their next trail race on Sunday the 29th of January 2023 at Glengarra Woods near Mitchelstown. This is a good introduction to trail running for anyone starting off.

The distance is 7.3kms with a 187m climb. If you can run a 10k comfortably on the road then you should be ok for this. 

Details and registration at https://imra.ie/events/view/id/2263

Note that IMRA membership is required which costs €10 for the year. The trail race costs €7.

From IMRA... " Our next trail race will be at Glengarra Woods, in the foothills of the Galtee Mountains, on Sunday 29th January. We have long (7.3km) and short (3km) courses available. If you're new to trail running, this would be a great course to try out.

Details and registration at https://imra.ie/events/view/id/2263
DESCRIPTION: Glengarra Woods
COUNTY: Tipperary
DATE: Sunday 29 January, 2023
TIME:11:00
CLIMB (M):187
DISTANCE (KM):7.30
ENTRY CLOSES: 2023-01-28 18:00:00
ENTRY COST:€7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s. Online entry only for this race.
"

Glengarra Woods is just off the M8 motorway between Mitchelstown and Cahir. If you're coming from near Cork City then take exit 12 and follow the old N8 road.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Results of the Cork BHAA IFF-DuPont 5k race in Little Island - Sun 22nd Jan 2023


The Cork BHAA held their first road race of 2023 with the IFF-DuPont 5k in Little Island on Sunday 22nd January 2023. As can be seen from the chart above, the numbers staged a bit of a recovery this year with a 20% jump in numbers compared to last year.

While the numbers aren't back at pre-pandemic levels, they're pretty close and are very similar to 2018 and 2016.

Top 3 men & women...
1 James Hayes M1 00:15:11 Dept of Ed M-A-2
2 James McCarthy M2 00:15:19 Rooskagh Coffee Co.
3 John Meade 00:15:22 Temp Reg
12 Lizzie Lee 0/40I F1 00:16:10 Apple F-A-2
18 Michelle Kenny 0/40I F2 00:17:09 Dept of Ed F-A-1
23 Carol Finn F3 00:17:35 Carol Finn Physical Therapy

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has a gallery of post race photos HERE

First 3 women (L-R) ...2nd Michelle Kenny, 1st Lizzie Lee & 3rd Carol Finn


Saturday, January 21, 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 21st January 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 21st January 2023. Approximately 940 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 287 this week, cancelled last week. Long term average 288

First 3 men & women... 
1 Alan O'SHEA Male VM40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 15:45
2 Sean BROWNE Male VM55-59 19:06
3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM35-39 19:10
7 Gail MURRAY Female VW45-49 Belgooly AC 20:23
10 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:27
19 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:18


Tramore Valley Park: 174 runners took part in this event. 316 last week. The long term average is 164.

First 3 men & women...
1 John GOGGIN Male VM40-44 17:13
2 John O MAHONY Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:16
3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:24
16 Sandra MANNING Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 20:35
27 Lynda O'GORMAN Female VW45-49 22:56
41 Alison WOLFE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 24:13


Glen River: 83 this week, 100 last week. The long term average is 76.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Ken INCE Male VM35-39 Eagle A.C. 18:13
2 Barry WALSH Male VM35-39 18:26
3 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:30
10 Derval DEVANEY Female VW45-49 Belpark Triathlon Club 21:46
14 Ellie CAFFERKEY Female JW11-14 22:45
19 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 23:02


Mallow Castle: 66 finishers this week, cancelled last week. The long term average is 66.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Iain BUCKLEY Male JM11-14 18:09
2 Darragh FROST Male SM25-29 20:21
3 Cathal DWANE Male VM40-44 20:38
20 Johannah MCSWEENEY Female JW10 25:27
22 Orla CUNNANE Female VW45-49 25:55
25 Clodagh BENNETT Female VW40-44 26:20

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 74 this week, 64 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Andrew DE KLERK Male VM45-49 Ballintotis Fit4Life 19:13
2 Paul KEARNEY Male VM35-39 Aghada Running Club 20:34
3 Cody COUGHLAN Male JM15-17 21:06
10 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:54
15 Éabha KENEFICK Female JW11-14 23:45
17 Sorcha KILGANNON Female JW15-17 23:50


Macroom Desmense: 65 this week, 58 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:27
2 Henry BROWNE Male VM40-44 19:09
3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 19:39
13 Margaret GALVIN Female SW30-34 23:26
20 Marie CONDRON Female VW35-39 24:46
21 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 24:47


Clonakilty: 39 finishers this week, 41 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women...
1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 18:30
2 Olan BRAZIER SCANNELL Male JM11-14 20:25
3 Rían FITZGERALD Male JM11-14 20:40
12 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:51
18 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 27:07
19 Marykate MCCARTHY Female JW11-14 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 27:08


Glengarriff Woods: There were 95 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was 64 last week, long term average is 58.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Peter LITTLE Male VM45-49 19:55
2 Declan WHOOLEY Male VM35-39 Raheny Shamrock AC 20:26
3 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:45
11 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:44
18 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:51
24 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW55-59 26:56


Bere Island: 23 this week, 31 last week, long term average of 45. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Ben MURPHY Male VM40-44 21:55
2 Ultan MURPHY Male JM15-17 22:46
4 Breandan MURPHY Male SM20-24 24:25
3 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 22:55
5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:32
7 Joanne SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 29:28


Castlehaven: 34 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 27 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...
1 Patrick GEARY Male SM25-29 20:24
2 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 Castlehaven GAA 21:10
3 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:17
6 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 24:23
12 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:26
13 Sile COLLINS Female SW25-29 28:32


For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.














 

Guest Post: Focus and Realism ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Focus and Realism **

What do we want, what should we focus on for the year ahead?

To be honest only you can answer that for yourself. 
Short and fast -- long and a bit slower -- OR a mixture of both. You decide.  
Where does your true potential lie and have you the time and inclination to go with it?

This is not a lecture post, it is simply to get you to ask yourself what do you really want, are you capable of doing it and will you put in the time and effort to succeed? If so, then go for it. Give it your best shot and see where it takes you. The next few weeks are vital in creating a solid base for the year.

The answer may be NO and that is fair enough too. Do you want to just stay active and running with your friends?

Life at the moment can have its share of difficulties and troubles so if all you want to do is get out the door for a run and take part in the occasional race then that is fine too. 

Your life, live it on your terms. I suppose the trick here is that if training is haphazard and not clearly focused then don’t beat yourself up on times or performances. 

Run for the sake of it and be glad to participate.

** If we have learnt anything from the last few years then:

Overthinking and overplanning can be a wasted effort, who knows what the future holds. Do the best you can at any given time.

Our general health and well-being is our best method of enjoying life.


We need our buddies and our miles, that is a given for sanity, fitness and general quality of life.

We need to support and encourage one another as clearly it isn’t coming from on high. The recent decision by Athletics Ireland to surcharge those non-club runners to run in races could be one of the biggest errors ever. In a time when running is declining anyway, it was the last thing that was needed.

So get out your running shoes, contact your buddies, plan your routes and coffee stops. Be grateful and thankful for the freedom to run. Enjoy every time that you are running. Life can be short, pressures can be huge but there is a solution. RUN.

Have a good weekend. 

#PWR

Friday, January 20, 2023

Friday Jigsaw: Corrin Hill Trail Race - Jan 2023


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo from the IMRA Corrin Hill trail race last weekend.

This one has 140-pieces and can be found HERE

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Chaos at the start of the Valencia 10k


It looks as if the start of the Valencia 10k at the weekend had a 'bumpy' start...

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Results & Photos of the IMRA Corrin Hill trail race - Sun 15th Jan 2023


There was a big turnout of 175 runners for the IMRA 8.4km trail race on Corrin Hill near Fermoy on Sunday the 15th of January 2023. That compares to 159 for the same event in Jan 2022 so it bodes well for the year ahead for the IMRA events.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Seán Quirke 618 M45 0:41:33 Bilboa AC Limerick
2 Stephen Lynch 698 M35 0:41:49 Cork
3 Brendan Joy 376 M 0:43:20 Kerry
11 Michelle Kenny 485 F40 0:46:12 Leevale Cork
17 Kealey Tideswell 560 F40 0:47:13 Clonmel AC Tipperary
19 Kath Carty 589 F40 0:48:05 

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Mick Dooley got some great snaps as always... a) Pre-race  b) lap 1 c) lap 2a d) lap 2b
2) IMRA have a gallery HERE

Monday, January 16, 2023

Sinead Twomey completes 250 parkruns


Well done to Sinead Twomey who completed her 250th 5k parkrun at the Castle Demesne event recently!

If we say one parkrun a week then it would take about 5 years of more or less doing a 5k parkrun every Saturday to reach this impressive total.

Looking at the stats on the Macroom 5k parkun page, Sinead did 205 of her 250 parkruns in Macroom, 9 in Ballincollig and the balance in a multitude of locations.

I wonder who has done the most 5k parkruns in Cork? Are there many over 250 parkruns? What's the max?

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 14th January 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 14th January 2023. Approx 700 runners and walkers took part in the 8 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 256 this week, - last week. Long term average 288
First 3 men & women... CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING
Ballincollig results...  

Tramore Valley Park: 316 runners took part in this event. 167 last week. The long term average is 160.

First 3 men & women...
1 Peter HOWIE Male SM30-34 Ballymore Cobh AC 17:18
2 Timmy HAWKINS Male JM15-17 Belgooly AC 17:29
3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:29
6 Orla BYRNE Female SW30-34 St Finbarrs AC 18:31
10 Aine LEAMY Female VW50-54 19:22
15 Ann MOORE Female VW55-59 Leevale AC 19:32


Glen River: 100 this week, 88 last week. The long term average is 76.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Aidan MAHER Male JM15-17 Carraig na bhFear AC 18:06
2 David MAHER Male SM18-19 Carraig na bhFear AC 18:06
3 Brendan HALLISSEY Male VM45-49 20:49
7 Siobhan WALSH Female VW40-44 Carraig na bhFear AC 22:16
12 Amy-Leigh FAHERTY Female JW10 23:22
17 Deirbhile O'KEEFFE Female SW25-29 Raheny Shamrock AC 24:06


Mallow Castle: 70 finishers this week, 76 last week. The long term average is 66.
First 3 men & women... CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING
Mallow results... 

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 64 this week, 53 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Andrew DE KLERK Male VM45-49 Ballintotis Fit4Life 18:35
2 Richard STILWELL Male SM30-34 19:02
3 Brendan COLEMAN Male VM45-49 19:07
10 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 23:25
12 Jo O'SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 23:47
15 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 24:38


Macroom Desmense: 58 this week, 51 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...
1 David BUCKLEY Male VM40-44 18:08
2 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:37
3 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 19:29
10 Valerie NEVILLE Female VW40-44 22:19
14 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 24:10
17 Noreen STEWART Female VW40-44 25:05


Clonakilty: 41 finishers this week, 36 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women...
1 Naoise Ó FLAITHEARTAIGH Male SM20-24 17:41
2 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 19:09
3 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:16
20 Helen O'LEARY Female VW60-64 26:40
22 Neasa O'KEEFFE Female VW40-44 27:23
23 Samantha QUINN Female VW35-39 27:29


Glengarriff Woods: There were 64 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was 63 last week, long term average is 58.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:13
2 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM40-44 21:38
3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:45
8 Sophie OSULLIVAN Female SW30-34 25:55
10 Mary MINEHANE Female JW11-14 26:25
11 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:30


Bere Island: 31 this week, 25 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 Kenmare Athletics Club 20:23
2 Unknown       
3 Oisin MURPHY Male SM20-24 22:33
4 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:36
10 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 27:48
11 Angela HARRINGTON Female VW60-64 Beara AC 28:34
 

Castlehaven: 27 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 25 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...
1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 22:09
2 Colm O'SULLIVAN Male VM55-59 Bishopstown Orienteering Club 23:55
4 Barry KIRBY Male SM25-29 25:07
3 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 24:59
5 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 25:35
9 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 28:52


For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: What now? ...by Pat Walsh

 ** What now? **

Some simple advice for the Year. Don’t repeat the previous mistakes from past years and be hopeful of a different outcome. It won’t happen. Keep it simple, keep it honest, keep it realistic.

Simple tips

* Dumb the rubbish

Christmas season is well over and if any unused, unopened sweet, biscuits, fizzy drinks or anything else like that, then gather them up and donate to some Charity or dump them 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.

* Get off the couch.

If you have made a start with your running then well done to you. 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. Easy run, speed run, Long run all included in your week.  Add a Gym Class some morning or evening

* Plan your Year 

Make a rough plan of what races you would like to do and have an idea of when the training and recovery for each will take place. Nothing elaborate and it can be fine-tuned later in the Year depending on how you are going.

* Water 

You have drunk some terrible amounts of tea, coffee, fizzies and alcohol last few weeks. 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?

If you are always going backwards on hills then maybe some leg strength is required.

If you are tiring and leaning forward late on a long run then maybe some work to strengthen the core and keep the body in alignment and working to capacity. A strong core helps leg strength and leg drive and keeps the body in best position for running.

* Flexibility

If you can’t touch your toes you are in trouble.. messing..!

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 they are long term work in progress. 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.

You want a good Year – Go and earn it. 

Lecture over. That is enough to get your brains thinking and hopefully to shift you into gear. Have a lovely weekend    

#pwr #keeponrunning

Friday, January 13, 2023

Ballincollig 5k parkrun cancelled in Cork - Sat 14th Jan 2023

Please note that the Ballincollig 5k parkrun on Sat 14th Jan 2023 has been cancelled.

The other 5k options are Glen River, Tramore Valley Park and Macroom.

Friday Jigsaw: Glen River parkrun - 7th Jan 2023


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo by Mick Dooley from the Glen River 5k parkrun on Saturday 7th January 2023.

It only has 96-pieces so it should be reasonably easy to do.

You can find it HERE

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Guest Post: DENIS MCCARTHY – A RECORD SETTER AND A RECORD COLLECTOR ...by John Walshe

DENIS MCCARTHY – A RECORD SETTER AND A RECORD COLLECTOR

(By John Walshe, Midleton & Dist News/Youghal News, 12/01/2023

Maybe the words of Johnny Logan’s Eurovision winner ‘What’s Another Year’ came to mind when East Cork athlete Denis McCarthy recently totted up his mileage for the past 12 months. (And, by the way, if you wish to know what year Logan won and how many weeks he stayed in the charts, no better man than Denis to supply the answer - as we shall see later).

Denis McCarthy with his Cork County C-C winning team medals from 1985 and 1986

A meticulous keeper of statistics, Denis’ running log for the year just gone shows a total of 2,020 miles covered, an average of just over five-and-a-half miles for every single day. This annual total has been the norm for at least the past 40 years and the Ballynoe native estimates he has now clocked up in excess of 100,000 running miles.

“Since June 5th, 1985, I’ve only missed eight days,” says the 60-year-old, before adding, nonchalantly, “but some of them were on crutches.” A running streak that began on that date in 1985 finally came to an end 28 years and four days later when a bad fall resulted in a fracture to a bone in his leg.

Even while on crutches, he still managed to complete the Shanagarry five-mile race in 71 minutes. “There were eight days in which I actually did nothing, but then there were days trying to train while hobbling around in a medical walking boot until a doctor said to me I’d never heal like that, so I stopped running then and went on crutches.”

Last October, another milestone was reached at Macroom when he competed in the Cork county senior cross-country championship for the 40th time (he has also ran the East Cork equivalent on 41 occasions). Twice, at county level, he has been a scorer on the winning East Cork team of which he’s been a member of since its inception in 1985.

“The first county I ran was in Castlemartyr back in 1981, when I was with the Youghal club,” he recalls. “After that, I just took it one step at a time. I always had a kind of unique interest in the race, going back to the 1970s when there was a great rivalry between the likes of John Hartnett and Donie Walsh. It was a kind of a county versus city rivalry in my eyes; between them they won a total of seven titles so that gave you an idea of the stature of the race.

Denis competing in the East Cork C-C championships last September for the 41st time

“In the 1980s, Tony O’Leary dominated the championship and that sort of infatuated me as well. In 1989, when I was running and training with Liam O’Brien, to see a man like Liam who had dominated Munster athletics finally come along and win the county senior, and to see what that meant to people. And then I was finding myself on East Cork teams and was a scoring member when the club took the title in 1985 and 1986.”

And, after four decades, there may be one more final county fling: “This year is the century of the Cork county senior cross-country. According to Liam Fleming’s book, the first one took place at the Cork Showgrounds in 1923 and it would be nice to run it a century later. East Cork have won it on 21 occasions and as a proud club man it would be nice to see them retain the title they won last October after a lapse of five years.”

During the 1990s another unique challenge was hatched and came to fruition – that of running a race in each of the 32 counties on this island, before his 32nd birthday. “I was after running a number of national intermediate cross-country races, it took me eight years to get out of that category and I was travelling to a lot of obscure counties, for want of a better word.

“When I did my tally, I had something like 18 or 19 counties so I then felt that the 32 was within reach.” In an era when races were a lot harder to come by compared to today, for someone in the far south of the country the northern counties would be the hardest to get to.

At Christmas 1993, Denis had just three counties to go. On St Stephens Day he travelled to Tyrone, where, on a snow-covered course, he finished third in the Greencastle 10km. A week later, he availed of an invitation to take part in the Derry cross-country championships, thus leaving just Monaghan on his agenda, and this he 'bagged' the following March when he finished fourth in a road race in Glaslough.

For most of the races in the far North, it meant leaving his home in Ballynoe at an unearthly hour, and not arriving back until around midnight. One of the longest journeys he undertook was to Donegal, a round trip of about 500 miles. He left home at 5:30am, slept for a short while in his car alongside the tomb of W.B. Yeats in Drumcliffe, Sligo, before going on to Donegal Town, where he finished sixth in a 5km.

Pictured in 1994, the year he ran a race in each of the 32 counties

Over the years, Denis has won 179 East Cork championship medals, 94 county medals, 82 Munster medals and 19 national medals in road, track and cross-country – such mind-boggling statistics trip readily off his tongue. With personal bests on the track of 8:33 for 3000m and 14:58 for 5000m, he was no mean performer. He won the 5,000m county title in 1986 and of the 2,064 races he has competed in (up to December 2022), he has finished first on 198 occasions.

An employee of Glenmar Shellfish Ireland in Curraglass near Conna for many years, Denis’ other passion – apart from his running - is attending car boot sales and adding to his record collection. And there is also a tie-in here from his travels up north, as he explains: “That same week I was in Belfast I came across a CD single by Bryan Adams ‘Everything I Do, I Do It for You’ which had spent 18 weeks at Number 1 in the UK charts.

“So I bought it and when a new record went to Number 1 after that I continued and then I started getting older ones at car boot sales and record fairs and tried to work backwards. It was the UK charts I was first chasing but then I branched out and started collecting Irish Number Ones which date back to 1962. There have been over 1,000 Irish Number Ones, and I reckon I have them all.”

 Last year, Denis even got a mention on John Creedon’s popular RTE Radio 1 show when he contacted him with a reminder that on October 5th the Irish charts would be sixty years old.

“If he was plonked in front of Mangus Magnusson now on Mastermind I’d say that Denis would be well able to match the questions on his chosen subject,” said the Cork broadcaster – a fitting tribute indeed to this remarkable man who not alone sets records but collects them as well.  

A list of guest posts from John Walshe on the site can be found HERE

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Upcoming launch of a new running group in Youghal - Sat 14th Jan 2023


This might be of interest to any runners in Youghal and the surrounding areas.

Sanctuary Runners Youghal will be launched on Saturday 14th January at the Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide parkrun at 9.30am. 

More information about the Sanctuary Runners organisation can be found on their website... https://sanctuaryrunners.ie/

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Notice: IMRA Corrin Hill Trail Race nr Fermoy - Sun 15th Jan 2023



The IMRA are holding a trail race on Sunday the 15th of January 2023 at Corrin Hill to the south-west of Fermoy. This is a good introduction to trail running for anyone starting off.

The distance is 8.4kms with a 300m climb. If you can run a 10k comfortably on the road then you should be ok for this. 

Note that IMRA membership is required which costs €10 for the year. The trail race costs €7 which is the same as last year.

More info on the IMRA website... https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/2262




Sunday, January 08, 2023

Results of the Cork BHAA ESB Cross Country 5k - Sun 8th Jan 2023


As can be seen above, 190 runners turned out for the Cork BHAA ESB 5k Cross Country 5k in Beaumont Park on Sunday 8th Jan 2023. The numbers are up 14% on last year and aren't that far off the pre-pandemic numbers. It'll be interesting to see if the rest of the BHAA races in 2023 follow a similar pattern.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Barry Twohig 0/40A M1 00:18:31 Emerald Fencing
2 Naoise O Flaitheartaigh 00:18:51 Temp Reg
3 Donal Coakley M2 00:19:23 Gilead Sciences
12 Michelle Kenny 0/40I F1 00:21:01 Dept of Ed F-A-2
25 Anna Hogan 0/45J F2 00:22:14 UCC F-A-1
28 Ella Collins F3 00:22:44 Collins

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has three galleries... Album 1, Album 2 and Album 3

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 8th Jan 2023


The third race in the Cloyne Common 4k Winter Series was held on Sunday the 8th of January 2023 and got a large turnout of 242 runners. As you can see from the photo above, the sweet tin (a close relative of the biscuit tin) was out for this one and there was no additional charge for online entries or Athletics Ireland 'one-day' permits for non-club runners.... and the numbers didn't drop (up from 168 last December) and the sky didn't collapse.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Paul Hartnett East Cork AC M 11:49
2 Aidan Noone Leevale AC M 12:46
3 Matt Horrigan East Cork AC M35 12:49
19 Jean Lucey Unattached F35 15:01
26 Vicky Spiteri Midleton AC F35 15:34
28 Lisa Crowley Watergrass Hill AC F45 15:51


Full results below...

Place Name Club Category Time
1 Paul Hartnett East Cork AC M 11:49
2 Aidan Noone Leevale AC M 12:46
3 Matt Horrigan East Cork AC M35 12:49
4 Kevin O'Brien East Cork AC M35 12:55
5 Donal Giltinan East Cork AC M40 13:01

RIP: Paul Brunnock


I was saddened to hear of the passing of Waterford runner Paul Brunnock during the week. When I was doing a lot of marathons and ultras, I got to know Paul as he was a regular on the marathon circuit.

While Paul did a lot of the usual shorter races, it was the long distance events that he had a passion for. He completed over 100 marathons and did the Connemara 100-mile as well.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

The following is from West Waterford AC...

PAUL BRUNNOCK.

It is with heartfelt sadness and shock that West Waterford Athletic Club report the untimely passing of our esteemed club member, Paul Brunnock.

Saturday, January 07, 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 7th January 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 7th January 2023. Approx 830 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 256 this week, - last week. Long term average 288
First 3 men & women...
1 Eoin O KEEFFE Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 17:40 
2 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 18:53
3 Paul KELLY Male VM40-44 Cork Triathlon Club 18:58 
19 Mairead PEREZ Female VW50-54 21:45
32 Mary SWEENEY Female VW60-64 St Finbarrs AC 22:33
42 Deborah O Female VW40-44 23:14


Tramore Valley Park: 167 runners took part in this event. 200 last week. The long term average is 160.

First 3 men & women...
1 John O MAHONY Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:31
2 Toby BENHAM Male SM25-29 Crusaders A C Dublin 18:09
3 Ronan HOARE Male VM35-39 18:15
7 Orla BYRNE Female SW30-34 St Finbarrs AC 19:07
18 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:51
29 Caitríona CODY Female SW25-29 23:01


Glen River: 88 this week, 52 last week. The long term average is 76.

First 3 men & women... 
1 James GRUFFERTY Male VM40-44 18:56
2 Donal COAKLEY Male VM35-39 Leevale AC 18:59
3 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM40-44 19:12
17 Ellie CAFFERKEY Female JW11-14 24:13
27 Nassreen ABDULLAH Female SW30-34 25:45
28 Anna WINNING Female SW30-34 Rebel PT 26:05


Mallow Castle: 70 finishers this week, 76 last week. The long term average is 66.

First 3 men & women...
1 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:28
2 Iain BUCKLEY Male JM11-14 19:02
3 Kieran TWOMEY Male VM55-59 20:49
11 Máire MCKENNA Female VW40-44 23:27
20 Marie ARONSSON-STORRIER Female VW35-39 Lonely Goat RC 24:29
21 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 24:44


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 53 this week, 61 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Micheal CRONIN Male SM30-34 19:06
2 Andrew DE KLERK Male VM45-49 Ballintotis Fit4Life 19:30
3 Shane CARROLL Male VM40-44 Ballintotis Fit4Life 21:07
9 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 24:50
12 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 25:10
13 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 25:38


Macroom Desmense: 51 this week, 37 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:45
2 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 20:21
3 Barry CONDRON Male VM35-39 West Muskerry A.C. 21:55
13 Noreen STEWART Female VW40-44 25:25
17 Daire O MAHONY Female JW10 26:33
18 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:35


Clonakilty: 36 finishers this week, 25 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women...
1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 19:40
2 Daniel DOLLARD Male JM15-17 20:20
3 Jerry KEOHANE Male VM35-39 21:26
12 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 24:00
13 Anna O'NEILL Female VW50-54 24:09
23 Priscilla O'SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 28:22


Glengarriff Woods: There were 50 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was 45 last week, long term average is 58.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Peter LITTLE Male VM45-49 20:33
2 Michael MINEHANE Male VM45-49 Marathon Club Ireland 21:38
3 Michael MCSWEENEY Male VM50-54 Beara AC 21:38
6 Tamela MACIEL Female SW30-34 West End Runners 23:02 
7 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 23:41
13 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:00


Bere Island: 25 this week, 61 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...
1 Sean O SULLIVAN Male SM25-29 21:52
2 Oisin MURPHY Male SM20-24 21:59
5 Shane MCCARTHY Male SM30-34 24:15
3 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:28
4 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 23:48
7 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 25:28


Castlehaven: 25 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 22 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...
1 David FORREST Male VM35-39 Hillsborough & Rivelin RC 21:28
2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:45
3 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 21:56
7 Gemma THORPE Female VW40-44 Hillsborough & Rivelin RC 25:08
11 Anne-Marie GREEN Female VW55-59 27:41
14 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:23


For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: When the answer is always the same ...by Pat Walsh

** When the answer is always the same **

What should I do this weekend?  - A 10 mile run

I am training for long races later in the year so what should my long run be? - A 10 mile run

I have eaten my body weight in mince pies last few weeks, what would be the best distance to lose a few ?  - A 10 mile run

I want to train for short fast races this Summer but need to build up my stamina so what distance should easy weekend run be? - A 10 mile run

I have loads of news to tell my friends and what distance would be the best to chat and get it all out? - A 10 mile run

We have a 10 mile race coming up soon, so what would be good this weekend? Easy one - A 10 mile run

I ran a Marathon last year but undecided about what races to do this Year and want to keep my training going, so what would be good to keep me ticking over? - A 10 mile run

Is 16Km better than 10 miles as a long run? Depends on your age. (I'm old 😉)

What is the ideal distance to run so that you can have a cuppa and something nice after training and not feel guilty? - A 10 mile run 

**
If you are running a 10mile every weekend then it is so easy to:
Be confident when you go to a 10 mile race and perform well.
Add a few miles and you get a good Half Marathon.
Build up a decent block of stamina if your goal is a Marathon later this Year.



**
Don’t overthink it, just go out and do it.

If you haven't quite got up to 10 yet then no worries but keep adding until you get there. It is still only January.

#PWR Have a good weekend