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Saturday, September 30, 2023

Running in Cork News Bites - September 2023


New feature! Sometimes I come across some news items of interest but I don't have the time to put up individual posts about them. I'll collect these here every month under the new News Bites post.

Here are a selection of short news items that I came across during the month of September 2023.

27th Sept 2023 - Rosscarbery 5k deferred... A 5k run is usually held in Rosscarbery in October every year. The upcoming event has been deferred until the Spring of 2024.

26th Sept 2023 - Record number of Junior parkrun events... The parkrun organisation have announced that a record 427 junior parkrun events were held worldwide last weekend. There are currently 7 in Co Cork with an 8th on the way in Haulbowline.

26th Sept 2023 - Dingle entries open Wed 27th Sept... The Dingle Marathon & Half-Marathon will be held next on Saturday 7th September 2024. Entries open on Wed 27th Sept 2023 and the entries for the half will be snapped up in no time. If you want to do it then enter asap. It's €84.73 for the full marathon and €73.83 for the Half-Marathon. - Update: The Half sold out on the 28th of Sept.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 30th Sept 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 30th Sept 2023. Approximately 339 runners and walkers took part in the 9 events in Co Cork.

Notes... Ballincollig was cancelled this week due to flooding, numbers for the other events were down due to the wet weather.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 252 this week, 302 last week. Long term average 285

First 3 men & women... CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING ON THE COURSE
Ballincollig results... 

Tramore Valley Park: 139 runners took part in this event, 179 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...
1 Fergal MURPHY Male SM20-24 18:07
2 Edmond BYRNE Male VM50-54 18:11
3 Eoghan CORMICAN Male SM30-34 18:40
8 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:50
12 Sophie O CALLAGHAN Female JW11-14 20:52
14 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 20:55


Glen River: 46 this week, 70 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Mike GASCOIGNE Male VM35-39 UK parkrun tourists 20:36
2 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 21:19
3 John KELLY Male VM45-49 21:58
8 Maria FITZGERALD Female VW45-49 Ealing Eagles Running Club 23:10
15 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 27:53
17 Sarah BYRNE Female SW30-34 28:14


Mallow Castle: 24 finishers this week, 50 last week. The long term average is 63.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Daire O SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 17:54
2 Unknown    
3 Ken DEANE Male VM40-44 21:07
7 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 26:40
9 Mary WALSH Female VW55-59 28:14
10 Eleanor RYAN Female VW35-39 29:12


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 31 this week, 46 last week. The long term average is 57.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:31
2 Pj AHERNE Male SM30-34 19:56
4 Wojciech GASIOROWSKI Male VM45-49 Polish Runners Club Ireland 21:35
3 Breda LYNCH Female VW35-39 20:52
7 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 24:09
9 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:54


Macroom Desmense: 24 this week, 35 last week. Long term average is 51.

First 3 men & women...
1 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 19:16
2 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 21:10
3 Diarmuid HOLLAND Male VM50-54 22:10
7 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 23:25
8 Claire CURTIN Female VW35-39 24:03
9 Carrie DESMOND Female VW40-44 24:44


Clonakilty: 16 finishers this week, 33 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:24
2 John FREYNE Male VM55-59 26:13
4 Slarti BARTFAST Male VM50-54 26:58
3 Katie HARTE Female SW30-34 26:46
7 Niamh RYAN Female VW40-44 30:45
8 Rebekah FREYNE Female SW20-24 30:56


Glengarriff Woods: There were 39 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 52 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:43
2 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 22:05
3 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 23:20 
9 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 25:10
10 Roisin COMER Female SW25-29 25:31
12 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:20


Bere Island: 12 this week, 39 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 
1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:24
2 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:45
5 Laura OBRIEN Female VW35-39 28:36
3 Breandan MURPHY Male SM20-24 26:27
4 Tadhg HOBBS Male JM15-17 28:04
6 Darren MCGILL Male VM40-44 28:37


Castlehaven: 8 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 23 last week. Long term average 28.

First 3 women & men...
1 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 22:05
2 Brendan CROWLEY Male VM40-44 23:30
3 Owen COLLINS Male SM25-29 26:15
7 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:46
8 Mary HOURIHANE Female VW65-69 43:07
...


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

Sports First Aid Training Course in Cork City - Q4 2023

Cork Sports Partnership are organising a series of  Sports First Aid courses in Cork City on four dates in Q4 of 2023. They run from about 9:30am to 3:30pm and they cost €42.40.

Considering the modest fee, a lot of clubs might consider paying for some of their members to attend.

The courses will be held at the Old Cork Waterworks Experience Events Centre on the Lee Road which is about 400m west of Thomas Davis Bridge.

From Cork Sports Partnership... "This Sports First Aid Training course is advisable for anybody who is involved or participates in sport ie coaches, parents, teachers, physical activity leaders etc. Delivered in person this course is interactive and delivered by ER Training. 

Upcoming Dates: Saturday 28th October, Sunday 12th November, Sunday 26th November, and Saturday 2nd December 2023

Contact Louise at lburke AT corksports DOT ie for questions or queries"

You can register HERE

Friday, September 29, 2023

Friday Jigsaw: Cork City Marathon 2023


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo from the 2023 Cork City Marathon and someone in Bishopstown using a water hose to help cool down one of the runners. 

You can find the 150-piece jigsaw HERE

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Brooks Shoe Trial at John Buckley Sports - Tues 3rd Oct 2023


Brooks are one of the current sponsors of the parkrun and they are holding a number of shoe trials and fitting around the country. On Tuesday the 3rd of October 2023, they will be at John Buckley Sports in Cork City which is across the river from the Opera House.

Parkrun Ireland sent out the following message... "Are you looking for the perfect shoe for your parkrun journey? Join our friends at Brooks and their team of Tech Rep experts as they travel around the country offering free shoe fittings and technical advice to all walkers, joggers and runners!"

📍John Buckley Sports - Mulgrave Rd, Camden Quay, Cork

📆 Tuesday 3 October

⏰ 17:00 for a 5k trial run

"Register for a free try-on event and 5k run at 17:00 from the retail store with the chance to trial the latest Brooks products, followed by post-run refreshments – what could be better?!"

You can register at this LINK

Dublin Grant Thornton 5k race numbers improve in 2023

One of the big road races this week in Ireland was the Grant Thornton 5k in Dublin on Tues 26th Sept with 3,011 runners crossing the finish line. It can be interesting to look at big races like this and see what the national trends might be.

As can be seen from the graphic above, there was some recovery in numbers in 2023 compared to a big drop in 2022. The Grant Thornton 5k race in Cork shows a similar pattern in that the numbers were much higher in the years before 2020 with a big drop in 2022 and then a modest recovery in 2023.

The Dublin numbers for 2023 are down 29% on the figure for 2019 while Cork shows a very similar pattern with a 30% drop for the same 2023 to 2019 comparison.

It also follows the pattern for a lot of road races i.e. numbers in 2023 were better than 2022 but not back to where they used to be.

The big question now is if the bigger race numbers will return over the next year or two or are the numbers for 2023 the new norm? With race entry fees rising, I suspect it'll be the latter.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Notice: Éalú Lua Adventure Race in Ballingeary - Sat 30th Sept 2023


The Éalú Lua Adventure Race takes place this Saturday (30th September) in Ballingeary. Participants will run, cycle & kayak around the picturesque villages, hills & valleys as well as Locha Lua.

Registration will close at the latest noon on Thursday. This is an ideal event for new to or starting out in adventure racing.

Update - 28th Sept 2023 : CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST

From the organisers... "A Chairde, We regret to inform you that due to the current and forecasted heavy rainfall and strong winds  we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Éalú Lua Adventure Race. We have sent an email with further information including refund details to all entrants. 

We apologise for any convenience caused. 

Ó foireann Éalú Lua."

📆 Sat, 30th Sept
📍 Balllingeary
⏰ 10am - Four waves
🏃🏻‍♀️ 5km Run
🚴🏻‍♂️ 20km Cycle
🛶 1.5km Kayak

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Notice: Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k in Tramore Valley Park - Sun 1st Oct 2023


The fourth Douglas Credit Union Charity 5k is coming up in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City on Sunday the 1st of October 2023 at 11am.

The entry fee is €12 (plus €1 online fee) and all proceeds from this event go to two deserving charities, Cork Cancer Care Centre and Feileacain

ENTER HERE

(€6 for U16's... must be accompanied by an adult)


You can also enter on the morning of the event.

There will be prizes for top 3 men and women along with spot prizes for those taking part.

Runners, joggers, walkers and buggies are all welcome.

This is a chip timed race through popupraces.ie



Please note that there will be a draw for a free pair of Brooks running shoes for all those who pre-enter courtesy of John Buckley Sports.

Single use shoes help Ethiopian woman set new marathon world record in Berlin


At the 2023 Berlin Marathon last weekend, Tigist Assefa from Ethiopia set a new women's world record for the marathon with a finishing time of 2h 11m 53s. The previous record of 2:14:04 was set by Brigid Kosgei in the 2019 Chicago Marathon. The previous record to that was the 2:15:25 set by Paula Radcliffe in the 2003 London Marathon.

Assefa also ran the 2022 Berlin Marathon in a time of 2:15:37, which was the third-fastest women’s marathon in history at the time.

The improvement of the new record was 2m 11s and it's fair to say that the huge improvement will raise a lot of eyebrows. Irish sports journalist Cathal Dennehy made the following observations...

1) Tigist Assefa's time of 2:11:53 was faster than the first 11 men's winners of the Berlin Marathon (1974 to 1984).

2) It took until 1967 for a man to run a marathon this fast.

3) The half-marathon split of 1:06:21 would have been a half-marathon world record for women until 2001.


A lot of coverage has been given to the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes which weigh just 138 grams. Like other modern high tech shoes, these ones have a forefoot rocker which is designed to trigger forward momentum and increase energy return.

Not only do these shoes cost an eye-watering €500 but Adidas say that they are designed for 'one race – so one marathon – plus familiarisation time'.

The world record time was due in no small part to the technology of these new shoes but I'm sure a lot of people will question if there was something else.

Monday, September 25, 2023

Cork runner Michael Harty wins the Rathfarnham 5k - Sun 24th Sept 2023


The big race in Dublin over the weekend was the Rathfarnham 5k with a field of 996 runners. The winner was Michael Harty from Cloyne in East Cork who finished in a time of 14m 32s.

Top 3 men...
1 Michael HARTY 14:32 8231 M M40 East Cork A.C.
2 Daniel STONE 14:37 5051 M M DUB MS Raheny Shamrock A.C.
3 David SCANLON 14:38 5169 M M DUB MS Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.

Full results HERE

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Notice: Paul Brunnock Memorial Run - Sat 4th Nov 2024


This brand new event is coming up on the Waterford Greenway near Dungarvan on Saturday 4th November 2023.

Update 29th Oct 2023... SOLD OUT

Update 5th Oct 2023... West Waterford AC say there is a lot of interest in this race so enter asap if interested.

Here are the race distances with entry fee and starts times...

50K Ultra - € 35 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 8:30 AM

Full Marathon - € 30 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 8:30 AM

Half Marathon - € 25 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 9:00 AM

10K - € 15 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 9:30 AM

5K - € 10 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 12:00 NOON

ONLINE ENTRY... https://www.njuko.net/paulbrunnockmci


Saturday, September 23, 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 23rd Sept 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 23rd Sept 2023. Approximately 779 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 252 this week, 302 last week. Long term average 285

First 3 men & women... 
1 Govinda O'SULLIVAN Male SM25-29 Eagle A.C. 18:09  
2 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:23
3 Jonathon KAKLAMANIS Male JM15-17 19:11
33 Mary SWEENEY Female VW60-64 St Finbarrs AC 22:46
55 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 24:22
62 Maria MADIGAN Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 24:50


Tramore Valley Park: 179 runners took part in this event, 193 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...
1 Donncha HUGHES Male SM20-24 Blackrock AC 16:34
2 Shane COONEY Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:35
3 David MURPHY Male SM25-29 St Finbarrs AC 18:07
17 Sophie O CALLAGHAN Female JW11-14 20:33
28 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:08
40 Kelly FOLEY Female VW35-39 22:34


Glen River: 70 this week, 74 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Alan SMITH Male SM30-34 Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC 19:39
2 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 19:47
3 Marko HRNCIC Male VM35-39 21:04
19 Misha PANKHANIA Female VW35-39 24:14
26 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:11
27 Apolline EHKIRCH Female VW35-39 26:30


Mallow Castle: 50 finishers this week, 49 last week. The long term average is 64.

First 3 men & women... 
1 John CROWLEY Male VM35-39 20:55
2 Thomas CROSSAN Male VM35-39 20:56
3 Ken DEANE Male VM40-44 20:57
9 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:24  
11 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:26
12 Grainne POWER Female SW30-34 25:37


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 46 this week, 46 last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 
1 James COADE Male SM30-34 19:48
5 Ronald ILSLEY Male VM60-64 22:34
7 Mike MCMAHON Male VM50-54 23:52
2 Breda LYNCH Female VW35-39 20:49
3 Sarah STANBRIDGE Female SW30-34 Crawley Saints and Sinners Running Club 21:18
4 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 22:18


Macroom Desmense: 35 this week, 40 last week. Long term average is 51.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:26
3 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 22:03
4 Enda O'FLAHERTY Male VM40-44 22:46
2 Martina KIELY Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:23
11 Claire CURTIN Female VW35-39 24:40
13 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:17


Clonakilty: 33 finishers this week, 29 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:00
2 Chris HAYES Male VM35-39 22:19
3 Declan MC PEAKE Male SM20-24 23:28
6 Emily GLEN Female VW35-39 23:50
8 Anna O'NEILL Female VW50-54 24:07
10 Claire ROCKALL Female SW30-34 24:42


Glengarriff Woods: There were 52 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 68 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 21:19
2 Cathal D'HONDT Male JM11-14 21:38
3 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:40
7 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:20
9 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 23:05      
12 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:19


Bere Island: 39 this week, 39 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 
1 Billy MORIARTY Male JM11-14 St Brendan's AC Ardfert 20:26
2 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 20:37
3 Peter JOHNSON Male VM55-59 Striders of Croydon AC 21:35
4 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 22:51
5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:06     
10 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 26:15


Castlehaven: 23 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 13 last week. Long term average 28.

First 3 women & men...
1 Joshua BRAIN Male VM35-39 Rogue Runners 20:21
2 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:12
3 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:22
4 Pinja HAIKKA Female VW35-39 Rogue Runners 22:40
6 Emma O' SULLIVAN Female SW30-34 23:07
8 Catherine AIREY Female SW30-34 Highgate Harriers 24:48


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

Photos of the Farran NS 5k in Farran Woods - Thurs 21st Sept 2023


Farran National School held their annual 5k fun run in Farran Woods on Thurs 21st Sept 2023.

Joe Murphy has two photo galleries... Album 1 & Album 2

Results below...



Guest Post: How to win a category prize ...by Pat Walsh

 ** How to win a category prize **

Like a catchy slogan or a bit of click-bait on social media, that heading got your attention..!

How to win a prize, I have no idea.

I run because I can and I enjoy it. I look at the winners in the categories and I know how hard they work to be up there and they deserve anything they get. I’m a runner, they are athletes. I wasn’t doing times 20 hears ago that are winning my age group so it isn’t a bother to me.

I win when I can get to a start line.
I set my own realistic goals and try to achieve them.
I know where I am and what I am capable of.
I won’t / can’t put in the huge blocks of training as my time and more importantly my body won’t allow it.
If I ever won a category prize I probably would get a heart attack anyway.

Don’t get bogged down in times and what others are doing. If you are running a race then you are in the top 5% in the country for fitness for your age group anyway. Do you need more than that?

Concentrate on your enjoyment and continuous participation. 
If I get a block of training together then I raise my expectations of a decent time by my standards.
If there are hiccups or mishaps in preparation and training then I readjust the target and just do it.
Life is being happy, accepting where you are and just run.
Be grateful and thankful for your health. You are winning every day you run.

#pwr

Friday, September 22, 2023

Friday Jigsaw: 2023 Echo Women's mini-marathon


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo from last Sunday's Echo Women's mini-marathon.

This one has 126-pieces so it should be pretty easy to do. You can find it HERE

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Results & Photos of the Echo Women's mini-marathon - Sun 17th Sept 2023


The Echo women's mini-marathon was held on Sunday 17th Sept 2023 on what was an overcast but dry day. A total of 2664 runners and walkers crossed the finish line this year, a drop of 8% on the figure for 2022.

The first woman was Lizzie Lee pictured above in a time of 17m 19s, just 7-seconds ahead of Hannah Steeds in second place.

Top 5 women...
1 Lizzie LEE Leevale AC 17:19
2 Hannah STEEDS Leevale AC 17:26
3 Amy POLLMANN-DAAMWN An Riocht 17:43
4 Carol FINN Leevale AC 17:44
5 Michelle KENNY Leevale AC 17:48

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) There are 8 albums up on the Running in Cork Facebook page....
a) Album 1 of 8

2) The Snapper has several albums at Pairc Ui Chaoimh...

3) Joe Murphy has several albums...

Numbers... A post event article in the Echo claimed the following... "The annual Mini-Marathon got underway at 12 noon on Kennedy Quay and between 4,000 and 5,000 people participated in today’s event."

This is way more than the actual number of 2,664 recorded by the chip timing company crossing the finish line.


The numbers for the Echo Women's mini-marathon are shown above and there has been a dramatic drop since 2019.

Not so long ago, the entry fee for this event was down around €10. Now it's €20-€25 which is a lot considering the participants get nothing like a dry fit running top and none of the entry fee goes to charity.

Over the years, the participants of the Echo Women's mini-marathon have generated millions for charity. By contrast, the organisers give nothing to charity.

I suspect a lot of women are questioning the point of paying €20-€25 for an entry fee when they can just do a run for free and give that money to a charity instead.

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Results of the Rockchapel 5k - Fri 15th Sept 2023

A smallish crowd of 62 runners turned out for this 5k road race in Rockchapel in NW Cork.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Thomas Kiely North Cork AC 16:30 Male 122
2 Killian Lynch West Limerick AC  16:38 Male 89
3 Johnny O Sullivan Grange Fermoy A.C 17:52 Male 109
7 Emma Flynn North Cork AC 18:33 Female 119
8 Michaela Flynn North Cork AC  19:11 Female 120
11 Siobhan Daly An Riocht  19:37 Female 132

Full results HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 16th Sept 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 16th Sept 2023. Approximately 853 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 302 this week, 253 last week. Long term average 285

First 3 men & women... 
1 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:37
2 Nicholas KAKLAMANIS Male SM20-24 18:53
3 Lance DOHERTY Male VM45-49 Somerville Road Runners 19:09
12 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:01
13 Ella COLLINS Female JW15-17 Bandon AC 20:13
28 Niamh O'RIORDAN Female SW30-34 Galway City Harriers 21:23


Tramore Valley Park: 193 runners took part in this event, 131 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...
1 Heywood RICHARDSON Male SM25-29 16:18
2 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 17:27
3 James GRUFFERTY Male VM40-44 18:15
15 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 20:58
17 Ciara O'GORMAN Female SW18-19 21:06
31 Laura MAYE Female SW30-34 22:34


Glen River: 74 this week, 60 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Donal COLLINS Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:50
2 Seamus LEDDY Male VM40-44 Abbey Runners Leeds 20:19
3 Stephen GEOGHEGAN Male VM50-54 St Finbarrs AC 21:23
15 Yan ZHANG Female VW35-39 Sanctuary Runners 26:08
16 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:13
18 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 26:54


Mallow Castle: 49 finishers this week, 66 last week. The long term average is 64.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Conor LAVERY Male SM20-24 19:27
2 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 20:46
3 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 21:15
5 Niamh LAVERY Female JW15-17 21:30
6 Norleen KENNY Female VW40-44 21:51
9 Denise TWOHIG Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:19


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 46 this week, 37 last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Peter BONNER Male VM45-49 Grantham Running Club 19:24
2 Keith BARRY Male VM45-49 St Catherines AC 19:30
3 Ciaran COLEMAN Male VM45-49 20:54
6 Anna PAWLIK Female VW35-39 24:09
8 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 24:25
10 Susan DINEEN Female VW40-44 24:30


Macroom Desmense: 40 this week, 37 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...
1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:23 
2 Sam O'RIORDAN Male SM18-19 Leevale AC 19:02
3 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 21:56
6 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 22:43
12 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:20
14 Teresa MOORE Female VW45-49 26:43


Clonakilty: 29 finishers this week, 38 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Darragh WINTERS Male JM15-17 20:32
2 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 21:16
3 John HEFFERNAN Male VM45-49 21:49
13 Kathleen O'REGAN Female VW35-39 26:42
14 Jennifer AHERNE Female SW30-34 27:27
16 Caroline O'DONNELL Female SW30-34 28:18


Glengarriff Woods: There were 68 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 46 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:18
2 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:37
3 Dolf D'HONDT Male VM40-44 21:44
11 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:39
13 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 24:55
17 Karen CROWLEY Female SW25-29 25:17


Bere Island: 39 this week, 65 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 
1 Fionn HANLEY Male JM15-17 24:11
6 Unknown
11 Edwin HARPER Male VM65-69 34:19
2 Alaw Haf O'ROURKE Female SW20-24 24:29
3 Breeda O'SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:45
4 Mags O'NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 28:34 


Castlehaven: 13 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 24 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...
1 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 20:52
2 John O'MAHONY Male SM25-29 20:55
3 Neil O'DRISCOLL Male VM45-49 26:30
5 Olive MCCARTHY Female VW50-54 Togher AC 30:20
6 Frances LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 30:22
9 Patricia O'DRISCOLL Female VW45-49 32:46


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

Guest Post: Plan for Fun ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Plan for Fun **

Does a little planning add to the fun of running or not?

Do you just go where the road takes you? 

Do you not worry about fuel or hydration and wonder sometimes why your run wasn’t as much fun as you may have thought?

We are all different and have varying ways of approaching things.

I personally like to:

have my run planned, 
have my hydration and fuel in the days leading up to it,
have adequate rest before a long run,
have re-fueling stops sorted if required,
and know where the hills are so I can be mentally ready for them.

This comes to mind watching the rugby this week and the athletics a few weeks ago. I was listening to the interviews about the preparation in advance and the ability to perform. Most of the outcomes can be pre-determined by the preparation. They speak of little glitches in preparation having huge consequences on the day.

As amateurs we cannot hope to match 10-20% of their levels of readiness, but we can still help ourselves. How we can we just rock up on the day and hope it all goes well.

Running should and can be fun. But the most fun is from a well planned run where you enjoyed it all, hit no surprise dips and finished without being totally shattered or dehydrated.

Fun is looking back after the run and thinking that it was ok, I was capable, I was able to chat, I wasn’t dying for water or feeling my energy levels had bonked.

No-one reading this article is a professional but never be afraid to learn from them and adapt their best practices to suit your own needs.

Don’t be a slave to the watch or get too worried about times. If your enjoyment is a run with friends, then do a little in advance to make it as enjoyable as possible. 

Sometimes the fun is sitting having a cup of coffee afterwards and not having to lay on the ground hoping to drink it through a straw.

That is fun, that is the secret to developing a love of running rather than a chore to do.
Long-term we stay doing what we enjoy or else it becomes just a passing hobby.
'Proper preparation and planning, prevents poor performance‘


Another holiday pic to brighten your weekend. No fears, I’m at home in the rain.. 

#pwr #havefun

Friday, September 15, 2023

Guest Post: THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF A THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION ...by John Walshe

THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF A THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION ...By John Walshe (a shortened version of this article appears in the Echo of 14/09/2023)

At the Cork BHAA race in Little Island earlier this year, it would be safe to assume that few of the 400 participants would be aware of the running achievements of the smiling lady behind the counter patiently handing out cups of tea and coffee.

But it’s not only for the numerous competitive honours achieved that Brid Murphy should be acknowledged and remembered, but also for the remarkable, inspiring and equally tragic story that lays behind her introduction to the sport.

Once described in a magazine as “bubbling and effervescent and who speaks with a merry twinkle in her soft and musical Cork voice,” as she sits in the family home at Glounthaune looking out over Cork Harbour, one cannot but help notice the change in tone as she emotionally recalls a heart-rending incident all of 40 years ago.

“Our little boy David, our third child, was born on December 23, 1982 and he tragically died of a cot death on February 7, 1983. Naturally enough, the whole family – my husband David and our two other children, Vincent and Valerie – were devastated.”

Brid, a native of Mallow, then aged 30, had heard of cot deaths. But, naturally enough, never thought it would darken their door. The family lived in Ballyvolane at the time and after the tragedy she hated being on her own in the house when her two children had gone to school and with David at work.

 “A number of my neighbours had started training for the Echo Mini-Marathon and my brother Michael, who knew I liked sports, suggested that I join them as I found it very hard to get up in the morning and get myself motivated.

“There was one neighbour who used to go out at seven in the morning and I started with her, another one went out at 10 o’clock and I joined her as well and then a group of us would go out again in the evening. It was just something to focus on.”

Brid Murphy (L) pictured with Ann Cummins (R) at a Cork BHAA race earlier this year

It was quite an achievement for someone who had never run before. And, in the autumn of 1983, when she was expecting her second daughter, Edel, Brid completed the Mini-Marathon for the first time. “The doctor said it was okay to run, he knew it was helping me and helping the family as well.”

Moving on to 1986, Brid’s running had now progressed to such an extent that she had joined Leevale Athletic Club. “I got a lot of help there from the late Kevin Barry who made me very welcome, along with Anne Murphy from Dublin, then based in Cork, who made out a training schedule for me.”

That year she ran the Mini-Marathon (then over 10km) in 42 minutes. The following year she finished second and although first place would elude her, she would also add another second in 1995, along with four third-place finishes (1990, 91, 92, 94).

“It was Pat Dempsey, who lived near me, along with Jackie Motherway, who got me into marathon running. I only had one long run done when I ran Dublin in 1987, and despite hitting the wall I finished in 3:47. The following year, again training with Pat and with advice now from Donie Walsh, I broke the three hours.”

The years of 1989, 1900 and 1991 saw her finish third on each occasion at the Dublin show-piece. Her fastest time of 2:43:00 was achieved in 1992, which also gained her the coveted BLE national title. First that year was Karen Cornwall from the UK in 2:41:58 and just 11 seconds ahead of Brid was Ethiopian Addis Gezahegne who had recorded 2:35:05 in Rotterdam the year before.

That time of 2:43:00 would remain the fastest by a Cork woman until Sonia O’Sullivan’s 2:29:01 in London 13 years later. It still places Brid Murphy fifth on the all-time Cork list. She would retain her national title the following year in Clonmel, recording 2:51:33. Nebraska-based Catriona Dowling, home on holidays for the race had kept Murphy company for 13 miles before the Dubliner moved ahead. By 20 miles she had a lead of two minutes, but the Leevale athlete never panicked and closed her down with two miles to go to take the win.


Brid would add another marathon title in 1996; this was no doubt the sweetest of all as it took place in her home town of Mallow. Her time of 2:52:52 gave her a margin of almost 20 minutes over Mary-Beth Dillon from the USA. Having decided not to travel to Boston, her decision proved to be correct as she took her third national crown, a remarkable achievement at 43 years of age. Third overall that day was another vet, Eileen Kenny from St Finbarr’s (mother of Leevale’s Michelle).

The IAAF World Marathon Cup was incorporated into the London Marathon of 1991 and there, as part of the Irish team, Brid had recorded another fine time of 2:47:41. At that stage she was part of a national marathon squad led by Brendan O’Shea, a former national marathon champion himself but better known as the man who had guided Jerry Kiernan to ninth place in the 1984 Olympic Marathon. “When I had finished third the first time in Dublin, Brendan got in contact and he was very good to me, including me in weekend coaching sessions and the like.”

Training in the lead up to marathons would reach an elite level of 100 miles a week. “Maybe for about three weeks, we would reach that amount. On a Sunday morning we would do 22 or 23 miles and then go out again in the evening to bring the total up to the full marathon distance.”

The Belfast Marathon of 1992 saw Brid finishing second behind Catherine Smyth from Dublin. This was not without drama, as she explains: “The morning of the marathon I was on the way down for breakfast when the lift broke. I was there for about three-quarters of an hour and the hotel said as it was a Bank Holiday they didn’t know when they could get me out.” Luckily, it was Brendan O’Shea who managed to locate someone to get the problem sorted. Amazingly, Murphy wasn’t fazed as she went on to record what would be her second fastest time of 2:45:49.

Brid Murphy’s athletics CV certainly makes impressive reading. Numbered among her other achievements are three victories in the Cork to Cobh 15-mile (1993, 94, 96); two Ballycotton Summer Series overall victories (1990, 91); three times a scoring member of the winning Leevale team in the Cork County senior cross-country (1990, 91, 92). Twice in 1991 she broke the hour for 10 miles – at Ballycotton (59:59) and Charleville (59:52).

In 1992, Brid received the Irish Runner/Seiko Award for Outstanding Performances in Athletics and other honours to come her way include a Waterford Crystal Achiever Award in 1994 and a Munster Athlete of the Month for April 1996.

“Looking back, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it and got great opportunities out of it,” says this remarkable and inspirational woman. And she has no regrets given the opportunities and prizes now available in races, especially for women: “No, prizes were never that important to me. If I won something, it was great,” she says with a smile, recalling the type of awards then on offer such as tea sets, bread bins and the like.

There’s no doubt that Brid owes a lot to the Echo Women’s Mini-Marathon and those neighbours in Ballyvolane where it all began. “That really got me going, mentally and physically. It was the first time I ever went running, I started to meet more people and it took the whole family out of a tragic situation and started me into doing something I would never have done.

“Along the way, I also raised a lot of money through sponsorship for research into cot deaths through the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association. Especially in the marathons, even if you felt bad, that was certainly an incentive to keep going.”

A list of previous guest posts from John Walshe can be seen HERE

New athletics track opens in Newcastle West - Sept 2023


On the 14th of September 2023, the new athletics track in Newcastle West in Co Limerick was officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. As you can seen from the photo above, the track is also floodlit which is essential for the dark winter months.

Up to now, most athletic tracks have been in cities like Cork, Limerick and Waterford. This is one of the first of a new wave of athletic tracks which are being built in regional towns. 

For reference, Newcastle West in west Limerick has a population of about 7,000 people. New 400m athletic tracks are being constructed in Clonmel (pop 17,000) and Bandon (pop 7,000).

There are plans for new tracks in Mallow (pop 13,000) and Carrigaline (pop 16,000). This then raises the question of whether it's viable to have athletic tracks in towns like Midleton (pop 13,000), Youghal (pop 8,000) or Fermoy (pop 7,000)?

New athletic tracks are probably of most benefit to juveniles and a cheaper 200m track might suit nearly all of their requirements. An obvious place to have one would be in a town like Bantry in west Cork (pop 3,000). It might be too small to justify a full size 400m track but a 200m track might be perfect?

Photos...
There are photos of the launch in Newcastle West by Eamon Doody HERE

Friday Jigsaw: Cork City 10-miler 2014


For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo taken by Joe Murphy at the 2014 Cork City 10-miler. The photo shows Orla Drumm on her way to winning the race.

This is a tough jigsaw with 396-pieces. You can find it HERE

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Organisers of Echo Women's mini-marathon shorten course after huge drop in numbers

In 2022, the numbers taking part in the Echo Women's mini-marathon event dropped a whopping 56%... see this previous post. This year, the organisers have now reduced the course from 6kms to 5kms in length.

The 6k course used to go down the Marina to Blackrock and then back up the Blackrock Rd. The new 5k course stays mostly on the Centre Park Rd and Monahan Rd and in around Pairc Ui Chaoimh which means that the Marina and Blackroad Rd can stay open to other users.

The new 5k course has a number of sharp bends which is usually a bad idea when there are a lot of people taking part but the field should have thinned out by the 2km mark so it shouldn't be an issue.

Note that this is a commercial event and none of the proceeds go to charity. If you're doing it, consider making a donation to your chosen charity.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Mallow Castle 5k parkrun hits the 100 mark - Sept 2023


The Mallow Castle 5k parkrun held its 100th edition on the 9th September 2023. The first one was on the 4th of September 2021 and the average number of participants per event is 64.

The chart above shows the numbers for all 100. The numbers seemed to have dropped off in 2022 compared to 2021 but there seems to a recovery in 2023.

This is of course not the first 5k parkrun in Mallow. The previous Mallow Town 5k parkrun was held in the town park next to the river and it was held 55 times with an average of 75.4.


If we take out the first few events then the average for the current Mallow Castle event isn't that far off the old Mallow Town event.

The new Mallow Castle event is also on a paved surface whereas the old parkrun could often be muddy in wet weather as sections were on grass.

For more information on the Mallow Castle 5k parkrun, go to https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/

For more info on the parkruns in Co Cork, click HERE

Monday, September 11, 2023

New junior parkrun starting in Haulbowline Park - Q4 2023


There has been a lot of interest in junior parkruns in Cork in the last year and as of Sept 2023, there are seven up and running. It now looks like number eight is on the way!

A new junior parkrun for Haulbowline Park in Cork Harbour has now been approved and is expected to start in Q4 of 2023. This one should be of special interest to parents in Carrigaline as it's only a 7km drive away.

The course will be two loops of the grassland park.

They are currently looking for volunteers to help out. If you want to help get this 2k parkrun up and running then email john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com .

For more information on the 5k and 2k parkruns in Co Cork, go to the parkrun page on the blog.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Results of the Charleville Half-Marathon - 10th Sept 2023

Michael Harty winning the 2023 Charleville Half-Marathon


The Charleville Half-Marathon was held on Sunday 10th Sept 2023 with 993 runners crossing the finish line.

Top 5 men & women...
1 Michael HARTY East Cork A.C. M M40 5543 (1:07:03) 1:07:04
2 William MAUNSELL Clonmel A.C. M MS 555 (1:07:13) 1:07:13
3 Sean DOYLE Cork City A.C. M MS 1349 (1:09:00) 1:09:00
4 Jake O'REGAN St. Johns A.C. M MS 1378 (1:09:31) 1:09:31
5 Andrew NEVIN Mullingar Harriers A.C. M MS 297 (1:11:18) 1:11:18
1 Barbara CLEARY Donore Harriers A.C. F F50 835 (1:19:19) 1:19:20
2 Isobel OAKES Sligo A.C. F FS 1144 (1:19:47) 1:19:53
3 Sinead LYNCH F F45 1048 (1:22:43) 1:22:43
4 Caroline MCLOUGHLIN F FS 1083 (1:23:45) 1:23:49
5 Catherine MURPHY Eagle A.C. F F45 1120 (1:24:24) 1:24:30

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) MyRunResults have some finish line photos HERE

Saturday, September 09, 2023

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 9th Sept 2023



Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 9th Sept 2023. Approximately 757 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 253 this week, 312 last week. Long term average 284

First 3 men & women... 
1 Fintan KERINS Male SM30-34 17:52
2 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 18:31
3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:35
19 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 21:58
21 Mairead PEREZ Female VW50-54 Eagle A.C. 22:05
39 Claire ROCKALL Female SW30-34 23:35


Tramore Valley Park: 131 runners took part in this event, 149 last week. The long term average is 166.

First 3 men & women...
1 Michael O DONOGHUE Male VM40-44 19:26
2 Martin O LEARY Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 20:19
3 Kieran O DONOGHUE Male VM40-44 20:59
7 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 21:31
17 Noreen O FARRELL Female VW35-39 23:04
18 Kelly FOLEY Female VW35-39 23:07


Glen River: 60 this week, 66 last week. The long term average is 74.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Liam MORONEY Male SM25-29 Mornington Chasers 18:47
2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM40-44 19:34
3 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:05
16 Helen MOAKLEY Female VW40-44 25:29
19 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 26:14
20 Rosie DIGNAM Female VW35-39 26:32


Mallow Castle: 66 finishers this week, 65 last week. The long term average is 64.

First 3 men & women... 
1 John BROWNE Male VM40-44 20:55
2 Unknown
4 Unknown
3 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Bweeng Trail Blazers 21:33       
11 Máire MCKENNA Female VW45-49 23:55
15 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:57


Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 37 this week, 50 last week. The long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 
1 John POWER Male SM25-29 23:30
3 John O'REGAN Male VM50-54 Le Cheile AC 24:32
5 Liam BYRNE Male JM10 24:44
2 Sinead KANE Female VW40-44 Leevale AC 23:48
4 Oona ROYCROFT Female VW55-59 24:43
8 Ornaith KEANE Female SW25-29 26:20


Macroom Desmense: 37 this week, 30 last week. Long term average is 52.

First 3 men & women...
1 Jude MURPHY Male JM15-17 20:17
2 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 21:31
3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:39
13 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 26:54
14 Sarah CUDDIHY Female JW15-17 27:15
16 Maria NEVILLE Female VW50-54 West Muskerry A.C. 28:14


Clonakilty: 38 finishers this week, 29 last week. Long term average 36.

First 3 men & women... 
1 Sam O'RIORDAN Male SM18-19 Leevale AC 18:33
4 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 20:42
5 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 20:43
2 Lucy O'FLYNN Female SW18-19 19:47
3 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:33
12 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:56


Glengarriff Woods: There were 46 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun, it was 63 last week. The long term average is 60.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:56
2 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM11-14 22:02
3 Cathal D'HONDT Male JM11-14 22:40
5 Amelia VAN BASTEN Female SW20-24 23:07
9 Karen CROWLEY Female SW25-29 25:15
10 Marian MINEHANE Female VW40-44 25:19


Bere Island: 65 this week, 51 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women... 
1 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 Kenmare Athletics Club 19:58
2 Unknown  
3 Unknown
6 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 22:03
9 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:12
11 Anita HAMILTON Female VW65-69 Cosmic Hillbashers 27:33


Castlehaven: 24 finishers this week in Rineen Woods, 30 last week. Long term average 29.

First 3 women & men...
1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:14
2 James WHITE Male VM35-39 22:23
5 Unknown
3 Catherine AIREY Female SW30-34 Highgate Harriers 23:59
4 Ruthann SHEAHAN Female VW45-49 Athenry Athletics Club 26:14
7 Mary Anne MCCARTHY Female SW30-34 28:40


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