Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 7th Sep 2024

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 7th Sept 2024. Approximately 900 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Report... 

ONGOING

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 295 this week, 301 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 19:02

2 David CALLANAN Male JM15-17 19:16

3 Rory VILLIERS Male VM35-39 19:35

5 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 20:03

15 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:17

23 Jessica LEGRESLEY Female VW40-44 22:08

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/340/

Tramore Valley Park: 214 this week, 195 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Aiden LENNAN Male SM25-29 16:02

2 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 17:37

3 Jp TREACY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:32

6 Caoimhe NIC FHOGARTAIGH Female VW45-49 Southwark Athletics Club 19:08

8 Kersha DWYER Female VW45-49 20:28

12 Allie PHILLIPS Female JW11-14 Carraig na bhFear AC 20:56

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/120/

Glen River: 66 this week, 75 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Adam PATERSON Male VM35-39 Kent AC 18:30

2 Tom O'GORMAN Male SM20-24 20:01

3 Seamus LEDDY Male VM45-49 Abbey Runners Leeds 21:00

10 Mary O DONNELL Female SW20-24 23:18

14 Alison THOMSON Female VW35-39 Kent AC 24:42

23 Ann Marie DONLON Female VW50-54 26:10

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/223/

Mallow Castle: 59 finishers this week, 79 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ruairi MANNING Male SM20-24 16:52

2 Ed O'DWYER Male SM30-34 19:26

3 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 19:46

11 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Bweeng Trail Blazers 23:56

12 Anne DENNEHY Female VW45-49 24:10

14 Emma O'SHEA Female VW40-44 24:32

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/150/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 43 this week, 64 last week.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Kieran FALLON Male SM30-34 20:07

2 Robert RIORDAN Male JM15-17 21:02

4 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 21:22

3 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:09

8 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 23:36

10 Ciara TIERNEY Female VW35-39 Tralee Triathlon Club 24:49

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/126/

Macroom Castle Demense: 42 this week, 38 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig SHEAHAN Male VM55-59 Millstreet Athletic Club 21:36

2 Donal MURPHY Male VM40-44 parkrun Trippers 22:02

3 Matt MURPHY Male SM18-19 22:03

14 Caroline O DONNELL Female VW55-59 25:36

16 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry AC 26:23

18 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:56

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/492/

Clonakilty: 24 this week, 41 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 19:12

2 Ciaran BARRY Male VM40-44 21:05

3 Chris HAYES Male VM35-39 21:45

8 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:31

16 Aoife CONNOR Female SW30-34 29:37

17 Karin CONNOLLY Female VW50-54 Bishopstown Orienteering Club 30:34

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/445/

Glengarriff Woods: 70 this week, 63 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM15-17 20:33

2 Sarn HUNNISETT Male VM35-39 20:34

3 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 22:30

6 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 24:23

8 Claire WHITER Female VW40-44 24:38

9 Mary MINEHANE Female JW11-14 25:03

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/363/

Bere Island: 66 this week, 145 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Dee O'BRIEN Female VW45-49 Kent AC 20:46

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:39

7 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:42

3 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 22:11

4 Sean MARKEY Male VM50-54 22:37

5 Jamie MCWATT Male VM50-54 London City Runners 22:49

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/455/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 21 finishers this week, 21 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

2 Donal DIGNAN Male SM30-34 22:42

3 Unknown

8 Esther MURPHY Female VW50-54 Sanctuary Runners 27:30

15 Emer COURTNEY Female VW40-44 33:21

17 Catherine BAILEY Female VW45-49 34:46

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/376/

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

Guest Post: A New PB ...by Pat Walsh

 * A New PB *

Such a simple little two letter abbreviation that causes so much difficulty in the running world. The eternal search for the PB. It has disillusioned so many.

What is Personal Best and what does it mean to you?

Personally I have given up. I will never achieve the times I set over 30 years ago so why bother and why let it upset me. I take every race as a challenge and do my best.

PB for today

I ran a half marathon in Dungarvan on the Greenway last Saturday. It was a PB for me. Never again will I run a half marathon on that particular day, in that same spot again. So it was a PB for the race on the 30/08/2024. Another finish line, another medal and t-shirt. 

Note to West Waterford Athletics Club that organised: Super, everything sorted, I enjoyed the event. I’ll be back for another PB next Year…. ! THANK YOU.

PB for Age

Lovely discussion with Geraldine last week (thanks) about PB for age. If race organisers can group us into age categories and move us as we get older, then why can’t I as a runner reset all my PB’s as I move into each new category. 

So much fun doing this. What happened before doesn’t matter, it is the here and now for the next 5 years.

I’m in the M60 category, every run is a celebration, not an occasion for major introspection about what went wrong.

5K a week

Many people take part in Park Runs and local 5K races regularly over the same course. It is never the same. The wind, the temperature, the humidity all change, so no one single event can ever be replicated. 

You are never the exact same person. Life and what it throws at you change constantly. Embrace the day, live for the moment.

Every Day

Every Day you run is a PB. 

I met a friend for a few slow miles and a chat together. It was a PB for running and chatting.

I ran a half marathon abroad a few years ago on a free, sponsored weekend. It was a PB for running at the right pace so I could enjoy the weekend and not be wrecked.

Run for your health and mental well being and ever day is a PB day.

Final Thought

I met the Great Billy who is far older than me, when I was out running Tuesday Morning. I have mentioned him before as our local hero and inspiration. Beautiful cool morning with the sun shining and we both finished in the same spot. A chat, a smile, an encouraging word. If you could adopt his attitude, run for the love of it and hope to be running for many decades then PB will never enter your vocabulary.

Have a great weekend and if you run don't forget to celebrate your PB.

#pwr

Results & photos of the Cloughduv 5k - Thurs 5th Sept 2024

Top 3 men (L-R)... Paul Cashman 3rd, Padraig O'Donnell 1st & Sean Twohig 2nd

This year's Cloughduv 5k was held on Thursday 5th September with over 300 taking part on what was a dry but windy day. With the evenings closing in, this was one of the last mid-week races on the calendar this year. 

Top 3 men & women...

1 93 16:44 Padraig O'Donnell
2 110 16:47 Sean Twohig
3 235 17:00 Paul Cashman, Watergrasshill AFC
26 332 20:52 Rhona Dempsey

37 333 21:35 Norleen Kenny
38 92 21:40 Niamh McCarthy

Hurley solo - 90 148 25:19 Tom Phelan

Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has some pre-race photos HERE and post race photos HERE

Full results below...

Position Number Time Name
1 093 16:44 Padraig O'Donnell
2 110 16:47 Sean Twohig
3 235 17:00 Paul Cashman, Watergrasshill AC
4 32 17:24 Senan Lynch (West Muskerry)
5 131 17:58 David Comber
6 33 18:08 John Lucey
7 28 18:14 Trevor McGuirk (Bantry AC)
8 111 18:17 John Cronin
9 112 18:36 Alan O'Sullivan
10 242 18:48 John Browne, Buttevant AFC
11 315 19:32 Joe Lacey
12 53 19:34 Johnny Hurley
13 189 19:36 Rory
14 351 19:56 Ed O'Mahony
15 266 20:01 Sean O'Sullivan 
16 292 20:04 Diarmuid O 'Donoghue
17 230 20:05 Brendan Kearney
18 14 20:07 Conor McDonald
19 233 20:14 Dara O Sullivan
20 20:18 Ciaran Twomey
21 43 20:30 Aidan Morgan
22 306 20:33 Pat O'Connor
23 89 20:44 Tony O'Sullivan
24 16 20:49 Peter Keane
25 31 20:50 Sean McConville (St Finbarrs)
26 332 20:52 Rhona Dempsey
27 281 20:54 Michael Hickey 
28 331 20:56 Donal Coakley
29 237 20:57 Mike McGrath, Eagle AC
30 155 21:03 David Burke
31 241 21:10 Gediminas Daskeauskas
32 280 21:12 Ollie Murphy, 
33 87 21:14 Pat Dunlea
34 336 21:17 Donal Murphy
35 326 21:22 Barry Creedon
36 75 21:34 Fionn O'Keeffe
37 333 21:35 Norleen Kenny
38 92 21:40 Niamh McCarthy
39 166 21:51 Gillian Murphy
40 156 21:54 Mark Bryan
41 114 22:06 Brendan O'Callaghan
42 165 22:11 Ava Bamford
43 168 22:21 Jamie Kent
44 310 22:27 Donal O'Donoghue
45 330 22:30 Ryan Downey
46 84 22:32 Nathan Barrett
47 91 22:34 Martin McCarthy
48 52 22:35 Edmund Manning (UCC)
49 17 22:39 Chris Keane
50 125 22:42 Daniel Torrance
51 72 22:53 Mj McKenna
52 188 22:56 Conor Mc Elroy
53 167 23:10 Sean Murphy
54 88 23:22 Jj Murphy
55 113 23:24 Michael Desmond
56 263 23:26 Colette Dennehy 
57 10 23:27 Noel O'Mahony
58 99 23:29 Steven O'Sullivan
59 157 23:31 Anna O'Neil
60 301 23:32 Fiona, Liam Linda Lehane 
61 127 23:34 Clare Curtin
62 130 23:46 richie gough
63 138 23:48 marton istvan
64 51 23:51 Tom Curtis
65 227 23:54 Jim Lucey
66 234 24:08 Pauline O'Riordan
67 309 24:10 Kieran Cotter
68 244 24:11 Henry Packham 
69 206 24:13 Lisa Kingston
70 207 24:14 Aoife Downey
71 308 24:15 Cathal Harrington
72 190 24:17 Annie
73 240 24:19 Shay Connell 
74 284 24:21 Joanne Hickey 
75 239 24:22 Aidan Connell 
76 162 24:24 Donnacha Hickey
77 278 24:27 Martin Butler 
78 229 24:29 Nikita Jepifanovs
79 100 24:35 Denis Carroll
80 320 24:39 Millie McSullivan
81 352 24:43 David O'Callaghan
82 236 24:49 Maurice Corcoran, Midelton AFC
83 180 25:00 Anthony Murphy
84 192 25:02 Mairead MC Elroy
85 41 25:06 Derry Casey (West Muskerry)
86 42 25:08 Bernard Yore (West Muskerry)
87 228 25:12 Caroline Lucey
88 219 25:14 Marie Mc Carthy
89 193 25:16 Darragh Madden
90 148 25:19 Tom Phelan
91 209 25:26 Caoimhe Browne
92 302 25:30 Con, Gearoid, Connor 
93 321 25:32 Erin Kelleher
94 220 25:34 Kevin Mc Carthy
95 163 25:42 Finbarr Hickey
96 56 25:48 Carmel Purcell
97 62 25:50 Annabelle Bullman (West Muskerry)
98 13 25:53 Adam O'Leary
99 304 25:57 Claire Nolan 
100 120 25:58 Dave Bunion
101 116 26:00 Christopher Bunion
102 108 26:02 Conor McGann
103 164 26:04 Eoin Mc Daid
104 285 26:06 Caoihme Nash
105 296 26:09 Emmet Callan 
106 223 26:11 Nathan Daly
107 279 26:14 Donal O'Sullivan, Donoghamore AC
108 322 26:16 Lucy McSullivan
109 340 26:20 Conor Minhane
110 262 26:23 Sheila Trunwit
111 298 26:30 Jerry O'Keffee
112 54 26:43 Reece Hurley
113 318 26:47 Sharon Hayes & Family
115 146 26:52 Catriona Phelan
116 297 26:58 Paul Cullen 
117 300 27:00 Eliza Canty Shireen Rountree
118 305 27:02 Aine Coote 
119 126 27:04 james Butler
120 205 27:06 Rachel Kelleher
121 323 27:14 Conor O'Callaghan
122 181 27:27 Monika Zukauskaite
123 18 27:35 James Keane
124 341 27:37 Conall Minihane
125 137 27:52 Ollie Munroe
126 102 28:06 Clare Cromie
127 132 28:10 Darragh Mc Donnell
128 115 28:12 Denis Fitzgerald
129 338 28:17 Aidan O'Sullivan
130 90 28:18 Dan Buckley
131 243 28:21 Grainne Packham
132 295 28:30 Pauline Callan, Bandon AFC  
133 344 28:37 Aisling Kelleher
134 231 28:47 Dylan Leahy 
135 141 28:49 Róisín Cremin
136 63 28:55 Millie Bullman (West Muskerry)
137 238 29:15 Pat Kearny, Leevale AFC
138 140 29:19 Sharon Casey
139 83 29:21 Kayla Barrett
140 139 29:23 Niamh Casey
141 328 29:28 Adele Walsh
142 288 29:30 Darragh O'Donovan 
143 101 29:32 Noreen Ring
144 173 29:36 Rebecca Ryan
145 68 29:41 Tadgh McCarthy
146 58 29:44 Sadhbh O'Leary
147 247 29:46 Betty O Riordan 
148 61 29:48 Tadgh O'Leary
149 342 29:50 Sam Minihane
150 106 29:57 Siobhan Collins
151 232 29:58 Farrah O'Connor 
152 98 30:01 Ian Doyle
153 67 30:05 Patrick McCarthy
154 268 30:07 Lorraine O'Sullivan 
155 286 30:13 Maria Nash
156 287 30:15 Amy mulcahy
157 124 30:23 Siobhán Torrance
158 142 30:44 Linda Hughes
159 319 30:45 Liz O'Donnell
160 44 30:47 Aoife Kavanagh
161 170 31:18 Cathal Sevin
162 177 31:21 Molly Spillane
163 334 31:26 Mairead Murphy
164 339 31:28 Clara Minihane
165 179 31:31 Robert Spillane
166 178 31:32 Emma Spillane
167 50 31:46 Noah McSweeney
168 94 31:48 Catherine Cronin
169 317 31:51 Jane Willis
170 129 31:54 Cathleen Curtin
171 6 32:09 Yvonne
172 211 32:19 Elaine Jones
173 212 32:20 Síofra Jones
174 213 32:22 Oisín Jones
175 214 32:23 Tiernán Jones
176 348 32:32 Grainne McNabola
177 161 32:37 Paddy Hickey
179 311 32:39 Eric & Sam O'Mahony
180 208 32:43 Reenie Browne
181 246 32:44 Felicity Dawson 
182 147 32:58 Brian Phelan
183 172 33:21 Jimmy Murray
184 136 33:22 Michael Coakley
185 22 33:31 Sean Fogarty
186 27 33:38 Daniel Corcoran
187 185 33:45 Olivia Daly
188 313 33:56 Ann Marie Drummond
189 314 33:57 Maura Barkey
190 291 34:18 Clare O'Dononghue
191 154 34:33 Conor O'Sullivan
192 215 34:40 Pauline Healy
193 73 34:46 Brian O'Leary
194 123 34:49 Karen Henessy
195 117 34:52 samuel Bunion
197 248 34:53 Denis O'Flaherty
198 312 35:04 Caroine Noonan
199 346 35:12 Lana Gerin
200 60 35:13 Dervla O'Leary
201 289 35:16 Cahterine O'Donvovan 
202 3 35:18 Naoise Kinnerk O'Leary
203 271 35:20 Keeva McCarthy
204 226 35:27 Kathleen/ Eve/John McGillycuddy
205 97 35:28 Hugo Iwan
206 153 36:00 Joe O'Sullivan
207 290 36:07 Michael Lenihan 
208 48 36:10 Gearoid O'Halloran Crowley
209 251 36:32 Asling Daly Deasy 
210 350 36:34 Cunningham Family
211 160 37:41 Cara Jolley
212 9 37:55 Senan Casey
213 256 37:59 John Donovan 
214 8 38:41 Culann Hutchinson Kelly
215 276 39:07 Margaret Buckley 
216 86 39:25 Jack Browne
217 85 39:27 Jonathan Browne
218 128 39:29 Saoirse Stokes
219 299 39:35 Michael & Linda, Annemarie & Ciara 
220 80 39:40 Roisin Aherne
221 201 40:17 Thiomas Madden
222 65 40:20 Mary McCarthy
223 133 40:22 Katie May Mc Donnell
224 82 40:59 Callum Barrett
225 354 41:03
226 282 41:09 Eoghan Hickey 
227 303 41:11 Cormac Collins 
228 337 41:17 Leah Irwin
229 216 41:56 Candice Parkins
230 196 42:32 Katelyn O'Callaghan
231 45 42:54 Niamh Kavanagh
232 335 43:01 Aisling Murphy
233 260 43:47 Bobby Magan 
234 59 43:49 Colm O'Leary
235 57 43:52 Nicola O'Leary
236 26 43:54 Oliver Corcoran
237 151 44:21 Lily O'Sullivan
238 37 44:24 Alanna Creedon
239 265 44:27 Alice O'Sullivan 
240 349 44:34 Ann Barry Murphy
241 184 44:45 Lia Daly
242 224 44:46 Lilian Lee
243 23 44:49 Mark Casey
244 24 44:55 Blaithin Casey
245 152 44:56 Abi O'Sullivan
246 109 44:58 Nina McGann
247 2 45:02 Caoimhe Kinnerk O' Leary 
248 183 45:10 Lucy O'Leary
249 36 45:14 Ellie Creedon
250 259 45:18 Ollie Magan
251 7 45:20 Aisling
253 274 45:38 Amy Harrington 
254 79 46:03 Niamh Aherne
255 81 46:05 Niamh Barrett
256 276 46:19 Margaret Buckly 
257 150 46:25 Maeve O'Sullivan
258 107 46:28 Lisa McCarthy
259 347 46:33 Breda Lucey
260 257 46:54 Cathleen Magan
261 258 46:56 Lilly Magan
262 261 47:08 Naha Magan 
263 40 47:19 Elaine O’Driscoll
264 39 47:20 Caoimhe O'Sullivan
265 38 47:21 Noreen Creedon
266 46 47:41 Roisa Kavanagh
267 343 47:43 Molly Minihane
268 345 47:45 Ciara Kelleher
269 121 47:57 Billy Henessy
270 270 48:00 Kelie McCarthy 
271 122 48:03 Patsy Henessy
272 293 48:24 Ellen O'Dononghue 
273 294 48:26 Ellen O'Dononghue 
274 103 48:30 Jen Bateman
275 222 48:31 Aoife Twomey
276 145 48:48 Zoe Mc Lellan
277 134 48:59 Ethan Mc Donnell
278 35 49:08 Kate Whelton
279 25 49:19 Eibhlis Lucey
280 1 49:25 Karoline Kinnerk 
281 324 49:35 Trish Kiely
282 269 49:38 Ryan O'Sullivan 
283 95 49:46 Anthony Falvey
284 77 49:51 Saoirse Cronin
285 76 49:52 Keelin O'Keeffe
286 15 49:54 Eve McDonald
287 275 49:57 Rose Harrington 
288 104 50:05 Ruadhain O'Corrain
289 49 50:07 Mairead McSweeney
290 158 50:09 Mary Mc Carthy
291 11 50:41 Donie O’Leary
293 19 50:43 Martin Keane
294 273 50:51 Ruby Harrington
295 171 51:00 Ciarán Slevin
296 210 51:22 Cathal Duggan
297 307 51:23 laura Downey 
298 272 51:26 Aoibhe Bradley 
300 169 51:47 Siobhán Slevin
301 264 52:51 mary Kelleher 
302 267 53:05 Hugh Kelleher 
303 30 53:16 Alice Harte
304 250 53:31 Sheila Deasy 
305 203 53:34 Geraldine Madden
306 69 53:37 Aoife Madden
307 71 53:39 Catherine McKenna
308 217 54:05 Michael Goulding
309 218 54:07 Michelle Harrington
310 144 55:11 Leo McLellan
311 195 55:40 Catriona O'Callaghan
312 149 55:42 Rachel O'Sullivan
313 143 55:44 Edel Flannery
314 329 56:06 Teddy Walsh
315 64 56:11 Kate McCarthy
316 135 56:21 Karen Mc Donnell
317 204 56:28 Joe Mc Carthy
318 316 56:30 Kay O'Mahony & Anna O'Dowd
319 327 57:35 Karen Walsh

A look at the athletics track in Clonmel - Aug 2024

During the recent Clonmel Half-Marathon, I had a look at the new 400m athletics track which is part of a sports hub located off the N24 which runs along the north side of the town.

Here are some of the key points...

The multipurpose sports facility was built on a 1.88-hectare site, was developed by TUS (Technological University of the Shannon) in partnership with Tipperary County Council and built at a cost of €5.5 million.

Clonmel AC is one of the anchor tenants, along with Clonmel Cycling Club and Clonmel Triathlon Club.

The facility also includes a playground, skatepark, a cycle (pump) track and a walking/running trail.

The official opening of the Clonmel Regional Sports Hub was in June of 2023 by the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The photo above shows the start line on the south side of the athletics track.

The photo above shows the view from the north-east part of  the track. You can see the start line for the 100m with a full 8 lanes. Note also that there is a full cage in place for events like the discus and hammer. Behind the cage is the high jump shed.

The photo above shows the same area but from a different angle. Note the lighting and the elevated bank which gives a good view out over the full track.

This is the view from the north-east part of the site but looking to the south-west. You can see that it is really wide open to the westerly winds.

The photo above shows the main finish line. The chip timing company was setting up the finish gantry for the half-marathon at the time.

The photo above shows the view from the south-west side of the track. On the left is the dark grey sports building. The light grey area to the right is a terrace for spectators. In the foreground and on the far right is the water jump for the steeplechase.

The photo above shows the security turnstyle which limits access to the 400m athletics track.

There is a cost of €5 for students and €7 for adults to use the track, the rest of the hub is free to use.

Additional notes... I hope the above info and photos will give a good idea of what the new sports hub looks like. Looking though some media reports, I noted some issues...

1) Security... The sport hub hadn't even opened when it suffered from some issues from vandalism. The sad reality is that any facility like this requires fencing and some sort of security. This is an ongoing cost for the owners of any sports facility.

2) Insurance... Any club that wishes to use the new Clonmel Sports Hub needs to have the necessary insurance paperwork or documentation.

3) Location... As the facility is next to the N24, the travel times to some other towns are reasonable. For example, it's a 41 min drive to Fermoy and 44 min drive to Dungarvan. Mitchelstown is 35 mins away.

Carraig na bhFear AC have been reported as using it as follows... "...staying in the Talbot Hotel for two nights early next month, when they will train in the hub and avail of a team-bonding session and training camp for the forthcoming track season."

In conclusion... It's no small feat to get a full size 400m athletics track up and running. As can be seen above, not only is there the initial capital cost but there are likely to be quite substantial ongoing operational costs as well. This doesn't include fundraising for the eventual replacement of the track surface after 10-15 years.

There are quite a few athletic tracks being developed at the moment and I suspect that those that are part of sports hubs sharing costs with other sport disciplines will be the most successful.

Addendum... This video shows the development of the sports hub...

Notice: IMRA Top of the Coom Trail race - Sun 8th Sept 2024

This trail race is coming up on the Cork-Kerry border on Sunday 8th Sept 2024. It's reasonably tough so it might be one for the more experienced trail runners.

Description: Top Of Coom
County: Kerry
Date: Sunday 8th September, 2024 // Time: 12:00
Climb (m): 350
Distance (km): 11.00
Race Marking: Route fully marked - Route fully marked // GPS Allowed: No
Mandatory Kit: Level B - Standard. Waterproof jacket, Hat or buff, Gloves, Whistle, Charged mobile phone with emergency number stored, Foil blanket, bivvy bag or equivalent
Entry Closes: Saturday 7th September 2024, 18:00
Entry cost: €7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s
Route Description: Nice fast course, Forrest trail, Bog road, and open Mountain. Long race will be approx 11km. Short race will be approx 5km. Both routes will be fully marked.Getting There:Top of Coom Ireland's Highest Pub Coolnolhill, Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry, V93 EW90. From Cork, N22 through Macroom and Baile Mhuirne (Ballyvourney), turn left at the Mills Inn, take minor road through Cúil Aodha (Coolea), and continue uphill on this minor road as far as Top of Coom Pub.

Info... https://imra.ie/events/view/id/2452

Notice: Cloughduv 5k on Thurs 5th Sept 2024

This 5k is coming up in the village of Cloughduv on Thursday the 5th of September 2024 at 7:00pm.

With the evenings closing in, this is one of the last evening races. Entry is on the night.

Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon - Sat 31st Aug 2024

The big race in Minster this weekend was the Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon from Kilmacthomas to Dungarvan. The race was held on Saturday the 31st of August with 665 runners crossing the finish line.

As might be expected, a lot of runners from Cork took part in this event with at least two in the top 5 men.

Top 5 men in the Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon (L-R)... 3rd Aidan Connell, Vivian Foley 4th, Donal Coakley 5th, Conor O'Brien 1st & Pat Fitzgerald 2nd

Pat Walsh & Co near the finish line on the Greenway

Results & links to loads of photos can be found here...  https://munsterrunning.blogspot.com/2024/09/results-photos-of-waterford-greenway.html

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 31st Aug 2024

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 31st Aug 2024. Approximately 1022 runners and walkers took part in the 10 events in Co Cork.

Report... 

ONGOING

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 301 this week, 354 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 18:31

2 John HERLIHY Male VM45-49 18:32

3 Trevor WOODS Male VM50-54 Cork Triathlon Club 18:35

6 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 19:41

27 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:10

29 Hannah MACKEY Female SW25-29 22:25

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/339/

Tramore Valley Park: 195 this week, cancelled last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:34

2 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 18:36 

3 David O'GORMAN Male SM30-34 18:48

18 Pamela BARRY Female VW45-49 Aghada Running Club 21:25

24 Claire STONE Female VW35-39 22:03

25 Ciara O GORMAN Female SW20-24 22:06

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/119/

Glen River: 75 this week, 93 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr O'DWYER Male VM50-54 Leevale AC 20:27

2 Patrick RAHILLY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:45

3 Michael NAUGHTON Male VM55-59 Togher AC 21:14

7 Kana KAWASHIMA Female SW30-34 23:04

12 Mags HASSETT Female VW45-49 Douglas Meet and Train 24:14

19 Caoimhe WEBB-BROWNE Female JW10 25:31

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/222/

Mallow Castle: 79 finishers this week, 89 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Thomas CROSSAN Male VM35-39 19:44

2 Kieran MOORE Male SM30-34 19:50

3 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 20:52

13 Alice HYNES Female SW20-24 22:51

15 Sophie COLLINS Female JW11-14 Bweeng Trail Blazers 23:04

16 Marie Therese O SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 23:09

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/149/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 64 this week, 69 last week.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Trevor COLLINS Male VM45-49 VMware Running Club 20:26

3 Adrian ROGERS Male VM45-49 20:55

4 Andrew ROGERS Male VM45-49 20:57

2 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 20:41

9 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 21:45

12 Eileen O'SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Abbotstown Run4Fun 22:18

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/125/

Macroom Castle Demense: 38 this week, 41 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:59

2 Tony OSULLIVAN Male VM40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 21:35

3 Matt MURPHY Male SM18-19 22:30

14 Caroline O DONNELL Female VW55-59 25:55

15 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:31

17 Emma PURCELL Female JW11-14 West Muskerry A.C. 27:04

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/491/

Clonakilty: 41 this week, 48 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Cian SHEEHY Male SM30-34 17:48

2 Paul GAIMSTER Male VM50-54 Winchester Running Club 17:53

3 David O'KEEFFE Male VM45-49 18:52

14 Helen O'REGAN Female VW40-44 Winchester Fit Club RC 24:22

17 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 26:23

19 Lucy CRONIN Female JW11-14 27:48

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/444/

Glengarriff Woods: 63 this week, 90 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Edward CASEY Male VM40-44 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 20:27

2 Will MEREDITH Male VM50-54 Holme Pierrepont RC 21:21

3 Cormac WHOOLEY Male SM30-34 21:29

16 Mika FITZMAURICE Female SW18-19 26:54

17 Elodie KOOIMAN Female VW40-44 27:24

19 Chie FITZMAURICE Female SW25-29 28:31

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/362/

Bere Island: 145 this week, 79 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Craig WOODS Male SM30-34 19:33

2 Toby BENHAM Male SM30-34 Crusaders AC Dublin 20:48

3 Unknown

5 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:56

9 Deborah O Female VW45-49 23:30

10 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:35

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/454/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 21 finishers this week, 30 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Níall CROWLEY Male VM35-39 23:40

2 Andrew MCGRANE Male SM30-34 23:56

3 Chris HORN Male VM45-49 25:12

8 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:12

14 Rose HAYES Female VW55-59 32:53

15 Laoise HAYES Female SW25-29 33:05

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/375/

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

Guest Post: Social Connection ...by Pat Walsh

 * Social Connection *

Just having a few thoughts and throwing them down on the page. Read and feel free to comment. No bother if the subject isn’t for you.

I’m lucky to be a runner and all the social benefits it brings to me. 

RTE published an article recently about loneliness and how having a social network can improve your life. It highlighted the importance of promoting social activities and networks to safeguard against loneliness and related psychological distress.

Park Run sent me an email during the week as part of their promotional campaign: 

‘From solitary to solidarity, parkrun’s impact on loneliness’and the benefits from attending a regular run.

 I read another article about well being and the 3 things required for a meaningful life.

1. Family, friends and society…. (your running family counts)

2. Understanding of nature and the natural order of things. We all love a run in the woods, the beach or a quiet country road but runners understand there is weather, aging, injuries, and potholes. We get on with it.

3. Finally a connection to the divine whether through art, poetry, music where there is something greater to inspire us.

I’m not sure why all this happened at the same time and what was the higher purpose but it couldn’t be ignored either. 

Running for your own health and well being is fantastic. If you are reading this and involved in any other form of physical exercise that has friendships and fun, then go for it. 

There is no 1 simple answer. We all need to find our place in society but please please don’t be afraid to get out there and try.

Running isn’t elite. Yes there are Elite runners but some of them are among the nicest people you could meet. The back markers and those who proudly keep the finish line open are even better fun.

Bottom line here, A run through the woods with a big group having a laugh and singing along to Sia or quoting Seamus Heaney would be perfect.

'As you find a rhythm,

Working you, 

slow mile by mile,

Into your proper haunt.'

Folks no-one has all the answers and we do not know what anyone else is feeling but we can help. Run for yourself and smile, chat to others and maybe you can help them too.

Have a lovely weekend. Photo credit to Graham Meikle. He has the eye for it 😎📷

#pwr

Results of the IMRA Currabinny 7km trail race - Wed 28th Aug 2024

Results of the IMRA Currabinny 7km trail race - Wed 28th Aug 2024

Top 3 men & women...
1 Patrick O'Driscoll 3881 M35 26:39 Cork
2 Geoff Maher 4316 M40 28:39 Cork
3 Seán Twohig 4331 M35 29:01 St. Finbar'... Cork
1 Anita Locke 364 F40 31:29 St. Finbar'... Kerry
2 Linda O'Sullivan 4327 F50 32:42 Watergrasshill Cork
3 Aine O'Dea 1091 F 37:50 Cork

Full results HERE

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Amazon 5k - Wed 28th Aug 2024

First two women... (L-R) Michelle Kenny & Kate Veale

473 runners turned our for the inaugural Cork BHAA Amazon 5k race in Tramore Valley Park on Wed 28th Aug 2024.

Top 3 men & women...

 Pos Name Cat Prize Time Company Team
1 Michael Harty 0/40M M-1 00:15:11 Harty Tax Consulting
2 Barry Donovan 00:15:47 Temp Reg
3 Barry Twohig 0/45M M-2 00:15:50 Emerald Fencing
23 Michelle Kenny 0/45F F-1 00:17:34 Dept of Ed F-A-1
32 Kate Veale F-2 00:18:18 Dept of Ed F-A-1
39 Saoirse Twomey F-3 00:18:36 The Phoenix Clinic

Full results HERE

Photos to follow...

1) Mick Dooley has some pre-race photos HERE and post-race HERE

2) Joe Murphy has two albums of the start... Album 1 and Album 2