100 parkruns for Reba Ryan in the yellow jacket |
Welcome to the Running in Cork blog, home of the Cork running community. This is the largest website in Cork & Munster for news on road races and general running news. Included are a current race calendar, race previews, photos, results as well as some local, national and international news items.
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Saturday, August 31, 2024
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 31st Aug 2024
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
Friday, August 30, 2024
Results of the IMRA Currabinny 7km trail race - Wed 28th Aug 2024
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
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
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...
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
Results & photos of the IMRA Kilworth Woods trail race - Sun 25th Aug 2024
IMRA held a 6.5km trail race in Kilworth Woods on Sun 25th Aug 2024 with 67 runners taking part.
1 JP Treacy 282 M40 29:41 St. Finbarr's AC Cork
2 Gerard Maloney 2343 M60 29:51 Sliabh Buid... Wexford
3 Gerard Hanley 763 M50 31:06 Mooreabbey ... Tipperary
1 Lisa Hegarty 1564 F 30:17 Leevale Cork
2 Suzanne shine 587 F45 32:24 Clonmel AC Tipperary
3 Mary Louise Ryan 244 F40 32:41 Mooreabbey ... Tipperary
Full results HERE
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Notice: Currabinny 7km trail race - Wed 28th Aug 2024
With the evenings closing in, this trail race in Currabinny Woods near Ringaskiddy in Co Cork might be of interest. This one is suitable for anyone who would like to try out a trail race for the first time.
Info & entries... https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/2450
County: Cork
Date: Wednesday 28th August, 2024
Time:19:00
Climb (m): 100
Race Marking: Route fully marked - Route fully marked
GPS Allowed: Yes
Leagues: Coillte Summer/Autumn Trail League, Munster
Mandatory Kit: Level A - Basic, Showerproof, windproof jacket
All runners must bring the above items to the race. The actual kit to be carried during the race will be finalised on the day, depending on conditions etc., and clearly advised at Registration.
Entry Closes: Tuesday 27th August 2024, 18:00
Entry cost: €7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s
Route Description: This beautifully located wooded peninsula overlooks Cork Harbour. It has a lovely network of trails through mixed woodland with fine views across the harbour to Cobh and Crosshaven. Start and finish will be at the main car park area.
There will be 3 Race options this year. A long course of about 7km, a very fast course with a few uphills and many fast downhill runs. Elevation gain of about 150m. The Short Course will start at 6:30pm. 3 km route will go around the woods. Elevation gain of approximately 50m. You will do one lap. It's suitable for beginners in trail running. There is a nice flat warm-up bit on the path with beautiful views, then followed by up and down the hill, past Giants Grave. Kiddies race at 6:15 pm of less than 1km on the main path, parents should run along.
Guest Post: In praise of parkruns ...by Pat Walsh
* In praise of parkuns *
After many genuine and sincere invitations, I finally returned to Ballincollig parkrun in Cork last Saturday morning. It is a few years since I visited and I was wondering what the set up would be like.No fear
Wow, everything was organised to perfection. The ultimate compliment to any event is to say it runs itself and everything is seamless. To anyone who has ever organised anything then you know that the level of work to get to that stage is staggering.
Congrats Ian who got his 100th Volunteer credit last Saturday morning. That is serious stuff.
I was welcomed by the local dignitaries, a nice handy warm-up loop to get the body in some fit state to run and to reacquaint myself with the course. It is a 2 lap / 5km so nice warm up distance.
Speeches to welcome first-timers and some visiting tourists and all were made feel welcome. There was even people from Kerry there which shows how accommodating us Cork people can be.
A start on time, nice scenic loop of the park, pass half-way for some encouraging cheers and around we go again. Part of the course you run on the banks of the River Lee and if that wouldn’t inspire heroic deeds among athletes then sadly you are a lost cause.
I loved it. Great atmosphere with top class running mixing with walkers and children. All equal on the morning.
Thanks Graham and Joe for taking the photos. Without you we would have nothing for social media…..!!
The Cuppa
Thanks to Queen Mary and her team who invited me to a cuppa afterwards. I was honoured to be asked and I duly went along. Little did I know it was the Irish version of the ‘Bake Off’. There was buns and cake and every form of food that any self respecting athlete should run a mile from. We even had "curranty cake' (don't ask)
I braved it out and tried everything. Siobhan it was a pity I had to butter my own scone but the homemade jam was delicious. I certainly consumed twice the amount of calories I burnt during exercise. It was fantastic.
As I write this I know there are thousands of you who could tell the same story from their locality and their own run. Feel free to comment and tell us why you are the best.
It is a simple concept that is truly wonderful.
A free 5k run in your locality that you can decide to enter on the day, stay anonymous if you wish and none of the hype or hassle that goes with big races.
If you haven't tried it you are missing something.
#pwr
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 24th Aug 2024
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Notice: Kilworth Woods 6km trail race - Sun 25th Aug 2024
IMRA are holding a 6km trail race in Kilworth Woods on Sunday 25th August 2024.
Description: Kilworth Summer League
County: Cork
Date: Sunday 25th August, 2024
Time: 11:00
Climb (m): 150
Distance (km): 6.00
Marking: Route fully marked - Route fully marked
GPS Allowed: Yes
Mandatory Kit: Level A - Basic, Showerproof, windproof jacket
Entry Closes: Saturday 24th August 2024, 18:00
Entry cost: €7 for seniors, €5 for over 65s and under 18s
Route Description: Winding woodland trails and fire road. Great route for beginners.
Info & entries... https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/2449
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Results of the Cork BHAA Stryker 4-mile road race - Wed 21st Aug 2024
This years Cork BHAA Stryker 4-mile road race in Carrigtwohill was held on Wed 21st Aug 2024 on what turned out to be a very windy evening. A total of 503 runners crossed the finish line, up 4% on last year.
1 Frank O'Brien 20:23 Temp Reg
2 Conor McCauley 0/40M M-1 20:26 Apple
3 Barry Twohig 0/45M M-2 20:35 Emerald Fencing
23 Hannah Steeds F-1 23:02 Eli Lilly F-A-1
49 Kate Veale F-2 24:40 Dept of Ed F-A-2
60 Linda O'Sullivan 0/50F F-3 25:33 HSE
Full results HERE
Photos...
1) Michael Buckley has a gallery of photos HERE
2) Mick Dooley has some start line photos HERE
Ballinlough junior parkrun restarts Sun 25th Aug 2024
Due to extensive ground works in the park, the Nursery Drive 2km junior parkrun in Ballinlough in Cork City hasn't been held for about 7-months. The last actual event was held on the 28th of January 2024.
The organisers have announced that the works have finally finished and the junior parkrun will restart on Sunday 25th August 2024 at 9:30am.
Earlier ground works on the junior parkrun course |
More information about this free junior parkrun on their website... https://www.parkrun.ie/nurserydrive-juniors/
Work continues on new athletics track in Bandon - Aug 2024
Bandon AC are currently building a new 400m athletics track which will no doubt be used by locals as well as many of the clubs in the west Cork region. An artists impression of the facility is shown above.
The photo above shows what it looked like in the spring of 2024. Proceeds from the club's 5k road race last April went towards this project.
The latest photo taken in August of 2024 shows that a lot of the ground work is now completed.
The club has a fundraising goal of €550k for the first phase of the development.
The new track is located about 3kms to the south of Bandon on the R603 road to Kilbrittain.
Guest Post: Reflection Number 97….. I think..! ...by Pat Walsh
Lovely morning at the St Finbarr’s / John Buckley 10km in Cork last Sunday and it put me in a contemplative mood.
Oh no, I can imagine the collective groan from most of the followers of this page.
What is success? What is satisfaction?
Success is turning up a the start line for a race. You entered, you went there, you put yourself on the start line with all the others to give it a go.
Satisfaction is going over the finish line. Time is only an indicator of your current fitness and that is always a variable. You did it, you finished, you gave it a GO.
There is no failure in the results posted online afterwards. Everyone achieved something. Failure is never showing up.
Going to a race is good for the body and the soul. We train so often either solo or in small groups that it is great to mix with so many fellow runners. They are fantastic people, full of encouragement and support.
Many are fighting their own private battles to be there.. but they are there and everyone deserves utmost respect from first home to the last placed finisher. How can we document what anyone else went through to finish a race.
From a training point of view a race will always tell you where you are and if you need to fine tune or work harder. The clock doesn’t lie and you can get an honest evaluation of yourself.
You can always get loads of hugs, smiles, handshakes, words of kindness, some decent slagging and banter.
If you are good, maybe water and a banana as a bonus.
If satisfaction is finishing then Ultimate Satisfaction is a breakfast toastie and a coffee afterwards where we regale each other with tales of our glorious and heroic deeds… I’m Joking.
Glad to be finished and having a cuppa.
Thanks to all in St Finbarr’s who organised the race. A change from the much loved 10 mile but due to roadworks it wasn’t possible. Fair play a worthy alternative.
Thanks to all who said hello today and to the photographers who catch us at our weakest moments.
Thanks to AG and AE for company and friendship today.
Live long, run well, smile and feck the begrudgers.
The picture may show me in front, the truth is 90% of the field are actually ahead of me and that was after 500 metres. 😃
#pwr
Monday, August 19, 2024
Notice: Cork BHAA Stryker 4 mile race in Carrigtwohill - Wed 21st Aug 2024
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Results of the Cork City 10k - Sun 18th Aug 2024
Due to ongoing works on the Marina, there is no Cork City 10-miler this year with the organisers instead opting for a 10k on the Lee Road / Straight Road circuit.
The numbers for the 10k were down about 25% on the numbers last year for the 10-mile which might suggest that the shorter distance isn't as popular.
Top 3 men & women...
1495 1 Sean TOBIN Clonmel AC M 29:47
526 2 Ryan CREECH Leevale A.C. M 29:53
1400 3 Gavin O ROURKE Leevale A.C. M 31:09
1486 9 Shona HEASLIP An Ríocht A.C. F 32:27
1440 11 Michelle FINN Leevale A.C. F 33:34
1481 17 Grace LYNCH Dundrum South Dublin A.C. F 34:22
Full results HERE
Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has some start line photos HERE and some post race photos HERE
Respective winners of the 2024 Cork City 10k - Shona Heaslip 1st woman & Sean Tobin 1st man |
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 17th Aug 2024
200th parkrun for Betty O'Riordan |
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Results of the West Muskerry AC 5k in Macroom - Tues 13th Aug 2024
Winner Mark Walsh with his dad Donie Walsh who represented Ireland at the 1972 Olympics |
The West Muskerry AC 5k was held in Macroom on Tues 13th Aug 2024.
1 Mark Walsh Leevale AC 15:56 MS 224
2 Barry Minnock Tullamore Harriers AC 16:34 M40 117
3 Darren Coleman Mallow A.C 17:05 MS 261
7 Hannah Steeds Leevale AC 17:49 FS 213
15 Saoirse Twomey West Muskerry AC 18:55 FJ 220
18 Hannah Smith Leevale AC 19:07 FJ 242
Full results HERE
Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has some finish line photos HERE
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Results of the Youghal Half-Marathon & 10k - Sun 11th Aug 2024
The Youghal Half-Marathon & 10k was a new event on the calendar and was held on Sunday 11th August 2024.
Half-Marathon Top 3 men & women...
4415 2 Dermot GORMAN Carrick-on-Suir A.C. M40 1:13:40
4395 3 Tadhg O SULLIVAN Bweeng Trail Blazers A.C. M 1:14:33
4409 8 Aoife COOKE Eagle A.C. F 1:18:52
1214 69 Sinéad FLANNERY Ballintotis Fit4Life A.C. F40 1:30:24
1191 80 Siobhan HOLLAND Eagle A.C. F45 1:31:55
First 3 women in the Youghal 10k (L-R)... Kate Veale 2nd, Linda Kelly 1st & Irene Eighan 3rd |
10k Top 3 men & women...
483 2 Aidan CONNELL West Waterford A.C. M40 33:30
4370 3 Eliot LE SAOUT M 34:04
439 18 Linda KELLY Watergrasshill A.C. F50 39:36
4327 25 Kate VEALE F 40:25
383 26 Irene EIGHAN St. Finbarrs A.C. F40 40:53
Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has a gallery HERE
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 10th Aug 2024
100 volunteer credits for Catherine Murphy |
Tuesday, August 06, 2024
Video: Why The Olympics Almost Banned This Shoe... by Cleo Abram
YouTuber Cleo Abram looks at the world of sports tech including the new running 'super shoes'.
Monday, August 05, 2024
Results of the Adrigole 5-mile road race - Sat 3rd Aug 2024
The Adrigole 5-mile road race in West Cork was held on Saturday 3rd August 2024 and was organised by Beara AC. It had a small field with 32 finishers.
Sunday, August 04, 2024
Fitness Solutions Mallow to close...
Fitness Solutions in Mallow have announced that they will be closing their shop on the 17th of August 2024.
For the last eight years, they have been great supporters and sponsors of many road races in the north Cork region.
I'd imagine it can't be easy running a sports shop in a regional town while competing with large online retailers at the same time.