Researchers at University College Cork and the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC) are looking to understand "Male marathon runners awareness and knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease and associated disease risk factors" and would like your help with their survey.
If you would like to take part in this anonymous online survey you can click this link bit.ly/3C7IvcQ
IMRA held their Halloween Half-Marathon & 5k in Glensheshkin Woods near Kilworth of Sat 26th Oct 2024 with a total of 107 runners in the half and 62 in the 5k.
Half Marathon - Top 3 men & women...
Full results HERE
5k - Top 3 men & women...
Full results HERE
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| 2:13 finish for Ryan Creech on the left to take Silver in the national marathon championship |
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| An impressive 2:45 finish for Niamh Moore of Leevale AC |
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| Sub 3 hour finish for Sandra Manning of Leevale AC pictured post race with club coach Donie Walsh |
This months free Run the Line 5k organised by Carrigaline AC was held on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway on Sat 26th Oct 2024 and a total of 39 runners took part. That's a big jump compared to the field of just 14 finishers the previous month.
Every year, a small number of people take part in the Dublin Marathon running with someone else's race number. While this can seem innocent enough, it can play havoc with the results with people winning prizes or championship medals that they are not entitled to.
The rules of the Dublin marathon state the following...
The sale, swapping, or bartering of Marathon/Race Series Entries or Numbers is strictly forbidden.
If you attempt to sell, swap or barter your Marathon/Race Series Entry or Marathon/Race Series race number, you may be banned from future Dublin Marathon and/or Race Series events.
The Dublin marathon also doubles up as the national marathon championships. Athletics Ireland are less ambiguous and state that any club athlete running with someone else's number will be banned from future marathon championship events.
From Athletics Ireland... "Number swapping is strictly prohibited. Please do not give your number to another Participant. Both Dublin Marathon and Athletics Ireland prohibit numbers to be transferred to another person🤝
📣Any marathon championship entry who swaps their number will be removed from the results and unable to compete in future national marathon championships."
The Dungarvan 10-mile road race is coming up on Sunday the 2nd of February 2025.
If anyone would like to optimise their training then I will soon be starting individualised training programmes.
The programme is 14-weeks and starts on the 28th of October 2024 - Cost €105.
The programme is sent out every week by email and weekly feedback is required. That will determine what the programme is like for the following week.
If anyone wants to train for a different event then send me an email and we can plan for that.
Send emails to... johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com
A list of training programmes for 2025 can be seen HERE
IMRA are organising two trail races for the evening of Saturday the 26th of October 2024 in Glensheskin Woods near Kilworth and Fermoy.
First off, there's a half-marathon which is more suited for experienced trail runners as it has 300m of ascent. For those wanting something a lot easier, there is a 5k. Needless to say, you're going to need a good headtorch for both events.
As with all IMRA events, annual membership costing €10 is required.
* Rebel Run 2024 *
Lovely morning in MTU Cork today for the Rebel Run.
10k and 5K offerings.
Super event organised by Cork Sports Partnership.
Unreal number of helpers and stewards.
Storm Ashley.. yerra we don't do storms in Cork, just a windy day.
Thanks so much for a super event.
Finished on the College track but sadly couldn't do justice to the last 100m sprint.
Usain Bolt I AM not.. 😃 Dodgy hamstring...
This is a fantastic event as it seems to attract 'ordinary runners' with an emphasis that I'm an ordinary runner. Great buzz on the finish line.
Beautiful Lyrics from a Guy Garvey song where we need to reconnect with old friends, and familiar places.
Thanks to Claire and Caroline (my minders) for a wonderful morning, and to Graham for winning the Tour De France....!
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| Top 3 women in the 10k (L-R)... Vikki Donnelly 2nd, Aoife O'Mahony 1st & Sarah Hanley 3rd |
Conditions were challenging for this years Rebel Run in Bishoptown with very strong winds from Storm Ashley as it passes over the country.
Between the two races, there were 747 participants, 315 in the 5k and 427 in the 10k.
10km race - Top 3 men & women...
5km race - Top 3 men & women...
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| Top 3 men in the 10k (L-R)... Donnacha Kiely 3rd, Barry Donovan 1st & Kristaps Liepins 2nd |
Photos....
1) Mick Dooley has some photos of the start of the 5k HERE and some finish line photos HERE
Video...
1) John Kissane has a video of the start of the Rebel Run 5k...
* Yes you can, be confident. *
I wish you well and hope you get the same fun and enjoyment that I got for many years. I don’t have FOMO, but I do have an interest. Of course I will be following everything.
As you head to Dublin or whatever challenge lies ahead, be confident in your own ability to succeed. It is a key part of success.
‘Confidence is a state of mind that comes from knowing that you have the ability to meet the demands of situations you are likely to face.’
Why?
It lowers anxiety, heart rate and helps you perform better. More efficient.
Increases your motivation to attack this and your ability to close it out in your terms.
Enhances concentration. You know you can do it, so you can focus solely on doing your best and not wasting negative energy or thoughts.
Increases effort. I can do this so I will drive on. What Hill?
What are you actually doing? The best you can do, to be the best you.
You are an individual who is attempting to run 26.2 miles for the the fun of it. Already you are a winner. Time to show it.
Be confident and nail it.
I leave with 2 quotes.
1 from philosophy, 1 from Sia
‘You will never perform better that the image you have of yourself’
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Have a good weekend.
#PWR
Cork City Council has allocated €70,000 for a feasibility study to look at options for a western access to Tramore Valley Park.
The new bridge on the south side of the park to Grange & Frankfield has proved to be very popular and gives residents there direct access via a pleasant woodland walk. The question now is if there could be something similar for the west side of the park.
In response to a question from Social Democrats councillor Padraig Rice, the council said... “There are three pedestrian access routes to Tramore Valley Park, the last access point seeing the opening of the link from Grange/Frankfield. Earlier this year the city council secured an initial grant allocation of €70,000 to examine the feasibility of establishing a new improved east-west link into Tramore Valley Park. This funding will also help progress the preparation of a scheme brief which could be used for the procurement of a design team in the coming year (subject to continued funding) with a view to the developing preliminary proposals for such a new connection. The overall concept is at an early stage and related progress will be advised to Members in the period ahead.”
At first glance, a new western entrance with say a new bridge over the South Link Road would seem to be a no-brainer but is it?
The new bridge on the south side of the park over the South Ring Road shortened a 3.4km detour to a pleasant 1km walk for residents in Frankfield. Would a western bridge show similar benefits?
Some examples... 1) Starting at Turners Cross - It's just an 800m walk to get into the north western part of the park via Half Moon Lane. Going via a bridge by say the Black Ash is 1.5kms. No advantage.
2) Starting at the Pearse Rd / Tory Top Rd / Kinsale Rd junction - It's 1.2kms via the Half-Moon Lane and 1km via a Black Ash Bridge. No real advantage.
3) Starting at the Tramore Rd / Kinsale Rd junction - 1.6kms via Half-Moon lane and 0.6km via a Black Ash Bridge. A 1km advantage.
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| Half Moon Lane entrance |
I wonder if some people are unaware of the Half Moon Lane entrance or might think it's further than it actually is?
So on first examination, the cost to benefit analysis doesn't seem to justify a new bridge.
Plans for the park?... The question then is if Cork City Council have other plans for the park?
Do the council have plans to use the park as a venue for concerts / entertainment / sports? Perhaps there is a commercial element to the councils plans which would change the cost to benefit equation?
After all, the amount of parking in the park itself is limited and the council have the Black Ash car park at the other side of the South Link Road which can't be used at present.
There are also proposals for some 600 residential dwellings on the old CMP site which would be a factor as well.
If a western access point / bridge is eventually approved, it will probably be the end of the decade before we're likely to see it.
The IMRA Cannon Sheehan 16km trail race was held on Sunday 13th Oct 2024 on the Cork/Limerick border in the Ballyhoura mountains and attracted a field of 65 runners.
Full results HERE
Photos HERE
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| First woman home... Kealey Tideswell |
Munster Technological University (MTU), supported by MTU Lions Athletics Club and Cork Sports Partnership are hosting a Sports Seminar Series over the next few months.
See a list of the events below:
October 16th 2024: Sports Nutrition for Athletes 101 ...by Evan Lynch.
November 13th 2024: Mental Health in Sport ...by Jessie Barr.
December 4th 2024: Training & Injury Prevention Tips ...by Eoin Everard.
January 15th 2025: Developing World Class Training Environments ...by Ed Coughlan.
February 12th 2025: Implementing Real World Strength & Conditioning ...by Joe O'Connor.
March 12th 2025: Planning Training and the Coach Athlete Relationship ...by Hayley Harrison.
Each one costs €10 for an adult or €8 for a student. There is a series bundle for €50 and €40 respectively.
Each talk starts at 7pm.
For more information and to register, go to https://events.mtu.ie/index.cfm?page=events&eventId=1049
The 2024 edition of the Cork BHAA Defence Forces 5k was held in Tramore Valley Park on Sunday 13th of October on what was a dry overcast morning.
There was a total of 225 finishers which is up a bit on the 209 last year.
Top 3 men & women...
Full results HERE
Full results HERE
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| Graham Meikle & Maria Madigan who earned their 250 and 100 volunteer credits respectively |
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| 250 parkruns for Stephen O'Sullivan |
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| 300 parkruns for Carol Murphy! |
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| 100 5k parkruns for Sandra Howard |