Cancelled parkruns - Sat 4th Jan 2025

Please note that some of the 5k parkruns on Sat 4th Jan 2025 are being cancelled due to ice.

(Updated 9:22am)

Tramore Valley Park - Cancelled

Glen River - Cancelled

Ballincollig - Cancelled

Macroom & Glengarriff are going ahead...

Notice: Bandon AC 5k road race - Thurs 24th Apr 2025

Following on from the success of the inaugural Bandon AC 5k last year, the second edition is coming up this year on Thursday 24th April 2025 at 7:30pm.

Entries HERE

Bandon AC are currently developing a full size 400m athletics track and all proceeds from the race go towards this project.

Latest info from the organisers: "The registration will be in the secondary school Colaiste na Toirbhirte, Presentation College, Bandon, Co.Cork. The school is located on the bypass and is right next to where the race will start from.

Parking: There will be limited parking around registration, there is plenty of parking in the town of Bandon (GAA club should have some parking available), but please do not park in any housing estates near the start line. There will also be parking in the church grounds- St Patrick’s on the night

We have been overwhelmed with the support locally and this has been a huge help for us in organising prizes and paying for the event."

Artists impression of the new athletics track

Course... The 5k course uses a lot of the old course that was used for the 5-miler on New Years Day some years ago.

The race start just off the Bandon Relief Road and the first 500m is downhill to a junction with the Kilbrittan Road, a very fast start. Then there is a short 500m gradual climb until you turn off left  after the 1km mark and onto a quiet country road.

For those of you who remember the old 5-mile course, you had to basically climb the hill on the Kilbrittan Rd all the ways from the town. On the 5k route, you essentially come out halfway up the hill.

From memory, I don't remember anything especially tough or hard about the section from 1 to 3kms. When it was part of the 5-mile race, I just remember running through some crossroads on narrow country roads and it was reasonably flat.

Just after the 3km mark, there's a turn left and then it's very gradual downhill through a glen to the finish line. Despite what the profile above might suggest, you're following a stream all the way down a glen for the last 2k so there is no climbing here.

It's probably one of the fastest finishes of any race as you don't lose that height advantage in one burst, it's more of a gradual 2km downhill stretch which is ideal.

Overall, a nice fast 5k course on quiet country roads to the south of Bandon.

Track under development - Dec 2024

Full house of parkruns for Kerry Constant in 2024...

Kerry Constant is a regular at many of the road race and parkruns in Co Cork. Someone pointed out to me that he managed to do all the available dates for 5k parkruns in 2024.

In other words, he did a 5k parkrun on all the Saturdays of 2024 including the extra ones on New Year's Day and Christmas Day making it 54 in total for the year.

The 54 parkruns were scattered across the UK and Ireland in 22 separate venues.

Cork BHAA Cross Country race postponed - 5th Jan 2025

The Cork BHAA have postponed the 5km cross country race in Beaumont Park which was planned for Sun 5th Jan 2025.

From the BHAA... "Unfortunately, this race is now postponed due to the yellow warning for snow and rain in Cork on Saturday and through race time on Sunday. This would put volunteers and runners at risk travelling to the race and ground conditions would be difficult for the race itself. New race date to be confirmed in due course but it will likely be after the IFF race which is on January 19th."

Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns - Q4 2024

The parkrun organisation have a number of milestones from 25 to 500 parkruns. The thing about milestones is that they are open to everyone and anyone can aspire to reach a certain level.

A number of people have recently passed the 250 mark and it's a significant achievement as it takes at least five years to complete. At the end of March 2023, I compiled a list of runners and volunteers in Co Cork who have passed the magic figure. Post HERE

Thanks to all those who sent on updates and corrections.

***

Cork 250 Rules... As with any list, there must be some sort of guideline or rules. The criteria I went with were simple...

1. At least 100 of the 5k parkruns must be in Co Cork
2. Only the information on the parkrun website counts

I'm sure there are plenty of people in Dublin and elsewhere who over 250 but this post is about the parkruns in Cork.

***

Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns Club - Q4 2024... Here is the updated list of people who have done 250 or more parkruns in Cork as of the end of December 2024...

Back at the end of Sept 2024, the list went from 27 to 33 and it has now increased to 41 names.

At the end of Q3, Joanne Sullivan of Bere Island was the only person to break the 400 mark. By the end of Q4, three more have passed 400... two from Bere Island and one at Macroom.

The number of people at 300 or above has gone from 17 to 23 and a few have passed the 300 mark under the radar.

This is the list of volunteers who have 250 or more credits... 

Again, Bere Island is very much to the fore with the volunteer list with 5 names. Ballincollig is now up to 3 names. Castlehaven and Glen River have one name each. 

Volunteers are literally the glue that keep the parkruns going week after week... no volunteers - no parkruns.

Errors & Omissions... If you know of any runner of volunteer missing who might at 250 or more at the end of Dec 2024, leave a comment with their name and parkrun.

Link... More information about the 5k parkruns in Co Cork can be found HERE

Guest Post: FEARGHAL CURTIN BACK IN TOP FORM ...by John Walshe

Fearghal (left) on the podium

FEARGHAL CURTIN BACK IN TOP FORM ... By John Walshe

After missing most of the year due to injury, Youghal athlete Fearghal Curtin finished off 2024 in style with a brilliant second place on New Year’s Eve at the São Silvestre da Amadora race in Portugal.

Over a hilly course of 10.270km, Ferghal finished just three seconds behind the winner, Rúben Amaral. The Portuguese runner had set a course record of 30:19 the year before but on this occasion had to run 51 seconds faster to hold off the Irishman as they recorded respective times of 29:28 and 29:31.

Fearghal was proudly wearing his Youghal colours, which are similar to the Sporting Club of Portugal – a branch of the famous Sporting Lisbon football club – that Amaral was running for. So he relished in the support received from the thousands lining the course, who thought the Youghal man was one of their own!

After a great start to 2024 when he recorded a very impressive half-marathon time of 61:45 in Houston, Fearghal had one of the big city marathons in mind but recurring injury problems ruled that out. Back home in Killeagh for Christmas from Wales where he is based, he didn’t slacken off in his training before travelling to Portugal, clocking up a total of 112 miles in the previous week.

Fearghal Curtin, in his Youghal colours, finishing second behind winner Amara

The São Silvestre da Amadora has a chequered history and is the oldest event on the athletics calendar of mainland Portugal. First held in 1975, this was the 49th edition. Winner of that inaugural race was Carlos Lopes, who also won in 1983 and 1986. He would, of course, go on to win the 1984 Olympic Marathon title at Los Angeles ahead of John Treacy.

Two other Olympic champions amongst the women’s winners are Rosa Mota (marathon 1988) and Fernanda Ribeiro (10,000m 1996). The latter – who finished second to Sonia O’Sullivan in the 1995 World Championship 5000m – notched up six victories in row between 1993 and 1998.

There was an extensive prize list on New Year’s Eve, with both winners receiving €1,500. Awards went down to the 25th finisher (both male and female) who received €50 each. There was a entry of almost 2,600 for the race which commenced at 6pm.

All finisher received a medal and - which may raise a few eyebrows to runners here at home -the entry fee up until mid-October was just €12. 

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Wed 1st Jan 2025

There were six 5k parkruns in Co Cork on Wednesday 1st Jan 2025 to welcome in the new year. 

Report... It was cool but dry for the first batch of parkruns for 2025.

Clonakilty... Well done to Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin who completed his 250th 5k parkrun! Diarmuid's first parkrun was in Clonakilty back in August of 2015.

250 parkruns for Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin

Glengarriff... Well done to Mel Devine who completed his 100th 5k parkrun! 

Glen River... Well done to David Hurley who completed his 100th 5k parkrun on New Year's Day!

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 328 finishers.

First 3 men & women...

1 Barry DONOVAN Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 16:33

2 Gearoid O FLYNN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 17:17

3 John O'DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 18:07

15 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:52

28 Marian CREEDON Female VW45-49 22:07

44 Mary SWEENEY Female VW60-64 St Finbarrs AC 23:19

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/357/

Glen River: 88 finishers.

First 3 men & women...

1 James GRUFFERTY Male VM40-44 Leevale AC 19:16

3 Donal COFFEY Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 19:48

4 Patrick ADAMS Male VM55-59 Colin Gleners 20:19

2 Michelle KENNY Female VW45-49 Leevale AC 19:21

14 Irene EIGHAN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:44

23 Laura MAGUIRE Female VW40-44 25:13

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/240/

Clonakilty: 39 finishers.

First 3 men & women...

1 Karl CHATTERTON Male VM40-44 Sportsworld 19:08

2 David HICKEY Male VM40-44 19:56

3 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 20:17

6 Sian PUGH Female SW30-34 23:11

8 Clare O'LEARY Female VW35-39 23:25

17 Lucy GUNN Female JW11-14 25:41

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/462/

Glengarriff Woods: 51 finishers.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM15-17 20:19

2 Trevor MCGUIRK Male VM40-44 20:26

3 Jimmy IRWIN Male SM30-34 21:31

9 Majella O' MAHONY Female VW35-39 27:14

10 Chie FITZMAURICE Female SW25-29 27:30

11 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 27:37

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/380/

Bere Island: 59 finishers. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Garry HILLIARD Male VM50-54 21:59

2 Fergus ROONEY Male VM45-49 23:17

4 Garry MORIARTY Male VM45-49 24:23

3 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 23:58

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:36

6 Ailish HASSETT Female VW40-44 Crusaders Athletic Club 26:17

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/472/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 31 finishers.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 22:13

2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 Ranelagh Harriers 22:58

3 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 23:01

15 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:37

23 Catherine BAILEY Female VW45-49 35:31

24 Gillian ROSS Female SW25-29 36:19

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/392/

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

Notice: Carrigaline 5 mile road race - Sun 16th Feb 2025

Eagle AC are organising their annual 5 mile road race in Carrigaline on Sunday, the 16th of February 2025 at 11am.

The entry link is here... https://eventmaster.ie/event/1p4GUwDHeM

From the organisers.... Eagle AC is delighted to announce the return of the 36th annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5 Miler in Carrigaline on February 16th 2025 at 11am.

The race will take place over the usual course. It’s a great route – some ups & some downs but overall, an excellent race! 

Our Sponsors : We would like to thank our very generous sponsors the Edge Sports Shop for their ongoing sponsorship of our club event and as a result we have an incredible array of prizes. Our course bonus returns this year in collaboration with Coughlan DeKeyser Architects, and we are incredibly grateful to have them on board.  

The Prizes: 

Top Finishers:  Male & Female 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th 

1st Wheelchair Male & Female 

Top Teams:                        

Male & Female Teams 1st & 2nd 

Category Prizes:               

O35 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

O40 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

O45 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

O50 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

055 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

O60 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

O65 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

O70 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd 

O75 M&F – 1st, 2nd & 3rd 

Course Bonus:           

€ 250 for first man sub 25 mins 

€ 250 for first lady sub 27:43 mins (Set by Lizzie Lee 2023)

2024 winners John Meade & Hannah Steeds

Our Charity Partners: Entry for the race is €18 and all proceeds from the race will be donated to Carrigaline Meals-on-Wheels, and Foroige Youth Diversion Project.

https://eventmaster.ie/event/1p4GUwDHeM

We look forward to seeing you all in Carrigaline in February, and thank you for your ongoing support of our club event. The Eagle AC members will be out in force to ensure a safe and well organised event as always.

For any queries or questions about the race please contact eagleraces AT gmail DOT com

Location...The town of Carrigaline is only five miles south of the South Ring Road so it is within easy reach of Cork City. The race HQ is the local community sports hall.

More info on the the Eagle AC website

The race is sponsored by The Edge Sports Shop

Route Preview.........A preview with maps, directions and details of the course can be seen HERE