Results of the Run the Line on the Crosshaven Greenway - Sat 28th June 2025

The June edition of the timed 5k on the Crosshaven to Carrigaline Greenway attracted a field of  27 runners.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 28th Jun 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 28th June 2025. Approximately 1,128  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Clonakilty... "Clonakilty parkrun started on 1st February 2014. Since then 3,550 participants have completed 17,823 parkruns covering a total distance of 89,115 km, including 2,793 new Personal Bests. A total of 389 individuals have volunteered 3,142 times."

Midleton... Congrats to Donie & Kathleen O'Connell who celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary this month and were spotted at the Midleton parkrun...

Macroom... No volunteers, no parkruns! Well done to Felicity Dawson (L) who earned her 100th parkrun volunteer credit this weekend in Macroom. She is pictured below with run director Satty O'Riordan.

Ballincollig... Well done to Jane Power who completed her 200th 5k parkrun in Ballincollig this weekend!! 172 of the 200 have been at this event.

Courtney O'Halloran and Edwena Howard also reached the 100 mark in Ballincollig!

ONGOING

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 290 this week, 309 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Barry TWOHIG Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 16:23

2 Sean DINNEEN Male VM35-39 17:48

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:15

9 Aoife COOKE Female VW35-39 20:18

27 Fiona VERLING Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:42

32 Deirbhile O'KEEFFE Female SW25-29 Raheny Shamrock AC 22:57

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/381/

Tramore Valley Park: 237 this week, 201 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mark CORDINER Male VM35-39 Swinton RC 18:31

2 John AHERN Male JM15-17 18:41

3 Tomé RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ Male SM25-29 19:19

8 Jacqueline HUGHES Female SW30-34 Musselburgh & District AC 20:26

18 Rhona DEMPSEY Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 21:39

20 Rachel PALMER Female SW25-29 21:47

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/159/

Glen River: 61 this week, 63 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David JACKSON Male VM40-44 Raheny Shamrock AC 18:12

2 Matthew ELLIS Male SM30-34 19:23

3 Sven BUDER Male SM30-34 20:35

8 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 22:20

16 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 25:48

19 Priscila PRATES Female SW30-34 27:06

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/265/

Midleton Greenway: 143 this week, 125 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan BOYCE Male VM35-39 18:12

3 Trevor COLLINS Male VM45-49 VMware Running Club 20:08

4 Richardt RABE Male VM45-49 20:40

2 Emma LANDERS Female SW20-24 19:52

6 Jen PRESTON Female SW30-34 Liffey Valley AC 21:03

9 Elaine CARDIFF Female VW35-39 21:36

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/22/

Mallow Castle: 73 this week, 53 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew COOKE Male JM15-17 20:02

2 Micheal OSULLIVAN Male VM50-54 Killarney Cycling Club 21:50

4 Mike O MAHONY Male VM50-54 22:49

3 Jacinta BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Killarney Triathlon Club 21:55

7 Leona BEHAN Female VW35-39 23:31

9 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 Bweeng Trail Blazers 23:41

Mallow results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/187/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 48 this week, 57 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:58

2 David MOYNIHAN Male VM40-44 Midleton AC 20:35

3 Ryan HENNESSY Male VM40-44 21:47

5 Éadaoin COLEMAN Female VW40-44 22:06

7 Muirna TWOMEY Female VW50-54 22:49

12 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:11

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/165/

Macroom Castle Demense: 39 this week, 48 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown   

2 Ayomide GEORGE Male SM20-24 21:20

3 Padraig SHEAHAN Male VM60-64 Millstreet Athletic Club 21:25

14 Valerie O DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 25:53

17 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:22

18 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:28

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/533/

Clonakilty: 57 this week, 55 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Ross COLEMAN Male SM30-34 19:05

2 Oisin O SULLIVAN Male SM20-24 19:10

4 Andrew COLLINS Male SM20-24 Cork Track Club 20:31

3 Deirdre HEALY Female SW25-29 19:16

11 Maeve O KEEFFE Female VW35-39 22:52

13 Sarah HEALY Female SW30-34 Clapham Pioneers 23:07

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/486/

Glengarriff Woods: 90 this week, 78 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 21:09

2 Thomas GILMORE Male SM20-24 Ballincollig Athletic Club 22:03

3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 22:35

7 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:33

11 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 24:27

14 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 24:52

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/406/

Bere Island: 69 this week, 54 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Dom CARROLL Male SM30-34 20:09

4 David MCCARTHY Male VM35-39 21:48

5 Unknown

2 Nina MURPHY Female VW35-39 20:15

3 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 20:54

9 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 22:57

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/498/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 21 finishers this week, 23 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 19:25

2 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:26

3 Stuart AHERNE Male VM50-54 24:14

8 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:36

10 Rachel COYLE Female SW25-29 30:04

12 Janeane WATT Female VW40-44 Team Vitality 31:44

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/418/

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

Results of the Courtmacsherry 10k road race - Fri 28th Jun 2025

The ever popular Courtmacsherry 10k road race was held this year on Friday 28th June 2025 on what was an overcast evening. After the rain in 2024, the numbers made a recovery this year with 401 runners crossing the finish line.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Declan Guina (#374) West Limerick AC 33:00 Senior (1) Male  (1) 1
2 Sean Davin (#221) St Finbarrs AC 33:32 Senior (2) Male  (2) 2
3 Patrick O'Driscoll (#342) N/A 33:57 35-39 (1) Male  (3) 3
5 Sinead O'Connor (#382) Leevale AC 34:51 35-39 (1) Female  (1) 5
22 Jennifer Martin (#165) N/A 36:28 35-39 (2) Female  (2) 22
36 Lucy O'Flynn (#204) Bandon AC 37:46 Senior (1) Female  (3) 35

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Graham Meikle has some presentation photos HERE

Guest Post: 4th Thursday ...by Pat Walsh

 * 4th Thursday *

As I write this I think longingly back to the great Ballycotton Summer series. 4th Thursday of every month May to August in Ballyandreen, Shanagarry, Churchtown South and finally in Ballycotton village in August. 

7.30pm for the last one, instead of 8pm as the evenings were closing in and invariably every year someone forgot this fact..!

Is Shanagarry on tonight? 

This isn’t some old guy looking back with rose tinted glasses and lamenting how running has changed and advanced. No, it is a poor effort at capturing the scene as it existed then and putting it on paper as a form of entertainment and historical fact. 

While the Ballycotton 10 was the premier distance race in the Country at the time, for us in the running scene in Cork and Waterford then the Summer Series was the bread and butter of our lives. It dominated the Summer. Holidays were booked to avoid missing one and once you tackled Ballyandreen in May, you were hooked for the series.

We have got used to online entries in advance, chip timing on our race numbers, instant results online and various bad photographs of our suffering scattered across the web.

Contrast this with how it all started in 1979 and carried on for 39 years until the final races in 2017. Queue up and pay on the night was the method of entry. 

Gun timing as the only result available and time lost going over the start line was your own issue. 

To get official results you probably had to wait until the next event where a sheet would be posted near the entries for you to check out. If you were lucky you might meet John Walshe at another race in the meantime and he would have a few spare copies. 

As for photographs there was very little taken as there really was no place to display them. Facebook was a long way into the future.

None of the courses were easy as they all contained some form of hill at some point of the race. 

When you go to a race that has a hill called the Beast of Ballyandreen then you know you are in for a testing evening. The hill was on mile 3 to mile 4 and sweet Lord, you would be offering novenas half way up it to end your suffering. Climbing poles were optional.

Shanagarry had a lovely 2 mile start to Garryvoe, but then a solid mile of a hill to Mullins Cross. After a handy enough 4th mile the last mile contained the pull up to the Cookery school. A slight downhill last half mile, that is if you were still running.

Churchtown South had a good few rolling hills and a nice climb back into the village passing the graveyard….! The mental cruelty came when you realised it was a 2 lap course and as you came alongside the finish line, then please do it all again.

And finally Ballycotton which was too bad except for an 800 stretch nearing and of mile 3 in Ballybraher that just got steeper as you went up it. At least it was the last one. Summer over.

They were brilliant, pure racing and just go for it. Nothing easy in any race and times weren’t too important. I got my first Casio digital watch on my Honeymoon in the Canaries and boy did I feel that I’m the fancy one. Actually it made it harder as before that I ran on feel. With a watch, I actually knew I was slow.

My favourite was Ballyandreen. It kicked off the Summer and you knew if you tackled this one then nothing would beat you. I once coughed up a lung or so it felt but thankfully I survived.

Thanks to John W, Seamus, Tommy and all the crew for the many years they gave us. Also to Liam O’Brien for being on both sides of the fence as an outstanding runner plus a serious administrator. I am open to correction on this but I do think Liam won something like 29 races in a row at one stage. Considering only  4 races per year that is some feat. Denis Mc Carthy or John W both serious historical statisticians will correct me if I’m wrong. 

Running has evolved and advanced. It is more organised and more inclusive than ever before. Lots of people are taking part in various outdoor activities and that is to be welcomed. Running also provides a home for older athletes like myself and not sidelined once the competitive days are over. 

Thanks also to John Desmond for launching the Cork running blog late 2006 and it gave us a site to preview races and look up race results. Big game changer in promoting running locally.

But still there was something simplistic and magical about racing back then. There has never been another 5 mile like these ones. They were the best and set the standards for what was to come later in other places. 

'The sun gives life, and it takes it away

But like all the greats, it'll burn out someday' …..Bell X1

For the record Cool Down and Chip had entered our vocabulary back then. After Shanagarry a large Bulmers in a Pint Glass with loads of ice in the nearby Goalpost Bar was the cool down and on the way home a bag of Michael Keohane’s finest Chips and a battered sausage rounded off a great evening. You know you lead me astray L O’C. Is it any wonder I never got an Olympic Qualifying time.

Have a lovely weekend

#pwr

Results of the Millstreet 5-mile road race - Fri 27th Dec 2025

The Milstreet 5-mile road race was held on Fri 27th June 2025 with 215 finishers, a slight drop on the numbers for last year.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Tadhg O'Sullivan Bweeng Trail Blazers AC 26:02 MS 857
2 Conor McCauley Leevale AC 26:20 M40 800
3 Mark Walsh Leevale AC 26:52 MS 908
4 Niamh O'Mahony Tralee 28:33 FS 847
13 Martina Kiely St Finbarrs AC 30:21 F40 893
18 Breeda McGinn Aghabullogue  31:11 F40 801

Full results HERE

Training programme for the 2025 Dublin Marathon

The 2025 Dublin Marathon is coming up on Sunday the 26th of October 2025. If anyone would like to optimise their training then I will be starting individualised training programmes soon. 

The marathon programme starts on the 30th of June. The cost is €144.

The length of programme really depends on where you are as a runner and what your initial endurance fitness is like.

After an initial consultation and we agree on what days you can train, a 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 interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

If you have another event in mind then send an e-mail to the above address.

Notice: Cloyne 4k charity race - Sun 13th July 2025

Every winter, there is a successful Cloyne 4k road race series which is very popular with local runners.

Now, a new summer Cloyne 4k road race has been added to the calendar and it will be held on Sunday 13th of July 2025 at 9:30am.

This race is a fund raising event for Marymount Hospice & being organised by CDCC & East Cork AC.

All proceeds from the race go to Marymount and it is hoped that runners might contribute a bit extra on the day by way of a donation.

The 4k course is shown above. The finish line is on a quiet road opposite the round tower and the start is a small bit out this road. The 4k course is pretty flat and most of it is on quiet country roads.

You can enter online HERE or on the day in Harty's Bar which is 70m north of the Round Tower.

Left at the first corner

Results of the Cork BHAA J&J MedTech 4-mile road race - Wed 25th June 2025

The Cork BHAA Johnson and Johnson MedTech 4-mile road race in Ringaskiddy was held on Wed 25th June 2025 with 359 runners crossing the finish line, a slight increase on the number for 2024.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech is the new name for DePuy Synthes so this is a regular race on the Cork BHAA calendar.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Ryan Creech 19:10 Temp Reg
2 Aidan Noone M1 20:37 Dept of Ed M-A-2
3 Sean Dinneen M2 20:51 Dept of Ed M-A-2
15 Sharon Rynne 0/35F F1 22:45 Kepak F-A-2
23 Orla Drumm 0/40F F2 23:21 HSE
28 Evita Volginaite F3 23:38 Zazzle Ireland

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some group photos up on the Cork BHAA Facebook page HERE

Results of the Dromcollogher Festival 4-mile - Mon 23rd June 2025

The annual Dromcollogher Festival 4-mile road race was held this year on Monday 23rd June 2025. There were 139 finishers which is up on last year.

Top 3 men & women...

1 21:53 KARL LENIHAN,  West Limerick A. C. M 19 1
2 22:00 PADRAIG O DONNELL,  West Limerick A. C. M 76 2
3 22:32 GEOVANI COSTA RIOS,  West Limerick A. C. M 46 3
8 24:00 CAROL FINN,  Leevale A.C F 74 8
10 24:36 REBECCA MC EVOY,  St Finbarrs AC F 81 10
29 28:36 ROISIN O REILLY,  Broadford Limerick F 121 29

Photos...

1) Niamh Barrett has a gallery HERE and HERE

2) Dermot Hever has some finish photos HERE

3) Eamon Doody Has a gallery HERE

Results for All Competitors (updated 25th June)

Record numbers for the Waterford Viking Marathon event - 22nd June 2025

The annual Waterford Viking Marathon was held this year on Sunday 22nd of June 2025 with over 3300 participants across the three events on offer... the full, half and quarter marathon.

Results HERE

The chart above shows the numbers since the event started in 2012.

The inaugural year of 2012 saw a record number of over 800 finishers for the full marathon as many runners were inspired to do the first marathon in the city. With that box ticked, the numbers dropped back to to about 400-500 per year. 

In 2018, the full marathon was cancelled due to the heat.

Post pandemic, the numbers have been recovering and the 531 finishers in 2025 was the second highest ever.

The Half-Marathon numbers have varied over the years but 2024 and 2025 were both new records.

Cork, Limerick and Waterford all have a shorter event which seems to be increasingly popular. Cork has a 10k, Limerick has a 6-mile and Waterford has a Quarter-Marathon.

The Quarter-Marathon this year had over 1400 finishers and has just overtaken the half to be the most popular event.

The chart above shows the total number of finishers from all events added together. This shows the extraordinary growth in the last few years.

Notice: Dromcollogher Carnival 4 mile road race, Co.Limerick - Mon 23rd June 2025

This 4-mile race in Dromcollogher is coming up on Mon 23rd June 2025 and might be of interest to runners in north Cork or Co Limerick.

For more info, see https://munsterrunning.blogspot.com/2025/06/notice-dromcollogher-carnival-4-mile.html

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 21st Jun 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 21st June 2025. Approximately 1,065  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig... Well done to Don Cafferkey who completed his 100th 5k parkrun and to Robert Quinn who hits 200!

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 309 this week, 334 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan O'BRIEN Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 17:48

2 Eamon RYAN Male VM40-44 Lucan Harriers 18:41

3 Jason PECKHAM Male SM25-29 18:58

29 Deirdre DUFF Female VW35-39 22:35

35 Mary SWEENEY Female VW65-69 St Finbarrs AC 22:57

38 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:15

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/380/

Tramore Valley Park: 201 this week, 224 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:32 

2 Unknown   

3 John AHERN Male JM15-17 19:08

16 Jacqueline HUGHES Female SW30-34 Musselburgh & District AC 21:41

26 Roisin CLEARY Female SW25-29 22:41

28 Jane O TOOLE Female VW45-49 23:19

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/158/

Glen River: 63 this week, 59 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean TWOHIG Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 17:45

2 Matthew ELLIS Male SM30-34 18:52

3 Colin MORRISON Male VM50-54 19:31

15 Saoirse CORRIGAN Female SW18-19 25:16

16 Mary O'HALLORAN Female VW50-54 Togher AC 26:14

17 Danielle Ó FLYNN Female VW40-44 26:17

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/264/

Midleton Greenway: 125 this week, 190 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan BOYCE Male VM35-39 17:33

2 Niall LAWLER Male SM30-34 17:58

3 Julius MICKUNAS Male SM30-34 18:53

5 Kathleen RYAN Female VW35-39 20:23 

22 Kira LAING Female SW25-29 24:06

27 Orla KELLY Female VW40-44 24:35

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/21/

Mallow Castle: 53 this week, 55 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown    

2 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 19:27

3 Darragh FROST Male SM30-34 19:29

12 Jennifer QUINLAN Female SW30-34 24:14

13 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 24:37

14 Elspeth AHERN Female SW30-34 24:46

Mallow results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/186/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 57 this week, 46 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:52

2 Keith BARRY Male VM45-49 St Catherines AC 20:20

3 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:28

5 Maeve COURTNEY Female JW15-17 20:36

7 Maeve MCGOVERN Female VW40-44 Thompson Estate AC 21:13

8 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:41

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/164/

Macroom Castle Demense: 48 this week, 44 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM11-14 20:52

2 Unknown 

3 James CARROLL Male VM55-59 21:03

22 Eliza CANTY Female JW10 25:44

23 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:37

24 Ailish HINCHION Female SW30-34 26:47

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/532/

Clonakilty: 55 this week, 47 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor O'NEILL Male VM45-49 18:53

2 John COLLINS Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 19:36

3 Bryan GALLWEY Male VM40-44 20:37

6 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 22:58 

9 Bernadette O'DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 23:09

10 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 23:59

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/485/

Glengarriff Woods: 77 this week, 75 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 20:15

2 Niall O' LEARY Male VM50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 20:23

3 Martin FINN Male VM40-44 20:46

9 Meave QUINLAN Female VW35-39 24:17

11 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 24:57

15 Nina MURPHY Female VW35-39 25:27

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/405/

Bere Island: 54 this week, 120 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Mark MURPHY Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 19:42

3 Ben REDMOND Male SM20-24 D.M.P A.C 22:15

4 Garry HILLIARD Male VM50-54 St Michael's AC 23:08

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 20:50

5 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:33

7 Laoise Ann O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:02

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/497/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 23 finishers this week, 27 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 22:22

2 Unknown

3 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 24:16

9 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:21

10 Eimear O'ROURKE Female SW30-34 29:15

12 Mary COTTER Female VW60-64 Tracton AC 33:12

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/417/

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

Guest Post: Mile 22 ...by Pat Walsh

 * Mile 22 *

Mile 22 in a marathon is the point where you are suffering badly but you know the end goal is near only to focus, believe, concentrate and trust yourself.

That is my dilemma, though I will never run another marathon. Injured with 7 months, no race since end of November, but I’m on the recovery trail. Nearly there but not quite. Finish line in sight but a lot of misery yet to go through. I’m at Mile 22.

Purpose of this article is to empathise, support, listen to and help fellow injured runners. We can all tweak a muscle and be back in two weeks but a long term injury is devastating. This isn’t self pity for me, it is an effort to help others who feel alone and isolated when they are out of action.

I know many of you love running and how it is an integral part of your life, to help give balance and support for your own physical and mental well-being. When you are out of action obviously the time spent exercising is lost but the 24 / 7 benefit of running is totally taken from you.  That affects you every minute of every day. Take nothing for granted.

I’m a different person from who I was late 2024. I haven’t ran with another person on a training run or in a race with 7 months…. ps thanks to a few beautiful people who did walk / jog parkruns with me. I’m in your debt.

It does change you and it takes a huge mental effort to keep going. You lose touch with training partners and other race participants. That lack of social interaction can be the hardest. The phone stops beeping. I found writing these posts tough but beneficial. 

Jaysus, I have done volunteering, stewarding, general support just to keep in touch but it isn’t the same thing. 

I have walked cliffs, footpaths, goat tracks, Kerry roads and Spanish beaches. I have cycled the Greenway most days. For the matter of public record, I was even umpire at a GAA match. Good to get back to my real roots. 

Will I ever run again?

Can I get back to where I was?

What if it happens again?

Why doesn’t my tshirt fit?

Why do the new running shoes for Christmas still look perfect. They should be worn out and dumped by now?

Was the ball over the bar or does it need Hawkeye?

Are they going to rename the Midleton – Youghal Greenway after me considering the amount of time I have spent walking and cycling on it?

I’m OK thanks, feel free to like or share but maybe think of your own friends who may be injured and suffering. They would like a contact.

Have a good weekend

#pwr

Barleycove Beach during the week

Results & Photos of the Donoughmore 7-mile road race - Thurs 19th June 2025

It was a lovely sunny evening for this years Donoughmore 7-mile road race which was held on Thurs 19th June 2025. A total of 210 runners crossed the finish line which is down a bit on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
 2979 1 Sean DINNEEN Cork Track Club A.C. M 39:19  
3448 2 Nathan Ryan O HEHIR St. Finbarrs A.C. M 40:53  
2945 3 Brian MULLINS St. Finbarrs A.C. M45 42:43  
3025 10 Catherine MURPHY Eagle A.C. F45 45:05  
2992 13 Breda GAFFNEY Mallow A.C. F50 45:39  
2967 18 Breeda MC GINN F40 46:19

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has two galleries... Album 1 and Album 2

2) Dermot Hever has some finish line photos HERE

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Apple Employees' Sports & Social Club 5k - Tues 17th June 2025

Some members of Na Piarsaigh Run Club with their distinctive yellow tops with inset red hand at the 2025 Cork BHAA Cork BHAA Apple Employees' Sports & Social Club 5k in Hollyhill

It was a lovely summer evening for the 2025 edition of the Cork BHAA Apple Employees' Sports & Social Club 5k in Hollyhill. A total of 436 runners crossed the finish line which is up 20% on the inaugural event last year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Nathan O Leary M1 00:15:49 Army
2 Shane Collins M2 00:16:03 Apple M-B-1
3 Conor McCauley 0/40M M3 00:16:07 Apple M-B-1
14 Lizzie Lee 0/45F F1 00:17:50 Apple
18 Emma Fitzpatrick F2 00:18:09 Cork Bike Hire
29 Michelle Kenny 0/45F F3 00:18:56 Dept of Ed F-A-2

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some photos up on the Cork BHAA page HERE

2) Gearóid Ó Laoi has several galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3 ... Album 4 ...

Results & Photos of the Dunmanway 10k road race - Sun 15th June 2025

Siobhan Holland of Eagle AC is the first woman

The annual Dunmanway 10k road race was held this year on Sunday 15th of June 2025 with 283 runners crossing the finish line, up a bit on the 258 of last year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 314 Danny Mullins Male 33:12
2 388 Mark Walsh Male 33:24
3 64 Michael Dullea Male 35:13
1 221 Siobhan Holland Female 43:24
2 254 Hilary Walsh Female 45:33
3 70 Sinéad O Regan Female 45:38

Full results HERE

The chart above shows the number of finishers over the years.

Photos...

1) Graham Meikle has some finish line photos...

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 

Half a million people are registered for parkrun in Ireland

Parkrun Ireland have just announced that they have just reached the 500,000 registrations mark!

The very first 5k parkrun in Ireland was in Belfast in November of 2010. Two years later, the first one in Dublin was the Malahide parkrun took place in November 2012. The very first 5k in Cork started in Macroom in May of 2013.

Since those early days, parkrun has been growing strongly and there are now usually over 1000 runners and walkers at the eleven 5k events in Co Cork every Saturday morning.

Of all the multitude of initiatives that Sport Ireland help fund, this one is certainly one of the most significant.

Results & Photos of the Cork Down Syndrome 21k Challenge - Sun 15th June 2025

The Cork Down Syndrome 21km Challenge from Haulbowline to Pairc Ui Chaoimh was held on Sunday 15th June 2025 with 218 runners and walkers crossing the finish line.

Top 3 men & women... 
1 Graham Cummins 1:22:31 M 40
2 Christopher Ryan 1:24:31 M 233
3 Garrett Casey   1:27:42 M 20
12 Sinead Oakes-Higgins   1:40:34 F 276
20 Helen Moakley   1:47:27 F 160
21 Jennifer Burke   1:47:31 F 16

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has the following...

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 14th Jun 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 14th June 2025. Approximately 1,221  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Ballincollig... No volunteers, no parkruns. A shout out to four and half year old Séimí O Flynn who reached his 10 volunteer milestone this morning at the Ballincollig parkrun!! 👏🏻👏🏻

Well done to Kevin O'Connor and James McCullagh who both hit the century mark. Ita O'Farrell hit the 200 mark this week!

Midleton... No volunteers, no parkruns. Well done to Kerry Constant who earned his 200th parkrun volunteer credit at the Midleton Greenway parkrun.

Macroom... Well done to Shay O’Donovan who completed his 300th parkrun this morning.

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 334 this week, 310 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Anthony MANNIX Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:40

2 Paul KELLY Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:41

3 Declan WALSH Male VM35-39 19:05

62 Gayle CORRY Female SW30-34 23:48

78 Liz O'DONOVAN Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 24:27

83 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 24:50

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/379/

Tramore Valley Park: 224 this week, 223 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 17:44

2 Paul FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 18:15

3 Liam MAHER Male SM25-29 18:58

7 Eimear FITZMAURICE Female VW40-44 Mayo AC 20:25

13 Mari BURKE Female VW45-49 21:49

18 Bernadette O'DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 22:22

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/157/

Glen River: 59 this week, 58 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 21:32

2 Kieran DUDDY Male VM35-39 21:48

3 Bryan GLENDON Male VM45-49 22:26

6 Mags HASSETT Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 24:19

10 Saoirse CORRIGAN Female SW18-19 26:03

13 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW55-59 UCC Staff Athletics Club 27:06

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/263/

Midleton Greenway: 190 this week, 133 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Séamus MCSWEENEY Male VM50-54 St. Nicholas AC 18:01

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:26

4 Johnny COMER Male VM35-39 19:08

3 Evita VOLGINAITE Female SW25-29 Ballymore Cobh AC 18:37

16 Pamela BARRY Female VW45-49 Aghada Running Club 21:41

19 Erika GATT COLEIRO Female VW35-39 21:51

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/20/

Mallow Castle: 55 this week, 72 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 John BROWNE Male VM40-44 19:55

2 Luke ROBERTSON Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 20:40

3 Mark SHEEHAN Male SM30-34 West Muskerry A.C. 21:14

11 Maretta BRENNAN Female VW55-59 Volunteers parkrun Club (Unofficial) 25:51

13 Muireann MURPHY Female JW11-14 26:29

14 Elena GAVIN Female JW15-17 26:35

Mallow results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/185/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 46 this week, 140 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:44

2 Adam BULMAN Male SM25-29 20:00

3 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:46

6 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:18

11 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:30

12 Sorcha KILGANNON Female SW18-19 23:38

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/163/

Macroom Castle Demense: 44 this week, 60 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Euan ROSS Male SM25-29 Datchet Dashers 19:26

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:30

3 David BRADLEY Male JM11-14 20:56

17 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 25:52

18 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:32

19 Hannah LEHNHART-BARNETT Female SW30-34 27:07

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/531/

Clonakilty: 47 this week, cancelled last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 West Cork Triathlon Club (WCTC) 21:08

2 Olan MURPHY Male SM18-19 21:20

3 Paul O'BRIEN Male VM40-44 21:30

6 Maura REGAN Female VW45-49 22:58

7 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 24:02

9 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 24:57

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/484/

Glengarriff Woods: 75 this week, 49 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Micheal CONWAY Male VM35-39 19:22

2 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 20:50

3 Johnnie RUSSELL Male JM10 22:59

11 Sophia KINGSTON Female SW25-29 26:19

15 Marion RUSSELL Female VW40-44 27:08

17 Julia COOPER Female VW40-44 28:13

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/404/

Bere Island: 120 this week, 64 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:28

5 Maeve HIGGINS Female VW60-64 23:02

6 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:22

2 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 21:49

3 Garry HILLIARD Male VM50-54 St Michael's AC 21:52

4 Pat SHEEHAN Male VM60-64 Kenmare Tri Club 23:01

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/496/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 27 finishers this week, 26 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 20:28

2 Shane FITZGERALD FOLEY Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 23:36

3 James WHITE Male VM35-39 24:39

11 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:47

18 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 34:14

19 Spah MBALI Female VW40-44 35:52

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/416/

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

Results of the Jockey Injury Fund 5k in Conna - Fri 13th June 2025

This charity 5k race was held in Conna on Fri 13th June 2025 with 116 runners crossing the finish line. 

Top 3 men & women...
Place Athlete  Club Location Time Cat Bib
1 William Verling St Nicholas AC  16:17 MS 242
2 Struan Simpson Kildinan 17:18 M35 262
3 Peter Verling St Nicholas AC 17:19 MJ 243
23 Annmarie Quirke St Nicholas AC 21:37 FS 202
24 Joanna Walton Shanballymore  21:44 FS 216
25 Ciara Hayes St Catherine's AC 21:50 FJ 153

Full results HERE

A look at the Glengarriff 5k parkrun numbers as it passes 400 events

The Glengarriff 5k parkrun in west Cork started back on the 2nd of January 2016 and on the 24th of May 2025, they held their 400th edition. The chart above shows the numbers over the years. It shows the initial surge in numbers, the drop off in 2017 and then the steady rise.

Unlike the parkruns in or near Cork City, the parkruns in West Cork vary quite a bit depending on the time of year.

Glengarrif is fairly remote and the catchment area are locals and runners from the nearest population centres of Bantry and Kenmare. In the Summer months and Bank Holiday weekends, the numbers of tourists or people going home gives a boost to the numbers.

If we look at the average number per event for each year, it gives a better idea of what the change in numbers is like.

This shows the drop in numbers in 2017 which is followed by a gradual rise in 2018 and 2019.

The numbers for 2020 are inflated somewhat as it just shows the start of the year until the start of March. Then of course the pandemic kicked in and there were no more events to bring the average down.

In 2021, the parkrun resumed in September but the numbers were well down as they were for nearly all running events.

2022, 2023 & 2024 showed a gradual recovery which mirrors a lot of other events. 2024 was a good year with an average of 77 finishers per event.

2025 in the chart above is marked with a * because it only covers up to the 7th of June. The average numbers so far for 2025 are down a bit on 2024 but there is still the tourist season to bring up the average. On the flip side, there is also the cold and wet days in the last quarter of the year to bring it back down again.

It does suggest that perhaps the numbers in Glengarriff are going to even off this year? We'll know for sure at the end of the year.

Do numbers matter?... The number of finishers for any 5k parkrun isn't a critical issue. They're not like road races where they need a certain number of runners to pay for the permits, prizes and all the other stuff. 

Parkruns are free and it's the same regardless whether there are 20 or 200 taking part. The main benefit however of larger numbers is that there is a larger pool of people available that might volunteer to help out at future events.

Results of the Cork BHAA Musgraves 5k - Wed 11th June 2025

There was a big turnout for this years Cork BHAA Musgraves 5k road race with a total of 615 runners crossing the finish line. That was actually down 9% on the figure for last year and might have been due to the damp conditions this year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Paul Moloney 0/45M M1 00:15:13 Moloney
2 Tadhg O'Sullivan M2 00:15:25 Cork University Hospital
3 Danny Mullins 00:15:27 Temp Reg
18 Sinead O'Connor 0/35F F1 00:16:35 Dept of Ed F-A-1
43 Jennifer Martin 0/35F F2 00:17:38 Amazon
53 Amy Pollmann 00:17:51 Temp Reg

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Derek Costello has the following galleries...

part 1   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1242979861164483&type=3
part 2   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1242983917830744&type=3
part 3   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1242987651163704&type=3
part 4   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1242991867829949&type=3
part 5   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1242995871162882&type=3

Extension to Bandon walkway expected to open July 2025

The Clare O'Leary Walk in Bandon runs alongside the N71 road and it opened more than a decade ago. The walk which is about 1.6kms in length however was not easily accessible by foot from the town and anyone wishing to use it had to drive there.

The photo below shows what the road between the walkway and the town looked like in 2009. As can be seen from the photo, it was very dangerous for anyone wishing to walk or run to the walkway. It was like this up to recently.

The only safe way to get to the walkway was by driving there. When I used it a few years back, it looked overgrown which suggests that not many people used it.

A new walkway connecting the Clare O'Leary Walk is now under construction.

This new section which is about 1km in length will connect the Clare O'Leary Walk to the town itself. 

The overall length now for the new extended walk is about 2.6kms which might suit some runners that want to do a light run or some speed work.

You'll notice as well that 2.6kms out and back (5.2kms) is enough to fit a 5k parkrun. Is there any interest locally?? Maybe there are some other factors we don't know about.

The full length of the Greenway which will be now be a full 3-metres in width is expected to open in July of 2025.

While the north-eastern end of the walk still ends on the busy N71 road, there is a possibility that it become part of the new West Cork Greenway in the future. The Clare O'Leary Walk would cross a bridge over the Bandon River, through an old tunnel and then onto Upton, Crossbarry, Halfway and through the Goggins Hill tunnel to Cork City.