Results of the Run the Line 5k on the Crosshaven Greenway - Sat 30th Aug 2025

It was wet & windy for this months Run the Line 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway and it had an impact on the numbers. 

Marie Howard of Leevale AC wins the 2025 Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon - 30th Aug 2025

The 2025 edition of the Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon was held on Saturday 30th of August on what was a very damp morning.

The first woman home was Marie Howard of Leevale AC with a time of 1h 21m 54.

Top 5 men & women...

1 Pat HENNESSY 1:10:33 479 M MS West Waterford A.C.
2 Dermot GORMAN 1:11:51 484 M Carrick on Suir A.C.
3 Paul DORAN 1:12:16 452 M United Striders A.C.
4 Pat FITZGERALD 1:13:13 478 M MS Waterford A.C.
5 Aidan CONNELL 1:13:29 197 M West Waterford A.C.
1 Marie HOWARD 1:21:54 747 F FS Leevale A.C.
2 Laura NOONAN 1:28:01 764 F 
3 Breda GAFFNEY 1:29:01 760 F Mallow A.C.
4 Anne O'DONOVAN 1:30:22 646 F 
5 Orla HAYES 1:30:34 761 F Leevale A.C.

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) John Troy has some photos of the start HERE

Category results...

Male 40 - 1st David Power Rathfarnham WSAF A.C. / 2nd Noel Murphy Waterford A.C.

Male 45 - 1st John Coffey West Waterford A.C. / 2nd Raivis Zakis West Waterford A.C.

Male 50 - 1st John Byrne United Striders / 2nd John Guiry no club

Male 55 - 1st John Murphy Grange Fermoy / 2nd Eugene O'Keeffe Carrick on Suir

Male 60 - 1st Paul MacGabhann / 2nd Ray Hahesy West Waterford

Male 65 - 1st Gerry Cantwell West Waterford / 2nd Jim O Reilly ind

No Male 70 

Male Junior - Tadhg Nolan ind

Mens Team

1st - Clonmel A.C. 79 points - Danny Brosnan 14, Luke Burfield 30, Ian Purcell 35 

2nd Team - St Catherine's A.C. 87 points - Michael Byrne 19, Jim Harty 29, Jonathan Kenneally 39 

Female 35 - 1st Lyndsey Keating Ind. / 2nd Christine Kelly East Cork A.C.

Female 40 - 1st Roseanna Knox KCH A.C. / 2nd Lisa Collins KCH A.C.

Female 45 - 1st Siobhan Holland Eagle A.C. / 2nd Olga O Loughlin St Finbarrs A.C

Female 50 - 1st Siobhan Mc Hugh Ind / 2nd Pamela Barry Aghada A.C.

Female 55 - 1st Geraldine Grogan KCH A.C. / 2nd Mol Lambert Ind

Female 60 - 1st Margaret Kirwan Ind / 2nd Liz Nolan Ind

Female 65 - 1st Catherine Redmond United Striders A.C. / No second place 

No junior 

1st Ladies Team - West Waterford A.C. 52 - Natalie Sheehan 10, Eveleen Drohan 13, Linda Foley 29

2nd Ladies Team - Kilkenny City Harriers A.C. 118 - Anita Byrne 11, Ann Marie Shorthall 42, Laura Andrews 65

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 30th Aug 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 30th August 2025. Approximately 782   runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

It was a damp morning this weekend. Let's give a shout out to all the volunteers who made the parkruns possible this weekend.

Bere Island... Well done to Proinnsias O'Keeffe who completed his 350th 5k parkrun. At the same event, Claire Moriarty from Kerry reached 300 and Brendan O'Mahony from the UK reached 250!

ONGOING

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 152 this week, 271 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Daniel DOLLARD Male JM15-17 17:10
2 Govinda O'SULLIVAN Male SM25-29 Eagle A.C. 17:19
3 Liam CASEY Male JM15-17 Waterford Orienteers 18:49
15 Aisling LONG Female VW35-39 21:38
23 Helen CRONIN Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:52
28 Deirdre DUFF Female VW35-39 24:02

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/390/

Tramore Valley Park: 271 this week, 223 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Michael HARRINGTON Male VM50-54 Durrus Athletic Club 17:20
2 Jason CROWLEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:44
3 Colin MORRISON Male VM50-54 19:01
7 Aoibheann LAWTON Female SW20-24 Durrus Athletic Club 20:03
8 Anna TOWNS Female SW18-19 20:16
9 Ciara O GORMAN Female SW20-24 St Finbarrs AC 20:27

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/168/

Glen River: 47 this week, 67 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Carl BARON Male VM45-49 Yaxley Runners & Joggers 19:57
2 Saketh RAVULURI Male SM25-29 21:00
3 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 21:12
8 Orla COFFEY Female SW20-24 23:29
16 Claire MCGONAGLE Female VW55-59 27:30
18 Sophia DUNCLIFFE Female JW11-14 28:21

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/274/

Midleton Greenway: 81 this week, 133 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 19:21
2 Shane KEARNEY Male VM45-49 St Catherines AC 19:48
3 Paul KEARNEY Male VM40-44 20:02
9 Grace LEUENBERGER Female SW30-34 20:37
10 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 20:46
13 Ciara TIERNEY Female VW35-39 Tralee Triathlon Club 22:24

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/31/

Mallow Castle: 69 this week, 89 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ruairi MANNING Male SM20-24 17:04
2 Nollaig O SCANNLAIN Male SM30-34 18:27
3 Ian JENNINGS Male VM35-39 19:39
15 Norleen KENNY Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:27
21 Martina LYONS Female VW50-54 24:16
25 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW40-44 24:51

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/196/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 28 this week, 61 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraic MCDONAGH Male VM35-39 19:26

2 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 19:48

3 Krzysztof PAWLIK Male VM45-49 Youghal AC 22:12

8 Saoirse CORRIGAN Female SW18-19 25:13

10 Laura BEAUSANG Female JW11-14 26:09

13 Mim BRANSTON Female JW15-17 28:05

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/174/

Macroom Castle Demense: 46 this week, 57 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown
2 David BRADLEY Male JM11-14 20:16
3 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:25
10 Emma LAKE Female VW50-54 Erme Valley Harriers 22:53
22 Anna LAKE Female SW20-24 Erme Valley Harriers 25:25
23 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:01

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/541/

Clonakilty: 28 this week, 58 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Kevin O'BYRNE Male VM35-39 20:29
3 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 West Cork Triathlon Club (WCTC) 20:57
5 Neil GAGE Male VM45-49 Bishops Stortford RC 22:52
2 Nicole HARRINGTON Female SW20-24 20:41
4 Helen ANDERSON Female VW50-54 22:29
11 Susan STEELE Female VW50-54 25:37

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/495/

Glengarriff Woods: 49 this week, 107 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Luke BARTLETT Male SM25-29 20:44
2 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 21:29
3 David MCCARTHY Male VM35-39 21:42
6 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 25:07
12 Marie Therese BRADY Female VW50-54 28:47
14 Joanne MURPHY Female VW40-44 29:02

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/415/

Bere Island: 61 this week, 89 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Leon CLEMENT Male VM40-44 London FrontRunners 18:51
2 Cormac DELANEY Male VM45-49 19:30
3 Michael GARVEY Male SM30-34 20:19
8 Laoise Ann O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 24:23
10 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:34
11 Sandy CARR Female VW45-49 North Belfast Harriers 25:04

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/507/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 25 finishers this week, 45 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Dara O'CARROLL Male VM35-39 19:25
2 Finn MACCARTHY Male SM20-24 Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers 24:08
3 Paul MACCARTHY Male VM55-59 Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers 24:53
8 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 28:20
10 Kamila JAKUBOWSKA-SWITAJ Female VW45-49 Fota Island Running Club 29:33
14 Frances LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 32:01

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/427/

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

Joe Murphy completes an alphabet of parkruns

A while back, I had a post up about how some runners were trying to complete an alphabet of parkruns i.e. the first letter of each parkrun from A to Z.

As can be seen from some photos above, Joe Murphy from Blarney has been busy travelling to various parkruns in Ireland and abroad collecting the various letters.

Back in April of 2025, Joe completed the 10-year quest when he took part in a parkrun in Poland beginning with the letter Z.

Joe's full list of parkruns by alphabet is shown below and he is currently working on a second list!

What is HYROX?

I was recently updating the event calendar on the blog and I came across some events called 'HYROX'. I can't remember seeing that name before so I was wondering what was it all about?

It turns out that HYROX is a sport which involves doing eight 1km runs with various exercises at the end of each km

This is the usual format...
1 km of running & 1km of SkiErg
1 km of running & 50m of sled push[21]
1 km of running & 50m of sled pull
1 km of running & 80m of burpee broad jump
1 km of running & 1km of rowing
1 km of running & 200m of kettlebell farmer carry
1 km of running & 100m of sandbag walking lunge
1 km of running & 100 wall balls

It first started in Germany in 2018 and it has now spread to many countries. 

Considering that the event is indoors and in loops, it's not hard to see why it might be more spectator friendly than say a road race or triathlon.

There is a two day HYROX event coming up at Ballymaloe in east Cork on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 2025.

Info HERE

The parkrun Pioneer Challenge...

While many runners tend to just go to their local 5k parkrun, some become parkrun tourists and visit other locations. This inevitably leads to lists of various sorts.

One of these is the challenge of doing parkruns by letters of the alphabet i.e. B for Ballincollig, M for Midleton and so on. I covered this is a previous post... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2023/12/doing-5k-parkruns-by-letter.html

Someone recently me about the runners who try the Pioneer Challenge and this requires that you  complete the first event in every current parkrun country. 

The first event in Ireland is Malahide, the first one in the UK is Bushy Park and so on.

At the last update, one person had 12 countries. There are 1872 people on the list at present and the minimum number of countries is four.

You can find the full list HERE

It's interesting to note on the map the countries in Europe where there are no parkruns at present.

Results of the Clonmel Half-Marathon - Sun 24th Aug 2025

The big half-marathon in Munster last weekend was the Clonmel Half-Marathon in Co Tipperary which had a total of 439 finishers on what was a dry overcast day. As can be seen from the chart above, that's down about 20% on the figure for 2024.

If we were to look at the numbers for most races, we'd see the pre-pandemic numbers for 2017-2019, then a crash in numbers in 2022 and then a gradual recovery to pre-pandemic levels. In the case of the Clonmel Half, they're struggling to recover.

One of the big factors now is that there are plenty of events to choose from. The Youghal Bay Half-Marathon was at the start of August and got 799 finishers. The Waterford Greenway Half is next weekend and Charleville amongst others is coming up as well.

Top 5 men & women...
 Bib Pos. Name Club AG Gun Time
390 1 David MANSFIELD Clonmel A.C. M 1:09:21
374 2 Sean TOBIN Clonmel A.C. M 1:14:02
243 3 Barry HARTNETT Dundrum A.C. M40 1:14:18
472 4 Nathan Ryan O HEHIR St. Finbarrs A.C. M 1:17:33
264 5 Tony MC NALLY M 1:18:34
2 15 Laura COONEY Clonmel A.C. F 1:24:08
406 30 Sharon KIELY F40 1:28:46
273 36 Eimear HENNESSY F 1:29:05
226 45 Eileen MC CULLAGH Moyne A.C. F40 1:30:09
194 70 Linda GROGAN Dundrum A.C. F40 1:36:10

Full results HERE

Addendum: Someone mentioned in in the comments to this post that Clonmel AC were late in announcing the race. For reference, the race flyer went up on their Facebook page on the 30th of June.

Hannah Steeds wins the Jerry Kiernan 5k in Listowel - 24th Aug 2025

The inaugural Jerry Kiernan Memorial 5k road race was held in Listowel in north Kerry on Sunday 24th August 2025 with 256 runners crossing the finish line. For a 5k race in Kerry, that's a pretty good turnout.

The first woman across the line was Hannah Steeds of Leevale AC in Cork with a time of 16m 51s.

Top 3 men & women...
3812 1 William FITZGERALD Craughwell A.C. M 14:32
2083 2 Denis HEARTY M 14:35
3817 3 Conor KISSANE Killarney Valley A.C. M 15:27
3835 11 Hannah STEEDS Leevale A.C. F 16:51
3869 12 Niamh O MAHONY F 17:03
3865 16 Ciara O NEILL Clonmel A.C. F 17:23

Full results HERE

Photos...

a) Sylwia Stefaniak has a gallery of photos HERE

Hannah Steeds receiving the winners trophy from former Olympic medallist John Treacy

Results & Photos of the Chris Harrington Memorial 5k - Sun 24th Aug 2025

This 5k in Bishopstown was held in memory of the late Chris Harrington who was a member of Leevale AC. There were 237 finishers and the proceeds went to Pieta House.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Barry Twohig (#193) St Finbarrs A.C. 15:36 Senior (1) Male (1)
2 Neil Barrett (#136) 16:04 Senior (2) Male (2)
3 Heywood Richardson (#93) Leevale A.C. 16:27 Senior (3) Male (3)
13 Hannah Smith (#91) 17:48 Senior (1) Female (1)
14 Orla Drumm (#262) Crusaders A.C. 17:51 Senior (2) Female (2)
19 Anna Creagh (#1) Leevale A.C. 18:16 Under 16 (1) Female (3)

Full results HERE 

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has some photos of the start HERE and finish 1 , finish 2 , finish 3 , finish 4 , finish 5 

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 23rd Aug 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 23rd August 2025. Approximately 1266   runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

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

Ballincollig... Well done to Martin Lynch who completed his 250th 5k parkrun at the Ballincollig event this weekend! 

Martin did 215 of the 250 in Ballincollig.

Also in Ballincollig, Liz O'Brien completed her 100th pakrun!

Dixie Collins also reached the century mark with 89 of them in Ballincollig. Martin Butler also reached the 200 mark!

Tramore Valley Park... Well done to Grace Jordan who completed her 100th 5k parkrun this weekend. This was Grace's first outing at Tramore Valley and most of the 100 parkruns were at parkruns in Dublin.

ONGOING

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 289 this week, 268 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Colm DEASY Male SM30-34 17:47
2 Brian COLLINS Male SM25-29 18:49
3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 19:03
4 Aoibhín O'CONNOR Female SW25-29 19:05
16 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 21:30
17 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 21:39

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/389/

Tramore Valley Park: 271 this week, 223 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Aaron KELLY Male SM30-34 St. Mary's AC 18:40
2 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:46
4 Enda MCGONIGLE Male SM30-34 19:03
3 Karen WALSH Female VW45-49 18:59
24 Clare MADDEN Female VW40-44 Togher AC 21:08
41 Laura HEFFERNAN Female VW40-44 23:14

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/167/

Glen River: 67 this week, 75 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew HADLUM Male VM35-39 Coventry Godiva Harriers 19:01
2 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:17
3 Niall HYLAND Male VM45-49 Frontrunners Cork 20:18
16 Hannah COFFEY Female JW11-14 26:27
18 Clodagh CARROLL Female VW45-49 27:09
20 Ciara YOUNG Female SW30-34 28:19

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/273/

Midleton Greenway: 133 this week, 125 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Leon CLEMENT Male VM40-44 London FrontRunners 18:04
2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:14
3 Brendan KEARNEY Male SM30-34 18:51
13 Paula MULCAHY Female VW50-54 22:01
21 Danielle Ó FLYNN Female VW40-44 25:03
27 Linda O SHEA-REDDY Female VW55-59 26:24

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/30/

Mallow Castle: 89 this week, 81 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown
2 Sean LEAHY Male JM15-17 Croydon Harriers 18:14
3 Patrick FOLEY Male VM40-44 19:51
11 Eileen O KEEFFE Female VW55-59 DONERAILE AC 21:44
17 Denise TWOHIG Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:05
18 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW40-44 23:48

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/195/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 61 this week, 75 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Thomas O NEILL Male VM35-39 18:02
2 Lewis HACKNEY Male VM35-39 Run4All Neath 18:51
3 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 18:57
11 Muirna TWOMEY Female VW50-54 22:10
17 Clare BROWNE Female VW35-39 23:25
19 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 23:58

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/173/

Macroom Castle Demense: 57 this week, 46 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David BRADLEY Male JM11-14 20:34
2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:56
3 Daire LUCEY Male JM15-17 21:14
13 Tina POWER Female VW40-44 24:31
14 Ailis CROWLEY Female SW30-34 24:36
18 Caroline O DONNELL Female VW55-59 25:37

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/540/

Clonakilty: 58 this week, 61 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Tiarnan O DONOGHUE Male JM15-17 Togher AC 19:58
2 Eddie SHAWCROSS CAMPBELL Male JM11-14 20:44
4 Brian KEARNEY Male VM45-49 21:55
3 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:42
9 Tania HELEN Female SW30-34 24:26
12 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 25:29

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/494/

Glengarriff Woods: 107 this week, 106 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 20:36
2 Arun SHANKAR Male VM50-54 21:48
3 Paddy DALY Male JM15-17 22:02
6 Emma LAKE Female VW50-54 Erme Valley Harriers 23:19
7 Gaya CREMERS Female VW35-39 23:41
9 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:48

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/414/

Bere Island: 89 this week, 116 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 George WIGZELL Male VM40-44 20:20
3 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 22:49
4 Unknown
2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 20:59
8 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:36
11 Maria DOBSON Female VW45-49 24:57

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/506/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 45 finishers this week, 40 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Nicole HARRINGTON Female SW20-24 21:38
6 Helen ANDERSON Female VW50-54 23:56
17 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 29:34
2 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM45-49 Eagle A.C. 22:11
3 Joe WRIXON Male JM15-17 23:24
4 Unknown

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/426/

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

Guest Post: Veteran ...by Pat Walsh

 * Veteran *

I attended a few races recently and I’m astounded by the quality of performances from the age category runners. I compare Peter Pan, and his refusal to grow up and act like an adult, to the many great runners who are defying age and still lighting up the roads and races with some spectacular times.

When I first started road racing many years ago I remember looking at results and the word ‘Vet’ was placed after some runners names. This was a category for Veterans, anyone over the age of 40. 26 years away from the free-travel pass, loads of life in them but still being written off as beyond it. The only veterans I knew then were ex-Army men who had served their time and were ready for Ceremonial duties, a few pints and reminisce about old campaigns. I couldn’t equate a runner in their 40’s with this word.

Thankfully now all has changed and the different Categories in the races encourages us all to take part. At least we are not veterans. Some fantastic results can be found in each and every age group.

I suppose some of us look at our own category to see where would you exist in the scheme of things. Few recent examples in the (my) M60 category. I never won and prize and never will but it doesn’t bother me. I can appreciate the quality of those that do win.

Youghal Half Marathon the winner of M60 Category was 1.20 and if you ran 1.30 you wouldn’t even get 3rd place.

John Buckley 10K M60 winner was 38.51 and 3rd was 40.51.

The recent BHAA 5k (which I ran myself…!) the M60 winner was 18.35.

That is quality.

I have heard it said it would be easier to qualify for the Olympics than win an 0/40 prize male or female..

Veterans my a*se.

But it isn’t all about times. Just running and celebrating the health and vitality to do so is enough for many people. The Running Community is now so accepting of everyone of whatever age and the encouragement for all is a joy to behold.

Running as part of your whole life experience is accepted and celebrated. Peter Pan refused to grow up and act an adult whereas the modern older runner thinks and maybe acts like a child, but is responsible enough to manage their physical and mental health to keep them active in their later years.

Maybe the Dylan Thomas quote / poem about refusal to bend to society norms and act our age is more appropriate:

'Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'

When people ask why do I still run at ‘my age’ I ask them why not?

I have friends who run, we laugh, we smile, we hug, we encourage, we tease endlessly. We celebrate and enjoy every occasion and event. Many others have not got this far to do so.

Maybe the ultimate irony is an 0/65 runner who arrives on a free-travel pass and runs an event. Old enough for the state to bequeath free travel to mark their lifelong contribution to the state, while they themselves are thinking ‘Great another race…!’

My own quote: ‘May we never grow too old to stop running and laughing’

Thanks to the great Graham for the picture.

May you have a fantastic weekend. I must get out my pipe and slippers.

#pwr

Long cycle to the 5k parkrun on Bere Island - Aug 2025

Back in 2024, Grellan McGrath and myself started a project to try and cycle to every 5k parkrun in Co Cork. That summer, we managed the long trip from Cork City down to Castlehaven and back in a day for #7.

In 2025, we went to Midleton for #8 and then in July, we made the long trip to Glengarriff for my 100th 5k parkrun and Cork parkrun #9...  https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2025/07/long-cycle-to-glengarriff-to-do-my.html

That particular cycle was just over 200kms for me so I knew that getting to Bere Island and back would be a two day trip for sure.

On Friday the 16th of August, I left my house at about 12:30pm and began the long cycle to Castletownbere. At about 1:40pm, I met up with Grellan in Ballincollig and then we were on the road. We went the most direct route possible which is via Crookstown and on the 'Bantry Line' to Coppeen and over the Cousane Gap to Ballylickey.

The last time we used this route was for the cycle to the Glengarriff parkrun. On that occasion, we went through Crookstown at dawn on  a cool Saturday morning on quiet roads and we were in fog for most of the journey down.

This time, it was a different proposition. It was a warm busy Friday afternoon with lots of people driving on the same road to west Cork. 

It would have been nicer to have a quieter route but any alternatives are both much hillier and longer. Any substantial delay would risk arriving in Castletownbere well after sunset.

Aided by a strong easterly tailwind, we made good time and arrived at the Cousane Gap in hazy sunshine. As you can see from the photo above, we carried quite a bit of gear this time in marked contrast to the Glengarriff one-day trip when we had very little.

Up and over the Cousane Gap and then down to Ballylickey for the first coffee break, about the 90km mark for me and 67km for Grellan.

Break over, it was back to the unrelenting tempo of pushing westwards to get to our destination before it was too dark... over the hill to Glengarriff and then down the long Beara peninsula.

There was one particular hill at a townland called Coolieragh where it was a struggle not to walk. Coming at 108kms, it was pretty brutal.

Onwards we went, through Adrigole and eventually arrived at the Berehaven Golf Club & Camper Park at about 7:20pm. We had made good time with plenty of daylight left but I was pretty much spent due to the fast pace and the weight of all the gear on the bike. I had cycled 130kms but it felt like 180.

After signing in, we then proceeded to set up the two tents. Why camp? Our aim was to get to each of the parkruns in Cork under our own power. If we had to do an overnight trip then it seemed more appropriate that we should carry our own means of sleeping rather than staying in a B&B or guesthouse. There was going to be no luxury on this trip! 😂

Once the tents were up and safe in the knowledge that we had some place to sleep for the night, we cycled the 5kms or so into Castletownbere for some food and drink.

Considering it was a Friday evening in the middle of August, I was expecting the town to be very busy. In reality, it wasn't or at least it didn't seem to be. There was still plenty of people about but I just thought it would have been busier.

It was still surreal to be sitting in the square in Castletownbere in west Cork considering that we had cycled there under our own power all the way from Cork City.

10pm arrived and it was a case of cycling back the 5kms in the dark to the camp site. Planning for the trip, we brought lights for the bikes just in case and in the end, we actually needed them.

Pressing finish on the Strava app, I had clocked a total of 141.2kms or 88-miles for the day.

The thing about camping is that it's the unforeseen things that can be an issue. I brought an inflatable mattress, an inflatable pillow, a blanket, etc. What I hadn't accounted for was  the noise from the tent flapping in the strong breeze and this meant a night of broken sleep.

The photo above shows the flag on the site horizontal in the strong easterly breeze. Bere Island can be seen in the background.

The next morning, it was a case of packing up the tents and gear and cycling the 300m or so across the golf course to the ferry for the 8:30am crossing. There was about 15-20 other foot passengers there who were also getting on the ferry, most of whom seemed to be going to the parkrun.

On the ferry to Bere Island

The situation with the ferry may not be very clear for anyone going to the parkrun for the first time.

The ferry that we got was Murphys Ferry Service which operates from a pier which is about 5kms to the east of Castletownbere. For 2025, the early 8:30am service on a Saturday morning only operates from the 22nd of June to the 31st of August. It goes directly to Rerrin on the east side of Bere Island and it's a 600m walk from the pier there to the parkrun.

The other ferry is Bere Island Ferries which goes from Castletownbere to the west side of the island. This leaves at 9am every Saturday all year round and you need to book the ferry in advance so that there is a space for you on the shuttle bus for the 7km trip from the west side of the island to the parkrun.

Parkrun finish chute with Hungry Hill in the background

After a choppy crossing, we left the ferry and cycled the 600m up to the GAA grounds which is the HQ for the parkrun. If you're a first time visitor then just follow the other visitors.

We were the first to arrive and there was nobody there. Within 15 mins, people and buses were arriving and the place was a hive of activity as everyone got ready.

The parkrun is one 5k loop around the eastern part of the island as shown in the map below.

After a short warm up on what felt like dead legs, it was time for the start of the parkrun. 

This starts about 100m from the finish line at a small little road junction. There is a memorial here dedicated to the memory of the late John Walsh who was instrumental in establishing the parkrun on the island.

The roads here are really narrow so if you're running at a reasonably fast pace then you need to be near the front. 

The time duly arrived and we were off! The Bere Island parkrun has a reputation as a very hilly parkrun and after an initial flat start, we were straight into a climb in the first km.

I knew in advance that there was an early first hill so I was expecting it but in reality, it wasn't that bad. I was expecting some soul destroying climbs out along the course but I fond them all to be pretty modest. Yes, they slow you down but nothing like you'd feel like you'd be tempted to walk.

The photo above shows just part of the course and the views. It really is a stunning spot with the mountains and Hungry Hill on one side and Bantry Bay and the Sheeps Head peninsula on the other.

Some might wonder why is this parkrun on public roads while virtually all the rest are in public parks or on walkways? The reality is there is virtually no traffic on these roads on a Saturday morning and the whole island is like a giant park. Other than the marshals at the various junctions, the only activity we saw along the course was people sitting outside their houses watching the weekly parkrun pass by.

Grellan finishing the parkrun

In the end, I finished 11th out of 165 finishers in a time of 23m 07s and it was exactly the same time I did for the Tramore Valley Park parkrun in Cork City the previous week. This suggests to me that the Bere Island parkrun isn't as hilly or as hard as some people say it is.

In terms of difficulty, I'd probably put it on a par with the Glen River parkrun on the northside of Cork City with the hill that you have to do twice. The hill in the Glen is certainly steeper but it's also shorter.

Before I did the Bere Island parkrun, I wasn't sure but I think I'd have to give the title of the hardest 5k parkrun in Co Cork to the event in Castlehaven. The title for the most scenic parkrun goes to Bere Island hands down.

After coffee and scones in Rerrin, it was back on the 11am ferry to the mainland.

Then began the long cycle home into an easterly headwind towards Cork City on the same roads we came down the previous day.

Eventually after starting the day with a 5k parkrun on Bere Island, I finally arrived home at about 8pm in the evening... a long long day. 

The Strava app showed I cycled 129.6kms / 81-miles for the day, In total, it was about 271kms / 167-miles for the two days combined.

Final thoughts...

Looking back at it, it still seems surreal that we actually cycled all the way to the Castletownbere and Bere Island for a 5k parkrun. 

If I ever got the notion to do it again, the sheer distance would intimidate me again. It's a long drive from Cork City to Castletownbere let alone doing it on a bike.

It was a great challenge to do but it was certainly a tough one. It probably helped mentally to break the journey up into stages and not think too much about the overall length.

The key though is pace. If the pace is modest, you can go for ages. If anyone ever gets the notion to try a duathlon of sorts to Bere Island then leave early and take your time.

Whatever you do, don't try to keep up with the former winner of the Connemara 100-mile! 😂😂

Notice: Chris Harrington Memorial 5k - Sun 24th Aug 2025

The Chris Harrington Memorial 5k is coming up at MTU in Bishopstown on Sunday 24th of August 2025 at 10am. Proceeds from the race are going to Pieta House charity.

Online entry HERE and entries on the day from 8am.

Guest Post: Orla Drumm

ORLA DRUMM

A regular prize-winner on the Cork BHAA circuit this summer has been Orla Drumm, representing the HSE. After a number of top finishes, Orla made it to the number one spot last Tuesday night at the Carey Tools 5km when winning in a time of 18:15.

Many may not be aware that over a decade ago the Limerick native was one of the country’s leading middle-distance performers. At the Athletics Ireland national senior championships in 2012 she won the 1500m, adding to the 800m title she had achieved back in 2007.

She also has three national indoor titles to her credit - over 1500m (2006 and 2012) and 3000m (2007). Her best time for the 1500m of 4:09.95 still ranks her 17th on the Irish all-time outdoor list. That was achieved in May 2012, the same year she represented Ireland at the European Championships in Helsinki.

As can be seen from the picture, Orla also had the honour that summer of appearing on the cover of Irish Runner magazine advertising a three-page feature on her titled ‘Doctor On The Run’.

Results of the Cork BHAA Carey Tools 5k - Tues 19th Aug 2025

The inaugural Cork BHAA Carey Tools 5k was held in Blackrock on Tues 19th Aug 2025 with 351 runners crossing the finish line. 

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Kristaps Liepins M1 00:15:35 Stryker
2 Anthony Mannix M2 00:15:59 Dell Technologies M-A-2
3 John Meade 0/45M M3 00:16:09 Dept of Ed M-B-1
25 Orla Drumm 0/40F F1 00:18:15 HSE F-A-1
36 Marie Howard F2 00:18:39 Cork University Hospital F-A-2
44 Jean Lucey 00:18:58 Temp Reg

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some pre-race photos up on the Cork BHAA Facebook page HERE

97-year old parkrunner in Belfast reaches 250 milestone

At the weekend, Grace Chambers aged 97, completed the Ormeau Park 5k parkrun in Belfast and became Europe's oldest parkrunner to reach the 250 run milestone!

Grace started her parkrun journey back in September of 2016 at the sprightly age of 88 when she was recovering from serious invasive surgery and a staff member on her rehabilitation team, who volunteered at Ormeau Parkrun, suggested she might enjoy coming along.

Fast forward to August 2025 and she has now completed 250 5k parkruns. 244 of the 250 parkruns were at the Ormeau Park event.

She's now assisted around the course by her two friends Cathy and Sue. Grace said... "I wouldn't be here without them, they take me to the run each week and go round with me."

Dr Jonny Mailey, from the cardiology unit at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, performed the keyhole valve replacement on Grace in July and came along to support her run.

"She's fantastic and what she has achieved is unbelievable," he said. "It really is testament to her as a person."

Results & Photos of the Cork City 10k - Sun 17th Aug 2025

The annual Cork City 10k was held this year on Sunday 17th August 2025 on a windy but dry morning.

The strong easterly breeze meant that while there was a good tailwind for the first half, it was into the runners faces for the second half on the Straight Road.

Top 3 men & women... 
1546 1 Ryan CREECH Leevale A.C. M 29:38
1286 2 Killian MOONEY Dundrum South Dublin AC M 30:07
1543 3 Gavin O'ROURKE Leevale A.C. M 31:39
706 7 Niamh ALLEN Leevale A.C. F 31:58
1311 16 Dee GRADY Ennis Track A.C. F35 34:50
1284 21 Jessica COYNE Leevale A.C. F 35:31

Results HERE 

Photos...

1) Pop Up Races has a large gallery of finish line photos HERE

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

3) Joe Murphy has the following galleries...

a) 3k mark 1 b) 3k mark 2 c) 3k mark 3 d) 3k mark 4 e) 3k mark 5 

4) Graham Meikle has the following finish line photos...

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 e) Album 5 f) Album 6 

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 16th Aug 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 16th August 2025. Approximately 1216 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

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

Midleton... Pat Brady was a visitor from the Malahide parkrun this week and reached the 200 milestone.

Ballincollig... Well done to Gary Grant who reached 200 parkruns this weekend.

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 268 this week, 265 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Fionn NEVILLE Male JM15-17 17:50
2 Hamish MARSDEN Male SM25-29 18:41
3 Con O' FLYNN Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 19:53
13 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 21:44
15 Carolina AICART GOMEZ Female SW20-24 22:03
18 Marie O'SHEA Female VW45-49 22:33

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/388/

Tramore Valley Park: 223 this week, 263 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Fergus MURPHY Male SM30-34 17:57
2 Elton HEFFERNAN Male VM40-44 18:03
3 Rory O'SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:05
12 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:25
18 Emily OCONNELL Female SW25-29 21:46
25 Helen WALSH Female VW50-54 Togher AC 22:37

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/166/

Glen River: 75 this week, 56 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean LEAHY Male JM15-17 Croydon Harriers 18:43
2 Colin MORRISON Male VM50-54 19:45
3 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:55
8 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 21:37
16 Denise TWOHIG Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 24:25
19 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 25:36

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/272/

Midleton Greenway: 125 this week, 175 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Peter FITZMAURICE Male JM15-17 17:01
2 Luca BRODKORB Male SM18-19 18:04
3 Aaron HARTE Male SM25-29 18:43
11 Suzanne ALCOCK Female VW35-39 21:25
25 Amelia EMMETT Female JW11-14 23:39
26 Mary FITZMAURICE Female SW20-24 23:49

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/29/

Mallow Castle: 81 this week, 74 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean LYNCH Male SM25-29 18:50
2 Matthew COOKE Male JM15-17 19:30
3 John BROWNE Male VM40-44 19:53
15 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 23:04
16 Jennifer QUINLAN Female SW30-34 23:38
18 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW40-44 24:01

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/194/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 75 this week, 44 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig MAHONY Male VM50-54 18:21
2 Dylan BYRNE Male SM20-24 18:22
3 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 18:57
12 Nell MARSHALL Female JW11-14 22:06
13 Ciara HAYES Female JW15-17 22:12
15 Éadaoin COLEMAN Female VW40-44 22:28

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/172/

Macroom Castle Demense: 46 this week, 53 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Anthony MANNIX Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:41
2 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:45
3 David BRADLEY Male JM11-14 20:28
11 Deirdre DUFF Female VW35-39 23:41
17 Tina POWER Female VW40-44 24:27
19 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 25:54

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/539/

Clonakilty: 61 this week, 60 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Ethan O BRIEN Male SM30-34 Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC 18:31
3 Martin WHITE Male VM40-44 Clonakilty Roadrunners AC 21:24
4 James HOWE Male JM15-17 21:44
2 Hazel WHITE Female VW35-39 20:23
8 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 22:57
18 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 23:56

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/493/

Glengarriff Woods: 106 this week, 121 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Ray SMITH Male VM60-64 Kenmare Athletics Club 20:23
2 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 20:48
3 Ger O'TOOLE Male VM55-59 Blackrock AC 21:17
9 Sarah KELLY Female VW35-39 Raheny Shamrock AC 22:54
11 Annie MCELROY Female JW11-14 West Muskerry A.C. 23:22
19 Sophia KINGSTON Female SW25-29 24:54

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/413/

Bere Island: 116 this week, 215 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Rory MORRISSEY Male VM45-49 Mountmellick A.C. 18:56
2 Stuart HENDERSON Male VM50-54 Corsham RC 19:41
3 Kevin O'BYRNE Male VM35-39 20:19
4 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:37
8 Vicky HENDERSON Female VW50-54 Corsham RC 22:52
14 Miriam MCKINNEY Female SW20-24 23:21

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/505/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 40 finishers this week, 44 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ryan KING Male SM25-29 21:25
2 John HANNON Male VM45-49 21:34
3 Joe O DONOVAN Male VM40-44 21:55
8 Asha STOKES Female SW30-34 24:29
9 Robyn HANNON Female JW11-14 24:31
10 Jennifer O'DONOVAN Female SW25-29 26:46

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/425/

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