The 1000 entries went on sale at 6am on Friday the 31st of October and amazingly, they sold out in about 3 hours!
The full entry fee with the t-shirt option is about €40 so it's not the cheapest of races but this higher price did nothing to quell the demand.
In comparison, the 2025 race sold out in 11 hours. The 2024 race was under 48 hours and the 2023 race was 9-days.
The race is organised by West Limerick AC and it's taken a lot of work over many years to make it such a success.
It's been a remarkable year for Cork runner Vivian Foley who claimed his 4th national M55 title of the year at the Dublin City Marathon last weekend.
Back in June of 2025, Viv was the first M55 home in the National 5-mile championships in the Phoenix Park with a time of 27m 37s.
In July, he the first M55 again in the national 10-mile championships in the Phoenix Park again with a time of 58m 59s.
The national half-marathon was held in Tullamore at the end of August and Viv took the M55 title again with a time of 1h 15m 25s.
The Dublin City Marathon also doubles up as the national marathon and Viv posted an impressive time of 2h 39m 12s for his 4th national M55 title of the year.
And if all that wasn't enough, Viv also finished 2nd M55 in this years Boston Marathon with a time of 2:43:58!
BBC Archives posted this video on YouTube recently.
Description: Mindset of a Marathon Man
Jim Alder - Glasgow born and Morpeth raised - the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, describes his thoughts and feelings about Marathon running, and how it has affected his life. In the end it is a question of how hard you drive yourself, and for sheer guts and dogged perseverance Jim Alder will take some beating in the 1970 Commonwealth Games Marathon in Edinburgh.
Clip taken from Look Stranger: The Marathon Man, originally broadcast on BBC Two, 21 July, 1970.
Top 10 Irish Men & Women...
Full results HERE
What a fantastic result for 19-year old Ava Crean from Limerick! Ava won the Charleville Half-Marathon in September with a time of 1:15:22 and is now the first Irish woman home in the 2025 Dublin City Marathon with a time of 2h 34m 12s.
Ava has been on a remarkable journey over the last few years. She only started running in 2020 during the pandemic to get fit and as she noted in a recent interview... " I remember when I started running, I couldn’t even run a hundred meters without stopping or taking a break".
After starting a University course in Manchester in September of 2024, she signed up for the local marathon with an estimated finish time of 3h 30m. The Manchester Marathon duly arrived in April of 2025 and she ran 2h 49m!
Just one week later, she returned to Limerick to run in the home marathon and she improved on her Manchester result with a new PB of 2h 43m 38s.
After this result, she said in an interview... “After getting 2:49 in Manchester, I said to myself ‘I will do limerick for fun’ and I told everyone that I will do it easy, but inside I knew I would get competitive – but only competitive to beat my old time, I didn’t know at all I would win. It was a bit hard, but I wasn’t in pain or anything, my legs were just very tight when I ran Limerick.”
Fast forward to Dublin and she has now dropped her PB to 2:34 and wins the Irish national title in the process.
Cork club runners under 3:00 (M) and 3:30 (F) shown below.
Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has a large number of photos...
200m before finish
a) Album 1 (under 2:37) b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 e) Album 5 f) Album 6 g) Album 7 h) Album 8 i) Album 9 j) Album 10 k) Album 11 l) Album 12 m) Album 13
* Dublin City Marathon *
Best of luck to all who take part.
There can be criticisms of entry process, the price and course itself, but I dare say that is common for all marathon in big cities around the world. I’m happy we have a good marathon to sell to the world and as a past participant, I’m proud to have the medal. The atmosphere is unbelievable and unique in City Marathons.
Been there, done that, have loads of t-shirts. Not for me anymore due to injury restrictions, but some words of advice from myself and Sia to those taking part.
'One foot in front of the other, babe
One breath leads to another, yeah
Just keep moving, oh
Look within for the strength today
Listen out for the voice to say
Just keep moving, oh
Enjoy
You have done the work and now enjoy the day. Don’t be getting stressed or anxious, nothing to be gained in that. Make is special, make it memorable.
Relax
So much wasted energy before the race going here and there, dancing on your feet, walking to meet people for photos. Relax, stroll to the start, sit down if you can (bring a bag to sit on) and wait for the race to start.
Slow Down
Bring an extra layer to dump after a mile or two when you warm up. Don’t take off at pace to warm up, it will be the death of you later. Whatever pace you intend running at, then slow the first four miles by another 20 seconds at least. If you are still running at Mile 23 you will get these minutes back. For too many people the race is over at the 10 mile and it is a slow slog home from there.
Settle into the run, go easy, let the miles pass you by and focus on cruising to the finish. One foot in front of the other.
First and Last
If it is your first marathon the you are guaranteed a PB so why kill yourself. That can be for the next one. If you are an experienced runner then go carefully and use your experience. Many plans are made, but for many of us we never know when we cross the line that it might be our last marathon and the decision may not be in your own hands. Love every moment of the day and savour it. Your children love you anyway.
Go, go, go, figure it out,
figure it out, but don't stop moving
Go, go, go, figure it out, figure it out, you can do this-
Post the pictures, tell the world, be glad of the health and fitness to complete a wonderful achievement. Don’t take it for granted the gift you have.
If this isn’t your fitness level or your goal this weekend, then just get out and run. We need to keep going, be grateful and acknowledge what a joy it is to be able to run. Many are denied the privilege. Put a smile on and go out to spread joy. Be an ambassador for health. Your mental health will thank you.
Have a lovely weekend wherever you are
#PWR
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| Raffeen with the railway crossing on the left |
The SPORT event had 14.5kms of running with 37.5kms of cycling and had 99 finishers. The shorter TASTER event had 7kms of running and 20kms of cycling and there were 68 finishers in that event.
Full results https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/SCAR/2025/SCAR/
The entry fee for adults is €10 and the proceeds go towards raising funds for the purchase of some Chromebook computers for the school.
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| Aug 2025 |
Back in March of 2024, the UCC athletics track at the Mardyke was closed due to safety concerns as the track surface was beginning to disintegrate in places. Then there was the saga about who was going to pay for a new rack surface.
On the far left, you can see the remains of the old track crumpled up on the grass. On the mid-right, you can see how the new track comes in rolls. In the centre, you can see how they are using bricks to weigh down the edges of the strips to allow the adhesive to cure properly.
All of this work of course requires dry weather so that may be a factor in the coming weeks. After the new track is put down, all of the lanes and markings will need to be painted on.
***
Update - 22nd Oct 2025 - The track will reopen on Tues 28th Oct 2025. The lines on the track will be painted in the Spring of 2026.
Update - 9th Sept 2025 - The new surface is now completed and it just needs to be painted now.
Previous posts below...
Resurfacing of the athletics track at the Mardyke to start in early June - 23rd May 2025
UCC issues tender for repair of the Mardyke athletics track - 23rd Jan 2025
The ongoing saga of the Mardyke athletics track - 27th Mar 2024
Mardyke track shut down with immediate effect due to safety concerns - 11th Mar 2024
Tramore Valley Parkrun posted the following... "We are heartbroken to share that our dear friend and parkrun family member, Lorcan O’Byrne, has passed away.
Lorcan was a true gentleman with a kind and gentle soul. A familiar face every Saturday, he ran and volunteered most weeks — always generous with his time. He loved the people, the chats, and the coffee afterwards — his favourite part of parkrun.
Lorcan embodied what parkrun is really about — community. Though we met at parkrun, our friendship extended far beyond Saturday mornings. We shared midweek runs, enjoyed many a parkrun tourism adventure together, and we were lucky enough to witness his talents on a number of occasions - his beautiful voice as part of the St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir.
Lorcan was our friend and our comrade. We will miss him dearly.
Rest in peace Lorcan 🕊. "
This is the notice... https://rip.ie/death-notice/lorcan-obyrne-cork-douglas-608454
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
The annual Bere Island 5-mile was held this year on Sat 18th Oct 2025. There were 96 finishers which is down a bit on last year and most likely due to the rain.
Results below...
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| Start of the 5k |
The overnight rain cleared in time for this years Rebel Run 5k & 10k which was held at MTU in Bishopstown in Cork City on Sunday 19th Oct 2025.
In total, there were over 900 finishers across the two races with about double the number of runners in the 10k compared to the 5k.
While the numbers for the 5k were about the same as recent years, the real growth was in the 10k event which hit a new record this year with over 600 finishers.
** New Era **
News today of Fearghal Curtin setting a new Irish Marathon record in South Korea at 2.07.54 is at the end of a fabulous year for our athletes. To put in perspective, John Treacy set a record in 1988 that stood for 36 years and now has been lowered 3 times by 3 different athletes in the last 12 months. Hiko Tonosa and Peter Lynch both broke the record before Fearghal today.
Can we put the era of the greats of John Treacy, Gerry Kiernan and Danny Mc Daid finally behind us. Marvellous men but we need to see progress. These lads can push one another to new and better times.
The 800 metre event at the recent World Championships where Cian McPhillips and Mark English were a joy to watch and they have combined to lower the times in the 800 from the legendary Marcus O’Sullivan and David Matthews with records that have stood still for too long.
And watching Nicola Tuthill and Kate O’Connor set new heights in disciplines we have not previously been strong in, is fantastic as well. I know there are many more standout performances and these are but a handful.
We are a country with limited facilities and small population so to be producing world class is fantastic and testament to the great work being put into our athletes.
On a personal level I’m delighted for Fearghal and his Dad, Noel, who shared the GAA fields in Castlemartyr colours and running roads with me for more years than I care to mention. Also Mr Martin Drake, Youghal AC must be the proudest man in Ireland today to see the colours and name of the club on a National Record Holder.
For you and I, it is times and achievements we can never aspire to, but we can do our best. Be the best you.
Remember, Fearghal ran the Dungarvan 10 mile and the Cork City 10k on the day of the marathon this year.
We can run the same roads as these people and help them with good wishes and supporting the clubs that are nurturing this talent. Times and performances like these bring a lift to the spirits of all of us
Have a lovely weekend.
#pwr
Fearghal Curtin from Youghal won the Gyeongju International Marathon overnight in South Korea in a time of 2h 07m 54s! This was also a new Irish national record for the marathon (Record subject to ratification).
The elite field for the race included nine runners with PBs under 2:08 (including two sub-2:06!).
Fearghal's time of 2:07:54 is 1m 42s faster than Peter Lynch's time set in Dusseldorf earlier this year.
These are now the top 5 fastest Irish marathon times...
Fearghal also ran a new Irish half-marathon record of 60:22 last month so he is really on fire at the moment.
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| Green & White hoops of Youghal AC in Korea |
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| Commanding lead in the closing stages |
Horizons Cork are looking for a volunteer to run with Michael so that he can realise his dream of taking part in the Special Olympics in 2026.
Horizons Cork....
✨ Volunteer with us in Montenotte/Mayfield! ✨
👉 Running/Walking Volunteer – Montenotte/Mayfield
Meet Michael, an energetic man in his thirties. He is a good runner/walker. He is looking to join someone on their evening runs/walks. He is looking for support training for the Special Olympics next year.
👉 Interested?
Contact: Milly, Volunteer Coordinator 021-4643294 / 086-0412354 or email: volunteer AT horizonscork DOT ie
Back on the 1st of November 2023, the walkway and bridge linking Tramore Valley Park to Frankfield opened... see previous post.
Anytime I've used it, it seems to be well used and it's amazing how quick you can go from the noise of the traffic on the South Ring Road to the quiet calm of the tree lined valley in just a few hundred metres.
Cork City Council are now conducting a survey....
" 📢 GRANGE TO TRAMORE VALLEY WAY/VERNON MOUNT BRIDGE USER SURVEY 📢
Cork City Council, in association with the National Transport Authority, opened Grange to Tramore Valley Way and Vernon Mount Bridge in November 2023. 🚶♂️
This 1km long pedestrian and cycle route provides a safe walking and cycling connection from Grange into Tramore Valley Park and on to the wider city. 🚴♀️
If you have had the opportunity to use this route, we’d like to hear what you think about it, so that it can help us plan for the future! 🌍
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and give us your feedback. 😎
First up, we have the map for the runners on Strava...
The bright orange is the route for the weekly 5k parkrun on Saturday mornings but it's likely a lot of runners are using the loop in Tramore Valley Park during the rest of the week as well.
There seems to be quite a number of runners using the bridge and the 1km link to Frankfield as shown by the red arrow. The pathway east from the park towards Douglas seems to be well used as well.
The weekly map for walkers is shown below...
It's probably likely that the vast majority of walkers don't use Strava but it still gives us a useful guide.
Again, a lot of people are using the loop in Tramore Valley Park for walking.
You'll notice that most walkers and runners avoid trying to negotiate the Kinsale Road Roundabout to the west and most people use the park or go around Douglas.
The weekly map for cyclists is shown below...
Again, these stats are probably for cyclists getting some exercise rather than those commuting but it still shows a pattern.
There seems to be quite a few cyclists going through the Tramore Valley Park and it's likely that it has reduced the number of cyclists on the South Douglas Road.
You'll also notice that a number of cyclists are entering the Tramore Valley Park from the South Link Road / Black Ash side (going west to east) whereas of course, walkers and runners don't have this option.
There's talk from time to time about a bridge over the South Link Road but as far as I know, there are no definite plans yet.
There are plans for large apartment developments over by Musgrave Park which will mean that a lot more people will be living in this area in a few years time. This will surely make the case for a new bridge over the South Link Road to connect to the Tramore valley Park even stronger.
It was announced recently that there is a plan for a new walking trail in Glengarriff linking the village to Glengarriff Woods. At present, there is a 650-metre stretch of the N71 road separating the two which is very dangerous for walkers and runners to use.
It also means that any visitors to the Glengarriff parkrun have to drive there instead of running or walking out from the village.
The distance from the parkrun to the Castletownbere road junction is 1.3kms, it's 1.5kms to the Glengarriff Park Hotel and 2kms to Eccles Hotel.
The new trail would also allow easier access to the quite country roads to the west of Glengarriff Woods and up to the upland areas around Barley Lake.
The IMRA Canon Sheehan Loop 10.5km trail race in Glenanaar Forest in North Cork was held on Sunday 12th Oct 2025 and there were 82 finishers.
Full results HERE