Cork runner Ryan Creech wins the 2025 Waterford Half-Marathon - Sat 29th Nov 2025

The 2025 Waterford Half-Marathon was held on Saturday 29th November with 2023 runners crossing the finish line.

The first man home was Ryan Creech of Leevale AC in Cork in a time of 65m 59s.

It looks as if the course might have been a bit too long this year so if you felt your time was a little bit slower than expected then that might be the reason.

In 2024, the course was certainly short... see previous post. 

At least when the course is too long, everyone knows for sure that they at least ran the half-marathon distance.

Top 10 men & women...

1 Ryan CREECH 1:05:59 5 M MS Leevale A.C.
2 Jake O'REGAN 1:06:42 4 M MS St. John's A.C.
3 William MAUNSELL 1:07:01 2 M MS Clonmel A.C.
4 Matteo MARY 1:09:18 2898 M MS Waterford A.C.
5 Sergiu CIOBANU 1:09:39 2877 M M40 Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
6 Sean DAVIN 1:10:32 460 M MS St. Finbarrs A.C.
7 Pat FITZGERALD 1:12:18 351 M MS Waterford A.C.
8 Jason REILLY 1:13:30 2085 M M40 Civil Service Harriers A.C.
9 Vivian FOLEY 1:13:33 718 M M55 Eagle A.C.
10 Michael MORGAN 1:13:55 2882 M M50
1 Nichola SHERIDAN 1:17:22  3 F FS Bohermeen A.C.
2 Lauren DERMODY 1:18:29  492 F FS Castlecomer A.C.
3 Alex MURPHY 1:18:46  2891 F FS Dundrum South Dublin A.C.
4 Breege CONNOLLY 1:19:36  314 F F45
5 Michelle KENNY 1:22:15  1117 F F45 Leevale A.C.
6 Catherine MURPHY 1:23:30  2872 F F45 Eagle A.C.
7 Una O'BRIEN 1:24:51 1672 F FS Waterford A.C.
8 Aine KINSELLA 1:26:36 823 F FS St. Senans A.C.
9 Michelle RYAN 1:26:57 2148 F F45 Templemore A.C.
10 Sinéad FLANNERY 1:28:03 693 F F40 Ballintotis Fit4Life A.C.

Full results HERE

The numbers overall were down about 6.5% on last year as can be seen from the chart below.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 29th Nov 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 29th November 2025. Approximately 973  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report...  The rain or at least the threat of it had an impact on the numbers this weekend but the total of runners and walkers still wasn't far off 1000.

Tramore Valley Park... Well done to Dr Angela Flynn who completed her 200th 5k parkrun at Tramore Valley this weekend!!

ONGOING

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

Upcoming milestones....

a)

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  263 this week, 278 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:39

2 Ben FORREST Male SM25-29 Ayr Seaforth AAC 18:14

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:38

7 Anna BLAKE Female SW25-29 Willowfield Harriers 19:48

32 Mairead PEREZ Female VW50-54 Eagle A.C. 22:19

33 Nikkii BARNETT Female VW55-59 Orion Harriers 22:23

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/402/

Tramore Valley Park: 204 this week, 232 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Fintan KERINS Male SM30-34 15:04

2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:17

3 Michael KERRIN Male VM45-49 Maree AC 18:35

5 Núria VIZCAINO ESTRADA Female SW25-29 19:19

6 Siobhan HOARE Female VW45-49 Togher AC 20:03

11 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 20:59

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/181/

Glen River: 71 this week, 106 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Katherine FITZPATRICK Female VW35-39 Chorlton Runners 19:09

8 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 22:15

13 Ciara HOARE Female JW15-17 23:48

2 Nigel LINDOP Male VM50-54 Silverdale RC 20:27

3 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 21:15

4 Elton HOOD Male VM50-54 Silverdale RC 21:27

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/287/

Midleton Greenway: 140 this week, 156 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:21

2 Noel CONROY Male VM35-39 18:33

3 Daniel BUCKLEY Male SM30-34 19:22

12 Michelle NOLAN Female VW50-54 21:28

18 Fiona HALLAHAN Female SW30-34 22:36

22 Delisha DURAN Female SW30-34 22:53

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/44/

Mallow Castle: 62 this week, 63 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew COOKE Male JM15-17 19:44

3 Brenno BANDEIRA Male SM30-34 20:16

4 Donagh NAGLE Male JM15-17 20:47

2 Clara HOGAN Female JW11-14 20:13

12 Michelle GAYER Female VW40-44 22:31

17 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 24:13

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/207/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 29 this week, 40 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Oscar POWER Male JM15-17 21:05

2 Fionn AHERNE Male SM18-19 21:15

3 Leo MURRAY Male JM15-17 21:21

6 Muirna TWOMEY Female VW50-54 22:56

8 Cliona O'KEEFFE Female VW40-44 24:21

12 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 25:40

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/187/

Macroom Castle Demense: 54 this week, 70 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 19:52

2 Damien O MAHONY Male SM30-34 20:50

3 Sean O DONOGHUE Male SM30-34 20:55

15 Eimear COLUMBY Female SW25-29 24:11

21 Jack HAYES Female JW10 25:19

23 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:09

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/554/

Clonakilty: 39 this week, 52 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Brian TWOMEY Male SM30-34 19:45

2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM50-54 West Cork Triathlon Club (WCTC) 21:10

3 Donnacha RYAN Male JM11-14 21:20

8 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 23:56

20 Niamh RYAN Female VW40-44 27:24

21 Aisling HEALY Female SW30-34 27:27

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/508/

Glengarriff Woods: 62 this week, 58 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 20:44

2 Liam OCONNOR Male VM50-54 21:08

4 Jay MURDOCH Male VM40-44 21:24

3 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 21:18

10 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:03

13 Alice COPPINGER Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 24:28

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/428/

Bere Island: 34 this week, 17 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 21:43

2 Liam POWER Male JM15-17 23:51

4 Colin GLEESON Male VM70-74 Beara AC 24:47

3 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:58

6 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 26:07

9 Edel MURPHY Female VW55-59 28:02

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/520/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 15 finishers this week, 18 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 22:32

2 James LAVERY Male SM30-34 22:52

3 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 23:42

4 Patricia O CLEIRIGH Female VW55-59 Raheny Shamrock AC 28:37

6 Sharon POULTER Female VW45-49 30:38

7 Philly BIGNALL Female VW60-64 Plan B Runners 32:29

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/440/

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

17,200 runners secure places in the 2026 Dublin Marathon ballot

In recent years, approximately 70% of entries to the Dublin Marathon were claimed by runners who had completed it in previous years. In a big change this year, they changed the ballot to give first timers a better chance of entering.

The results of the 2026 ballot were released this week. The key points are...

1) There were 47,000+ applications which far exceeds the available 22,500 places available.

2) 17,200 places were given out in the ballot which obviously means a lot of disappointed people.

3) The remaining 5000 or so entries will be allocated through charity, Good for Age, elites, sponsors, partners and community programmes.

4) Refund and transfer windows will release more places in 2026. The refund window will be open from Wednesday, July 1st, to Sunday, July 12th, 2026. The transfer window for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon will open on Wednesday, July 22nd, and close on Sunday, August 30th.

More info about Good for Age entries in this previous post.

New surface for part of the Macroom parkrun

Macroom Golf Club recently released an image showing the approach road to the clubhouse which has just been resurfaced.

This is part of the Macroom 5k parkrun course so it's a welcome improvement.

Results of the Glenville 4-mile road race - Sun 23rd Nov 2025

First 3 women (L-R)... April Quinn 3rd, Niamh Moore 1st & Kealey Tideswell 2nd

The Glenville 4-mile was held on Sun 23rd Nov 2025 on what turned out to be a nice sunny morning.

 Top 3 men & women...

1 Nathan O'LEARY Leevale A.C. M MS 499 19:48
2 Mark WALSH Leevale A.C. M MS 669 20:00
3 Barry TWOHIG St. Finbarrs A.C. M M45 661 20:08
24 Niamh MOORE Leevale A.C. F FS 676 23:16
27 Kealey TIDESWELL F F40 471 23:50
35 April QUINN Togher A.C. F F35 677 24:17

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has some finish line photos HERE

Greenway west of Mogeely closed Mon 24th to Wed 26th Nov 2025

From Cork County Council... Please note the section of the Midleton Youghal Greenway between Roxborough (L-7629-0) and Mogeely Trailhead (West) shall be closed for essential maintenance from Monday 24th November to Wednesday 26th November between the hours of 08:00 to 17:00. 

There will be no public access to this section of the Greenway for pedestrians or cyclists during this period.

As can be seen in the map above, this is the section of the Midleton Greenway which goes from the Shanty Path (turnaround point of the 5k parkrun) to Mogeely.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 22nd Nov 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 22nd November 2025. Approximately 1090  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... It was a full house this weekend with no cancellations due to flooding.

Tramore Valley Park... No volunteers, no parkruns... Well done to Chris Hearn who earned his 100th volunteer credit this weekend.

100 volunteer credit for Chris Hearn

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

Upcoming milestones....

a)

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  278 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Joe CUNNINGHAM Male VM50-54 17:15

2 Charlie LILLIS Male SM25-29 17:41

3 Declan BARRY Male VM40-44 18:48

22 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 21:59

28 Kate O' FLYNN Female SW30-34 Born To Run 22:39

33 Suzanne LABOWICZ Female VW40-44 23:02

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/401/

Tramore Valley Park: 232 this week, 339 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ray O' CONNELL Male VM40-44 Togher AC 17:12

2 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 17:36

3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:16

12 Aoife QUIGLEY Female VW40-44 Crusaders Athletic Club 19:56

19 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:57

23 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 21:29

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/180/

Glen River: 106 this week, 104 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David CARRASCO COQUILLAT Male SM25-29 19:03

2 Andrew CLARK Male SM30-34 West End Road Runners 19:32

3 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 20:04

18 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 24:15

22 Suzanna MELINN Female VW35-39 25:04

23 Joanne KELLY Female VW50-54 Team Runna 25:16

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/286/

Midleton Greenway: 156 this week, 126 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick DOHERTY Male SM25-29 17:27

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 17:47

3 Paul PENNEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:06

38 Eidin CHRISTIE Female VW55-59 Cork Triathlon Club 24:40

44 Alex SAVAGE Female SW30-34 25:07

48 Nuala LANDERS Female SW25-29 25:55

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/43/

Mallow Castle: 63 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Thomas BROWNE Male SM20-24 17:52

2 Eddie HENNIGAN Male SM20-24 18:56

3 Matthew COOKE Male JM15-17 19:27

10 Maryann O CONNOR Female VW35-39 22:50

12 Martina LYONS Female VW50-54 23:31

19 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 24:21

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/206/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 40 this week, 38 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Robert RIORDAN Male SM18-19 19:01

2 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 19:50

3 Maurice WALSH Male VM40-44 21:53

5 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:03

9 Sophie DINEEN Female SW20-24 22:48

10 Niamh CALLANAN Female SW25-29 23:10

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/186/

Macroom Castle Demense: 70 this week, 67 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:04

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:08

3 Jude MURPHY Male SM18-19 20:16

19 Eliza CANTY Female JW10 24:02

25 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:44

26 Louise AYLMER Female VW50-54 Dublin Runners 26:52

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/553/

Clonakilty: 52 this week, 26 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Brian TWOMEY Male SM30-34 19:31

2 Rob BAGNALL Male SM30-34 19:51

3 Brian KEARNEY Male VM45-49 20:16

7 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 23:17

11 Sophia KINGSTON Female SW25-29 23:51

13 Sinéad CULLEN Female SW30-34 24:25

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/507/

Glengarriff Woods: 58 this week, 65 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Bobby TANGNEY Male VM45-49 Kenmare Athletics Club 18:35

2 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM15-17 18:47

3 Liam OCONNOR Male VM45-49 21:08

7 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:22

8 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:51

15 Layla ATKINSON Female VW50-54 Derek Zoolander Centre for Kids Who Can't Run Good 27:49

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/427/

Bere Island: 17 this week, 44 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:30

5 Joanne SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 28:00

6 Ann Marie ROBERTI Female VW60-64 28:21

2 Colin GLEESON Male VM70-74 Beara AC 24:30

3 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 26:29

4 Michael O'DRISCOLL Male VM70-74 27:18

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/519/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 18 finishers this week, 16 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Luke CONNOLLY Male JM10 24:54

2 Miah MCCULLAGH Male VM60-64 25:29

3 James WHITE Male VM35-39 26:47

11 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 32:19

12 Catherine BAILEY Female VW45-49 33:34

13 Maggie CONNOLLY Female JW10 38:34

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/439/

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

Guest Post: Longevity in Running, Part 3 ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Longevity in Running, Part 3 **

I will finish my ramblings this week with another few topics that may give you some thoughts and ideas. Again, it is based on experience and not any in-depth medical or scientific knowledge. Hopefully they may help to keep you running.

* Mental Health

Many of us run for the help it provides with our mental stability. Out in the fresh air, chatting to fellow runners, break from the everyday chores, enjoying the scenery and experiencing life in all it forms surrounding us. It is absolutely vital to our well being and so much more powerful than medication or sitting alone reading about loneliness or depression. 

Us runners get out there and get our friendship, energy, help, consolation from one another. Be supportive and you will get it back many times over. The longer you stay running, the more this free counselling is available to you.

As often as you can, pick a scenic location and take in life. Leave the headphones at home, ignore the watch and take comfort. Watch nature in all its forms. Have a moment and enjoy it. This little ‘fix’ will keep you returning to do it again and again.

'Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.'

* Mental strength

This is a vital part of every runners armoury. We train to overcome the challenges ahead of us and we build strength each time we succeed. This can be running in adverse conditions and not letting it beat you. Or it can be achieving a goal you worked towards. You are mentally stronger because you have succeeded. This gets better and easier with age. The more you overcome, the stronger you are.

This will keep you running into the future knowing you can do it, (why not?) and these skills are transferrable into our daily lives to help us tackle whatever life throws at us.

I run therefore I am….

* Aging

Ohhhh the dodgy one. We can’t admit it, we are afraid to face it but it is inevitable. How we deal with it determines whether we stay running or not. Brutal fact, you cannot replicate what you did years ago. Depending when you started, there is always room for improvement but your times will get slower as you age. Mentally that is why many stop running as they feel they are not performing. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Get your head around it. You are still moving but be realistic.

Maybe running same long distance as before is a good thing and think I ran this race 20 years ago and I’m still here.

You will not always get the same amount of time to train as family, life, work circumstances change so accept it for what it is and keep moving.

Finishing a race is important. The time taken to achieve it is a secondary matter.

To me consistency is the way to beat age. Keep going, keep moving, try to train every week so that there is no great fall off. The older you get the harder it is to restart. 

The day I stop, is the day I’m finished.

'Do not go gentle into that good night,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'

* Gratitude.

Be grateful that you can put one foot in front of the other. Many cannot run either through illness or injury and the blessing of being able to run should always be appreciated and respected. 

I’m an optimist by nature and I try to be positive but I’m pragmatic enough to know it could all end abruptly totally outside my control. I need to be grateful for every day I lace up the running shoes.

One of my great rules: Never go home from any race or event without saying thanks to someone involved. Our future depends on people helping people. Be gracious.

I didn’t run well today but I’m happy I was able to run.

I had a lovely race and met loads of nice people.

The race was tough but we had a lovely coffee on the way home.

I ran today, I am fantastic. I helped today, I am fantastic. 

This is one of the secrets of longevity. The ability to appreciate the day, the now, the whatever distance or time but know, that I am running in my sixties, forty years after I first ran a race.

Disclaimer. : No runners were hurt in the writing of these articles. However, if it put you thinking and hurt your brain, then maybe, maybe .. End of serious articles for a while. 

#pwr

Reminder about the 2026 Dungarvan 10-mile

The John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race which is organised by West Waterford AC will be held on Sunday 1st February 2026. 

This is just a reminder that entries will be opening in the next few weeks so be ready!

1) This is the biggest 10-miler in Munster.

2) Last year, they opened entries opened on the 2nd of Dec 2024 for Athletics Ireland club members

3) Last year, entries for everyone including non-club runners opens on Fri 9th Dec 2024.

4) Last year, they had 3,750 spaces for this race. 

They should be announcing the 2026 entry procedure soon so keep an eye out for that. If you want to do this race then there should be no problem entering but you need to stay in touch with what's happening.

Chris Harrington Memorial 5k race raises €2000 for Pieta House

The Chris Harrington Memorial 5k race was held in Cork City on Sun 24th of Aug 2025. Results & photos HERE

A cheque for €2000 was recently donated to the Pieta House charity from the proceeds of the race. 

Pictured above are members of Leevale Athletic club, Tennats Building Products who were the main sponsor as well as Claire and Calum Harrington.

Results of the Munster Intermediate Cross Country - Sun 16th Nov 2025

The Munster Intermediate Cross Country Championships were held near Riverstick in Co Cork on Sun 16th Nov 2025. 

The numbers were very low with just 16 in the men's race and there were insufficient numbers for any one club to field a full team. There were 20 in the women's event. 

Full results HERE 

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 16th Nov 2025

The first race in the 2025/2026 Cloyne Commons Series was held on Sun 16th Nov on a nice dry morning. There were 345 finishers.

Top 3 men & women...

1 1678 James Grufferty Glanmire AC M40 13:34
2 1762 Paul Kearney Aghada RC M40 13:35
3 1667 MJ Walsh Grange Fermoy MJ 13:43
11 1761 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 14:47
15 1886 Sinead Falvey Midleton AC F45 15:04
28 1874 Katie Hennessy Midleton AC FJ 15:35

Photos...

1) Sharon Murray has plenty of nice pics

a) Start b) Finish Line 1 c) Finish Line 2 d) Finish Line 3 e) Finish Line 4

Full results below...

 Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 1678 James Grufferty Glanmire AC M40 13:34
2 1762 Paul Kearney Aghada RC M40 13:35
3 1667 MJ Walsh Grange Fermoy MJ 13:43
4 1772 Gary Sleith St Nicks M40 13:45
5 1684 Michael O Mahony Walsh St Nicks MJ 14:00
6 1849 John O Donovan Ballymore Cobh M 14:02
7 1646 Adam Barry Ballymore AC M 14:27
8 1754 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:42
9 1875 Martin Hennessy East Cork AC MJ 14:45
10 1867 Seamus McSweeney Grange Fermoy M50 14:47

Results of the Cork BHAA Clearsteam 5k - Sun 16th Nov 2025

The Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k was the second last race of the year on the BHAA calendar and it was held on Sun 16th Nov 2025 on what was a dry morning.

There were 424 finishers for this one which is down 13% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
Pos Name Cat Prize Time Company Team
1 Shane Collins M1 15:10 Apple M-A-2
2 Jack Laczak M2 15:18 Ken's Track Club
3 Aidan Noone M3 15:19 Dept of Ed M-C-3
33 Orla Drumm 0/40F F1  17:37 HSE
40 Carol Finn 0/35F F2  17:49 Carol Finn Physical Therapy
41 Catherine Murphy 0/45F F3 17:53 Janssen F-B-1

Full results HERE

Results of the Churchtown 10-mile road race - Sat 15th Nov 2025

There were 518 finishers in this years Churchtown 10-mile road race in north Cork, up almost 37% on the figure for 2024.

 Top 3 men & women...

1 Nohe Le-Guillou France     52:56 MS 318
2 Chris Jeuken Derg AC     52:57 MS 679
3 Sean Davin St Finbarrs AC     54:13 MS 133
9 Dee Grady Ennis Track AC     57:52 F35 207
25 Kealey Tideswell Clonmel AC   1:03:09 F40 647
37 Brid Hearne Clonmel AC   1:05:55 F40 240

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Eamon Doody has a gallery HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 15th Nov 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 15th November 2025. Approximately 825  runners and walkers took part in the 9 events in Co Cork.

Report... All of the recent rain certainly had an impact with the Ballincollig and Mallow parkruns being cancelled due to flooding on the course.

ONGOING

 

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

Upcoming milestones....

a)

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: CANCELLED this week, 341 last week.

First 3 men & women...

Ballincollig results... 

Tramore Valley Park: 343 this week, 249 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Aaron KELLY Male SM30-34 St. Mary's AC 17:55

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:01

3 Declan BARRY Male VM40-44 18:26

18 Clare MADDEN Female VW40-44 Togher AC 20:47

21 Emma HARRINGTON Female VW35-39 21:04

24 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 21:08

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/179/

Glen River: 104 this week, 88 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:52

2 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 20:55

3 Glen HOARE Male VM45-49 21:36

4 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 22:06

9 Mags HASSETT Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:49

11 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 24:19

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/285/

Midleton Greenway: 126 this week, 178 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Gavin WHITE Male VM40-44 18:30

2 James MAHER Male VM35-39 18:41

3 Daniel BUCKLEY Male SM30-34 18:57

9 Sophie O CONNOR Female JW11-14 21:31

12 Pamela BARRY Female VW50-54 Aghada Running Club 21:58

35 Deirdre MEYLER Female VW50-54 Ballymore Cobh AC 25:46

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/42/

Mallow Castle: CANCELLED this week, 73 last week.

First 3 men & women...

Mallow results... 

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 38 this week, 4 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:27

2 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 21:46

4 Cian SHALLOE Male VM40-44 22:06

3 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:48

7 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 24:28

11 Kate MCFARLAND Female VW35-39 26:14

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/185/

Macroom Castle Demense: 67 this week, 65 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM15-17 20:19

2 Jude MURPHY Male SM18-19 20:28

3 Tony OSULLIVAN Male VM45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 20:55

25 Caroline O DONNELL Female VW55-59 25:54

27 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:46

31 Mairead MURPHY Female VW50-54 West Muskerry A.C. 27:47

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/552/

Clonakilty: 26 this week, 46 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 John FREYNE Male VM55-59 22:55

3 Adrian O'MAHONY Male VM40-44 23:27

5 Brad HARTE Male VM35-39 23:39

2 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 23:01

4 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 23:28

13 Niamh RYAN Female VW40-44 28:43

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/506/

Glengarriff Woods: 65 this week, 57 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 20:42

2 Aidan O DONOVAN Male SM30-34 21:01

3 Unknown

10 Meave QUINLAN Female VW40-44 24:23

14 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:09

19 Anna O KEEFFE Female JW11-14 28:33

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/426/

Bere Island: 44 this week, 30 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Kevin O'BYRNE Male VM35-39 20:27

3 Liam OCONNOR Male VM45-49 21:20

4 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 22:20

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:00

7 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:00

9 Edel MURPHY Female VW55-59 25:01

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/518/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 16 finishers this week, 20 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brian TWOMEY Male SM30-34 23:14

2 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 23:36

5 Christopher GRANAGHAN Male JM15-17 27:58

3 Kate CROWLEY Female VW40-44 26:49

4 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 27:50

8 Frances LYNCH Female VW60-64 Sanctuary Runners 30:54

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/438/

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

Guest Post: Longevity in Running, Part 2 ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Longevity in Running, Part 2 **

Continuing last weeks theme, I will try to write about a few more areas to help keep you running for life. Ignore if you wish. It is only my ramblings from years of running and getting it wrong sometimes.

* Progression

As we advance with our running in training and racing times, it is important to look at the rate we are progressing. Is it sustainable and the best for our long term health and future running self? You can flog yourself to death with a few months hard training plan to achieve something worth while but will that be sustainable? 

The answer is No. 

It is better to take a long term phased and gradual approach to improvement. Too much extra load short term can lead to injuries and fatigue. If you greatly increase weekly mileage over a short period it can cause stress fractures in bones or serious muscle injuries. The GP and physio will be seeing you instead of your training friends. This constant stop / start, train hard / rest up will sap your motivation to stay running.

Small increase in training loads, small improvement in finishing times, patience with yourself and your expectations is the way to go. Don’t be afraid of progress, just be patient and careful.

‘Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.’

* Strength and Flexibility.

Most runners like to run and it can be very easy to neglect the other aspects of our training plan. Strength and flexibility are key to your long term future if you want to stay running well and for many years. Whether it is a daily short routine at home or a weekly class we need muscular strength to support us as we churn out the miles on the road. 

Also, lots of mileage can cause a tightening of the main muscle groups so we need to flex and mobilise these areas to prevent injuries.

Of course we don’t like it but it must be done. Keep a diary and monitor / test your own strength and flexibility so that you can see if you are getting better or have you gone backwards and need to refocus on this area. 

The only bad workout is the one you didn’t do.

Your improvement in speed can come from greater leg and core strength. Faster turnover and greater power in each stride. Better posture from a good core will also lead to better speed. More flexibility in the legs can give an increase in stride length and that can only make you faster as well. If you have a weak physical frame and tightness, you will make little progress and you will get injured.

* Rest

Rest is vital for runners. It needs to be managed and controlled to keep you running. You need to take a break after a hard training block and a target race (for example a Marathon). You may feel you will lose some fitness, (you will), but long term it is important to rest and recover. If you don’t you will get injured and then you will have to rest anyway. It is better for you to take control of the situation. 

Rest is not quitting. 

Rest is the thing which gives you renewed strength and gets you ready for the next level. Getting enough sleep to help the body recover and proper nutrition are vital to long term running. You will get by with a few days bad of eating or a night or two of little sleep but you cannot function without properly looking after yourself. You will just feel tired, lacking energy, fail to perform and end up disillusioned. Not a great recipe for longevity.

Lecture over for this week. I’ll finish next week with Mental Health, Aging, Gratitude.

"Love the life you live. Live the life you love." – Bob Marley

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

#pwr

Cloyne 4k Winter Series - Nov 2025 to Mar 2026

The Cloyne 4k Winter Series is a set of five low key races in the village of Cloyne in east Cork with an entry fee of just €5! As can be seen from the flyer above, there are five dates. Complete 4 out of the 5 to get a high tech dry fit top.

Each race starts at 9:30am and registration opens in The Rock Bar from 8:30am.

There are no hidden charges, online fees, one-day licence fees or other add-on's, you just turn up on the day and throw €5 into the biscuit tin.

The start line is 600m away down a narrow country road. The course is essentially one loop with a slight overlap and it's a flat and fast course.

This race is very much in the tradition of many of the old road races in East Cork and the Ballycotton area where the entry fee was very modest for a high quality race.

Notice: Churchtown 10-mile road race - Sat 15th Nov 2025

The Churchtown 10-mile road race in north Cork is coming up this year on Saturday 15th November 2025. The race starts at 10am.

Update - 14th Nov - Please that due to all the recent rain, the course this year will be two 5-mile loops. 

After a successful two years, this will be the third edition of this race. Please note that entries close on  Wednesday 12th November at 11:45pm.

Entries HERE

Churchtown is located just 4kms west of the N20 Cork to Limerick road so access couldn't be easier.

Flooding in the Ballincollig Regional Park - 13th Nov 2025

We've had quite a bit of rain over the last few weeks and that has meant that a lot of rivers and streams are now very high.

The photo above from Joe Murphy shows the flooding in the Ballincollig Regional Park on Thursday 13th November 2025.

If you are planning to travel to the 5k parkruns in Ballincollig, Mallow or Glengarriff over the next few weeks then check to make sure it hasn't been cancelled.

The video below from DroneHawk on YouTube shows some of the flooding on the Lee Fields so that is similar to many other areas.

Entry procedure for the 2026 Dublin City Marathon

The 2026 Irish Life Dublin Marathon will take place on Sunday, the 25th of October and there are a number of ways to enter.

1) Ballot System - The ballot system is open from Wed 12th  to Mon 17th Nov 2025. Ballot entry LINK

A €5 administration fee will apply to ballot entries to cover processing and verification costs. This fee will be redeemable against the full €110 entry fee if you are successful, or non-refundable if you are unsuccessful. Only one ballot entry is permitted per person.

More places will be made available for first-time runners, as approximately 70% of entries in recent years have been claimed by previous participants. Additionally, efforts will focus on increasing female representation, as women currently comprise only 36% of the field.

Runners who have participated in the Dublin Marathon before will still be well represented, as those entering the ballot can indicate if they have previously participated in the Dublin Marathon since 2016.

Ballot results will be communicated to applicants on Tuesday, 25th November, and Wednesday, 26th November, with notifications released in batches over both days.

If runners are unsuccessful in the ballot, they will have additional chances to gain entry through charity places and via the transfer window and refund system.

The refund window will be open from Wednesday, July 1st, to Sunday, July 12th, 2026. The transfer window for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon will open on Wednesday, July 22nd, and close on Sunday, August 30th.

2) Good for Age - Entries will also be reserved for Elite athletes & Good for Age qualifiers.

The qualifying events are the 2024 and 2025 Dublin Marathon. Info HERE

3) Charity places - You can also opt to enter and raise funds for one of the 150 or so charities from Ireland and around the world. See LINK .

Clashduv Junior parkrun looking for volunteers to restart - Nov 2025

The Clashduv junior parkrun in Togher is planning to restart again in November of 2025 and they are looking for volunteers.

Junior parkruns are free 2km runs for 4-14 year olds and are held every Sunday morning at 9:30am at a multitude of locations throughout the country.

If you can help out then you can find the contact information here... https://www.parkrun.ie/clashduv-juniors/

Notice: Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 7th Dec 2025

This popular 5 km road race is coming up in the town of Newmarket in North-West Cork on Sunday the 7th of December 2025. This is a fast 5k course and gets a good turnout every year. The race starts at 1pm.

Entries HERE

As you can see from the race flyer above, one of the main attractions this year is that there is a long sleeve dry-fit top included in the entry.

If you do quite a few road races, you generally end up with plenty of dry fit tops. Most of them will be short sleeve and only suitable for running in the warmer months. It's the long sleeve ones that you keep going back to especially in the winter months when you want to keep your arms warm. Even if you're wearing a running jacket, it's just nicer to have a long sleeve top underneath.

As always, there are lots of generous prizes on offer.

From Duhallow AC... "‘’One of the Fastest 5ks in Ireland‘’

Event Description: 1st Athlete home wins the Jerh Murphy Perpetual Cup

Our 14th running of one of Irelands fastest PB 5k races. A race that’s defo worth doing When : Sunday 7thof December Time : 1pm sharp start Race hq safaris nightclub Newmarket P51 CY62 Be there and see a classic  race for a PB All Fitness Levels

There is a long sleeved t-shirt included.  Sizes not guaranteed. Limited stock remaining 

NO MEDALS FOR THIS RACE - YOU ARE SUPPORTING CANCER CONNECT BY ENTERING THIS EVENT 

Visit their website- https://cancerconnect.ie

‘Prizes for one of the Fastest 5ks in Ireland and one of the biggest prize funds over €6000

1st Athlete home wins the Jerh Murphy Perpetual Cup - current holder Michael Power, West Waterford

Prize Fund (ALL CASH)

€350 1st Man and Woman / €300 2nd man and woman / €250 3rd man and woman

Bonus Cash Prize €150 for Breaking course Record – (Men’s- 14:06) (Women’s – 15.49)

1st 10 men and Women over the line

1st Three Juniors Boys & Girls

1st Three Veterans Men over 40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80

1st Three Veterans Women over 35, 40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80

Contact: Donie 086-8149970, Jerry 086-8050821, Jerh 087-3831171, Shane 086-1672153

AAI PERMIT GRANTED

Everyone competing in this race are doing so at their own risk, Duhallow A.C. accept no responsibility or liability for any injury, loss of damage to persons or property

Course Preview...Lots more info including directions, photos, course details, etc can be seen HERE

Results & Photos of the Churchtown NS 5k - Sun 9th Nov 2025

James Grufferty & Kealey Tideswell... 1st man & woman home

The Churchtown NS 5k was held in Doneraile Park on Sunday 9th Nov 2025 with a total of 71 finishers.

Male
1st: James Grufferty
2nd: David Hanlon (Jnr)
3rd: Neil O'Callaghan
Female
1st: Kealey Tideswell 
2nd: Rebecca Leane
3rd: Elspeth Ahern

Juvenile Male 1st: Conor Blastland // Juvenile Female 1st: Aoife Murphy 

Photos...

1) Finish line 1 2) Finish Line 2 3) Prize winners

Full results below...

Results of the Eyeries 5-mile road race - Sat 8th Nov 2025

The annual Eyeries 5-mile road race was held this year on Saturday the 8th of November 2025 and there were 173 finishers. As can be seen from the chart above, that's down a bit on last year.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Mark Walsh 879 M Leevale A.C. 25:59
2 John Lenehan 862 M City of Derry Spartans 26:38
3 Donal Coakley 776 M Glanmire A.C. 27:04
5 Michelle Finn 939 F Leevale A.C. 28:23
10 Carol Finn 940 F Leevale A.C. 31:02
14 Julie O Brien 790 F Durrus A.C. 31:54

Full results HERE

That was also the conclusion of the Beara AC race series for 2025 with two races up on last year and two down.

600th edition for the Malahide parkrun

The very first 5k parkrun in Ireland was held in Waterworks, Belfast on the 6th of November 2010. The first one in Dublin was held two years later in Malahide on the 10th of November 2012.

The 600th edition of the Malahide parkrun was held on Saturday 8th November 2025 and the numbers for each week over the last 13-years is shown above.

It was getting roughly 350 per week early on and that dropped a bit a few years later as more parkruns started in Dublin. At the moment, it's getting about 300 per week.

The fact that Malahide has been going for so long has allowed some people to clock up an impressive number of parkruns.

Monica Flangan was the first person in the 26-counties to reach the 500 mark and get the blue milestone t-shirt. She completed #500 at the Malahide parkrun in March of 2024.

All going well, we should see the first blue 500 t-shirt in Cork in late 2026.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 8th Nov 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 8th November 2025. Approximately 1282  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... It seems to have been mostly overcast and dry for most of the 5k parkruns in Co Cork this weekend with maybe the exception of Bere Island and Glengarriff.

Ballincollig... This was the 400th edition of the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park.

Tramore Valley Park... The largest parkrun in Co Cork is Ballincollig but there was a surge in numbers for the 5k parkrun this weekend in Tramore Valley with 343 finishers so they take the crown... for a week anyway 😊

Well done to Brendan Macguire who completed his 100th parkrun this weekend!

ONGOING

 

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

Upcoming milestones....

a) ) 

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 341 this week, 379 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Holly CARROLL Female SW20-24 17:53

11 Ciara HICKEY Female SW25-29 20:02

37 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 22:02

2 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:52

3 Joseph MCGEE Male SM20-24 19:04

4 John MULVIHILL Male VM45-49 19:09

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/400/

Tramore Valley Park: 343 this week, 249 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Daniel BUCKLEY Male SM20-24 15:15

2 John BUCKLEY Male SM18-19 16:41

3 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 16:47

40 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:20

56 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 21:26

58 Mari BURKE Female VW45-49 21:43

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/178/

Glen River: 88 this week, 64 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Stuart MOLONEY Male VM45-49 18:20

2 Eoin CULLINANE Male VM35-39 19:49

3 Rob BAGNALL Male SM30-34 20:21

8 Fiona KAVANAGH Female SW25-29 23:00

10 Mags HASSETT Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:46

15 Saoirse CORRIGAN Female SW20-24 24:33

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/284/

Midleton Greenway: 178 this week, 170 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul CASHMAN Male VM45-49 Watergrasshill AC 16:50

2 John COLLINS Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 18:00

3 Noel CONROY Male VM35-39 18:36

29 Anna DORIS Female VW55-59 Midleton AC 21:52

42 Sinead FITZGERALD Female VW45-49 23:10

50 Beata SAMBORSKA Female VW35-39 24:23

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/41/

Mallow Castle: 73 this week, cancelled last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Vinny GRIMES Male SM30-34 18:57

2 Shane COLLINS Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:15

3 Brenno BANDEIRA Male SM30-34 20:05

5 Lucy BACKUS Female SW30-34 20:34

22 Aoife O FLYNN Female VW35-39 25:10

24 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 25:24

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/205/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 41 this week, 36 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Lee CURLEY Male SM30-34 19:27

3 Ciaran MITCHELL Male VM35-39 20:27

4 Isaac LANDERS Male JM15-17 20:59

2 Kelly FITZGERALD Female SW25-29 19:56

5 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 21:34

9 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:51

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/184/

Macroom Castle Demense: 65 this week, 73 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finn YORE Male JM15-17 West Muskerry A.C. 16:30

2 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:44

3 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:04

15 Claire CURTIN Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 25:37

20 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:22

22 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 27:12

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/551/

Clonakilty: 46 this week, 42 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Struan SIMPSON Male VM35-39 17:25

2 Kevin O'BYRNE Male VM35-39 19:50

3 Olan MURPHY Male SM20-24 19:51

7 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 23:15

9 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 23:35

17 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 25:01

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/505/

Glengarriff Woods: 57 this week, 80 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Cathal D'HONDT Male JM11-14 21:19

3 Dolf D'HONDT Male VM40-44 25:16

4 Paul Pio O'CALLAGHAN Male VM45-49 Pulse Triathlon Club 25:20

2 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:14

7 Lily MANNING Female SW18-19 25:51

10 Ciara FOX Female SW25-29 26:40

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/425/

Bere Island: 55 this week, 51 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Graham LONG Male SM30-34 Rejoov Runners 21:49

2 Colin LONG Male SM30-34 22:54

3 Colin GLEESON Male VM70-74 Beara AC 24:27

5 Leahanne SULLIVAN Female SW25-29 25:47

6 Edel MURPHY Female VW55-59 26:14

10 Ann Marie ROBERTI Female VW60-64 27:51

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/517/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 14 finishers this week, 24 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick O'DRISCOLL Male VM35-39 19:39

2 Donal DIGNAN Male SM30-34 23:18

3 Stephen CONNOLLY Male VM45-49 24:40

7 Kate FAIRHURST Female VW40-44 28:43

9 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 31:07

14 Patricia O'DRISCOLL Female VW45-49 37:17

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/437/

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