Notice: Cork BHAA PwC Anthony Reidy Memorial 5k in Cork City - Wed 9th Apr 2025

The Cork BHAA PwC 5k in Cork City is coming up on Wednesday the 9th of April 2025 at 7:30pm.

This is always a very popular race and should get a good crowd again as it's centrally located in the heart of Cork City and about as flat a 5k course as you can get. It's also the first evening race of 2025 in Cork!

First off, the race HQ is the PwC building at One Albert Quay. You can enter there on the evening of the race from 6pm. As always, it's €5 for registered BHAA runners and €10 for non-registered.

This is located just east of Cork City Hall and about 600m from the start line.

One Albert Quay

From PwC... We are pleased to inform you that we are again holding the PwC Anthony Reidy Memorial 5k race, in association with the BHAA, this spring.  

Event details for your diary:

Date: Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Time: 7.30pm
Registration: from 6.00pm
Location: PwC, One Albert Quay, T12 X8N6

We welcome donations to our chosen charity for this year, Focus Ireland.  

Please donate at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/PwCCork-Focus

For more information on the event, please go to: https://www.corkbhaa.com/races/pwc/ or contact PwC Cork on 021 425 4000.

We look forward to hopefully seeing you on the evening.

This race is officially called the PwC Anthony Reidy Memorial 5k

Anthony Reidy was an Assurance partner in PwC’s Cork office. He sadly passed away in July 2021. He was much beloved, well respected and well known amongst his colleagues, clients and around Cork. We are holding this race to commemorate him.

Please donate at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/PwCCork-Focus

Course... This is the route for 2025 subject to any ongoing roadworks. It goes down Monahan road, does a loop near SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and then back via Centre Park Road.

The main thing to remember is that the start and finish lines are near Kennedy Park and about 600m from the race HQ at One Albert Quay. 

As per usual, there will be refreshments post race in One Albert Quay, which is where the BHAA prize-giving will happen.

The organisers have a promo video below...

Results & Photos of the Midleton Greenway 10-mile race - Sun 9th March 2025

It was anyone's race at the halfway mark in the augural Midleton Greenway 10-mile but Michael Harty (130) would go on to take the win.

You couldn't have asked for nicer conditions for the inaugural Midleton Greenway 10-mile race with mild conditions and hazy sunshine. The light easterly breeze was a bonus on the return leg from Mogeely back to Midleton.

A total of 540 runners took part which is good for the first outing. Proceeds  from this event go towards a project to establish a new athletics track for the east Cork region so this event should be a regular on the calendar.

Top 10 men & women...
1 Michael HARTY 50:16 130 M M40
2 Sean DOYLE 50:29 459 M MS
3 Sergiu CIOBANU 50:53 426 M M40
4 Conor MCCAULEY 52:39 537 M M40
5 Mark WALSH 53:31 622 M MS
6 Sean DAVIN 53:46 450 M MS
7 Barry DONOVAN 54:53 81 M MS
8 Aidan NOONE 55:26 555 M MS
10 Nathan Ryan O'HEHIR 57:40 271 M MS
11 Struan SIMPSON  58:10 605 M MS
1 Hannah STEEDS 57:34 610 F FS
2 Sharon RYNNE 59:56 321 F F35
3 Emma FITZPATRICK 1:03:16 100 F FS
4 Nadine FORDE 1:04:06 470 F F40
5 Laura NOONAN 1:05:06 236 F F35
6 Sinéad FLANNERY 1:05:32 101 F F40
7 Breda GAFFNEY 1:05:58 475 F F50
8 Irene EIGHAN 1:07:22 94 F F45
9 Rachel GOGGIN 1:08:44 115 F FS
10 Deirdre CASEY 1:08:53 425 F F40

Full results HERE

Hannah Steeds of Leevale AC is the first woman home

Photos...

1) There are six galleries of the 5-mile mark up on the Running in Cork Facebook page. 

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

2) Derek Costello has some galleries..

part 1 -  part 2  - part 3  - part 4  - part 5  - part 6 

Results of the Cork BHAA ESB Cross Country 5k - Sun 9th Jan 2025

The rescheduled Cork BHAA ESB Cross Country 5k was held in Beaumont Park on Sun 9th March 2025 with 106 finishers. This is well down on 180 that they got last year and might be the lowest ever for this particular event.

It's usually held at the start of January but this year, it looks as if it got squeezed by the Midleton 10-mile and the 5-miler in Banteer.

Top 3 men and women...

1 Dermot Ryan M1 00:19:03 Uisce Éireann M-A-1
2 Tim O'Connor 0/45M M2 00:19:24 Uisce Éireann M-A-1
3 Cathal Prior 0/50M M3 00:19:26 Eli Lilly M-A-2
8 Siobhan Hoare 0/45F F1 00:21:03 Bon Secours
17 Anna Hogan 0/45F F2 00:22:53 UCC F-A-1
32 Joan Ennis 0/60F F3 00:24:05 Avondhu MF

Full results HERE

Results of the Banteer 5-mile road race - Sun 9th March 2025

The annual Banteer 5-mile road race was held this year in sunny conditions on Sunday 9th March 2025 with 302 runners crossing the finish line, a drop of 11% on last year.

Top 3 men & women.
1 Jermiah Sheehan 341 M North Cork A.C. MS 26:58
2 Maurice Feehan 237 M Duhallow A.C. M40 27:19
3 Ruairi Manning 292 M Cork Track Club A.C. MS 28:02
4 Niamh Moore 254 F Leevale A.C. FS 28:10
6 Sinead O Connor 309 F Leevale A.C. FS 28:59
24 Breeda Mc Ginn 42 F F40 32:03

Full results HERE

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

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 8th Mar 2025. Approximately 1061 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Clonakilty... There will be no parkrun in Clon on the 15th of March. They'll be back on the 22nd.

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 300 this week, 362 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Anthony CREED Male SM25-29 18:35

2 Sam O'RIORDAN Male SM18-19 Leevale AC 18:38

3 Seamus PERRY Male SM18-19 18:52

13 Aoibhín O'CONNOR Female SW20-24 21:15

14 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:19

37 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 23:22

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/365/

Tramore Valley Park: 193 this week, 265 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Karl CAULFIELD Male VM35-39 18:39

2 Daire O SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 18:50

3 Sean CRUMLEY Male SM25-29 19:05

11 Ciara O GORMAN Female SW20-24 St Finbarrs AC 21:10

12 Jane OCONNOR Female SW25-29 21:33

14 Catherine TUCKER Female SW30-34 Durham City Harriers AC 21:58

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/143/

Glen River: 68 this week, 79 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:10

2 Colin MORRISON Male VM50-54 20:16

3 Richard BOURKE Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:11

17 Linda BUCKLEY Female VW45-49 25:27

21 Alannah O'CALLAGHAN Female SW25-29 26:21

23 Claire MCGONAGLE Female VW55-59 26:43

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/249/

Midleton Greenway: 187 this week, 220 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Adam GOULD Male SM25-29 17:24

2 Patrick DOHERTY Male SM25-29 18:20

4 Fionn BUCKLEY Male JM15-17 19:13

3 Abigail DUGGAN Female JW15-17 19:13

13 Eve BUCKLEY Female JW15-17 20:53

16 Mary-Jane CASEY Female JW11-14 21:06

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/6/

Mallow Castle:  70 this week, 77 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Eoin DURKAN Male VM40-44 Aberdeen AAC 17:00

2 Danny MULLANE Male SM30-34 20:47

3 Kieran STOKES Male SM30-34 21:53

4 Lorna COMYN Female VW35-39 21:58

6 Bernadette O'DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 22:17

7 Andressa LENIN BRAVO Female VW35-39 22:24

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/171/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 58 this week, 49 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Trevor GEARY Male VM45-49 18:58

2 Maurice WALSH Male VM40-44 19:59

3 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 22:00

4 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:37

6 Molly KENNY Female SW20-24 23:07

12 Josephine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:52

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/149/

Macroom Castle Demense: 48 this week, 61 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:13

2 Matt HOULIHAN Male JM11-14 20:50

3 Unknown

12 Rosalind BUTTERWORTH Female VW35-39 Petts Wood Runners 24:54

14 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 25:29

18 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 27:16

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/517/

Clonakilty: 31 this week, 51 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Jason CROWLEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:46

2 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 22:07

3 Barry CRONIN Male VM45-49 22:20

6 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:01

8 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 24:29

10 Evana CASSIDY Female SW25-29 25:33

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/472/

Glengarriff Woods: 61 this week, 69 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Paul Pio O'CALLAGHAN Male VM45-49 Pulse Triathlon Club 21:43

2 Finn CONNER Male JM15-17 22:04

3 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 22:23

5 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:34

7 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:47

11 Mary MINEHANE Female JW11-14 25:51

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/390/

Bere Island: 33 this week, 37 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean O'LEARY Male VM35-39 20:25

3 John Kevin MALONE Male SM20-24 21:57

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:49

4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:38

9 Nina MURPHY Female VW35-39 26:12

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/482/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 12 finishers this week, 26 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 21:58

2 Stephen CONNOLLY Male VM40-44 23:42

4 Conor FARRELL Male SM25-29 Naas Triathlon club 26:44

3 Emma BYRNE Female SW30-34 26:36

8 Catherine BAILEY Female VW45-49 40:19

10 Andrea FERN Female VW65-69 South Axholme Striders 45:09

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/402/

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

Guest Post: Questions ...by Pat Walsh

 * Questions *

Frivolous Post alert

As I relax and recover the body in the Lanzarote I find my mind isn’t at peace as I question so many things.. LIFE is strange

How many tug boats would it take to pull the Island of Ireland a few hundred miles further South in the Atlantic?

I’m getting my Vitamin D from the Sun but is there Calcium in Aperol Spritz

If Trump can claim or rename anything he likes, can I call the beach near me the Gulf of Paddy. Everyone on it seems to be Irish anyway

When should wearing three-quarter length shorts on small men while wearing pulled up white socks be declared a fashion crime

On a poster for upcoming  St Patrick’s Day festival they have a competition, not sure is it one of two events. Hurling and Canarian Wrestling…! We have that for years, have you ever seen a hurling match between Limerick and Clare?

If there are sixty minutes in an Irish Hour how does a Happy Hour here go from 10.30am to 7pm

Met some lads from Wales this evening on a stag who are playing a cricket match in the morning in Lanzarote… That has so many questions I don’t know where to start. 

This is a great Island for the triathlon training gang. Swimming in the morning, cycling mountains during the day and running in the evening. But lads it is a bit unsettling when I’m settling into a pint and a steak the size of a small country to see a CTC Cork Tri gang t-shirts running past the window. It gives me FOMO.. Go easy 

Is there more Irish Bars in Lanzarote than in Ireland

St Brendan and St Columbanus travelled the world bringing Irish Culture with them. Why didn’t they visit here and bring a few Barry’s Tea Bags with them. The ones in the Hotel you wouldn’t get life out of them with a de-fib and a prayer to St Anthony..

Definitely less Dublin GAA football jersies around since they lost the 15 in a row and turned us all off Gaelic Football. Lose one and all the jersies are in the bin thank God.Problem is most of them have replaced them with flowery Hawaiian shirts that look like leftovers from Miami Vice. Cheap Ryanair flights and Penneys have a lot to answer for.

If you are running this weekend then enjoy it. Think of poor me surrounded by sun sea sand and cheap pints

The first beginnings of wisdom...is to ask questions but never to answer any.  Flann O’Brien

#pwr

Notice: Midleton Greenway 10-mile race - Sun 9th March 2025

Ever since the new Midleton Greenway was first mentioned, people have been wondering about the possibility of a 10-mile or half-marathon on it. Well here it is...

The inaugural Cork East Midleton 10 Mile Race will take place on the new Greenway on Sunday March 9th 2025 at 11am.

Entries: You can enter online HERE

Entry Fee: €25 (+ booking fee). Please Note: Entries Limited

Update: Online entries close midnight Thurs 6th March

The map above shows the route and it really is dead flat. The race starts at the start of the Midleton Greenway, goes as far as the old railway station in Mogeely and then turns back.

The turnaround point in Mogeely is shown below...

RIP - Anila Mucaj

No doubt many of you will have read that there was a tragic accident in Tralee at the weekend where a runner lost her life in a accident.

Tralee parkrun write... "We are heartbroken by the news that our beautiful friend Anila lost her life yesterday while she was running in Blennerville. Anila was a loyal Tralee parkrunner who ran 116 of her 117 parkruns with us. 

We will miss her at our parkrun every Saturday morning. Our condolences go to her family and friends and especially her young son Ben who  is a regular volunteer and runner with us and to her friends in Born to Run who will feel the loss so deeply. 

Our thoughts are also with her running friends Claire and Clara and we pray for a full recovery for them.  

Anila is pictured here with Ben.  

Rest in peace Anila. 💔"

RTE News

RIP IE Notice

Results of the Ballycotton National School 5-mile road race - Sun 2nd Mar 2025

The inaugural Scoil Realt na Mara Ballycotton 5 Mile was held on Sunday 2nd Mar 2025. It's been eight years or so since there has been a road race in the village of Ballycotton and I'm sure it brought back memories for a lot of runners.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Paul Cashman Carrigtwohill     28:36     28:36 M45
2 Michael Furlong Ballycotton     29:08     29:06 MS
3 Patrick Troy Midleton     29:49     29:48 M45
12 Sinead Flannery Ballintotis     32:05     32:04 F40

22 Emma Leahy Midleton    33:11     33:09 FS
23 Tamzin Muldowney Midleton     33:29     33:26 FS

Ballycotton National School / Scoil Realt na Mara Ballycotton 5 Mile Results

Sunday March 2nd 2025

Pos Name Location Gun Chip Cat
1 Paul Cashman Carrigtwohill     28:36     28:36 M45
2 Michael Furlong Ballycotton     29:08     29:06 MS
3 Patrick Troy Midleton     29:49     29:48 M45
4 Kevin Shortall Fermoy     30:11     30:09 M45
5 Andrew De-Klerk Ladysbridge     30:34     30:32 M45
6 Paul Kearney Aghada     30:42     30:42 M40
7 Mark Walsh Youghal     31:07     31:07 MS
8 Anthony Mason Midleton     31:09     31:06 MS
9 Brendan Kearney Midleton     31:12     31:09 MS
10 Martin Hennessy Shanagarry     31:23     31:20 M50

Results of the Stone Mad Half-Marathon in Blarney - Sun 2nd Mar 2025

Top 3 men & women...

1 116 Evan Fitzgerald 01:08:17
2 696 Barry Twohig 01:10:11
3 84 Sean Davin 01:10:37
1 549 April Quinn 01:22:13
2 560 Clara Ryan 01:22:29
3 462 Catherine Murphy 01:23:07

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Dermot Hever Photography has a gallery HERE

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA MTU 5k - Sun 2nd Mar 2025

The Cork BHAA MTU 5k was held this year on Sunday 2nd March 2025 on what was a nice dry and calm morning. A total of 442 runners crossed the finish line which is the same as last year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Conor McCauley 0/40M M1 00:15:42 Apple M-A-2
2 Naoise O'Flaitheartigh 00:16:24 Temp Reg
3 Timmy Hawkins M2 00:16:24 Janssen
10 Lizzie Lee 0/40F F1 00:17:43 Apple F-A-2
22 Saoirse Twomey F2 00:18:20 The Phoenix Clinic F-A-1
25 Ellen Moran F3 00:18:34 CPO

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has eight galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3... Album 4 ... Album 5... Album 6 ... Album 7... Album 8...

2) Mick Dooley has two galleries ... Pre-race ... Post-race ...

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 1st Mar 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 1st Mar 2025. Approximately 1296 runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report... The first day of March brought a touch of Spring to this weeks 5k parkruns in Co Cork with relatively mild and bright conditions. Both the Ballincollig and Mallow events were back after the flooding last week.

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 362 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Andrew HYLAND Male SM25-29 Raheny Shamrock AC 16:33

2 John COAKLEY Male JM15-17 18:24

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 19:00

19 Caroline LOUGHNANE Female VW50-54 21:21

20 Natasha TOOLE Female SW30-34 21:21

23 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 21:41

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/364/

Tramore Valley Park: 265 this week, 330 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Stephen KELLEHER Male SM20-24 17:58

2 Feidhlim Ó DUBHLAING Male VM35-39 Leevale AC 18:11

3 Peter MORGAN Male VM40-44 18:53

4 Orla DRUMM Female VW40-44 Crusaders AC Dublin 19:18

5 Teresa MURPHY Female VW45-49 Kent AC 19:21

21 Catherine TUCKER Female SW30-34 Durham City Harriers AC 22:31

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/142/

Glen River: 79 this week, 98 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 17:41

2 Brian WALLACE Male VM45-49 21:07

3 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:45

26 Claire MCGONAGLE Female VW55-59 26:27

28 Catherine DEENIHAN Female VW55-59 UCC Staff Athletics Club 27:10

29 Colleen MCGINTY Female VW35-39 27:33

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/248/

Midleton Greenway: 220 this week, 310 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Eoin DOWNING Male SM30-34 16:47

2 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:13

3 Kevin SMITH Male VM45-49 Midleton AC 19:28

17 Robyn RYAN Female JW15-17 22:00

25 Lorna SANTRY Female VW35-39 23:17

27 Annicea MADINE Female VW50-54 23:31

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/5/

Mallow Castle:  77 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew COOKE Male JM11-14 18:54

2 Fanahan MCSWEENEY Male SM30-34 19:40

3 Gary MCCARTHY Male SM25-29 20:22

11 Doireann FRAWLEY Female JW11-14 22:57

21 Marie BUCKLEY Female VW40-44 24:07

24 Elspeth AHERN Female SW30-34 24:23

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/170/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 49 this week, 50 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown  

2 Ronan BROPHY Male VM45-49 20:41

3 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 21:28

7 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:10

11 Billie FOX Female JW10 22:31

14 Sophie DINEEN Female SW20-24 22:51

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/148/

Macroom Castle Demense: 61 this week, 76 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 20:05

2 Rory MCELROY Male JM15-17 West Muskerry A.C. 20:17 

3 Unknown

19 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 25:19

20 Claire CURTIN Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 25:50

22 Mairead MURPHY Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:47

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/516/

Clonakilty: 51 this week, 52 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Shane WINTERS Male JM11-14 19:03

2 Ciaran BARRY Male VM40-44 20:26

3 Bryan GALLWEY Male VM40-44 20:39

7 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 21:57

15 Elaine LANIGAN Female VW40-44 25:00

21 Lucy CRONIN Female JW15-17 27:55

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/471/

Glengarriff Woods: 69 this week, 78 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Bobby TANGNEY Male VM45-49 Kenmare Athletics Club 19:49

2 Ray KELLEHER Male VM45-49 Kenmare Athletics Club 20:42

3 Billy O MAHONY Male JM15-17 21:13

12 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW55-59 23:48

17 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:33

18 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 25:38

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/389/

Bere Island: 37 this week, 57 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Nina MURPHY Female SW30-34 21:03

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:29

4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:24

3 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM55-59 22:37

5 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 25:21

6 Cian TWOMEY Male JM10 25:23

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/481/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 26 finishers this week, 33 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 21:45

2 James LAVERY Male SM30-34 23:47

3 Aaron ROSS Male SM25-29 25:49

4 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 27:25

10 Genevieve HOARE Female VW45-49 32:43

11 Pamela WIGGINS Female VW60-64 Ealing Eagles Running Club 32:49

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/401/

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

Guest Post: A voyage of discovery ...by Pat Walsh

* A voyage of discovery *

Many thanks for all the kind comments recently. Much appreciated.

I was chatting to a medical professional and they said that what I have gone through could be a learning experience for many others that may be worth sharing. People like to know they are not alone. Feel free to click away from the page now now. 

Before I start I want to say I‘m ok and hopefully will be back in action soon.

I have a stress fracture in my pelvis. I was in trouble after the Waterford Half last November and when it didn’t get better I was sent for an MRI.

Point 1, if in doubt get it checked out. I thought it wasn’t much and would be grand in a few days.

I have seen a few professionals during this time and as no-one can pinpoint exactly what went wrong, then a whole battery of tests were required. I have been scanned, poked, spine manipulated, bloods given and all forms of bodily tests taken.

Upshot of all this I still don’t know for sure, but I do know my bone density, my blood figures, and I have my spine and pelvis captured on screen. 

The amount of medical information you can get nowadays is amazing. We need to use it more. These are vital for long term health. There may be issues due to genetic factors that you are not aware of unless you check. 

When I was younger I thought I was invincible but as I got older I never stopped to look at myself and see was running into old age a viable option. It still is, but more cognizance must be taken of other factors which could affect it. This has been a learning process for me. I have discovered prevention may be better than cure.

I know I can survive mentally without running which I didn’t think was possible. What I didn’t fully realize is that without running as a form of exercise then other issues arise because of immobility. 

If you don’t use the body it stiffens up and problems can arise in other areas. 

I want to stay running but I now know I must respect other factors.

Recovering enough between sessions

Tracking my weekly mileage in case it is too high.

Not racing too much. Keep working on flexibility.

Eating properly and ensuring proper nutrients for bodily health.

Continue to do periodic medical tests to check that all is good. Waiting until there is a major issue like I had is too late.

I hope you if you can take some learning points from this. It affects your general health as well as your ability to run. Again this was written for myself and my own diary to look back on. My voyage through life. It hasn’t been an easy few months on the body and the mind with lack of exercise and social contacts. 

I leave on a lighter note. The NCT on my car is due today. I’m confident that my 191C will pass the test. Thankfully they only test the car and not the driver…

#pwr

New North Ring Road in Cork City opens up new running routes...

Cork City Council announced today proposals for a new ring road across the north side of Cork City.

The Ring Road or to give its official title, the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Road (CNDMR) starts at Inchigaggin on the Carrigrohane Straight and crosses to the north of the city as far as Glanmire in the east.

The press release reads... "Cork City Council, in collaboration with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport, is inviting members of the public to participate in a non-statutory public consultation on the Emerging Preferred Route for the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Road (CNDMR). The consultation launches today, Thursday 27 February and runs until Thursday 10 April.

The proposed new road is 14 kilometres long, from the Carrigrohane Road at its western end to Glanmire in the east, crossing the northern side of Cork City via Hollyhill, Dublin Hill and Banduff.

The CNDMR will provide safe, dedicated infrastructure for active travel (walking and cycling), public transport and general traffic. It will improve journey times for all road users and improve access to areas of employment. It will also unlock zoned land on the north side of Cork City for future residential and commercial development, enhancing the attractiveness of the area for investment. It is a key element to delivering the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), which was published in 2020 and identified the need for this east-west route on the north side of Cork City."

What makes this project really interesting from a runners or walkers point of view is the inclusion of footpaths on both sides. This will open up a lot more potential routes for anyone who wants to go for a run or walk.

The artists impression above is of the section heading north from Inchigaggin and heading towards the river.

According to the project website, the Cork Northern Distributor Multi Modal Route will consist of...

3.0m traffic lanes in both directions.
3.25m bus lanes in both directions and
1.50m planting buffer on both sides,
3.25m two-way cycle tracks on both sides,
2.50m footpaths on both sides,

For more  information on the project and public consultation, go to https://www.cndmrpublicconsultation.ie

New Junior 2km parkrun for Adare, Co Limerick

It was announced this week that there is going to be a new 2km Junior parkrun for 4-14 year olds in Adare, Co Limerick. It will be held at the Manor Fields in the village.

At present, the nearest junior parkruns are in Shelbourne Park in Limerick City and at Mallow Castle in Co Cork.

The organisers write... "We are happy to share news of a new Junior Parkrun coming to Adare. Junior Parkrun is a free weekly 2km event for those aged 4 to 14 (consisting of two 1km laps).

Volunteers needed: The next step is gather an interested group to help with volunteer roles. This could be anything from marshalling to token scanning at the end. You don't need to volunteer weekly, and any help will be hugely appreciated. 

For more information please contact the event organiser, Gillian O'Regan: Gillianpowell1 AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk"

Clashduv junior parkrun postponed until further notice - Feb 2025

The team behind the Clashduv junior parkrun  in Togher have announced that their event is cancelled until further notice.

This free 2km event for 4-14 year olds started back at the end of August 2023 and there have been 58 editions so far. Considering it's been running for about 18 months, you might expect something like 75 but even accounting for holidays, a number have had to be cancelled in the past due to a lack of volunteers.

The chart above shows the numbers for each event since it started. The average number taking part is 34 and the numbers have been low of late.

While the numbers above are for the number of children taking part, we can imply that if there are fewer parents attending then there is probably a smaller pool of potential volunteers to help out.

If you'd like to help out in any way then you can contact them on their site... https://www.parkrun.ie/clashduv-juniors/

Cork City Council name new park bench after parkrunner Anne Murphy

Joe Murphy with the new seat dedicated to Anne Murphy

Cork City Council have just named a new bench in Ballincollig Regional Park after the late Anne Murphy.

Anne was a regular attendee at the various parkruns and did her first 5k parkrun in Tralee back on the 13th of June 2015. Her first outing in Ballincollig Regional Park was at the inaugural event on the 18th of June 2016 and Ballincollig would go on to become her home parkrun.

Anne completed 148 parkruns with husband Joe in 17 different locations.

Notice: The Great Railway Run 25km - Sun 13th Apr 2025

The annual Great Railway Run from Cork to Carrigaline will be held this year on Sunday the 13th of April 2025. 

Entries: You can enter online HERE

Update 28th Feb 2025: There are now fewer than 100 places left.

he 25km route is the same as 2024. It will start at 9:30am on Monahan Road and takes in a 1.6 mile / 2.6km loop first which is shown below.

The race then proceeds along the route of the old railway line to Carrigaline finishing at the Lions Youth Centre on Church Road.

The 2025 route is shown below...

Notice: Cork BHAA MTU 5k in Bishopstown - Sun 2nd March 2025

The Cork BHAA MTU 5k is coming up on Sunday the 2nd of March 2025 at 10am.

The entry fee is just €5 for registered BHAA runners and €10 for non-registered. You enter on the morning of the race.

There will also be a free MTU race mug for the first 400 to enter on the day.

Some key points...

Results of the Cloyne 4k - Sun 23rd Feb 2025

A total of 147 souls braved the driving rain and gales for the Cloyne 4k challenge on Sunday 23rd Feb 2025. With other races in Cork being cancelled, this was the only one that went ahead.

Top 3 men & women...

1 1217 Nick O Donoghue East Cork AC M35 13:12
2 1471 John Spelman East Cork AC M 13:45
3 1490 Ian O Leary Leevale AC M55 14:31
15 968 Katie Hennessy Midleton AC FJ 15:58
20 924 Sinead Falvey Midleton AC F40 16:23
23 1219 Laura O Donovan Unattached F 16:44

Full results below...

Position Race Number Name Club Category Time

1 1217 Nick O Donoghue East Cork AC M35 13:12
2 1471 John Spelman East Cork AC M 13:45
3 1490 Ian O Leary Leevale AC M55 14:31
4 1468 Seamus McSweeney Grange Fermoy AC M50 14:42
5 509 Andrew de Klerk Ballintotis Fit 4 Life M45 14:53
6 1016 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:54
7 1457 Paul Kearney Aghada RC M40 14:57
8 949 Tim Hannon Midleton AC M45 14:59
9 217 John Ahern Midleton AC M45 15:21
10 969 Martin Hennessy East Cork AC M50 15:43

Racewalker Kate Veale secures her 8th National title

Kate Veale of West Waterford AC secured her 8th National Senior Indoor Title today in the Women's 3000m walk.

Update on running events on Sun 23rd Feb 2025

In marked contrast to Saturday, it's going to be wet and windy on Sunday 23rd Feb 2025 for any running events.

Update: 10:50am.

The 4km race in Cloyne is going ahead at 9:30am with an entry fee of €5.

The Kinsale 10-mile is cancelled 

7:30am - "Course inspection and race organisers are meeting this morning and will update as soon as possible."

10am - "We apologise for the inconvenience to everyone but had to make this decision under the circumstances. We plan to host the race on another date. We will confirm details in due course and with regard to entry refunds/transfers too."

The Killeagh 4-mile in east Cork has been cancelled.

The Cork BHAA ESB 5k Cross Country race in Beaumont Park has been cancelled.

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

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 22nd Feb 2025. Approximately 1083 runners and walkers took part in the 9 events in Co Cork.

Report... It was a nice bright sunny morning for this weeks nine 5k parkruns in Co Cork. Both the Ballincollig and Mallow events were cancelled due to flooding.

Macroom... Well done to Derry Keane who completed his 250th 5k parkrun! All 250 have been in Macroom.

Well done also to Noreen Stewart who completed her 100th 5k parkrun this week. 86 of these were at Macroom, 10 were in Ballingcollig and 4 were in Castlebar.

Glen River... Well done to Michael Comyns who completed his 250th 5k parkrun at the Glen River parkrun this weekend!

Michael has completed 220 of the 250 in Ballincollig with a further 14 at Tramore Valley Park. This was his 4th visit to the Glen.

Castlehaven... 400! Well done to the Castlehaven crew who celebrated their 400th 5k parkrun this weekend!

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

***

Ballincollig Regional Park: 308 this week, 369 last week.

First 3 men & women... CANCELLED

Ballincollig results... 

Tramore Valley Park: 329 this week, 241 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Fintan KERINS Male SM30-34 16:12

2 Ryan MULROY Male SM25-29 St Finbarrs AC 17:04

3 Graham CUMMINS Male VM35-39 19:01

23 Nan KEARNEY Female VW45-49 Sanctuary Runners 21:58

41 Laura MAYE Female VW35-39 23:13

51 Paula MULCAHY Female VW50-54 UCC Staff Athletics Club 23:59

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/141/

Glen River: 98 this week, 57 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Tom LEE Male VM45-49 Westport AC 20:23

2 Cian BRANNIGAN Male SM25-29 20:43

3 Connor O'BRIEN Male SM30-34 20:47

14 Mags HASSETT Female VW50-54 St Finbarrs AC 23:59

18 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW45-49 Eagle A.C. 24:40

31 Unknown 26:11

Glen River results...  https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/247/

Midleton Greenway: 310 this week, 294 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Anthony MANNIX Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 16:15

2 Luke BURFIELD Male SM20-24 17:50

3 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:06

20 Irene EIGHAN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:11

23 Elsa RYAN Female SW18-19 20:23

24 Ellen HANLEY Female VW45-49 20:25

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/4/

Mallow Castle:  59 this week, 82 last week.

First 3 men & women... CANCELLED

Mallow results... 

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 50 this week, 44 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 John MURPHY Male VM55-59 19:17

2 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 St Catherines AC 20:38

3 Brendan COUGHLAN Male VM45-49 Watergrasshill AC 1:18

6 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:25

7 Anna PAWLIK Female VW40-44 Youghal AC 22:43

9 Rose KINSELLA Female VW40-44 24:34

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/147/

Macroom Castle Demense: 76 this week, 68 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conrad WATT Male VM35-39 Cork Track Club 17:49

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 19:51

3 Unknown

10 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 23:11

21 Liz O'DONOVAN Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 25:11

23 Sarah CUDDIHY Female SW18-19 25:43

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/515/

Clonakilty: 52 this week, 34 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David HICKEY Male VM40-44 19:51

2 Barry KIRBY Male SM25-29 21:54

3 Matthew KELLEHER Male JM11-14 22:29

9 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:00

12 Moira MCCARTHY Female JW15-17 24:43

18 Holly FLEMING Female SW30-34 26:15

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/470/

Glengarriff Woods: 78 this week, 62 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Ray SMITH Male VM60-64 Kenmare Athletics Club 21:28

2 Liam O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 21:52

3 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM45-49 22:15

10 Mary LAWTON Female VW55-59 Durrus Athletic Club 25:52

11 Marian MINEHANE Female VW40-44 25:54

13 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:17

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/388/

Bere Island: 57 this week, 43 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Unknown

7 Cian TWOMEY Male JM10 25:47

8 Luke BROWNE Male JM10 25:49

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:46

3 Laura O' SULLIVAN FENTON Female VW40-44 Beara AC 23:23

4 Lorraine O SULLIVAN Female VW45-49 23:37

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/480/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 33 finishers this week, 20 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Bryan VILLIERS Male SM30-34 22:12

2 Florence FITZGERALD Male VM35-39 22:14

3 Donncha O'BRIEN Male VM45-49 23:04

8 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 27:31

11 Claire HURLEY Female VW40-44 28:08

14 Ruth COLLINS Female VW45-49 29:31

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/400/

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