Olympic Marathon Champion dies in Kenya

Samuel Wanjiru, the existing Olympic Marathon champion has died in a fall from a balcony in his home town of Nyahururu in Kenya.

In 2008, he set a new record in the Beijing Olympics by winning the Marathon in a time of 2:06:32, taking almost 3 minutes off the old record set by Carlos Lopes in Los Angeles in 1984.

The full story is on the BBC News Website

Another follow up post HERE

Happy Days......Cork City Marathon 2008
Now for a treat! The organisers of the Cork City Marathon have put a nice 10 minute video of the 2008 Cork City Marathon up on YouTube. It's not just about the winners of the race but has shots from different sections of the race.

One thing you'll notice about it is how dull and overcast it was when the race was in Silversprings and how the sun was shining by the time some of the slower runners had reached Mahon......and you can see that the heat is beginning to take it's toll.

There are some nice shots of the finish as well........with a few of the 'well known' faces delighted at running their fastest Marathon ever.

Enjoy...!!

Results of the Eact Cork AC '3k Winter Series' road race (No.6 of 7) - Tues 27th Jan 2009
Condition were near perfect for this race as it was cool, dry and hardly a puff of wind. 126 turned out for this one, an increase of 4 on the previous event. Next race is in 3 weeks time on the 17th of February 2009.

East Cork AC 3Km Winter Series Race 6 27/01/09
1 James McCarthy East Cork AC 8.57
2 Sean McGrath East Cork AC 8.59
3 Brian Hegarty East Cork AC 9.49
4 Frank O'Carroll East Cork AC 9.52
5 Eoin Casey Midleton CBS 9.56
6 Roy Fahy East Cork AC 9.56
7 Noel Curtin Youghal AC 10.02
8 Cathal Kelly St Finbarrs 10.15
9 Tim Mahony East Cork AC 10.20
10 Brian O'Connor Grange/Fermoy AC 10.24
11 Marty O'Keeffe Youghal AC 10.42
12 David O'Dwyer East Cork AC 10.53
13 John Dunphy Midleton AC 10.58
14 Tom O'Brien Cork 10.59
15 Tom Cody Midleton AC 11.04
16 Paul Cleary Whitegate 11.06
17 Justin Costigan Midleton 11.08
18 Paul Hegarty Cork 11.14
19 Denis Carroll Eagle AC 11.15
20 Cathal McCarthy Midleton AC 11.18
21 Shane Cooney Midleton AC 11.19
22 Josh O'Sullivan Hourihan Midleton College 11.20
23 Mark Dalton Midleton AC 11.21
24 Coran Swayne Midleton CBS 11.25
25 Dan Horgan Midleton AC 11.25
26 Shane Maher Grange/Fermoy AC 11.27
27 John O'Callaghan Rising Sun 11.27
28 John O'Connell Midleton 11.28

29 Terry Hennessy Grange/Fermoy AC 11.29
30 Lesley Coughlan Midleton CBS 11.29
31 Kevin Geary Ladysbridge 11.31

32 Billy O'Sullivan Midleton AC 11.37
33 James Power Whitegate 11.37
34 Ann Donnelly St Finbarrs 11.42
35 Patrick Dunlea Midleton GAA 11.45
36 Maurice Tobin Grange/Fermoy AC 11.48
37 Kevin Smith East Cork AC 11.49
38 Alan Kelly Midleton AC 11.50
39 Ken Owens Midleton AC 11.51
40 Kevin O'Reilly Youghal AC 11.53
41 Ann Geary Lisgoold 11.58
42 James Cleary Whitegate 12.02
43 Paddy Hegarty Cork 12.03
44 Dermot Murphy Midleton 12.03
45 Peter Stanley Carrigaline 12.08
46 Martin Curtin Loughaderra 12.09
47 Dermot O'Sullivan East Cork AC 12.10
48 Ned Ramsell Midleton AC 12.12
49 Niamh Walsh Youghal AC 12.13
50 Sally Drennan Midleton AC 12.16
51 Colm Egan Midleton AC 12.16
52 Trevor Collins Naas 12.17
53 Mark Ryan Midleton AC 12.27
54 Conor Tierney East Cork AC 12.29
55 Michael Hanrahan Midleton AC 12.33
56 John Griffin Grange/Fermoy AC 12.35
57 Kevin O'Reilly Midleton 12.40
58 Paul O'Sullivan Hourihan East Cork AC 12.41
59 Caroline Geary Midleton AC 12.42
60 Hugh O'Donnell Midleton CBS 12.43
61 Darren Flynn Grange/Fermoy AC 12.44
62 Rick Prendergast Castlemartyr 12.44
63 Mark O'Keeffe Youghal AC 12.45
64 John Walshe East Cork AC 12.46
65 John O'Riordan Rising Sun 12.47
66 Pat Walsh Midleton GAA 12.54
67 Mark Walsh Midleton AC 13.00
68 Leo O'Donovan Ballinacurra 13.10
69 Jim Murray Rising Sun 13.11
70 Batt Kearney Leevale AC 13.13
71 Mary Histon de Barra Rising Sun 13.15
72 Liam Walsh Midleton GAA 13.18
73 Danny McCarthy Midleton AC 13.19
74 Don O'Hanlon Cork 13.20
75 John Cotter Cobh 13.23
76 Karen Kenny Grange/Fermoy AC 13.26
77 Matt Geraghty Cloyne 13.29

78 Padraig O'Regan Midleton 13.33
79 Marie Murphy Youghal 13.35
80 John Fennell West Waterford AC 13.36
81 Rebecca McEvoy Belgooly AC 13.38
82 Padraig de Burca Carrigtwohill 13.39
83 Angela McEvoy St Finbarrs 13.40
84 Finbarr Lyons Midleton 13.52
85 Killian Hennessy Cork 13.57
86 Evelyn Cleary East Cork AC 13.58
87 Vincent Murray Midleton 14.01
88 Donal O'Donoghue Little Island 14.02
89 Donie O'Connell Midleton AC 14.06
90 Mick McCarthy West Waterford AC 14.20
91 Paul Kierans Carrigtwohill 14.24
92 Con Warren Carrigtwohill 14.25
93 Christine Murphy Midleton AC 14.29
94 Deirdre Twomey Ballinacurra 14.40
95 Catherine Halpin Cork 14.41
96 Karina Erangey Whitegate 14.46
97 Rose Smith Cork 14.50
98 Maura O'Doherty Midleton AC 14.51
99 Pat Meaney Cork 14.59
100 Brian Cashman Carrigtwohill 15.05
101 Rose Barrett Midleton AC 15.31
102 Vincent O'Neill Midleton AC 15.40
103 Mary O'Keeffe Midleton AC 15.41
104 Dermot Cashman Carrigtwohill 15.41
105 Jim Curtin East Cork AC 15.49
106 Elaine Hennessy Midleton AC 15.53
107 Olan O'Brien Midleton 15.55
108 Willie O'Mahony Youghal AC 15.56
109 Margaret Beausang Midleton AC 16.01
110 Joan McCarthy Midleton AC 16.10
111 Olive Hallahan Leevale AC 16.11
112 Rachel Quaid Midleton 16.45

113 Eoin Cashman Midleton AC 17.07
114 John Cashman Midleton AC 17.08
115 Ann Thornborough Whitegate 17.14
116 Niamh O'Connell Midleton 17.23
117 Fionan O Haodha Cork 17.24
118 Frank Kierans Carrigtwohill 17.45
119 Eideen Murphy Midleton 17.49
120 Ruairi Kierans Carrigtwohill 17.50
121 Donal Kerins Carrigtwohill 17.51
122 Mary Toher Midleton AC 18.43
123 Hubert Crowe Tipperary 19.15
124 Kathleen O'Connell Midleton AC 20.06
125 Conor La Mere Ballinacurra 20.28
126 Chuck La Mere Ballinacurra 20.28
(...with thanks to Liam O'Brien of East Cork AC for the above results)

Results of the Bandon 5 Mile Road Race - Sun 28th Dec 2008
A total of 163 runners turned out for this race on a cold but sunny December afternoon. Last year, they got 138 for this race so an 18% increase in numbers is pretty good.

Photos...Bandon AC have a gallery of 232 photos up on their Picasa photo gallery.

Some video clips...
Start of the race....


Finish of the race...


Prizegiving....



Results.....

Donough Coughlan Memorial BANDON '5' Sunday 28 December 2008. 2:00pm
Provisional Results for All Competitors in finish order.
Place Time Name Team Race Age Category min/mile
1 0:26:25 MCGRATH, Sean East Cork AC M 05:16.9 488 1
2 0:26:56 O'LEARY, Derek St. Finbarrs AC M 05:23.1 564 2
3 0:27:10 WILMOTT, Kevin Bandon AC M 05:25.9 493 3
4 0:27:24 GRUFFERTY, James Leevale AC M 05:28.7 504 4
5 0:27:29 BOYLE, George Leevale AC M 05:29.7 551 5
6 0:27:32 DONOVAN, Barry UCC M 05:30.3 558 6
7 0:27:46 COAKLEY, Donal Togher AC M 05:33.1 345 7
8 0:27:53 TUCKER, Paul St. Finbarrs AC M 05:34.5 533 8
9 0:27:57 WAUGH, George Rising Sun AC M 05:35.3 459 9
10 0:27:58 O'CARROLL, Frank East Cork AC M 05:35.5 462 10
11 0:28:32 MORGAN, Michael Bandon M 05:42.3 508 11
12 0:28:35 COLLINS, John Leevale AC M50 05:42.9 468 12
13 0:28:37 MAUNSELL, Tomas Leevale AC M 05:43.3 573 13
14 0:29:14 LUCEY, Tim Bandon AC M40 05:50.7 440 14
15 0:29:21 O'REGAN, Noel Midleton AC M40 05:52.1 525 15
16 0:29:23 DE BURCA, Cosmas Rising Sun AC M 05:52.5 540 16
17 0:29:38 CROWLEY, Carmel Bandon AC F40 05:55.5 503 17
18 0:29:53 SHEEHAN, Thomas Bandon AC M40 05:58.5 443 18
19 0:30:09 O'CALLAGHAN, David Eagle AC M40 06:01.7 536 19
20 0:30:09 MURPHY, Paddy Bandon AC M 06:01.7 438 20
21 0:30:23 DEVINE, Ken St. Finbarrs AC M40 06:04.5 475 21
22 0:30:32 CASHMAN, Frank East Cork AC M60 06:06.3 449 22
23 0:30:41 O'DONOVAN, Eamonn Rising Sun AC M 06:08.1 442 23
24 0:30:41 HAYES, Willie St. Finbarrs AC M50 06:08.2 511 24
25 0:30:50 O'SULLIVAN, Diarmuid Eagle AC M 06:09.9 451 25
26 0:30:50 O'MAHONEY, David Ballincollig M 06:09.9 541 26
27 0:30:55 O'CONNOR, Christy Donoughmore M 06:10.9 358 27
28 0:30:57 O'DRISCOLL, John Rising Sun AC M50 06:11.3 441 28
29 0:31:00 CARROLL, Denis Eagle AC M45 06:11.9 496 29
30 0:31:03 HARRINGTON, Chris Leevale AC M 06:12.5 502 30
31 0:31:12 DUNPHY, John Midleton AC M 06:14.3 520 31
32 0:31:34 KEARNEY, Brian Bandon M 06:18.7 521 32
33 0:31:51 FINN, Sean Innishannon M40 06:22.1 552 33
34 0:32:02 CUMMINS, Owen Cork M 06:24.3 361 34
35 0:32:03 MCGRATH, Grellan Eagle AC M40 06:24.5 562 35
36 0:32:06 O'BRIEN, Tom Cork M40 06:25.1 338 36
37 0:32:09 O'SULLIVAN, Sean Midleton AC M 06:25.7 538 37
38 0:32:15 VONHATTEN, Jessica Leevale AC F 06:26.9 505 38
39 0:32:19 O'CALLAGHAN, John Rising Sun AC M 06:27.7 353 39
40 0:32:33 HUNTER, Nollaig Leevale AC F35 06:30.5 348 40
41 0:32:42 KENNEDY, Dan St. Finbarrs AC M55 06:32.3 535 41
42 0:32:57 BICKERDIKE, Andrea Leevale AC FJ 06:35.3 510 42
43 0:33:04 DINAN, Margo St. Finbarrs AC F40 06:36.7 469 43
44 0:33:17 O'RIORDAN, Kevin Rising Sun AC M 06:39.3 479 44
45 0:33:21 NOLAN, Michelle Midleton AC F35 06:40.1 474 45
46 0:33:25 MURPHY, Sean Bandon AC M 06:40.9 439 46
47 0:33:42 WALSH, Michael Midleton AC M40 06:44.3 473 47
48 0:33:46 O'CONNOR, Pat Eagle AC M 06:45.1 563 48
49 0:33:50 HANNON, Blaithin St. Finbarrs AC F35 06:45.9 447 49
50 0:34:00 O'RIORDAN, John Rising Sun AC M50 06:47.9 478 50
51 0:34:05 DALTON, Marc Midleton AC M 06:48.9 467 51
52 0:34:14 MURPHY, Phil Bandon AC M45 06:50.7 513 52
53 0:34:23 FORREST, Richard Blarney M 06:52.5 549 53
54 0:34:32 KIELY, Victor Blarney M40 06:54.3 548 54
55 0:34:38 O'FLAHERTY, Sean Skibbereen M 06:55.5 547 55
56 0:34:40 O'CONNELL, John Midleton AC M 06:55.9 568 56
57 0:34:42 O'SULLIVAN, Mark Bandon AC MJ 06:56.3 550 57
58 0:34:44 WALSH, Brendan Clonakilty M 06:56.7 349 58
59 0:34:48 LYNCH, Stephen Eagle AC M 06:57.5 571 59
60 0:34:49 BURKE, Keith Ballincollig M 06:57.7 572 60
61 0:34:52 O'MEARA, Fergal Midleton AC M40 06:58.3 455 61
62 0:34:55 O'LEARY, Eoghan Bandon AC M 06:58.9 522 62
63 0:35:17 WALSHE, John East Cork AC M55 07:03.2 437 63
64 0:35:18 O'CONNOR, Mark Mallow M 07:03.4 341 64
65 0:35:26 LOONEY, Denis Eagle AC M40 07:05.0 461 65
66 0:35:32 BENT, Nick Donoughmore AC M45 07:06.2 480 66
67 0:35:35 O'CALLAGHAN, John Cork M 07:06.8 356 67
68 0:35:39 BYRD, Charlie Cork M40 07:07.6 490 68
69 0:35:44 COUGHLAN, Niall Bandon M 07:08.6 554 69
70 0:35:46 COTTER, John Carrigaline M 07:09.0 523 70
71 0:35:47 VENABLES, Alice St. Finbarrs AC F 07:09.2 534 71
72 0:35:48 UNKNOWN, NDB 07:09.4 1000 72
73 0:35:49 THORNHILL, Owen Skibbereen AC M 07:09.6 486 73
74 0:35:50 O'MAHONY, Pat Cork M40 07:09.8 539 74
75 0:35:51 HURLEY, Maria Bantry AC F45 07:10.0 494 75
76 0:35:52 O'CONNOR, John Ballincollig M55 07:10.2 454 76
77 0:36:00 MULCAHY, Pat Bandon AC M40 07:11.8 487 77
78 0:36:01 SHEEHAN, Dave Crusaders AC M 07:12.0 460 78
79 0:36:09 CAHILL, Seamus Eagle M45 07:13.6 556 79
80 0:36:16 MCEVOY, Angela St. Finbarrs AC F45 07:15.0 344 80
81 0:36:16 MCEVOY, Eamonn St. Finbarrs AC M50 07:15.0 343 81
82 0:36:25 HAYDON, Michael Ballygarvan M55 07:16.8 357 82
83 0:36:30 WILMOT, Eddie Bandon AC M40 07:17.8 553 83
84 0:36:32 MURPHY, Pat Ballymore-Cobh AC M40 07:18.2 489 84
85 0:36:33 MURRAY, Jimmy Rising Sun AC M60 07:18.4 491 85
86 0:36:44 KELLEHER, Ronan Bandon M 07:20.6 448 86
87 0:36:47 WALSH, Anthony Cork M45 07:21.2 527 87
88 0:36:51 BEGLEY, Fiona Bantry AC F40 07:22.0 452 88
89 0:37:00 FITZPATRICK, Noeleen Bandon AC F40 07:23.8 557 89
90 0:37:00 O'BRIEN, Michael Skibbereen AC M 07:23.8 492 90
91 0:37:07 MCCARTHY, Danny Midleton AC M55 07:25.2 477 91
92 0:37:11 SHEEHAN, Padraig Bandon AC MJ 07:26.0 444 92
93 0:37:12 O'BRIEN, John Bandon AC M40 07:26.2 515 93
94 0:37:20 MURPHY, Aine Kerry Pike F45 07:27.8 465 94
95 0:37:27 O'SULLIVAN, Mick Bandon AC M45 07:29.2 542 95
96 0:37:45 DONEGAN, John Bandon M50 07:32.8 561 96
97 0:37:46 O'LEARY, Neillie Belgooly AC M60 07:33.0 530 97
98 0:37:47 O'LEARY, John Leevale AC M65 07:33.2 434 98
99 0:37:48 DESMOND, Don Rising Sun AC M55 07:33.4 569 99
100 0:37:50 O'CONNOR, Gerry Eagle AC M50 07:33.8 466 100
101 0:37:53 MURPHY, Marie Youghal F 07:34.4 360 101
102 0:38:01 TWOHIG, Monica Eagle AC F45 07:36.0 464 102
103 0:38:12 POWER, John Carrigtwohill M 07:38.2 531 103
104 0:38:14 NAGLE, Valerie Mallow F 07:38.6 546 104
105 0:38:16 O'REGAN, Padraig Ladysbridge M 07:39.0 555 105
106 0:38:19 NEILAND, Tony Watergrasshill M40 07:39.6 458 106
107 0:38:19 MORRISON, Kevin Midleton AC M45 07:39.6 456 107
108 0:38:20 DEASY, Tomas Ballinhassig M 07:39.8 340 108
109 0:38:38 MACKEY, Paul Ascot M45 07:43.4 470 109
110 0:38:47 O'MAHONY, John Cork M65 07:45.2 529 110
111 0:38:58 MCCARTHY, Donal Courtmacsherry M40 07:47.4 354 111
112 0:39:00 UNKNOWN1, NDB 07:47.8 1001 112
113 0:39:01 O'DONOVAN, Catherine Innishannon F 07:48.0 532 113
114 0:39:15 BUCKLEY, Claire Lucan Harriers F 07:50.8 359 114
115 0:39:22 O'REGAN, David Bandon M40 07:52.2 509 115
116 0:39:22 CAMPBELL, Rhona Mallow AC F 07:52.2 342 116
117 0:39:26 BUCKLEY, Aidan Eagle AC M40 07:53.0 514 117
118 0:39:28 HURLEY, Diarmuid Bantry AC M45 07:53.4 495 118
119 0:39:40 MCCRAE, Deirdre Kinsale F 07:55.8 519 119
120 0:39:50 COLEMAN, Barry Cork M 07:57.8 355 120
121 0:40:00 COLEMAN, John Cork M40 07:59.8 517 121
122 0:40:01 O'DONOVAN, Donal Little Island M50 08:00.0 570 122
123 0:40:02 MCCARTHY, Rory Crusaders AC M55 08:00.2 446 123
124 0:40:17 MURRAY, Theresa Cork F35 08:03.2 516 124
125 0:40:24 NAGLE, Dan Mallow AC M60 08:04.6 435 125
126 0:40:27 UNKNOWN3, NDB 08:05.2 1002 126
127 0:40:28 UNKNOWN4, NDB 08:05.4 1003 127
128 0:40:30 UNKNOWN5, NDB 08:05.8 1004 128
129 0:40:40 WEBB, George Rising Sun AC M65 08:07.8 471 129
130 0:41:09 CORRIGAN, Aine Cork F 08:13.6 524 130
131 0:41:10 MULCAHY, Mary St. Finbarrs AC F45 08:13.8 518 131
132 0:41:23 SISK, Bernard Cork M60 08:16.4 528 132
133 0:41:27 MERRICK, Robert Bandon AC M 08:17.2 512 133
134 0:41:50 KINGSTON, Paul Bandon AC M40 08:21.8 436 134
135 0:41:56 NEILAND, Karen Watergrasshill F40 08:23.0 457 135
136 0:42:21 HARRINGTON, Finbarr Bandon AC M40 08:28.0 545 136
137 0:42:22 WELDON, Michael Bandon AC M45 08:28.2 483 137
138 0:42:53 O'MAHONY, Donal Cork M55 08:34.4 482 138
139 0:43:09 COTTER, Mary Eagle AC F45 08:37.6 351 139
140 0:43:22 O'DRISCOLL, David Carrigaline M45 08:40.2 481 140
141 0:43:52 MCGLENNON, Chris Ballincollig M 08:46.2 567 141
142 0:44:07 O'RIORDAN, Betty Macroom F50 08:49.2 506 142
143 0:44:08 HEALY-FAHERTY, Caroline Carrigaline F40 08:49.4 507 143
144 0:44:28 O'HALLORAN, Declan Bandon AC M45 08:53.4 543 144
145 0:44:31 MCSWEENEY, Brian Bandon AC M40 08:54.0 501 145
146 0:44:48 O'MAHONY, Patricia Youghal F 08:57.4 559 146
147 0:45:24 MCCULLAGH, Ruth Dublin F35 09:04.6 537 147
148 0:45:25 WALSH, Bridget Clonakilty F 09:04.8 350 148
149 0:45:47 HAY, Scott Cork M40 09:09.2 526 149
150 0:46:03 HOSKINS, Bruce Canada M40 09:12.4 544 150
151 0:47:16 MCCARTHY, Joan Midleton AC F50 09:27.0 476 151
152 0:47:34 KELLEHER, Frankie Cork F 09:30.6 485 152
153 0:47:59 KELLEHER, Dana Clogheen F 09:35.6 484 153
154 0:48:26 LEHANE, Olive Bandon F 09:41.0 346 154
155 0:48:27 BONAR, Chris Tipperary M 09:41.2 347 155
156 0:48:48 DEASY, Olivia Ballinhassig F 09:45.4 339 156
157 0:49:10 MCGEE, Jacinta Bantry F35 09:49.8 453 157
158 0:50:13 MCGLENNON, Nicola Ballincollig F 10:02.4 565 158
159 0:50:35 O'DONOVAN, Grainne Cork F 10:06.8 472 159
160 0:50:50 O'CONNELL, Kathleen Midleton AC F50 10:09.8 498 160
161 0:53:54 GLAVIN, Bernice Cork F50 10:46.6 352 161
162 0:53:57 MATTHEWS, Paul Bandon AC M 10:47.2 463 162
WHEELCHAIR: Forde, Jerry Blarney-Inniscarra AC M55 50:09

(...with thanks to John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions for the above results)

Results of the Belgooly 4 Mile Road Race - Fri 26th Dec 2008
Last year, they got just over 500 runners for this race and that was a record entry. This year, the number of entries exceeded all expectations as 640 entrants turned out on the day. That is a huge entry for a 4 mile race and as the entry fee was €10, a substanial amount must have been collected for charity.

Results.....The full results are now out. See the end of this post. Here are the category results thanks to John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions.

DICK COPITHORNE MEMORIAL 4-Mile Road Race, Belgooly, Co. Cork

Men
1 M Hanrahan (Leevale) 18:55; 2 C O’Leary (Raheny) 19:56; 3 J Scott (Carrignavar) 20:11; 4 J McCarthy (East Cork) 20:19; 5 J McCarthy (Riverstick-Kinsale) 20:54; 6 C Marshall (St Finbarrs) 21:30; 7 T Laffan (Bandon, M40) 21:38; 8 B O’Donovan (UCC) 21:45; 9 D O’Leary (unatt) 21:50; 10 B Hegarty (East Cork) 21:57.
M40: 2 K Edwards (unatt) 22:56; 3 F Wall (unatt) 23:17.
M45: 1 N O’Regan (Midleton) 23:10; 2 D Carroll (Eagle) 24:54; 3 B Healy (Midleton) 25:25.
M50: 1 E McEvoy (St Finbarrs) 23:03; 2 P Withers (Duhallow) 23:33; 3 P Murphy (Eagle) 23:35.
M55: 1 P Twomey (Eagle) 24:59; 2 D Kennedy (St Finbarrs) 25:21; 3 P O’Sullivan (Bandon) 27:37.
M60: 1 F Cashman (East Cork) 24:13; 2 P Gyves (Mallow) 27:49; 3 M Dunne (St Finbarrs) 28:20.
MJ: 1 A O’Reilly (CIT) 22:39; 2 J Gould (unatt) 24:37; 3 E Bracken (Togher) 25:50.

Women:

1 M Murphy-Scott (Carrignavar, F35) 23:07; 2 N Roe (Eagle) 23:53; 3 C Parnell (Leevale, F50) 24:02; 4 P O’Brien (Ennis TC) 25:15; 5 K Cashell (Serpentine) 25:27; 6 E Murphy (unatt) 25:36.
F35: P Murphy (unatt) 31:17.
F40: M O’Sullivan (unatt) 28:33.
F45: A McEvoy (St Finbarrs) 28:17.
F50: T Barnett (unatt) 32:18.
F55: M Barry (unatt) 32:23.
F60: M Barry (Grange-Fermoy).

Full Results...

The full results are now out. Just go to the Belgooly AC website and click on the link on the left under Results.

Preview of the Belgooly 4 mile road race - Fri 26th Dec 2008 (12 noon)

There is always a big turn out at this race every year. As well as the usual faces, there are plenty of people from other sports as well who do this race as a traditional run and may not do another race all year. Last year, they got about 500 runners and if the weather is ok this year, I'd expect them to get much the same again.

Directions and Sign-On...Belgooly is pretty easy to get to. From Cork, take the airport road South and head for Kinsale. Belgooly is on the way. Once you enter the village, you need to go past the church and then take the right at the only crossroads. Down about 200 metres on the left, you will see the GAA grounds and the sign-on is in there (see X on the map above).

Course description...The start is just on the Kinsale side of the crossroads in the middle of Belgooly. You run back towards Cork, through the village and up the hill past the church. For the first 2 miles, you are on the main road. It's a road you would never do normally as it is way too busy but with so many runners on the road, the cars have no option but to slow down. Just after the 2 mile mark, you take a sharp left and you are now onto quiet country roads. There are some drags along this section though. Nothing too serious but some hills are steep enough to put you into oxygen debt if you push too hard. At about 3.6 miles, you rejoin the main road again and you have a straight run into the finish just outside the church.

So, overall...It's not the fastest of course's so don't expect any fantastic times. But this race is one that most people seem to use as their traditional Christmas run, with most of the regular runners in Cork taking part. The entry fee is €10 but €5 of this goes to charity.

Some additonal information is available on the Belgooly AC website.

GOAL charity mile - Thurs 25th of Dec 2008 (morning)

The traditional GOAL mile takes place on Christmas Day, the 25th of December at various locations throughout the country. Most of them are during the morning time. You just turn up, make a donation to GOAL and run your mile. At the one in Cork City, there are several 1 mile runs and you can go as fast or as slow as you want to. In the county of Cork, it takes place at 6 different locations.

Cork City....The GOAL mile takes place at the CIT track in Bishopstown. Start times between 10am and 12:30pm. They will have lanes 1&2 open especially for the event and the mile is extremely accurate.

Doneraile Forest Park, North Cork...This is a really nice location. It's an old country estate with lots of paths and mature trees. A great place for running or just go for a ramble around afterwards. The guy's in Mallow AC are behind this one and they have a link up on the MapMyRun website showing the mile course, see HERE. Start times from 10am to 11:30am.

Ballydesmond, NW Cork...Meet in Church Grounds. 11am - 12 noon Bantry, West Cork...The Square.

Ballynoe, Fermoy...Ballynoe, St Catherine's GAA, 11am to 12.30pm.

Youghal, East Cork...Tower Park, 11am to 12 noon.

Bantry, West Cork....The Square, 1:45pm.

For other locations outside Cork or to get more information, see the GOAL website.

Results of the Newmarket to Kanturk 5 Mile Road Race - Sun 21st Dec 2008

The last time this race was held was on a hot Summer afternoon in July 2007 when it attracted 102 runners. The decision to move it back to near Christmas would appear to have been the correct one as this time they got 190 entries, a huge increase. The race certainly seemed to have lived up to it's reputation as a 'fast course' with the first 32 runners breaking the 30 minute mark.

Photos.....Paudie Birmingham has a set of photos of the race up on his photo gallery website. You can see them HERE and they show the area near the finish line in Kanturk. If you would like higher resolution copies, send me an e-mail and I'll pass on your mail on to Paudie (my e-mail address is shown at the botton of the menu bar on the right).

Results.......These are the provisional results subject to correction.

Duhallow AC - NEWMARKET to KANTURK '5' Sunday 21 December 2008.
Provisional Results for All Competitors in finish order.
Place Time Name Team Race Age Category min/mile
1 0:22:53 HANRAHAN, Mark Leevale AC M 04:34.5 667 1
2 0:23:22 CHESSER, Rory Ennis Track Club M 04:40.3 850 2
3 0:23:35 BRALITIS, Sandis West Waterford AC M 04:42.9 728 3
4 0:24:04 MURPHY, Craig Togher AC M 04:48.7 668 4
5 0:25:04 HERLIHY, Michael North Cork AC M 05:00.7 742 5
6 0:25:09 ZAKIS, Raivis West Waterford AC M 05:01.7 729 6
7 0:25:12 DOWNES, John Donore Harriers M40 05:02.3 644 7
8 0:25:46 O'CONNOR, Tim Riocht AC M 05:09.1 787 8
9 0:26:09 O'MAHONY, Donnacha East Cork AC M40 05:13.7 673 9
10 0:26:20 SMITH, Danny Ballynonty AC M 05:15.9 672 10
11 0:26:42 FITZGERALD, Arthur Farranfore-Maine Valley AC M 05:20.3 866 11
12 0:27:04 COFFEY, Donal Millstreet AC M 05:24.7 677 12
13 0:27:34 WAUGH, George Rising Sun AC M 05:30.7 654 13
14 0:27:42 LINEHAN, Adrian Boherbue M 05:32.3 862 14
15 0:27:48 DE BURCA, Cosmas Rising Sun AC M 05:33.5 656 15
16 0:27:53 MURPHY, Ed Gneeveguilla AC M 05:34.5 797 16
17 0:27:54 O'SHEA, Patrick Iveragh AC M55 05:34.7 707 17
18 0:27:57 O'BRIEN, Billy Riocht AC M 05:35.3 686 18
19 0:28:14 MURPHY-SCOTT, Michelle Carraig na bhFear AC F35 05:38.7 709 19
20 0:28:22 MANGAN, Simon Gneeveguilla AC M 05:40.3 763 20
21 0:28:23 O'SULLIVAN, Niamh Riocht AC F 05:40.5 710 21
22 0:28:30 O'SHEA, Michael Iveragh AC M45 05:41.9 706 22
23 0:28:32 BARRETT, John Gneeveguilla AC M40 05:42.3 689 23
24 0:28:38 SLATTERY, Liam Mallow AC M 05:43.5 683 24
25 0:28:51 MURPHY, Humphrey Riocht AC M45 05:46.1 651 25
26 0:29:23 WITHERS, Philip Duhallow AC M50 05:52.5 648 26
27 0:29:25 O'KEEFFE, Derek Eagle AC M 05:52.9 865 27
28 0:29:40 LISTTON, Jonathan Gneeveguilla AC M 05:55.9 762 28
29 0:29:42 MARTIN, Lar Clonmel AC M 05:56.3 658 29
30 0:29:44 CARROLL, Denis Eagle AC M45 05:56.7 720 30
31 0:29:54 BARRY, Finbarr Gneeveguilla AC M 05:58.7 798 31
32 0:29:59 MANNIX, Anthony Duhallow AC MJ 05:59.7 769 32
33 0:30:01 FITZGERALD, Tom West Limerick AC M45 06:00.1 719 33
34 0:30:06 FINN, Michelle Duhallow AC F 06:01.1 789 34
35 0:30:07 BURKE, Darren Whitechurch M 06:01.3 687 35
36 0:30:14 SHEEHAN, Thomas Bandon AC M40 06:02.7 697 36
37 0:30:16 VAUGHAN, Donal Rising Sun AC M40 06:03.1 784 37
38 0:30:22 BUCKLEY, Liam Broadford M 06:04.3 695 38
39 0:30:32 O'DRISCOLL, John Rising Sun AC M50 06:06.3 655 39
40 0:30:33 SWEENEY, Mary St. Finbarrs AC F45 06:06.5 671 40
41 0:30:49 DALY, Tom Mallow AC M 06:09.7 747 42
42 0:30:53 DUNPHY, John Midleton AC M 06:10.5 676 43
43 0:30:56 JOY, Brendan Gneeveguilla AC MJ 06:11.1 858 44
44 0:30:57 DE BARRA, Gearoid North Cork AC M40 06:11.3 659 45
45 0:31:02 HAYES, Shane Mallow AC M 06:12.3 745 46
46 0:31:07 RELIHAN, Gary Eagle AC M 06:13.3 792 47
47 0:31:15 BREEN, Pat Waterford AC M 06:14.9 796 48
48 0:31:27 MCDONNELL, Edward Mallow AC M 06:17.3 853 49
49 0:31:40 O'SULLIVAN, Sean Midleton AC M 06:19.9 739 50
50 0:31:43 COSTELLOE, Anna-Marie Gneeveguilla AC F 06:20.5 652 51
51 0:31:46 MCGRATH, Mike Eagle AC M45 06:21.1 711 52
52 0:31:52 HOUGH, Joan Midleton AC F50 06:22.3 734 53
53 0:31:55 BICKERDIKE, Andrea Leevale AC FJ 06:22.9 738 54
54 0:31:56 BIRMINGHAM, Paudie Mallow AC M 06:23.1 701 55
55 0:31:58 DOWNES, Henry Milford M40 06:23.5 682 56
56 0:32:00 RYAN, James Blarney M40 06:23.9 805 57
57 0:32:25 LYONS, Dave Mallow AC M 06:28.9 746 58
58 0:32:28 MURPHY, Joe Eagle AC M50 06:29.5 712 59
59 0:32:30 DUCHNICZ, Adam Midleton AC M 06:29.9 649 60
60 0:32:36 BUCKLEY, Tim-Joe Donoughmore AC M55 06:31.1 770 61
61 0:32:37 COTTER, Paul Eagle AC M50 06:31.3 713 62
62 0:32:38 BURKE, Marion St. Marys AC F35 06:31.5 768 63
63 0:33:05 HANNON, Blaithin St. Finbarrs AC F35 06:36.9 733 64
64 0:33:10 CRONIN, Denis Mallow AC M45 06:37.9 756 65
65 0:33:12 CRONIN, Paul Charleville M 06:38.3 702 66
66 0:33:15 NAGLE, Roger Mallow AC M 06:38.9 855 67
67 0:33:16 KEARNEY, Oliver Duhallow AC M50 06:39.1 783 68
68 0:33:31 ENNIS, Michael Grange-Fermoy AC M40 06:42.1 674 69
69 0:33:35 HEALY, Michael Duhallow AC MJ 06:42.9 661 70
70 0:33:37 SHEEHAN, Mary Grange-Fermoy AC F50 06:43.3 716 71
71 0:33:38 MORAN, Dermot St. Marys AC M50 06:43.5 793 72
72 0:33:50 HOLLAND, John Mallow AC M60 06:45.9 755 73
73 0:33:52 FINN, Carol Duhallow AC F 06:46.3 788 74
74 0:33:56 WALSHE, John East Cork AC M55 06:47.1 645 75
75 0:33:58 FORREST, Richard Blarney M 06:47.5 870 76
76 0:33:59 O'CONNOR, Mary Riocht AC F40 06:47.7 754 77
77 0:34:02 GYVES, Paddy Mallow AC M60 06:48.3 740 78
78 0:34:03 O'CONNELL, John Cork M 06:48.5 861 79
79 0:34:04 TAPWELL, Nick Millstreet M 06:48.7 772 80
80 0:34:04 HEALY, Tim Kanturk M 06:48.7 863 81
81 0:34:09 O'SHEA, Mick Duhallow AC M45 06:49.7 717 82
82 0:34:35 CUDDIHY, Tom Macroom M 06:54.9 741 83
83 0:34:35 BUTLER, Seamus Duhallow AC M 06:54.9 781 84
84 0:34:37 GAFFNEY, Robert Mallow AC M 06:55.3 722 85
85 0:34:41 O'KEEFFE, James Duhallow AC M 06:56.1 808 86
86 0:34:42 MANGAN, Ann Star Of The Laune AC F40 06:56.3 812 87
87 0:34:43 QUILLIGAN, Kevin Mallow AC M50 06:56.5 761 88
88 0:34:48 MURPHY, Mary St. Finbarrs AC F45 06:57.5 670 89
89 0:34:52 GEANEY, Andrew Whitechurch M50 06:58.3 871 90
90 0:34:56 BYRD, Charlie Cork M40 06:59.1 799 91
91 0:34:57 CRONIN, Patrick Mallow MJ 06:59.3 757 92
92 0:35:06 NAGLE, Damien Blarney M40 07:01.1 806 93
93 0:35:10 BUCKLEY, Aidan Mallow AC M 07:01.9 662 94
94 0:35:12 MURPHY, Caroline Gneeveguilla AC F40 07:02.3 715 95
95 0:35:18 FITZPATRICK, Paul Duhallow AC M 07:03.4 809 96
96 0:35:19 O'KEEFFE, Rory Newmarket MJ 07:03.6 807 97
97 0:35:22 O'MAHONY, Pat Cork M 07:04.2 708 98
98 0:35:25 MURPHY, Ciaran Duhallow AC M 07:04.8 777 99
99 0:35:25 HOOTOL, Richard Duhallow AC M 07:04.8 779 100
100 0:35:26 MURPHY, Michael Dunboyne AC MJ 07:05.0 766 101
101 0:35:27 O'MAHONY, Eamonn Cork M 07:05.2 848 102
102 0:35:32 BRADY, John Charleville M50 07:06.2 735 103
103 0:35:37 O'FARRELL, Geariod Duhallow AC M 07:07.2 773 104
104 0:35:41 BUCKLEY, Mary Donoughmore AC F40 07:08.0 721 105
105 0:35:42 MCCARTHY, Danny Midleton AC M55 07:08.2 776 106
106 0:35:47 WALSH, Anthony Cork M45 07:09.2 699 107
107 0:35:58 HERLIHY, Diarmuid Cork M 07:11.4 691 108
108 0:35:59 BURKE, Darren Whitechurch M 07:11.6 687 109
109 0:36:00 COONEY, Tony Ballincollig AC M50 07:11.8 804 110
110 0:36:09 O'BRIEN, Jack Banteer M 07:13.6 759 111
111 0:36:16 LANGAN, Jim Tullamore Harriers M65 07:15.0 657 112
112 0:36:17 FINN, Mary Millstreet AC F45 07:15.2 790 113
113 0:36:21 MURPHY, Aine Blarney F45 07:16.0 751 114
114 0:36:24 CREMIN, Denis Gneeveguilla AC M45 07:16.6 688 115
115 0:36:26 TWOMEY, Tadhg Metro-St. Brigids AC M70 07:17.0 724 116
116 0:36:36 O'CALLAGHAN, Aidan Cork M 07:19.0 847 117
117 0:36:45 CURTIS, Peadar Mallow AC M50 07:20.8 726 118
118 0:36:46 NYHAN, Finola Cork F 07:21.0 872 119
119 0:36:49 HEALY, Brian Midleton AC M45 07:21.6 873 120
120 0:36:51 ENNIS, Joan Grange-Fermoy AC F40 07:22.0 675 121
121 0:36:52 O'MAHONY, John Cork M65 07:22.2 700 122
122 0:36:56 SISK, Bernard Cork M60 07:23.0 698 123
123 0:36:59 O'CONNELL, Mary Gneeveguilla AC F35 07:23.6 744 124
124 0:37:01 DINEEN, Micheal Gneeveguilla AC M45 07:24.0 678 125
125 0:37:05 BUCKLEY, Sinead Coachford F 07:24.8 650 126
126 0:37:11 O'KEEFFE, Sean Cork M 07:26.0 760 127
127 0:37:12 HAYES, Diarmuid Blarney M 07:26.2 857 128
128 0:37:13 FEEHAN, Ted Gneeveguilla AC M65 07:26.4 727 129
129 0:37:14 TWOHIG, Monica Eagle AC F45 07:26.6 749 130
130 0:37:16 O'CONNOR, Gerry Eagle AC M50 07:27.0 750 131
131 0:37:31 CLEARY, Pat Tralee M55 07:30.0 665 132
132 0:37:44 MADDEN, David Duhallow AC M 07:32.6 778 133
133 0:37:49 WEBB, George Rising Sun AC M65 07:33.6 660 134
134 0:38:06 O'CONNOR, Noeleen Gneeveguilla AC F 07:37.0 753 135
135 0:38:08 MCCARTHY, Michael West Waterford AC M50 07:37.4 803 136
136 0:38:22 O'DONOGHUE, Elaine Riverstick-Kinsale AC F 07:40.2 859 137
137 0:38:31 MOYNIHAN, Donnacha Duhallow AC M 07:42.0 794 138
138 0:38:33 NAGLE, Dan Mallow AC M60 07:42.4 725 139
139 0:38:37 GAFFNEY, Peter Mallow AC M65 07:43.2 723 140
140 0:38:43 KEARNEY, Batt Leevale AC M50 07:44.4 666 141
141 0:38:44 CREMIN, Eileen Dromina F40 07:44.6 680 142
142 0:38:46 TWOMEY, Linda Dromina F 07:45.0 758 143
143 0:38:50 BROWNE, Norma Mallow F 07:45.8 694 144
144 0:38:51 FITZGERALD, Kieran Duhallow AC M 07:46.0 801 145
145 0:38:57 MCDONNELL, Lynda Mallow AC F35 07:47.2 854 146
146 0:38:59 MURPHY, Denis Dunboyne AC M50 07:47.6 767 147
147 0:39:03 FITZGERALD, Maura Farranfore-Maine Valley AC FJ 07:48.4 867 148
148 0:39:11 O'LEARY, Margaret Gneeveguilla AC F35 07:50.0 737 149
149 0:39:22 MOYNIHAN, Noelell Duhallow AC F 07:52.2 795 150
150 0:39:27 GUINEY, Dan Duhallow AC M 07:53.2 696 151
151 0:39:33 SWEENEY, Niamh Cork F 07:54.4 851 152
152 0:39:34 BUCKLEY, Elaine Cork F 07:54.6 852 153
153 0:39:44 BUCKLEY, Kitty Inniscarra F40 07:56.6 718 154
154 0:39:45 BUCKLEY, Frances Cork F45 07:56.8 752 155
155 0:39:55 O'KEEFFE, Sean Duhallow AC M 07:58.8 786 156
156 0:40:08 CUFFE, Pat Gneeveguilla AC M 08:01.4 856 157
157 0:40:09 FITZGERALD, Olivia Gneeveguilla AC F 08:01.6 736 158
158 0:40:11 MANNIX, John Kanturk M40 08:02.0 864 159
159 0:40:24 BUCKLEY, Aidan Eagle AC M40 08:04.6 748 160
160 0:40:30 HAYES, Kieran Newmarket M 08:05.8 663 161
161 0:41:01 SPILLANE, James Duhallow AC M 08:12.0 782 162
162 0:41:02 O'NEILL, John-Paul Cork M 08:12.2 664 163
163 0:41:08 MURPHY, Daniel Dunboyne AC MJ 08:13.4 765 164
164 0:41:35 O'CONNOR, Pat Dromahane M40 08:18.8 791 165
165 0:41:36 HAYES, Brendan Ringaskiddy M55 08:19.0 732 166
166 0:41:54 CULLINANE, Eileen Riocht AC F45 08:22.6 653 167
167 0:42:23 O'REGAN, Patrick Charleville M60 08:28.4 681 168
168 0:42:27 O'MAHONY, Donal Cork M55 08:29.2 684 169
169 0:42:46 DINEEN, Grainne Gneeveguilla AC FJ 08:33.0 679 170
170 0:42:48 HAYES, Ann Carrigaline F50 08:33.4 731 171
171 0:42:50 GUINEY, Eileen Cork F 08:33.8 869 172
172 0:42:52 FEEHAN, Nora Newmarket F 08:34.2 868 173
173 0:42:53 HARRINGTON, Norma Grange-Fermoy AC F 08:34.4 802 174
174 0:42:54 CRONIN, Brian Charleville M 08:34.6 703 175
175 0:42:55 FLYNN, Nora Gneeveguilla AC F40 08:34.8 743 176
176 0:43:12 MCKENSIE, Hugh Killarney M 08:38.2 764 177
177 0:43:24 FRAWLEY, Edel Dromahane F 08:40.6 693 178
178 0:43:36 WOOD, Aileen Charleville F 08:43.0 704 179
179 0:43:40 MAHER, Sharon Rising Sun AC F35 08:43.8 785 180
180 0:46:27 MCCARTHY, Joan Midleton AC F50 09:17.2 775 181
181 0:48:47 BYRD, Tom Cork M50 09:45.2 800 182
182 0:48:50 BROWNE, Shane Duhallow AC M 09:45.8 811 183
183 0:49:21 HOOOL, Mary Duhallow AC F 09:52.0 780 184
184 0:49:26 BUCKLEY, Stephen Duhallow AC MJ 09:53.0 810 185
185 0:49:27 O'FARRELL, Gerard Duhallow AC M 09:53.2 774 186
186 0:49:48 WOOD, Ben Charleville M 09:57.4 705 187
187 0:49:52 COLEMAN, Eileen Doneraile F 09:58.2 730 188
188 0:52:13 TOHER, Mary Midleton AC F50 10:26.4 669 189
189 0:54:11 O'SULLIVAN, Joan Gneeveguilla AC F50 10:50.0 714 190
WHEELCHAIR: FORDE, Jerry Blarney-Inniscarra AC M55 32:50
All proceeds to St. Joseph's Foundation, Charleville
Results produced by Ballycotton Running Promotions.

(...with thanks to John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions for the above results)

Results of the Shanagarry Christmas 5km Road Race - Sat 20th Dec 2008

The numbers for this race dropped off a little this year returning to the more usual figure of around 60 entrants. Possibly the fact the Newmarket to Kanturk race was on the next day may have had something to do with it.

Results......

22nd Annual SHANAGARRY CHRISTMAS '5K'
Saturday 20 December 2008. 2:30pm
Place Time Name Team Race Age Category min/mile
1 0:15:42 MCCARTHY, James East Cork AC M 05:03.1 80 1
2 0:15:51 MCGRATH, Sean East Cork AC M 05:06.0 92 2
3 0:16:45 O'SULLIVAN, Gary Grange-Fermoy AC M 05:23.4 283 3
4 0:17:19 O'REILLY, Alan CIT AC MJ 05:34.3 212 4
5 0:17:21 O'CARROLL, Frank East Cork AC M 05:34.9 105 5
6 0:17:39 MEADE, Eric East Cork AC M40 05:40.7 295 6
7 0:17:54 CASEY, Eoin Glenbower AC MJ 05:45.6 288 7
8 0:18:04 MCCARTHY, Denis East Cork AC M45 05:48.8 5 8
9 0:18:11 O'REGAN, Noel Midleton AC M40 05:51.0 250 9
10 0:18:28 CODY, Tom Midleton AC M50 05:56.5 287 10
11 0:18:36 O'DWYER, David East Cork AC M 05:59.1 72 11
12 0:18:46 MURPHY, Paddy Bandon AC M 06:02.3 296 12
13 0:18:57 DUNPHY, John Midleton AC M 06:05.8 204 13
14 0:19:00 CURTIN, Joyce East Cork AC F 06:06.8 215 14
15 0:19:08 COONEY, Kevin Midleton AC M45 06:09.4 77 15
16 0:19:26 FINN, Sean Innishannon M40 06:15.2 214 16
17 0:19:29 KELLEHER, Denis Midleton AC M40 06:16.1 84 17
18 0:19:31 CASHMAN, John Midleton AC M40 06:16.8 254 18
19 0:19:43 DUCHNICZ, Adam Midleton AC M 06:20.6 81 19
20 0:19:45 CLEARY, Paul Whitegate M 06:21.3 300 20
21 0:19:50 HEALY, Brian Midleton AC M45 06:22.9 112 21
22 0:20:04 O'CALLAGHAN, John Rising Sun AC M 06:27.4 276 22
23 0:20:07 HORGAN, Dan Midleton AC M50 06:28.4 290 23
24 0:20:08 DUGGAN, Mark Midleton M 06:28.7 90 24
25 0:20:15 GEARY, Kevin Ladysbridge M 06:30.9 292 25
26 0:20:22 MCGRATH, Phil East Cork AC M55 06:33.2 293 26
27 0:20:23 SCANNELL, John Eagle AC M 06:33.5 99 27
28 0:20:31 OWENS, Ken Midleton AC M40 06:36.1 31 28
29 0:20:40 O'SULLIVAN, Billy Midleton AC M 06:39.0 252 29
30 0:20:46 NOLAN, Michelle Midleton AC F35 06:40.9 127 30
31 0:20:58 O'CONNEL, John Midleton AC M 06:44.8 224 31
32 0:21:00 RAMSELL, Ned Midleton AC M 06:45.4 285 32
33 0:21:01 WALSH, Michael Midleton AC M40 06:45.7 142 33
34 0:21:10 DALTON, Marc Midleton AC M 06:48.6 217 34
35 0:21:15 WALSH, Niamh Youghal AC F 06:50.3 289 35
36 0:21:15 KELLY, Alan Midleton AC M 06:50.3 282 36
37 0:21:28 WALSHE, John East Cork AC M55 06:54.4 7 37
38 0:21:28 O'S-HOURIHAN, Paul East Cork AC M40 06:54.4 294 38
39 0:21:55 KELLY, Tom Ballymore-Cobh AC M50 07:03.1 19 39
40 0:22:13 HANRAHAN, Michael Midleton AC M 07:08.9 205 40
41 0:22:37 CONNOLLY, Vincent Midleton AC M50 07:16.6 273 41
42 0:22:48 MCCARTHY, Danny Midleton AC M55 07:20.2 227 42
43 0:23:09 COONEY, Tony Ballincollig AC M50 07:26.9 278 43
44 0:23:15 O'REGAN, Padraig Ladysbridge M 07:28.9 279 44
45 0:23:18 O'HALLORAN, John Glounthaune M55 07:29.8 297 45
46 0:23:20 O'CONNELL, Donie Midleton AC M55 07:30.5 229 46
47 0:23:24 HANLEY, William Glanmire M40 07:31.8 209 47
48 0:23:34 NEILAND, Tony Watergrasshill M 07:35.0 298 48
49 0:23:41 MURPHY, Marie Youghal F 07:37.2 291 49
50 0:23:46 COFFEY, Briigid West Waterford AC F35 07:38.8 280 50
51 0:24:05 MCCARTHY, Michael West Waterford AC M50 07:45.0 281 51
52 0:24:08 MULCAHY, Mary St. Finbarrs AC F45 07:45.9 286 52
53 0:24:24 HEALY, Dave Monkstown M 07:51.1 117 53
54 0:24:59 KEARNEY, Batt Leevale AC M50 08:02.3 284 54
55 0:25:11 CURTIN, Jim East Cork AC M60 08:06.2 222 55
56 0:25:43 O'KEEFFE, Mary Midleton AC F40 08:16.5 210 56
57 0:26:02 LYONS, Imelda Cork F 08:22.6 275 57
58 0:26:02 LYONS, Dennis Cork M 08:22.6 274 58
59 0:27:17 CABALL, Billy Cork M65 08:46.7 299 59
60 0:27:49 MULLINS, Claire Blarney F 08:57.0 65 60
61 0:29:10 MCMURTRY, Jim Midleton AC M60 09:23.1 41 61
62 0:30:38 O'CONNELL, Kathleen Midleton AC F55 09:51.4 272 62
63 0:30:39 MCCARTHY, Joan Midleton AC F50 09:51.7 225 63
WHEELCHAIR: Forde, Jerry Blarney-Inniscarra AC M55 29:41
Results produced by Ballycotton Running Promotions.

(.......with thanks to John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions for the above results)

Results of the Cork AAI Senior Cross Country Races - Sun 14th Dec 2008

The Cork County Cross Country Championships took place last Sunday, the 14th of December on what was a bright but cold day in Watergrasshill. The Senior Mens race was won by Mark Hanrahan of Leevale AC with Rhona Lynch of Eagle AC winning in the Ladies Senior event. The Junior mens event was won by Ronan Duggan of Bandon AC.

The full results are available HERE.

There are a series of photos up on the Eagle AC website thanks to John Quigley.

Mens Senior Race

Ladies Senior Race

Junior Mens Race

Results of the Cork BHAA 'Cork Simon' charity 5km race - Sat 13th Dec 2008

A fine entry of 195 runners turned out for this on what was a cold morning. This was the last race in the 2008 Cork BHAA calendar and they kick off the new year with a cross country race in mid-January. In the meantime, there are plenty of races to choose from over the Christmas period. Details here over the next few days.

The results of the Cork Simon run can be found HERE.

Results of the Eact Cork AC '3k Winter Series' road race (No.3 of 7) - Tues 25th Nov 2008

Conditions for this race were perfect....nice and cool, dry and little or no wind. Just under 130 turned out for this one, a fraction less than the last one. Next race is in 3 weeks time on the 16th of December.

Results...
East Cork AC 3Km Winter Series Race 3 25/11/08
1 James McCarthy East Cork AC 9.08
2 Sean McGrath East Cork AC 9.29
3 Brian Hegarty East Cork AC 9.43
4 Paudie Healy CIT 9.46
5 James O'Driscoll CIT 9.47
6 Alan O'Reilly CIT 9.52
7 Wesley McNamara St Finbarrs AC 9.53
8 Frank Hayes East Cork AC 9.55
9 Dave Muldowney Eagle AC 10.13
10 Eric Meade East Cork AC 10.34
11 Emmet Hennessy Midleton AC 10.51
12 Donal Broderick Midleton AC 10.55
13 John Desmond Eagle AC 10.56
14 Cathal McCarthy Midleton AC 10.59
15 Frank Cashman East Cork AC 11.00
16 Denis O'Carroll Eagle AC 11.01
17 Michael Mulcahy Knockraha 11.08
18 John Dunphy Midleton AC 11.13
19 Tom Cody Midleton AC 11.16
20 Paul Hegarty Cork 11.21
21 Sean O'Sullivan Midleton AC 11.24
22 Paul Cleary Whitegate 11.26
23 Justin Costigan Midleton 11.29
24 David O'Dwyer East Cork AC 11.33
25 Kevin McSweeney Midleton GAA 11.36
26 Michael Murphy Midleton AC 11.38
27 Pat Fogarty ESB 11.40
28 Niamh Walsh Youghal AC 11.41
29 Sean Hennessy Midleton GAA 11.41
30 Philip O'Brien Cork 11.45
31 John O'Connell Midleton 11.47
32 Denis McCarthy East Cork AC 11.50
33 Coran Swayne Midleton GAA 11.51
34 Kevin Geary Ladysbridge 11.53
35 James Power Whitegate 11.54
36 Tim Joe Buckley Donoughmore AC 11.57
37 Ken Owens Togher AC 12.03
38 Lesley Coughlan Midleton CBS 12.06
39 Peter Stanley Carrigaline 12.07
40 John O'Riordan Rising Sun AC 12.09
41 Sally Drennan Midleton AC 12.10
42 Neilus Ahern Midleton AC 12.11
43 Kevin Dunne Ballinacurra 12.11
44 Ned Ramsell Midleton AC 12.13
45 Ann Geary Lisgoold 12.14
46 Sean Kerins Tralee 12.16
47 Rick Prendergast Castlemartyr 12.16
48 Dan Horgan Midleton AC 12.17
49 Eoghan Cotter Whitegate 12.18
50 Michael O'Hanrahan Midleton AC 12.18
51 John Twomey Donoughmore AC 12.19
52 Dean Wilson Midleton 12.20
53 John Walshe East Cork AC 12.22
54 Marc Dalton Midleton AC 12.24
55 Trevor Collins Naas 12.26
56 Liam Walsh Midleton GAA 12.28
57 Kevin Maybury CIT 12.29
58 Mark Ryan Midleton 12.31
59 James McCarthy Cork 12.32
60 Pat Walsh Midleton GAA 12.33
61 Mark Walsh Midleton AC 12.37
62 Karen Kenny Grange Fermoy AC 12.43
63 Paul Hourihan East Cork AC 12.44
64 Jimmy Murray Rising Sun AC 12.47
65 Roy Collins Tipperary 12.54
66 John Cotter Cobh 12.55
67 Don O'Hanlon Midleton 12.57
68 Batt Kearney Leevale AC 12.59
69 Hugh O'Donnell Midleton CBS 13.04
70 Colman Quirke Midleton GAA 13.05
71 Caroline Geary Midleton AC 13.14
72 Mary Histon de Barra Rising Sun AC 13.14
73 Tom O'Neill FMRC 13.18
74 Andy Fitzsimmons Carrigtwohill 13.21
75 Oisin Cotter Midleton GAA 13.22
76 Danny McCarthy Midleton AC 13.27
77 Marie Murphy Youghal AC 13.31
78 Mick McCarthy Waterford 13.34
79 Austin Murphy St Finbarrs AC 13.43
80 John Fennell West Waterford AC 13.45

81 Noel Meade East Cork AC 13.46

82 Helen O'Shea CIT 13.49
83 Philip O'Mahony Midleton 13.51
84 Matt Geraghty Cloyne 13.52
85 Rebecca McEvoy Belgooly AC 13.54
86 Eamonn McEvoy St Finbarrs AC 13.55
87 Eibhlin Cleary East Cork AC 14.00
88 Donie O'Connell Midleton AC 14.05
89 Finbarr Lyons Midleton 14.17
90 Catherine Sheridan Midleton 14.19
91 Elaine Hennessy Midleton AC 14.34
92 Carrie Higgins Midleton AC 14.35
93 Donal O'Donoghue Little Island 14.39
94 Willie O'Mahony Midleton AC 14.41
95 Jim Curtin East Cork AC 14.42
96 Rowan Le Mere Ballinacurra 14.43
97 Pat Meaney Cork 14.48
98 Catriona Reilly Ballymacoda 14.49
99 Vincent Murray Midleton 14.58
100 Marty McCarthy Glanmire 15.01
101 Rose Barrett Midleton AC 15.14
102 Niamh Fleming Grange Fermoy AC 15.34
103 Mary B Walsh Midleton AC 15.34
104 Billy Caball Cork 15.35
105 Karina Erangey Whitegate 15.37
106 Trish Murphy Midleton 15.41
107 Olive Hallahan Cloyne 15.44
108 Jim McMurtry Midleton AC 15.47
109 Eoin Cashman Midleton AC 15.48
110 John Cashman Midleton AC 15.49
111 Vincent O'Neill Midleton AC 16.04
112 Aishling Riordan Ballymacoda 16.10
113 Tim Geary Lisgoold 16.14
114 Joan McCarthy Midleton AC 16.56
115 Geraldine O'Donovan Cork 16.57
116 Ann Thornborrow Whitegate 17.01
117 Rachel Quaide Midleton 17.03
118 Clare O'Leary Midleton AC 17.23
119 Fionnain O'hAodha Cork 17.26
120 Mary Toher Midleton AC 18.01
121 Hubert Crowe Tipperary 18.23
122 Sean Kerins (again!) Tralee 18.44
123 Tara Murphy Midleton 18.57
124 Daire Healy Ballycotton 19.04
125 Brian Healy Midleton AC 19.06
126 Conor Le Mere Ballinacurra 21.48
127 Colm Egan Midleton AC 21.49

(...with thanks to Liam O'Brien of East Cork AC for the above results)

Results of the Cork County Intermediate & Masters Cross Country...16th Nov 2008

These Cross Country races took place in the Clonakilty Showgrounds on what was a mild day. For the men, the course was 8 laps of a roughly 1km loop....i.e. 8 kms, although a few GPS watches later suggested it might have been a little closer to 9kms! ;o)

As you would expect at this time of year, there was a few muddy patches although overall, the ground was pretty firm, even a little bit too stony and hard in places.

Photos.......I have a set of 72 photos of the Mens race up on this website.

Results.......The results are now up on the Cork AAI website.

Results of the Cork BHAA 'HSE' 4 Mile Road Race...2nd Nov 2008

There was a slight increase in numbers for this 4 mile race in Cork City with 280 runners taking part. The mens race was won by Mark Hanrahan in a time of 18:50, knocking 17 seconds off of his already-impressive course record. Craig Murphy from Togher second in 19:36.
The ladies race was won by Rhona Lynch in a time of 23:24, Louise Cavanagh came second and Mary Sweeney came third, just 6 days after running the Dublin City Marathon in a time of 3:08!!

Results....The full results are now available at this LINK.

Category Results.....

Men
1 M Hanrahan (John Buckley Sports) 18:50; 2 C Murphy (temp-reg) 19:36; 3 C Merritt (Army) 20:04; 4 J McCarthy (Richard McCarthy) 20:11; 5 J Grufferty (Bio-Pharma) 20:26; 6 E O’Sullivan (An Post/Eircom) 20:30; 7 T Kelleher (CSO) 21:15; 8 S Simcox (Workout Express) 21:18; 9 T Woods (UCC) 21:21; 10 G Boyle (temp-reg) 21:23; 11 D Coffey (Pilz) 21:41; 12 B Murphy (Bank of NY) 22:00.

M40: 1 A Browne (Statsol) 23:08; 2 K Devine (UCC) 24:36; 3 F Wall (Sallyport Con) 24:40.

M45: 1 M Bickerdike (Blarney School of Motoring) 22:49; 2 D Carroll (Blarney Woollen Mills) 24:14; 3 M Bulman (Army) 24:28.

M50: 1 J Collins (Team adidas) 22:54; 2 M Murphy (Novartis) 23:21; 3 P Murphy (UCC) 23:54.

M55: 1 J Gough (Mileeven Foods) 23:30; 2 P Twomey (UCC) 25:07; 3 G Dollard (Pilz) 25:32.

M60: 1 P Gyves (ITW-Hi Cone) 27:24; 2 D Cotter (Cork Painters) 28:35.

M65: 1 J O’Leary (Bookdeal) 28:50; 2 G Webb (Plant Hire) 30:31.

Team: (Grade A) 1 UCC 95; 2 Army 161; 3 Phoenix Clinic 193. (Grade B) 1 Team adidas 202; 2 An Post/Eircom 209; 3 UCC 246. (Grade C) 1 RPS 267; 2 HSE 336; 3 EMC 342.

Women:

1 R Lynch (GE Healthcare) 23:24; 2 L Cavanagh (School Completion Prog, F35) 24:00; 3 M Sweeney (Private Hospitals, F45) 24:54; 4 L Geary (BoI) 25:21; 5 J Hough (Dept of Educ, F50) 25:32; 6 A Murphy (UCC) 26:01; 7 F Kirwan (Sensory Labs, F40) 26:09; 8 M Sheehan (Carrig Court, F50) 26:16; 9 G O’Shea (Cork Co Co, F35) 26:39; 10 V Collins (temp-reg) 26:48.

F35: 2 G Mullaney (Musgrave) 27:06.F40: 2 S Drennan (Midleton News) 26:53.

F45: 1 M Murphy (HSE) 28:18.

Team: (Grade A) 1 UCC 171; 2 Dept of Educ 182. (Grade B) 1 Midleton News 318; 2 Bank of Ireland 356.

(...with thanks to John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions for the above info)

Update on photos of the 2008 Dublin City Marathon........

For anyone who did the Marathon in Dublin, I have now updated the links to over 20 sets of photos and some video clips as well. Paudie Birmingham of Mallow AC has also added a new set of 253 photos. Scroll down the page to see them.

(If you landed on this page and this is the only post, then click HERE.)

Results and review of the 2008 Dublin City Marathon...
It was a long time since I last ran the Dublin City Marathon and I can see now what makes it so special. It's just the sheer number of people running it, something like 10,000. It was great to see so many Cork runners up there as well. It was almost like a local race;o) So some points...

Weather....The weather conditions for this Marathon were more or less ideal. The day was bright and sunny although a little cold. Perfect for running as it meant that overheating was never going to be an issue. It really wasn't until the race was over that I realised how cold it really was.

(Two Cork runners in the background....Fergus Wall and Liam Cotter near the 25 mile mark. Both went on to record PB's and break the 3 hour barrier)

Organisation.....Very impressive. Obviously the organisers have the experience of dealing with these large crowds year after year. The water stations were very well done with lots of those small 250ml water bottles and plenty of Lucozade Sport as well. No silly cups. You got a bottle into your hand and you could keep running and sip away from it. Out around 15 miles they were giving out some sort of gel. Can't remember the name but it tasted vile!! I thought at the time that anything that tastes that bad must be good for you ;o)

Route...I thought it was a hilly enough course. I was kind of suprised with all of the hills....nothing serious but I thought it was going to be flatter somehow. Best part of the course was without doubt the Phoenix Park, really nice place for a race.

Results......If anyone wants to check their times with splits, they can look for them HERE.

Photos......(Updated Mon 02/11/08)
1) 80 Photos are the 25 mile mark HERE.
2) 411 Photos somewhere in the 2nd half of the race HERE.
3) 437 Photos somewhere near the start HERE.
4) 22 Photos HERE.
5) 41 Photos HERE.
6) 17 Photos HERE.
7) 19 Photos HERE.
8) 29 Photos HERE.
9) 19 Photos near Mile 7 HERE.
10) 29 Photos HERE.
11) 399 Photos of runners further back the field HERE.
12) 189 Photos HERE.
13) 452 Photos HERE.
14) 325 Photos taken by John Quigley of Eagle AC mainly of Cork runners. Click HERE.
15) 146 Photos on the Athenry AC website HERE.
16) 1 Photo showing the mass field attempting a sharp left on Holles Street HERE.
17) 1 Photo showing a runner on his last legs but giving it everything to get to the finish. Click HERE.
18) 55 Photos showing someones personal account of the big day. A few other runners in there as well. Click HERE.
19) 17 Photos HERE.
20) 33 Photos HERE.
21) 28 Photos HERE.

22) 253 Photos have been put up on on the net by Paudie Birmingham. Some are of the start but most of them are of finishers (3:22 & under) near the finish. Click HERE.

23) The first 45 finishers HERE.

24) Another 51 photos HERE.

If anyone comes accross any more galleries, let me know and I'll update this list.

Video Clips.......
A short clip taken by someone running IN the marathon! It shows a section in the Phoenix Park...



A clip towards the end of the race...


Comments.......???
"John, Well done on breaking the magic 3 hr barrier. I agree with most of what you said about the organisation of the marathon but I would consider that they should introduce a better corralling system at the start - A sub-4hr and greater than 4 hr corral makes for a bumpy start which leads to pretty irregular splits for the first 4 miles to the phoenix park. It was my 3rd marathon (first Dublin) and I knocked 15:30 off my Cork 2008 PB time to come in at 3:20:08. So the Blarney half and cork to cobh races paid off for me. I agree with you on the hills. I thought Cork was a bit hilly (the drag out the model farm road) but the constant up and down in Dublin until mile 18 meant that the climb at 19 - 20 was disproportionately hard on the legs. This left miles 21 - 26 as being a battle with the little fella in your head telling you to stop for a leak or a walk because you deserved it! I felt that the gap between the 25 mile mark and the '1 mile to go' markers were a bit hard as well....Richard"
"I think they need to look at the start. Having such a large volume of runners go from a wide road on Fitzwilliam Sq. to an alleyway (Holles St.) isn't ideal. It increases the likelihood of accidents and delays, was held up there for a good minute myself by the crowds. Other than that though it was a highly enjoyable day, perfect conditions and great support from spectators, much better than last year. Well done on the sub 3hrs!........Ronan"
"In an e-mail to me, someone mentioned that there was a bottleneck due to the number of walkers not starting at the back. They wrote............"Those of us wearing the green race numbers were not distinguised from the walkers, now I have nothing against walkers they should be given all the credit due, but it did cause a huge bottle neck at the corner of Holles St. Hospital, which stopped us in our tracks (I mean litterally a complete standstill then slow walk) that added at least 3mins to our first mile split."..........John Desmond"
"Hi there, if you're anything like me you've probably thrawled through every website possible looking for race photos of Dublin Marathon (maybe as proof to myself that I've actually done it). Well, I have found a great site www.racepix365.com You can put in your bib number and hopefully get a result. The site is free and set up by a runner who asks anyone with race photos to upload them onto the site for all to enjoy. Happy hunting.
PS, those gels were High5, one word, GANK!!! ..............Anonymous"

"Hi! You've got a link into my Flickr photo set from Mile 7! I'm CatticusD... Just to let you know, I've added a few more photos to the set, added the tags for the racepix365.com site, and tagged with bib numbers as best I could. Congratulations to all those who completed the course! I have nothing but respect for you. My own friend finished in 3 hours 31, a whole 29 minutes faster than she expected, which meant I missed her at the finish line :( Aw well...........Cat"

"Hey, You'd probably think the plug to my racepix365 site above was by me... but I swear it wasn't! Thanks to anonymous for mentioning it. It's summed up quite nicely there. Hopefully over the next few months there'll be many more races around Ireland on it. Congrats to all who took part in Dublin and happy training.......Darren "

Weather Forecast for the Dublin City Marathon...Mon 27th Oct (Updated Sun 26th 7am)

Now with 24 hours or so to go, this is the last weather forecast...

The forecast has improved since yesterday with low pressure system to the East moving away slightly. This has had the effect that the winds now over the East of Ireland have dropped off a fair bit. They still originate in the Artic so they are likely to be pretty cold, especially in open spots along the course. However, the winds will get slower as they cross the country and should be from the North West by the time it hits Dublin. Looking at the course, it might be a factor for the first few miles of the race and perhaps near the end.

Those 'blobs' on the map above signify passing showers which are typical after a cold front has passed through. It looks as if they will be worse up on the North coast and the West rather than in Dublin. At this stage if I had to make a guess, I'd say it will be a bright cold morning with a slight possibility of showers. Temp around 6 to 8 degrees. Winds - light North Westerly but it will feel cold where it is open along the course.

Met Eireann say "Monday will be cold and blustery, with a mixture of sunshine and showers. The showers will be heaviest and most frequent in the west and north, while parts of the east and south will remain dry."

So fingers crossed, it looks as if it might be a good one.

Issues with the Cork Womens Mini-Marathon...

I got this e-mail some time back from Sally Drennan of Midleton outlining her concerns with regard to this years Cork Women's Mini-Marathon. I held off posting it here until the East Cork 3k results were out of the way as I wanted to keep it prominent near the top of the page for a while.

I just thought it would be interesting to use this great blog as a forum to air my opinion on a few issues relating to the Cork Women’s Mini Marathon. My main problem is the annual chaos at the start with regard to the elite runners. For all of the mini marathons in which I have taken part (the last four years), there has been confusion about where elite runners should start. In my ignorance the first time I ran it, I did as everyone was being told over the loudspeaker to do and lined up behind the starting line with the rest of the field and then realised that I had lost at least 50 metres as dozens of runners had started before the gun went off. I have become wiser and for the past couple of years it has been possible to legitimately squeeze past a barrier and get straight to the front with the other club runners and runners hoping for a good time.

However this year, about half an hour before the start I was told by several different officials that there would not be a separate area for elite runners this year. So, I cut my warm up short (in fact I didn’t really warm up at all). Instead I struggled and pushed my way through the crowds of women, children (and men!) lining up behind the start. Needless to say my pushiness wasn’t welcomed by all the other runners/walkers who didn’t see why they should let me through. Eventually I made it to the front only to discover that plenty of runners (with thicker necks than me?) had managed to avoid the crowds and were happily warming up in front of us. There were other good runners penned in with me and eventually against the will of the stewards guarding the barrier we climbed over and managed to join the other runners, but at this stage it was too late for a warm up. Shortly before the start they let everyone out into the starting area.

What I can’t understand is why in Cork (as in Dublin and I believe Limerick), we cannot have a limited number of serious runners allowed to start safely at the front out of the way of the crowds. I am concerned primarily about the safety of having walkers, children and even dogs allowed to start with the fastest runners in the race. Also, the unfairness of runners being treated differently according to which steward they ask or how much they beg is really not acceptable. I think it is time that this race was treated like what it is advertised to be “The premier 4 mile road race in Munster”, although, one more thing, it is actually a good bit short of 4 miles!........Sally Drennan, Midleton AC.

Since Sally sent me her article, I have found out that the course is almost certainly not 4.0 miles in lenght. In fact, it probably is closer to 3.9 miles, about 170 metres short. Considering that crowd safety is a major issue, I really can't see the organisers changing that as I presume they have selected the start/finish points to keep people away from the public roads that are open.

However, the start seems to be a major issue and others have mentioned it to me as well. I know it is a fun event for 95% of those taking part but some are there to race. It really is not acceptable for elite runners to have to push & shove and climb over safety barriers to get to the front of the race.........John Desmond

Comments......??????

"I agree with Sally, it was absolute chaos at the start. I do a lot of running and was hoping to get out quick and get a fast time, but instead of warming up I spent half an hour before the race being pushed and elbowed by many frustrated runners............Anonymous"

"I would like to comment on the women’s mini marathon. It is a WOMENs minimarathon – why have a MAN djing, a MAN from the city council and a MAN from the echo. I found it completely patriarchal and condescending. As for the start line – surely they could make the first 1000 numbers available to club members/ people who have completed races during the summer or some other factors. .........Anonymous"

"My comment in relation to the confusion at the start is that next year on the application form, there should be a section for recording your club name, if applicable. I think then that all club runners should get a band with their number or be allocated numbers (1-50) and be allowed enter the elite start. I think that would be the fairest.......Rhona Lynch, Eagle AC"

"I agree with Sally, there was alot of confusion at the start of the race. I got a call from my sister to say that there was no elite start this year so to make my way to the start immediately. My car was parked at the the atlantic pond so I ran in a panic to the start at 12.25. I accessed the start from central park road and on my way saw some of the elite runners only starting a warm up with full tracksuits on. I was in my shorts at this stage so felt that this was unfair - was there an elite start or not. As I approached the starting line I met a number of club runners very stressed and angry regarding the start. There were close on 10000 people at the start of the race behind a barrier - if you are going to race the 4 miles (3.9), you need to warm up and keep warm until as close as possible to the race start time. I don't want to be taking from the fantastic job that all the volunteers did to make this a great event but something needs to be done about the start for next year. I have already posted my suggestion. - Rhona Lynch (Eagle AC)"

"I am wondering how one would categorise themselves as "elite"? Was there a space on the form for club name , or a check box for "Elite"? If there was, then the organisers should have done something about it, if not, then you have to take it on the chin I'm afraid. The Mini marathon is a HUGE fundraising event, and (my opinion here) probably over 90% of people there are fun runners, walkers, men dressed as wimmen etc. There is only a few people (200-300) there to actually race. In the grand scheme of things they probably don't really care about the racers, only about the numbers and the logistics of getting 10,000 people around the course safely.
Was there any running club involvement with the mini-marathon? If there was, then they could suggest, as other posters have, of a pen for the "serious" racers, which they enter via a wrist band or similar. Maybe one way of disuading "non serious" runners from the serious runners, is to have a higher entry fee (say 15 ) for the racers and the 12 for the fun runners. Would you pay the premium to be in the front pen? Just a thought......Rich"

"For the past few years, I have been trying to persuade the Co. Board to facilitate the runners but, to date, have been unsuccessful. The Board has a mammoth task in organising the event, on a totally voluntary basis, with many giving an absolutely HUGE amont of their time to the event, over weeks and even months.
Nevertheless the event has lost its attraction for very many club runners. Year on year, it attracts less and less club runners. This year was the worst to date for facilitating runners.
In advance of the event, pleas to the Co Board to have an elite start or a runners start went unheard. "They'll just have to get there early! At least one hour before the start!" was the response.
If the event is to be just a charity walk, then so be it. If it is to remain as a race, then the runners MUST be facilitated. I have stewarded the event for about 10 years and have noticed a change in numbers running (as opposed to walking) in the past 4 years. In the last 5 mile event, I reckon about 120 ran. When it changed to the Marina, numbers started to go up and last year saw a big jump in runners, I reckon about 500 ran. this year the change was massive - something like 2,000 ran. Only 100 of them had their times recorded!
Two changes MUST be made to make the event attractive to club runners: 1 A separate start area, or corral, for runners, with an elite warm-up area. 2. Finish times be taken for at least anyone under 45 to 50 minutes.
Whats the point of having a race where runners aren't permitted to warm-up before the race, run (impeded by walkers, including organised groups-en masse, buggies, dogs (some walkers had several dogs on leads) (BTW, no race anywhere permits (on safety grounds) dogs)
Rich raises the question of club involvement. The event is organised by the Cork AAI County Board, it follows that clubs are involved through the Board. In any case the event is stewarded by club volunteers. As regards charging runners extra to run in a road race as opposed to walking?????
There is a very strong undercurrent of discontent with the event among club runners. This will have to be addressed by the Co Board. It is a shame that the event is now such that, even though the numbers taking part are at an all time high, the number of AAI registered runners continues to fall...........John Quigley, Eagle AC"

"I couldn’t have put it better myself Sally, I whole hearty agree with everything you said. A cattle mart with people pushing and shoving would describe it mildly!!! I was in the exact same situation as you last year, but this year I was as cute as a fox and knew exactly what to do.
Also could I take this opportunity to say the Limerick LADIES mini-marathon was a joke! Let me stress the word LADIES again! There was so many men in this race, us girls didn’t have a chance! Myself and my friends trained hard all Summer to reach the top 100, but the results list complied of so many guys names who had registered as girls (eg. Paul to a Pauline) we didn’t have a hope in hell. I fully understand this is a charity run and the drags provided great entertainment for spectators, but for us it was a girls race and we wanted to do well. There are plenty of other races for guys to participate in, give us poor girls a chance!!!
Simple solution for the organisers: Hold a MENS mini-marathon next year, especially if the guys feel so passionate about running with the ladies and dressing up as drags!!!! I can guarantee you there would be no shoving and acres of space for elite runners.
If I’m fit and strong enough next year I’ll be heading down to Cork to do Cork-Cobh 15 miles which was held on the same day.
By the way Sally, if you thought things were bad in Cork, the Limerick race was ten times worse with roughly only a third of the crowd............Anonymous"

"I think it a a health hazard for a club runner to run the mini marathon. I know of a serious and well known club runner who is out of action for some time to come due to being bumped just as the gun went off. Nobody has given a reason as to why they can't have an elite start for the racers.......Why can't we get a statement from the organisers? Its my opinion that if they take away the elite start, it's the beginning of the end for the mini marathon........Anonymous"

Results of the East Cork AC 'Winter Series 3k' Road Race (No.1 of 7) - Tues 14th Oct 2008
After a very wet and miserable day, it looks like the weather eased off just in time for this race, the first of the 7 East Cork 'Winter 3k series's races. This was the first race and already the numbers are very high with 132 finishers. This compares with 102 for the first race this time last year. Perhaps I was a little bit optimistic in thinking that if I mentioned the race one week ago and didn't preview it on Monday, most of you would have forgotten about it by now ;o) Anyway, on to the results......

(If anyone wants to compare their times to the last 2 years, have a look at East Cork Winter Series webpage.)

East Cork AC 3Km Winter Series Race 1 14/10/08
1 James McCarthy,East Cork AC 9.14
2 Tim Murphy,Togher AC 9.34
3 Brian Hegarty,East Cork AC 9.52
4 Padraig Healy,CIT 9.55
5 James O'Driscoll,CIT 9.56
6 Frank Hayes,East Cork AC 9.58
7 Dave Muldowney,Eagle AC 10.00
8 Frank Carroll,East Cork AC 10.05
9 Eric Meade,East Cork AC 10.10
10 Kevin Smyth, East Cork AC 10.14
11 Marty O'Keeffe,Youghal AC 10.14
12 Kevin O'Leary,East Cork AC 10.17
13 Mark O'Donovan,CIT 10.21
14 Robert Patterson,Dunmanway 10.26
15 Alan O'Reilly,CIT 10.32
16 Brian O'Connor,Fermoy 10.35
17 Conor Tierney,East Cork AC 10.52
18 Denis McCarthy,East Cork AC 10.52
19 John Collins,CIT 10.58
20 Billy O'Sullivan,Midleton AC 11.01
21 Frank Cashman,East Cork AC 11.03
22 Emmet Hennessy,Midleton AC 11.04
23 David O'Mahony,Ballincollig 11.06
24 Cathal McCarthy,Midleton AC 11.07
25 Tom Cody,Midleton AC 11.10
26 Steven Lynch,CIT 11.29
27 John O'Callaghan,Rising Sun AC 11.32
28 Shane Cooney,Midleton AC 11.34
29 Coran Swayne,Midleton CBS 11.36
30 Daniel Walsh,Glenbower AC 11.39
31 Pat Fogarty,ESB 11.41
32 Shane Ryan,Midleton GAA 11.43
33 Terri Hennessy,Grange Fermoy AC 11.44
34 Alan Kelly,Midleton AC 11.44
35 Paul Cleary,Whitegate 11.45
36 Patrick Dunlea,Midleton GAA 11.46
37 Leslie Coughlan,Midleton CBS 11.48
38 Maurice Tobin,Grange Fermoy AC 11.49
39 Rick Prendergast,Castlemartyr1 1.51
40 Brian Healy,Midleton AC 11.53
41 Niamh Walsh,Youghal AC 11.54
42 Eoghan Cotter,Whitegate 11.55
43 John Dunphy,Midleton AC 11.58
44 Dermot Murphy,Midleton 11.58
45 Sally Drennan, Midleton AC 11.59
46 Paddy Hegarty,Cork 12.02
47 Ciaran O'Donovan,CIT 12.06
48 Trevor Mahoney,Midleton AC 12.07
49 Ken Owens,Togher AC 12.08
50 Michelle Nolan,Midleton AC 12.09
51 Simon Thompson,Midleton AC 12.12
52 Alan Healy,CIT 12.15
53 Sean Hennessy,Midleton GAA 12.23
54 Billy Woods,Midleton 12.25
55 Kevin Dunne,Ballinacurra 12.29
56 Mick Murphy,Midleton AC 12.30
57 Kevin Maybury,CIT 12.30
58 Darragh Flynn,Grange Fermoy AC 12.36
59 Irene Hartigan,Kerry 12.38
60 Mary O'Keeffe,Youghal AC 12.40
61 Sean O'Farrell,Midleton CBS 12.45
62 Ann Geary,Lisgoold 12.48
63 Trevor Collins,Nass 12.50
64 Liam Walsh,Midleton GAA 12.53
65 Michael Hanrahan,Midleton AC 12.55
66 Mark Walsh,Midleton AC 13.02
67 Don O'Hanlon,Cork 13.05
68 Pat Walsh,Midleton GAA 13.07
69 Peter Stanley,Carrigaline 13.08
70 Peter Blissett,Cork 13.10
71 Padraig O'Regan,Ladysbridge 13.11
72 Karen Kenny,Grange Fermoy AC 13.13
73 Roy Collins,Tipperary 13.17
74 John Cotter,Cobh 13.18
75 John O'Riordan,Rising Sun AC 13.21
76 Dean Wilson,Midleton 13.27
77 Mark O'Keeffe,Youghal AC 13.29
78Mark Ryan,Midleton 13.30
79 Mary Histon de Barra,Rising Sun AC 13.31
80 Padraig Nagle,Midleton GAA 13.33
81 Kevin Cronin,UCC 13.35
82 Linda O'Connor,East Cork AC 13.40
83 Finbarr Lyons,Midleton 13.43
84 Christine Murphy,Midleton AC 13.45
85 Danny McCarthy,Midleton AC 13.50
86 John Walshe,East Cork AC 13.54
87 Jimmy Murray,Rising Sun AC 13.55
88 David Healy,UCC 14.05
89 Catherine Sheridan,Midleton 14.07
90 Mick McCarthy,West Waterford AC 14.09
91 Austin Murphy,St Finbarrs AC 14.12
92 Rowan la Mere,Ballinacurra 14.14
93 Donie O'Connell,Midleton AC 14.20
94 Marie Murphy,Youghal 14.28
95 Donal O'Donoghue,Little Island 14.30
96 Helen O'Shea,CIT 14.32
97 Gavin Hurley,Midleton CBS 14.33
98 Eibhlin Cleary,East Cork AC 14.35
99 Vincent O'Neill,Midleton AC 14.39
100 Deirdre Ahern,Midleton AC 14.40
101 Kathleen Madigan,CIT 14.44
102 Maura O'Doherty,Midleton AC 14.45
103 Diane Lille,yCIT 14.56
104 Carrie Higgins,Carrigtwohill AC 14.58
105 Barry Drennan,Carrigtwohill 14.59
106 Bridget Cleary,East Cork AC 15.01
107 Elaine Hennessy,Midleton AC 15.01
108 Tim Geary,Lisgoold 15.04
109 Margaret Beausang,Midleton AC 15.10
110 Mary O'Keeffe,Midleton 15.18
111 Rose Barrett,Midleton AC 15.30
112 Catriona Reilly,Ballymacoda 15.33
113 Pat Meaney,Cork 15.49
114 Eimer McCarthy,Whitegate 16.06
115 Olive Hallahan,Leevale AC 16.10
116 Eoin Cashman,Midleton AC 16.13
117 John Cashman,Midleton AC 16.13
118 Hymay Nguyen,Cork 16.19
119 Olan O'Brien,Midleton 16.32
120 Joan McCarthy,Midleton AC 16.34
121 Orla Kelleher,Dungourney 16.36
122 Aishling O'Riordan,Ballymacoda 16.39
123 Aine O'Keeffe,Ballycotton 17.24
124 Liz Browne,Whitegate 17.33
125 Mairead Dunne,Cork 17.53
126 Jim McMurtry,Midleton AC 17.55
127 Ella Curtin,Midleton 17.57
128 Eadaoin Murphy,Midleton 18.06
129 Fionain O'hAodha,Cork 18.12
130 Clare O'Leary,Midleton AC 18.22
131 Conor la Mere, Ballinacurra 25.33
132 Chuck la Mere, Ballinacurra 25.33

(...with thanks to Liam O'Brien for the above results)