Castlemagner Charity 5k raises €1385 - 26th Dec 2021

Castlemagner GAA held a charity 5k run on St Stephens Day which attracted a field of over 120. 

A total of €1,385 was raised which will be divided between Kanturk Hospital and St Josephs Foundation in Charleville.

The organisers have a few photos HERE

Results & Photos of the Togher 5k - 27th Dec 2021

A total of 495 runners turned out for this years Togher AC 55k road race on the 27th of December 2021. While this is a good figure for a 5k race in Cork City, it is however down a whopping 38% on the 797 of two years ago.

As can be seen from the chart above, the numbers are worse than the previous three outings.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Eimhin O Broin     14:27 SM 548
2 Liam Harris     14:57 SM 559  
3 Conor McCauley     15:04 SM 291  
8 Michelle Finn     16:05 SF 703
23 Jane Buckley     17:14 SF 595  
31 Niamh Moore     17:38 SF 558

Full results

As might be expected for a race in Cork City, it attracted mostly runners from Cork City with 20% of the field breaking the 20 minute mark. By comparison, 45% of the field for the recent Newmarket 5k broke 20 minutes and seems to have attracted a faster field from a wider area.

The first woman home was Michelle Finn who also broke the course record with a fine time of 16m 05s.

First 3 women in the Togher 5k (L-R) Jane Buckley (2nd), Michelle Finn (1st) & Niamh Moore (3rd)

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley will have some photos ... start line ... finish line

2) Gearóid Ó Laoi has a small gallery HERE

3) Joe & Anne Murphy have two large galleries... first half of the field... second half-22 mins plus

Results & Photos of the Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 19th Dec 2021

The Newmarket 5k road race is going from strength to strength with a record 424 runners turning out for this years event, an impressive jump of 26%!

This is in marked contrast to some of the other recent local races which have suffered major drops...( Glenville 4m down 29%, Thomas Kent 10k down 14%). So it's not all doom and gloom, not all local road races are suffering a big drop off in numbers.

For the Newmarket race, there was 191 runners under the 20 minute mark which is huge in terms of a local race in Cork.

Top 5 men & women...
 1 Eimhin O Broin Togher     14:06 SM 295
2 Ryan Creech Leevale AC     14:12 SM 620
3 John Travers Donore Harriers AC     14:17 SM 621
4 Niall Shanahan An Bru AC     14:22 SM 31
5 Oisin Spillane Tralee Harriers AC     14:35 SM 539
25 Michelle Finn Leevale AC     15:58 SF 443
28 Bronagh Kearns St Senans AC     16:07 SF 281
32 Cliona Murphy DCH     16:13 SF 535
44 Maisy O Sullivan St Abbans AC     16:34 SF 611
65 Martina Kiely St Finbarrs AC     17:08 SF 454

The full results are up on the Premier Timing Systems website HERE

Photos...
1) Pre-race & start
2) Finish line 1 of 3 - First 160 or so

3) Finish line 2 of 3 - Finishing position 160 to 315

4) Finish line 3 of 3 - Finishing position 315+

Mick Dooley has two galleries... Start ... Finish

And they're off!

First 3-men in the home straight

15:26 finish time for Irish pro-cyclist Eddie Dunbar

16:55 finish time for Olympic Gold medalist & rower Paul O'Donovan

Notice: Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 19th Dec 2021

This popular 5 km road race is coming up in the town of Newmarket in North-West Cork on Sunday the 19th of December 2021. This is a fast 5k course and gets a good turnout every year.

Update from Duhallow AC... "Due to circumstances beyond our control the Start time of our race is been deferred one hour to  start at a new time of 2pm . We are sorry for inconvenience caused due to this. This call was made in the interest of the athletes health and safety due an event taking place causing traffic congestion in the town at the initial race star time."

Note the new start time of 2pm

Entries... CLOSED

Results & photos of the Cork BHAA Turkey Trot - Sun 12th Dec 2021

A total of 151 runners turned up for this years Cork BHAA Simon Turkey Trot and €2500 was raised for the Cork Simon Community.

First 3 men & women...
1 Tobi Grab 17:59 
2 John O'Connell 18:53 
3 Johan Reiser 18:55 
8 Siobhan Holland 19:50 
15 Mary Sweeney 20:57 
20 Elaine Guinane 21:27 

The full results are HERE

Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has some photos HERE
2) Joe Murphy has some photos HERE

Fionnuala McCormack runs 3 minute PB with a time of 2h 23m 58s in the Valencia Marathon

Fionnuala McCormack took nearly three minutes off her previous best time when she finished the Valencia Marathon last Sunday in a time of 2 hours 23 minutes and 58 seconds.

These are Fionnuala's splits during the marathon with her going through the first 5k in 17:04!

RUNNER i 

5K 0:17:04 

10K 0:34:03 

15K 0:51:07 

20K 1:07:51 

Half 1:11:33 

25K 1:24:46 

30K 1:42:09 

35K 1:59:43 

40K 2:16:43 

As you can see from her halfway split, her second half was about 52 seconds slower.

This is now the top 10 list of marathon times for Irish women...

1 2:22:23 NR Catherina McKiernan Amsterdam 1 Nov 1998

2 2:23:58 Fionnuala McCormack 5 Valencia 05 Dec 2021
(2 2:26:47 Fionnuala McCormack 5 Chicago IL 13 Oct 2019)
3 2:28:07 Carey May 1 Osaka 27 Jan 1985
4 2:28:36 Aoife Cooke 1 Pulford 25 Apr 2021
5 2:29:01 Sonia O'Sullivan 8 London 17 Apr 2005
6 2:29:34 AnnMarie McGlynn 3 Pulford 25 Apr 2021
7 2:32:51 Lizzie Lee 17 Berlin 27 Sep 2015
8 2:32:56 Regina Joyce-Bonney 7 Scottsdale AZ 4 Dec 1982
9 2:33:25 Dylan Hassett Pulford 25 Apr 2021
10 2:33:28 Nicola Duncan 1 London 13 Apr 2014

It's worth mentioning that Sinead Diver who is from Co Mayo and runs for Australia has a PB of 2:24:11 from the 2019 London Marathon.

5th place finish for Fionnuala McCormack in the 2021 Valencia Marathon

Photos of the RNLI Reindeer Run 5k in Fota - Sun 5th Dec 2021

The weather was ideal for this years RNLI Reindeer Run 5k in Fota on Sunday the 5th of December 2021 with lots of runners and walkers turning out to support this charity fundraiser.

RNLI Crosshaven have a gallery HERE

Joe & Anne Murphy have a gallery HERE

Cork runner Lizzie Lee wins 5k race in the Phoenix Park in 16m 15s

The 30th Annual Jingle Bells 5k organised by Donore Harriers AC was held on Saturday 4th December 2021 in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. The first woman home was Lizzie Lee from Cork in an impressive time of 16 mins 15 secs.

As you can see from the photo above, Lizzie was pushed all of the way to the line by Sorcha Ní Dhómnaill of the host club Donore Harriers.

There were 1044 finishers in the race and it was a fast field with 346 finishing under 20 minutes. 

A total of 60 women went under 20 minutes which is in marked contrast to a lot of other 5k races where the field is much slower.

5k
1 John Travers Donore Harriers M 0:14:22  
2 Conor Maguire Monaghan Phoenix A.C. M 0:14:26  
3 Mitchell Byrne Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C. 0:14:28 0:14:28
1 Lizzie Lee Leevale AC F40 0:16:15  
2 Sorcha Ní Dhómhnaill Donore Harriers F 0:16:19  
3 Catherina Mullen Metro/St. Brigid's A.C. F 0:16:31

Full results... https://www.popupraces.ie/race/jingle-bells-5k-2021/

Results of the Glenville 4 mile race - Sun 28th Nov 2021

The Glenville 4 mile race was held on Sunday the 28th of November and there were 351 finishers. While this is a healthy number for a local road race, it is 29% down on the figure for the last outing in 2019 when 495 runners crossed the finish line.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan O'SHEA Bantry AC M M40 1868 19:40
2 Denis HEGARTY  Watergrass Hill AC M MS 593 20:16
3 John MEADE St Finbarrs AC M M40 1858 20:28
18 Rynne SHARON Kilmurry Ibrickane North Clare F FS 1714 23:34
24 Kealey TIDESWELL Clonmel AC F F35 1873 24:16
27 Linda O'SULLIVAN Watergrass Hill AC F F50 1782 24:29

The full results are up on the MyRunResults website HERE

Results of the Clonakilty Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 27th Nov 2021

There was a real nip in the air for this years Clonakilty Marathon with over 1000 runners taking part across the three events.

In the 10k, there were 250 finishers. As you can see from the chart above, this is well down on previous years for whatever reason. (Update: I'm told that the entry fee for the 10k was €50 which could well explain the drop in numbers)

Top 3 men & women...

1 Kieran MCKEOWN 00:34:45 5289 M Watergrasshill A.C.
2 Conor O'LEARY 00:35:44 5215 M
4 Craig HARRINGTON 00:37:35 5111 M Togher AC
3 Catherina MCKIERNAN 00:37:20 5284 F
12 Aileen O'MAHONY 00:42:27 5216 F
13 Pauline ROBERTSON 00:42:32 5267 F Brothers Pearse AC

In the Half-Marathon, there was 920 finishers which compares well to previous years.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Tudor MOLDOVAN 01:12:20 2382 M MS Clonliffe Harriers
2 Niall SHEIL 01:16:23 2127 M M40 St Killians AC
3 Kevin GILLEECE 01:17:02 8344 M M40 Kilfinane AC
28 Niamh CRONIN 01:29:23 2402 F F40 St Finbarrs AC
32 Aoife MAHONY 01:30:26 2015 F F40 Eagle AC
38 Selenia NOLAN 01:31:27 2308 F F40 Ennis Track AC

In the marathon, there were 417 finishers which again compares well to previous years.

1 Alexander WALLACE 02:32:00 730 M M40 St Cocas AC

2 Mick SILKE 02:46:46 8309 M M40

3 Ciaran HUGHES 02:49:00 385 M MS Dublin Runners

30 Tara MALONE 03:11:55 664 F F40 1Zero1

33 Colleen ROBINSON 03:12:59 712 F F40

38 Dolores DUFFY 03:15:11 830 F F50 Watergrasshill AC MCI

Full results of all three races on the MyRunResults website HERE

Weather for the Clonakilty Marathon & parkruns on Sat 27th Nov 2021

The weather for the weekend is a bit of a mixed bag. On Saturday, it's going to be cold with a strong north-westerly wind during the morning. It is however likely to be sunny.

The map shows the situation on Saturday. There is a high pressure system out in the Atlantic rotating clockwise and there is a low pressure system over the North Sea going anti-clockwise.

The net result is like someone left the fridge door open and cold Arctic air flows down over Ireland and the UK.

On the plus side, that strong wind should prevent any frosts or ice on the roads and it should be a bright sunny morning. The only thing is that it's going to feel really cold.

A map of the half-marathon and 10k courses are shown below. Essentially, you will have the wind behind you for the first half and into your face for the second half for each race.

Over the years, the Clonakilty marathon has had more than its fair share of bad weather. This time around, it looks like it's going to be one of the better ones. There are some lovely scenic spots out along the marathon and half-marathon routes with expensive views over the Cork coastline.

Hills... For the 10k, there is a modest hill marked in Orange which starts around the 4.5 mile mark. It lasts about 0.7 miles. This hill is also near the end of the half-marathon course around the 11 mile mark.

For the half-marathon, there is a major hill at 4.7 miles which is about 2 miles in length. It's more of a long slog than being steep.

Gear???... I suspect it might be a day for the long sleeve with maybe a singlet over it. Only the fastest runners will opt for a singlet on its own.

5k parkruns... It should be a really good day for doing a parkrun, just wrap up!

Cork runner Michelle Finn wins the National Cross Country Senior Title - Sun 21st Nov 2021

Cork runner Michelle Finn of Leevale AC was this years winner of the Irish Senior Cross Country Championships which were held in Dublin.

1 Michelle FINN 00:27:22 77 F Senior Leevale A.C.
2 Sarah HEALY 00:27:34 145 F Senior F U23 U.C.D. A.C.
3 Roisin FLANAGAN 00:27:41 59 F Senior Finn Valley A.C.
4 Aoibhe RICHARDSON 00:27:42 71 F Senior Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.
5 Aoife COOKE 00:27:56 53 F Senior Eagle A.C.
6 Annmarie MCGLYNN 00:28:01 85 F Senior Letterkenny A.C.
7 Mary MULHARE 00:28:06 110 F Senior Portlaoise A.C.
8 Ciara MAGEEAN 00:28:13 15 F Senior City of Lisburn A.C.
9 Niamh ALLEN 00:28:30 32 F Senior Crusaders A.C.
10 Niamh KEARNEY 00:28:32 111 F Senior Raheny Shamrock A.C.

Full results HERE

Unlike the Cork County Senior Championships where the numbers were so bad that they couldn't hand out some team medals, the national event had much better attendance.

In the women's race there were 109 finishers with some of the best female runners in the country appearing in there.

In the men's race, there was an even bigger turnout with 192 taking part. The full results are on the MyRunResults website.

Interesting fact... While Michelle Finn won the women's race, the men's race was won by Hiko Tonosa. Both are coached by Feidhlim Kelly.

Notice: RNLI Reindeer 5k Run in Fota - Sun 5th Dec 2021

The RNLI have a number of marine rescue stations stationed on the coastline of Cork and they are holding their annual 5k Reindeer Run in Fota on Sunday the 5th of December 2021 at 11am.

The funds raised will support the work of the Ballycotton, Youghal and Crosshaven Lifeboat Stations.

Entry link HERE

From the RNLI.... Grab your antlers. Lace up those hooves. Be a lifesaver. Reindeer Run is a fun, festive way to be an RNLI lifesaver and raise vital funds to help support Ballycotton, Youghall and Crosshaven Lifeboat Stations. This years Cork run will be 5km at Fota on Sunday 5 December and to get involved please register here  RNLI.org/FotaReindeer

Note that the event is also open to walkers.

RNLI Crosshaven

Grab your antlers, lace up those hooves – help save lives at sea by getting on your running shoes for the RNLI’s Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens The RNLI is calling on the people of Cork to do their bit and join the RNLI’s 5K Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens at 11am on Sunday 5 December to help raise vital funds to support volunteer crews in their mission to save every one.

 
RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews across Ireland launched 945 times last year, coming to the aid of 1,147 people, 13 of whom were lives saved. That was an average of three people aided each day - rescues which were only possible because of the donations made to the charity by supporters.

It is hoped hundreds of people will don a pair of antlers or festive attire and join mascot Rookie the Reindeer to raise funds for the charity. All those participating will receive a medal. Runners, who must register (see below), and buy tickets for the event in advance, are encouraged to raise sponsorship which will go towards saving lives on the water.

Every time an RNLI crew launches, they are determined to save every one. But they can’t do it without people like you. Raising money through the Reindeer Run is a fun and festive way to get active and be a lifesaver, because you’ll be raising the vital funds that power the crew. It helps the RNLI recruit and train volunteers and could fund the kit they need to protect themselves. It helps ensure a lifeboat is ready when the call comes, and it helps deliver water safety advice far and wide.

RNLI Ballycotton

Eolan Walsh, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain says: ‘The Reindeer Run is more important than ever this year. We always have to be ready in case the pagers go at Christmas, but it’s a big boost to know the Reindeer runners have been giving their support at this busy time of year to help ensure we can launch.

‘It can be hard on our family and friends if we disappear halfway through Christmas dinner, but the sea and the dangers it can bring never takes a holiday, so nor can we. Fundraising events are our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to fund our rescues and kit that helps keep the crews safe when they risk their lives for others.’

To register for the Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens or to set up your own
virtual one, please visit RNLI.org/FotaReindeer

RNLI Youghal

Friday Jigsaw: Rebel Run 10k - First 3 men

Following on from the Rebel Run last weekend, the jigsaw this week is of the first 3-men in the 10k.

You can find the 300-piece jigsaw HERE

Results of the Buttevant 4 mile road race - Sun 7th Nov 2021

This 4-mile race in Buttevant attracted a field of 173 runners which is pretty good for a road race in North Cork. Looking through my previous posts, the last time this race was held was two and half years ago in May 2019.

I was suprised to see that back in 2019, it had a field of 302 runners which would have made it one of the bigger road race in the region. This year however, there is a 42% drop to 174.

Doing a quick back of the envelope calculation, that's just over a €1,000 drop in income (2019 - €12 entry, 2021 - €15 entry).

 4 Mile
2154 1 Gary Scully Nenagh Olympic A.C. M 0:21:53 0:21:54  
401 2 Darren Coleman Buttevant R.C. M 0:22:32 0:22:32  
5325 3 Vincent Mc Cormack Newbridge A.C. M 0:23:16 0:23:17  
2223 8 Carol Finn F 0:24:21 0:24:23  
2168 9 Ailbhe Mc Daid F 0:24:29 0:24:30  
2024 20 Linda O Connor F 0:25:40 0:25:41

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Adrian Ryder has a number of galleries... Pre-Race & Mile 1 ... Pre-race & mile 2-Pt2... Finish Line pt1 ... Finish line pt2... Finish line pt3... Finish line pt4... Finish line pt5... Finish line pt6... Finish line pt7... Finish line pt8

Carol Finn... winner of the 2021 Buttevant 4-mile. Photo: Adrian Ryder

Results of the Rebel Run 5k & 10k - Sun 7th Nov 2021

This years Rebel Run was held on Sunday the 7th of November 2021 with almost 430 runners taking part.

There were a total of 170 finishers in the 5k event with a further 258 finishers in the 10k.

5km
Pos Cat Name Net Time
1 Open Eric CURRAN (#452) 15:56
2 Open Andrew HOBBS (#394) 18:04
3 Open Tim CROWLEY (#567)    18:13
1 Over 40 Gail MURRAY (#455) 20:17
2 Over 40 Clodagh CREEDON (#424) 21:48
3 Open Ita KIRWAN (#583) 22:15

Full 5k results HERE

Rebel Run 5k start

10km

1 Over 40 John MEADE (#241) 33:16
2 Senior Ryan MULROY (#351)     36:00
3 Senior Adam DOYLE (#101) 36:22
1 Over 40 Benvon LYONS (#123) 40:59
2 Senior Clara RYAN (#143) 42:42
3 Over 50 Adelle O CONNOR (#102) 44:37

Full 10k results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has a number of small galleries... 5k start ... post race photos ...

2) Joe & Anne Murphy have two galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2... 

(L-R) Ryan Mulroy 2nd, John Meade 1st & Adam Doyle 3rd in the 2021 Rebel Run 10k (Photo - Mick Dooley)

(L-R) Gail Murray 1st & Clodagh Creedan 2nd in the 2021 Rebel Run 5k (Photo - Mick Dooley)

Results of the Stone Mad Half-Marathon in Blarney - Sun 31st Oct 2021

This was a new half-marathon on the calendar and attracted a field of 283 runners which is a reasonable turnout for its first outing. The event had a limit of 500 so it got nowhere near that number.

First 3 men and women...

 1 30+ Damian KENNEALLY (#104) 01:12:30 01:12:28
2 40+ Kevin GILLEECE (#109) 01:14:59 01:14:56
3 40+ Mark SMITH (#102) 01:15:12 01:15:11
Female
1 50+ Linda SULLIVAN (#146) 01:25:13 01:25:09
2 40+ Niamh CRONIN (#126) 01:25:53 01:25:50
3 40+ Linda O CONNOR (#150) 01:27:42 01:27:38

Full results on the SportsSplits website HERE

Update: Someone sent me a message to say they measured the course to be short at 13.06 miles (should be at least 13.1 and most likely 13.2 miles on a GPS watch). I wonder if others found the same?

Photos: Joe & Anne Murphy have several galleries.... Start HERE // Album 2 // Finish 1 // Finish 2

Irish runner Caitriona Jennings finishes 3rd in the Hong Kong Marathon

Irish runner Caitriona Jennings was in action in the 2021 Hong Kong Marathon last Sunday where she finished in third place with a time of 2h 51m 31s.

The prize structure for the first three finishers in the marathon was as follows...

US$ - 1st $15,000, 2nd $6,000 & 3rd $4,000

Only last August, Caitriona set a new Irish record for a woman in the 100k distance when she helped the Irish women's team secure the Anglo Celtic 100k Plate for the first time... see previous post HERE

Cork runner Lizzie Lee wins the Streets of Galway 8k - 24th Oct 2021

One of the biggest road races in the country over the weekend was the Streets of Galway 8k with a whopping 989 finishers. 

Cork's own Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC was the first woman home in a time of 26m 57s.

Top 5 men & women...
 1 332 Devane Donal M Senior Men Ennis track 0:24:21 0:24:21
2 450 Shanahan Niall M Senior Men An bru 0:24:24 0:24:24
3 1032 Fitzgerald William M Senior Men Craughwell ac 0:24:31 0:24:31
4 1089 Fallon Keith M Senior Men Gch 0:25:05 0:25:05
5 898 McCauley Conor M Senior Men Leevale ac 0:25:27 0:25:27
11 2 Lee Lizzy F Senior Women 0:26:57 0:26:57
31 393 Casey Regina F F40 Gch 0:29:25 0:29:24
38 200 Moran Ellen F Senior Women Galway city harriers 0:29:55 0:29:50
45 1164 Finn Carol F Senior Women Leevale 0:30:53 0:30:51
52 1205 Smyth Kate F Senior Women 0:31:15 0:31:13

As can be seen from the list above, Carol Finn of Leevale was 4th woman while Conor McCauley was 5th man.

The full results can be found on the Red Tag Timing website HERE

This race was last held in August 2019 which is now about 26 months ago.

A map of the 8km course is shown below and as you can see, it took the runners on a tour of Galway City.

Results of the Irish 24-hour championships in Belfast - Sun 17th Oct 2021

The 2021 Belfast 24-hour race was held last weekend and this was also the Irish 24-hour championships.

There were 99 contestants in the 24 hour event with an impressive 33 going over the 100-mile mark.

The first man was Ed McGroarty who completed 256.57kms in the 24 hours which will be a new national record once confirmed. In a previous post, I had a report of how Ed had run from Mizen to Malin in a new record time last July.

From a Cork point of view, Aidan Hogan of Rising Sun AC put in another impressive performance to finish in second spot to take a national Silver medal.

Alex O'Shea of St Finbarrs AC finished in 5th place just three weeks after completing the 250km Spartathlon in Greece!

Thanks to John O'Regan for the following photos...

Belfast 24hr & Irish Championship - Men

1. Ed McGroarty (Lifford /Strabane AC) - 256.57Km (TBC as *NR)
2. Aidan Hogan (Rising Sun AC) -243.36Km
3. Keith Russell (Navan AC)- 232.67Km
* National Record

Belfast 24hr & Irish Championship - Women
1. Aoife Mundow (Drogheda & District AC) - 211.76Km
2. Lorraine McMahon (Wexford Marathon Club)- 206.81Km
3. Joanne Rice (Navan AC)- 186.9Km