Looking ahead to the Cork City Marathon 10k...

Course... As the map shows above, the 10k race starts on Patrick's Street in the centre of Cork City. It then proceeds onto the Grand Parade and out Washington Street. At about 2.5kms, there are two right hand turns to get onto the Mardyke. 

At 3.5kms, there is a potential bottleneck as the runners will run along the walkway by the walkway next to the river. This lasts for about 700m until the runners reach the North Mall.

After that, it's up into Blackpool with a few twists and turns and back out again onto the quays. At about 8.2kms, it's right over Brian Boru bridge and back down the opposite quay.

After 9kms, it's left onto North Main Street and back onto Patrick's Street and the finish line.

In summary... A flat enough 10k course although it has a lot of twists and turns. Potential bottleneck at 3.5kms. With an 8:45am start, it will be over before the day gets too warm.

Guest Post: IRISH 10-MILE RANKINGS - End 2023 ...by John Walshe

IRISH 10-MILE RANKINGS 2023... by John Walshe

Now that the spring 10-mile races are getting underway, the following is last year’s list of the fastest times over this popular distance for men (under 55:00) and women (under 65:00).

It shows the time (gun), name/club/category, the race and finishing position, along with the date. Where an athlete appears more than once, just the surname is used after the initial listing.

Far and away, the quickest time from 2023 is the 47:11 achieved by Efrem Gidey at Kilcock, a race he won by over five minutes. The year before, Jake O’Regan’s 48:40 topped the list. Aoife Cooke, the fastest in 2022 with 54:19 at Dungarvan, again leads the way with her 54:50 from the tougher Cobh race.

In 2022, 127 times for men appeared under 55 minutes along with 117 for women under 65 minutes. Last year, the corresponding figures were 147 for men and 106 for women.

Dungarvan, with 22 times under 55:00, saw the highest standard race amongst the men with the next highest being the Irish Runner race (which incorporated the national championship) on 19. The West Waterford race also saw the most women under 65:00 with 15 performances with the Irish Runner event again second on 13.

As usual, any additions or corrections are welcome and can be made on the comments section wherever this list appears.

MEN
47:11 Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe) Kilcock (1) Aug 20
49:04 Yared Derese (Carrick Aces, M40) Trim (1) Feb 05
49:15 John Travers (Donore) Portsmouth (11) Oct 15
49:23 Jake O’Regan (St Johns) Bundoran (1) Mar 04
49:35 Ryan Creech (Leevale) Mallow (1) Mar 26
49:39 Michael Harty (East Cork, M40) Cork (1) Aug 20
49:52 William Maunsell (Clonmel) Dungarvan (1) Feb 05
49:55 Mick Clohisey (Raheny) Trim (2) Feb 05
49:57 Travers Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 23
50:25 Conor Duffy (Glaslough) Kilbeggan (1) Aug 06
50:32 Martin Hoare (Celbridge) Trim (3) Feb 05
50:33 David Mansfield (Clonmel) Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 23
50:37 Niall Shanahan (An Bru) Mallow (2) Mar 26
50:40 Emmet Jennings (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 23
50:43 Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork) Kinsale (1) Feb 26
50:47 O’Regan Cobh (1) Apr 02
51:01 Luke Johnston (Moy Valley) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 23
51:04 David McCarthy (West Waterford) Dungarvan (2) Feb 05
51:05 Eskander Turki (Annadale) Armagh (1) Oct 08
51:06 O’Donoghue Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 23
51:07 Ger Forde (KCH) Kilbeggan (2) Aug 06
51:10 Clohisey Cobh (2) Apr 02
51:15 Paul O’Donnell (DSD) Roscommon (1) Jul 01
51:26 Conor McAuley (Leevale) Dungarvan (3) Feb 05
51:28 Hoare Ballyroan (1) Jan 22
51:41 Cameron Steward (Annadale) Armagh (2) Oct 08
51:44 Sean Doyle (Cork City) Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 23
51:45 Oisin Spillane (Ennis TC) Tralee (1) Feb 11
51:45 John-Paul Wiliamson (Derry City TC) Larne (1) Mar 25
51:48 Tudor Moldovan (Clonliffe) Bundoran (2) Mar 04
51:51 Conal McCambridge (Foyle Valle) Larne (2) Mar 25
51:54 Killian Mooney (DSD) Roscommon (2) Jul 01
51:55 Dean Casey (Ennis TC) Mallow (3) Mar 26
51:57 Peter Somba (Dunboyne) Mallow (4) Mar 26
51:58 Kane Collins (Donore) Mallow (5) Mar 26
51:59 Eoin Mulloy (unatt) Trim (4) Feb 05
51:59 Somba Raheny (1) Apr 10
52:04 Kyle Doherty (unatt) Kilbeggan (3) Aug 06
52:06 Jamie Gahan (KCH, M40) Dungarvan (4) Feb 05
52:10 Matthew McKeekin (Slogo) Sligo (1) Sep 24
52:14 David Glynn (unatt) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 23
52:23 Eoin Taggart (Clonliffe) Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 23
52:24 Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley) Larne (3) Mar 25
52:28 Feidhlim McGowan (North Sligo) Trim (5) Feb 05
52:28 Mossy Braken (Moycarkey-Coolroo) Dungarvan (5) Feb 05
52:29 Ieuan Hopkins (Brothers Pearse) Trim (6) Feb 05
52:29 Hoare Kilcock (2) Aug 20
52:31 Pat Fitzgerald (Waterford) Dungarvan (6) Feb 05
52:31 Robert Murphy (Donore, M40) Kilbeggan (4) Aug 06
52:32 Rankin Derry (1) Mar 11
52:35 Alexander Wallace (St Cocas, M40) Trim (7) Feb 05
52:37 Moldovan Turgesius (1) Feb 19
52:37 Gareth King (Portadown RC, M40) Armagh (3) Oct 08
52:37 O’Regan Portsmouth (29) Oct 15
52:39 Glynn Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 19
52:40 Noel Murphy (Waterford) Dungarvan (7) Feb 05
52:40 Donal Coakley (Leevale) Dungarvan (8) Feb 05
52:49 Graham Gilshinan (Portmarnock) Kilbeggan (5) Aug 06
52:50 Michael Bruton (Leevale) Cobh (3) Apr 02
52:51 Moldovan Kinsale (2) Feb 26
52:53 Noel McNally (RRAC, M40) Larne (4) Mar 25
52:53 Stephen Fay (Raheny) Kilcock (3) Aug 20
52:55 Eoin Flynn (Rathfarnham-WSAF, M40) Kilbeggan (6) Aug 06
52:56 Colm Griffin (Ballinamore, M40) Trim (8) Feb 05
52:58 David Mahon (Slaney Oly) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 23
53:00 Clohisey Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 19
53:07 McNally Trim (9) Feb 05
53:12 Jennings Roscommon (3) Jul 01
53:13 Pat Hennessy (West Waterford) Kinsale (3) Feb 26
53:14 Mick Fogarty (Ferbane, M40) Raheny (2) Apr 10
53:14 O’Regan Dublin (Irish Runn) (10) Jul 23
53:16 James Doran (Riocht, M40) Dublin (Irish Runn) (11) Jul 23
53:20 Danny Mooney (Letterkenny) Bundoran (3) Mar 04
53:20 Dermot Gorman (Carrick-onSuir, M40) Kilbeggan (7) Aug 06
53:24 Karl Nolan (Clonliffe) Raheny (3) Apr 10
53:25 John Meade (St Finbarrs, M40) Dungarvan (9) Feb 05
53:27 Killian Mooney Cork (2) Aug 20
53:28 Andrew Wallace (St Cocas, M40) Kilcock (4) Aug 20
53:30 Eoghain McGinley (Letterkenny) Bundoran (4) Mar 04
53:32 Jordan Heron (Larne) Larne (5) Mar 25
53:32 Griffin Dublin (Irish Runner) (13) Jul 23
53:33 Sean Hehir (Croghan) Gorey (1) Mar 12
53:34 George Snee (Dunboyne, M40) Raheny (4) Apr 10
53:34 Somba Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 19
53:35 Hehir Enniscorthy (1) Apr 02
53:37 Barry Shiel (Longford, M40) Kilbeggan (8) Aug 06
53:40 Michael McMahon (North Cork, M40) Dungarvan (10) Feb 05
53:40 John Durcan (Togher) Cork (3) Aug 20
53:41 Alan O’Shea (Bantry, M40) Cobh (4) Apr 02
53:43 Vivian Foley (Eagle, M50) Dungarvan (11) Feb 05
53:44 Barry Donovan (Cork TC) Mallow (6) Mar 26
53:46 McMahon Mallow (7) Mar 26
53:47 Anthony Forristal (East Cork) Cork (4) Aug 20
53:49 Abbas Edris (Castlegar) Craughwell (1) Sep 03
53:51 Shiel Dublin (Irish Runn) (14) Jul 23
53:58 Andy Goulding (Grange-Fermoy) Dungarvan (12) Feb 05
54:01 Pierce Geoghan (Liffey Valley) Dublin (Irish Runn) (15) Jul 23
54:02 Brendan Murphy (Crusaders) Dungarvan (13) Feb 05
54:02 Mark Wallace (Letterkenny) Bundoran (5) Mar 04
54:02 Tom McKenzie (Leevale) Mallow (8) Mar 26
54:03 Paul Smith (Drogheda & Dist, M45) Dublin (Irish Runner) (16) Jul 23
54:04 John Kinsella (Bilboa, M40) Churchtown (Mallow) (1) Nov 18
54:05 Myles Gibbons (SBR, M45) Dungarvan (14) Feb 05
54:06 Barry Twohig (St Finbarrs, M40) Dungarvan (15) Feb 05
54:07 Derek Griffin (unatt) Tralee (2) Feb 11
54:07 Fitzgerald Kilsheelan (1) Mar 17
54:07 Gavin Corey (Strive Racing) Monaghan (1) Aug 13
54:08 Coakley Mallow (9) Mar 26
54:09 Nathan O’Leary (Leevale) Dungarvan (16) Feb 05
54:10 Craig O’Brien (Ferrybank) Dungarvan (17) Feb 05
54:11 McMahon Dublin (Irish Runn) (17) Jul 23
54:16 Paddy O’Donnell (C of Derry Spartans) Kilbeggan (9) Aug 06
54:17 Michael Morgan (St Finbarrs, M45) Dungarvan (18) Feb 05
54:19 James Hamilton (Ballymena Runners) Larne (6) Mar 25
54:22 Heywood Richardson (Leevale) Cobh (5) Apr 02
54:23 Barry Whelan (unatt) Trim (10) Feb 05
54:23 Alan Boggle (unatt, M40) Derry (2) Mar 11
54:25 Brian Martin (Drogheda & Dist, M40) Trim (11) Feb 05
54:25 Forde Kilmore (1) Sep 10
54:26 Coakley Cobh (6) Apr 02
54:28 Mark Walsh (Leevale) Ballyroan (2) Jan 22
54:28 Michael McMahon (North Cork, M40) Cork (5) Aug 20
54:28 Mark Kirwan (Raheny) Kilcock (5) Aug 20
54:30 Sean Husband (Monaghan Town) Monaghan (2) Aug 13
54:31 Brian Murphy (Iveragh, M40) Cork (6) Aug 20
54:32 Stephen Wylie (Annadale) Trim (12) Feb 05
54:33 Brian Martin (Drogheda & Dist, M40) Kilcock (6) Aug 20
54:34 McMahon Mooreabbey (1) Jul 09
54:35 Nolan Naas (1) Mar 05
54:35 Meade Mooreabbey (2) Jul 09
54:35 Paul Moloney (Mallow, M40) Churchtown (Mallow) (2) Nov 18
54:36 Gavin Kelly (Newbridge, M40) Trim (13) Feb 05
54:36 Brian Murphy (Iveragh, M40) Dublin (Irish Runn) (18) Jul 23
54:40 Kinsella Corofin (1) Nov 05
54:41 Griffin Mallow (10) Mar 26
54:42 Mark Kirwan (Raheny) Raheny (5) Apr 10
54:42 Coakley Mooreabbey (3) Jul 09
54:42 Walsh Dublin (Irish Runn) (19) Jul 23
54:46 Danny Mullins (Bantry) Dungarvan (19) Feb 05
54:48 Seamus Somers (Sligo, M45) Cobh (7) Apr 02
54:48 Kelly Roscommon (4) Jul 01
54:50 McKenzie Dungarvan (20) Feb 05
54:51 Trevor Power (Waterford, M40) Kilmeaden (1) Nov 18
54:52 Somers Bundoran (6) Mar 04
54:52 Snee Turgesius (2) Feb 19
54:52 Matthew Collins (Portmarnock) Raheny (6) Apr 10
54:56 McNally Dublin (Frank Duffy) (4) Aug 19
54:57 Aubrey Storey (Tramore, M45) Dungarvan (21) Feb 05
54:57 Ravis Zakis (West Waterford, M40) Dungarvan (22) Feb 05
54:57 Dale Murray (North Down) Portaferry (1) Jul 18
54:59 Declan Guina (West Limerick) Cork (7) Aug 20

WOMEN
54:50 Aoife Cooke (Eagle, F35) Cobh (1) Apr 02
55:07 Michelle Finn (Leevale) Cobh (2) Apr 02
55:48 Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise) Dungarvan (1) Feb 05
56:12 Grace Lynch (Iveragh) Kilbeggan (1) Aug 06
56:30 Ciara Hickey (Brothers Pearse, F40) Kilbeggan (2) Aug 06
57:27 Hickey Trim (1) Feb 05
58:03 Meghan Ryan (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 23
58:15 Breege Connolly (CNRD TC, F45) Bundoran (1) Mar 04
58:56 Claire McGuigan (Lifford Straban, F40) Derry (1) Mar 11
59:15 Fiona Clinton (DSD, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 23
59:22 Rachel Birt (Annalee) Trim (2) Feb 05
59:25 Kealey Tideswell (Clonmel, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 23
59:28 Edel Gaffney (Trim) Trim (3) Feb05
59:34 Sally Forristal (St Josephs) Dungarvan (2) Feb 05
59:37 Caitlyn Harvey (RRAC) Trim (4) Feb 05
59:37 Niamh Moore (Leevale) Mallow (1) Mar 26
59:49 Dearbhla Cox (Annadale) Trim (5) Feb 05
59:52 Ryan Roscommon (1) Jul 01
60:01 Laura Buckley (Dunboyne) Ballyroan (1) Jan 22
60:19 Aoife O’Leary (Sportsworld, F40) Dungarvan (3) Feb 05
60:23 Sara Doohan (Corran, F40) Bundoran (2) Mar 04
60:24 Harvey Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 19
60:28 Ciara Toner (C of Derry Spartans, F40) Bundoran (3) Mar 04
60:35 Niamh Clifford (Donore) Tralee (1) Feb 11
60:36 Isobel Oakes (Sligo) Roscommon (2) Jul 01
60:43 Hannah Steeds (Leevale) Kinsale (1) Feb 26
60:44 Harvey Larne (1) Mar 25
60:44 Dee Grady (Ennis TC, F35) Cork (1) Aug 20
60:50 Robyn McKee (Annadale) Armagh (1) Oct 08
60:55 Helen McCready (Rosses) Bundoran (4) Mar 04
60:56 Lauren Dermody (Castlecomer) Dungarvan (4) Feb 05
61:10 Maria Ni Mhaolagain (Letterkenny,F35) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 19
61:16 Kate Kelly (Athlone) Roscommon (3) Jul 01
61:18 Sorcha Loughnane (Donore, F45) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 23
61:20 Clifford Limerick (1) Apr 16
61:22 Siobhan Eviston (Raheny) Trim (6) Feb 05
61:23 Dee Collins (Ennis TC) Corofin (1) Nov 05
61:29 Maria Mulligan (unatt) Bundoran (5) Mar 04
61:31 Catherine Thornton (GCH, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 23
61:35 Barbara Cleary (Donore, F50) Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 23
61:38 Sarah Baryga (Sli Cualann, F45) Trim (7) Feb 05
61:39 Sarah Mulligan (DSD) Roscommon (4) Jul 01
61:39 Niamh Devlin (DSD) Kilcock (1) Aug 20
61:45 Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry, F45) Raheny (1) Apr 10
61:46 Noreen Brouder (Sportsworld, F40) Kilcock (2) Aug 20
61:49 Angela McCann (Clonmel, F50) Dungarvan (5) Feb 05
61:49 Sarahjane Cooke (Annadale, F40) Derry (2) Mar 11
61:50 Devlin Roscommon (5) Jul 01
61:50 O’Leary Kilcock (3) Aug 20
62:08 Sinead Murtagh (NEWCD, F40) Trim (8) Feb 05
62:11 Adele Walsh (St Senans, F45) Dungarvan (6) Feb 05
62:14 Kelly Kilcock (4) Aug 20
62:20 Fiona Gettings (Longford, F40) Roscommon (6) Jul 01
62:20 Maebh Brannigan (GCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 23
62:21 Catherine Murphy (Eagle, F45) Dungarvan (7) Feb 05
62:24 Linda O’Sullivan (Watergrasshill, F50) Dungarvan (8) Feb 05
62:40 Shona Keane (Dooneen, F40) Dungarvan (9) Feb 05
62:40 Murphy Mallow (2) Mar 26
62:41 Katie Wilson (Wexford Marathon) Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 23
62:43 Baryga Raheny (2) Apr 10
62:45 Orla Byrne (St Finbarrs) Mallow (3) Mar 26
62:54 Donnellan Trim (9) Feb 05
62:59 Aisling O’Connor (Edenderry) Raheny (3) Apr 10
63:02 Jean Lucey (unatt, F35) Dungarvan (10) Feb 05
63:15 Clara Ryan (St Finbarrs) Mallow (4) Mar 26
63:15 Elisoa Crawford (North Belfast, F50) Larne (2) Mar 25
63:18 Walsh Kilmeaden (2) Nov 18
63:19 Lorna Wolfe (unatt, F35) Dungarvan (11) Feb 05
63:20 Michelle Donnelly (Carmen R) Bundoran (6) Mar 04
63:22 Lisa Hegarty (Leevale) Cork (2) Aug 20
63:26 Maria McCambridge (DSD, F45) Trim (10) Feb 05
63:27 Sara Hobson (unatt) Dungarvan (12) Feb 05
63:31 Fiona McQuillan (North Down, F40) Larne (3) Mar 25
63:32 Caroline Hassett (Templemore, F40) Dungarvan (13) Feb 05
63:32 Breda Gaffney (Mallow, F50) Kinsale (2) Feb 26
63:45 Lucey Kinsale (3) Feb 26
63:45 Jane-Ann Meehan (GCH, F40) Craughwell (1) Sep 03
63:49 Caroline McLoughlin (Dublin Bay) Raheny (4) Apr 10
63:55 Louise Smith (North Belfast, F50) Armagh (2) Oct 08
63:58 Cora Regan (Drumshanbo, F40) Sligo (1) Sep 24
63:59 Gaffney Dungarvan (14) Feb 05
63:59 Alice Brear-Clarkson (East Down) Portaferry (1) Jul 18
64:00 Ryan Kinsale (4) Feb 26
64:03 Sarah Flanagan (Tullamore, F45) Raheny (5) Apr 10
64:04 Serena Tuffy (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 23
64:06 Ciara Cunningham (Tir Chonaill) Bundoran (7) Mar 04
64:06 Adrienne Jordan (Crusaders, F40) Kilcock (5) Aug 20
64:10 Nadine McIntyre (unatt) Monaghan (1) Aug 13
64:10 Catherine Murphy (Eagle, F45) Cork (3) Aug 20
64:13 Emily Knox (Leevale) Mallow (5) Mar 26
64:17 Joan Kinsella (Clane, F45) Cork (4) Aug 20
64:17 Niamh Staunton (St Abbans) Kilcock (6) Aug 20
64:19 Aoife Quigley (Crusaders, F35) Trim (11) Feb 05
64:19 Yvonne McCauley (Crusaders) Raheny (6) Apr 10
64:19 Elaine McGuikan (unatt) Monaghan (2) Aug 13
64:21 Siobhan O’Doherty (Borrisokane, F35) Limerick (2) Apr 16
64:23 Sinead Whitelaw (Mullingar) Roscommon (7) Jul 01
64:27 Catherine O’Connor (Sli Cualann, F45) Dublin (Irish Runn) (10) Jul 23
64:38 Niamh Cronin (St Finbarrs, F45) Mallow (6) Mar 26
64:38 Grace Kennedy (Donore, F35) Dublin (Irish Runn) (11) Jul 23
64:39 Cora Regan (Drumshanbo, F40) Trim (12 Feb 05
64:39 Danielle Logue (unatt) Derry (3) Mar 11
64:41 Staunton Dublin (Irish Runn) (12) Jul 23
64:49 Laura McGarrity (Galbally R) Bundoran (8) Mar 04
64:51 Katie Wilson (Wexford Marathon Club) Gorey (1) Mar 12
64:53 Yugiya Tarasova (Clonliffe, F35) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 19
64:54 Irene Eighan (St Finbarrs, F40) Dungarvan (15) Feb 05
64:58 Michelle Lannon (Carric-on-Shan, F50) Dublin (Irish Runn) (13) Jul 23

2023 sees an increase in the number of visitors to the blog...

Before we get too far into the new year, this post is about 2023 and the level of traffic to the blog. At the end of 2023, I had a look at the level of traffic to the site and I noted a rise in the number of pageviews.

The number of monthly pageviews changes a lot over the course of the year but the stats for each December for the last few years gives a good overview of what it's been like.

Back in December of 2020, we were in some form of lockdown and there were no races. There were a few virtual runs with people doing their own thing but there's only so much you can write about when there's nothing really happening. The number of pageviews for December 2020 was down around the 31,000 mark.

I should add that 'pageviews' isn't the same as the number of people. If someone visits the blog every day then they'd generate about 30 pageviews for the month. If they visit once a week then it's 4 pageviews for the month.

By December 2021, some of the races had resumed and the blog shot up to 61,000 pageviews for the month.

By December 2022, most of the races had resumed but the race numbers were down on what they were. The number of pageviews to the site stayed around the same level with 56,000.

2023 saw a real recovery in the number of people doing races, parkruns and running in general. The figure for December 2023 was around 90,000 pageviews, a significant jump on the previous year.

For the year as a whole, the blog got 1.34 million pageviews. Again, that's not 1.34 million people but it's still a huge number of pageviews for a site about running in Cork.

The number of followers to the Running in Cork Facebook page continues to grow. At the moment, it has 19,259 followers and it reached 98,805 Facebook accounts in the last 28 days.

Some of the most popular Facebook posts in the last 90 days were...

• Post about the new Greenway from Frankfield to Tramore Valley Park - this one reached 280,547 Facebook accounts.
• Post about the lead women in the Clonmel 4-mile over Christmas - this reached 67,760 accounts.
• Post about the first three women in the Newmarket 5k - this reached 37,373 accounts.
• Post about the Clonakilty marathon moving location - this reached 37,016 accounts.
• Post about Cork runner Ryan Creech finishing second in the Dublin marathon - this reached 28,489 accounts.
• Post about Michelle Kenny winning the Rebel Run 10k - this reached 21,820 accounts.
• Post about Paul Hartnett finishing 3rd in the Clonmel 4m at Christmas - 18,658 accounts.
• Post about the Dungarvan to Mallow Greenway - 18,658 accounts

...and so on.

The thing about Facebook is that size really matters. If a page has say 1000 followers then a post reaching 5000 might be considered 'viral'. When a page has over 19,000 followers, the same 'viral' post is up over 90,000 accounts.

Twitter & Instagram... The Running in Cork Twitter / X account now has 3,492 followers. The Running in Cork Instagram account has 1,455 followers.

I guess if I was just starting off now, I'd probably be making more noise about these stats but I've been at this since late 2006. I hardly ever check the stats now and I just post away.

Looking at the stats got me thinking about how much of an impact does the blog have on the running scene in Cork? It's impossible to know for sure but 1.3 million pageviews per annum and reaching tens of thousands of accounts on Facebook must have some impact.

When I update the calendar on a regular basis, I'm often reminded that the running scene in Cork is not replicated in places like Limerick, Galway or Waterford. The number of races there is only a fraction of what happens in Cork.

Results of the Togher AC 5k road race - Sun 31st Dec 2023

First place finish for Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC

Despite the wind and rain, a total of 663 runners turned out for this years Togher AC 5k road race, a jump of 17% on the figure for 2022.

Top 5 men & women...
Place Athletes Name Club Time Category Bib
1 John Durcan Togher AC  15:21 MS 176
2 Heywood Richardson Leevale AC 15:24 MS 645
3 Daniel Buckley Leevale AC 15:26 MJ 31
4 Gavin Kenny Bandon AC  15:26 MS 331
5 Gavin Sweeney Togher AC  15:38 M40 769
25 Lizzie Lee Leevale AC  17:19 FS 343
39 Amy Pollman Daamen An Riocht AC 17:57 FS 752
46 Carol Finn Leevale AC 18:03 FS 780
51 Nicole Dinan Leevale AC  18:09 FS 749
57 Meadhbh Moynihan Leevale AC 18:17 FS 425

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Derek Costello has a gallery HERE

Results of the Shandrum AC 5k road race - Sat 30th Dec 2023

This 5k road race in north Cork attracted a field of 126 runners which is up 22% on last year and just one more than the 125 of Jan 2022.

Top 3 men & women...
 Place Athletes Name Club Time Division Bib
1 Anthony Mannix Cork Track Club AC     15:54 MS 123
2 Tadhg O Sullivan Bweeng Trail Blazers AC     16:16 MS 165
3 Thomas Mc Carthy Emerald AC     16:23 MS 125
11 Michelle Kenny Leevale AC     17:47 FS 190
17 Emma Flynn North Cork AC     19:18 FS 84
29 Michaela Flynn North Cork AC     20:57 FS 82

Full results HERE

Cork runners on the podium at the Clonmel 4-mile race on St Stephens Day - Tues 26th Dec 2023

One of the big races in Munster over the Christmas period was the Clonmel 4-mile road race on St Stephens Day. A total of 424 crossed the finish line, up 47% on last year.

In the men's race, Sean Tobin of Clonmel AC missed out on the course record of 17:45 he set in 2019 by just one second, recording a time of 17:46. Peter Lynch (KCH), last year's winner, was 38 seconds faster on this occasion when finishing second 17:59. Paul Hartnett of East Cork AC was third in a time of 18:51.

In the women's race, the first three all broke the previous course record! All three are pictured above at the start line.

Shona Heaslip (An Riocht AC - 88) and Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC - 330) both bettered the course record when both finished in a time of 20:46.

The previous course record of 21:32 was set back in 2017 by Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC - 118). Lizzie returned this year and broke her own record to finish in 3rd place in a time of 21:25.

Top 3 men & women...
Place Athletes Name Club Division Gun Chip Bib  
1 Sean Tobin Clonmel AC MS     17:46 246
2 Peter Lynch Kilkenny City Harriers MS  17:59 376
3 Paul Hartnett East Cork AC MS 18:51 86
19 Shona Heaslip An Riocht AC FS 20:46 88 Course Record
21 Annmarie McGlynn Letterkenny AC FS 20:46 330
28 Lizzie Lee Leevale AC FS 21:25 118

Results & photos... https://munsterrunning.blogspot.com/2023/12/results-photos-of-clonmel-4-mile-road.html

Sean Owens of sponsors MSD presenting the 3rd place prize to Paul Hartnett of East Cork AC 

Notice: Togher 5k road race in Cork City - Sun 31st Dec 2023

The annual Togher AC 5k is coming up over the Christmas period on Sunday the 31st of December 2023 at 11am. 

This is always a popular race and is one of the biggest in Cork over Christmas. As 5k courses go, this one is pretty fast and it's mostly around quiet housing estates.

Entries...The online entry fee is €15 and you can enter online HERE

Note that online entries close on the 28th of Dec.

From Togher AC... Every year, our annual Togher AC 5K Road Race brings both competitive and casual runners together for a tour through the neighbourhoods and streets of Togher. The race is open for everyone to partake in and takes place at the end of December.

WHERE: At Ryan’s Supervalu, Togher.
WHEN: Sunday 31st of December, 11am.
HOW MUCH: €15.
HOW TO REGISTER: https://eventmaster.ie/event/BvPYH23c8j

5k parkruns in Cork over the Christmas period... Dec 2023

While the usual 5k parkrun in Co Cork will go ahead on Sat 23rd & 30th of December, there are some additional 5k parkuns on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. They're shown above but here is a summary...

• Tramore Valley Park, Macroom, Mallow and Youghal will have parkruns just on the Saturdays.
• Bere Island and Castlehaven will have an additional parkrun on New Year's Day.
• Ballincollig, Glen River, Clonakilty and Glengarriff will have additional parkruns on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

A few days ago, I updated the calendar with a load of GOAL mile events and there are some runs as well in Whitechurch, Rathcormac & Kealkill.

See the calendar HERE

Addendum: Some of the Kerry parkruns...

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Turkey Trot 5k - Sun 17th Dec 2023

The annual Cork BHAA Turkey Trot 5k was held this year on Sunday 17th Dec 2023 and there were 351 finishers which as can be seen from the updated chart below is back to the numbers they were getting back in the 2013-2016 time period. 

This race was a bit unusual in that no watches were allowed and participants had to try and guess their finish time in advance.

A total of €4,800 was raised for the Cork Simon charity.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Dermot Ryan 17:11 
2 Gearoid O'Flynn 17:18 
3 Jason O'Mahony 17:33
6 Hannah Steeds 18:24 
8 Michelle Kenny 18:35 
17 Emma Doyle 20:05

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Joe Murphy has a few galleries... Pre-race ... Race 1 ... Race 2 ... Race 3... Race 4...

2) Mick Dooley has a nice festive gallery HERE

Notice: Cork BHAA Simon Turkey Trot 5k - Sun 17th Dec 2023

The last race of the year on the Cork BHAA calendar is the Cork Simon Turkey Trot which takes place on Sunday December 17 at 11am. Registration is at Blackrock Hurling Club from 9.30am.

Entry costs €10 for all runners regardless of being registered or not. Everybody will be asked for their estimated 5k time at registration and the closest actual time is the winner. Watches are not allowed.

The start / finish line area is about 1.2kms away from the race HQ at the GAA club. See map below.

Results & Photos of the Newmarket 5k - Sun 3rd Dec 2023

There was a record turnout of 495 runners for this years Newmarket 5k in NW Cork on Sun 2nd Dec 2023, a huge jump of almost 33% on the 323 that turned out last year. When you consider that this is a 5k race in north-west Cork in the middle of Winter, it's an impressive number.

When I was taking photos of this race at the start, I could tell it was something special. There were club singlets from across Munster and it was just locals. It looks as if a few fast runners from the NE of England also made the trip over just for this race.

When I was waiting for the runners at the finish line, the clock was just turning 14:00 and the first few men were already in the home straight as can be seen above. This is in marked contrast to many of the local road races where there are huge gaps at the front of the race. 

First place finish for Cathal O'Reilly of Kilkenny City Harriers AC with a time of 14:15 in a competitive race

In the Newmarket 5k, just 4-seconds separated the first 3 men with 8 going under 15 mins! An amazing 69 runners broke 17 mins with 208 under 20 mins.

Top 5 men & women...
1 Cathal O Reilly Kilkenny City Harriers AC     14:15 MS 12
2 Carl Avery Morpeth Harriers 14:17 MS 40
3 Paul Hartnett East Cork AC     14:19 MS 214
4 Ryan Creech Leevale AC     14:22 MS 115
5 Emmet Jennings Dundrum South Dublin AC     14:26 MS 245
61 Dymphna Ryan Dundrum AC     16:49 FS 17
73 Holly Carroll Blarney/Inniscara AC     17:04 FS 81
81 Carol Finn Leevale AC     17:15 FS 996
92 Lisa Hegarty Leevale AC     17:32 FS 220
106 Michelle Kenny Leevale AC     17:44 FS 266

Full results HERE

Photos... 

1) There are around 450 photos up on the Running in Cork Facebook page.

a) Pre-race & start

a) Finish line - 1 of 5 (14:00-17:30)
b) Finish line - 2 of 5 (17:30-20:00)
c) Finish line - 3 of 5 (20:00-22:40)
d) Finish line - 4 of 5 (22:40-26:40)
e) Finish line - 5 of 5 (26:40+)

2) Mick Dooley has a few albums
a) Start line
b) Finish line

First 3 men in the Newmarket 5k with the sponsors Ayrton Group & Fitness Solutions Mallow (L-R)...3rd Paul Hartnett (East Cork AC) 14:19, 1st Cathal O'Reilly (Kilkenny City Harriers AC) 14:15 & 2nd Carl Avery (Morpeth Harriers AC) 14:17

First 3 women in the Newmarket 5k with the sponsors Ayrton Group & Fitness Solutions Mallow (L-R)...2nd Holly Carroll (Blarney/Inniscara AC) 17:04, 1st Dymphna Ryan (Dundrum AC) 16:49 & 3rd Carol Finn (Leevale AC) 17:15

Some welcome visitors from the UK to the Newmarket 5k race with some fast finishing times! (L-R) 2nd Carl Avery (40) 14:17, 13th Peter Smallcombe (584) 15:08, 12th Ellis Hetherington (222) 15:04 & 9th George Lowry (292) 15:02

Dymphna Ryan (17) of Dundrum AC was the first woman home in the Newmarket 5k finishing in a time of 16:49. Also pictured is fellow club member Philip O'Dwyer (981) who finished in the same time

One of the rising stars on the Cork running scene...2nd place for Holly Carroll of Blarney/Inniscara AC with a time of 17:04

Notice: Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 3rd Dec 2023

This popular 5 km road race is coming up in the town of Newmarket in North-West Cork on Sunday the 3rd of December 2023. This is a fast 5k course and gets a good turnout every year. The race starts at 1pm.

Entries HERE

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

Results of the Clonakilty Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 25th Nov 2023

The 13th edition of the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon was held on Saturday 25th November 2023 with a total of 1237 runners taking part across the three events. The weather was cool and dry which contrasts with some of the previous years which were very wet.

As can be seen from the chart above, the numbers were well down on previous years. The marathon with 240 finishers was well down on the 400 or so which normally take part but at least it didn't get cancelled. The half-marathon had 594 finishers which is a steep drop from the usual 900 or so. The 10k had 402 finishers which is down on the 500 of last year.

Why the big drop???... First off, there was the whole debacle of where the event would be held? Going from Clonakilty to Courtmacsherry and back again.

However, the primary reason for the drop was probably the fact that entries only opened with 10-weeks to go. At that stage, a lot of people will have committed to other events and that's not even looking at the expense of trying to book accommodation in Clonakilty at the last moment. Events like this should be opening at least 6-months in advance.

The Clon Crew get a lot of criticism from a number of people but any event that can manage to attract over 1200 runners to Clonakilty on a cold day at the end of November isn't doing too bad.

Marathon - Top 3 men & women...
1 Tudor MOLDOVAN 2:30:58 1 M MS Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
2 Mike SHEEHY 2:49:31 189 M M40 West Limerick A.C.
3 Mike GRIFFIN 2:52:06 310 M M40 Mayo A.C.
1 Dolores DUFFY 3:39:04 1449 F F50 Watergrasshill A.C.
2 Kate SMITH 3:42:11 55 F FS
3 Emily AHERNE 3:44:36 201 F FS

Half-Marathon - Top 3 men & women...
1 Niall SHEIL 1:16:52 1463 M St. Killians A.C.
2 John O'BRIEN 1:19:35 1475 M Ballymore Cobh A.C.
3 Dan O'SULLIVAN 1:21:11 1690 M Donoughmore A.C.
1 Lorna WOLFE 1:26:24 1547 F Leevale A.C.
2 Karen WALSH 1:30:09 1146 F
3 Anita LOCKE 1:30:25 1657 F St. Finbarrs A.C.

10k - Top 3 men & women...
1 Mihai SPRINCEAN 29:51 2442 M Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
2 Mark WALSH 30:40 2438 M Leevale A.C.
3 Nathan Ryan O'HEHIR 32:46 824 M St. Finbarrs A.C.
1 Catherine MURPHY 36:24 2402 F Eagle A.C.
2 Genevieve COLLINS 42:22 2238 F Beara A.C.
3 Kate WALSH 43:14 2019 F

The results of all three events can be found HERE

Photos...

1) MyRunResults has a small gallery HERE

2) The organisers have a number of galleries out on the course...

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3

Results of the Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k - Sun 19th Nov 2023

The inaugural Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k road race in Cork City was held on Sunday 19th November 2023. The race was held in memory of the late Marc O'Sullivan and got a good turnout of 475 runners and walkers.

Top 3 men & women...

Pos Name Cat Prize Time Company Team
1 Niall Shanahan M1 00:15:17 Dept of Ed M-A-3
2 Aidan Noone M2 00:16:04 Dept of Ed M-A-3
3 Anthony Mannix M3 00:16:09 Dell Technologies M-A-2
27 Nadine Forde 0/40F F1 00:18:07 HSE
51 Irene Eighan 0/40F F2 00:19:43 Sterling F-A-1
53 Fiona Riordan 00:19:48 Temp Reg

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has 4 galleries...
a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4

Results of the Skibbereen 5m & 10m road races - Sun 19th Nov 2023

On what was a busy weekend for road races, a total of 142 runners turned out for this years Skibbereen 10-mile and 5-mile road races in West Cork.

Promoted by Skibbereen AC  

5-mile - Top 3 men & women...

Place Athletes Name Club Gun Category Bib
1 Justin Ryan Tri Club     28:21 SM 236
2 Aidan Mc Carthy     30:36 SM 82
3 Enda Fitzmaurice     31:00 SM 211
9 Julie O'Brien     33:35 SW 230
10 Orla Hayes     33:36 SW 240
16 Siobhan O Leary East Cork AC     34:57 SW 98

Full results HERE

10-mile - Top 3 men & women...
1 James Dolan An Riocht     55:43 SM 436
2 Danny Mullins Bantry AC     58:08 SM 411
3 Kevin Wilmot Bandon AC     58:45 SM 439
9 Nollaigh O Neill   1:05:55 SW 416
11 Clara Ryan St Finbarrs AC   1:06:48 SW 423
20 Ann O' Driscoll   1:15:58 SW 429

Full results HERE

Results of the Churchtown 10-mile road race - Sat 18th Nov 2023

There were 324 runners for the inaugural Churchtown 10-mile road race in N Cork on Sat 18th Nov 2023.

From the feedback I got, the course was nice and scenic but certainly not flat. It's probably on a par with the likes of the Kinsale or Cobh 10-miler rather than Dungarvan or Mallow.

Top 5 men & women...

 Place Athletes name Club Gun Chip Division Bib
1 John Kinsella Bilboa AC     54:04     54:04 SM 168
2 Paul Moloney Mallow AC     54:35     54:35 SM 218
3 Niall Gilchrist Hanwell     55:54     55:53 SM 114
4 Vivian Foley Eagle AC     56:22     56:22 M50 108
5 Michael Morgan St Finbarrs AC     56:36     56:36 M45 380
27 Niamh Cronin St Finbarrs AC   1:05:44   1:05:42 SF 60
29 Breda Gaffney Mallow AC   1:06:07   1:06:05 SF 112
30 Linda Kelly Carrigaline AC   1:06:31   1:06:30 SF 158
37 Rachel Finn Friars Walk   1:08:54   1:08:50 SF 96
44 Anne Marie Halpin Clonmel AC   1:09:51   1:09:43 F45 123

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Niamh Barrett has a gallery of about 140-photos HERE

and some photos of the first water stop HERE

2) Susan Daly Photography has a number of albums
a) Prizes & Groups
b) Finish line 1
c) Finish line 2
d) Finish line 3
e) Finish line 4

Friday Jigsaw: Olympic Silver Medalist Gary O'Donovan

For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a photo of Irish rower and Olympic Silver medalist Gary O'Donovan who was in the recent Run in the Dark 5k in Cork City.

Gary finished in 5th place in a time of 18:40 on the night.

This one has 126-pieces and you can find it HERE

Results & photos of the Run in the Dark 5k & 10k in Cork - Wed 15th Nov 2023

There was a strong recovery in numbers compared to 2022 for this years Run in the Dark event in Cork with just over 1500 runners and walkers crossing the finish line in Cork City.

In the 5k race, there were 760 finishers with another 749 in the 10k event.

The overall numbers over the last decade or so are shown at the end of the post. It's still down on the numbers of a few years ago but any event that gets 1500 people on a dark evening in Cork City in the middle of November is still impressive.

10k - Top 3 men & women...

1 Ryan MULROY (#1662) 35:05 
2 Keelan DESMOND (#1832) 35:43
3 Gerald O' SULLIVAN (#1585) 35:51
1 Brigid LONG (#831) Bord Gais 41:08
2 Trish HEGARTY (#965) 42:53
3 Roisin HURLEY (#1861) 43:36

10k results HERE

5k - Top 3 men & women...

1 Dermot RYAN (#5562) EY CORK 16:49
2 Alexis VIGNER (#1860) 17:42
3 Aaron KELLY (#1736) 18:33
1 Alison DONNELLY (#946) 19:20 
2 Eloisa Gayle MALLILLIN (#660) KPMG 19:59
3 Kathleen RYAN (#1698) Stryker RITD 2023 20:48

5k results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has a gallery of about 80 photos HERE

The 2023 Clonakilty Marathon is on the move again...

There's a bit of a saga with this one. The Clonakilty Waterfront marathon, half-marathon & 10k is usually held in late November /the start of December every year. There was some doubt if it was going ahead this year until the organisers announced the date eventually with just 10-weeks to go.

1) It was going to be held on Saturday the 25th of November 2023

2) It was going to be held in Courtmacsherry which is 15kms from Clonakilty... a kind of a Ryanair job.

So it was going to be the Clonakilty marathon but just not in Clonakilty.

I'm sure a lot of people didn't mind as it looked as if the three courses would be easier with fewer hills.

On the 11th of November, the organisers announced that they were going back to Clonakilty!

They wrote this on their website... "After the endless heavy rain falling over the past two weeks and the forecasted rain due to fall in the coming two weeks ,to avoid disappointing or cancelling the race we have taken the hard decision to move back to our original race course in Clonakilty and our Start /finish line in the Showgrounds based on the link N71 road next door to The Clonakilty Park Hotel .

We know some people may be disappointed in not running the stunning Courtmacsherry Bay route, we can only say we too are disappointed having tried everything to make it happen but unfortunately the weather is out of all our control as clearly witnessed by the devastating flooding all around Cork and the rest of the Country in the past few weeks .

We can only look forward and focus on providing a safe and great race day in Clonakilty this coming November 25th and we appreciate your understanding, support and patience."

Again, a lot of people won't be bothered but it does mean that the courses will be hillier. They had issues last year with a very muddy finishing stretch in Clonakilty which generated a lot of complaints so I don't know if that will be sorted this year?

One of the big problems with the Clonakilty Marathon is the time of year as they're at the mercy of the weather at the end of November. Even at this stage, there's no guarantee that the marathon route by Long Strand won't be flooded. 

No doubt the change of venue will generate some complaints but the event has a large fan base as well who will turn up regardless.

So for now, it's the 25th of November 2023 in Clonakilty......weather permitting.

Notice: Skibbereen 10-mile & 5-mile road races - Sun 19th November 2023

A 10-mile road race is often called a classic race at a classic distance as it requires both endurance and speed. Traditionally, most 10-milers take place in the Springtime but Skibbereen AC are holding one in West Cork on Sunday the 19th of November 2023. There is also a 5-mile option for anyone preferring a shorter distance.

This is very much a traditional type of road race with loads of refreshments afterwards (i.e. tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes, etc) and there are hot showers in the GAA club changing rooms.

Proceeds from both races go towards the Palliative Care Services in Skibbereen Community Hospital and the club itself.

Entries HERE

Registrations will also be taken on the day at the O Donovan Rossa GAA pavilion from 9am onwards. The entry fee for the 10 mile is 25 Euros while the entry fee for the 5 Mile run is 20 Euros.

The 10 Mile race will get underway at 1pm with the 5 Mile Run starting at 1:15pm.

Info from Skibbereen AC... Both races and walk start and finish at the entrance to the O Donovan Rossa GAA grounds. The entry fees are: