Overall results of the Cloyne Commons 4k Series - Nov 2024 to Mar 2025

The 16th of March marked the end of another successful Cloyne Commons 4K Series which started back in November of 2024. 

The average numbers per race was 280 with a high of 336 in the November edition and a low of 147 in February when the weather was awful.

164 runners completed 4 out of the 5 events to reach the level to get the series dry fit top while 36 did all 5 events.

These were the winners of the series...

The overall results for those who completed 4 and 5 events can be seen HERE

Results of the individual races...

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 17th Nov 2024 - 336 finishers

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 15th Dec 2024 - 333 finishers

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 19th Jan 2025 - 327 finishers

Results of the Cloyne 4k - Sun 23rd Feb 2025 - 147 finishers

Results of the Cloyne 4k - Sun 16th March 2025 - 258 finishers

Most popular Half-Marathon races in Ireland in 2024

I had a recent post about the top 10-mile races in Ireland in 2024 up on the blog. In this post, we'll look at the most popular half-marathons in Ireland in 2024.

During the year, I've been tracking all of the half-marathon races in Ireland and I think I've got most if not all of them. As far as I can tell, there were just over 90 half-marathon events in Ireland in 2024.

The most popular half-marathon in the country is the Dublin Half which was held in late September. No doubt a lot of people were using this as part of their training for the Dublin Marathon at the end of October.

It's probably no great surprise that Dublin is at number one considering the population of the capital and the huge pool of runners in Dublin and the surrounding counties. This would also explain why the two editions of the Clontarf Half in July and November come in at numbers 6 and 4 on the list.

Belfast as the second largest city in Ireland also comes in second place in terms of half marathon numbers.

The Cork City Half-Marathon on the June Bank Holiday weekend was in third place and just 24 finishers ahead of Clontarf.

The Great Limerick Run Half-Marathon did very well and was just over 200 runners shy of the Cork numbers despite being a smaller city.

The Waterford Half in November was in 9th place and significantly ahead of the Waterford Viking Half in June which was in 20th place.

Some of the races on the list have their numbers limited for various reasons. One such event is the Dingle Half at number 10. This one sells out about 10 months ahead of the race and would no doubt get many more runners if they could accommodate them.

The Charleville Half-Marathon got a boost from hosting the National Half-Marathon Championships in 2024 and came in at number 13. The question now is will they manage to hold onto those numbers in 2025 as the half-marathon championships move up to Tullamore?

Tullamore which is at 22 got a boost from hosting the 2023 championships and managed to hang onto the gains in 2024.

Other 'local' half-marathons of interest were... The Run Kilarney Half was at 23 and just outside the top 20 with the sister Run Kilkee Half in Co Clare at 27. The inaugural Youghal Half finished in a credible 29th place. The Waterford Greenway Half is another one that has to limit the numbers and comes in at number 31. The Border Half in Limerick was number 34 and Clonmel comes in at number 37.

In the bottom half, we have the Stone Mad Half in Blarney at 44 and the Tralee and the Surf n Turf in positions 47 and 48. The new Skibbereen Half is at 53.

Back in the Kingdom, we have Tralee at 47, Kerryhead at 51, Gap of Dunloe at 55, Valentia at 56 and Ballybunion at 74.

Beyond this and you're into events with fewer than 100 finishers.

Looking at the overall list, there are more than double the number of half-marathon events compared to 10-mile races and it remains one of the most popular distances and targets for runners.

Top 10-mile road races in Ireland in 2024...

Before the Spring 2025 season of 10-milers gets going, let's have a look back at the most popular 10-mile road races in Ireland in 2024.

During the year, I've been tracking all of the 10-mile races in Ireland and I think I've got most if not all of them. As far as I can tell, there were about thirty-seven 10-mile races in Ireland in 2024.

The top 10 races by size are shown above and two races stick out above the rest. The Frank Duffy 10-mile in Dublin is an autumn race and with nearly 3,300 finishers is the largest one in the country. The John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile in Co Waterford is the largest spring 10-mile road race with just over 2,800 finishers.

The Irish Runner 10-mile in Dublin was another autumnal race with almost 1800 finishers and heads up a long list of events that gradually taper off in terms of numbers.

It's interesting to note that the Trim 10-mile at #4 was actually held on the same day as the Dungarvan 10m race.

Three Cork races made it into the top 10... Mallow was 7th, Kinsale was 8th and Cobh was 9th. Other notable 10-mile races in Cork & Munster making it into the top half were the Kilkishen 10m in Co Clare at #14 and the Churchtown 10-mile in north Cork at #15.

In the lower half, we have the Beat the Train 10m in Kilmeadan at #19, the Michal Rejmer 10m organised by Dooneen AC in Limerick at #21, the Gap of Dunloe 10m at #23, Tralee 10m at #25, Kilsheelan in Co Tipperary at #31 and the Mooreabbey 10m at #33. 

If we go back a decade or so, the pecking order for top 10-mile races in Cork was as follows... Ballycotton #1, Dungarvan #2 and Mallow was a clear #3. If we look at 2024, the gap between the Mallow, Kinsale & Cobh is much smaller and it's no longer obvious which one might the top 10-miler in Cork in 2025.

Top spring 10-milers in Cork... The chart below shows the recent history of the top spring 10-milers in Co Cork.

Mallow... With the demise of the Ballycotton 10m, the Mallow race got a boost in numbers and was promoted to being the largest Spring 10-mile road race in Co Cork. It reached a peak in 2019 but unlike others, it never recovered post pandemic. The 2024 numbers were down about a third on the peak of 2019 and it's now just ahead of Kinsale and Cobh.

Kinsale... This one is very much the new kid on the block. It bounced back nicely after the pandemic and is now challenging for the top spot, a really good performance considering it's a relatively new race.

Cobh... The Cobh 10-mile or to give it its full title, the Sonia O'Sullivan Cobh 10-mile road race is another one that got a boost post Ballycotton. Like Kinsale, it has bounced back post pandemic and hit an all time high in 2024.

Top spring 10-milers in Cork in 2025??? ... Looking ahead, we have a new 10-miler in Midleton joining the fray and is likely to dilute the numbers for the existing Cork races. Which one will be the top Spring 10-mile in Co Cork in 2025?

Top Cork BHAA races of 2024...

The Cork BHAA races are some of the most popular on the road race calendar. In this post, we'll look back at what the most popular Cork BHAA races were in 2024.

As can be seen from the chart above, the most popular race was the John Buckley Sports 5k! In 2024, this one  had over 1000 finishers and I think that might have been a first for a Cork BHAA race.

The next three were the PwC 5k, the Gas Networks Ireland 5k and the Musgrave 5k and all three were a step above the rest.

The numbers gradually taper away and the races are a mix of warm summer evening races and cool winter morning events.

The least popular race was the ESB cross country 5k and this reflects the fact that most people don't like cross country.

In a previous post, I had a look at the Cork BHAA calendar for 2025... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2024/12/cork-bhaa-calendar-for-2025-announced.html

I'd have no doubt that the races this year will be as popular as ever.

Guest Post: IRISH 10-MILE RANKINGS 2024 ...by John Walshe

What follows is a ranking list over the popular 10-mile distance for all men (under 55:00) and women (under 65:00) for the year 2024.

This list 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.

Although the popularity of the 10-mile distance cannot be denied, the standards up front show a decline in performances from previous years.

In 2024, the fastest women’s time was the 56:23 recorded by national marathon champion Ann-Marie McGlynn. In both 2022 and 2023 Aoife Cooke led the way with respective times of 54:19 and 54:50.

The numbers of performances for women under 60:00 was 20, compared with 18 in 2023 and 34 in 2022. The total to make the cut-off standard of 65:00 was 111, somewhat similar to 2023 (106) and 2022 (117).

However, the men’s list is somewhat more alarming. Just two men – Hugh Armstrong and Keelan Kilrehill – broke 50 minutes in 10-mile races in 2024. The previous two years showed nine (2023) and eight (2022).

Even allowing for the half-dozen or so not on this list who undoubtedly were inside 50 minutes in their half-marathons, it still leaves less inside this standard than some individual races had in the past.

The total number of performances for men under the 55:00 cut-off was also well down at 99, compared with 147 (2023) and 127 (2022).

The Irish Runner race in the Phoenix Park (which incorporated the national championship) saw the highest standard amongst the men with 21 finishing under 55:00 while Trim, with 17 under 65:00, was the top race for the women.

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

MEN

49:29 Hugh Armstrong (Ballina) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 17
49:56 Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valle) Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 21
50:12 Armstrong Naas (1) Mar 03
50:28 Conor Duffy (Glaslough) Edenderry (1) Jul 14
50:50 Peter Somba (Dunboyne) Mallow (1) Mar 24
50:50 Sean Doyle (Cork City) Mallow (2) Mar 24
51:11 Ger Forde (KCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 21
51:12 Jamie Fallon (Craughwell) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 21
51:31 Conor Duffy (Glaslough) Trim (1) Feb 04
51:32 Jake O’Regan (St Johns) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 21
51:33 Somba Trim (2) Feb 04
51:37 Sean Tobin (Clonmel) Kilsheelan (1) Mar 17
51:37 William Maunsell (Clonmel) Kilsheelan (2) Mar 17
51:37 Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork) Cobh (1) Apr 07
51:57 Oisin Spillane (Ennis TC) Dungarvan (1) Feb 04
51:58 John-Paul Williamson (DCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 21
52:01 John Kinsella (Bilboa, M40) Dungarvan (2) Feb 04
52:01 Martin Hoare (Celbridge) Trim (3) Feb 04
52:02 Somba Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 17
52:05 O’Donoghue Kinsale (1) Feb 25
52:09 David Glynn (unatt) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 17
52:13 Glynn Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 21
52:19 Matthew McKeekin (Sligo) Sligo (1) Sep 22
52:24 Killian Mooney (DSD) Roscommon (1) Jun 29
52:26 Williamson Roscommon (2) Jun 29
52:32 Ieuan Hopkins (Brothers Pearse) Dungarvan (3) Feb 04
52:33 Gareth King (Portadown) Armagh (1) Oct 06
52:34 Conor McAuley (Leevale, M40) Mallow (3) Mar 24
52:37 Eanna O’Bradaigh (DSD) Edenderry (2) Jul 14
52:40 Somba Limerick (1) Apr14
52:42 Paul Moloney (Mallow, M40) Mallow (4) Mar 24
52:42 Eanna O’Bradaigh (DSD) Roscommon (3) Jun 29
52:44 Eddie O’Connor (Brothers Pearse) Dungarvan (4) Feb 04
52:53 Timothy Johnston (Annadale) Derry (1) Mar 09
52:53 Evan Fitzgerald (unatt) Cobh (2) Apr 07
52:53 Eoghan Barry (DCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 21
52:56 Pat Fitzgerald (Waterford) Dungarvan (5) Feb 04
52:57 Fitzgerald Kinsale (2) Feb 25
53:04 Liam Naughton (DCH) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (4) Aug 17
53:08 Karl Fitzmaurice (Shannon) Limerick (2) Apr 14
53:10 Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley) Derry (2) Mar 09
53:12 Edward McGinley (unatt, M40) Larne (1) Apr 13
53:13 Vinny Connolly (Mullingar) Kilcock (1) Aug 18
53:16 Shane Collins (Leevale) Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 21
53:19 Collins Mallow (5) Mar 24
53:20 Stephen Conroy (Clane) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 21
53:21 Mooney Edenderry (3) Jul 14
53:21 Brian Conroy (Clane, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(10) Jul 21
53:27 Mossy Bracken (Moycarkey-Coolcroo) Dungarvan (6) Feb 04
53:30 Tomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(11) Jul 21
53:31 Mihail Sprincean (Clonliffe) Stook (1) Mar 03
53:32 Brian Murphy (Iveragh, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(12) Jul 21
53:35 David Rooney (Raheny) Dublin (Irish Runner)(13) Jul 21
53:39 Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe, M4) Kinsale (3) Feb 25
53:40 Kevin Moore (Mullingar) Edenderry (4) Jul 14
53:42 Cillian O’Leary (Raheny, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(14) Jul 21
53:42 James Elgar (GCH) Corofin Loop (1) Nov 03
53:43 Fitzmaurice Churchtown (Mallow) (1) Nov 16
53:44 John Durcan (Togher) Cobh (3) Apr 07
53:46 David Mahon (GCH) Cobh (4) Apr 07
53:50 John Meade (St Finbarrs, M40) Mallow (6) Mar 24
53:50 Fitzpatrick Dublin (Frank Duffy) (5) Aug 17
53:51 Forde Trim (4) Feb 04
53:56 Gavin Kelly (Clane, M45) Dublin (Irish Runner)(15) Jul 21
53:58 Collins Cobh (5) Apr 07
53:59 Alexander Wallace (St Cocas) Castleblaney (1) Jul 27
54:00 Bracken Fethard (1) Jul 28
54:06 Michael Brady (Raheny) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (6) Aug 17
54:07 Barry Twohig (St Finbarrs, M45) Mooreabbey (1) Jul 07
54:12 Colin Griffin (Ballinamore, M40) Trim (5) Feb 04
54:15 Patrick Maher (unatt) Mallow (7) Mar 24
54:16 Karl Nolan (Clonliffe) Raheny (1) Apr 01
54:18 Mathew Glennon (Mullingar) Edenderry (5) Jul 14
54:18 O’Leary Kilcock (2) Aug 18
54:19 John Shine (Leevale) Mallow (8) Mar 24
54:20 Derek Griffin (unatt) Mallow (9) Mar 24
54:20 Somba Kilbeggan (1) Aug 04
54:21 David Meehan (Tulla) Dublin (Irish Runner)(16) Jul 21
54:22 Dermot Gorman (Carrick-on-Suir, M40) Dungarvan (7) Feb 04
54:27 Kevin Donagher (Rath-WSAF, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(17) Jul 21
54:28 Chris Madden (Beechmount) Larne (2) Apr 13
54:28 Mick Fogarty (Ferbane, M45) Edenderry (6) Jul 14
54:31 Chris Jeuken (Derg) Cobh (6) Apr 07
54:31 Tony Forristal (East Cork) Cobh (7) Apr 07
54:31 Louis McCarthy (Rath-WSAF, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(18) Jul 21
54:32 Donal Coakley (Leevale) Dublin (Irish Runner)(19) Jul 21
54:37 Gorman Edenderry (7) Jul 14
54:38 Michael McMahon (North Cork, M40) Mallow (10) Mar 24
54:39 Forristal Stook (2) Mar 03
54:43 Coakley Mallow (11) Mar 24
54:46 Gorman Mooreabbey Jul 07
54:46 Declan O’Mara (DSD, MJ) Edenderry (8) Jul 14
54:47 Griffin Dublin (Irish Runner)(20) Jul 21
54:47 John Lenehan (City of Derry) Motherwell (21) Mar 31
54:49 Shane O’Donnell (Rosses) Derry (3) Mar 09
54:51 Barry Sheil (Longford, M40) Dublin (Irish Runner)(21) Jul 21
54:53 Anthony Sharkey (Raheny) Raheny (2) Apr 01
54:58 Noel McNally (Roadrunners, M40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (7) Aug 17
54:59 Gorman Fethard (2) Jul 28

WOMEN

56:23 Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny, F40) Trim (1) Feb 04
56:58 Grace Lynch (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 21
57:08 Michelle Finn (Leevale) Cobh (1) Apr 07
57:13 Aoife Kilgannon (Sligo) Sligo (1) Sep 22
57:20 Catherine Mullen (Metro-St Brigids) Trim (2) Feb 04
58:25 Becky Woods (unatt) Naas (1) Mar 03
58:31 Niamh Moore (Leevale) Mallow (1) Mar 24
58:41 Noreen Scanlan (Lettterkenny, F40) Bundoran (1) Mar 02
59:09 Kealy Tideswell (Clonmel, F40) Mallow (2) Mar 24
59:09 Moore Roscommon (1) Jun 29
59:15 Ciara Wilson (DMP) Dungarvan (1) Feb 04
59:15 Breege Connolly (CNDR, F45) Sligo (2) Sep 22
59:16 Adrianna Mulligan (Longford) Trim (3) Feb 04
59:21 Claire Fagan (Mullingar) Ardagh (1) Dec 28
59:30 Caitlyn Harvey (Ro:sses) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 17
59:35 Heather Murphy (St Michaels, FJ) Edenderry (1) Jul 14
59:39 Murphy Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 21
59:45 Rachel Birt (Annalee) Kilbeggan (1) Aug 04
59:55 Tideswell Cobh (2) Apr 07
59:57 Tideswell Churchtown (Mallow) (1) Nov 16
60:09 Catherine Thornton (GCH) Trim (4) Feb 04
60:10 Faye Dervan (DCH) Kilcock (1) Aug 18
60:11 Sally Forristal (St Josephs) Dungarvan (2) Feb 04
60:14 Cristin Scollard (DCH) Dungarvan (3) Feb 04
60:33 Catherine Whoriskey (C of Derry, F35) Bundoran (2) Mar 02
60:35 Tideswell Kilsheelan (1) Mar 17
60:37 Caitlyn Harvey (RRAC) Trim (5) Feb 04
60:38 Sorcha McAllister (DCH) Edenderry (2) Jul 14
60:45 Helen McCready (Rosses, F35) Derry (1) Mar 09
60:48 Clare McGuigan (Lifford-Strabane,F40) Larne (1) Apr 13
60:53 Tideswell Stook (1) Mar 03
60:58 Fiona Roche (Raheny, F40) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 21
61:09 Sheila O’Byrne (Sli Cualann) Kilcock (2) Aug 18
61:16 Tideswell Stook (1) Nov 10
61:19 Dee Grady (Ennis TC, F35) Dungarvan (4) Feb 04
61:22 Sarah Mulligan (DSD) Edenderry (3) Jul 14
61:22 Robyn McKee (Annadale) Armagh (1) Oct 06
61:33 Lauren Dermody (Castlecomer) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 21
61:37 Sarah Flanagan (Raheny, F40) Raheny (1) Apr 01
61:37 Caroline MacNabb (East Down) Portaferry (1) Jul 16
61:43 Aisling O’Connor (Edenderry) Naas (2) Mar 03
61:45 Kate Kelly (Athlone) Athlone (1) May 18
61:46 Fiona Stack (Raheny, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 17
61:49 Mulligan Roscommon (2) Jun 29
61:54 Meghan Ryan (DCH) Trim (6) Feb 04
62:00 Sarah Baryga (Sli Cualann, F45) Trim (7) Feb 04
62:00 Noreen Brouder (Sportsworld, F45) Trim (8) Feb 04
62:05 Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry, F45) Trim (9) Feb 04
62:05 Caroline Hassett (Templemore, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 17
62:10 Noémie Leduc (Grange-Fermoy) Dungarvan (5) Feb 04
62:22 Dee Collins (Ennis TC, F35) Roscommon (3) Jun 29
62:27 Stack Bundoran (3) Mar 02
62:28 Evelyn Coughlan (Tullamore) Ardagh (2) Dec 28
62:35 Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry, F45) Raheny (2) Apr 01
62:35 Eavan McLoughlin (DCH) Edenderry (4) Jul 14
62:37 Maria Ní Mhaolagáin (Rosses) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (4) Aug 17
62:39 Catherine Murphy (Eagle, F45) Dungarvan (6) Feb 04
62:43 Dympna Ryan (Dundrum, F40) Fethard (1) Jull 28
62:43 Pamela Kirk (Roadrunners, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (5) Aug 17
62:45 Emma Furey (St Laur O’Toole, F35) Dungarvan (7) Feb 04
62:46 Evelyn Twomey (unatt) Dungarvan (8) Feb 04
62:46 Adele Walsh (St Senans, F45) Dungarvan (9) Feb 04
62:52 Ciara Cunningham (Tir Chonaill) Bundoran (4) Mar 02
62:52 Kirk Portaferry (2) Jul 16
62:54 Aoife O’Leary (Sportsworld, F40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (6) Aug 17
62:55 Aedin Corr (Donore, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 21
63:03 Sinead Lambe (Metro-St Brigids) Trim (10) Feb 04
63:08 O’Leary Trim (11) Feb 04
63:17 Ciara O’Connor (Edenderry) Trim (12) Feb 04
63:30 Maria McCambridge (DSD, F40) Roscommon (4) Jun 29
63:33 Aoife Cooke (Eagle, F35) Kinsale (1) Feb 25
63:33 Theresa Hughes (F40) Athlone (2) May 18
63:37 Nollaig O’Neill (unatt, F50) Dungarvan (10) Feb 04
63:38 Hassett Dungarvan (11) Feb 04
63:38 Murphy (Eagle) Kinsale (2) Feb 25
63:39 Kerrie Maher (Edenderry) Trim (13) Feb 04
63:45 Meghan McCarthy (KCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 21
63:49 Michelle Kenny (Leevale, F40) Kilsheelan (2) Mar 17
63:51 Elisoa Crawford (North Belfast, F50) Larne (2) Apr 13
63:54 Ciara Brady (Raheny) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 21
63:55 O’Leary Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 21
63:57 McCambridge Edenderry (5) Jul 14
64:01 Emma Boyle (Craughwell) Craughwell (1) Sep 01
64:04 Leduc Mallow (3) Mar 24
64:06 Sinead Murtagh (Newcastle & D, F40) Portaferry (3) Jul 16
64:16 Nadine Forde (Leevale, F40) Edenderry (6) Jul 14
64:16 Donnellan Kilcock (3) Aug 18
64:16 Niamh Staunton (St Abbans) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (7) Aug 17
64:16 Jane-Ann Healy-Meehan (GCH, F40) Craughwell (2) Sep 01
64:18 Catherine O’Connor (unatt, F45) Trim (14) Feb 04
64:18 Maebh Brannigan (GCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 21
64:23 Niamh Cronin (St Finbarrs, F45) Mallow (4) Mar 24
64:25 Murtagh Trim (15) Feb 04
64:25 Aisling Wyer (unatt) Naas (3) Mar 03
64:28 Murna Griffin-O’Malley (unatt, F45) Mallow (5) Mar 24
64:29 Murphy Cobh (3) Apr 07
64:30 Aoife Carroll (Sportsworld) Kilcock (4) Aug 18
64:31 Brady Raheny (3) Apr 01
64:33 Louise Smith (North Belfast, F50) Larne (3) Apr 13
64:34 Ciara Broderick-Farrell (Liffey Valley) Kilcock (5) Aug 18
64:36 Jane Bandila (Dunboyne, F40) Trim (16) Feb 04
64:38 Nadine McIntyre (Enniskillen) Bundoran (5) Mar 02
64:41 Healy-Meehan Coroifin Loop (1) Nov 03
64:46 Eiimear McCracken (Annadale, F40) Portaferry (4) Jul 16
64:47 Adrienne Jordan (unatt, F45) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (8) Aug 17
64:48 Dee O’Keefe (Brothers Pearse, F45) Dungarvan (12) Feb 04
64:48 Lauren O’Sullivan (unatt) Trim (17) Feb 04
64:49 Linda Grogan (Dundrum, F40) Danesfort Jun 09
64:52 Kathleen Law (Ballymena, F35) Larne (4) Apr 13
64:57 Siobhan Hoare (Togher, F45) Dungarvan (13) Feb 04
64:59 Breda Gaffney (Mallow, F50) Kinsale (3) Feb 25

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 28th Dec 2024

The last of the free timed 5k runs on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway for 2024 was held on Sat 28th Dec.

Results of the Togher 5k - Sun 29th Dec 2024

The annual Togher 5k was held this year on Sunday 29th Dec 2024 with 774 runners crossing the finish line. It's interesting to see that it has taken a full 4-years to get back close to the -pre-pandemic numbers.

Top 3 men & women...

1 John Durcan Togher AC MS 15:13 198
2 Robert Troy Liscarroll AC MS 15:20 915
3 Conor McCauley Leevale AC M40 15:23 436
40 Carol Finn Leevale AC FS 17:41 208
48 Noreen Brouder Sportsworld AC F45 17:59 825

54 Emma Fitzpatrick Castlemartyr FS 18:13 214

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some pre-race photos HERE and some finish line photos HERE

Results of the Shandrum 5k - Sat 28th Dec 2024

The annual Shandrum 5k in north Cork was held this year on Sat 28th Dec 2024 with 123 crossing the finish line. This is down a bit on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Killian Lynch West Limerick AC MS   15:50 288
2 Aaron Lynch West Limerick AC MJ  16:32 266
3 Oisin Bates Shannon MS   16:45 9
14 Sarah Gayer Naas AC FS 20:39 148
20 Fiona Boyce North Cork AC FS  21:23 679
22 Mary Buckley Donoughmore AC F50   21:52 23

Full results... https://www.premiertimingsystems.ie/2024-results/Shandrum-AC-5K-Results

Guest Post: Clonmel 4-mile ...by John Walshe

Hannah Steeds, second female, receiving her prize from David Keogh

CLONMEL 4-Mile 

(26th Dec 2024)

There was an international flavour to the MSD/Clonmel 4-mile road race with the appearance of US marathon record holder Emily Sisson. And the two-time Olympian didn’t disappoint as she smashed Shona Heaslip’s year-old course record of 20:46 by 17 seconds when finishing third overall in a time of 20:29.

Sisson set her American best of 2:18:29 at Chicago two years ago and qualified for this year’s Olympics with a second place in the US Marathon Trials, going on to finish 23rd in Paris in 2:29:53. At Toyko 2016, she had a 10th place finish in the 10,000m, an event in which she has a personal best of 30:49.57.

Married to Waterford man Shane Quinn, both attended Providence College where they were coached by Ray Treacy. Shane is son of Brendan Quinn, the Irish record holder in the 3000m steeplechase. Brendan’s time of 8:24.09 has remained unbroken for almost 40 years, having set it in Brussels in August of 1985. That improved on Liam O’Brien’s 8:27.24 from the previous year and both times still remain top of the Irish all-time list.

Winner Kane Collins receiving his prize from David Keogh of sponsors MSD

Second place in Clonmel went to Leevale’s Hannah Steed in 21:27 with Grace Richardson from Kilkenny third in 21:30. There was a Cork winner of the men’s race, although Kilbrin native Kane Collins was representing Donore Harriers. Collins – who ran 2:24:19 in September’s Berlin Marathon – recorded 19:56, 10 seconds ahead of Ben Coughlan from Clonliffe with Donal Coakley of Leevale taking the third prize in 20:49.

With almost 600 finishers, the long-established St Stephen’s Day race was another outstanding success and a credit to both the promoting Clonmel AC and sponsors MSD.

Clonmel 4m Dec 2024 Results

Keith Kelly from Youghal, first in the M40 category, receiving his prize from David Keogh

Results & Photos of the Newmarket 5k - Sun 8th Dec 2024

There was a huge jump in numbers for this years Newmarket 5k road race in NW Cork on Sun 8th Dec 2024 with a total of 721 runners crossing the finish line, up almost 48% on last year.

This is now one of the premier club 5k road races in Co Cork with 124 runners finishing under 18-mins and 266 finishing under 20-mins which is just over 36% of the field.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Michael Power West Waterford AC 14:34 MS 854
2 Ryan Creech Leevale AC 14:48 MS 1225
3 Gavin O'Rourke Leevale AC  14:50 MS 800
32 Shona Heaslip An Riocht AC  15:53 FS 1216
49 Ide Nicdhomhnaill West Limerick AC 16:23 F35 637
80 Niamh Moore Leevale AC 17:09 FS 864

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) There are loads of photos up on the Running in Cork Facebook page.
a) Pre-race photos
b) Finish Line - Album 1 of 6
c) Finish Line - Album 2 of 6

d) Finish Line - Album 3 of 6

e) Finish Line - Album 4 of 6

f) Finish Line - Album 5 of 6

g) Finish Line - Album 6 of 6

First place finish for Michael Power of West Waterford AC

Shona Heaslip of An Ríocht AC was the first woman home

Jump in numbers for the Waterford Half-Marathon but was the course short??? - 30th Nov 2024

The annual Waterford Half-Marathon organised by Waterford AC was held on Saturday 30th Nov 2024 on what turned out to be a windy, misty but mild morning. This is in marked contract to last year which was bitterly cold.

Numbers... There was a total of 2162 finishers this year, a jump of just over 22%. This makes it the 9th largest half-marathon in Ireland for 2024 and it's certainly the largest half in the south-east.

It's also worth noting that it is far bigger than the Viking Half-Marathon which takes place in late June every year. Not sure why?

Why the big jump this year? In 2023, the organisers didn't open the entries until the start of 3rd of October, just two months before race day on . A lot of people had been wondering if the race was going ahead at all and by the time the entries opened, many people had made other plans. Even by the end of November 2023, they were still taking entries.

The end result was a 6.7% drop in numbers from 2022.

For the 2024 race, thing couldn't have been more different. The club opened entries on the 6th of December 2023, just 3 days after the 2023 race. There was no doubt about the 2024 race going ahead and people had most  of 2024 to enter. It sold out on the 12th of November and the jump in numbers can be seen in the chart above. It was in fact the 4th highest ever in terms of numbers for this event.

Results...

Top 5 men & women
1 Ryan CREECH 1:06:59 2616 M MS Leevale A.C.
2 Stephen CASHIN 1:08:23 290 M MS Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
3 Tomas FITZPATRICK 1:10:58 2673 M M40 Tallaght A.C.
4 Dermot GORMAN 1:13:00 862 M M40 Carrick-on-Suir A.C.
5 David POWER 1:13:13 2150 M M40 Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.
1 Fiona KEHOE 1:23:29 1140 F F40 Kilmore A.C.
2 Emma FUREY 1:23:29 812 F FS St. L. O'Toole A.C.
3 Catherine MURPHY 1:23:44 1693 F F45 Eagle A.C.
4 Adele WALSH 1:24:00 2511 F F45 St. Senans A.C.
5 Sabina WILLIAMS 1:24:41 2577 F F40 Croghan A.C.

Full results HERE

Was the course short??? ... At least three different people told me that the course was short. One said that they got 12.95 miles on their GPS watch for the course rather than just over 13.1 miles. They felt that the course was about 320 metres too short.

It's worth noting that there was an out and back section on the course as well as some obstructions from evergreen trees in places which can play havoc with GPS. Still though, there is still a valid concern about how accurate the course was.

Waterford AC had this route map online for the 2024 race...

You'll notice that there is a reasonable out and back section. I pass this point while I was cycling from the race start to Dungarvan and I took this photo by chance...

The photo shows the start of the out and back section. Was the error here? Was it somewhere else?

It seems to have the only glitch on what was a good event.

Results of the Glenville 4-mile - Sun 24th Nov 2024

Top 3 men & women...
73 Hegarty Denis Leevale A.C. Overall Male 20:07
241 Twohig Barry St. Finbarrs A.C. M 45 20:23
350 Walsh Mark Leevale A.C. Overall Male  20:26
240 Rynne Sharon Leevale A.C. F 35 23:04
267 Tideswell Kealey Clonmel A.C. F 40 23:08
46 Kelly Linda Watergrasshill A.C. F 50 25:11

Full results below...
 Bib # Last Name First Name Team Name Eligible Division(s) Finishing Time
73 Hegarty Denis Leevale A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:20:07
241 Twohig Barry St. Finbarrs A.C. M 45 00:20:23
350 Walsh Mark Leevale A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:20:26
113 Liepins Kristaps Watergrasshill A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:20:37
80 O Leary Nathan Leevale A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:21:02
355 Noone Aidan Leevale A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:21:08
302 Merritt Colin M 50 00:21:09
205 Murphy Damian West Waterford A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:21:44
198 Quirke Michael Mallow A.C. Overall Male Runner 00:22:09

1st Dash on the N73 photos - Sun 17th Nov 2024

A section of the N73 road from Mallow to Mitchelstown has been refurbished recently and Ballygown National School has an organised run on it near the school.

The event was called the 1st Dash on the N73 and it was held on Sun 17th Nov 2024.

While most of the participants were walkers, there were some runners there as well.

A photo galley of the runners can be seen HERE

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 17th Nov 2024

The first race of five in the Cloyne Commons Winter Series was held on Sun 17th Nov 2024 with 336 runners taking part.

Top 3 men & women...

 Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 240 Michael Harty East Cork AC M40 11:58
2 275 Conor McAuley Leevale AC M40 12:38
3 69 Aidan Noone Leevale AC M 12:50
9 50 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 14:22
10 18 Nadine Forde Leevale AC F40 14:30
18 1994 Tamzin Muldowney East Cork AC F 15:16

Full results below...

Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 240 Michael Harty East Cork AC M40 11:58
2 275 Conor McAuley Leevale AC M40 12:38
3 69 Aidan Noone Leevale AC M 12:50
4 112 David Barrett Ballymore/Cobh M 13:08
5 99 Kenneth Kelleher East Cork AC M45 13:09
6 110 Kieran McKeown Grange Fermoy AC M50 13:47
7 251 Seamus McSweeney Grange Fermoy AC M50 14:03
8 62 Paul Spiteri Midleton AC M45 14:13
9 50 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 14:22
10 18 Nadine Forde Leevale AC F40 14:30
11 61 Cillian Histon Ballymore/Cobh M 14:36
12 7 Andrew de Klerk Ballintotis Fit 4 Life M45 14:40
13 89 Aaron McEvoy East Cork AC M 14:42
14 41 Michael O Mahony Walsh St Nicks MJ 14:53
15 103 Aaron Harte Unattached M 14:59
16 241 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:59
17 79 Liam Walsh Pat Walsh Running M 15:07
18 1994 Tamzin Muldowney East Cork AC F 15:16
19 243 John Connolly Aghada RC M40 15:26
20 384 Conor Bakx Unattached M 15:29

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k - 17th Nov 2024

The Cork BHAA Clearstream 5k was held in Cork City on Sun 17th Nov 2024 on what was a nice mild sunny morning.

There was a total of 487 finishers which is up 2.5% on the 475 last year.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Gavin O'Rourke M1 00:15:17 Eli Lilly M-A-3
2 Daniel Buckley M2 00:15:20 Ken's Track Club M-A-2
3 Nathan O Leary M3 00:15:42 Army
45 Siobhan Hoare 0/45F F1 00:18:26 Bon Secours F-A-2
69 Linda O Connor 0/50F F2 00:19:02 Musgrave
79 Olive Kelly 00:19:38 Temp Reg

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Derek Costello has three galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3

Results & Photos of the Churchtown 10-mile road race in N Cork - Sat 16th Nov 2024

The second edition of the Churchtown 10-mile road race in N Cork was held on Saturday, 16th Nov 2024 with 379 runners crossing the finish line, a jump of 17% on last year.

Top 5 men & women...

1 Karl Fitzmaurice Shannon AC 53:43 MS 110 Course Record
2 Vivian Foley Eagle AC 55:45 M50 120  
3 Sean Davin St Finbarrs AC 55:55 MS 86  
4 Karl Lenihan West Limerick AC 56:01 M45 219  
5 Cathal Lombard Leevale AC  56:30 M45 224  
11 Kealey Tideswell Clonmel AC  59:57 F40 453 Course Record
30 Grace Reilly Abbeyleix   1:05:01 F40 418  
31 Molly Deely London 1:05:20 FS 90  
45 Rachel Hawker Kenmare 1:08:12 FS 154
53 Suzanne Shine Clonmel AC 1:09:19 F45 441

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Eamon Doody has a gallery of about 450 photos HERE

2) Susan Daly has a gallery of photos HERE

Members of Blarney Happy Feet at the Churchtown 10-mile road race. Photo: Eamon Doody

Results & Photos of the Run in the Dark 5k & 10k in Cork City - Wed 13th Nov 2024

The annual Run in the Dark 5k & 10k in Cork City was held this year on Wed 13th Nov 2024.

The full results of both races can be found HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has a gallery HERE

Cloyne 4k Winter Series - Nov 2024 to Mar 2025

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

Each race starts at 9:30am and registration opens in Harty's Bar from 8:30am.

Update: 13th Feb 2025  - Please note that the 16th of Feb race has been moved to the 23rd of Feb.

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

The start line is 500m away down a narrow country road.

The course is essentially one loop with a slight overlap and it's a flat and fast course.

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

Results of the Thomas Kent 10k in Castlelyons - Sun 10th Nov 2024

The Thomas Kent 10k in Castlelyons was held this year on Sunday 10th Nov 2024 with a total of 375 runners crossing the finish line. This is down 8% on last year.

This race had to be rescheduled from a month earlier and in general, rescheduled races tend to have slightly lower numbers as some people won't be able to make the new date due to other commitments.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Sergiu Ciobanu Clonliffe Harriers AC 32:20 M40 53
2 Barry Twohig St. Finbarrs A.C. 32:55 M45 438
3 Sean Davin Cork 34:40 MS 93
13 Michelle Kenny Leevale AC 37:27 F45 499
26 Linda Kelly Watergrasshill AC  39:34 F50 198
31 Sharon Cantwell Moyne AC 40:20 FS 39

Full results HERE

New world best parkrun time of 13:44 set in Belfast

Nick Griggs completed the Victoria Park 5k parkrun in Belfast on Sat 9th Nov 2024 to set a new world best time for a parkrun. 

The 19-year old runner from Tyrone completed the 5k course in a time of 13m 44s beating the previous fastest time of 13:45 set by Andy Butchart at Edinburgh’s parkrun last June.

Last December, Irish international athlete Ciara Mageean set the women's parkrun record on the same course, running the distance in a time of of 15:13.