Top Half-Marathons in Ireland in 2025

Following on from the post about the top 10-mile races in Ireland in 2025, this post is about the top half-marathons in Ireland in 2025. First up, the top 30...

a) There were approximately 130 half-marathons in Ireland in 2025 and to get into the top 30 required getting about 1000 finishers or more.

If I add up all the finishers for all the half-marathons in Ireland in 2025, the figure is just over 100,000!

b) The ratio of half-marathons to 10-milers in Ireland is about 3:1. In Cork, it's just over 1:1 with just a handful more half-marathons.

c) While the numbers at short distance races seems to have levelled off, there seems to be very strong growth in the numbers at half-marathons. In 2024, I was only able to find about 100 half-marathons whereas I found about 130 in 2025.

An event needed about 700 finishers to get on the top 30 list in 2024 whereas in 2025, it's about 1000.

d) The organisers of the Dublin City Marathon decided to hold their own half-marathon version in March of 2025 and the response was huge with over 11,800 finishers. As the chart shows, this new half-marathon jumps straight into first place and is the largest half in Ireland by far.

e) The traditional Dublin half in September saw an increase in numbers in 2025 and is now in 2nd place.

f) Belfast saw a 15% increase in numbers in 2025 and the gap to Dublin (Sep) closed from almost 1000 to about 550.

g) The Cork City Half-Marathon on the June bank holiday weekend saw an increase of just over 8% in the number of finishers but it dropped from 3rd to 7th place.

While the organisers say they are 'sold out', the reality is that they are restricting the numbers and are not taking advantage of the growth in demand for half-marathon races. This represents an opportunity cost for the city in terms of lost revenue not spent in the hospitality sector.

h) In contrast, the Great Limerick Run Half-Marathon grew by about 40% in 2025 and jumps from 5th to 4th place.

i) The Waterford AC half-marathon in November saw a slight drop in numbers in 2025 and now drops from 9th to 11th.

j) Some events have their numbers limited due to nature of the course. The Dingle Half sells out about a year in advance and could easily stay in the top 10 if they could handle more runners. Despite an increase in numbers in 2025, they drop from 10th to 13th.

k) Charleville is the second largest half in Cork and despite a small increase in numbers, they drop from 13th to 15th.

l) The Waterford Viking Half in June seems to be doing well with an 18% rise in 2025 and they move from 20th to 18th.

m) The Run Killarney and its sister Run Kilkee events both saw their numbers increase and they move from 23rd & 27th to 22nd & 26th respectively.

Second Tier... The chart below shows the second tier of half-marathons in Ireland going from 31st to 60th. Note that these are still in the top half of all the half-marathons in Ireland.

n) The Youghal Half-Marathon grew 15% in 2025 and yet, it still dropped from 29th to 33rd. It just gives an idea of how much some of the other half-marathons in Ireland have grown in 2025. Youghal was also the third largest half in Cork.

o) The Waterford Greenway Half-Marathon at the end of August is one of those half-marathons that is limited in numbers due to the width of the course. It had almost the same number of finishers in 2025 compared to 2024 and it dropped 5 places from 31st to 36th place.

p) Here are a few of the other half-marathons in Munster... the Border Half in Limerick dropped 6 places to 40th, Clonmel dropped 13 places to 50th, Stone Mad in Blarney dropped 8 places to 52nd and the Run Skibb Half dropped 3 places to 56th.

In conclusion... While the numbers at shorter distance road races has seems to have levelled off, there seems to be growing interest in events like 10-milers and half-marathons.

Considering how strong the growth was in 2025, it seems likely that 2026 will be another good year for half-marathons in Ireland.

Top 10-mile road races in Ireland in 2025

I've been keeping a tab on all of the 10-mile races in Ireland in 2025 and I finally got around to compiling a list of the top 20.

1) The Frank Duffy 10-mile in Dublin is the top 10-miler in the country with over 3,600 finishers. It was also the top race in 2024 and is not only a reflection of the event itself but the huge pool of runners  in the capital.

2) The largest 10-miler in Munster is the John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile and it's also the second largest 10-mile race in Ireland. It was also in second place in 2024.

3) The Derry Walled City 10-mile saw a huge jump in numbers in 2025 and jumped from 6th to 3rd place. It had around 500 extra finishers in 2025 which was a jump of about 30% on the previous year.

4) Seven 10-mile races managed to attract more than 1000 runners in 2025, the same as 2024.

5) Five of the top twenty 10-milers were in Co Cork. Three of the top 10 were in Cork.

6) In 2024, the average number of finishers for the top 20 races was 1025. In 2025, that had risen to 1112 which is an increase of about 8.5%. 

7) It's worth noting that some events have their numbers capped so they have a limit of how many people can take part.

8) I managed to find about 44 10-mile events in 2025. 16 of these were in Munster.

9) In terms of Munster races, Mallow stayed at number 7. Kinsale and Cobh swapped places with Kinsale dropping to 9th and Cobh going up to 8th. 2025 was the inaugural year for the Midleton Greenway 10m and they jumped straight into 13th place.

Kilkishen in Co Clare dropped from 14th to 18th while Churchtown in Cork went up a place from 15th to 14th. The Beat the Train 10-mile in Co Waterford dropped from 20th down to 21st even though their numbers actually increased.

Further down the list for 2025, Dooneen in Limerick was 28th, Tralee and the Gap of Dunloe were 29th and 30th respectively and Kilsheelan & Mooreabbey in Tipp were 35th & 36th.

10) I found three events that were held in 2024 but were missing in 2025.

In conclusion... That is a broad overview of the 10-mile races in Ireland. Even though there are a lot more half-marathons on the calendar, the 10-mile distance still remains a firm favourite with many.

Link...
a) Previous post - Top 10-mile races in 2024

Guest Post: IRISH 10-MILE RANKINGS - END 2025 ...by John Walshe

IRISH 10-MILE RANKINGS 2025

The following is the yearly ranking list over the popular 10-mile distance for all men (under 55:00) and women (under 65:00) for 2025.

 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.

 After the 2024 decline in standards at the top end, the same cannot be said of last year. The season got off to a flying start at Dungarvan where Fearghal Curtin (47:42) and Niamh Allen (52:51) set two hugely impressive course records.

Although Curtin would go on to set Irish bests at both the half and full marathon, it was Peter Lynch from Kilkenny who got his name in the record books for 10 miles with his 45:59 at the Cherry Blossom race in Washington

However, Allen’s time – the second fastest by an Irishwoman since Sonia O’Sullivan’s 51:00 at the Great South Run in 2002 – prevailed throughout the year. 

 The numbers of performances for women under 60:00 was 21, one more than 2024. The total to make the cut-off standard of 65:00 was 102, slightly les than 2023 (106) and 2022 (117).

Amongst the men, nine performances (same as 2023) were achieved inside 50 minutes compared to just two in 2024.

The total number of performances for men under the 55:00 cut-off saw an increase to 136, well up on 99 from 2024 but still short of the 147 from 2023.

Dungarvan was undoubtedly the highest standard race over the distance for men with 31 finishing under 55:00 while Trim, with 18 under 65:00 – one more than 2023 - 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
45:59 Peter Lynch (KCH) Washington DC (7) Apr 06
47:42 Fearghal Curtin (Youghal) Dungarvan (1) Feb 02
49:02 Pierre Muchan (DCH) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (1) Aug 16
49:16 Ryan Creech (Leevale) Kinsale (1) Apr 21
49:28 Hugh Armstrong (Ballina) Roscommon (1) Jun 28
49:35 Creech Cobh (2) Àpr 06
49:45 Armstrong Dublin (Frank Duffy) (2) Aug 16
49:54 Creech Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 20
49:56 Jamie Fallon (Craughwell) Dungarvan (2) Feb 02
50:16 Michael Harty (East Cork, M40) Midleton (1) Feb 09
50:26 Sean Doyle (Cork City) Dungarvan (3) Feb 02
50:27 Ian Guiden (Clonliffe) Kilcock (1) Àug 17
50:29 Doyle Midleton (2) Feb 09
50:36 Ger Forde (KCH) Dungarvan (4) Feb 02
50:39 Jake O’Regan (St Johns) Bundoran (1) Mar 01
50:53 Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe, M40) Midleton (3) Feb 09
50:55 Stephen McAuley (Letterkenny) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (3) Aug 16
50:55 John-Joe Doherty (Finn Valley/Liv Hrs) Brampton-Carlisle (16) Nov 16
50:59 Evan Fitzgerald (West Waterford) Dungarvan (5) Feb 02
51:01 O’Regan Dublin (Frank Duffy) (4) Aug 16
51:04 Gary Crummy (Newry) Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 20
51:08 Stephen McAuley (Letterkenny) Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 20
51:10 Kyle Doherty (City of Derry Spartans) Bundoran (2) Mar 01
51:10 Kane Collins (Donore) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 20
51:27 Guiden Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 20
51:31 Forde Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 20
51:38 Alexander Wallace (St Cocas, M40) Kilcock (2) Aug 17
51:41 Michael Fox (Armagh) Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 20
51:50 Eoin Smyth (Tara) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (5) Aug 16
51:51 Peter Somba (Ratoath) Trim (1) Feb 02
51:58 Ciobanu Dungarvan (6) Feb 02
51:58 Karl Fitzmaurice (Shannon) Dooneen (1) Apr 13
51:59 Martin Hoare (Celbridge) Trim (2) Feb 02
52:00 Doherty Derry (1) Mar 08
52:09 Eoin Mullan (Omagh, M40) Bundoran (3) Mar 01
52:12 Pat Fitzgerald (Waterford) Dungarvan (7) Feb 02
52:19 Denis Hegarty (Leevale) Dungarvan (8) Feb 02
52:23 Michael Bruton ((Leevale) Cobh (3) Apr 06
52:24 Paul O’Donnell (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 20
52:25 Mathew McConnell (Ballyroan-Abbey) Dungarvan (9) Feb 02
52:28 Mossy Bracken (Moycarkey-Coolcroo) Dungarvan (10) Feb 02
52:29 Doherty Mooreabbey (1) Jul 06
52:37 John Durcan (Togher) Cobh (4) Àpr 06
52:39 Conor McCauley (Leevale, M40) Midleton (4) Feb 09
52:39 O’Donnell Edenderry (1) Jul 13
52:45 Barry Twohig (St Finbarrs, M45) Dungarvan (11) Feb 02
52:46 Twohig Mallow (1) Mar 23
52:49 Wallace Trim (3) Feb 02
52:50 Patrick McColl (Roadrunners) Trim (4) Feb 02
52:53 Killian Mooney (DSD) Roscommon (2) Jun 28
52:54 Cameron Stewart (Annadale) Armagh (1) Oct 05
52:57 David Glynn (unatt) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (6) Aug 16
52:57 Chris Jeuken (Derg) Churchtown (Mallow) (2) Nov 15
52:58 Kristaps Liepins (Watergrasshill) Dungarvan (12) Feb 02
52:58 Shane Collins (Leevale) Mallow (2) Mar 23
53:03 McColl Portaferry (1) Jul 22
53:04 Eanna Ó’Brádaigh (DSD) Roscommon (3) Jun 28
53:07 Damien Madigan (North Cork) Mallow (3) Mar 23
53:14 O’Bradaigh Edenderry (2) Jul 13
53:15 James Treanor (Shercock) Dungarvan (13) Feb 02
53:16 Collins Dungarvan (14) Feb 02
53:16 Barry Donovan (Cork TC) Dungarvan (15) Feb 02
53:19 Andy Nevin (Mullingar) Trim (5) Feb 02
53:19 Wallace Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 20
53:21 Dermot Gorman (Carrick-on-Suir, M40) Dungarvan (16) Feb 02
53:22 Brendan Neary (unatt) Dungarvan (17) Feb 02
53:22 Dermot Guina (West Limerick) Dungarvan (18) Feb 02
53:24 Dermot O’Brien (unatt, M40) Dungarvan (19) Feb 02
53:25 Tim Murphy (Mullingar) Naas (1) Mar 02
53:25 Tony Forristal (East Cork) Dungarvan (20) Feb 02
53:25 Jordan Clay (unatt) Edenderry (3) Jul 13
53:27 Tadhg OSullivan (Bweeng TB) Mallow (4) Mar 23
53:28 Cathal Kennedy (Thurles Crokes) Corofin Loop (1) Nov 2
53:29 Donal Coakley (Leevale) Dungarvan (21) Feb 02
53:30 Conor Tiernan (unatt) Naas (2) Mar 02
53:31 Madigan Dungarvan (22) Feb 02
53:31 Mark Walsh (Leevale) Midleton (5) Feb 09
53:31 Sean Davin (St Finbarrs) Mallow (5) Mar 23
53:32 O’Regan Cobh (5) Apr 06
53:33 Danny Mullins (Bantry) Dungarvan (23) Feb 02
53:33 Conor Duffy (Glaslough) Castleblaney (1) Jul 26
53:35 Glynn Dublin (Irish Runner) (10) Jul 20
53:37 O’Sullivan Dungarvan (24) Feb 02
53:37 Davin Cobh (6) Apr 06
53:38 Coakley Wisbech (UK) (2) Oct 26
53:40 Karl Nolan (Clonliffe, M40) Naas (3) Mar 02
53:40 Warren Roche (unatt) Dungarvan (25) Feb 02
53:41 Michael McMahon (North Cork, M40) Dungarvan (26) Feb 02
53:41 Barry Shiel (Longford, M40) Roscommon (4) Jun 28
53:42 Kieran Regan (unatt) Bundoran (4) Mar 01
53:42 Lynch Danesfort (1) Jun 06
53:42 Aidan Connell (West Waterford, M40) Kilmeaden (1) Nov 15
53:45 Eoin Pierce (Cloniffe) Cobh (7) Apr 06
53:46 Davin Midleton (6) Feb 09
53:47 Liam Mulligan (Drogheda & Dist) Dublin (Irish Runner) (11) Jul 20
53:48 Tomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght, M40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (7) Aug 16
53:52 Michael Brady (Raheny) Dublin (Irish Runner) (12) Jul 20
53:54 Emmet Jennings (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (13) Jul 20
53:56 Sean Husband (Monaghan Town) Trim (6) Feb 02
53:56 Peter Donnelly (Candour TC) Larne (1) Apr 12
53:57 Alexey Marchenko (Rath-WSAF, M40) Dungarvan (27) Feb 02
54:01 Adam Nason (Donore) Kilcock (3) Aug 17
54:03 Shane Fitzgerald (unatt) Dungarvan (28) Feb 02
54:04 Marchenko Kilcock (4) Aug 17
54:08 John Lenehan (City of Derry Spartans) Dublin (Irish Runner) (14) July 20
54:13 Davin Churchtown (Mallow) (3) Nov 15
54:14 Ashley Dixon (North Down) Portaferry (2) Jul 22
54:15 Nicky O’Donoghue (East Cork) Dungarvan (29) Feb 02
54:15 Marc Augustin (St Cocas, M40) Kilcock (5) Aug 17
54:18 Kieran Regan (Brothers Pearse) Dublin (Irish Runner (15) Jul 20
54:20 Ronan Potterton (Fr Murphy) Naas (4) Mar 02
54:20 Brendan Heaney (Armagh) Kilcock (6) Aug 17
54:22 Colin Leonard (Drogheda & Dist, M40) Trim (7) Feb 02
54:22 Paul Mitchell (Tullamore) Kilcock (7) Aug 17
54:25 Noel McNally (Roadrunners, M40) Trim (8) Feb 02
54:25 Paddy O’Donnell (C of Derry Spartans) Derry (2) Mar 08
54:27 Aidan Noone (Leevale) Dungarvan (30) Feb 02
54:28 Mullins Skibbereen (1) Feb 09
54:29 Daniel Squires (Annadale) Trim (9) Feb 02
54:29 John McKeogh (unatt, M40) Dooneen (2) Apr 13
54:30 Gavin Callery (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (16) Jul 20
54:33 Terry Shanley (Clane) Trim (10) Feb 02
54:33 Shanley Kilcock (8) Aug 17
54:33 Nason Stook (1) Nov 16
54:37 Cillian O’Leary (Raheny, M45) Dublin (Irish Runner) (17) Jul 20
54:37 Eoin Hinchy (Brothers Pearse, M40) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (8) Aug 16
54:40 Barry Hartnett (Dundrum, M40) Kilsheelan (1) Mar 17
54:45 John Meade ((St Finbarrs, M45) Cobh (8) Apr 06
54:48 John Enright (unatt) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (9) Aug 16
54:48 Ian Fitzgerald (Donore) Dublin (Frank Duffy) (10) Aug 16
54:53 Donovan Midleton (7) Feb 09
54:53 Sean Hehir (Croghan, M40) Raheny (1) Apr 21
54:54 James Elgar (GCH, M40) Corofin Loop (2) Nov 2
54:55 Jonathan Spratt (unatt) Armagh (2) Oct 05
54:56 David Cullinane (Ferrybank, M40) Dungarvan (31) Feb 02
54:56 Wayne Waldron (Donore) Dublin (Irish Runner) (18) Jul 20

WOMEN
52:51 Niamh Allen (Leevale) Dungarvan (1) Feb 02
56:09 Ciara Hickey (Brother Pearse, F40) Trim (1) Feb 02
56:18 Patriciia Jackman (Waterford) Dungarvan (2) Feb 02
56:39 Ann-Marie McGlynn (Strabane, F40) Roscommon (1) Jun 28
57:34 Hannah Steeds (Leevale) Midleton (1) Feb 09
57:42 Fionnuala Ross (Armagh) Cobh (2) Apr 06
57:52 Dee Grady (Ennis TC, F35) Churchtown (Mallow) (1) Nov 15
57:57 Meghan Ryan (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (1) Jul 20
58:06 Caitlyn Harvey (Roadrunners) Trim (2) Feb 02
58:22 Jessica Craig (North Down, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (2) Jul 20
58:35 Elizabeth Carr (Mullingar) Naas (1) Mar 02
58:36 Faye Dervan (DCH) Kilcock (1) Aug 17
58:50 Niamh Moore (Leevale) Mallow (1) Mar 23
59:09 Grady Dublin (Irish Runner) (3) Jul 20
59:11 Catherine Whoriskey (C of Derry, F35) Derry (1) Mar 08
59:26 Mila Geldenhiys (GCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (4) Jul 20
59:44 Kate McDonald (Ballyroan-Abbeyleix) Naas (2) Mar 02
59:46 Dearbhla Cox (Annadale, F35) Armagh (1) Oct 05
59:52 Breege Connolly (CNRD, F45) Athone (1) May 17
59:56 Sharon Rynne (Leevale, F35) Midleton (2) Feb 09
59:59 Connolly Armagh (2) Oct 05
60:02 Connolly Roscommon (2) Jun 28
60:03 Fiona Roche (Raheny) Raheny (1) Apr 21
60:27 Catherine Thornton (GCH) Trim (3) Feb 02
60:27 Niamh Clifford (Kilcoole) Raheny (2) Apr 21
60:34 Maria Ni Mhaolagain (Rosses) Bundoran (1) Mar 01
60:53 Pamela Kirk (Roadrunners, F40 Derry (2) Mar 08
60:54 Nicola Black (Roadrunners, F40) Trim (4) Feb 02
61:02 Moore Cobh (3) Apr 06
61:08 Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast, F45) Larne (1) Apr 12
61:09 Fiona Kehoe (Kilmore, F40) Raheny (3) Apr 21
61:14 Clara Ryan (St Finbarrs) Dungarvan (3) Feb 02
61:29 Fiona Stack (Raheny, F40) Bundoran (2) Mar 01
61:32 Sinead Whitelaw (Mullingar) Trim (5) Feb 02
61:32 Kealy Tideswell (Clonmel, F40) Mallow (2) Mar 23
61:37 Katie Wilson (DMP) Dungarvan (4) Feb 02
61:38 Elisoa Crawford (North Belfast, F50) Trim (6) Feb 02
61:39 Aedin Corr (Donore, F35) Dublin (Irish Runner) (5) Jul 20
61:57 Ciara Foy (Mullingar) Trim (7) Feb 02
62:02 Judith Storm (City of Derry Spart, F35) Derry (3) Mar 08
62:06 Isobel Oakes (Sligo) Trim (8) Feb 02
62:12 Leah Lawler (St Laurence O’Toole) Dungarvan (5) Feb 02
62:12 Grady Dooneen (1) Apr 13
62:18 Aimee Mullin (Galbally) Bundoran (3) Mar 01
62:19 Theresa McIlwaine (unatt) Derry (4) Mar 08
62:19 Crawford Larne (2) Apr 12
62:22 Maebh Brannigan (GCH) Dublin (Irish Runner) (6) Jul 20
62:22 Neasa De Búrca (GCH, F40) Corofin Loop (1) Nov 2
62:26 Shona Keane (Dooneen, F40) Dungarvan (6) Feb 02
62:48 Ciara Cunnngham (Tir Chonnaill) Bundoran (4) Mar 01
62:53 Ryan Skibbereen (1) Feb 09
62:58 Nadine McIntyre (Enniskillen RC) Castleblaney (1) Jul 26
63:05 Ciara Toner (City of Derry Spart, F40) Derry (5) Mar 08
63:08 Black Portaferry (1) Jul 22
63:10 Caroline Hassett (Templemore, F40) Dungarvan (7) Feb 02
63:11 Catherine Murphy (Eagle, F45) Dungarvan (8) Feb 02
63:13 Kate O’Neill (MSB, F40) Trim (9) Feb 02
63:14 Laura Daly (unatt) Tralee (1) Feb 08
63:16 Emma Fitzpatrick (Leevale) Midleton (3) Feb 09
63:23 Murphy (Eagle) Mallow (3) Mar 23
63:27 Emma Boland (Newbridge, F45) Dungarvan (9) Feb 02
63:30 Edel Gaffney (Trim) Trim (10) Feb 02
63:31 Murphy (Eagle, F45) Kinsale (1) Apr 21
63:39 Ryan Mallow (4) Mar 23
63:50 Anna Dooner (Roscommon) Roscommon (3) Jun 28
63:50 Hassett Dublin (Irish Runner) (7) Jul 20
63:53 Collette McCourt (Roadrunners, F45) Portaferry (2) Jul 22
63:55 Julie O’Brien (Durrus, F40) Skibbereen (2) Feb 09
64:00 Eimear O’Leary (GCH, F40) Trim (11) Feb 02
64:00 Mollie O’Donnell (Liffey Valley) Dublin (Irish Runner) (8) Jul 20
64:04 Linda Kelly (Watergrasshill, F50) Kilmeaden (1) Nov 15
64:05 Jessica Picone (Clonliffe) Dublin (Irish Runner) (9) Jul 20
64:05 Jane-Ann Healy-Meehan (AthenryF40) Craughwell (1) Sep 07
64:06 Nadine Forde (Leelave, F40) Midleton(4) Feb 09
64:07 Sabina Williams (Croghan, F40) Trim (12) Feb 02
64:09 De Búrca Roscommon (4) Jun 28
64:10 Marie Howard (Leevale) Mallow (5) Mar 23
64:10 Gaffney Edenderry (1) Jul 13
64:11 Becky Coughlan (Ennis TC, F40) Dungarvan (10) Feb 02
64:20 Sinead Murtagh (Newcastle&Dist, F40) Trim (13) Feb 02
64:20 Healy-Meehan Corofin Loop (2) Nov 2
64:22 Nicole Moorehouse (Slaney Oly) Dungarvan (11) Feb 02
64:28 Sharon Cantwell (Moyne) Dungarvan (12) Feb 02
64:29 Elaine McGuckian (Keep Er Lit, F40) Bundoran (5) Mar 01
64:29 Angela McCann (Clonmel, F50) Dungarvan (13) Feb 02
64:32 Kate Mulholland (St Peters) Trim (14) Feb 02
64:34 Anna Dooner (Roscommon) Trim (15) Feb 02
64:38 Deirdre Gibbons (GCH, F40) Corofin Loop (3) Nov 3
64:39 Ruth Wilson (DSD) Dublin (Irish Runner) (10) Jul 20
64:41 Adrienne Jordan (unatt, F45) Trim (16) Feb 02
64:41 Niamh Cronin (St Finbarrs, F45) Dungarvan (14) Feb 02
64:41 Sarah Diamond (Kilcoole) Dublin (Irish Runner) (11) July 20
64:41 Claire Ni Fhaircheallaigh (Dunb, F40) Kilcock (2) Aug 17
64:42 Susan Glennon (Mullingar) Roscommon (5) Jun 28
64:42 Catriona Edington (Annadale) Armagh (3) Oct 05
64:43 Kelly Mallow (6) Mar 23
64:43 Breda Gaffney (Mallow, F50) Kinsale (2) Apr 21
64:45 Heather Dunlea (Leevale) Dungarvan (15) Feb 02
64:46 Eimear McCracken (Annadale, F40) Trim (17) Feb 02
64:49 Caoimhe Ui Fhearáin (Inishowen) Derry (6) Mar 08
64:50 Joan Kinsella (Clane, F40) Kilcock (3) Aug 17
64:54 Grace Kennedy (Donore) Trim (18) Feb 02

Top Cork BHAA races in 2025

The chart above shows the number of finishers for each of the Cork BHAA races in 2025. The John Buckley Sports 5k was the top Cork BHAA race for the year, up about 18% on 2024.

The PwC 5k put in another strong showing to take the second spot while the Gas Networks Ireland 5k finished in third. The races tail away after that and the only one that was particularly low was the ESB cross country race.

Stats... Let's have a look to see what the trends are. First off, let's compare the races that were common to both 2024 and 2025...

There were 17 races which were common to both years. The numbers for eight of them were up, eight were down and one stayed the same. This stat alone already suggests that there was no growth in 2025.

Let's look at the average number of finishers per Cork BHAA race since 2015 and we get this chart...

Note the chart starts at 300

After 2015, the average number dropped for three years before recovering in 2019. Post pandemic, the 2022 numbers were well down like a lot of other races. It then showed strong growth in 2023 and 2024 to recover. 2025 was down a bit on 2024, not a huge amount but a drop all the same.

Looking ahead... It seems like the post pandemic recovery is well and truly over and it seems likely that the numbers for 2026 will be about the same again if not a little reduced.

The big advantage that the BHAA have is that their races are only €5 for registered runners and €10 for non-reg. Every year that goes by, the BHAA races look like better value when compared to club races where the entry fees are gradually creeping upwards.

Results of the Bride Rovers 5k run in Rathcormac - Fri 26th Dec 2025

Here are the results of the Bride Rovers 5k which was held in Rathcormac on the 26th of December 2025...

Position Number Name Time
1 98 Aidan Mahar 16:23
2 75 Struan Simpson 16:30
3 24 Gary Sleith 17:35
4 29 MJ Walsh 17:58
5 8 Gary Clerken 18:11
6 57 Dave Collins 18:12
7 44 Orla Tuohy 18:21
8 31 Noel Early 18:29
9 63 Keeley Tidesiwell 18:37
10 84 Cody Scanlan 18:39
11 64 Brendan Walsh 18:45
12 62 Sebastian Bryd 18:57
13 5 Johnny O Sullivan 18:59
14 70 David Walsh 19:19
15 72 Cathal Barry 19:26
16 153 Emily McEleaney 19:26
17 95 Luke Morrison 19:46
18 48 Ultan Tuohy 19:49
19 71 Cormac Barry 19:55
20 1 Ellen Hanley 19:58
21 90 Liam Barry 20:06
22 54 Aoi Tuohy 20:07
23 41 Kieran Dorgan 20:11
24 47 Aodhgán Tuohy 20:21
25 65 Vernon Yanis 20:24
26 83 Bill O' Keeffe 20:35
27 61 Pat O'Connor 20:44
28 17 Finn O' Driscoll 20:50
29 113 Jack Mannix 20:59
30 10 Sean Healy 21:05

Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns - Q4 2025

The parkrun organisation have a number of milestones going from 25 to 500 parkruns. The thing about milestones is that they are open to everyone and anyone can aspire to reach a certain level.

A number of people have recently passed the 250 mark and it's a significant achievement as it takes at least five years to complete. Thanks to all those who sent on updates and corrections.

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Cork 250 Rules... As with any list, there must be some sort of guideline or rules. The criteria I went with are simple...

1. At least 100 of the 5k parkruns must be in Co Cork
2. Only the information on the parkrun website counts

I'm sure there are plenty of people in Dublin and elsewhere who are over 250 but this post is about the parkruns in Cork.

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Cork runners who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns Club - Q4 2025... Since the end of 2025, the number of people in Cork who have completed 250 or more 5k parkruns has gone from 39 to 62 in the space of a year.

The top 3 are from Bere Island and it looks likely that Joanne Sullivan will be the first person in Cork to reach the 500 milestone and that's likely to be in the autumn of 2026.

Macroom is the oldest parkrun in Co Cork and it's well represented in the list above.

The second half of the list from 250 to 338 is shown below...

With 20 more people joining the list in 2025, it's starting to get longer and longer. It will probably reach a stage where trying to keep track of everyone becomes too unwieldy.

Volunteers... Needless to say, it's the army of parkrun volunteers that keep the show on the road and the 'super volunteers' have 250 or more credits.

This has gone from 11 at the end of 2024 to 17 at the end of 2025. With the dual volunteer credits from both the 5k parkrun and the junior 2k parkrun, Maretta Brennan is on track to reach the 500 volunteer milestone sometime in the spring of 2026.

This list is very much the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number of volunteers who help out on Saturday mornings to make sure the parkruns can go ahead.

Errors & Omissions... If you know of any runner of volunteer from Cork missing who might at 250 or more, leave a comment with their name and parkrun number.

Link... More information about the 5k parkruns in Co Cork and previous lists can be found HERE

Results of the Shandrum 5k - Sun 28th Dec 2025

Top 3 men & women...

 1 Killian Lynch West Limerick AC MS 15:43 746
2 Pat Hennessy West Waterford AC MS 15:51 583
3 Nick Hogan Cork M40 16:23 745
7 Niamh Moore Leevale AC FS 17:50 636
21 Breda Gaffney Mallow AC F50 19:11 562
26 Lorna Davey-Fitzgerald Mallow AC F40 20:11 536

Results... https://www.premiertimingsystems.ie/2025-Race-Results/Shandrum-AC-5K-Results

Results & Photos of the Togher 5k road race - Sun 28th Dec 2025

 

Top 3 men & women...

1 Sean DOYLE Cork City A.C. M MS 247 14:54
2 Nathan O'LEARY Leevale A.C. M MS 747 15:02
3 John DURCAN Togher A.C. M MS 256 15:05
12 Michelle FINN Leevale A.C. F FS 1 15:49
24 Louise SHANAHAN Leevale A.C. F FS 895 16:19
30 Sinead O'CONNOR Leevale A.C. F FS 2 16:39

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some start line photos HERE and post race HERE

2) MyRunResults has some finish line photos HERE

3) Damien O'Sullivan has a gallery HERE

4) Joe Murphy has several galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3 ... Album 4 ... 

5k parkruns in Co Cork over the Christmas Period - Dec 2025

The crew at the Glen River parkrun have put together the image above showing the extra 5k parkruns in Co Cork over the Christmas period.

1) The usual 5k parkruns on a Saturday will be held on the 20th & 27th of December. Mallow, Macroom, Youghal, Midleton and Tramore Valley won't be holding any additional parkruns.

2) Bere Island and Castlehaven will be holding an additional parkrun on New Years Day.

3) Glen River, Ballincollig, Clonakilty and Glengarriff will be holding additional parkruns on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

All the extra parkruns will start at the usual 9:30am time.

Keep an eye on Mallow and Ballincollig for flooding and cancellations.

Results & Photos of the Cork BHAA Simon Turkey Trot 5k - Sun 21st Dec 2025

The annual Cork BHAA Simon Turkey Trot 5k was held on a cold but dry morning with 263 taking part. €4000 was raised for the Cork Simon Community.

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has some pre-race group photos HERE

2) Joe Murphy has several galleries... a) Start b) Finish 1 c) Finish 2 d) Finish 3

Notice: Bride Rovers 5k run in Rathcormac - Fri 26th Dec 2025

Bride Rovers GAA are holding their annual 5k in Rathcormac on St Stephen's Day, Friday the 26th of December 2025.

 The entry fee is €10 and it starts at 11am.

Notice: Whitechurch 6k Turkey Burner fun run - Sun 28th Dec 2025

Whitechurch and Whitechurch and Rockban Gaa are running a 6km “Turkey Burner” run and a 3km “walk and Talk” on Sunday 28th December 2025.

The run starts at 10:30am with registration open from 10am.

Sign on at Whitechurch Community Centre which is about 1km west of the village.

Cork BHAA 5k Turkey Trot postponed until the 21st of Dec 2025

Please note that due to the orange weather warning, the Cork BHAA Simon Community 5k Turkey Trot which was due to be held on Sunday 14th December 2025 has been cancelled.

It will now be held on Sunday 21st December at 10am with the sign on at Blackrock Hurling Club. The entry fee is €10 regardless of reg or non-reg and no watches are allowed, you just guess your finish time in advance.

Results & Photos of the Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 7th Dec 2025

Newmarket 5k raises €5000 for Cancer Connect charity

After a grim morning of heavy rain, the conditions for the 2025 Newmarket 5k road race couldn't have been more different as the clouds parted and the sun came out for the 1pm start.

Start of the 2025 Newmarket 5k...

The first wheelchair athlete was Shauna Bocquet of Craughwell AC in Galway with a blistering time of 12 min 51 sec.

1 Shauna Bocquet Craughwall AC 12:51 WCA 29

Shauna is pictured at the top of post holding a donation cheque for €5000 which Duhallow AC raised from the proceeds of the race.

In the men's race, Paul Hartnett of East Cork AC was the clear winner with a time of 14m 21s.

Top 3 men...

1 Paul Hartnett East Cork AC     14:21 MS 322
2 Eoghan O'Connor Leevale AC     14:36 MS 710
3 Ben Smith Leevale AC     14:44 MS 935

(L-R) Helen Linehan of the Ayrton Group (race sponsor) with Eoghan O'Connor #710 2nd, Paul Hartnett #322 1st & Ben Smith #935 3rd

A total of 8 runners managed to get in under the 15 minute mark while 216 runners got under 20 minutes.

There was a dramatic finish to the women's race with a dead heat between Michelle Finn and Jessica Coyne.

Top 3 women

1 Michelle Finn Leevale AC     16:11 FS 439
1 Jessica Coyne Leevale AC     16:11 FS 143
3 Dee Grady Ennis Track AC     16:42 F35 288

Both athletes gave it all over the closing stretch and crossed the finish line together.

Top 3 women (L-R)... Dee Grady #288 3rd, Michelle Finn #439 1st & Jessica Coyne #143 1st

Full results HERE

Photos... to follow...

1) There are loads of photos going up on the Running in Cork Facebook page.

a) Pre-race b) Finish line 1 of 5 c) Finish line 2 of 5 d) Finish line 3 of 5 e) Finish line 4 of 5 f) Finish line 5 of 5

2) Mick Dooley has the following photos...

a) Start b) Finish

There were 715 finishers this year which is just 16 shy of the number for 2024. It's very likely that the awful weather in the morning convinced a number of runners not to bother with the race and if it had been dryer then it's likely that there would have been a new record turnout for the race. 

I suspect though that the numbers wouldn't have been that much higher so it does suggest that perhaps the race has reached a peak in terms of numbers? i.e. about the 700 mark.

It's a remarkable number of runners for what is after all a 5k road race in north-west Cork.

Cork runner Ryan Creech wins the 2025 Waterford Half-Marathon - Sat 29th Nov 2025

The 2025 Waterford Half-Marathon was held on Saturday 29th November with 2023 runners crossing the finish line.

The first man home was Ryan Creech of Leevale AC in Cork in a time of 65m 59s.

It looks as if the course might have been a bit too long this year so if you felt your time was a little bit slower than expected then that might be the reason.

In 2024, the course was certainly short... see previous post. 

At least when the course is too long, everyone knows for sure that they at least ran the half-marathon distance.

Top 10 men & women...

1 Ryan CREECH 1:05:59 5 M MS Leevale A.C.
2 Jake O'REGAN 1:06:42 4 M MS St. John's A.C.
3 William MAUNSELL 1:07:01 2 M MS Clonmel A.C.
4 Matteo MARY 1:09:18 2898 M MS Waterford A.C.
5 Sergiu CIOBANU 1:09:39 2877 M M40 Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
6 Sean DAVIN 1:10:32 460 M MS St. Finbarrs A.C.
7 Pat FITZGERALD 1:12:18 351 M MS Waterford A.C.
8 Jason REILLY 1:13:30 2085 M M40 Civil Service Harriers A.C.
9 Vivian FOLEY 1:13:33 718 M M55 Eagle A.C.
10 Michael MORGAN 1:13:55 2882 M M50
1 Nichola SHERIDAN 1:17:22  3 F FS Bohermeen A.C.
2 Lauren DERMODY 1:18:29  492 F FS Castlecomer A.C.
3 Alex MURPHY 1:18:46  2891 F FS Dundrum South Dublin A.C.
4 Breege CONNOLLY 1:19:36  314 F F45
5 Michelle KENNY 1:22:15  1117 F F45 Leevale A.C.
6 Catherine MURPHY 1:23:30  2872 F F45 Eagle A.C.
7 Una O'BRIEN 1:24:51 1672 F FS Waterford A.C.
8 Aine KINSELLA 1:26:36 823 F FS St. Senans A.C.
9 Michelle RYAN 1:26:57 2148 F F45 Templemore A.C.
10 Sinéad FLANNERY 1:28:03 693 F F40 Ballintotis Fit4Life A.C.

Full results HERE

The numbers overall were down about 6.5% on last year as can be seen from the chart below.

Results of the Glenville 4-mile road race - Sun 23rd Nov 2025

First 3 women (L-R)... April Quinn 3rd, Niamh Moore 1st & Kealey Tideswell 2nd

The Glenville 4-mile was held on Sun 23rd Nov 2025 on what turned out to be a nice sunny morning.

 Top 3 men & women...

1 Nathan O'LEARY Leevale A.C. M MS 499 19:48
2 Mark WALSH Leevale A.C. M MS 669 20:00
3 Barry TWOHIG St. Finbarrs A.C. M M45 661 20:08
24 Niamh MOORE Leevale A.C. F FS 676 23:16
27 Kealey TIDESWELL F F40 471 23:50
35 April QUINN Togher A.C. F F35 677 24:17

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has some finish line photos HERE

Results of the Cloyne Commons 4k - Sun 16th Nov 2025

The first race in the 2025/2026 Cloyne Commons Series was held on Sun 16th Nov on a nice dry morning. There were 345 finishers.

Top 3 men & women...

1 1678 James Grufferty Glanmire AC M40 13:34
2 1762 Paul Kearney Aghada RC M40 13:35
3 1667 MJ Walsh Grange Fermoy MJ 13:43
11 1761 Rebecca McEvoy St Finbarrs F 14:47
15 1886 Sinead Falvey Midleton AC F45 15:04
28 1874 Katie Hennessy Midleton AC FJ 15:35

Photos...

1) Sharon Murray has plenty of nice pics

a) Start b) Finish Line 1 c) Finish Line 2 d) Finish Line 3 e) Finish Line 4

Full results below...

 Position Race Number Name Club Category Time
1 1678 James Grufferty Glanmire AC M40 13:34
2 1762 Paul Kearney Aghada RC M40 13:35
3 1667 MJ Walsh Grange Fermoy MJ 13:43
4 1772 Gary Sleith St Nicks M40 13:45
5 1684 Michael O Mahony Walsh St Nicks MJ 14:00
6 1849 John O Donovan Ballymore Cobh M 14:02
7 1646 Adam Barry Ballymore AC M 14:27
8 1754 Brendan Kearney Unattached M 14:42
9 1875 Martin Hennessy East Cork AC MJ 14:45
10 1867 Seamus McSweeney Grange Fermoy M50 14:47