Results of the Bere Island 5-mile road race - Sat 17th Oct 2026

Results of the Allihies 5-mile - Sat 26th Sep 2026

The 2026 edition of the annual Allihies 5-mile road race was held on Sat 26th of September. This was an uptick in numbers this year with 130 taking part.

Results below...

Results of the Glengarriff 5-mile race - Sat 5th Sept 2026

The Glengarriff 5-mile race was held this year on Saturday September 5th 2026. The race was held in the late afternoon and the rain had arrived at that stage in west Cork.

There were 1612 finishers which is down 13% on last year and the number returned to 2024 levels.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Danny Mullins M Bantry AC 27:12
2 Sean Dinneen M35 Cork Track Club AC 27:44
3 Paul Keville M40 Kenmare AC 27:48
6 Michelle Kenny F45 LEEVALE AC 30:20
14 Julie O'Brien F40 Durrus AC 32:33
18 Ellen Vitting F40 Kenmare AC 33:13

Results below...

Results of the Shannonvale 5-mile road race - Fri 7th Aug 2026

First woman - Olive O'Flynn

The Shannonvale 5-Mile road race near Clonakilty was held on Friday 7th of August 2026 on what was a dry and mild evening. There were 260 finishers for this event.

As far as I know, the last time a race was held in Shannonvale was a 10k event back in 2018.

Top 3 men & women...
 
Place Name Team Name Race Time Chip Time City Bib
1 Michael Dullea Skibbereen AC     26:59 M40 58
2 Aidan McCarthy Clonakilty Road Runners AC     28:30 M40 132
3 Sam O'Riordan Ballincollig     29:15 MS 224
12 Olive O'Flynn Courtmacsherry     32:01 FS 189
13 Kate Moynihan Ballinaboy     32:04 FS 659
24 Sinead O'Regan Courcey AC     34:07 F40 218

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Graham Meikle has several galleries...

a) Finish 1 b) Finish 2 c) Finish 3 d) 

Results of the Adrigole 5-mile road race - Sat 1st Aug 2026

The Adrigole 5-mile road race was held on Sat 1st Aug 2026.

First 3 men - Aidan Rundel Muller – 30:18, Bobby Tangney (Kenmare AC) – 31:36, Patrick Philips (LSA A.C.) – 32:32

First 3 women - Julie O'Brien (Durrus AC) – 34:20, Kristen O'Sullivan (Beara A.C.) – 38:13, Sandra Harrington (Beara A.C.) – 44:20
Juvenile Winners - 1st Male: Darragh Coppinger (Bantry A.C.)– 33:15, 1st Female: Leonie Figueria – 45:08
Age Category Winners
Male 40–50: Damian Keating – 33:16
Male 50–60: Liam O'Connor (Beara A.C.) – 34:44
Male 60+: Raymond Smith (Kenmare A.C.) – 34:58
Female 40–50: Gillian McCarthy – 44:30
Female 50–60: Breda McElhinney (Bantry A.C.)46:23
Female 60+: Noeleen O'Shea – 47:08

Full results below...

Results of the Kinsale Regatta 5-mile road race - Fri 31st July 2026

There was a record turnout of 822 runners for this year's Kinsale Regatta 5-mile road race, up 11.4% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
 727 1 Ryan MC CARTHY Leevale A.C. 1. M M (U40) 24:06  
276 2 John Joe DOHERTY Finn Valley A.C. 2. M M40 24:49  
303 3 Gavin SWEENEY 3. M M40 25:12   
305 15 Anika THOMPSON Leevale A.C. 1. F F (U40) 26:46  
690 18 Jessica COYNE Leevale A.C. 2. F F (U40) 26:54  
614 61 Aoife LUCEY West Muskerry A.C. 3. F F (U40) 30:04

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has the following galleries...
a) Finish 1 b) Finish 2 c) Finish 3 d) Finish 4 e) Finish 5 f) Finish 6 g) Finish 7 h) Finish 8 i) Finish 9 j) Finish 10 k) Finish 11 l) Finish 12 

Anika Thompson of Leevale AC was the first woman

Notice: Kinsale Regatta 5 Mile - Fri 31st July 2026

The annual Kinsale Regatta 5-mile road race is coming up this year on Friday 31st of July 2026 with a start time of 7:30pm.

Update - 24th July 2026: All the places are nearly gone.

Update - 13th July 2026: 800 places gone, 200 places left.

Update - 8th July 2026: 700 places gone, 300 places left.

You can enter HERE

This event is a fundraiser for Sailability Ireland which helps people with disabilities experience sailing.

Results of the Millstreet 5-mile road race - Fri 26th June 2026

The 2026 edition of the Millstreet 5-mile road race was held on Friday 26th of June. There were 203 finishers whish is down just over 5% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Mark Walsh Leevale AC     26:04 SM 567
2 Brian Murphy Iveragh AC     26:49 MS 476
3 Sean Russell Leevale AC     27:44 MS 572
4 Niamh O'Mahony Tralee     27:53 FS 512
20 Carol Finn Leevale AC     30:45 F35 564
21 Martina Kiely St. Finbarrs     31:02 F40 552

Full results HERE

Notice: Ardmore 5-mile road race - Fri 22nd May 2026

The second race in the 2026 West Waterford AC Summer Series is coming up on Friday 22nd of May with the Ardmore 5-mile road race. 

The race starts at 7:30pm and the pre-entry fee is €12 - LINK or €15 on the night.

Considering the location, it should be of interest to runners in east Cork.

From West Waterford AC... 29th ANNUAL ROUND TOWER HOTEL ARDMORE 5

Race number 2 in our series this year takes us to the fast course in the beautiful village of Ardmore. Join us in Ardmore for a great evening's running and thanks to our sponsor, The Round Tower Hotel we will have prizegiving and refreshments after the race.

Online entry only again and the fee is €12. The entry fee on the night will be €15

We also have an option to purchase an amazing gilet celebrating the summer series for just €20.

Number collection is. at Ardmore GAA club grounds (by kind permission).

Prizes are as follows:
First 3 Male and Female
1 Junior Male and Female
1st Over 40 45,50,60 Male
1st Over 35, 40,45, 50 Female

29th Annual Round Tower Hotel

Ardmore 5 Miles, Friday 22nd May 2026 @ 7.30pm

1st Male - Veronica Ryan Cup
1st Female - Noel Faherty Cup

The course will remain the same as previous years with the 2 lap circuit.

Results of the Midleton 5-mile road race - Thurs 7th May 2026

Niamh Allen was the first woman home with a time of 25m 10s

The 2026 edition of the Midleton 5-mile road race was held on Thurs 7th of May on what turned out to be a dry evening.

"Two course records in Midleton last night. Ryan Creech with his 23:44 improved on the previous best of 24:21 set by Michael Harty two years ago. Michael was just seven seconds outside his time when finishing second in 24:28.

Ryan Creech's 23:44 was probably the first sub-24 in the area since Mark Carroll ran 23:50 at Ballycotton back in 1993.

Niamh Allen - who won last year's race outright in 25:31 - knocked 21 seconds off of that when finish third overall in 25:10." ...JW

Top 3 men & women...
1 Ryan CREECH #5312 Leevale A.C. M MS 23:44 
2 Michael HARTY #5254 East Cork A.C. M M45 24:28 
4 Aidan CONNELL #5302 West Waterford A.C. M M40 26:08 
3 Niamh ALLEN #5555 Leevale A.C. F MS 25:10 
12 Jessica COYNE #5261 Leevale A.C. F FS 28:12 
21 Sharon RYNNE #5564 Leevale A.C. F F35 29:56 

Full results HERE

Photos...

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

Leevale take the top 4 places in the women's race (L-R)... Michelle Kenny, Sharon Rynne, Niamh Allen & Jessica Coyne with coach Donie Walsh

Results of the Garretstown 5-mile road race - Sun 29th Mar 2026

The annual Garretstown 5-mile road race was held this year on Sunday 29th of March 2026 on what was a cool but dry morning. There were 357 finishers this year, up 9% on last year.

Top 3 men & women...
256 1 Naoise Ó FLAITHEARTAIGH Bandon A.C. M 27:10  
242 2 Adhamh O LEARY Leevale A.C. M 27:17  
1772 3 Simon NOLAN Bandon A.C. M40 27:50  
331 15 Siobhan HOARE Togher A.C. F40 31:15  
29 21 Claire MC CARTHY F40 32:31  
254 27 Shona Brid O SULLIVAN Courcey A.C. F 33:39

Full results HERE

1) Joe Murphy has the following photos...

a) Album 1 b) Album 2 

Results of the Ballycotton Lighthouse 5-mile - Sun 1st Mar 2026

The second outing of the Ballycotton Lighthouse 5-mile road race was held on Sunday 1st March 2026 on that turned out to be a very wet and windy morning. 

A total of 327 runners braved the conditions which is down from the 342 last year when the conditions were dry.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Donal COAKLEY M MS 5775 27:29
2 Paul CASHMAN Watergrasshill A.C. M MS 5772 29:27
3 Mark WALSH M MS 6998 30:20
10 Emma DOYLE Leevale A.C. F FS 5839 31:38
14 Sinead FLANNERY Ballintotis Fit 4 Life F FS 5846 32:14
17 Emma MCGRATH F FS 5606 32:58

Full results HERE

Results of the Run the Night 5-mile in Cork City - Wed 11th Feb 2026

This night time 5-miler in Cork City attracted a very large field of 1742 runners on Wed 11th Feb 2026.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Open Kris Liepins (#36) 26:13
2 50-59 Michael Morgan (#24) 27:03
3 Open No Name (#854) 28:16
1 Open Marie Howard (#195) 31:47
2 Open Anna O’Keeffe (#118) 32:11
3 40-49 Katalin Szabo (#239) 33:11

Full results HERE

Photos...

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

Results of the Skibbereen 10-mile & 5-mile road races - Sun 8th Feb 2026

The annual Noreen McCarthy 10-mile and 5-mile road races in Skibbereen were held on Sunday 8th February 2026.

In the 10-mile race, there were 75 finishers which is the same as 2025. In the 5-mile race, there were 9 finishers which is down on 2025 but still up on the 2024 numbers.

Top 5 men & women in the 10-mile...
 1 Jonathan Perrott Innishannon     59:47 MS 51
2 Mark Kelly Bandon   1:03:39 M40 20
3 Ivan Sweetnam Dunmanway   1:03:46 M45 78
4 Luke McCormack St Finbarrs AC   1:03:53 MS 28
6 Dylan Coleman Killeagh   1:05:12 MS 58
5 Julie O'Brien Durrus AC   1:04:13 F40 34
16 Linda O'Sullivan Glounthane   1:10:07 F55 46
25 Shona-Brid O'Sullivan Courcey AC   1:12:41 FS 49
33 Grace Good Aherla   1:17:47 FS 14
35 Ciara Magner Watergrasshill AC   1:18:06 F40 25

10-mile results

Top 3 men & women in the 5-mile...
1 Michael Dullea Skibbereen AC     26:39 M45 529
2 Justin Ryan Skibbereen     27:20 MS 942
3 Patrick O'Driscoll Drinagh     27:58 MS 950
11 Hazel White Clonakilty     33:36 FS 953
12 Orla Hayes Skibberreen     33:45 FS 940
15 Ellen McCarthy Skibbereen     34:20 FS 706

5-mile results

Photos...

1) Skibbereen AC have the following photos...

a) Start of the 10-mile  

Members of Watergrasshill AC at the Skibbereen race. Donal O'Donoghue finished first in the M55 category in the 10-mile after running in the Cork BHAA 5k race earlier in the morning.

A look at the new course for the Carrigaline 5-mile...

The 2026 Carrigaline 5-mile road race is coming up on Sunday 14th of February 2026... see this previous post.

In this post, we'll look at the new course for the 2026 race. The old and new courses are shown below...

The traditional route was one large loop whereas the new route is shaped like a spoon with a loop at the eastern end.

If you look at the map of the old course, you can see that it started and finished in a residential area which brought its own set of problems in terms of stewarding and traffic. The new course is more on the edge of the town and is less likely to cause disruption to local residents or motorists.

Doing a rough check, the number of junctions that need to have race stewards has reduced from 9 down to 5 which should make things easier. It's also good to get away from the roundabout and traffic islands in Shanbally where the road is narrow and can be busy with traffic coming from Ringaskiddy.

The section of road on the new course from 2.3 to 3.1 miles is a nice quiet country road and hardly any cars use it so it's ideal for a road race. 

On the map for the new course, I've shown the route of the new M26 motorway which is under construction. On the old course at about the 3.8-mile mark, the M26 will eventually cut this road in two resulting in a cul-de-sac.

You can see that the new course is completely to the south of the M26 which means it should hopefully be used for the foreseeable future.

In terms of which course is harder or easier then they're both about the same, there's not much in it really.

The start for the new course is about the same distance from the race HQ in the community hall. The new finish line is a bit further away than the old one but not by much.

One issue with any type of out and back course is if the front of the race will meet the back of the field. I had a quick look at this and the tail runners should have passed Coolmore Cross at about 1.5 miles by the time the front runners reach it which is about 3.5 miles for them.

In conclusion... The route of the new M26 motorway is going to cause problems with a number of road races in this area and the Carrigaline race is no exception. As time goes on, it's getting harder and harder to get permission for suitable race routes near populated areas. 

This new route looks like a good solution and should mean that there is a 5-mile road race in Carrigaline for years to come.

Results of the Eyeries 5-mile road race - Sat 8th Nov 2025

The annual Eyeries 5-mile road race was held this year on Saturday the 8th of November 2025 and there were 173 finishers. As can be seen from the chart above, that's down a bit on last year.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Mark Walsh 879 M Leevale A.C. 25:59
2 John Lenehan 862 M City of Derry Spartans 26:38
3 Donal Coakley 776 M Glanmire A.C. 27:04
5 Michelle Finn 939 F Leevale A.C. 28:23
10 Carol Finn 940 F Leevale A.C. 31:02
14 Julie O Brien 790 F Durrus A.C. 31:54

Full results HERE

That was also the conclusion of the Beara AC race series for 2025 with two races up on last year and two down.

Results of the Bere Island 5-mile road race - Sat 18th Oct 2025

The annual Bere Island 5-mile was held this year on Sat 18th Oct 2025. There were 96 finishers which is down a bit on last year and most likely due to the rain.

Results below...

Results of the Allihies 5-mile road race - Sat 27th Sept 2025

The annual Allihies 5-mile road race was held on Saturday 27th Sept 2025 on what turned out to be a lovely sunny day. There were 110 finishers. Results below...

Results & Photos of the Kinsale Regatta 5-mile road race - Fri 1st Aug 2025

The annual Kinsale Regatta 5-mile road race was held this year on Fri 1st Aug 2025 on a dry fine evening.

First 3 men & women...
673 1 Ryan MC CARTHY Leevale A.C. M (U40) 24:52
630 2 Gavin O ROURKE Leevale A.C. M (U40) 24:55
488 3 Sergiu CIOBANU Clonliffe Harriers A.C. M40 25:07
541 38 Saoirse TWOMEY West Muskerry A.C. F (U40) 29:38
426 47 Marie HOWARD Leevale A.C. F (U40) 30:00
505 53 Catherine MURPHY Eagle A.C. F45 30:14

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) Mick Dooley has the following albums... Pre-Race ... Post-Race

2) Pop-Up Races has a large gallery of finish line photos HERE

3) Joe Murphy has the following...
a) Start 1 ... Start 2 ... Start 3 ...

Is this the worst 5-Mile race in Ireland?

Runner and YouTuber Daniel Toal took part in this years Joe Duffy Clontarf 5-mile race in Dublin and posted a video of his experience afterwards. He asked the question... "Ireland’s Worst 5-Mile Race?". Looking at the video, the race seemed a bit of a horror show.

First some background. 

The Clontarf Half-Marathon & 5-mile is held twice a year, once in July and once in November. In 2024, the November half was the 4th largest half-marathon in Ireland and the July edition was the 6th largest half for the year.

The most recent race in the video was held on Saturday the 5th of July 2025. There was a total of 5172 finishers between the two events, 3819 finishers in the Half-Marathon and 1353 finishers in the 5-mile.

The Half-Marathon started at 10am and went off in four waves. The 5-mile race started at 10:30am and again started in four waves.

The map above shows the start. The Half runners head east towards Bull Island and Sutton before turning back. The 5-mile course as you might expect turns around a lot sooner.

Analysis... The first red flag here is the start time of 10am and 10:30am. The course is on a walkway in Dublin on a Saturday morning and it should have started a lot earlier. Daniel is one of the lead runners in the 5-mile race and this screenshot from the race shows the walkway full of pedestrians. 

In a properly organised race, this should never happen as the potential of a collision is high. An early start would have avoided a lot of this.

The next problem was that the front of the 5-mile race ran into the back of the fourth wave of the half-marathon.

Again, in a properly organised race, the back of the half should have gone past the 5-mile turnaround point so the two races couldn't overlap.

As a race progresses, it behaves like a long snake and the further it goes on, the longer it gets. The next problem is that the frontrunners in the 5-mile go around the turnround point and then face all the slower 5-mile runners going out.

As you can see from the image above, there is no clear path through the oncoming traffic. Note that the image above is not from a photographer standing on a bench, it's the view of a runner heading towards oncoming traffic at 3:30/km pace.

At least in the section above, there was the option of running on the grass.

In some sections, there was no option but to run through the oncoming runners.

Video... After reading the description above, you should have a good idea of what transpired. Now, have a look at Daniel's video...

To put this race in context, the entry fee for the half-marathon was €55 and it was €36 for the 5-mile. That doesn't include the additional fees for online registration and the Athletics Ireland one day permit.

Doing some rough calculations, the organisers would have taken in a gross figure of about €300k for this event. As the vast majority of runners are not members of a club, Athletics Ireland would have taken in the best part of €10k.

In conclusion... Is this the worst 5-mile in Ireland? You can make up your own mind but note that this event is held twice a year and gets huge numbers. Most people taking part probably felt that they had a great time.

I think everyone can agree though that the organisers could do a lot better. If I was working as an insurance broker and we covered this event, I'd have serious concerns.