First runner in the UK to reach 1000 parkruns...

On Saturday 30th of May 2026, Darren Wood became the first person in the UK to complete 1000 parkruns and he is shown above with the coveted yellow 1000 milestone jersey.

Considering that there are roughly 52 to 54 events per year, it means that it takes about 20 years to reach the 1000 mark!

The first volunteer to reach 1000 credits in the UK was back in March of 2024... see this previous post.

The parkrun Pioneer Challenge...

While many runners tend to just go to their local 5k parkrun, some become parkrun tourists and visit other locations. This inevitably leads to lists of various sorts.

One of these is the challenge of doing parkruns by letters of the alphabet i.e. B for Ballincollig, M for Midleton and so on. I covered this is a previous post... https://corkrunning.blogspot.com/2023/12/doing-5k-parkruns-by-letter.html

Someone recently me about the runners who try the Pioneer Challenge and this requires that you  complete the first event in every current parkrun country. 

The first event in Ireland is Malahide, the first one in the UK is Bushy Park and so on.

At the last update, one person had 12 countries. There are 1872 people on the list at present and the minimum number of countries is four.

You can find the full list HERE

It's interesting to note on the map the countries in Europe where there are no parkruns at present.

Cork City Council name new park bench after parkrunner Anne Murphy

Joe Murphy with the new seat dedicated to Anne Murphy

Cork City Council have just named a new bench in Ballincollig Regional Park after the late Anne Murphy.

Anne was a regular attendee at the various parkruns and did her first 5k parkrun in Tralee back on the 13th of June 2015. Her first outing in Ballincollig Regional Park was at the inaugural event on the 18th of June 2016 and Ballincollig would go on to become her home parkrun.

Anne completed 148 parkruns with husband Joe in 17 different locations.

Mallow Castle 5k parkrun hits the 100 mark - Sept 2023

The Mallow Castle 5k parkrun held its 100th edition on the 9th September 2023. The first one was on the 4th of September 2021 and the average number of participants per event is 64.

The chart above shows the numbers for all 100. The numbers seemed to have dropped off in 2022 compared to 2021 but there seems to a recovery in 2023.

This is of course not the first 5k parkrun in Mallow. The previous Mallow Town 5k parkrun was held in the town park next to the river and it was held 55 times with an average of 75.4.

If we take out the first few events then the average for the current Mallow Castle event isn't that far off the old Mallow Town event.

The new Mallow Castle event is also on a paved surface whereas the old parkrun could often be muddy in wet weather as sections were on grass.

For more information on the Mallow Castle 5k parkrun, go to https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/

For more info on the parkruns in Co Cork, click HERE

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 26th Feb 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 26th February 2022. 

Ballincollig Regional Park: 220 this week, 230 last week. Long term average 299.

First 3 men & women...

1 Eoin O KEEFFE Male VM35-39 St Finbarrs AC 17:28

2 Grzegorz SIENICKI Male VM35-39 17:52

3 Fergal SARGENT Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:30

18 Gail MURRAY Female VW40-44 Belgooly AC 20:45

19 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 Leevale AC 20:49

22 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:06

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/218/

Glen River: 74 this week, 57 last week. The long term average is 83.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 18:50

2 Richard BOURKE Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:59

3 Aidan MAHER Male JM15-17 Carraig na bhFear AC 19:04

12 Niamh SHEEHAN Female SW30-34 Togher AC 23:24

13 Gabrielle STACK Female SW30-34 Sanctuary Runners 23:33

15 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:36

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/94/

Mallow Castle: 55 finishers this week, 52 last week. The long term average is 89.

First 3 men & women...

1 Iain BUCKLEY Male JM11-14 18:49

2 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 19:16

3 Kieran TWOMEY Male VM55-59 21:10

8 Nicole O'CALLAGHAN Female JW10 23:35

11 Margaret CRONIN Female VW40-44 Bweeng Trail Blazers 23:55

12 Aine QUANE Female SW30-34 23:56

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/24/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 68 this week, 69 for last week. The long term average is 77.

First 3 men & women...

1 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC 18:20

2 Ben O'SULLIVAN Male JM15-17 18:45

3 Padraig MAHONY Male VM45-49 18:54

11 Éadaoin COLEMAN Female VW40-44 23:03

12 Lucy BARRY Female SW30-34 23:26

13 Muirna WALSH Female VW45-49 23:32

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/19/

Macroom Desmense: 59 this week, 45 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 20:54

2 Martin CANTY Male VM40-44 Melbourne Midday Milers 21:34

3 Rafal SZULHAN Male VM45-49 22:03

14 Claire Mary TWOMEY Female VW35-39 24:58

18 Chloe LEHANE Female JW11-14 25:33

19 Mary LUCEY Female VW35-39 25:56

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/363/

Clonakilty: 30 finishers this week, 29 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 19:40

2 Niall O'CONNOR Male VM45-49 Ranelagh Harriers 21:05

3 Conor SMITH Male SM20-24 21:43

4 Anna O'NEILL Female VW50-54 22:29

5 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 22:43

10 Meg HOLLAND Female SW25-29 24:54

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/320/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 74 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. It was cancelled for the two previous weeks, long term average is 59.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:24

2 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 21:29

3 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM40-44 22:11

6 Ciara TIERNEY Female SW30-34 Tralee Triathlon Club 23:06

9 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 24:15

10 Anita GRIMES Female VW55-59 24:27

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/235/

Bere Island: 54 this week, 26 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Stephen CROWLEY Male SM30-34 19:47

2 Ray SMITH Male VM55-59 21:32

3 Garry HILLIARD Male VM45-49 21:39

6 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 23:54

8 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:29

10 Clare MURPHY Female VW60-64 26:15

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/322/

Castlehaven: 19 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 22 last week. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...

1 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 21:47

3 John CASEY Male VM55-59 Togher AC 23:38

6 Peter MACHIN Male VM50-54 Long Eaton RC 25:37

2 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 22:14

4 Fiona SHINE Female VW35-39 Crusaders Athletic Club 25:29

5 Lisa SHINE Female VW35-39 Crusaders Athletic Club 25:33

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/243/

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 12th Feb 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 12th February 2022. The numbers overall seem a bit down which was probably due to the damp weather.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 310 this week, 350 last week. Long term average 299.

First 3 men & women...

1 Liam RYAN Male VM40-44 18:30

2 Diarmaid NOLAN Male SM30-34 18:51

3 Patrick O'DWYER Male SM25-29 19:22

17 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 Leevale AC 20:55

27 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:50

28 Mairead PEREZ Female VW45-49 21:51

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/216/

Glen River: 63 this week, 74 last week. The long term average is 84.

First 3 men & women...

1 Patrick BOWDEN Male VM40-44 18:46

2 Unknown  

3 Joe COFFEY Male VM50-54 20:10

4 Siobhan WALSH Female VW40-44 Carraig na bhFear AC 22:39

13 Mags HASSETT Female VW45-49 26:15

17 Yan ZHANG Female SW30-34 Sanctuary Runners 27:03

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/92/

Mallow Castle: 65 finishers this week, 108 last week. The long term average is 92.

First 3 men & women...

1 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:42

2 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 19:01

3 David O'CONNOR Male VM55-59 19:47

6 Ciara KIELY Female JW10 North Cork AC 22:11

9 Elaine O'CALLAGHAN Female VW35-39 23:13

14 Claire CURTIN Female VW35-39 White Rock Runners 24:15

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/22/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 45 this week, 75 for last week. The long term average is 80.

First 3 men & women...

1 Micheal CRONIN Male SM30-34 20:51

2 Eoin COYNE Male SM30-34 21:38

3 Ian MURPHY Male VM50-54 22:07

4 Éadaoin COLEMAN Female VW40-44 22:12

6 Nuala MURPHY Female VW40-44 23:55

8 Claire MURPHY Female VW45-49 24:20

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/17/

Macroom Desmense: 45 this week, 60 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Sean DINEEN Male SM25-29 Cork Triathlon Club 18:45

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:45

3 Eamonn O'KEEFFE Male VM40-44 Millstreet Athletic Club 21:25

10 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 24:26

17 Caroline O DONNELL Female VW50-54 26:37

18 Sinead TWOMEY Female VW35-39 26:41

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/361/

Clonakilty: 39 finishers this week, 30 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Craig O BRIEN Male SM30-34 19:25

2 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM40-44 19:33

3 Chris HAYES Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 20:29

7 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 22:35

12 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:08

14 Majella O' MAHONY Female VW35-39 25:33

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/318/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 101 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 108, long term average is 59.

CANCELLED due to flooding on the course.

First 3 men & women... 

Glengarriff results... 

Bere Island: 41 this week, 26 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Luke JOHNSON Male SM25-29 21:30

2 Shane MCSWEENEY Male SM25-29 22:31

3 Noel DOWNES Male VM45-49 22:55

4 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW18-19 24:07

10 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 27:05

12 Laura WALSH Female JW15-17 28:36

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/320/

Castlehaven: 19 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 20 last week. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...

1 Emer COURTNEY Female VW35-39 23:55

3 Sharon LEVIS Female VW40-44 25:38

4 Danielle SHEEHY Female SW25-29 26:11

2 Noel GEANEY Male VM60-64 24:51

5 Michael WILSON Male VM50-54 26:42

8 Mark HOGAN Male VM50-54 28:46

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/241/

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 22nd Jan 2022

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 22nd January 2022. The numbers seem similar to last week which was about 40% up on the previous week.

Ballincollig Regional Park: 402 this week, 400 last week. Long term average 298.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan HAYNES Male VM35-39 17:24

2 Senan O REILLY Male JM15-17 17:37

3 Shane COONEY Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:58

27 Rachel LEDWITH Female JW11-14 Belgooly AC 20:32

37 Deirbhile O'KEEFFE Female SW20-24 21:30

40 Mairead PEREZ Female VW45-49 21:38

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/213/

Glen River: 100 this week, 102 last week. The long term average is 84.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conrad WATT Male SM30-34 Magnolia RR 18:01

2 Finbarr ODWYER Male VM45-49 Leevale AC 18:08

3 Cian MCCAFFERTY Male SM30-34 19:39

15 Niamh SHEEHAN Female SW30-34 Togher AC 22:56

17 Robyn MAHER Female JW11-14 Carraig na bhFear AC 23:17

21 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 24:02

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/89/

Mallow Castle: 83 finishers this week, 114 last time. The long term average is 91.

First 3 men & women...

1 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:32

2 Brian AHERN Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 18:44

4 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 19:19

3 Ailbhe MCDAID Female VW35-39 18:52

15 Norah MCGLYNN Female JW15-17 23:13

19 Orla NOLAN Female VW50-54 Dromahane Roadrunners 23:31

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/19/

Youghal: The Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 109 this week, 135 for last week. The long term average is 77.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran MCNAMEE Male SM18-19 17:21

2 Patrick TROY Male VM45-49 18:24

3 Henry MILWARD Male SM30-34 Midleton AC 18:31

4 Emma LANDERS Female JW15-17 18:43

5 Avril CASHMAN Female JW15-17 18:43

7 Alex CASHMAN Female JW15-17 20:09

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/14/

Macroom Desmense: 80 this week, 53 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:47

2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 20:24

3 Finbarr KELLEHER Male VM35-39 20:35

12 Jennifer RING Female VW40-44 22:55

15 Lisa SHINE Female VW35-39 Crusaders Athletic Club 23:41

18 Aoife BARRY-MURPHY Female SW25-29 23:55

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/358/

Clonakilty: 41 finishers this week, 40 finishers last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Carmel CROWLEY Female VW50-54 19:58

8 Sinead CROWLEY Female JW15-17 23:38

11 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 25:27

2 Jeremy MOLONEY Male SM30-34 20:54

3 Conor DOYLE Male SM30-34 21:41

4 Ciaràn O'LEARY Male JM10 21:55

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/315/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 108 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 110, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Hannah STEEDS Female SW25-29 Bristol and West AC 18:46 

11 Alice COPPINGER Female VW40-44 Bantry Athletic Club 23:10

12 Niamh CASEY Female VW35-39 23:25

2 Callum MCELHINNEY Male JM15-17 Bantry Athletic Club 19:57

3 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:44

4 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 20:50

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/232/

Bere Island: 26 this week, 12 last week, long term average of 46. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Olan MURPHY Male JM15-17 23:30

2 Colin GLEESON Male VM65-69 Beara AC 23:55

5 Breandan MURPHY Male SM18-19 25:14

3 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 24:12

4 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:33

6 Mags O NEILL Female VW45-49 Beara AC 26:43

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/317/

Castlehaven: 28 finishers this week in Rineen Woods. 32 last week. Long term average 30.

First 3 men & women...

1 Eoin DALY Male SM30-34 21:17

2 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM40-44 Castlehaven GAA 22:05

3 Richie HARNEDY Male VM35-39 22:07

7 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:49

9 Anne-Marie GREEN Female VW55-59 25:59

10 Danielle SHEEHY Female SW25-29 26:14

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/238/

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 6th Nov 2021

Results of this weeks nine 5k parkruns around the county...

Ballincollig Regional Park: 301 this week, 255 last week. Long term average 299.

First 3 men & women...

1 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:18

2 John O MAHONY Male VM45-49 17:45

3 Sean DINEEN Male SM25-29 Cork Triathlon Club 17:56

32 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:31

47 Mairead PEREZ Female VW45-49 22:22

62 Deirdre MCGING Female SW30-34 Sportsworld 23:03

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/202/

Mallow Castle: 110 finishers this week which is well up on the 90 last week. The average of the 9 events at Mallow Castle is 90.

First 3 men & women...

1 James DALEY Male VM40-44 18:02

2 Paul WILLIAMSON Male VM35-39 Ballyfin AC 18:07

3 Tomás KIELY Male JM11-14 North Cork AC 18:13

12 Lorraine BOLSTER Female VW40-44 20:48

13 Sharon MAHER Female VW45-49 20:48

16 Lorna COMYN Female SW30-34 21:27

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/9/

Glen River: 69 this week, 71 last week. The long term average is 86.

First 3 men & women...

1 Caoimhin VALLELY Male VM40-44 18:46

2 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 19:51

3 Barry WALSH Male VM35-39 19:53

12 Niamh SHEEHAN Female SW30-34 Togher AC 23:56

25 Sibusisiwe MHLOPHE Female SW30-34 Togher AC 25:33

27 Steve CROWLEY? Female JW11-14 26:06

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/78/

Youghal: The new Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got 73 this week as compared to 89  last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Padraig MAHONY Male VM45-49 18:39

2 Ben O'SULLIVAN Male JM15-17 19:00

3 Brendan COLEMAN Male VM40-44 19:03

10 Stephanie ILSLEY Female VW60-64 22:40

11 Janette O SULLIVAN Female VW40-44 23:08

16 Claire MURPHY Female VW45-49 24:44

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/3/

Macroom Desmense: 57 this week, 40 last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 21:02

2 Matt MURPHY Male JM15-17 21:10

3 Enda O'FLAHERTY Male VM35-39 21:28

12 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 24:45

18 Elaine CURRAN Female VW40-44 25:35

21 Lynda BRADLEY Female VW45-49 26:18

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/349/

Clonakilty: 29 this week, 26 last week. Long term average 37.

First 3 men & women...

1 Mícheál Ó SÉ Male VM35-39 19:30

2 Matt O'BRIEN Male SM25-29 21:03

3 Brian MINIHANE Male SM25-29 22:32

6 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 25:38

8 Grainne CROWLEY Female VW45-49 26:26

14 Niamh RYAN Female VW35-39 29:30

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/305/

Castlehaven: 22 finishers this week, 25 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 21:40

4 Caroline KELLY Female SW30-34 London City Athletics Club 23:42

5 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:53

2 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 22:44

3 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 22:45

6 Donnacha MC CARTHY Male VM35-39 24:38

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/228/

Bere Island: 40 this week, 33 last week, long term average of 47. There seems to be a lot of 'unknown' runners in the results this week for whatever reason.

First 3 men & women...

1 Colin ARCHER Male VM35-39 20:06

2 Unknown  

3 Unknown

10 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 Beara AC 25:00

17 Mya O SULLIVAN Female JW10 28:35

19 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 28:46

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/307/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 56 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods. Last week was 53, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM11-14 20:53

2 Charles DALY Male SM30-34 20:59

3 Cathal MINEHANE Male VM40-44 21:06

8 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:27

11 Fleur HINDLEY Female VW55-59 24:59

13 Kathryna KEARNEY Female VW45-49 25:09

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/221/

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 23rd Oct 2021

Results of this weeks nine 5k parkruns around the county...

Ballincollig Regional Park: The numbers were down 19% this week with 259 taking part, perhaps due to the BHAA 5k on Sunday in Little Island? It was also the 200th Ballincollig 5k parkrun!

First 3 men & women...

1 Cillian O'LEARY Male VM40-44 Raheny Shamrock AC 16:26

2 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 17:16 

3 Lorcan BENJACAR Male JM15-17 18:06

12 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:41

40 Karen BEVAN Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 22:05

45 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW40-44 22:30

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/200/

Mallow Castle: 76 finishers this week, 80 last week. The average of the 7 events at Mallow Castle is 93.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matt COUGHLAN Male VM40-44 Piranha TC 18:41

2 Thomas BROWNE Male JM15-17 19:05

3 George O'SULLIVAN Male VM50-54 19:36

18 Máire MCKENNA Female VW40-44 22:51

25 Grace KIELY Female JW11-14 24:23

27 Davina CROWLEY Female VW40-44 24:56

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/7/

Glen River: 52 took part this week, down on the 69 of last week. The long term average is 87.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 Togher AC 20:16

2 Dermot WOODS Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:56

3 Rian KENNY O SULLIVAN Male JM15-17 21:51

8 Sandra WALSH Female VW50-54 23:38

18 Imelda LYONS Female VW40-44 26:15

19 Helen O'CALLAGHAN Female SW25-29 26:37

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/76/

Youghal: The new Pobalscoil na Tríonóide 5k parkrun in Youghal got off to a great start with 100 taking part. It just goes to show that there is a demand for this type of event in East Cork.

First 3 men & women...

1 Paul KEARNEY Male VM35-39 Aghada Running Club 18:16

2 Jack BARRETT Male SM25-29 20:10

3 Brian WALL Male VM35-39 Aghada Running Club 20:43

22 Siobhan KEARNEY Female VW50-54 Tralee parkrunners on Tour - TpoT 24:36

23 Chloe WALSH Female SW25-29 24:45

30 Emer HANNIGAN Female VW45-49 25:52

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/1/

Macroom Desmense: 45 this week, up from the 30 of last week. Long term average is 54.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM35-39 18:24

2 Jude MURPHY Male JM11-14 21:48

3 Matt MURPHY Male JM15-17 21:57

10 Pauline CALLAN Female VW45-49 24:44

11 Noreen STEWART Female VW35-39 24:53

17 Emilia TWOMEY Female JW11-14 25:57

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castledemense/results/347/

Clonakilty: No horses on the course this week as the 303rd Clonakilty 5k went ahead and attracted a field of 30 participants.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciaran WATERS Male SM30-34 Portmarnock Athletic Club 19:55

2 Richard CASEY Male VM50-54 22:28

3 John SANTRY Male VM35-39 Dell EMC Running Club 22:56

4 Sinead CROWLEY Female JW15-17 22:59

7 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW35-39 25:39

9 Grainne MULCAHY Female SW20-24 26:22

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/303/

Castlehaven: 31 finishers, 18 last week, long term average 31.

First 3 men & women...

1 Ciarán BOUSE Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 21:17

3 Padraig COURTNEY Male VM35-39 Castlehaven GAA 23:06

4 Florence FITZGERALD Male SM30-34 23:07

2 Catherine AIREY Female SW25-29 Highgate Harriers 22:42

5 Caroline KELLY Female SW30-34 London City Athletics Club 23:23

6 Niamh O'BRIEN Female SW30-34 23:29

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/226/

Bere Island: The numbers were up to 55 this week from last weeks 40. That's the highest figure since the 5k parkrun resumed at the start of October and is above the long term average of 47.

First 3 men & women...

1 Edward AHERN Male SM25-29 19:16

2 Danny MANNING Male VM45-49 21:27

3 Olan MURPHY Male JM15-17 22:25

7 Clare KEAVENEY JIMENEZ Female SW25-29 23:19

8 Michelagh MURPHY Female JW15-17 23:51

11 Katie VERDON Female VW40-44 24:35

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/305/

Glengarriff Woods: There were 55 finishers for this weeks 5k parkrun in Glengarriff Woods with plenty of McElhinney's in the results. Last week was 34, long term average is 58.

First 3 men & women... 

1 Callum MCELHINNEY Male JM15-17 Bantry Athletic Club 18:55

2 Darragh MCELHINNEY Male SM20-24 Bantry Athletic Club 19:27

3 Enda FITZMAURICE Male VM40-44 19:31

11 Claire Elizabeth MOLLOY Female VW40-44 23:57

14 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 24:33

18 Breda MCELHINNEY Female VW50-54 25:12

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/219/

Surge in Over 65's joining parkrun in the UK

There was an article in the Guardian recently about how those in the over-65 age category are starting to do 5k parkruns in increasing numbers.

As can be seen from the chart above, the growth in the 18-24 age category has leveled off in 2018. This is also the age category which has been declining in athletic clubs for years.

In contrast, those aged 65 and over are taking to parkrun in droves and has grown fourfold in four years.

This surge is probably due to the very nature of parkrun. Road races can seem very intimidating to members of the public whereas 5k parkruns are all about participation. They're all about some light exercise early on a Saturday morning and people can run, jog or walk as they like.

“My confidence and self-esteem have gone through the roof. If you can run, you feel you can do anything,”

The full article can be seen here... https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/dec/15/over-65s-join-parkruns

Results & Photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun... Sat 17th March 2018

After the rain last week, the numbers were back up again to normal levels on St.Patrick's Day with 346 runners taking part in the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park.

1 Denis BUCKLEY    18:17    JM15-17    M1
2 Alex BOYNTON    18:25    SM30-34    M2
3 Piotr SPYT    19:10    VM35-39    M3
36 Louise SHEEHAN    22:19    VW40-44    F1    Ballincollig Athletic Club
37 Marta RZEPKA    22:27    VW35-39    F2    Polish Runners Club Ireland
49 Maria CALACO MULERO    22:55    SW20-24    F3

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) The organisers have a gallery HERE

Results of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 30th Dec 2017

The 30th of December marked the final 5k parkrun of 2017 for the Ballincollig Regional Park with 231 runners taking part.

As can be seen from the chart above, the Ballincollig parkrun started on the 18th of June 2016 and this last one of 2017 is the 80th edition. There has obviously been some variation in the numbers with a large spike in January of 2017 with the Operation Transformation TV programme while it was more settled over the Summer months.

The overall trend however shows that the numbers are increasing. In the weeks from the 18th of June 2016 to the end of that year, there was an average of 219.5 runners. Looking at the equivalent period in 2017, that number has risen to 235 and that includes one week where zero was recorded because of damage to the park due to the Hurricane Ophelia.

If that event hadn't been cancelled then the average figure might have been around 243, something like a 10% rise in numbers on the period in 2016.

1 Colm FITZGERALD    18:25    SM20-24    M1
2 Denis BUCKLEY    18:39    JM15-17    M2
3 Kieran O SULLIVAN    19:06    VM45-49    M3    St Finbarrs AC
17 Anne WOLFE    21:33    VW45-49    F1    St Finbarrs AC
21 Orla CROSBIE    21:59    VW50-54    F2    St Finbarrs AC
28 Maria CORMACK    22:26    VW40-44    F3    Kilkenny City Harriers

Results of the 80th edition

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has a gallery HERE
2) The organisers have a gallery HERE

Results & Photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 28th Oct 2017

After the recent storm damage, Ballincollig Regional Park opened again to the public on Fri 27th Oct and the 5k parkrun on Saurday got 244 runners.

1 Barry O SHEA    17:33    SM30-34    M1
2 Damian KENNEALLY    18:14    SM30-34    M2    Eagle A.C.
3 Eoin O'CONNELL    18:23    VM45-49    M3    MORDEN RUNNERS
29 Rachel O'CALLAGHAN    21:58    VW40-44    F1
44 Olga O'SULLIVAN    23:45    VW40-44    F2    Dell EMC Running Club
51 Louise Lynch O'KEEFFE    24:10    VW50-54    F3

Full results

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a gallery HERE
2) The organisers have a gallery HERE

Radio Kerry Podcast on parkruns

There was a recent podcast on the Radio Kerry website about the 5k parkruns in the county and how there is now funding for a new location if one is found.

The podcast might be of interest to anyone involved in parkruns or might be interested in trying to set one up in their own area.

The 14 minute podcast can be heard HERE

Results of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 1st July 2017

The numbers were down a bit for this weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park with 188 taking part. Since the start of the year, the dips in numbers have been due mainly due to the weather. The weather this morning was nice and dry so that wasn't an issue. Perhaps it's down due to all the local races during the week? Another factor may well be people starting to go on holidays at this time of year. Whatever the reason, it's very likely just a dip as opposed to a trend.

1 Conor DOLAN    17:47    SM30-34  M 1
2 Shane O'CALLAGHAN    18:49    VM35-39 M 2
3 Patrick OMAHONEY    19:13    VM35-39 M 3
8 Sinead BRODY    20:28    VW35-39 F 1    Galway City Harriers
15 Aifric WALSH    21:39    JW15-17  F 2
18 Mary SWEENEY    22:01    VW55-59  F 3    St Finbarrs AC 

Full results

Photos...
1) The organisers have a gallery HERE

Results of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 11th Mar 2017

There was another large turn out for this weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park with 333 people taking part. As you can see from the chart above, it used to be around the 200 mark in the last quarter of 2016. Now, it seems to have settled down to around 300 per week.

1    Cillian O'LEARY    16:17    VM35-39    M1    Raheny Shamrock AC
2    Conor DOLAN    16:40    SM30-34    M2
3    David CRAIG    18:29    VM35-39    M3
21    Maeve COTTER    22:38    VW35-39    F1    Eagle A.C.
27    Noirin KELLEHER    23:08    VW50-54    F2
34    Edel BUCKLEY    23:29    SW30-34    F3

The results of the 39th edition can be seen HERE

Results & photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 6th Aug 2016

What supposed to happen with most new parkruns is that there is an initial surge in numbers when it starts which then taper off to a long term average. For the Ballincollig parkrun, the initial surge came on day 1 but the numbers haven't really tapered off at all. There were 234 present today for the 8th edition, the second highest figure so far.

1    Conor DOLAN    17:06    SM30-34    1    St Finbarrs AC
2    Darragh CANAVAN    17:20    VM35-39    2    Leevale AC
3    Eoin O KEEFFE    17:53    SM30-34    3    St Finbarrs AC
21    Marie O NEILL    21:18    SW30-34    1
32    Aifric WALSH    22:40    JW11-14    2
35    Mary DE BARRA    23:03    VW45-49    3

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...(Updated Sat 6th Aug @8:47pm)
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a nice gallery of photos HERE
2) Pauline Hennessey has a gallery HERE

Ballincollig Regional Park 5k parkrun...Sat 6th Aug 2016. Photo: Joe Murphy