Do parkrun numbers in Cork City drop during the summer holidays???

I have heard it said more than once that if the numbers were down at a 5k parkrun in Cork City during the summer months then it was because people were away on holidays.

At first, it seems plausible. A lot of people go on holidays in July and August so the numbers might drop.

Is it true though? Let's have a look, I plotted the numbers for the Ballincollig, Tramore Valley and Glen River events from the start of March to the end of September 2025. 

If the theory was true then we should see a noticeable dip during July and August.

First up, here's Ballincollig...

There is some variation in numbers from week to week and this is often due to the weather like the very wet Saturday on the 30th of August. If there's a dip in numbers due to the summer holidays then it's very small.

Tramore Valley Park is the second largest event in Cork City...

There is no big drop in July and August. If anything, the numbers in August are up a bit and this may be due to an influx of tourists visiting the city.

The Glen River parkrun is the smallest of the city parkruns...

Again, there's no summer dip and there is a bit of a peak in July which again may be due to tourists.

It's probably likely that visitors to the city are more likely to do Tramore Valley Park and the Glen River events which are closer to the city centre. Ballincollig by contrast is on the western outskirts of Cork City and a bit harder for tourists to get to.

Conclusion... There is no evidence to support the theory that numbers in Cork City drop during the summer months. If anything, there might be a small boost due to tourists visiting the city.

Reminder that the Cobh & Ballincollig 2k junior parkruns have restarted...

I know a lot of runners that are parents read this blog and this is just a reminder for them that the free weekly 2km parkruns for 4-14 year old's have restarted.

There are two in Cork... one in Ballincollig Regional Park and one at Carrignafoy in Cobh.

Last Sunday, the Ballincollig event had 66 finishers while the Cobh one had 48.

These events are open to children aged from 4 to 14 years old and are held every Sunday morning at 9:30am.

These are the links to the respective parkrun websites... 

Ballincollig junior parkrun... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincolligregional-juniors/

Cobh junior parkrun... https://www.parkrun.ie/cobh-juniors/

New Junior parkrun starting in Ballincollig soon

The group pictured above completed the Sports Ireland Child Protection Course recently in preparation for the new Junior 2km parkrun which will be starting in Ballincollig Regional Park soon.

It will be held every Sunday morning at 9:30am and is open to juveniles aged from 4 to 14 years old.

This will be the second Junior parkrun in Cork. The first one started in Cobh just over a year ago and has been getting good numbers every week.

Update : The start date will be Sunday the 30th of June 2019.

Results & Photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun... Sat 30th June 2018

The numbers were down a bit for this weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park with 212 taking part, down from the 294 of last week. As can be seen from the photo above, it was another scorcher.

The reason I noticed this photo in particular was that the runner on the right Kei Ado, ran 21:49 in Ballincollig and also ran in the 5 mile race in Castletownbere in West Cork a few hours later!

1 Nathan O LEARY    18:05    SM18-19    M1    Leevale AC
2 Shane HARRINGTON    18:09    VM35-39    M2
3 Piotr SPYT    19:14    VM35-39    M3    Polish Runners Club Ireland
15 Helen WALSH    21:09    VW40-44    F1    Togher AC
16 Claire O' BRIEN    21:09    SW30-34    F2    Watergrasshill AC
34 Rachel O'CALLAGHAN    22:23    VW45-49    F3
Results

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

Results & photos of the Cork BHAA VMWare 5k in Ballincollig... Wed 28th June 2018

A grand total of 320 runners turned out for this years Cork BHAA VMWare 5k in Ballincollig on Wednesday the 27th of June 2018. 

1 Kevin O'Leary M1 00:16:01 Harty Tax Consulting
2 Alfie Davis 0/40A M2 00:16:04 UCC M-A-1
3 Rory O'Sullivan 0/40A M3 00:16:10 Musgrave
15 Aoife Cooke F1 00:17:54 Simply Suits
40 Rosaleen Mackeown 0/40I F2 00:19:03 Run with Ros
43 Breda Gaffney 0/45J F3 00:19:29 Dept 0f Social Protection

Full results HERE

Photos...
1) Derek Costello has a gallery HERE
2) Joe Murphy has a gallery HERE

Looking at the numbers, it's interesting to look at the trend and see if the local free 5k parkrun on Saturday mornings has had any impact.

As can be seen from the chart below, the numbers are down 14% this year but they were down in 2016 as well before bouncing back. The local 5k parkrun started in June of 2016.

The Belle of Ballincollig 5k is in the same area and the numbers for that one are down about a third on the peak of 302 back in 2015. The BHAA races cost €5 for registered runners where as the Belle one was €10 I think.

Interesting to see how the two races differ.

Results & photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun... Sat 9th June 2018

A total of 298 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park,

1    Adam DUCHNICZ    19:30    VM45-49 M1
2    Killian FORBES    19:35    VM35-39  M2
3    Trevor COLLINS    19:36    VM40-44  M3    VMware Running Club
16    Orla CROSBIE    21:31    VW50-54 F1    St Finbarrs AC
25    Maria CALACO MULERO    22:32    SW25-29  F2
44    Mairead PEREZ    23:46    VW45-49  F3

Results HERE

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

Results of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun... Sat 14th Apr 2018

This weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park attracted a field of 288 runners, down a bit on last weeek.

1    Unknown              M1                     
2    Richard MURPHY    18:46    SM25-29    68.74 %    M2
3    Clifford BROWNE    19:11    SM25-29    67.33 %    M3
28    Fiona VERLING    22:46    VW35-39    66.76 %    F1
36    Deirdre O'CALLAGHAN    23:19    VW45-49    69.48 %    F 2    Eagle A.C. 14   
39    Marie O'SHEA    23:22    VW40-44    65.48 %    F3

Full results

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has a gallery HERE

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 6th Jan 2018

The 5k parkrun in Ballincollig got off to a flying start for 2018 with 363 runners turning out on Sat 6th Jan. While there was a parkrun there on New Year's Day, this was the first proper one of the year.

The numbers coincidentally are almost the exact same as last year when 361 turned out for the first event of 2017.
 
1 Damian KENNEALLY    18:16    VM35-39    M1    Eagle A.C.
2 Unknown                                   
3 Colm FITZGERALD    18:34    SM20-24    M3
54 Diane DUFFY    22:29    VW35-39    F1
58 Marie O'SHEA    22:45    VW40-44    F2
69 Louise Lynch O'KEEFFE    23:28    VW50-54    F3

Full results

Photos...
1) The organisers have a gallery HERE
2) Joe Murphy has 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 of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 15th July 2017

After dropping for three weeks in a row, the numbers popped back again this week with 224 people taking part, Maybe it was the Rugby after all! :o)

1 Unknown                                   
2 Joe LILLIS    18:13    VM35-39    M2    Sliabh Buidhe Rovers A.C.
3 Unknown                                   
13 Debbie CORCORAN    20:57    VW35-39    F1
19 Geraldine O SHEA    21:43    VW45-49    F2    St Finbarrs AC
25 Mary SWEENEY    22:18    VW55-59    F3    St Finbarrs AC
Results

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

By the way, the organisers are always looking for volunteers. All 5k parkruns are free and are completely dependent on people giving up their time. All the jobs are pretty easy and they'll find something for you to do.

Results of the Cork BHAA VMWare 5k in Ballincollig...Wed 28th June 2017

374 runners took part in this Cork BHAA 5k race in Ballincollig on what was luckily a dry evening. Just an hour or so later, the heavy rain arrived in Cork.

1 Conor O keefe M1 00:15:56 Depuy Synthes
2 Mark Walsh M2 00:15:58 Dept of Ed
3 Rory O'Sullivan 0/40A M3 00:16:02 Musgrave
51 Noreen Mackey F1 00:19:41 CIT
52 Carmel Parnell 0/60M F2 00:19:43 Cork Shops
61 Anne Wolfe 0/45J F3 00:20:11 Joyce Wolfe Physiotherapy

The full results are HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a gallery HERE

Ballincollig 5k parkrun is one year old...Sat 17th June 2017

The 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park started on Saturday the 18th of June 2016 and the numbers in the last year are shown below...

A ... The very first 5k parkrun in Ballincollig attracts a large crowd of 279. Obviously there is a novelty factor at the start but it drops straight away rather than gradually as you might expect. Perhaps due to all the road races at this time of year?

B ... For the rest of the summer, the numbers settle at a very respectable 200 or so per week.

C ... Small spike due to I think to a small Operation Transformation promotion.

D ... For the rest of 2016, the number stay at roughly 200 per week. Noticeable drop in the run up to Christmas.

E ... Between New Year resolutions and Operation Transformation, there is a huge surge in number reaching a peak on the 21st of Jan 2017 with 448 taking part. The numbers gradually reduce but the publicity from Operation Transformation is a factor until the start of March 2017.

F ... The average numbers for the late Spring and early Summer are about the 270 mark, about 35% than the Summer months of 2016.

Overall... Following on from the disappointment of the suspension of the parkrun in Tramore Valley Park in Cork City, the Ballincollig event has been a major success. Runners in and near the city now have a timed 5k every Saturday morning in a nice quiet location and it's free!

All of this would not have been possible with initial funding from Cork Sports Partnership and of course, all the volunteers that turn out every week to make it happen.

Results...
1 Tobi GRAB    18:28    VM40-44    M1    Leevale AC
2 Unknown                                   
3 Eoin MAC MAHON    19:38    SM25-29    M3
18 Mary SWEENEY    22:01    VW55-59    F1    St Finbarrs AC
21 Rachel O'CALLAGHAN    22:09    VW40-44    F2
41 Maria MADIGAN    23:48    VW40-44    F3 

Results of the 53rd edition

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

Results & photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 22nd Apr 2017

Another week and another fine turn out of 272 runners for the Ballincollig 5k parkrun on Saturday the 22nd of April 2017.

1 Conor DOLAN    17:50    SM30-34    M1
2 Unknown                                   
3 Shane O'CALLAGHAN    19:02    VM35-39    M3
20 Sorcha CROWLEY    21:29    SW30-34    F1
26 Mary SLOCUM    22:10    VW50-54    F2
61 Imelda MARSHALL    24:21    VW35-39    F3

The results of the 45th edition can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Muphy of Eagle AC has a gallery HERE

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

 The numbers took a jump back up this week with 385 taking part in the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park. Last week, the Dungarvan 10 mile was on and the rain before 9:30am probably turned a good number off.

1 Shane O'CALLAGHAN    18:50    VM35-39    M1
2 Richard O' SULLIVAN    19:02    SM25-29    M2
3 Brian LOORAM    19:04    SM20-24    M3    Clonmel Athletic Club
27 Sorcha CROWLEY    21:56    SW30-34    F1
32 Dawn LYNCH    22:08    SW25-29    F2
44 Karen CREED    22:45    VW50-54    F3

The results of the 35th edition can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a gallery HERE

Results & photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 1st Oct 2016

The numbers were back to about normal for the 16th edition of the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park on Sat 1st Oct 2016. A total of 212 runners took part.

1 Rory O' SULLIVAN 17:06 VM35-39 M 1 St Finbarrs AC
2 Tony KELLEHER 17:08 VM45-49 84.05 % M 2 Togher AC
3 Craig HARRINGTON 18:16 SM25-29  M 3 Togher AC
4 Niamh MOORE 18:55 SW20-24 F 1
27 Rachel O'CALLAGHAN 22:24 VW40-44 F 2
51 Abbie DORNEY 24:46 JW10 F 3

The full results are HERE

Photos...(Updated 1st Oct @7:49pm)
1) Marta Bodenko has a gallery HERE
2) Joe Murphy has a gallery HERE

Results of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 24th Sept 2016

The 15th 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Rark attracted a smallish field of just 131 runners on Saturday the 24th of Sept 2016, the lowest number to date. Obviously with the Yellow weather warning from Met Eireann and the heavy rain, a lot of people decided to give it a skip this week.

Interesting to see how the numbers can fluctuate so much in just two weeks.

1    Conor DOLAN    19:06    SM30-34    M 1
2    Tobi GRAB    19:41    VM35-39    M 2
3    Jack O'CONNOR    19:44    JM15-17    M 3 Leevale AC
15    Gillian MURPHY    22:05    VW40-44    F 1 Eagle A.C.
27    Kate DUGGAN    24:49    VW35-39    F 2
30    Clare MURPHY    25:06    VW55-59    F 3 

The full results can be seen HERE

Record numbers at Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 10th Sept 2016

A record 385 people turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park. This is in complete contrast to the previous week with the rain and the record low. A large part of this increase no doubt came from the ongoing publicity in association with the Operation Transformation TV programme. Without it, I would guess that the numbers might have been around the 220-240 mark?

I wonder were there any issues with car parking or with the extra numbers on the course?

1 Unknown 16:51
2 Conor DOLAN  17:58 SM30-34 M2 St Finbarrs AC
3 Brian LINEHAN 19:00 VM50-54 M3
18 Louise LONG 21:08 SW30-34 F1 Le Cheile AC
31 Rachel O'CALLAGHAN 22:54 VW40-44 F2
45 Deirdre MC AULIFFE 24:00 SW20-24 F3

The full results can be seen HERE

Results & photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 3rd Sept 2016

The conditions for the 12th edition of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun were pretty wet and the net result was that the numbers dropped to 151, the lowest number so far for this event. It's interesting to note that when the weather was dry, the numbers have been hovering around the 200 mark so the rain seems to have had a 25% impact on numbers.

1 John DUNPHY    19:32    VM45-49    M    1    Eagle A.C.
2 Shane O'CALLAGHAN    19:42    SM30-34    M    2
3 Unknown
12 Mary SWEENEY    21:02    VW55-59    F    1    St Finbarrs AC
38 Mary MURPHY    24:37    VW55-59    F    2    St Finbarrs AC
43 Kate DUGGAN    25:05    VW35-39    F    3

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a small gallery HERE
 

Results of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun...Sat 27th Aug 2016

As can be seen from the chart above, there is no drop off in numbers for the 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park on Saturday the 27th of August. A total of 219 runners turned out for the 11th edition of this event, the 4th highest so far.

1 Chris DEVINE 17:16 VM35-39 M 1 Newry City Runners
2 Tim CLARKE 17:59 VM35-39 M 2
3 Brian LINEHAN 19:06 VM50-54 M 3
6 Laura DEVINE 19:42 VW35-39 F 1 Garscube Harriers
27 Elaine GUINANE 22:08 VW35-39 F 2 Eagle A.C.
38 Lynda O'GORMAN 22:56 VW40-44 F 3

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...(Updated Sat 11:54pm)
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a gallery HERE
2) Conor Dolan has 57 photos HERE and 250 photos HERE

Video at 1km mark...