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.

A closer look at the damage to the Glen River Park - Oct 2023

Thanks to the deluge of rain last week, three 5k parkruns in Cork were cancelled last weekend... Glen River, Ballincollig and Mallow. At the time of writing, the Glen River event has been cancelled for the 28th of Oct as well.

While the Ballincollig and Mallow events were cancelled last week due to flooding and standing water, the Glen was cancelled due to the damage done to the paths in the park. The photo above after the storm shows where the path used to be. The actual Glen River can be seen at the top of the photo on the other side of the wall.

This is another photo showing how the torrent of water dug out a channel in the path.

In fairness to Cork City Council, they were on site within a day or two filling in the damage with aggregate.

They then finished it out with a more compact surface.

The issue at the moment is that the Glen River is still at about twice its normal level and some of the paths are still not safe for large crowds. Hopefully the parkrun will be back in early November.

Glen River 5k parkrun cancelled - Sat 21st Oct 2023

Due to extensive flooding damage, the Glen River 5k parkrun on Sat 21st Oct 2023 has been cancelled.

Update 20th Oct: Mallow Castle and Ballincollig cancelled as well.

As you can seen from the photo above, the deluge of water on the 18th and 19th of October not only flooded large sections of the Glen River park but some of the paths were badly damaged.

Cork City Council are working on repairing the path but it's not going to be ready by Saturday.

Note that other parkruns may also be cancelled on Saturday so be sure to check before traveling.

The image above shows the water levels of the Glen River for the last five weeks. The flooding on the 19th of Oct was at records levels.

Even in dry weather, some parts of the 5k route are not that far above the level of the small lake and the photo above shows the route underwater.

Friday Jigsaw: Glen River 5k parkrun - 25th June 2022

For this weeks online jigsaw, we have a 165-piece jigsaw of some runners before the start of the Glen River 5k parkrun.

You can find it HERE

Guest Post: Glen River parkrun 3rd Birthday! ...by Julie O'Leary

Saturday the 27th of November marked the 3rd anniversary of park run in the Glen River Park. 

The event is a free weekly timed 5km run every Saturday morning at 9.30am. It is entirely volunteer run, and nearly 200 people have volunteered at the event since its inception. Over 1,900 individuals have taken part since the beginning- average 85 each week. We have lots of regular attendees- as well as being our 3rd birthday Mary O'Halloran from Togher AC celebrated her 50th parkrun and Darren Curtin from Douglas his 100th!

Glen River has become known in parkrun circles for the challenging hill on the course and the friendly welcoming atmosphere. Highlights over the 3 years included visits from Sonia and Sophie O'Sullivan and from "the running Lord Mayor" John Sheehan (he took his chain off to run!)

The event has helped to bring attention back to the lovely wildlife park hidden away in the Glen and this year we plan to run events on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. All welcome!

Julie O'Leary 

If anyone would like more information about this 5k parkrun on the northside of Cork City, go to their website... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/

Online Jigsaw: Glen River Park 5k parkrun - 12th Jan 2019

 

For this weeks online jigsaw, we go back to the 12th of January 2019 and the finish line at the Glen River Park 5k parkrun.

The 126 piece jigsaw can be found HERE

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 29th Feb 2020

With the cancellation of the Ballincollig and Mallow parkruns, runners instead flocked to the Glen for the 5k parkrun there. There were a total of 184 finishers which is the second highest number ever!

1 Aidan NOONE Male SM20-24 18:59
2 Florent CHEVALLIER Male VM35-39 19:37
3 Trevor COLLINS Male VM40-44 VMware Running Club 19:42
27 Hana FASKA Female SW18-19 Sanctuary Runners 22:54
31 Sinéad HEALY Female VW45-49 Tralee parkrunners on Tour - TpoT 23:16
34 Niamh CRONIN Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 23:33

Full results

Photos...
1) The organisers have a gallery HERE
2) Joe Murphy has a gallery HERE
3) Mick Dooley has a few pics HERE

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 8th Feb 2020

There were 127 finishers in this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City, the 7th week in a row where they have been above the 100 mark.

Back in January and February of 2019, there were six Saturdays where the numbers were above 100. If we look just at the Saturdays so far in 2020, there are six already that were over 100 and we still have the rest of February to go.

1 Aidan NOONE Male SM20-24 18:37
2 Damien O BRIEN Male VM45-49 19:26
3 Unknown
20 Sandra WALSH Female VW45-49 23:37
25 Sally-Ann LYNCH Female SW25-29 24:10
31 Olga OLOUGHLIN Female VW40-44 25:04

Full results

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

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 11th Jan 2020

There were 110 participants for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City. As you can see, the numbers at the start of last year were about the same level and then died off in late Febraury. We'll have to wait and see what happens this year.

1 Craig HARRINGTON Male SM30-34 Togher AC 19:05
2 Andy GOULDING Male SM30-34 Watergrasshill AC 19:17
3 Kevin GLEESON Male VM35-39 19:38
19 Eileen DUFF Female SW30-34 Stubbington Green Runners 23:20
24 Ruth O CONNOR Female VW35-39 Watergrasshill AC 24:28
25 Jayne O'BRIC Female VW40-44 24:35

Full results

Photos...
1) The organisers have a gallery HERE
2) Mick Dooly has a small gallery HERE

Results & Photos of the Glen River Park 5k parkrun - 1st Jan 2020

The first 5k parkrun of the new year the Glen in Cork City got off to a remarkable start with 255 taking part. As can be seen from the chart above, this is a huge jump in numbers and is a new reocrd for the event.

The good thing about the large numbers is that many people will have seen the Glen parkrun for the first time and it will hopefully encourage a few to turn up on a regular basis. For a 5k parkrun on the north side of Cork City, it really should be getting at least 100 participants every week.

1 Ken INCE Male VM35-39 Watergrasshill AC 18:09
2 John SPELMAN Male JM15-17 Midleton AC 18:13
3 Ben ROWLANDS Male VM35-39 Orion Harriers 18:24
20 Eilis MANNION Female VW40-44 20:50
47 Sandra WALSH Female VW45-49 23:45
49 Sarah TREACY Female SW30-34 23:52

Full results

Photos...
1) Mick Dooley has a set of photos HERE

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 14th Dec 2019

Sonia O'Sullivan leads out the troops at this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City

A grand total of 79 runners turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen on the north side of Cork City.

As you can see from the photo above, the first woman home was Sonia O'Sullivan, a World Champion and Olympic Silver medalist for the 5000m.

What many of you may not know is that the first man home is a record holder in his own right. Brian Linehan holds the record for the fastest time for cycling from Cork to Dublin back in 1994, well before the motorway network was built. His time... 6 hours and 16 minutes from the GPO in Cork to the GPO in Dublin. Video HERE


1 Brian LINEHAN Male VM55-59 20:29
2 Fergal BRENNAN Male VM40-44 20:49
3 Richard HAWKINS Male VM50-54 Eagle A.C.
7 Sonia O'SULLIVAN Female VW50-54 Glenhuntly AC 22:22
11 Edith O'DONNELL Female JW11-14 23:44
15 Sally-Ann LYNCH Female SW25-29 23:53

Results

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

Glen River 5k parkrun celebrates its 1st year!... Sat 23rd Nov 2019

The 5k parkrun in the Glen celebrated its first year today with 151 taking part! This matches its all time best.

1 Feargal O'SHEA Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 18:28
2 Craig HARRINGTON Male SM25-29 Togher AC 18:51
3 Richard MURPHY Male SM30-34 19:12
8 Neasa DE BURCA Female VW40-44 20:04
29 Siobhan HOLLAND Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 23:26
34 Mary FINN Female VW55-59 24:11

Full results

Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has two albums... Start ... 2nd lap

A few of the regulars at the Glen River 5k parkrun. Photo: Joe Murphy

New Defibrillator for the Glen River 5k parkrun

Some good news! The 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City now has its very own AED or Automated External Defibrillator.

The photo on the left shows Andrew Burns picking up the unit at the recent parkrun annual conference.

The Glen River 5k parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9:30am on the north side of Cork City and it's FREE!

They are always looking for more people to support the event by taking part or by volunteering.

The event website is here... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 7th Sept 2019

78 turned out for this years 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City.

1 Brian SEXTON    18:21    SM30-34    M1    Raheny Shamrock AC
2 Don KEOHANE    19:04    VM50-54    M2    Eagle A.C.
3 Fergal BRENNAN    19:19    VM40-44    M3
24 Clare KEAVENEY JIMENEZ    25:50    SW20-24    F1
26 Olive MCCARTHY    26:23    VW45-49    F2    Togher AC
27 Olwyn DUNNE    26:27    VW50-54    F3 Crusaders Athletic Club

Results

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

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 24th Aug 2019

It's great to see the numbers back up to the 100 mark for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen in Cork City, the first time it has been this high in six months!

As the only 5k parkrun on the north side of Cork City, it really should be getting at least 100 every week. As the photo shows below, the Glen is a nice spot for a run on a quiet Saturday morning.

1    Daniel SULLIVAN    17:52    SM30-34    M1
2    Stephen KELLEHER    18:36    SM30-34    M2   
3    Martin KENNEDY    19:31    VM45-49    M3   
11    Jennifer GOGGIN WALSH    21:06    VW35-39    F1    Carraig na bhFear AC   
36    Aoife O' CONNELL    25:57    SW30-34    F2    Crystal Palace Fun Runners
40    Margaret FINDLEY    27:02    VW50-54    F3

Full Results:

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

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 17th Aug 2019

The numbers for the 5k parkrun in the Glen were back up again this week with 85 taking part.


From the organisers....This week 85 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 31 were first timers and 14 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 12 different clubs took part. The event was made possible by 14 volunteers.

1 Ronan HOARE    18:49    SM30-34    M1    Mornington Chasers
2 Loic GAREL    20:08    VM35-39    M2
3 Arno FRICKE    20:09    SM25-29    M3
13 Imelda LYONS    23:36    VW40-44    F1
19 Norma CONNOLLY    24:10    SW25-29    F2    Carraig na bhFear AC
24 Aoife O'NEILL    25:07    SW30-34    F3
 
Results

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

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 3rd Aug 2019

86 turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen, the highest since the 9th of March this year.

1    Diarmuid Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN    19:13    VM35-39    Sportsworld
2    Matthew KAVANAGH    19:42    SM20-24   
3    Richard BOURKE    20:44    VM40-44    St Finbarrs AC   
20    Elaine GUINANE    24:36    VW40-44    Eagle A.C.
27    Aoife O'NEILL    25:32    SW30-34   
28    Fiona JARRETT    25:33    SW30-34

Full results: https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=37

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

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 27th July 2019

73 runners turned out for this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen on Cork City's northside, down just one on last week.

1 Connor MC CRORY    18:55    VM35-39    M1
2 Morgan O'REGAN    19:21    VM40-44    M2    Midleton AC
3 Tony CAMBRIDGE    19:47    VM50-54    M3    Eagle A.C.
21 Jayne O BRIC    24:34    VW40-44    F1
22 Susanne FOLEY    24:50    VW40-44    F2    Star of the Laune AC
24 Niamh SHEEHAN    24:59    SW30-34    59.31 %    F3    Togher AC

Full results

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

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 20th July 2019

Cork City Lord Mayor John Sheehan taking part in the 5k parkrun in the Glen

A grand total of 75 people took part in this weeks 5k parkrun in the Glen, the highest number since the 30th of March.

As the photo shows above, the Lord Mayor of Cork City, John Sheehan ran in this weeks event.

1    Bob TINSLEY    18:32    SM25-29    M1
2    Connor MC CRORY    18:44    VM35-39    M2   
3    Aidan NOONE    19:08    SM20-24    M3
10    Charlotte BISHOP    21:44    SW30-34    F1   
31    Aoife O'NEILL    26:39    SW30-34    F2   
33    Rosarie LAPIERRE    27:06    VW40-44    F3

Full Results

Photos...
1) Gallery from the organisers HERE

Results & photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 6th July 2019

Warm running weather at the Glen this morning for 61 finishers:

1    Brian LINEHAN    20:12
2    Emmet WALSH    21:09
3    Ronan WALSH    21:40
6    Elaine GUINANE    23:30
12    Jayne O BRIC    24:45
15    Colette RYAN    25:29

Full results: https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=33

Photos from July 06, 2019, Glen River parkrun here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jcg3W95kEXLyZ6Pa8