Notice: MMRA Currabinny Woods 6.6km trail race - Sun 2nd Feb 2020

The Munster Mountain Running Association are holding a 6.6 km trail race in Currabinny Woods on Sunday the 2nd of February 2020.

From the organisers...Race 3 of the Munster Trail Running League brings us to Curraghbinny Woods, outside Carrigaline, Co. Cork.

Adult Race at 11:00am // Junior Race at 10:30am

It will have our first 'Try a Trail' event at 09:40am.  Anyone wishing to try running in the woods but thinks they are, too slow, too unfit, afraid if the terrain, not sure what to wear etc..,just register with IMRA for 2020 €10 and then turn up for 9:40am or earlier on the morning , you do not pay for the run itself, this is to introduce you to running on trails..and we will guide you around so you will not get lost. The run (or walk or hike, whatever way you choose) will start in main car park at 10am sharp, it will be approx 3kms. Just make sure you are registered online and collect your number before you start.

The main 6.6km event starts at 11am.

https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/1842


Currabinny Woods is about 9 miles south-east of Cork City. The approach road is nearly opposite the Novartis plant near Ringaskiddy.

More info about the 2020 MMRA events HERE

Results & Photos of the MMRA Corrin Hill trail race - Sun 19th Jan 2020

Just a few years ago, if a MMRA trail race got 50 to turn out then it was considered to be pretty good. Contrast that with the most recent MMRA trail race on Corrin Hill near Fermoy where 165 took part.

Trail races are now becoming increasingly popular and are attractive to those who want to experience something different to the usual road race scene.

As you can see from the photo above, it was a beautiful sunny morning for the event.

1 Tom Blackburn    1136    M55    0:28:24    Mooreabbey Milers    Limerick
2 David McCarthy    491    M35    0:29:04    St.Nicholas    Cork
3 Dermot Hayes    1383    M50    0:29:11    Dundrum AC    Tipperary
21 Ide Kelleher    790    F45    0:32:35    Mallow AC    Cork
34 Deirdre O Gorman    468    F35    0:34:15    Tipperary
42 Sarah Whelan    515    F40    0:34:50    Clonmel AC    Tipperary
Full results

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

A list of MMRA events for 2020 can be seen HERE

Notice : MMRA Carrauntohill Classic in Co.Kerry - Sun 22nd July 2018

The Munster Mountain Running Association are holding a race up Ireland's highest mountain next Sunday the 22nd of July. In terms of mountain races, this one is one of the famous in the country.

Description: Carrauntohil (East from Cronins yard)
Date: Sunday 22 July, 2018
Time: 13:00
Climb (m): 1100
Distance (km): 15.00
Event Difficulty: 10 (Extreme) - Extreme, >1,000M ascent or > 30Km

The entry fee is €10 and IMRA membership is required.

MMRA... 1st place male & female will receive €500 each. 2nd place male & female Pair of runners / inov8 (or other). 3rd place male & female Pair of runners / inov8 (or other.

For more info, go to https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/1627

Route...

Relive 'MMRA Carrauntohill Classic Route'

       

Promo video...

Notice : MMRA 6km trail race in Kilworth - Wed 11th July 2018

 

 For anyone who wants to try out a short trail races in a woods, this one is near Kilworth on Wed 11th July. Info from the organisers below...

Notice...Tracton Woods 7km Trail Run - Wed 6th June 2018

This 7km trail race organised by the Munster Mountain Running Association is coming up on Wed the 6th of June 2018...

This is a part of the ongoing MMRA Summer League. Details HERE

From the organisers....If you haven’t tried a trail run yet, then Tracton Woods Trail Run on 6th June is an ideal opportunity to get off the roads and out this 7km route weaves its way
around the tracks and trails in the woods.

See more below...

Results & Photos of the MMRA 7km race in Curragh Woods... Sun 15th Apr 2018

The Munster Mountain Running Association held a 7km race in Curragh Woods near Midleton last Sunday the 15th of April and there was a nice turnout of 73 runners.

There will be plenty more trail races like this coming up over the Summer months and they can make a nice change from running on the roads.

1 Tom Blackburn    608    M50    0:34:14 Mooreabbey Milers Limerick
2 Nigel Sheehan    2069    M    0:35:35 Youghal AC Cork
3 John Lynch    853    M40    0:35:56 Tracton AC Cork
12 Cherie Turner    89    F40    0:41:30 St. Finbarr's AC Cork
16 Sarah Fitzpatrick    549    F    0:42:40 Mooreabbey Milers Tipperary
17 Marie O'Shea    600    F40    0:42:46 MooreAbbey Milers Tipperary

Full results

Photos...
1) Photos HERE and HERE 

Notice : MMRA 7km trail run on Claragh Mtn nr Millstreet - Sun 18th March 2018

The next event on the MMRA calendar is a 7km trail race near Millstreet in Cork. This is the sixth race in the Munster Mountain Running Association Winter-Spring League 2018.

It's probably one of easiest in terms of mountain runs and is a good introduction. It is however tougher than the usual trail races that take place in the various woods. In terms of hills races in Cork, this one could justifiably be called a classic as it has a long history.

One of the unusual aspects of the race is that it starts in the town of Millstreet. From there, you look up at Claragh and it's hard to imagine that you'll be doing a race that will take you to the summit and back. It's also hard to imagine that it is only 7kms but it is.

This 7km trail race is organised by the Munster Mountain Running Association and here is some info from them.....

Notice : MMRA Ballinaboola10km trail race in North Cork - Sun 11th March 2018

This is the fifth race of the 2018 Munster Winter/Spring League, of which there are 10 races across Munster on Sunday mornings between January and April. Complete 4/10 runs in the league for a finisher's prize.

The Ballinaboola event is few a few kms south-east of Charleville in North Cork.

From the Munster Mountain Running Association...Another new route, this time in Ballinaboola on the Cork/Limerick border just outside Ballyhea. Entry is €5 (cash entry on the day) but you must pay a one-off annual registration fee of €10 online to be eligible to enter.

More info on the race and how to register at https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/1548

The junior route starts and finishes near the forest car park. It climbs up forest road, before a flat mucky section and a fast downhill. Juniors: https://www.strava.com/routes/11578481

The senior route is 10k in distance, has an elevation gain of 280m and starts about 1km from the carpark. It goes up and over the summit of Carron mountain with a mixture of forest roads and mucky paths, and a few short steep sections. Seniors: https://www.strava.com/routes/11515826

Getting There: Ballinaboola, Ballyhea, Co. Cork
To get there from the N20 between Limerick and Cork, turn off at Ballyhea by the church. The forest entrance is on the right after about 3.5km, and then 1km up the forest road to the carpark.

https://goo.gl/maps/wut81VsWeK52

Parking is limited, so please make every effort to carpool.

This is the fifth race of the 2018 Munster Winter/Spring League, of which there are 10 races across Munster on Sunday mornings between January and April.

For a full list of races, check out https://corkrunning.blogspot.ie/2018/01/mmra-winter-spring-league-in-munster.html. Complete 4/10 runs in the league for a finisher's prize.

Results & Photos of the MMRA Corrin Hill Trail Race...Sun 14th Jan 2018

Not so long ago, the MMRA trail races used to attract somewhere in the region of 30 to 50 runners per event. 30 seemed to be the norm and it was 50 on a good day.

Contrast that to the numbers on Corrin Hill near Fermoy last Sunday the 14th of January when a whopping 198 runners took part! Even the numbers last year were a record with 141 taking part. This year was up 40% on that.

The attraction of trail races is that it offers something different. It's not like you're putting your name down to run up and down a mountain and it's not that far removed from doing say the usual type of road race.

There are 9 more events left in the MMRA Winter-Spring Series. Info HERE

1    Mark Nolan    821    M    0:27:24    Kerry
2    Andrew Fleet    405    M    0:27:50    West Waterford AC    Waterford
3    Sean Quirke    776    M40    0:27:58    Bilboa A/C    Limerick
22    Emma Donlon    634    F    0:32:04    MSB   
56    Marie O'Shea    600    F40    0:36:15    MooreAbbey Milers AC    Tipperary
59    Kealey Tideswell    815    F    0:36:33    Clonmel AC    Tipperary
Full results

Check out the start below. It takes quite a while for all the runners to stream past.



Photos...
1) The MMRA have a number of galleries... 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... 8 ...

Brian Buckley has a video below...

Notice...MMRA Corrin Hill Trail Run - Sun 14th January 2018

This is the first race of the 2018 Munster Winter/Spring League, of which there are 10 races across Munster on Sunday mornings between January and April. Complete 4/10 runs in the league for a finisher's prize.

From the Munster Mountain Running Association...This is a lovely course through Corrin Woods just outside Fermoy and is an ideal introduction to trail running for newcomers so why not come and give it a go.

You can bring the whole family to Corrin because there will be an adult race, a junior race (age 10 - 16) and an accompanied kiddies run (under 10) and there will be tea and sandwiches for everyone afterwards.

Adults:        Starts at 11:00         ENTRY €5
Juniors:     Starts at 10:30         ENTRY €5
Kiddies:     Starts at 10:30         ENTRY FREE

The run will be fully marked with a 5.7km distance and 150m in climb for the adult race. 

The Juniors race is approx 2km with 60m of climb.

The kiddies race is 1km and the child must be accompanied by an adult

In order to be eligible to run, please note that your ONE-OFF ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE(€10) MUST BE PAID ONLINE IN ADVANCE. This applies to adults and juniors. U10s do not need to be registered.

You can sign-in for the run between 10:00am and 10:45am to ensure the adult race starts on time. Juniors should sign in before 10:20.

For more information, go to https://www.imra.ie/events/details/id/1533/ 

The entrance to the woods is just off the M8, about 5 minutes on the Cork side of Fermoy.  See Google Maps Link or location map below:
 

This is the first race of the 2018 Munster Winter/Spring League, of which there are 10 races across Munster on Sunday mornings between January and April.

For a full list of races, check out https://corkrunning.blogspot.ie/2018/01/mmra-winter-spring-league-in-munster.html. Complete 4/10 runs in the league for a finisher's prize.

MMRA Winter / Spring League in Munster - Jan to Apr 2018

The Munster Mountain Running Association (MMRA) will be hold a series of 10 trail races from January to April 2018 throughout the province. For anyone new to trail running, this is a good way to start as it's not as hard as the mountain races which are held later on in the year.

As the poster above shows, there are 10 races in the league and you only need to complete 4 to qualify for a league finisher's prize.

Please note, you must purchase annual IMRA membership online for €10 to take part in any of the MMRA events. Once this annual €10 fee is paid, most of the races in the series cost just €5 each.

You will not be able to run if you turn up at your first race without having purchased online registration.

Munster Winter/Spring League 2018

10 races...Best 4 races to score
Date    Time    Venue/Event            Code    Climb    Dist.    Diff.
Sun Jan 14    11:00 AM    Corrin Hill    CHW    260m    6.60km    6
Sun Jan 28    11:00 AM    Cratloe Woods    CTO    160m    9.30km    4
Sun Feb 11    11:00 AM    Tralee-Tonevane    TRA    200m    8.00km    5
Sun Feb 18    11:00 AM    Crohaun        CRN    300m    6.00km    6
Sun Mar 11    11:00 AM    Ballinaboola    BAL    300m    10.00km    6
Sun Mar 18    1:30 PM    Claragh Mtn    CMN    340m    7.00km    6
Sun Mar 25    11:00 AM    Glanageenty    GR    400m    9.50km    6
Sun Apr 8    11:00 AM    Slievenamon    SVN    570m    8.00km    7
Sun Apr 15    11:00 AM    Curragh Woods    CRW    220m    7.00km    6
Sun Apr 22    11:00 AM    Silvermines    SIL    230m    7.40km    6

Results of the MMRA Nagles Trail Race...Sun 3rd Sept 2017

This 19km trail race organised by the Munster Mountain Running Association was held in the Nagles Mountains near Ballyhooly on Sunday the 3rd of Sept 2017. The results only came out in the last few days.

1 Seán Harte    2197    M    1:36:57    North Cork ...    Waterford
2 Michael O'Donoghue    318    M    Dooneen AC    Limerick
3 Thomas Walsh    2266    M50    1:39:00    BMOH   
21 Niamh Hartnett    2196    F    1:53:50        Cork
23 Ide Kelleher    2063    F40    1:54:10    Mallow AC    Cork
27 Marie O'Shea    2092    F40    1:55:45    MooreAbbey Milers    Tipperary

Full results... https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/1510/

The route was described as follows..."A point to point race from Ballyhooly to Killavullen across the Nagles mountains with some changes to the route from previous years. The route covers approx. 19km with about 650m of elevation gain."

After the Loop de Loop event in the Glen of Aherlow on Saturday, the trail season winds down. The one event left is a night time trail run in Currabinny Woods on Thurs 26th October 2017.

Results & video of the MMRA Rochestown Woods Trail race...Wed 19th July 2017

Over the last few years, the numbers at the Munster Mountain Running Association trail races have been down around the 30-40 mark. Over the last year or so, they have started to become more popular with a good few club runners now taking part.

On Wednesday the 19th of July, a total of 81 runners took part in the 5.6km trail race in Rochestown Woods near Cork City. As MMRA races go, that's really good and offer a nice alternative to the usual road running.

1 Conor O'Keeffe    M    0:26:09    UCD    Dublin
2 Conrad Daly    M    0:26:22    Cork Orient...    Cork
3 Brian Flannelly    M    0:26:23    Dooneen AC    Tipperary
26 Susan Harkin        F    0:31:05   
31 Marie O'Shea        F40    0:32:00    MooreAbbey ...    Tipperary
37 Debbie McCarthy    F40    0:33:18    Riverstick ...    Cork

The full results can be seen HERE

Results of the MMRA Curragh Woods Trail Race...Wed 5th July 2017

This 7km trail race in Curragh Woods near Midleton was organised by the MMRA on Wednesday the 5th of July. There were 70 finishers in the race which is well up from the 39 that ran in 2015, the last time a race was held here. 

1 Brian Flannelly    M    32:40    Dooneen AC    Tipperary
2 Tom Blackburn    M50    32:54    Mooreabbey ...    Limerick
3 Liam Tracey    M    33:08    Watergrassh...   
14 Mary Louise Ryan    F    37:28    Mooreabbey ...    Tipperary
21 Sorcha Kearney    F40    0:39:25   
23 Marie O'Shea    F40    0:39:40    MooreAbbey ...    Tipperary

Full results

Notice...MMRA Curragh Woods 7km Trail Run nr Midleton - Wed 5th July 2017

On Wednesday the 5th of July 2017, there is a 7km trail race in Curragh Woods near Midleton. This is being organised by the MMRA and is suitable for runners of all abilities. There is a juniors race on offer as well as the adults race.  The junior race will kick off at 7:30 pm and the adult race starts at 8:00 pm.

From the organisers...The route uses the network of walking trails that run through the forest, including a scenic riverside section.  The run is approximately 7k in distance and is a good one to try if you have been thinking about giving trail running a go.  The route has a few hills in it (climb of 220m) just to get the heart rate up a bit and there might be a little bit of mud thrown in for good measure also, depending on the weather.  

Notice...MMRA Rochestown Woods Trail Run - Wed 19th July 2017

There’s a nice trail race coming up in Rochestown on Wednesday 19th July with a juniors race as well as an adult race on offer.  The run is in Oldcourt - Garryduff Woods in Rochestown near Cork City. It costs €5 to enter with a one off annual registration fee of €10.

From the MMRA......The run will loop around the forest trails and will be approximately 5k in distance.  It’s a good one to try if you have been thinking about giving trail running a go.  The climb involved is moderate at approximately 150m and you get to have a nice ‘leisurely’ jog through the woods. 

Results & Photos of the MMRA Trail Race on Mt.Hillary...Wed 21st June 2017

The Munster Mountain Running Association held an 8.8km trail race on Mount Hillary near Banteer on Wednesday the 21st of June 2017 and 94 runners took part. The last time they held an event here was back in March of 2015 when 57 ran. It just goes to show how the MMRA races are getting more popular and are attracting more runners.

1    Conor O'Keeffe    333    M    0:36:15    UCD    Dublin
2    Darren Burke    2256    M    0:37:00    An Ríocht AC    Cork
3    Eoin Sugrue    1169    M40    0:39:08    Cork
31    Marie O'Shea    2092    F40    0:47:30    MooreAbbey Milers AC    Tipperary
33    Ide Kelleher    2063    F40    0:47:33    Mallow AC    Cork
46    Susan Looney    2181    F40    0:50:17    Duhallow AC    Cork

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) The MMRA have a number of galleries... #1 ... #2 ... #3 ... #4 ...
2) Vincent Higgins has a gallery HERE

Results of the MMRA race in Kilworth Woods...Wed 11th June 2017

Catching up on another recent result. This trail race in Kilworth Woods organised by the Munster Mountain Running Association was held on Wednesday the 11th of June 2017. It attracted a field of 75 runners, up from the 42 of 2016.

NAME    CAT    TIME    % OF WINNER    CLUB    COUNTY
1 Alexis Granneau    M    0:18:47   
2 Tom Blackburn    M50    0:19:01    Mooreabbey ...  Limerick
3 Damien O Brien    M40    0:19:03    watergrassh...
16 Mary Louise Ryan    F    0:21:12    Mooreabbey ...    Tipperary
33 Marie O'Shea    F40    0:22:59    MooreAbbey ...    Tipperary
35 Ide Kelleher    F40    0:24:11    Mallow AC    Cork

Results... https://www.imra.ie/events/view/id/1484

Notice...MMRA Kilworth Woods Trail Run – Wednesday 7th June 2017

If you fancy a break from the roads, there is a nice trail run on in Kilworth on Wednesday 7th June 2017 organised by the MMRA.

The run is on forest paths and trails in Glansheskin Woods  and takes you along along the banks of the Douglas River The run is 6km in distance, with just under 100m elevation gain.

The village of Kilworth is just off the M8 Motorway between Fermoy and Mitchestown.  Use junction 13 ‘Mitchelstown South’ if you’re coming from the Dublin side or junction 14 (Fermoy North) if you’re coming from the Cork side.

Notice...Tracton Woods 7km Trail Run - Wed 10th May 2017

This 7km trail race organised by the Munster Mountain Running Association is coming up next Wed the 10th of May 2017...

From the organisers....If you haven’t tried a trail run yet, then Tracton Woods Trail Run on 10 th May is an ideal opportunity to get off the roads and out this 7km route weaves its way
around the tracks and trails in the woods.

See more below...