Notice: Karen Fenton Memorial Run 5k in Ballinora - Sun 19th Apr 2020

This years Karen Fenton Memorial Run 5k is scheduled for Sunday 19th April 2020 at 12:30pm.
The location for the 5k is in Ballinora which is just to the south of Ballincollig.

Online entry... https://register.primoevents.com/ps/event/KarenFentonMemorialRun

From the organisers.....The annual Karen Fenton Memorial Run will be hosted in Ballinora, Waterfall on April 19th, 2020, just over a week short of Karen’s third anniversary.

A scenic country run just a stones throw from Cork City – a perfect warm up for all the summer runs this year – suitable for all runners and walkers – competitive or just for fun –
it’s your choice!

This road race is being held in memory of Karen Fenton, who passed away from Ovarian Cancer, on the 30th of April 2017, aged 43. Karen was one of Ballinora's own and enjoyed
participating in many athletic events.

The Karen Fenton Memorial Cup and the Máire Comerford Memorial Cup will be presented to the first male and female winners. Máire was another Ballinora native, who sadly passed away, aged 39, 8 months after Karen, also from Ovarian Cancer.

Entry - Adults - €12    Kids (U16) Timed €6    Kids (U16) Untimed - Free

Entries...You can enter online HERE or on the day of the race.

Proceeds will go towards Ovarian Cancer support and research.

All those who pre-enter will be put in a draw for 2 nights B&B for 2 people in the lovely Celtic Ross Hotel in West Cork.

This race will be chip timed but all are welcome to take part, walk, jog or run, in this community event.

Race Enquiries:    info AT karenfenton DOT ie
www.facebook.com/karenfentonovariancancerfund/

Post-Race Refreshments at Ballinora GAA Hall

PRIZES
First 5 Men & Women Home – Cash Prize
Category Prizes for Top 3 Men & Women (Outside the top 5)

All participants will receive a Karen Fenton Memorial Run souvenir bracelet in support of Ovarian Cancer

Location...Ballinora is located just south-west of Cork City and to the south of Ballincollig.

It can be accessed by taking Exit 1 on the Ballincollig bypass or going via Waterfall. See the course map below.

Course.....See below...

Results of the Karen Fenton Memorial 5k race... Sun 15th Apr 2018

A whopping 694 runners turned out for the inaugural Karen Fenton Memorial 5k in Ballinora on Sunday the 15th of April 2018. After putting up the race notice a few weeks back, I could see that the post was getting a lot of hits but little did I suspect that the turnout would be so great.

Race numbers at the moment seem to be highly volatile with the recent Emer Casey 5k in Youghal dropping a massive 28%..the lowest number since 2010, the BHAA Gas Networks race down to its second lowest ever and now this one way up at almost 700 runners. One thing is for sure, you certainly can't take the numbers turning up at a race for granted.

1 Alan O'SHEA    00:15:48    9114    M (1)    MS (1)    Bantry AC
2 Kieran MCKEOWN    00:17:23    9201    M (2)    M40 (1)    Watergrasshill AC
3 David COMBER    00:17:36    9103    M (3)    MS (2)    Leevale AC
23 Rosaleen MACKEOWN    00:19:46    239    F (1)    F40 (1)    Leevale AC
26 Sorcha KEARNEY    00:20:05    767    F (2)    F40 (2)    St Finbarrs AC
37 Rachel CAREY    00:21:22    9108    F (3)    FS (1)

Full results HERE

Results of the Old Abbey AC 5k road race...Thurs 30th May 2014

A total of 72 runners turned out for this 5k road race in Goggins Hill near Ballinhassig on Thursday the 20th of May 2014. 

1    STEPHEN MAKIN    SeniorM    WIGAN PHEONIX    16.55
2    MICHAEL DULLEA    SeniorM    SKIBEREEN    17.15
3    MICHAEL HARRINGTON    o40M    BANTRY    17.40
12    DEIRDRE HARRINGTON    o40W    BANTRY    21.09
32    FIDELMA KIRWIN    o40W    EAGLE    24.15
33    SIOBHAN HOLLAND    SeniorW    NONE    24.19

From the organisers Old Abbey AC...Lovely fine evening again. We were delighted to have John Hayes, John O'Driscoll, Jimmy Murray running last night, who ran the same course 31 years ago, an event held under NACI rules. The race was started by the Club's President & one of the clubs founding members, John Cussen. 

L-R...John Hayes, Jimmy Murray, John Cussen & John O'Driscoll

The results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Kieran Minihane has a gallery of photos HERE

Notice...Old Abbey 5k road race, Goggin Hill - Thurs 29th May 2014

This 5k road race takes place to the south-west of Cork City on Thursday, the 29th of May at 7:30pm.

Please note the course is completely different from last year. In 2013, it was the 60th anniversary of the first race which was back in 1953 when Abbey AC were formed. The 2013 race which was point to point followed the original course from Waterfall to Goggins Hill.

This year, Abbey AC are holding the race over a new 5k course which is to the south of the local school.

 The easiest way to get to Goggins Hill from the city is via Waterfall....

About 2.5 miles beyond Waterfall, you take a left at a crossroads. Gogginshill National School is just a short distance down this road on the right.

Preview......Full directions, maps and preview of the course can be seen HERE

Results of the Old Abbey 5 km road race...Sun 30th June 2013

Sixty years ago back in 1953, Old Abbey Athletic Club was formed and in it's first year, it held a road race between Waterfall and Goggins Hill. To commemorate it's 60th anniversary of it's founding, the club held a 5 km road race this year over much the same route.

Starting just to the north of Waterfall, a total of 84 runners ran the 5 km route to Goggins Hill on what could easily be described as a challenging course with plenty of drags. The first man home was Michael Harty of East Cork AC in a time of 16:44. The womens race was won by Rebecca McEvoy of St.Finbarr's AC for her first ever win on the road.

 First three ladies in the Old Abbey AC Waterfall to Goggins Hill 5km pictured with Ted Geary, the winner of a similar race over the same course 60 years ago. (From left) Rebecca McEvoy (St Finbarr's), first - Rebecca attended Goggins Hill NS where the race finished; Mary O'Keeffe (Midleton), second - Mary is a niece of Ted Geary; Margaret Shaughnessy (Duhallow), third....Photo courtesy of John Walshe

1    16:44    HARTY, Michael    East Cork AC    M   5:23.0
2    19:50    HOGAN, Aidan    Rising Sun AC    M35  6:22.9 
3    20:13    MCEVOY, Eamonn    St. Finbarrs AC    M55  6:30.3
27    24:17    MCEVOY, Rebecca    St. Finbarrs AC    F   7:48.8
30    24:25    O'KEEFFE, Mary    Midleton AC    F45  7:51.4
36    25:11    O'SHAUGHNESSY, Margaret    Duhallow AC    F35  8:06.2

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Doug Minihane has a small gallery of photos HERE

Runners pass under Abbey Bridge, part of the old Cork to Bandon railway line which closed in 1961...some eight years after the original race....Photo courtesy of Doug Minihane

Upcoming race...Old Abbey 5k road race - Sun 30th June 2013

In 2013, Old Abbey AC are celebrating their 60th anniversary having being founded back in 1953. In that first year, a road race was held which went from O'Shea's pub in Waterfall to Goggins Hill, a distance of just under 3 miles. On the day, the race was won by a Ted Geary, a native of Cobh and then running under Ballymore Cobh AC colours. Ted who is in his 80's now resides in Carrigtwohill in East Cork.

To commemorate the original event, Old Abbey will be holding a 5 km road race on Sunday, the 30th of June between Waterfall and Goggins Hill.

Registration is at Goggins Hill National School and a bus will take the runners to the start line on the Cork City side of Waterfall. Considering it's only 3 miles, I'm sure some will opt to use this as a warm up for the race itself.

More details on the Running in Munster website.