New walkway at Dunkettle Interchange opens - Nov 2020

In 2019, I had a post up about the new proposed walkway for the Dunkettle Interchange. See photo above and link HERE

As of the 16th of November, this new walkway is now open to walkers, runners and cyclists.

 The aerial photo above shows the new walkway which is highlighted with purple arrows.

The map below shows the new section in Blue and how it will fit into other developments...

This next photo shows the bridge over the Glashaboy River which has been widened to incorporate a new footpath. Prior to this, there was no hard shoulder which made this a no go area for walkers and runners.

This is another view of the new path on the path but looking back towards the Dunkettle Roundabout...

From the Dunkettle Roundabout, there is a footpath all of the way into Glanmire.

This short video shows part of the new walkway when it was under construction...

This short video highlights some of the more visible elements of the Dunkettle Interchange Advance Works, following the route of what will be Cork to Dublin slip road. A fully segregated cycle/walkway is visible on the left.#dunkettle @corkcoco @corkcitycouncil @tmfcork @TIINews pic.twitter.com/0bF92AJX0q

— Dunkettle Interchange (@dunkettleint) September 8, 2020

This is a welcome development for walkers and runners in the area as it opens up new areas and routes. In time, this new path will connect onto the new path to Carrigtwohill which will make the whole area a lot safer for walking, running and cycling.

As for the main Dunkettle Interchange, it is expected that the €215 million project will be finished in Q1 of 2024.

Work continues on the new Youghal boardwalk - Nov 2020

Despite the COVID restrictions, work still continues on the new boardwalk in Youghal in East Cork.

The existing Youghal Boardwalk is a 400 metre hardwood paneled beach walk-way, stretching from Front Strand Beach to Claycastle Blue Flag Beach. This was completed in 2012 at a cost of €220,000.

That boardwalk was largely destroyed during the winter of 2014 and had to be upgraded and refurbished before re-opening again in 2015.

In June of 2020, Cork County Council issued tender documents to start phase 2 of the €1.7 million project which will see a new 1.5km boardwalk built between Claycastle car park to the Youghal Quality Hotel at Redbarn.

The map above shows the original boardwalk in Purple. The proposed new stretch is in Red.

A section of the new proposed East Cork Greenway is shown in Green. The new projects will open up a lot of new routes for walkers and runners in the East area.

For example, it will be possible in time to say start a run in Youghal, run down to Redbarn on the boardwalk, across on quiet roads to Gortroe and then back on the Greenway to Youghal.

As the photos from Cork County Council show, work is currently progressing nicely.

At the signing of the tender last June, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, said... “I am especially proud to sign this contact as County Mayor  for what is a fantastic amenity in Youghal. The extension will see the original 400 metre boardwalk at Claycastle beach, which was completed in 2012 extended by 1.5km as far as Redbarn beach. The boardwalk is hugely popular and this further development is great news for Youghal and the community. It also offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the ecological significance of Ballyvergan Marsh and coastal zone, providing low impact on the environment, restricting erosion, and provision of an awareness platform of the area’s value to both locals and visitors alike.”

This video clip shows some of the construction...

Just over 250m3 in 10 loads of Ekki Hardwood delivered so far for Youghal Boardwalk. Project is progressing at great speed, looking forward to seeing its completion.
Thanks to John Finn for the video. pic.twitter.com/3fV7d8B0yi

— MTS Wood Components (@WoodComponents) October 5, 2020

In the long term, there will always probably be a fear that any boardwalk that faces the sea will be destroyed by a large storm. Only time will tell if this new improved boardwalk will be survive the elements.

The new boardwalk is expected to be open by the end of 2020.

Friday Fun: Jigsaw of Steve Murphy at the 2019 Charleville Half

 

Another Friday, another jigsaw! This 117-piece online jigsaw is of Steve Murphy of Mallow AC at the 2019 Charleville Half-Marathon.

Click on the image below or click on this LINK

IMG_0297

Irish Guide Dogs Virtual Run around the World - Nov 2020 to Jan 2021

Cork fireman Alex O'Shea is organising a special 80-day virtual running event with the aim of raising much needed funds for the Irish Guide Dogs for the blind.

If you would like to help out then just walk, run or cycle a distance of your choice and make a donation. After that, submit your distance to Alex.

The eventual aim is that the accumulated distance total will be the equivalent of going around the world.

Using the theme from the novel and film Around the World in Eighty Days, the virtual event will last for 80-days. It starts on the 13th of November 2020 and will finish on the 31st of January 2021.

If you like to help out then the link for donations is here... https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/around-the-world-in80days

For updates, see Alex O'Shea's Facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/challengeAlex

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Story

 This is a huge challenge open to all. Simply make a donation  then walk jog run or cycle & let us know your distance so we can move Rover our virtual Guide Dog Puppy on his epic challenge.

For more details and to follow Rovers amazing journey goto www.facebook.com/challengeAlex

If we can raise €5,000 for eg we can sponsor a puppy for their first year of training. If we can raise more we can help more.

Becoming a guide dog is in its own a lenghty challenge for a puppy with over 85,000 hrs of love care training and attention invested. This of course cost money so please if you can make a donation and join in this fun challenge

Thanks Alex

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Government fund 100% of Midleton to Youghal Greenway

On Monday the 9th of November, a number of media outlets reported that a number of Greenway projects around the country were being funded by the Irish Government including the new Midleton to Youghal Greenway.

At first, this might seem like old news as most of these projects had already been announced. What was significant about this announcement was the funding aspect.

Previously, the Irish Government said that it would fund 60% of the cost of the Greenway with the relevant local authority putting up 40%. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the local authorities now have financial difficulties and there was probably a real danger that that Greenways wouldn't get built. As a result, the Government have announced that it will finance the Greenway projects by 100%.

 A total of €63 million was announced in the press release for Greenway projects nationwide.

The projects in Munster are...

Cork - Midleton to Youghal €10 million

Wexford - Waterford City to New Ross €9m

Kerry - Tralee to Fenit €3.4m

Kerry - Listowel to Tralee €4.5m

Kerry - South Kerry Greenway €1.4m

Limerick - Great Southern Greenway Limerick €2.5m.

Work is currently progressing on the Midleton to Youghal Greenway and the planned completion date is late 2022.

Links...

1) Government Press Release - Funding of €63.5m for Greenways in 2021 confirmed by Ministers Ryan and Naughton

Friday Fun: Jigsaw from the 2019 Charleville Half - Maggie & Friend

 

Try out this 187 piece jigsaw of two members of Grange-Fermoy AC at the 2019 Charleville Half-Marahton. 

Link HERE

13-year old from Norway runs 10k race in 32 min 36 secs!

 

At a recent 10km road race in Norway, 13-year old Sondre Strande Omland finished in an incredible time of 32 minutes and 37 seconds!

His average pace for the 10km distance was 3:16 per km or 5:15 per mile. He went through the first 1km mark in 2:57 and passed the 5k halfway point in 15:55.

The 10k of the Hytteplanmila is one of the most prestigious 10k races in Norway and the previous record for a 12/13 year old was 34:24 which was set back in 2014.

Friday Fun: Mystery 70 Piece Jigsaw

 

As an alternative to the COVID blues, solve this online 70-piece jigsaw to reveal who is in the photo. 

Link HERE

Irishman Tommy Hughes runs 2:30 Marathon to set a new M60 world record

On Sunday the 25th of October 2020, Tommy Hughes won the Lisburn Festival of Running marathon to finish in a time of 2 hours 30 minutes and 02 seconds. This works out as an average pace of 5m 44s per mile for the 26.2 mile distance. Just seven athletes were able to compete in the race due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

This time was a new world record for the M60 category (Male 60 years and over) and was over six minutes faster than the previous record of 2h 36m 30s set by Yoshihisa Hosaka of Japan in 2009.

Tommy who is from Bangor in Co.Down represented Ireland in the marathon at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and has a marathon best time of 2h 13m 59s.

He also set a new M60 for the Half-Marathon last September with a time of 71 min 09 sec. In 2019, he set a new M55 marathon world record when he ran 2h 27m 52s in Franfurt.

Public consulation on keeping the Marina in Cork City pedestrianised

Reminder: Public consultation on keeping the Marina pedestrianised closes Mon 2nd Nov 2020

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Cork City Council recently announced plans to close a number of roads in the city to traffic and one of those is the Marina. This was closed to traffic due to to the COVID pandemic to allow the public more space for exercising and social distancing.

The short term plan is for it to remain closed to traffic until the end of the 2020 but the Council now plan to keep it pedestrianised. That however is subject to public approval.

The Cork City Council notice is HERE

You can give the council feedback on the proposal HERE (registration required but it's free).

The Marina is one of the most popular spots in Cork City for walkers, runners and cyclists alike. It's vital that this public amenity doesn't revert back to being a rat run for cars and vans again.

I'd ask you to consider making a submission in support of the closure to traffic and keep it as a public amenity. Submissions close on the 2nd of November 2020.

New riverside path for Mallow...

 

Cork County Council recently announced that they had completed a new riverside path for the town of Mallow in North Cork.

I'm not sure if this will be of any use to the local 5k parkrun when it comes back but at least it's good to see some more public paths suitable for running and walking.

This is all part of an ongoing series of works to improve Mallow Town Park.

More info from Cork County Council HERE

Video: UltraMarathon Man: 50 Marathons • 50 States • 50 Days

In April of 2020, Journey Films put a video titled UltraMarathon Man: 50 Marathons • 50 States • 50 Days up on YouTube.

Description... "2006 - The inspirational film, UltraMarathon Man: 50 Marathons • 50 States • 50 Days, features renowned endurance athlete and best selling author Dean Karnazes in his attempt to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days to raise awareness for youth obesity and to get America active. A beautiful and epic journey across the United States, during which Dean pushes the limits of human endurance, inspiring thousands across the country to join him along the path while uniting people of all ages and abilities to take “the next step.”

 

New car park on the Marina in Cork City now open...

 

Back at the start of October, I was on the Marina in Cork City and I noticed that the new car park was nearly finished. I passed it again this week and all of the barriers have now been removed.

In fairness to Cork City Council, they made a fine job of it and it will make an ideal spot to park and go for a run or walk, especially now that the Marina has been pedestrianised.

If you drive down Centre Park Road at the moment, you'll see the signs saying no access as the Marina is closed to cars...

If you continue on for another 300m, you'll see the sign on the left for the Greenway car park...

The photo above shows the road heading into the car park. 

On the area under the trees, the Council have fitted what is called 'Grasscrete'. This is a concrete matrix with holes in it where grass can grow. This allows rainwater to reach the roots of the trees as well as providing an overflow area for parking on say a busy match day at the local GAA stadium.

Further down, there are plenty of car places available for parking. I didn't do a count of how many spaces are there but it looks as if it is more than enough for say a busy Sunday without a local match.

Hopefully at some future date, the Greenway will be extended beyond Shandon Boat Club and along the river into Cork City Centre and from the plaza in Blackrock to Blackrock Castle. But for now, at least this new car park is a welcome improvement.

If you are doing a run from say outside Shandon Boat Club then it's about 2.2 kms down to the Blackrock Village and the end of the Marina. If you do the Mahon walkway / old Blackrock railway loop then it's about 10.3 kms.

The 2021 Dungarvan 10 mile road race is postponed

 

The next John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race was due to be held on Sunday the 7th of February 2021. Unfortunately due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has had to be postponed.

This is one of the biggest events on the road race calendar and it was a focus for many training over the Winter period.

Here is a statement from the organisers...

 JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 POSTPONED.
It's that time of year when traditionaly we would be opening entries for the 2021 John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race but alas the club race commitee have decided that due to the current covid pandemic situation, the race will not go ahead on the February date.

However it is hoped that a date later in the year might be possible if guidelines permit.
It is as disapointing for all of us as well as it is for you our many friends who come in your thousands to this race each year.

For now keep safe and keep running.!!!!

Government introduce 5km limit for personal exercise under Level 5 restrictions

 

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease, the Government will introduce Level 5 restrictions as of midnight Wednesday 21st October.

Under the new restrictions, all personal exercise should be limited to within 5kms of your home. 

The restrictions also stipulate that "people will be able to meet up outdoors with one other household away from their home for situations such as exercise".

I'm sure you all know the score at this stage but here is reminder of the website where you can work out your 5km limit... https://2kmfromhome.com/5km