Results of the Ballinhassig 4 Mile Road Race - Wed 17th Mar 2010...
A total of 189 runners turned out for this 4 mile road race in Ballinhassig just to the South-West of Cork City. Considering that it is only a few days before the Ballycotton '10', I was half expecting a big drop in the numbers but not so. This is only slightly down on last year's figure of 194 which in itself was a huge increase over the 2 previous years (2007 = 87, 2008 = 99).

Results........


Paddy Desmond Memorial  BALLINHASSIG '4'
      Wednesday 17 March 2010. 11:00am
      Place Time Name Team Race Age Category min/mile  
      1 0:21:16 SOSNOWSKI, Wieslaw Eagle AC M35 05:18.9 13 1
      2 0:21:28 MAUNSELL, Tomas Leevale AC M 05:21.9 168 2
      3 0:21:52 GRUFFERTY, James Leevale AC M 05:27.9 19 3
      4 0:21:54 HARRINGTON, Chris Leevale AC M 05:28.4 12 4
      5 0:22:20 WOODS, Trevor St. Finbarrs AC M35 05:34.9 216 5
      6 0:22:29 LAFFAN, Tom Bandon AC M40 05:37.2 75 6
      7 0:22:46 O'DONOVAN, Eamonn Rising Sun AC M 05:41.4 29 7
      8 0:22:53 MAHER, Shane UCC AC M 05:43.2 93 8
      9 0:22:58 MURPHY, Michael unatt/Kilkenny M35 05:44.4 46 9
      10 0:23:00 MULLINS, Aidan unatt/Bantry M 05:44.9 44 10
      11 0:23:08 WOLFE, Eric unatt/Cork M 05:46.9 222 11
      12 0:23:10 KEOHANE, Don Eagle AC M40 05:47.4 205 12
      13 0:23:19 WALSH, Joe unatt/Ballinacurra M35 05:49.7 71 13
      14 0:23:22 BROWNE, Austin Eagle AC M40 05:50.4 91 14
      15 0:23:25 SLATTERY, Liam Mallow AC M35 05:51.2 84 15
      16 0:23:31 LEE, Lizzie Leevale AC F 05:52.7 7 16
      17 0:23:36 PATTERSON, Robert unatt/Dunmanway M 05:53.9 214 17
      18 0:23:51 SHEEHAN, Tom Bandon AC M45 05:57.6 103 18
      19 0:24:08 CROWLEY, Carmel Bandon AC F40 06:01.9 157 19
      20 0:24:36 BYCZEK, Stanislaw Midleton AC M45 06:08.9 148 20
      21 0:24:45 AHERNE, Neilus Midleton AC M50 06:11.1 6 21
      22 0:24:47 WALSH, Colin unatt/Ballincollig M 06:11.6 223 22
      23 0:24:51 HEALY, Tim unatt/Kanturk M45 06:12.6 10 23
      24 0:24:52 O'HERLIHY, Colin unatt/Carrigaline M35 06:12.9 147 24
      25 0:24:54 BOYLE, George Leevale AC M 06:13.4 146 25
      26 0:24:55 DUNNE, John Eagle AC M40 06:13.6 53 26
      27 0:24:57 CORBETT, Michael unatt/Cork M 06:14.1 42 27
      28 0:24:58 O'DRISCOLL, John Rising Sun AC M50 06:14.4 27 28
      29 0:24:58 TWOMEY, Donal West Muskerry AC M35 06:14.4 72 29
      30 0:25:00 CARROLL, Denis Eagle AC M50 06:14.9 50 30
      31 0:25:20 O'CONNOR, Pat Eagle AC M40 06:19.9 169 31
      32 0:25:22 MURPHY, Emma St. Finbarrs AC F 06:20.4 125 32
      33 0:25:24 O'CALLAGHAN, David Eagle AC M45 06:20.9 218 33
      34 0:25:25 O'CONNELL, Owen unatt/Midleton M 06:21.1 204 34
      35 0:25:28 GEDEN, Matthew Bandon AC M40 06:21.9 98 35
      36 0:25:47 O'BRIEN, Conor Eagle AC M 06:26.6 90 36
      37 0:25:52 GRIFFIN, John Grange-Fermoy AC M40 06:27.9 160 37
      38 0:25:54 CAREY, Ken unatt/Cork M50 06:28.4 162 38
      39 0:25:55 MCCARTHY, Luke Carbery Harriers M 06:28.6 16 39
      40 0:26:05 O'LEARY, Kevin unatt/Carrigaline M55 06:31.1 21 40
      41 0:26:08 BYRNE, Eddie Eagle AC M40 06:31.9 30 41
      42 0:26:12 CLANCY, Michael unatt/Mallow M35 06:32.9 34 42
      43 0:26:20 DINAN, Margo St. Finbarrs AC F40 06:34.9 97 43
      44 0:26:24 LEONARD, Helen Rathfarnham-WSAF AC F35 06:35.9 134 44
      45 0:26:26 CRONIN, Denis Mallow AC M45 06:36.4 18 45
      46 0:26:28 O'CALLAGHAN, Rachel St. Finbarrs AC F35 06:36.9 124 46
      47 0:26:33 HUFF, Tony Ballynonty AC M55 06:38.1 111 47
      48 0:26:34 DOOLEY, Michael Eagle AC M40 06:38.4 14 48
      49 0:26:38 CAREY, Alan unatt/Cork M45 06:39.4 161 49
      50 0:26:39 SULLIVAN, Brian Eagle AC M 06:39.6 215 50
      51 0:26:41 MCEVOY, Eamonn St. Finbarrs AC M55 06:40.1 83 51
      52 0:26:46 LUCEY, Tim Bandon AC M45 06:41.4 88 52
      53 0:26:47 CURRAN, Kevin unatt/Carrigaline M 06:41.6 24 53
      54 0:26:50 MURPHY, Derek unatt/Glanmire M 06:42.4 167 54
      55 0:26:54 MOLONEY, Matthew Rising Sun AC M 06:43.4 28 55
      56 0:26:56 VONHATTEN, Jessica Leevale AC F 06:43.9 20 56
      57 0:26:58 SHEEHAN, Kieran unatt/Glanmire M 06:44.4 31 57
      58 0:27:01 RAMSELL, Ned Midleton AC M35 06:45.1 4 58
      59 0:27:03 FINN, Liam unatt/Ballinhassig M 06:45.6 32 59
      60 0:27:06 GRIFFIN, Mark unatt/Rossmore M 06:46.4 60 60
      61 0:27:06 COTTER, Paul Eagle AC M50 06:46.4 47 61
      62 0:27:09 DENNEHY, Anthony Star Of The Laune AC M 06:47.1 141 62
      63 0:27:13 O'BRIEN, Con unatt/Banteer M55 06:48.1 9 63
      64 0:27:25 MACKEOWN, Rosaleen Leevale AC F 06:51.1 22 64
      65 0:27:32 MURPHY, Pat Eagle AC M50 06:52.9 85 65
      66 0:27:33 CONDON, Conor St. Finbarrs AC M 06:53.1 101 66
      67 0:27:40 KIELY, Michael Rising Sun AC M65 06:54.9 79 67
      68 0:27:42 WOLFE, Calerie unatt/Whitechurch F40 06:55.4 56 68
      69 0:27:44 FORREST, Richard unatt/Blarney M40 06:55.9 209 69
      70 0:27:45 HAYES, Philip unatt/Cork M40 06:56.1 102 70
      71 0:27:50 NOONAN, Kevin unatt/Glanmire M 06:57.4 81 71
      72 0:27:51 NAGLE, Deirdre unatt/Glanmire F 06:57.6 153 72
      73 0:28:10 CAHILL , Seamus Eagle AC M45 07:02.4 165 73
      74 0:28:10 NAUGHTON, Denis Star Of The Laune AC M 07:02.4 140 74
      75 0:28:10 O'LEARY, Ted West Waterford AC M40 07:02.4 128 75
      76 0:28:14 MARTIN, Eanna unatt/New Ross M 07:03.4 106 76
      77 0:28:17 O'CONNELL, John Midleton AC M 07:04.1 220 77
      78 0:28:20 POWER, Jackie Carrick-on-Suir AC F 07:04.9 105 78
      79 0:28:23 CAHILL, Breda Midleton AC F35 07:05.6 64 79
      80 0:28:25 MULLANE, Eddie Rising Sun AC M65 07:06.1 2 80
      81 0:28:30 O'SULLIVAN, Pat Bandon AC M55 07:07.4 156 81
      82 0:28:36 COTTER, John unatt/Cork M 07:08.9 55 82
      83 0:28:41 GUINANE, Elaine Eagle AC F 07:10.1 17 83
      84 0:28:44 MACKEOWN, Keith unatt/Crosshaven M40 07:10.9 23 84
      85 0:28:47 GYVES, Paddy Mallow AC M60 07:11.6 113 85
      86 0:28:48 MCSWEENEY, Tony unatt/Cork M 07:11.9 33 86
      87 0:28:49 O'DONOGHUE, Donal unatt/Little Island M40 07:12.1 217 87
      88 0:28:51 WALSHE, John East Cork AC M55 07:12.6 3 88
      89 0:28:53 HISTON-DEBARRA, Mary Rising Sun AC F40 07:13.1 129 89
      90 0:29:03 MURPHY, Aine unatt/Kerry Pike F45 07:15.6 15 90
      91 0:29:04 LYNCH, Kieran unatt/Blarney M 07:15.9 154 91
      92 0:29:09 HARTE, Fergal unatt/Fota M35 07:17.1 118 92
      93 0:29:10 KELLY, Thomas Ballymore-Cobh AC M50 07:17.4 69 93
      94 0:29:13 KIELY, Victor unatt/Blarney M40 07:18.1 208 94
      95 0:29:16 O'DRISCOLL, Chris unatt/Cork M60 07:18.9 48 95
      96 0:29:17 RHATIGAN, Tara UCC AC F 07:19.1 145 96
      97 0:29:21 HENRY, Aidan St. Finbarrs AC M40 07:20.1 117 97
      98 0:29:34 COSTELLO, Derek unatt/Cork M40 07:23.4 35 98
      99 0:29:43 O'DONNELL, Brian unatt/clonakilty M 07:25.6 131 99
      100 0:29:48 O'SULLIVAN, John unatt/Glanmire M 07:26.9 127 100
      101 0:29:52 TWOHIG, Monica Eagle AC F45 07:27.9 26 101
      102 0:29:59 O'SULLIVAN, Denis unatt/Cork M 07:29.6 43 102
      103 0:30:05 O'CONNELL, Donie Midleton AC M60 07:31.1 68 103
      104 0:30:13 WALSH, Anthony unatt/Coachford M45 07:33.1 151 104
      105 0:30:14 LYONS, Finbarr unatt/Midleton M 07:33.4 25 105
      106 0:30:14 O'REGAN, Padraig unatt/Ladysbridge M 07:33.4 82 106
      107 0:30:15 HICKEY, James Gneeveguilla AC M 07:33.6 159 107
      108 0:30:17 MCCORMACK, Tomas unatt/Clockrua M 07:34.1 137 108
      109 0:30:19 TWOMEY, June unatt/Lisgoold F 07:34.6 52 109
      110 0:30:25 QUIGLEY, John Eagle AC M55 07:36.1 121 110
      111 0:30:39 MCMAHON, Daniel unatt/Cork M 07:39.6 49 111
      112 0:30:43 O'DONOGHUE, Elaine Riverstick-Kinsale AC F 07:40.6 51 112
      113 0:30:46 SHINE, Donie Duhallow AC M55 07:41.4 202 113
      114 0:30:49 MULCAHY, Mary St. Finbarrs AC F45 07:42.1 87 114
      115 0:30:51 O'FARRELL, Andrew unatt/Carrigaline M55 07:42.6 139 115
      116 0:30:56 O'CONNOR, Frances Eagle AC F50 07:43.9 100 116
      117 0:31:06 LINEHAN, Ted Eagle AC M55 07:46.4 92 117
      118 0:31:20 MCCARTHY, Timmy unatt/Farranfore M 07:49.9 62 118
      119 0:31:21 O'LEARY, John Leevale AC M70 07:50.1 1 119
      120 0:31:26 O'LEARY, Neillie Belgooly AC M60 07:51.4 95 120
      121 0:31:27 DUNNE, Tony Carraig na bhFear AC M65 07:51.6 144 121
      122 0:31:29 SISK, Bernard unatt/Cork M60 07:52.1 96 122
      123 0:31:31 O'KEEFFE, Mary Midleton AC F40 07:52.6 132 123
      124 0:31:37 KIELY, William unatt/Blarney M 07:54.1 142 124
      125 0:31:40 GOUGH, Andrew unatt/Carrigaline M35 07:54.9 57 125
      126 0:31:42 COONEY, Tony Ballincollig AC M50 07:55.4 207 126
      127 0:31:43 REGAN, Maura Eagle AC F 07:55.6 149 127
      128 0:31:49 MCCARTHY, Danny Midleton AC M55 07:57.1 86 128
      129 0:31:49 TWOMEY, Jerry Duhallow AC M50 07:57.1 120 129
      130 0:31:50 KIELY, Fintan unatt/limerick M 07:57.4 155 130
      131 0:31:51 LINEHAN, Frank Togher AC M55 07:57.6 135 131
      132 0:31:56 PHELAN, Brian unatt/Cork M40 07:58.9 133 132
      133 0:32:00 KEARNEY, Batt Leevale AC M50 07:59.9 94 133
      134 0:32:04 O'DRISCOLL, Kevin Eagle AC M55 08:00.9 138 134
      135 0:32:11 FIELDHOUSE, Daniel unatt/Oysterhaven M 08:02.6 77 135
      136 0:32:23 HURLEY, Claire unatt/Ballincollig F 08:05.6 45 136
      137 0:32:25 BARRY, Margaret Midleton AC F60 08:06.1 63 137
      138 0:32:25 O'LEARY, Andrew unatt/Cork M 08:06.1 38 138
      139 0:32:29 HOBBS, David unatt/Whites Cross M 08:07.1 158 139
      140 0:32:31 LYONS, Marion St. Finbarrs AC F55 08:07.6 89 140
      141 0:32:31 SABBATION, Roberto unatt/Cork M45 08:07.6 166 141
      142 0:32:34 O'CALLAGHAN, Sharyn St. Finbarrs AC F35 08:08.4 211 142
      143 0:32:44 SCANNELL, Paul unatt/Carrigaline M 08:10.9 210 143
      144 0:32:48 MCCARTHY, Michael West Waterford AC M50 08:11.9 116 144
      145 0:32:50 HEFFERNAN, Alan unatt/Cobh M 08:12.4 206 145
      146 0:32:52 KELLY, Brendan unatt/Midleton M 08:12.9 130 146
      147 0:32:53 SLATTERY, Kevin unatt/Ballincollig M 08:13.1 8 147
      148 0:32:54 HOSFORD, Sandie unatt/Ovens F 08:13.4 66 148
      149 0:33:01 PHELAN, Kevin Eagle AC M40 08:15.1 41 149
      150 0:33:03 BUCKLEY, Olan unatt/Inniscarra M 08:15.6 221 150
      151 0:33:12 GOULD, Aisling Leevale AC F 08:17.9 163 151
      152 0:33:14 KINAHAN, Selene unatt/Glanmire F 08:18.4 104 152
      153 0:33:17 SAVAGE, Ann Midleton AC F45 08:19.1 65 153
      154 0:33:19 BUCKLEY, Una St. Finbarrs AC F 08:19.6 122 154
      155 0:33:22 O'CALLAGHAN, Donal unatt/Glanmire M45 08:20.4 73 155
      156 0:33:26 CORRIGAN, Aine unatt/Carrigaline F 08:21.4 203 156
      157 0:33:26 DALY, Paddy unatt/Cork M60 08:21.4 80 157
      158 0:33:35 SHEEHAN, Mark unatt/Coachford M 08:23.6 213 158
      159 0:33:42 MANNING, Denis unatt/Cork M35 08:25.4 70 159
      160 0:33:45 HAYES, Ann Eagle AC F50 08:26.1 99 160
      161 0:33:49 SPILLANE, James unatt/Coachford M 08:27.1 61 161
      162 0:34:08 O'CALLAGHAN, John unatt/Carrigaline M45 08:31.9 74 162
      163 0:34:44 O'KEEFFE, Kieran unatt/Blarney M 08:40.9 152 163
      164 0:34:53 SEXTON, Sean Donoughmore AC M45 08:43.1 164 164
      165 0:34:55 RAGGETT, Una Ballincollig AC F50 08:43.6 40 165
      166 0:34:56 WALSH, Anne Ballincollig AC F45 08:43.9 39 166
      167 0:35:03 TONER, Joe Bandon AC M35 08:45.6 212 167
      168 0:35:04 BARRETT, David unatt/Glanmire M35 08:45.9 150 168
      169 0:35:08 HOSFORD, Lynda unatt/Ovens F 08:46.9 67 169
      170 0:35:33 DUNNE, Maggie Carraig na bhFear AC F65 08:53.1 143 170
      171 0:35:36 LYNCH, Katie unatt/Cork F 08:53.9 108 171
      172 0:36:27 KELLEHER, Frank unatt/Cork M65 09:06.6 115 172
      173 0:37:16 LUCEY, Catherine unatt/Glanmire F35 09:18.9 37 173
      174 0:37:29 FLEMING, Niamh Grange-Fermoy AC F40 09:22.1 107 174
      175 0:37:59 O'MAHONY, Donal unatt/Cork M55 09:29.6 5 175
      176 0:38:04 BUCKLEY, Maura unatt/Oysterhaven F 09:30.9 76 176
      177 0:39:20 NYHAN, Grace unatt/Ballinhassig F 09:49.9 126 177
      178 0:40:05 LINEHAN, Mary Togher AC F 10:01.1 136 178
      179 0:40:05 CUMMINS, Kevin unatt/Cork M65 10:01.1 114 179
      180 0:40:53 BUCKLEY, Rose Belgooly AC F 10:13.1 123 180
      181 0:40:55 DEMPSEY, Helen unatt/Kinsale F 10:13.6 78 181
      182 0:41:13 MURPHY, Fiona Bandon AC F 10:18.1 59 182
      183 0:41:13 MURPHY, Phil Bandon AC M45 10:18.1 58 183
      184 0:42:45 FITZGERALD, Emily unatt/Bandon F 10:41.1 219 184
      185 0:46:00 BYRD, Jane unatt/Ballineen F 11:29.8 109 185
      186 0:46:01 BYRD, Damien unatt/Ballineen F 11:30.1 110 186
      187 0:48:41 TOHER, Mary Midleton AC F50 12:10.1 112 187
      188 0:50:11 MCCARTHY, Marian unatt/Ballinhassig F 12:32.6 119 188
               WHEELCHAIR:  FORDE, Jerry Blarney-Inniscarra AC M55          49:11

Organised by Rising Sun AC - don't forget ROAD MILE on May 16th! 

Results produced by John Walshe of Ballycotton Running Promotions.

Preview of the Rising Sun AC 4 mile Road Race (Ballinhassig) - Wed 17th Mar (11am)

Rising Sun Athletic Club are holding their annual 4 mile road race next Wednesday, the 17th of March at 11am. The registration point is the Marian Hall in the middle of Ballinhassig which is just off the main N71 Cork to Bandon road. There is plenty of parking alongside the hall itself.

Race info...Here is some of the info from the Rising Sun A.C. website ...6th ANNUAL Paddy Desmond Memorial ...4 Mile Road Race ...Wednesday March 17th at 11.00am ...In Ballinhassig....Race H.Q. Marian Hall (lower Ballinhassig) Awards 1st 2nd and 3rd Senior Men and Senior Ladies , 1st 3 Men O 35, 40,45,50,55,60, 65 and 70. , 1st 3 Women O 35,40,45,50,55, 60 and 65. , 1st Wheelchair Athlete. , Entry Fee 9 Euro , Enquiries to Jim Murray 086 3320461.

Note that there are extra prizes this year compared to last, notably the inclusion of a M35 section.

The course...The race starts about 300 metres away from the Marian Hall. The first section of the race is a tough and uphill drag as you gain height and pass underneath the N71 Cork to Bandon road. Once the hill flattens out, you are on to the old Bandon road and this road is fairly quiet at this time of the morning. There are a few small drags along this section but nothing compared to the inital one at the start.You run into the village of Halfway and then left and out onto the main N71 road. From about the 2 mile mark to about 3.5 miles, the course is flat and going slightly uphill at the end as you run inside a very wide hard shoulder on the road.

After about 3.5 miles, the road begins to climb and the hard shoulder begins to narrow. Soon, you reach a bridge and you can see the road you passed under at the start of the race. Just after this, you turn left and you now have a downhill run all the way to the finish.

Overall...Due to the hill at the start, it's probably not the fastest of 4 mile road races. Coming just 4 days before the Ballycotton '10', it's certainly not the best time for a race but that's just the way the dates fell this year. If you are going for a fast time in Ballycotton then perhaps you should run this one at an easy pace and save yourself for Sunday. 

If you want to have a look at the course, I have put it up on the MapMyRun website. Here is the LINK.

32 Marathons in 32 Counties in 32 Days....
One of the organisers of this charity event sent an e-mail to me with details of this event. They are looking for people from Cork if anyone is interested. Please note that anyone taking part is expected to raise money for the Autism charities. See text below...

Ken Whitelaw who, along with friend Gerry Duffy are going to attempt to run 32 marathons in 32 consecutive days in the 32 counties of Ireland to raise funds for charity, starting on the 2^nd July, 2010 and coming to Cork on Friday 9^th July 2010.

Irish Autism Action and Autism NI are going to be the main benefactors of the funds raised but Gerry and Ken also wish to give a portion of the proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society.
Although this unique challenge has never before being tried in Ireland, to make it truly special Gerry and Ken are asking 32 different people to join them each day to run, jog or waddle either a full or a half marathon. This is where you come in – to raise as much money as possible for thecharities they need over 1,000 runners to sign up for the event. Almost 300 have signed up over the last few weeks but they are asking you to consider joining them for what is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in a marathon or half marathon in your local county.
To participate you are asked to raise €1,000 if doing a full marathon or €600 if doing a half marathon. (note that these amounts are the targets, but whatever you can raise will help). Sponsorship cards will be available to help you out with fund-raising. The website,www.32marathons.com also has tonnes of tips for helping you to raise the money. You can alsoregister via the site, as well as read through the FAQ’s, training plans, timetable of counties and lots more.
To encourage you to don a pair of runners the guys have talked a number of well know celebrities to join them along the way. Michael O’Leary will be running a half marathon in Dublin; Keith Duffy will be running the full 26 miles that day too. Charmaine Kenny, the current Rose of Tralee is also going to join them one of the days. Henry Sheflin, Eamonn Coughlan, Peter Canavan, Daragh O’Shea and Denis Allen are just some of the other sport stars who have agreed to be the race starters in their local counties.

The world's best running races....as selected by the Daily Telegraph...
The problem with picking the best of anything is that different people will have different opinions. As you would expect from a UK based paper, they perhaps have more of a bias towards British or European events than say from races around the world. However, the photo gallery throws up some interesting suprises as you will see.

The gallery is HERE

Ballycotton '10' race packages in the post...
Just a short note to say that the 3,300+ race packages for the 2010 Ballycotton '10' race are now in the post. Some might arrive today with the bulk of them probably arriving early next week. As well as a race programme, there should be a timing chip in the pack as well. Look after it!......You'll need this to get your finish time recorded on the day of the race.

Over the next week, I hope to provide some additional info here on this website which might be of special interest to those running in Ballycotton for the first time.

Just one week to go!!

Official opening of Mahers Sports running store.......

Mahers Sports are holding the official opening of their running store on Thursday evening and in conjunction with this, there is also a special seminar on running on the night. There will be several guest speakers including Eamonn Coghlan, one of the best middle distance runners ever to come out of Ireland and previous winner of the 5,000 metres in the World Championships.

There will be a limit of about 140 people attending on the night and there are still some places available.

If you are interested in attending then you should ring Mark asap on 021-4271244 to reserve a place.

More details on the opening below...

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Mahers Sports Official Opening of  "The Runners Loft  "  takes place on Thursday 11^thMarch @   6pm at 121 Oliver Plunkett St, Cork 

This opening is being performed by Eamonn Coghlan. 

A seminar will also take place on the night, " Lets Get Started.. the right way forward" The principles of a safe and solid Marathon Plan.  Correct footwear for the long haul.

Guest Speakers will include:

• Eamonn Coghlan
• Frank Greally ( Editor of Irish Runner)
• Peter Maher ( Olympic Marathon Runner)
• & more

Lots of spot prizes to be won on the night!

Results of the Cork BHAA 'Janssen' 4 Mile Road Race - Sun 7th Mar 2009...
This was the 2nd race this year by the Cork BHAA over this 4 mile course in Little Island. The first one was the FMC race back in January which always attracts a big turnout. It is seen by many as the first race of the year and has almost become a tradition for many runners to attend it.

With the Janssen race, it was expected that the numbers would drop somewhat. The FMC race attracted 409 runners in January while this one attracted 349, only a drop of 60 and still an impressive figure.

The full results of the race are now available HERE

Sugary soft drinks lead to diabetes, research finds...

There was a piece in an online newspaper recently about drinking too many soft drinks. They say....."Drinking sugar-sweetened soft drinks has been linked to an increase in new cases of diabetes and heart disease."

"More people now drink soft, sport and fruit drinks daily, and the increase has led to thousands more diabetes and heart disease cases over the past decade, according to research presented to the American Heart Association's annual conference."

So if you are training away and taking a lot of sports drinks and gels, it might be worth remembering that there is a lot to be said for plain old H2O.

The full article is HERE

Road Running Workshop....CIT...Fri 12th Mar 2010...

Road Running/Endurance Workshop Cork IT March 12^th

There will be a Road Running/Endurance Workshop taking place at Cork IT on Friday 12^th March from 7-9.30pm. Registration is at 6.45pm sharp at the white/grey building next to the track entrance and the workshop fee will be 5 Euro payable on the night.

This workshop is open to all levels of runners/coaches aged 17+. Topics covered on the night will include (Warming Up, Different types of training for endurance athletes, Heart Rates & Training, General Training Tips, and Training for 5km, 10km & Marathon and Q&A session). The guest speaker on the night will be 2009 Cork City Marathon champion Michael Herlihy.

For further information please contact Regional Development Officer Steven Macklin 0876335565 or steven@athleticsireland.ie

Latest info on the Ballycotton '10'....
See below the latest info from the organisers of the Ballycotton 10 mile road race......(only 2 weeks to go!!)

(1)    At this stage, the race programme is with the printers and we hope to be able to post the race packages (number, chip, programme, sponsorship card) by Wednesday/Thursday of next week so every entrant should receive it at least six to eight days before the race.

(2)    If people are unable to run, there is no need to contact us – we do not have a waiting list and do not allow the transfer of numbers. When we decide on our race limit we take into account a certain percentage of ‘no-shows’ so therefore numbers cannot be used by another runner. Also, in line with all other races, we don’t do refunds – at least in our case the fee of €15 is only a third or a quarter of what certain events charge! 

(3)   Each year we nominate a charity in conjunction with the race and this year it is the turn of Marymount Hospice. You will receive a card in your race package for this and we would ask that you consider making a contribution to this worthy cause.

(4)   This year sees the 33rd running of the race and no doubt there are people out there who are taking part for the 20th or 25th (or maybe 30th!) time. We would love to hear from you so we can announce your name on the race commentary and also maybe the local media might be interested in your story.

(5)   It looks like the race up front this year, for both men and women, will be one of the most competitive in years. A group called the ‘Marathon Mission’ was set up late last year with the objective of getting the standard of Irish marathoners back to the glory days and a squad training session has already taken place. Most of the members of this squad will be running in Ballycotton and as an incentive we are offering a cash bonus of €200 if the winner breaks 48:00 (men) or 56:30 (women). This will be in addition to the first prize which is €500.

(6)   Finally – we need help! We would appreciate any assistance on the day of the race with regard to car parking, stewarding or finish line duties. If you are in position to help out, please email us or contact Tommy at 086-2386390.