New Ballybrack Pedestrian Route in Douglas in Cork City

Update 16th April 2019 : Elected members of the Ballincollig-Carrigaline Municipal District gave their green light of support for the next extension of the Ballybrack pedestrian/cycling path at the April monthly meeting yesterday. The proposed extension now needs to go to full Council for final approval.

Managers report... http://www.marciadalton.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Past-8-Managers-Report_Ballybrack-Valley-Pedestrian-and-Cycle-Route-Phase-4.pdf

Over the last few years, there have been some major improvements to the walkway and park in the Ballybrack Valley area to the south of Douglas in Cork City.

I came across this planning notice recently which shows the next phase of the project which connect the existing Ballybrack walkway over to Maryborough Hill. Once this is complete, it will mean there are more route options for runners and walkers who want to get away from the busy roads.

More info here... https://www.corkcoco.ie/planning/municipal-districts-part-8-planning

Location below...

Notice: Boherbue to Kiskeam 4 mile road race in NW Cork - Mon 22nd Apr 2019

Looking ahead to next weekend, this one might be of interest to anyone west or north of Cork City, in Kerry or south and west Limerick. The Boherbue to Kiskeam 4 mile road race in NW Cork is coming up on Easter Monday, the 22nd of April 2019.

Note that there is a long sleeved dry fit top for all runners this year.

This 4 mile road race starts in Boherbue and finishes in the village of Kiskeam. As you can see from the map below, it's a central location for a lot of people in N.Cork, W.Limerick & E.Kerry...

The race is being organised by Gneeveguilla AC, one of the largest athletic clubs in Kerry. The entry fee is €20 on the day and there is a large array of prizes on offer. These are usually in the form of vouchers for a local co-op and are pretty generous.

There will be the usual refreshments of tea. coffee. sandwiches, etc afterwards as well.

Preview.......A full preview of the course with directions, maps, photos, etc can be seen HERE

Fionnuala McCormack runs Boston Marathon in 2h 30m

Top Irish international athlete Fionnuala McCormack was in action at this years Boston Marathon and ran a time of 2h 30m 38s

Fionnuala’s splits below

5k>>17.36 (5.40)
10k>>34.58 (5.36)
15k>>52.21 (5.36)
20k>>2:10.17 (5.43)
Half>>1:14.02 (5.46)
25k>>1:27.54 (5.43)
30k>>1:46.07 (5.53)
35k>>2:04.48 (5.37)
40k>>2:22.36 (5.51)
Finish>> 2:30.38 (5.44)

Fionnuala's previous best was 2:31:22.


Top 5 Irish women in the marathon...
1 2:22:23 Catherina McKiernan - Amsterdam    1 Nov 1998
2 2:28:07 Carey May - Osaka 27 Jan 1985
3 2:29:01 Sonia O'Sullivan - London 17 Apr 2005
4 2:31:22 Fionnuala McCormack - Rio de Janeiro 14 Aug 2016
5 2:32:51 Lizzie Lee - Berlin 27 Sep 2015

Dog runs 140+ miles in desert ultra-marathon

In the recent Marathon Des Sables ultra marathon in the Sahara, a local dog decided to join the 'fun' and ended up running more than 140 miles!

Renowned as  one of the toughest ultra races in the world, the Marathon Des Sables takes place over a 156 mile stretch of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. This year however, the hardened runners were joined by a local canine participant.

After completing 140.7 miles, the dog which was nicknamed Cactus by the participants was awarded a finishers medal.

Cactus is going home 🤗🏅😍
After joining the adventure of the 34th MDS, his owners came to bring him home 😃
It was an emotional moment, thank you for all the support ❤️😊#MDS2019 #MARATHONDESSABLES #CactusTheMdsDog pic.twitter.com/nuPtjcR94o

— MARATHON DES SABLES (@marathonDsables) April 13, 2019

Results of the Karen Fenton 5k in Ballinora - Sun 14th Apr 2019

417 runners turned out in the wet and windy conditions for this years Karen Fenton Memorial 5k race in Ballinora.

1    Nathan O'LEARY    00:16:37    1554    M (1)    MJ (1)    Leevale A.C.
2    Andrew HOBBS    00:17:16    1145    M (2)    MS (1)    JCI
3    Ryhan O'HALLORAN    00:17:29    1306    M (3)    MS (2)    St Finbarrs A.C.
11    Sorcha KEARNEY    00:19:05    1548    F (1)    F40 (1)    St Finbarrs A.C.
12    Grainne O'DONNELL    00:19:19    1289    F (2)    F35 (1)   
15    Annemarie POWER    00:19:58    1516    F (3)    F45 (1)    Eagle A.C.

Results

Finish line up to 28 mins... 

Results of the Dromina 10 mile road race - Sun 14th April 2019

After a long absence, the Dromina 10 mile road race was back on the race calendar again on Sunday the 14th of April. Conditions were somewhat wet and windy on what was a very busy day for races in Cork and Munster.

There were 168 finishers in the 10 mile and 93 in the 10k.

10mile...
1    Rory O'Connor   North Cork AC    M    0:53:55
2    Declan Guina    West Limerick A.C.  M 0:58:13
3    Donal Giltinan    East Cork A.C.    M   1:01:13   
4    Paul Noonan    Limerick A.C.    M   1:01:47   
5    David Hanlon Limerick A.C.    M40   1:02:12
6    Linda Byrne    DSD    F 1:02:23   
24    Sinead Buckley    North Cork AC    F 1:11:13   
41    Susan Browne    North Cork AC    F 1:15:40   
49    Deirdre O Leary  North Cork AC    F  1:17:32   
53    Mary Pyke Mooreabbey Milers A.C F40 1:18:44

10 Mile Results

10km...
1 Mark Walsh    Leevale    M 34:20
2 Jeremiah Sheehan         M 35:42
4 Cormac Downes    Dooneen A.C.    M 40:03   
3 Niamh Moore    Leevale    F 39:45
10 Annette O'Reilly    Kilfinane A.C.    F 45:53
19 Sinead Singleton    Mount Hilary A.C.    F 51:19

10k results

Mark Walsh & Niamh Moore... winners of the 2019 Dromina 10k

Photos...
1) Kevin O'Connor has a gallery of the 10 mile start HERE and the 10k start HERE 

Results & Photos of the Glen River 5k parkrun - Sat 13th Apr 2019

 
1 Aidan NOONE    18:48    SM20-24    M1
2 Arlen AHERNE    19:44    SM30-34    M2
3 Michael MURPHY    20:08    VM60-64    M3    St Finbarrs AC
5 Anna HOGAN    21:48    VW40-44    F1    UCC Staff Athletics Club
8 Charlotte BISHOP    22:19    SW30-34    F2
20 Helen ROCHE    23:50    VW45-49    F3    Wibbly Wobbly Wonders

Results

Photos..
1)  The organisers have a gallery HERE

Results of the Dromahane 5k - Sat 13th Apr 2019

128 turned out for this 5k in Dromahane near Mallow, down about 10% on last year.

1 Eric Curran     Leevale AC     16:04 73
2 Anthony Mannix     Leevale AC 16:07     150
3 Donough Barrow     Mallow AC  18:45    74
5 Margaret Murphy     Mallow AC 19:17    264
17 Sheila Buckley     Midleton AC 21:17     145
18 Denise Smyth     Millstreet AC 21:32    256

Results

Guest post : The Legend Jerry Forde takes on the Alexander the Great Marathon

Guest post from Claire O'Brien...*GOOD LUCK JERRY!* ... by Claire O'Brien

This weekend, the legend that is Jerry Forde is about to achieve a life-long ambition, and complete a marathon in Greece! Jerry will participate in the “Alexander the Great Marathon” in Thessaloniki. This will be his 445th marathon and Jerry will earn another marathon medal to add to his collection! 😊

It has taken months of meticulous planning to enable this to happen...with a few “bumps” along the way! The most recent being Jerry misplacing his passport!! Luckily, with a bit of help from Lord Mayor Mick Finn and also Simon Coveney, we were able to arrange an emergency one with hours to spare!!!! As we speak, Jerry is on a sight seeing tour around Greece, and is looking forward to being at the start line tomorrow! 💪🏻 For anyone that would like to tune in, it starts at 6am Irish time, and should be streamed live on this link. https://webtv.ert.gr/ert3-live/

Best of luck Jerry! You are a true inspiration! ☘️🏃‍♂️💪🏻

Spike Island 5k CANCELLED

Please note that the 5k on Spike Island on Saturday the 13th of April has been cancelled due to high winds.

From the organisers...."Due to unexpected high winds in Cork harbour we are closed today. Sincere apologies to any visitors, all tickets will be refunded. Our 5km is being moved to another date, runners can move to this date or avail of a refund."

Results & Photos of the Ballincollig 5k parkrun - Sat 13th Apr 2019

Conditions were cool, windy and dry for this weeks 5k parkrun in Ballincollig Regional Park with 301 taking part.

1 Ronan FENN    18:30    SM20-24    M1
2 Eoghan O'CONNOR    18:31    JM11-14    M2 Belgooly AC
3 Shane O'CALLAGHAN    18:32    VM35-39    M3
11 Rachel SMITH    19:39    SW20-24    F1
12 Nollaigh O'NEILL    19:46    VW45-49    F2 Leevale AC
19 Riina KUUSELO    20:32    VW40-44    F3 Knowle and Dorridge Running Club
Full results

Photos...
1) Collette Ryan has a gallery HERE
2) Derek Costello has a gallery HERE

Races this weekend - Fri 12th to Sun 14th of April 2019

It looks as if the second Sunday of April is going to be a repeat of the second Sunday of March with a huge number of races on offer in Cork and Munster. See all of the weekend events below...

Waterford... Fri 12th (7pm)... SE2 Butlerstown 4 mile... €7 pre-entry / €10 on the day... Race 2 of 12 in the InterSport Elverys/Asics Summer Series 2019...

Limerick... Fri 12th (7:30pm)... Michal Rejmer 5 mile... €15...

Sat 13th (9:30am)... 5k parkruns - Various locations - Free
Cork - Ballincollig, Glen River, Mallow, Macroom, Clonakilty, Rineen Woods, Glengarriff Woods, Bear Is /// Limerick - University of Limerick, Newcastle West, Mungret /// Kerry - Killarney, Tralee, Listowel, Inch /// Clare - Ennis, Kilrush, Clarisford /// Tipperary - Clonmel, Templemore /// Waterford - Tramore
Limerick... Sat 13th (9am)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend Marathon... €25... University of Limerick...
Limerick... Sat 13th (9am)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend Half-Marathon... €25... University of Limerick...

Cork... Sat 13th (11am)... Run Walk Crawl 5k in Doneraile Park... €donation... In aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland...
Kerry... Sat 13th (11am)... Ciara Orme Memorial 5k run/walk... €10... Milltown...

Waterford... Sat 13th (11am)... MMRA Knockmealdown 21.1km Half-Marathon Mtn Race... €?... MMRA Membership required... MMRA event info...

Limerick... Sat 13th (12 noon)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend 24-hour... €60... University of Limerick...

Cork... Sat 13th (6:30pm)... Dromahane Road Runners 5k Run... €10...
Cork... Sat 13th (6:30pm)... Spike Island Fortress 5k... €20.95... includes ferry...

Limerick... Sun 14th (00:01am)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend 12-hour... €40... University of Limerick...
Limerick... Sun 14th (6am)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend 6-hour... €30... University of Limerick... 

Sun 14th (9:30am)... 2k Junior parkruns - Various locations - Free
Cork - Cobh /// Limerick - Shelbourne Park /// Kerry - Tralee /// Wexford - Heritage Park /// Tipperary - Burgess, Nenagh ///


Limerick... Sun 14th (8am)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend Marathon... €25... University of Limerick...
Limerick... Sun 14th (8am)... Marathon Club Ireland Ultra Weekend Half-Marathon... €25... University of Limerick...
Tipperary... Sun 14th (9am)... Slievenamuck Marathon & Half-Marathon... €20... Run/Walk... Glen of Aherlow...

 Kerry ... Sun 14th (11am)... Kingdom Come 10 miler & 5k run... €25... Castleisland... Organised by An Ríocht AC... entries taken on the day... info...

Waterford... Sun 14th (11am)... Angela Burns Memorial 10k ... €15... Ferrybank GAA...
Tipperary... Sun 14th (11:30am)... Friends of Bridgewater House & Knocklofty Rural Day Service & The Dolphin Swimming Club 5k & 10k fun run/walk... €?... Clonmel...

Cork... Sun 14th (11:30am)... Karen Fenton Memorial 5k... €12... Ballinora, S of Ballincollig... info...

Waterford... Sun 14th (12 noon)... Whiting Bay 5k road race... €15... Piltown, Kinsalebeg...
Kilkenny...Sun 14th (12 noon)... Graiguenamanagh 5k fun run... €10... 

Cork... Sun 14th (12 noon)... Dromina 10 mile road race... €25 pre-entry / €30 on the day... info...
Cork... Sun 14th (12:30pm)... Dromina 10 km road race... €25 pre-entry / €30 on the day... info...

Limerick... Sun 14th (12 noon)... Scoil Pól Happy Feet 5k run/walk... €10... Kilfinane...
Tipperary... Sun 14th (12:30pm)... Killea 10 mile road race... €32.45...Templemore...
Tipperary... Sun 14th (1pm)... Killea 5k... €22.10... Templemore...
Clare... Sun 14th (1pm)... The Sonny Murphy 10 mile... €20... Kilnaboy...

Results of the Coláiste an Chraoibhin 5k in Fermoy - Wed 10th Apr 2019

This years annual Coláiste an Chraoibhin 5k in Fermoy was held on Wed 10th of April 2019 and over 200 took part.

1  Justin Ryan                                     17.15
2  James Murphy                              17.28
3  Gary Clerkin                                   17.44
1  Jennifer Goggin Walsh              19.36
2  Gwen Conroy                                21.57
3  Aine O’Connor                              23.08
Results...
1    Justin Ryan    17.15
2    James Murphy    17.28
3    Gary Clerkin    17.44
4    Gavin O'Flynn    17.52
5    John Murphy    18.34
6    Kieran Kearney    18.46
7    Jim O'Connor    18.55
8    Michael Walsh    18.59
9    Eddie O'Brien    19.15
10    Eamonn Doyle    19.30
11    Jennifer Goggin Walsh    19.36

Notice...Karen Fenton Memorial 5k in Ballinora - Sun 14th Apr 2019

Following a very successful inaugural event last year which attracted over 700 participants, the Karen Fenton Memorial Run is scheduled for Sunday 14th April 2019.

The location is unchanged, just to the south of Ballincollig.

From the organisers.....The second annual Karen Fenton Memorial Run will be hosted in Ballinora, Waterfall on April 14th, 2019, just two weeks short of Karen’s second 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 2019 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...

Sub 3 hour Irish results at the 2019 Manchester Marathon

The Manchester Marathon was also on last weekend and again, there was a large Irish contingent there.

The Irish men under 3 hours and women under 3:30 are shown below...

Note the results posted by the three women of Watergrasshill AC with times of 3:12, 3:21 and 3:27!

4    Mark Long    36    M    City of Derry Spartans    INT MTOP3 02:26:26    02:26:25
49    John Courell    238    M    Ballina AC    MSEN02:37:12    02:37:05
101    Johnny O Sullivan    420    M    Galtee runners    MV45    02:43:13    02:43:00
165     David Murray    1346    M    Tullamore Harriers    MO35    02:47:15    02:46:49
298    Kieran Staunton    1614    M    Athenry AC    MO35 02:53:01    02:52:55
394    David Greene    873    M    Grange - Fermoy    MO35    02:55:39    02:55:14
456    Daragh Kelly    1027    M    Milford AC    MO35    02:56:59    02:56:50
505    Martin Rea    1178    M    North Belfast Harriers    MV40    02:57:59    02:57:34
507    Gordon Graham    1202    M    East Down AC    MSEN    02:58:01    02:57:33
556    Peter Thompson    1664    M    Belfast     MSEN    02:58:50    02:58:38
568    Stephen ROONEY 1515 M    Watergrashill AC    MV40 02:58:59    02:55:59

1527    Claire O' Brien    4436    F    57    Watergrashill AC    INT FTOP3    03:17:42    03:12:59
1660    Olivia Martin    4294    F    74    Bohermeen AC    FV45    03:19:58    03:16:08
1904    Colette O' Donoghue    6131    F    116    Watergrashill AC    FO35    03:24:51    03:21:05
2230    Sinead Phelan    4517    F    132    Longford AC    FV4503:30:29    03:22:57
2561    Lisa Crowley    6135    F    181    Watergrashill AC    FV45    03:35:00    03:27:33

Full results