Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 20th Dec 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 20th December 2025. Approximately 901  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report...  It looks as if the wet weather had an impact on the numbers this week with most events down a bit on last week.

Ballincollig... No volunteers, no parkruns... Well done to Proinnsias O'Keeffe who earned his 250th volunteer credit at the Ballincollig 5k parkrun this weekend!!

Prionnsias has also completed 263 parkruns.

Well done to Colette Ryan who is the first parkrunner in Ballincollig to complete 400 parkruns!

Padraic Morrissey also hit the century at the same event with his 100th 5k parkrun.

Elsewhere... Well done to the one and only Joe Murphy who completed his 250th 5k parkrun at the Orangefield parkrun in Belfast!

Also, a shout out to Andrew Burns of the Glen River parkrun who completed his 250th milestone at the Malahide event.

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

Upcoming milestones....

a)

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  241 this week, 193 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Barry TWOHIG Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 16:02

2 Ronan DEASY Male SM25-29 16:10

3 Colm DEASY Male SM30-34 16:46

17 Laura CUSSEN Female SW25-29 19:49

35 Niamh CRONIN Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:31

37 Clodagh CREEDON Female VW45-49 St Finbarrs AC 21:40

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/404/

Tramore Valley Park: 194 this week, 245 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David CARRASCO COQUILLAT Male SM25-29 18:34

2 Eoin CULLINANE Male VM35-39 18:51

3 Unknown

12 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 20:34

16 Alannah NEFF Female SW25-29 21:12

32 Susan CADDEN Female SW30-34 23:24

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/184/

Glen River: 60 this week, 59 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan SMITH Male VM35-39 Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC 19:56

2 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 20:05

3 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 20:53

6 Misha PANKHANIA Female VW35-39 22:10

8 Martina MOLONEY Female VW40-44 22:34

11 Ciara HOARE Female JW15-17 22:43

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/290/

Midleton Greenway: 104 this week, 163 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:15

2 Noel CONROY Male VM40-44 18:54

3 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 19:27

7 Linda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 21:03

10 Marie KEANE Female VW50-54 21:44

11 Christine KELLY Female VW40-44 21:59

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/47/

Mallow Castle: 44 this week, 60 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew COOKE Male JM15-17 20:24

2 Gary PRENDERGAST Male VM45-49 20:52

3 Andrzej CHOMICZ Male VM45-49 Mallow AC 21:34

11 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 24:20

17 Jennifer QUINLAN Female SW30-34 26:01

19 Aoife MCSWEENEY Female SW25-29 26:02

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/209/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 45 this week, 30 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Andy GOULDING Male VM35-39 Leevale AC 18:28

2 Damian KENNEALLY Male VM40-44 18:34

3 Jonathan KENNEALLY Male VM40-44 St Catherines AC 19:27

4 Aoife COOKE Female VW35-39 19:44

17 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 26:06

20 Saoirse KINSELLA Female JW11-14 26:26

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/190/

Macroom Castle Demense: 52 this week, 59 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Alan LEHANE Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 19:12

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 19:29

3 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:39

11 Sharon O'SULLIVAN Female SW25-29 23:56

21 Noreen STEWART Female VW40-44 25:22

25 Eliza CANTY Female JW10 26:01

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/557/

Clonakilty: 34 this week, 49 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Stuart LAURENCE Male VM35-39 Bellahouston Road Runners 18:54

2 Daniel MANGONE Male SM30-34 20:17

3 Donnacha RYAN Male JM11-14 20:43

7 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW45-49 Manchester Tri Club 23:22

8 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 23:57

10 Anna O'NEILL Female VW55-59 24:40

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/511/

Glengarriff Woods: 50 this week, 76 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh MCELHINNEY Male SM25-29 Bantry Athletic Club 21:23

2 Jay MURDOCH Male VM40-44 21:25

3 Brian AHERN Male VM45-49 Bweeng Trail Blazers 21:41

12 Meave QUINLAN Female VW40-44 25:02

18 Mary MANNION Female VW60-64 28:10

19 Cary DHONDT Female SW25-29 28:29

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/431/

Bere Island: 67 this week, 23 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Ray SMITH Male VM60-64 Kenmare Athletics Club 20:16

4 Odhran MINIHANE Male JM15-17 22:22

3 Dara O SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 21:27

2 Michelagh MURPHY Female SW20-24 21:06

6 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 24:26

8 Laoise Ann O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 25:40

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/523/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 10 finishers this week, 14 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 James O'CONNELL Male VM45-49 28:18

2 Michael WILSON Male VM50-54 28:30

4 Fionn COURTNEY Male JM10 31:46

3 Sharon LEVIS Female VW45-49 28:34

7 Celine BUCKLEY Female VW50-54 Castlehaven GAA 33:10

8 Therese LYNCH Female VW60-64 36:05

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/443/

For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: A Kinda of Christmas Post ...by Pat Walsh

 * A Kinda of Christmas Post *

Hello to all who visit my page and may you have a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. 

‘Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you had fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young’… Lennon.

It is indeed a time to be grateful for the privilege of being able to run. Not everyone is so lucky and when we are injured, we get a glimpse of what it would be like to be denied a head-clearing social run. Not the greatest start to a year personally, so to finish and I’m running is a bonus. Jaysus I nearly went mental, well more mental than normal as some wouldn’t notice the difference.

I have long since given up that competitive edge and quite content now to just be out there. It is a balance between keeping yourself going and not doing too much or chasing the watch too hard. Never take your eye off of your birth certificate. Lesson for the year, do your strength work. Thanks Santa for a few dumbbells.

It is a time to be thankful to those who work to facilitate our running. Race organisers, our own friends who organise training runs, the photographers who turn up to capture the best and worst of us. Also be thankful for everyone who shared the road with you whether in training or a race. We are a Community of our own and it is important to be respectful to all who run, regardless of pace. 

Thanks to everyone who made contact when I couldn’t run. That was important to me. It does help.

Next week or two don’t be too hard on yourself. Get out when you can for a run but go easy and not too far. That way it is possible to get out a few times and knock off the previous day’s excesses while creating room for more. 

Hard to do a long run on a bellyful of chocolate and a few glasses of alcohol. 

Walking in the fresh air is Ok. Just get out when you can.

Look back on the highs, ignore and forget the lows and know that you have added another year to your running career. What will next Year bring? 

AI is supposed to be the answer to the future of humanity doing tasks that were previously manually done. It will never replace one foot in front of the other…!

I have no idea what is ahead, and we can discuss that in a future post.

‘I'm not singing for the future,
I'm not dreaming of the past,
I'm not talking of the first times,
I never think about the last’… Shane

For various reasons it may not be the happiest season of the year for some people due to personal circumstances. We all need to mind and help these people. Be kind to all and be a positive influence on those around you. Message someone who might need a cheer up.

Share kindness and just be nice. I do hope Santa will bring you the fancy Garmin, the re-chargeable headlight, the Nike Zoom Flys and shorts or leggings with go faster stripes on the side of them. If he could give a present of a good set of knees or cures for a bad back they would also be most welcome.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. xx

Reposting my fav pic of PWR and the Round Tower in Cloyne taken a few years ago. We are the same age.

#pwr #HappyChristmas

First 3km section of the new South Kerry Greenway is now open to the public - 19th Dec 2025

The South Kerry Greenway has been delayed for ages by legal challenges but the first 3.1km section from Golden's of Kells to the site of the old Kell's railway station is now open.

This is the first section of a planned 32km stretch of greenway going from Glenbeigh to Reenard (south west of Cahersiveen). Once completed, this will be the most scenic greenway in the country.

The main car parking area and a pedestrian access is situated at Golden’s of Kells. This is a temporary arrangement. A permanent car park and accessible access will be constructed at a later date.

The temporary access at Golden's is steep and not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Toilet facilities will be available for public use at Golden's of Kells.

There are limited accessible parking spaces available at the former Kells Train Station car park as a temporary measure.

The greenway itself is fully surfaced with an easy-to-traverse path with views across Kells Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Section 2 which will run approximately 5 km through woodland from Curra Woods to Mountain Stage has a  planned opening ahead of the 2026 summer season.

Notice: Bride Rovers 5k run in Rathcormac - Fri 26th Dec 2025

Bride Rovers GAA are holding their annual 5k in Rathcormac on St Stephen's Day, Friday the 26th of December 2025.

 The entry fee is €10 and it starts at 11am.

Notice: Whitechurch 6k Turkey Burner fun run - Sun 28th Dec 2025

Whitechurch and Whitechurch and Rockban Gaa are running a 6km “Turkey Burner” run and a 3km “walk and Talk” on Sunday 28th December 2025.

The run starts at 10:30am with registration open from 10am.

Sign on at Whitechurch Community Centre which is about 1km west of the village.

New paths at the Atlantic Pond in the Marina Park - Dec 2025

Over the last two years or so, the whole Marina area in Cork City has been redeveloped and the latest section to open last week is around the Atlantic Pond.

This area was really showing its age with areas next to the Pond prone to constant flooding and the paths often had large pools of standing water. There were some sections which were more like a bog with people trying to avoid getting wet.

By contrast, the new paths are nice and wide and there's plenty of options there for runners and walkers.

The lane up to Barrington's Avenue has also reopened which gives access again from the Blackrock Road.

There are some photos up on the Running in Cork Facebook page HERE

It would seem like a nice area for a 5k parkrun? ...or at least a 2k junior parkrun?

Cork BHAA 5k Turkey Trot postponed until the 21st of Dec 2025

Please note that due to the orange weather warning, the Cork BHAA Simon Community 5k Turkey Trot which was due to be held on Sunday 14th December 2025 has been cancelled.

It will now be held on Sunday 21st December at 10am with the sign on at Blackrock Hurling Club. The entry fee is €10 regardless of reg or non-reg and no watches are allowed, you just guess your finish time in advance.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 13th Dec 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 13th December 2025. Approximately 971  runners and walkers took part in the 11 events in Co Cork.

Report...  It was a full house of events this weekend with no cancellations due to flooding. This was one of the few weekends in the year where the numbers at Tramore Valley Park exceeded Ballincollig. Perhaps some people were playing it safe by going to other parkruns in anticipation that Ballincollig might be cancelled again.

Macroom... Well done to Betty O'Riordan competed her 250th parkrun and Sean McSweeney who  completed his 100th today at the Macroom Castle Demesne parkrun this weekend! They are pictured below with run director RD Felicity Dawson.

Sean also has over 175 volunteering credits to his name.

Glengarriff... Well done to David J Sullivan who reached the 250-parkrun milestone this weekend!

Ballincollig... Well done to Helen McKeown on reaching the 100 milestone and Peter Habermayer on reaching 200!

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

Upcoming milestones....

a)

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  193 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Diarmuid O' SHEA Male SM30-34 18:09

2 Alan O'SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Eagle A.C. 18:44

3 Tadhg DALY Male SM18-19 18:55

21 Niamh HEALY Female SW25-29 21:26

23 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 22:18

42 Liz O'DONOVAN Female VW40-44 Eagle A.C. 24:27

Ballincollig results... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincollig/results/403/

Tramore Valley Park: 245 this week, 320 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Andrew HOBBS Male VM35-39 Leevale AC 17:17

2 Stephen O'BRIEN Male VM40-44 17:29

3 Tiarnan O DONOGHUE Male JM15-17 Togher AC 17:34

15 Orlaith MURRAY Female JW15-17 Togher AC 19:52

23 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 20:27

32 Sophie WOLFE Female JW15-17 Togher AC 21:14

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/183/

Glen River: 59 this week, 57 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Loic GAREL Male VM40-44 St Finbarrs AC 20:29

2 Diarmuid DEASY Male SM20-24 21:04

3 Ciarán MURRAY Male VM40-44 Togher AC 21:13

12 Niamh SHEEHAN Female VW35-39 Togher AC 24:20

14 Suzanna MELINN Female VW35-39 25:03

15 Eileen KENNY Female VW75-79 25:12

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/289/

Midleton Greenway: 163 this week, 149 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan BOYCE Male VM35-39 18:01

2 Daire O SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 Mallow AC 18:17

3 Derek SMYTH Male VM45-49 19:23

7 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 21:16

14 Mary Ann O'BRIEN Female JW11-14 21:52

15 Isla HEALY Female JW11-14 21:54

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/46/

Mallow Castle: 60 this week, CANCELLED last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Thomas BROWNE Male SM20-24 17:42

2 Damien NOLAN Male VM35-39 21:04

3 Donagh NAGLE Male JM15-17 21:11

6 Bernadette O'DRISCOLL Female SW30-34 22:16

15 Edel BUCKLEY Female VW35-39 23:40

17 Kate MCSWEENEY Female SW30-34 24:00

Mallow results... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle/results/208/

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 30 this week, 36 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Noel EARLY Male VM40-44 18:59

2 Chris MATTHEWS Male VM50-54 19:44

3 David O CONNOR Male VM35-39 St Catherines AC 19:57

7 Laura BEAUSANG Female JW11-14 23:49

9 Deirdre ANSBRO Female VW45-49 24:06

14 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 25:51

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/189/

Macroom Castle Demense: 59 this week, 55 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 David BRADLEY Male JM15-17 20:31

2 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 21:11

3 Donal FALLON Male VM40-44 Mt. Hillary AC 22:01

23 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 26:08

24 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:17

25 Carmel PURCELL Female VW45-49 West Muskerry A.C. 26:32

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/556/

Clonakilty: 49 this week, 33 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Evan FITZGERALD Male SM25-29 West Waterford AC 15:12

2 Donnacha RYAN Male JM11-14 20:21

3 Edward AHERN Male SM25-29 20:25

6 Roisin HURLEY Female SW25-29 22:44

9 Marie PIGOTT Female VW35-39 23:18

12 Sandra WALSH Female VW55-59 23:56

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/510/

Glengarriff Woods: 76 this week, 61 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM15-17 20:07

2 Eoghan O'HARA Male SM30-34 Frontrunners Cork 20:58

4 Stephen O'SULLIVAN Male VM55-59 22:05

3 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 21:19

8 Ciara TIERNEY Female VW35-39 Tralee Triathlon Club 23:55

9 Bríd O'LEARY Female VW35-39 25:22

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/430/

Bere Island: 23 this week, 24 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Breeda O SULLIVAN Female VW55-59 Beara AC 23:57

4 Leahanne SULLIVAN Female SW25-29 26:15

6 Carol HURLEY Female VW50-54 Beara AC 26:45

2 Unknown  

3 Colin GLEESON Male VM70-74 Beara AC 25:11

5 Edward STEL Male VM55-59 26:20

7 Michael O'DRISCOLL Male VM70-74 27:35

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/522/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 14 finishers this week, 22 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Matthew GEDEN Male VM60-64 24:49

2 Martin ODONOGHUE Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 25:20

3 Michael WILSON Male VM50-54 28:54

4 Sharon POULTER Female VW45-49 29:37

5 Kathleen O REGAN Female VW40-44 31:02

6 Naomi DIETER Female VW45-49 32:33

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/442/

For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: The Gift ...by Pat Walsh

 ** The Gift **

Wow, Christmas Day is 2 weeks away and where did the year go? We can wait another few weeks to have an introspective and navel gazing look at the year gone but we need inspiration and a lift to get us through this season.

Short days, long nights, cold mornings, dreary evenings, it isn’t easy being a runner in Ireland in Winter. Throw in the attraction of a warm house, a belly full of mince pies, Christmas spirits and now we are needing serious motivational help.

I have watched cooking programs on TV where they tell us how to cook 6 courses of food but none say how to do it after a 5 mile run on Christmas morning.

I ran on the Greenway early this morning wearing a Beanie Hat with a built in light. Am I the saddest person in Ireland. No I’m not, lovely company and the sun came up while we ran.

I entered for a race in February early this week.

When you think of the seasonal pressure to give gifts to others then why not be kind and give a gift to yourself.

Gift yourself an entry to a Race a few weeks / months away. A little present from yourself to yourself, to show you love your running you, and you want to keep it going. A nice race that you always fancied.

Don’t worry about the cost of it. What will be spent for Christmas will make it feel small.

It will keep you motivated to get out and train when others are lying in bed.It will help you think twice before your over indulge.

Indulge is Ok, doing the dog on it is not. Nothing like the thought of a race coming up in a few weeks to help a bit of discipline and control.

If your partner is stuck for a present for you, tell them they can pay for the entry fee.

You can enjoy Christmas but just make a plan of celebration mixed with training. More room for the Turkey.

If you don’t mind yourself, appreciate yourself, look after yourself, then how can you expect anybody else to?

Runners run, it is good for us and our mental and physical health. Anything to get us out the door as often as possible is the aim of the game.

Have a lovely weekend

#pwr

Guest Post: UPCOMING 40th ANNIVERSARY of THE GREAT RACE, RIVERSTICK, 1986 - 1999 ...by Tom Scriven

UPCOMING 40th ANNIVERSARY of THE GREAT RACE, RIVERSTICK, 1986 - 1999... by Tom Scriven

Riverstick Athletic Club was based in the village of that name, along the Cork - Kinsale road and in the main attracted athletes from the Ballymartle / Belgooly / Riverstick areas. The Club was affiliated to The National Athletic and Cycling Association of Ireland, (NACAI) a former Association representing Athletic and Cycling Clubs in Ireland.

The Club organised a Spring season Cycle Race and an Annual Summer Sports Day which in the past included cycle races on grass as well as Track and Field athletic events. The Club organised Cross Country Race events on behalf of the Cork County Board as one of the affiliated Clubs on a rotational basis.

In many Clubs in that era, there was a cross-over between the NACAI and the GAA, in Provincial or National Championships, members or Clubs represented their counties and wore colours similar to their GAA counterparts. Many of the sports days were held in the local GAA Clubs sportsgrounds while the Cross- Country races were held in a nearby farm, very often on the farm of a committee member. Traditionally, the Tricolour flag would be displayed at the event.

As the popularity of athletics increased in the late 70s and 80s, a second sports day, held in Belgooly, was added to the Programme of Events, a Summer 10 Mile Road Race together with a Stephens Day 4 Mile Road Race were organized to reflect the increasing interest in Road Races Nationally.

In February1986, a further event was introduced, a Cycle/Road Race Biathlon, dubbed 'The Great Race'. The distances of the cycling and running sections of the Biathlon were chosen to attract cyclists and runners. The 1986 event, was held through the local Riverstick Wood tracks incorporating an extended triple cycle loop followed by a double running loop of the wood tracks. The 1987 event used a new course, a double 7 Mile cycling loop along the Glounagalt and Heathbourne Hall circuit followed by a 5.3 Road Race on an inner circuit. 

The event was transferred from a Spring date to an Autumn one to allow cyclists and athletes participate at the close of the cycling and athletics seasons. The traditional Open, Junior and Veteran category winners were awarded prizes, while a Perpetual Trophy was presented to the winner annually.

Prize winners included Brian Linehan, Blarney CC. in 1989, fresh from his record breaking cycle of the Cork - Dublin distance.

The event was held annually up to 1999, (The 1988 event was not held due to a Compliance issue), changing trends and increasing compliance aspects resulted in a discontinuing of the event. Participating in Road Races and Triathlons increased in popularity attracting entrants from biathlon style events.

The event is still fondly remembered, the late Paddy O'Donoghue was a tireless Organiser. Paddy's father, Maurice, was a Founder member and Life-President of the Riverstick Club, the event celebrated his memory.

Participants were in the main cyclists or runners and despite some specific training often found the changeover difficult, resulting in a short distance of shuffling style running until the normal striding style was restored. The traditional tea and refreshments provided after the event help restore the normal walking gait.

On any future trip through Riverstick, spare a thought for the participants of that initial Great Race through the notoriously hilly Riverstick Wood Circuit of nearly 40 years ago! It was indeed a 'Great Race'!'

Addendum...

Eoin O'Connell with his younger brother Brian in Riverstick back 

in the early ‘90’s

Gerry Forde hits 538 Marathons!

I've just updated Jerry Forde's marathon list and it now stands at 538 completed... and some of those are ultras!

The most recent one was the Dublin marathon at the end of October 2025.

If someone said to you that they did 538 road races, it would sound impressive but to complete 538 marathons as a wheelchair athlete is just mind boggling.

Just multiplying 538 x 42.2kms gives a distance of about 22,703 kms, that's more than halfway around the earth.

You can see Jerry Forde's list of marathons HERE

Results & Photos of the Newmarket 5k road race - Sun 7th Dec 2025

Newmarket 5k raises €5000 for Cancer Connect charity

After a grim morning of heavy rain, the conditions for the 2025 Newmarket 5k road race couldn't have been more different as the clouds parted and the sun came out for the 1pm start.

Start of the 2025 Newmarket 5k...

The first wheelchair athlete was Shauna Bocquet of Craughwell AC in Galway with a blistering time of 12 min 51 sec.

1 Shauna Bocquet Craughwall AC 12:51 WCA 29

Shauna is pictured at the top of post holding a donation cheque for €5000 which Duhallow AC raised from the proceeds of the race.

In the men's race, Paul Hartnett of East Cork AC was the clear winner with a time of 14m 21s.

Top 3 men...

1 Paul Hartnett East Cork AC     14:21 MS 322
2 Eoghan O'Connor Leevale AC     14:36 MS 710
3 Ben Smith Leevale AC     14:44 MS 935

(L-R) Helen Linehan of the Ayrton Group (race sponsor) with Eoghan O'Connor #710 2nd, Paul Hartnett #322 1st & Ben Smith #935 3rd

A total of 8 runners managed to get in under the 15 minute mark while 216 runners got under 20 minutes.

There was a dramatic finish to the women's race with a dead heat between Michelle Finn and Jessica Coyne.

Top 3 women

1 Michelle Finn Leevale AC     16:11 FS 439
1 Jessica Coyne Leevale AC     16:11 FS 143
3 Dee Grady Ennis Track AC     16:42 F35 288

Both athletes gave it all over the closing stretch and crossed the finish line together.

Top 3 women (L-R)... Dee Grady #288 3rd, Michelle Finn #439 1st & Jessica Coyne #143 1st

Full results HERE

Photos... to follow...

1) There are loads of photos going up on the Running in Cork Facebook page.

a) Pre-race b) Finish line 1 of 5 c) Finish line 2 of 5 d) Finish line 3 of 5 e) Finish line 4 of 5 f) Finish line 5 of 5

2) Mick Dooley has the following photos...

a) Start b) Finish

There were 715 finishers this year which is just 16 shy of the number for 2024. It's very likely that the awful weather in the morning convinced a number of runners not to bother with the race and if it had been dryer then it's likely that there would have been a new record turnout for the race. 

I suspect though that the numbers wouldn't have been that much higher so it does suggest that perhaps the race has reached a peak in terms of numbers? i.e. about the 700 mark.

It's a remarkable number of runners for what is after all a 5k road race in north-west Cork.

Notice: Dungarvan 10-mile road race - Sun 1st Feb 2026

The biggest 10-miler in Munster is the  hugely popular John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race which is organised by West Waterford AC and it's coming up on Sunday 1st February 2026. 

Dates & Entries...

1) Entries opened on the 1st of Dec 2025 for Athletics Ireland club members

2) Entries for everyone including non-club runners opens on Mon 8th Dec 2025.

Update 31st Dec 2025: Entries are now sold out. Open now only to elite entries.

The entry link is https://eventmaster.ie/event/nqdPsplH0v

Info... Note that there are 3,750 spaces for this race which is a huge amount. They expanded the entry number by 25% in 2023 to cater for the demand. This remains the level for the 2026 entries.

Remember that most runners are not members of an athletics club. Entries may open on the 1st of December for club runners but the main entry is on the 8th of December.

It took a few weeks to sell out last year so you don't need to panic. Just decide if you want to do this race and then enter as soon as possible.

Results of the 5k parkruns in Cork - Sat 6th Dec 2025

Results of the 5k parkruns around the county on Saturday 6th December 2025. Approximately 757  runners and walkers took part in the 9 events in Co Cork.

Report...  The heavy rain on Friday took its toll with the Mallow and Ballincollig parkruns being cancelled due to flooding on the course.

If I missed anyone who passed a notable milestone like 100, 200, 250 or above parkruns then let me know.

Upcoming milestones....

a)

***

Ballincollig Regional Park:  CANCELLED this week, 263 last week.

First 3 men & women...

Ballincollig results... 

Tramore Valley Park: 320 this week, 204 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Fearghal DESMOND Male SM20-24 Leevale AC 16:28

2 Unknown 

3 Rory O' SULLIVAN Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 18:22

14 Genevieve COLLINS Female SW30-34 20:15

27 Isabelle CROWLEY Female JW11-14 21:33

36 Lorna WOLFE Female VW35-39 Leevale AC 22:07

Tramore Valley Park results... https://www.parkrun.ie/tramorevalley/results/182/

Glen River: 57 this week, 71 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Marcus BISHOP Male SM30-34 17:52

2 Sean SAVAGE Male SM25-29 19:23

3 Cian MCPARLAND Male VM45-49 St Finbarrs AC 19:38

7 Nollaigh O'NEILL Female VW50-54 22:06

9 Ciara HOARE Female JW15-17 22:59

11 Rhona DEMPSEY Female VW40-44 St Finbarrs AC 23:16

Glen River results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glenriver/results/288/

Midleton Greenway: 149 this week, 140 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Brendan MAGUIRE Male VM45-49 18:04

2 Michael BYRNE Male VM40-44 18:07

3 Brendan KEARNEY Male SM30-34 18:23

12 Patricia VICARIO Female VW45-49 22:02

17 Ciara MAGNER Female VW40-44 Watergrasshill AC 22:52

21 Lara BYRNE Female JW11-14 23:33

Midleton Greenway... https://www.parkrun.ie/midletongreenway/results/45/

Mallow Castle: CANCELLED this week, 62 last week.

First 3 men & women...

Mallow results... 

Youghal (Pobalscoil ne Tríonóide) : 36 this week, 29 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Isaac LANDERS Male JM15-17 20:07

2 Evan COOPER Male JM11-14 21:13

3 Pj AHERNE Male VM35-39 21:13

7 Shannon SOTOK Female SW30-34 22:15

14 Rose KINSELLA Female VW40-44 25:50

15 Claire MURPHY Female VW50-54 26:00

Youghal results... https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/results/188/

Macroom Castle Demense: 55 this week, 54 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Conor LUCEY Male VM40-44 19:24

2 Jude MURPHY Male SM18-19 21:07

3 Matt MURPHY Male SM20-24 21:52

12 Eimear COLUMBY Female SW25-29 25:08

13 Margaret LUCEY Female VW45-49 26:25

15 Mary LUCEY Female VW40-44 West Muskerry A.C. 26:49 

Macroom results... https://www.parkrun.ie/macroomcastledemesne/results/555/

Clonakilty: 33 this week, 39 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Alex O SHEA Male VM50-54 19:11

2 Darragh SCOTT Male VM45-49 19:16

3 Unknown 

6 Catherine FINCH Female VW50-54 22:56

9 Eileen MCCARTHY Female VW55-59 Galway City Harriers 24:16

13 Niamh O'BRIEN Female VW35-39 24:51

Clonakilty results... https://www.parkrun.ie/clonakilty/results/509/

Glengarriff Woods: 61 this week, 62 last week.

Top 3 men & women...

1 Darragh COPPINGER Male JM15-17 20:13

2 Peter LITTLE Male VM50-54 21:31

3 John HALLISSEY Male VM40-44 23:03

5 Maria HURLEY Female VW60-64 Bantry Athletic Club 25:29

10 Pippa O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 26:32

13 Deirdre O'BRIEN Female VW45-49 Bantry Athletic Club 29:13

Glengarriff results... https://www.parkrun.ie/glengarriff/results/429/

Bere Island: 24 this week, 34 last week. 

First 3 men & women...

1 Cyril MCNAMARA Male VM60-64 21:57

2 Dara O SULLIVAN Male VM40-44 22:12

5 Bob CHOWDRY Male VM50-54 26:47

3 Julia O SULLIVAN Female SW18-19 25:46

4 Farrah O SULLIVAN Female JW15-17 26:42

6 Keanna Kate O SULLIVAN Female JW11-14 27:01

Bere Island results... https://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/results/521/

Castlehaven (Rineen Woods): 22 finishers this week, 15 last week.

First 3 men & women...

1 Luke MCCORMACK Male SM20-24 23:34

2 Ziemowit LACHACZ Male VM45-49 Polish Runners Club Ireland 23:45

3 Slawomir LUBANSKI Male VM45-49 Polish Runners Club Ireland 24:06

7 Deirdre MCCARTHY Female VW40-44 Manchester Tri Club 28:14

9 Emma HORLER Female VW60-64 29:32

11 Anna TWOMEY Female SW20-24 29:38

Castlehaven results... https://www.parkrun.ie/castlehaven/results/441/

For more information about the weekly 5k parkruns in Co Cork, go to this page HERE.

Guest Post: The Race ...by Pat Walsh

 ** The Race **

I attended a fantastic talk Thursday evening in MTU Cork with David Gillick to promote his recently published book, ‘The Race’. It looks at one of Ireland’s most successful 400m runners as he shares the inside story of life on the athletics track.

After his competitive days, he took over the role as the go-to-man for major athletic events as the TV analyst who was first to meet the competitors soon after they finished. 

His guests on the night were Derval O’Rourke and Rob Heffernan who brought some unique insights and their own level of Cork charm. Thank you both, brilliant as always. 

I am a fan of David Gillick, I admired him as a runner and he is still the Irish 400M record holder since 2009. I honestly think he is the best I have ever seen to handle athletes after they finish an event as a TV pundit. His sensitivity, insightfulness, sympathy, empathy means he can get some beautiful and emotional interviews. Never change the channel until David has done his interview.

He had it all, I thought, but nothing could be further from the truth. The book looks at the struggle mentally and physically to stay at the top and what it means to be world class in a brutally competitive environment. Some highs but deep lows, constant pressure to perform, constant doubting himself, lack of professional back up to help him cope mentally and what all this toll has exerted on him.

Fascinating story from one of our finest athletes. Thanks for taking the time to share your life with us. I would recommend anyone to read the book.

* What can we learn from it all.

No one has it completely sorted, we all have our doubts, short comings, demons in our head.

Never judge anyone else as we have no idea what is going on with them.

Most of the pressure on us to perform is self inflicted.

* What can we do about it.

Be kind to ourselves and others. 

Ask for help if you need it. 

Open up and let others in.

Be grateful every day for your health and the friendship of fellow runners.

Thankfully listening to David last night it is good to hear he has come to terms with life and embracing the future. We are grateful he took the time to write this book as a personal insight into his life and maybe learn something from it. He is back running for fun and the sheer enjoyment of it.

Thanks to the Irish Athletic Supporters’ Club and Seamas for hosting this great event. 

Extract from the book. - Ultimately, I do it not for rewards or attention, medals or money, but the sheer thrill of pushing myself. Running is a cornerstone of my physical and mental well-being. 

Nothing more for me to add. Have a lovely weekend.

#pwr David Gillick