14-week training programme for the Limerick Half-Marathon on the 1st of May 2022

The Great Limerick Run Half-Marathon is coming up on Sunday the 1st of May 2022.

While there are plenty of generic 'one size fits all' plans about, many if not most are of little value. Every person is different and any proper training plan should be specific for each individual.

A 14-week training programme for the Limerick Half-Marathon starts on the 23rd of January 2022 and costs €79. 

A 12-week programme for those doing the 6-mile event starts of the 6th of February and cost €69. There is also the option of making it 14-weeks for €79 if someone wants a bit more time to get ready.

Each programme is sent out weekly and is tailored for each individual. Weekly feedback by email is required.

If interested, send an email to johndesmondrunning AT gmail DOT com

Results & photos of the Ballyhoura Winter Moonlight Challenge - 14th Jan 2022

The IMRA Ballyhoura Winter Moonlight Challenge was held on Friday evening the 14th of January 2022 with an impressive 176 runners finishing the course. That's pretty amazing for a 28km trail race that was run in the dark in the middle of January.

Top 5 men & women...
1 Barry McEvoy 118 M 2:06:43 Laois
2 Raivis Zakis 652 M40 2:07:49 West Waterf... Waterford
3 Michael Lyons 497 M35 2:21:25 Grange Ferm... Cork
4 Paul Tierney (Tipp) 846 M40 2:24:35 GoTri Adven... Tipperary
5 Sam Hand 141 M 2:24:58 Kilmallock ... Limerick
13 Laura O Driscoll 731 F40 2:39:15 North East ... Louth
34 Michelle Nolan 186 F50 2:52:00 Cork
40 Elaine Collins 235 F 2:55:05 Cork
42 Roisin Howley 716 F 2:55:58 Clare
68 Cora Fenton 677 F50 3:08:27 Kilmallock ... Limerick

Full results HERE

Photos...

1) The Irish Mountain Running Association has two galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2... 

Notice: Adare 10k in W Limerick - Sun 27th Feb 2022

The annual Adare 10k road race is coming up on Sunday the 27th of February 2022 at 1pm.

Organised by West Limerick AC, this is a hugely popular race and attracts a large field of about 700 runners, way beyond the usual 200 or so that most races get. It sells out every year.

Update 18th Jan 2022: This race has now sold out! It's really impressive to see such strong demand for this race with 1000 places filled. While many races struggle to attract runners, others are going from strength to strength.

The first batch of 600 went on sale on the 4th of November 2021 and filled out within days. The second batch of 400 went on sale on the 14th of January and sold out in about three days.

Notice: Bill Fox Memorial 10k Run in Ballylanders - Sun 6th Mar 2022

The Bill Fox Memorial 10k run is coming up in the village of Ballylanders in SE Limerick on Sunday the 6th of March 2022. - Please note this has been changed from the original date of the 9th of January.

Details... Bill Fox Memorial Run (10k) taking place on the 9th of January. Online registration only. Entry fee €15 plus booking fee. Starting at the Ballylanders GAA clubhouse. Money raised will be in aid of Marymount Hospice and Ballylanders GAA.

Online entry HERE

Location...

The village of Ballylanders is situated in the south-east corner of county Limerick and is located on the R513 road which runs from Limerick City to Mtchelstown. It is located about 12kms from the M8 motorway (exits 12 & 13).

The 10k course takes in a large loop to the south-west of Ballylanders.

Notice: IMRA Ballyhoura Winter Trail Challenge Marathon - 14th Jan 2022

The Munster branch of IMRA (Irish Mountain Running Association) are holding a full marathon in the Ballyhoura mountains on the Friday the 14th of January 2022. Not only will this be held in the middle of Winter but it will also be held in the dark!

Details....

DESCRIPTION: Ballyhoura Winter Trail Challenge
COUNTY: Limerick
DATE: Friday 14 January, 2022
TIME:19:30
CLIMB (M): 900
DISTANCE (KM): 26.00
RACE MARKING: Route fully marked - Route fully marked
ENTRY CLOSES: 2022-01-07 23:59:00
ENTRY LIMIT: 200
ENTRY COST: €50
GETTING THERE: Scoil Pol, Kilfinane, Co Limerick

ENTRY LINK HERE

As with all IMRA events, annual membership costing €10 for 2022 is required.

ORGANISERS INSTRUCTIONS: Registration will take place at Scoil Pol in Kilfinnane Co Limerick from 5:30pm on Friday 14th January. Entry online only. Complete an lovely 26km course taking in many of the local woodlands and also topping out over Seefin Mountain. 

There will be a cut off point at the check point approx 15km into the course. Those not getting here on the time (tbd) will not be allowed up over the mountain section. Marshals will man the route at sections along the way. The Checkpoint will have water etc and food depending on the weather at the time but defo jellies, biscuits etc. 

Mandatory Kit is: Rain jacket, full vizi vest, headlamp with spare batteries, mobile phone charged and volume on loud, face covering.

PRIZEGIVING LOCATION: On finishing, finishers will receive a souvenir Beanie and a hot roll with tea/coffee.

Tipperary: Results of the Clonmel 4 mile road race - 26th Dec 2021

This years Clonmel 4 mile road race had a total of 318 finishers, a drop of about 30% on the last race in 2019. As can be seen from the chart above, it's the lowest number for at least 11 years.

Top 3 men & women...
 1 Shay McEvoy Kilkenny  18:44 SM 218
2 David McCarthy West Waterford AC  18:48 SM 207
3 Kevin Moore Dundrum AC  18:59 SM 247
16 Dymphna Ryan Dundrum AC  21:56 SF 370
21 Ciara O Neill Clonmel AC  23:13 SF 318
25 Angela McCann Clonmel AC  23:28 SF 206

The full results are up on the Premier Timing Systems website HERE

Kerry: Results of the Farranfore 5k - 26th Dec 2021

This years Farrranfore 5k on St Stephen's Day attracted a field of 301 runners. While this is down 6% on the number for the last outing in December of 2019, it's still only a small drop and a good number of runners for a 5k race in Co Kerry.

First 3 men & women...
1 15:13 Oisin Spillane M Sen Tralee Harriers
2 15:58 Derek Griffin M Sen 
3 16:02 Aogán MacDomhnaill M Sen West Limerick AC
1 16:05 Michelle Finn F Sen Leevale AC
2 16:19 Sorcha Ní Dhomhnaill F Sen Donore Harriers
3 17:20 Niamh O'Mahony F Sen An Ríocht

Results HERE

First 3 women (L-R) 2nd Sorcha Ní Dhomhnaill, 1st Michelle Finn, 3rd Niamh O'Mahony

Running events over the Christmas period - 25th Dec 2021 to 2nd Jan 2022

I updated the race calendar over the last few days and there are a huge number of running events in Cork and Munster... parkruns, GOAL miles, road race, charity runs and so on. No matter where you live in Munster, there is probably some event nearby.

Check out the race calendar HERE

Waterford: Photos of the Old Parish 5 mile Turkey Trot - Sun 5th Dec 2021

The 12th annual Paddy Joe Curran Old Parish Turkey Trot 5 mile was held on Sunday the 5th of December 21st 2021 in West Waterford. A total of €3810 was raised for charity.

Top 3 men...

1st Adam O’Connor United Striders AC 27.35 

2nd Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC 27.53
3rd John O'Rourke IND 28.10

Top 3 women...

1st Elaine Horgan Clonmel AC 33.53 
2nd Liz Nyhan West Waterford AC 34.09
3rd Beth O’Connor United Striders AC 36.03

Photos...

1) James Veale of West Waterford AC has 300+ photos HERE

Notice: Old Parish Turkey Trot 5 mile in Waterford - Sun 5th Dec 2021

The annual Paddy Joe Curran Memorial Turkey Trot 5 mile will beheld in West Waterford on Sunday the 5th of December 2021 at 12 noon.

13th Annual Paddy Joe Curran Turkey Trot (An tSean Phobail) in Association with West Waterford Athletic Club.  All proceeds to Solas Cancer Support Centre Waterford.

100% of funds raised goes to Solas Cancer Support Centre.

There will be prizes for the first 3 men and women and these will be presented at the finish line.  

Sponsors   Cleanzone Technology Ltd

Entries HERE

The race HQ is at the Marine Bar which is a few kms from Dungarvan on the Dungarvan to Youghal road.

Dungarvan 10 mile entries open on Wed 1st Dec 2021...

The John Treacy Dungarvan 10-mile road race will be held at the start of February next year and now is the time to look at some key dates. Note that there is a limit of 3000 entries and the entry fee is €30.

Reminder: Dungarvan 10 entries open 7am Wed 1st Dec.

Online ticket sales available between December 1st, 2021 at 7am

Entries - https://eventmaster.ie/event/QWW1FnKSOy

For the latest links & info, check out the race page on the West Waterford AC website HERE

1) Wednesday 24th November 2021: Entries will open up ONLY to members of athletics clubs for one-week.

Back in 2019, the entries opened for everyone at the same time and all 3000 places sold out in about 3 hours.

2) Wednesday 1st December 2021: Entries will open up for EVERYONE until all 3000 places are gone.

The big unknown here is how many places will be available for non-club runners after a week.

3) Sunday 6th February 2022: Race day. Note the earlier start time of 11am as opposed to the traditional 1:30pm. 

Analysis: As outlined already, the big unknown in all this is how many of the 3000 entries will club runners take? 

Kerry: Results of the Hardman Gap of Dunloe Half-Marathon & Marathon - Sun 21st Nov 2021

The Hardman Gap of Dunloe Marathon & Half-Marathon was held on Sunday the 21st of November 2021 with a total of 175 runners taking part... 63 in the full marathon & 112 in the half-marathon.

While the numbers are quite small for a distance event, the races were held on an out and back course so the gaps between runners may not have been so obvious.

This event was last held in February of 2019 when 120 took part. While the half numbers this time are down a bit, the overall numbers are well up.

Half Marathon

Top 3 men & women...
1 Senior John CRONIN (#222) 01:25:38
2 Senior Colm DALY (#225) 01:26:20
3 O40 William LYNCH (#277) 01:29:15
1 O40 Karen BEVAN (#207) 01:39:17
2 O40 Miriam BEASLEY (#206) 01:42:14
3 O40 Gina GRIFFIN (#250) 01:45:29

Half-Marathon results HERE

Marathon

Top 3 men & women...
1 Senior Derek GRIFFIN (#1) 02:38:46
2 O40 Philip DINNEEN (#17) 03:05:59
3 Senior Maurice KELTER (#38) 03:15:25
1 O40 Andrea CULLEN (#14) 03:57:48
2 O40 Paula WRIGHT (#77) 04:04:08
3 O40 Lilly O’DEA (#63) 04:11:38

Full marathon results HERE

Waterford: Results of the Beat the Train 10-mile for DSI - Sat 20th Nov 2021

Saturday 20th November 2021: A total of 282 runners took part in this years Beat the Train for Down Syndrome Ireland 10-mile. The photo above shows the start of the race on the Waterford Greenway in Kilmeaden.

Top 3 men & women...

1. Doran, Paul United Striders AC 54:16  
2. Murphy, Noel Waterford AC 54:41  
3. Roche, Warren Ferrybank 55:55

1. 277 Fitzgearld, Ruth 58:02  
2. 32 Sullivan, Emer Carrigtwohill AC 1:02:45  
3. 127 Sullivan, Linda Watergrasshill AC 1:04:54

Full results HERE

Notice: IMRA Glenageenty Trail Half-Marathon & Marathon in Co Kerry - Sat 11th Dec 2021

The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) are holding their final event in Munster for 2021 at the Glanageenty Woods in Co. Kerry. This is just north of the main road between Castleisland and Tralee.

There are a choice of three trail courses on Saturday the 11th of December... 

1) Trail Marathon -8:30am - 42.2 kms & 1300m of ascent - limit of 100 entries - €45 - Enter HERE

2) Trail Half-Marathon - 9:30am - 21.1 kms & 650m of ascent - limit of 150 entries - €35 - Enter HERE

3) 9.1km Trail - 10:30am - 9.1kms & 318km of ascent - limit of 140 entries - €25 - Enter HERE

As with all IMRA events, annual membership costing €10 is required.

Kerry: Results of the Run Killarney Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 13th Nov 2021

First 3 women in the 2021 Run Killarney Half-Marathon

The Run Killarney Half-Marathon & 10k was held on Saturday the 13th of November 2021 and attracted a field of almost 1200 runners.

In the Half-Marathon event, there were 624 finishers. In the men's race, the first three were from Cork while the winner of the women's race was Hannah Steeds who won the Eyeries 5-mile race in West Cork only a week earlier.

Half marathon

Male
Pos Cat Name Gun Time 
1 All Ages Vivian FOLEY (#2152) 01:12:09 
2 All Ages Michael MORGAN (#1915) 01:13:26 
3 All Ages Alan O'BRIEN (#2522) 01:15:33 
Female
Pos Cat Name Gun Time 
1 All Ages Hannah STEEDS (#1594) 01:20:41 
2 All Ages Sarah FLANAGAN (#2246) 01:27:18 
3 All Ages LINDA O Sullivan (#2022) 01:27:30 

Half-Marathon results HERE 

First 3 men in the 2021 Run Killarney Half-Marathon

10km

Male
Pos Cat Name Gun Time 
1 All Ages Gavin O'ROURKE (#919) 00:31:29 
2 All Ages Mike NEVILLE (#230) 00:36:26 
3 All Ages Thomas MORAN (#551) 00:36:55 
Female
Pos Cat Name Gun Time 
1 All Ages Ann MACPHAIL (#971) 00:40:39 
2 All Ages Siobhan DALY (#953) 00:40:57 
3 All Ages Catherine O SULLIVAN (#561) 00:41:27 

10k results HERE 

Photos...

1) Andy O'Rourke has a number of galleries... Album 1 ... Album 2 ... Album 3 ... Album 4 ... Album 5 ...

Kerry: Results of the Tralee Half-Marathon - Sun 24th Oct 2021

This was the third of the half-marathons in Co Kerry this Bank Holiday weekend and attracted a modest field of 199 finishers.

First 3 men & women...

1 Derek Griffin 340 M MS 01:13:27 01:13:27
2 Denis Hegarty 341 M MS 01:15:20 01:15:20
3 Andrew Nevin 335 M MS 01:19:50 01:19:50
17 Benvon Lyons 349 F1 F40 01:28:46 01:28:43
19 Linda O Sullivan 344 F2 F50 01:29:06 01:29:03
34 Clare Coleman 586 F3 FS 01:32:32 01:32:23

Full results HERE

Kerry: Results of the Valentia Half-Marathon & 10k - 23rd Oct 2021

With three half-marathons going ahead over the Bank Holiday weekend in County Kerry, it looks as if the event  on Valentia Island was the one that got squeezed. 

There were just 57 finishers in the half-marathon with an even smaller 26 finishers in the 10k.

Half-Marathon - Top 3 men & women...

1 40-44 Nick HOGAN (#28) 01:20:31
2 40-44 Barry MURRAY (#52) 01:24:37
3 40-44 John COMERFORD (#7) 01:25:03
1 45-49 Vivian JUFFS (#29) 01:46:39
2 Senior Nuala O'HARE (#60) 01:49:26
3 50-54 Ita KIRWAN (#35) 01:49:46

Half results HERE

10km - Top 3 men & women...Note that the first two women finished ahead of the first man.
1 Senior Jonathan KENNEALLY (#109) 00:40:49
2 50-54 Sean MURPHY (#128) 00:45:32
3 45-49 Wayne YOUNG (#129) 00:46:42
1 Senior Lisa HEGARTY (#131) 00:40:05
2 45-49 Aoife CARBERRY (#101) 00:40:23
3 45-49 Carmela MOREY (#118) 00:51:55

10k results HERE

Kerry: Results of the Brandon Bay Half-Marathon, 10k & 5k - Sat 23rd Oct 2021

The 2021 Brandon Bay Beach Race went ahead on the Dingle Peninsula on Saturday the 23rd of October with 564 runners taking part.

Top 3 men & women in the Half-Marathon with 151 finishers...

1 Mike SHEEHY 01:18:50 01:18:53 146 M West Limerick AC

2 Paul DOOLAN 01:20:10 01:20:15 173 M ""
3 Adam MOSS 01:22:37 01:22:39 8106 M ""
10 Lean NI CHIOBHAIN 01:27:35 01:27:40 406 F Crusaders AC
43 Elizabeth HOBBS 01:37:20 01:37:24 183 F ""
46 Suzanne HERLIHY 01:38:43 01:38:50 181 F ""

Top 3 men & women in the 10k event with 232 finishers...
1 Ross MCDOWELL 00:36:53 00:36:56 1625 M ""
2 Antonio DIAZ URBIETA 00:37:09 00:37:10 1036 M Atletismo Ria de Foz
3 Aidan CAHILL 00:37:22 00:37:24 1077 M Farranfore
15 Erica WALLACE 00:42:15 00:42:16 53 F ""
16 Kirsten HERPE 00:42:24 00:42:24 1610 F Annadale Striders
17 Jane PEETERSOO 00:42:28 00:42:28 1126 F ""

Top 3 men & women in the 5k event with 181 finishers...
1 James DALY 00:19:27 00:19:28 5716 M ""
2 Jim FANNING 00:21:57 00:22:04 5731 M ""
3 Florence LAWLOR 00:22:05 00:22:05 5646 M ""
5 Orla MCCANN 00:22:45 00:22:46 5575 F ""
10 Mary FOLAN-RYAN 00:23:09 00:23:19 5621 F West Limerick AC
18 Grainne CURTIN 00:25:20 00:25:25 5558 F ""

The full results of all three races are up on the MyRunResults website HERE

Waterford: Results of the Butlerstown 5k road race - Sun 17th Oct 2021

With road races now reappearing on the calendar, the Butlerstown 5k was held on Sunday the 17th of October 2021. There were a total of 128 finishers.

Report from the Waterford County PRO... Butlerstown 5 KM a great success.

160 competed in the SE2 sponsored Butlerstown 5 Km Road Race  on Sunday morning last and up front  it was dominated by three young members of Waterford AC, Harry Colbert ,Matteo Mary and Aidan Burke, From the gun Colbert took the field along and with a half or mile or so to go he put daylight between Matteo Mary and himself but Mary came with a renewed effort late on to join Colbert close home but Harry just  shaded it at the line winning in a time of 14 minutes 40.9 seconds  with Mary second in 14.41.3. and  Burke back in third on 14.57.2 and with five prizes the 4th and 5th athletes home were David Mahon Slaney Olympic 15.17,7 and Pat Hennessy West Waterford in 15.29.7. 

Ruth Fitzgerald also Waterford AC won the ladies section in 16.49.2  with her clubmate Ruth Heery second  in 17.13.7. and Kate Veale West Waterford was third in 18.34.01.the 4h and 5th prize winners were Emer Mc Glynn Waterford in 18.38.8 and Louise Morgan Ferrybank 19.23.2  

Spot prizes were also distributed down the line.A  sincere thank you from the organisers to the Gardai whose presence at these events  around our County is very much appreciated, sponsors, the stewards from Waterford AC and Butlerstown GAA and Butlerstown GAA Committee for providing their facility and all involved in the organisation prior to and on the day led by Vinnie Codd .

County PRO

17/10/2021

Notice: Run Killarney Half-Marathon & 10k - Sat 13th Nov 2021

The Run Killarney Half-Marathon and 10k is usually held every year in July but couldn't go ahead this year because of all the restrictions. Now that the restrictions have been eased, it will be held on Saturday 13th November 2021.

The event website is here... https://runkillarney.com/

The event includes a dry fit top and a medal.

The Half-Marathon has a start time of 8:30am while the 10k starts at 8:50am.

This will obviously be of interest to anyone who wants a weekend away in Killarney.

Half-Marathon: The start of the half has traditionally been up at Molls Gap with the competitors running down to the finish line outside the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney.

While restrictions have eased, there would obviously be issues transporting a lot of people by bus up to the start line. As a result, the course is closer to the national park.

10k: The 10k follows the same route to the half except it turns around sooner.

Full details including how to enter can be found on the event website... https://runkillarney.com/