The 2024 Track and Field season came to a belated conclusion this week as The Cork
running community came out in force to support two well organized events, clearly there was
an appetite to get back on the track with some top-class races, in particular there was a
resurgence of interest in the Masters Championship with some athletes competing for the
first time. The East Cork 5000m Championships were held in MTU on Wednesday 28 th
August with twenty-two athletes taking to the line in a mixed men’s and women’s race. The
pace was relentless from the start with a group of three East Cork athletes and Carraig Na
BhFear AC’s own Aidan Maher forming an early breakaway group., Frank O Brien cranked
up the pace and splintered the group before kicking for home and winning in an excellent
time of 15:30. It was a good learning experience for our young athletes in particular against
some seasoned campaigners with some impressive times all-around. Aidan Maher finished
just outside the podium places with a 4 th place in 16:36. Well-paced running also from Tadhg Crowley (7th, 17:29) with a nice sprint finish!, Peter Hawkins (9th, 18:02). Rian O’Luasa (10 th, 18:41) and Willie Walsh (19th, 20:02).
MTU was again the venue for the first Junior, Senior and Masters Championships since
2019. There was a large entry, including a number of guest athletes from Kerry and as far
away as Carlow to test their mettle against the Cork locals! The 1500m and 800m were split
into two races with Senior to M45 and M50 upwards. Richard Hawkins represented Carraig
Na Bhfear AC winning M55 gold in both races with a PB of 2:38 in the 800m and a solid 5:29
in the 1500m following a relatively tight turnaround between races! Thanks to Cork Athletics
and the volunteers for hosting a highly enjoyable and social day of competition.
Other news and catch-up: The numbers competing in road races continues to be high and
great to see our members getting out and racing in recent weeks. Conor Kelly had a busy
few weeks running 24:42 in the BHAA Stryker 4-mile, 1:34:19 in the Clonmel Half-Marathon
and reaping the rewards with a fast 18:22 in the BHAA Amazon 5k. Also, in the BHAA
Amazon 5k, Allie Phillips ran a cracking time of 20:47, well done to Allie getting in some
good early prep for the cross-country season! Alicia Collins ran a nice time of 36:29 in a very
windy Rathcormac 4-miler! Last but not least, the club were delighted to hear that our
women’s team of Siobhan Walsh, Rhona Lynch, Eileen O’Riordan and Orla Gorman had in
fact finished as 3 rd Team in the Cork City 10K on the Marathon weekend, congratulations to
all on a super achievement!
Look Ahead: The Cross-Country season is almost upon us with the East Cork Senior Even
Ages, Senior, Junior and Masters Championships scheduled for 15 th September, training is in
full swing as we look forward to the season ahead!
Report by Richard Hawkins
Featured Image: Conor Kelly in action at the BHAA Amazon 5k, by Joe Murphy