Organised by East Cork AC, the annual Corkbeg four-mile road race was held at Whitegate, Co Cork last night. Run Republic spoke to John Walshe to learn more and to get a sense of how the event unfolded.
This event, which first took place in 1998, has become a staple in the local running calendar attracting runners year in year out. Originally a five-mile race, Walshe told Run Republic that the event was shortened to its current four-mile circuit in 2012 for safety reasons, as the previous route included a hazardous out-and-back section on the main road.
The Corkbeg Road Race is highly regarded for its value, with this year's entry fee set at €10, slightly higher than last year but well worth the fee with its no frills atmosphere and quality.
This year’s race was dominated by two athletes from the promoting club, East Cork AC. Tony Forristal, a Kilkenny native who placed sixth in last season's national cross-country championship, claimed a decisive victory with a time of 20:29. James McCarthy, the previous year’s winner, finished second. His time of 21:33 reflected a recent lack of racing, nearly a minute slower than his performance the previous year. Seamus O’Gorman, an unattached runner, secured third place with a time of 23:12.
Rebecca McEvoy from St Finbarr’s AC was the standout performer among the women, finishing fourth overall among the 106 participants. Running the race for the first time, McEvoy recorded a personal best of 24:13 for the four-mile distance, despite finding the course challenging with its numerous ups and downs.
East Cork’s Tamzin Muldowney finished second in the women’s category with a time of 24:47, followed closely by Sandra Manning of Leevale in 25:03.
A notable performance came from Liam Cotter of St Finbarr’s, who finished sixth overall and first in the masters’ category with a time of 24:27. Remarkably, Cotter, who competes in the M55 category, has completed all six of the World Major Marathons – New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, Boston, and Tokyo – not once, but twice. He now aims to achieve this impressive feat for a third time.
The Corkbeg Road Race continues to attract a competitive field and remains a beloved event in the running community, celebrated for its challenging course and atmosphere.
Featured Image: Rebecca McEvoy of St Finbarr’s, first female and fourth overall at the Corkbeg race, Courtesy of John Walshe