Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Results & photos of the Ballycotton 5 mile road race...Thurs 28th Aug 2014

Friday, August 29, 2014

Results & photos of the Ballycotton 5 mile road race...Thurs 28th Aug 2014

A record 573 runners took part in this years Ballycotton 5 mile road race, the 4th and final race in the Ballycotton Summer Series. That was up 6% on the previous record of 539 which was set last year.


In the mens race, there was a dramatic finish with John Meade of St.Finbarr's AC coming from behind to just pass James McCarthy of East Cork AC before the line...

First 3 men...James McCarthy 2nd, John Meade 1st & Michael Harty 3rd

1 26:03    MEADE, John    St. Finbarrs AC    M    05:12.5
2 26:04    MCCARTHY, James    East Cork AC    M    05:12.7
3 26:22    HARTY, Michael    East Cork AC    M    05:16.3

Sinéad O Connor of Leevale AC...clear winner of the womens race. Photo: Gearóid Ó Laoi

26 29:33    O'CONNOR, Sinead    Leevale AC    F    05:54.5
43 30:29    HOLLAND, Ann-Marie    St. Finbarrs AC    F35    06:05.7
83 32:03    PARNELL, Carmel    Leevale AC    F55    06:24.5

Results....The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Tim McCarthy of Eagle AC has a gallery of 175 photos HERE


Overall positions after 4 races......These can now be seen HERE

Tom Hartnett (R) presenting the overall series first prize to James McCarthy of East Cork AC


Some notes...
a) Strong growth in the numbers completing the 4 races in the series this year. The overall number of people doing all 4 races was up 17% with a lot of that growth coming from men.

b) The percentage of men getting a top 50 t-shirt was about 21%. This was the lowest percentage ever and was due obviously to the growth in numbers. The percentage of women getting a top 30 t-shirt was 25%. In August of 2013, I had a post up about women getting top 30 instead of top 20 t-shirts as it was in previous years. In 2014, the number was increased to 30. If it had stayed at top 20 then the percentage of women getting a t-shirt would have been just under 17%.



c) A suprising 62% of the finishers at the last race in Ballycotton had completed the previous three. I would have thought it might have been a lot lower. My initial thought was that it was probably non-club runners completing the series so as to avail of the extended entry window for the Ballycotton 10 race next March. However when I look at the figures, some 51% of those completing the series were club runners who can avail of the same extended entry window. No doubt some people do all 4 because of the Ballycotton 10 but it seems that for a lot if not most, it's just a popular series to take part in.

John Whyte of Ballycotton Running Promotions presenting the Peter Whelan Memorial Trophy to John Meade of St.Finbarr's AC...winner of the 2014 Ballycotton 5 mile road race

Photos courtesy of Nina Prendergast

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another fantastic race. The large numbers caused a bit of an issue at the start as we all bunched up going through the village. I was almost tripped as people tried to find space. Wonder would it better to start the race at the school where the road widens ?

Overall great Summer series. Weather was kind yet again. John W and BallyCotton running promotions do superb work.

Another plaque to add to the collection. Roll on 2015 :)

Anonymous said...

Great race, well marshalled. Lovely course and very well organised. Thanks again Johnny Walshe and all in Ballycotton Running Promotions

Anonymous said...

Well done to all again. A perfect organised race but I do agree with the first comment, the start of the was a bit frightening. Thrilled with my plaque !

Anonymous said...

My only complaint is why do late comers get rewarded by getting the closer car park to the Reg hall, why not let the early comers into that car park first till its fills, then use the other car park further away from the hall.

Anonymous said...

Over on holiday from the UK. My 10 year old son was thrilled with his time of 34.52 and already saying he'll be back next year to try and beat his tine

Unknown said...

Great series, each race was tough so not too many pb's to be had. Only comment is that it might be better to have tech tops for completing all four races rather than a plaque. Could have different tech tops for top 50.

Anonymous said...

Great photo of the finish between James and John. Look at all the heads watching . Well done John Meade and well done to Johnny Walshe for a great series. The best value races of the year.

Anonymous said...

Honour to take part in a great event for such a small price. Excellent atmosphere and a proper runners race 2nd year doing it and will b back for many of them