Local groups (Fit for Life)

One of Munster’s largest running clubs, Ballintotis Fit for Life continues to grow from year to year. With over 100 members, from beginners to marathon veterans, new members are always welcome.

  • Couch to 5k – The perfect way to get in shape and enjoy the fresh air the Couch to 5K is a great way to start or get back into running.
  • Ballintotis 4 Mile – The now famous Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race. Held every spring it attracts huge numbers for the unofficial start of the running season.
  • Social – The Ballintotis Fit for Life group are always on the move, competing in marathons and 10k’s across the country.
  • If you have any questions or want to join the Fit 4 Life group please email the Club Pro at Ballintotisfit4life@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Community Alert – Details on WhatsApp Group Ballintotis Watch

Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race – Ten Years of Memorable Running

The Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race first run in 2010 is now firmly established as one of the top 4-mile races in the country and is traditionally run in mid-April each year.  Unfortunately, the impact of the pandemic has meant both the 2020 and 2021 races could not take place, but the organisers are guaranteeing that the event will be back on the athletics calendar at the first available opportunity.

The attractive 4 mile course provides runners with an opportunity to record a fast early season 4 mile time and the thousands who have taken part in the event during the first decade of its existence have spoken in glowing terms regarding the wonderful atmosphere that is generated at the picturesque venue.  A hard-working race group, which is a subcommittee of Ballintotis Area Community Council have driven the race to its high standards, whilst each year whilst wonderful help is given by so many members of the local community.

It’s fair to say that the generous sponsorship and backing from the local business sector has been a key component in its rise and with this in mind, the local Ballintotis Race Committee wish to acknowledge again the wonderful backing of their sponsors.

10 Year Ballintotis Participation Rise – 2019 set a new high of 1,240 competitors.

The first staging of the race in 2010 attracted 425 runners, a figure which at that time exceeded the organisers’ expectations.  That initial event got fundraising underway for the Ballintotis Community Centre which has since been built and is now the hub of the race. The event formerly took place in Castlemartyr, but East Cork AC moved the race to Ballintotis, which has proved a hugely popular location, with the venue boasting in excess of 1,000 participants on a number of occasions. The scenic 4-mile loop includes a lap of road bordering Loughaderra Lake in the closing stages.

James McCarthy of the host club East Cork AC  won the event in the first 8 years of its existence   In the inaugural race McCarthy took top spot with a time of 19:54. Overall his best time in that remarkable 8 year run was19:23 set in 2016      Michael Harty broke new ground in 2018 when taking the honours and setting a new course record of 19:15 in the 2018 race, with the previous record also being broken by Sergiu Ciobanu who was runner up.

The 10th anniversary race in 2019 saw Kevin O’Brien also of East Cork AC produce a superb run to add his name to the roll of honour.

Rhona Lynch of Eagle AC was first lady home in the inaugural year and since then a number of different females have scooped the top prize, including Fiona Santry who has reigned supreme in both 2018 and 2019.

National marathon record holder Lizzy Lee from Leevale is the ladies course record holder (21:22), with her fellow Irish International Claire McCarthy posting the second fastest time around the course.

Interestingly in 2015 the entry was a remarkable 1,170 runners.  Irish Olympian Sonia O Sullivan was among those taking part that year following up on her previous visit in 2013.

However, year 10 in 2019 brought a new all-time high with an amazing 1,240 crossing the Finish Line, as Ballintotis yet again set a new national record for participation level in a mid-week 4 miler.

In 2023 Leevale man Ryan Creech produced a superb front running performance and went on to cross the line in a time of 19:11 to knock four seconds off of Michael Harty’s previous best set in 2018.

Jake O’Regan from St John’s in Clare took second in 19:32 with Kilkenny-man Ger Forde winning a great battle for third ahead of Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork) and Niall Shanahan (An Bru).

Lizzy Lee continued her rich vein of form when winning the ladies race in 2023.

Ballintotis, Thursday April 23rd 2026

Wins for Jeremiah Sheehan, North Cork AC (19:18) and Niamh Allen, Leevale AC (4th – 19:50 – IRISH RECORD).Niamh Allen absolutely annihilated Monica Joyce’s 1989 record of 20:49, set in Peoria, Illinois USA, on June 17th 1989

Incorporating the Cork Athletics County Road Championships. Organised and Hosted by Ballintotis Community Council, in association with East Cork AC. There were 1197 finishers.

PREVIOUS BALLINTOTIS 4 MILE ROAD RACE WINNERS

2010

James McCarthy

19:54
2011

James McCarthy

19:34
2012

James McCarthy

19:56
2013

James McCarthy

19:43
2014

James McCarthy

19:31
2015

James McCarthy

19:25
2016

James McCarthy

19:23
2017

James McCarthy

19:55
2018

Michael Harty

19:15
2019

Kevin O'Brien

20:13
2022

Michael Harty (East Cork AC)

19:18
2023

Ryan Creech (Leevale AC)

19:11
2024

Sean Doyle (Cork City AC)

19:23
2025

Ryan Creech (Leevale AC)

19:05*
2026

Jeremiah Sheehan (North Cork AC)

19:18

Heading off at the start of the first Ballintotis 4 in 2010.

The start of race in year 5 back in 2014, when the 1,000 mark was broken for the first time.

Ballintotis Tuesday Club

Ballintotis Community Alert facilitated an afternoon meeting at The-Two-Mile where a group of speakers informed us on the upcoming changeover to the Euro currency in January 2002.

As a number of older people attending this meeting in particular expressed a view that it would be nice if that age group would have some way of meeting in the afternoon rather than at meetings which are held at night-time.

The Community Alert picked up the vibes and ran with it.  They approached three local ladies, Kathleen Cosgrave, Marie McCarthy and Kay Curtin who agreed to give it a go, so that is how the Club came into being.  The first Tuesday Club meeting was held on 15th January 2002. Special guests’ who attended the first meeting  – Canon Bertie Troy, Fr. Billy O’Donovan, Cll. Mary Woods, Chairperson,  Midleton UDC, Joan Russell of St. Colman’s Community College and Risteard de Bhubbh of TSB Midleton.

The Proprietors of The-Two-Mile-Inn have generously provided the club with a comfortable room free of charge to meet.

Great help was got from our parent group at The Community Alert they provided a board and balls to play Bingo.

We sourced a CD of gentle exercises specially designed for older people, which the entire group seem to enjoy, as it has a musical backing some are known to break into song.

We finish with a cup of tea and scone, which affords an opportunity to have a chat among ourselves. Everyone seems to relish the interaction among peers.

On the 10th anniversary of the formation the Tuesday Club we moved to the brand new home at the newly built Ballintotis Community Centre.  This was a historical occasion for the club and many from the community were invited to attend with live music and refreshments served a great start to a bright future for the Tuesday Club.

New members were encouraged and a varied programme of events were always organised by the extended committee – including a variety of entertainment, storytelling & comedy, exercises, talks on health, lifestyle and local history. Information sessions with a Neuromuscular Therapist, The Youghal Citizen Advice Group, Crime prevention Officer, activities such as gardening with pots/baskets, Christmas floral demonstration, St Bridget Crosses with local rushes, learn to play bingo, whist and scrabble, jewellery making and ceramic craft proved very popular as did a weaving project with Ms Howick’s 3rd and 4th class pupils from Ballintotas N.S. Knitting 350 mini stockings for Rapid Response fundraising was a challenge.  With the great facilities available at the Community Centre, the programme changes each year.

Bus trips are organised on a regular basis for members to Music & Drama Shows, Leahy’s Open Farm & Museum, Booley House Ballyduff, Cork City for Over 60’s Final, Queenstown Story Cobh, DJ Murphy’s Kilumney for floral demonstration, and a Tea Dance in Araglin, Garden Centres and many more.  Shopping trips to Mahon, Ballincollig, Blarney and Dungarvan.

We hold a Mass for our deceased members each November in the Community Centre. This is a very special day for us each year, we invite relatives of the deceased member to attend and we have refreshments afterwards and sometimes the relatives are amazed at the different activities that take place at the Tuesday Club and they finish each meeting with tea/coffee and locally make scones.

We don’t have any lofty ambitions or goals but are always open to suggestions.

New members from our local community are always made welcome. For information please contact any of the below committee.

2021 Tuesday Club Committee: Joan Fitzgerald, Josie Knowles, Dinah O’Donovan, Kay Waites & Mary Smithwick.