Leevale's Niamh Allen wins Echo Women's Mini Marathon in style 

The familiar roads around the Marina saw Niamh Allen consolidate her position as Cork’s leading female runner as she came a clear winner of the Echo Women's Mini-Marathon which this year took place over the 6km distance on Sunday.

https://www.popupraces.ie/race/cork-echo-womens-mini-marathon-2025/

Straight from the start on Centre Park Road, the Leevale athlete was never headed and as she crossed the line outside Kennedy Park her time of 19:09 saw her all of 46 seconds ahead of 2023 National cross-country champion Fiona Everard from Bandon, with another Leevale athlete, Jessica Coyne, taking third spot.

Originally from the Blackrock Road, Allen has had a remarkable 10 months. 

Last November she caused one of the biggest shocks of the year when finishing second at the Irish cross-country championships and followed that up with a marvellous 11th place at European level.

Some of the other standout performances in 2025 include a 52:51 10-mile in Dungarvan, along with national titles at 10km on the road and 5000m on the track.

“It’s great to win here at home, I’m originally from the Blackrock Road so I do a lot of my running around here,” said the 30-year-old. 

DELIGHTED

“I wasn’t interested in time today, winning the race was what it was all about so I’m delighted.” 

For Bandon athlete Fiona Everard, it was her first time doing the race. 

Now back in her native Enniskeane after a number of years at the University of Galway, the forthcoming cross-country season is her main aim. 

“I don’t think I’ll be doing the Cork championships next weekend as the nationals in November will now be my main focus.” 

Jessica Coyne of Leevale has recently returned from Australia and she followed up her third place to Allen in the recent Cork City 10km with another podium finish when recording a time of 20:03.

Hannah Steeds, also Leevale, second two years ago, had to settle for fourth on this occasion in 20:31 with last year’s winner Sinead O’Connor a rather disappointed fifth. 

“That’s probably my worst Mini-Marathon yet, I suppose the girls were much better than me today,” admitted O’Connor who also won the race in 2019 and 2022.

Limerick native Orla Drumm has been a regular prize-winner on the Cork BHAA circuit this summer and she was first in the F40 category in eight place overall. 

“It was tough, but I enjoyed it,” said the former national 800m and 1500m champion. 

It’s good to be back here, it’s been around 10 years since I last ran it and it’s good to have a really competitive race with lots of people ahead to aim for.” 

First of the juniors was Saoirse Twomey from the West Muskerry club in seventh position while at the other end of the age spectrum, Mary Buckley from Donoughmore put in another outstanding performance when winning the F60 age-group by over two minutes with her time of 25:42.

“I’ve been running now for 47 years without stopping. I started off with the Gneeveguilla club before moving to Donoughmore a few years after getting married,” said the mother of three who has rarely been out of the prizes this summer.

“I love the scene now more than ever, there’s no pressure as such and I’m enjoying it and delighted to be able to get out and about after 47 years.” 

Top 20 finishers:

1 Niamh Allen (Leevale) 19:09; 

2 Fiona Everard (Bandon) 19:55; 

3 Jessica Coyne (Leevale) 20:03; 

4 Hannah Steeds (Leevale) 20:31; 

5 Sinead O’Connor (Leevale, F35) 20:43; 

6 Ciara O’Neill (Clonmel) 20:49; 

7 Saoirse Twomey (West Muskerry, FJ) 21:31; 

8 Orla Drumm (Crusaders, F40) 21:35; 

9 Michelle Kenny (Leevale, F45) 21:38; 

10 Hannah Smith (Leevale, FJ) 21:51; 

11 Amy Pollmann-Daamen (Riocht) 21:54; 

12 Lucy O’Flynn (Bandon) 22:18; 

13 Aoibhin O’Connor (Bandon) 22:20; 

14 April Quinn (Togher, F35) 22:31; 

15 Sarah Mulcahy (unatt) 22:32; 

16 Siobhan Hoare (Togher, F45) 22:33; 

17 Nellie Bateman (Belgooly, FJ) 22:44; 

18 Linda Kelly (Watergrasshill, F50) 22:50; 

19 Rebecca McEvoy (St Finbarr's) 23:24; 

20 Elaine Collins (Togher, F35) 23:40.