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Castlewellan 201018

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Facilities

This parkrun is located in the outskirts of Castlewellan in the Forest Park and has ample car parking. The parking is paid however and is quite expensive. The alternative is to park in the town and travel the 1km to the start line by foot. There are toilets available close to the start line, but there are no changing facilities.

Course

The course is made up of one lap around the lake in the park, with a small spur to make up the 5K. The route is mostly flat, though the spur had a long gradual climb on the way out before you turn around and come back down. This section will be really hard if you are going to attempt a PB at this run. The surface is all fine gravel. The park surroundings are very beautiful, especially at this time of year with the trees displaying their autumnal colours. There is also a well preserved country house on the grounds of the park, which would be well worth a visit.

Coffee

There is a cafe next to the car park where you can get breakfast and coffee after the run.

X Factor

Castlewellan Forest Park is home to the national arboretum of Northern Ireland. Within its grounds are some very beautiful and unusual trees including the majestic Giant Sequoia

Valley 131018

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Facilities

There is a lot of activity in this park every Saturday morning so although there are a lot of parking spaces, they fill up quickly. Buses are available from the city centre, and the park is an easy walk from nearby houses. There are toilets available near the start line and there are changing facilities also, which were very welcome after a wet and muddy run this morning.

Course

This course is mostly made up of two laps around the park, with a little spur at the beginning and at the end. The course surface is a mixture of paving and gravel. There is some climbing to be done in this run, but it is very gradual. The park has lots of mature trees and paths that go through the wooded areas. This is especially nice at this time of year, when all the leaves are brown and the skies are grey. Makes you start California Dreamin

Coffee

Parkrunnners gather near the finish line for a drink of water and a chat after the run.

X Factor

This park has many facilities for different sports and is a very busy place on Saturday morning. It is great to see so many people being active and taking party in sport. There are also many interesting sculptures around the park which are nice to look at and consider.

Dungannon 061018

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Facilities

This parkrun is located on the outskirts of Dungannon town and has a reasonably sized car park for those that decide to drive to the event. There is a bus service within the town that brings you close to the park entrance. There are toilets available next to the cafe in the park, but no changing facilities.

Course

The course starts in a clearing in the middle of the park, which is a few minutes walk from the car park. Make sure, therefore, that you leave enough time to get to the start line. The course is map up of two laps on a mostly paved surface, though there are some gravel patches. The course is undulating, with two relatively sharp climbs at the back end of the course – a great opportunity for some hill training. The park itself is very nice, with a pond, lawns and lots of mature trees. With so many trees it is especially nice this time of year.

Coffee

There is a cafe next to the car park where parkrunners can gather after the run for some well earned coffee and cake.

X Factor

This is a relatively new parkrun and it quite busy. This shows the enduring popularity of parkrun as an athletic outlet for all members of the community and long may it continue.

Stormont 290918

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Facilities

This parkrun is located in the eastern suburbs of Belfast and is easily accessible by bus, including the new Glider buses that run in the city. There is not much room for parking however. There are toilets available on the main avenue through the park, but no changing facilities.

Course

The course is made up of two laps in a figure of eight shape. The first loop is much shorter than the second, so don’t be surprised to find yourself back at the centre quite quickly. The surface is about 70% light gravel with the remainder being paved. This isn’t a flat course, but any inclines are fairly gradual. There are permanent route and distance markers which are very helpful as you go around the course. The park surroundings are really beautiful, with well maintained lawns and shrubbery, good signage around the park, and of course the main avenue with its striking view to the parliament building.

Coffee

Refreshments are provided at the finish line, which are very welcome. Parkrunnners also gather at a nice cafe down the street from the park entrance, though it is not that close by.

X Factor

The Northern Ireland Assembly sits in the parliament building, giving this park an important place in the political life of Northern Ireland. The imposing statue of Edward Carson along the main avenue gives a sense of the prominent figures that have graced the halls of that building.

Armagh 220918

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Facilities

There are two medium sized car parks close to the start line of this parkrun, located close to the centre of Armagh city. However, given the location it is quite convenient to get to by foot or bicycle. There are bus services to Armagh, but I am not sure if they arrive in Armagh before parkrun time. There are toilets available close to the start line, though no changing facilities.

Course

This is a tough hilly course, with a good amount of climbing. The perfect training course then. The course is made up of two laps, and the lap itself is made up of a smaller loop followed by a longer, larger loop. The surface is a mixture between paved and light gravel, mostly gravel. Because of the hilly terrain, when it is wet the paved surfaces could get slippy so watch your step. The park surroundings are very pretty with well maintained flower beds and lawns and lots of mature trees and groves. There is also good signage around the park explaining the different features.

Coffee

Parkrunners enjoy coffee at the finish line after catching their breath from the last climb before the line.

X Factor

There is a lot of history to this park, it being the former residence of the Archbishop of the Church of Ireland. There are also the ruins of an old friary. During the summer there are tours of the old buildings brought to life with costumed characters. Well worth a visit.

Strokestown 150918

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Facilities

This parkrun has a small car park close to the start line, but this car park may fill up quickly, and so it may be necessary to park on the street outside the park in the centre of Strokestown. If you want to travel by public transport the Ballina to Dublin bus gets in before the start of the run at 8:00 am. There are toilets available near the start line but there are no changing facilities.

Course

This run is made up of three laps of a figure of eight type course, where, from the start you go out in one direction, come back to the start line and go in the opposite direction, and then come back to the start line to complete the lap. The course is mostly paved, with parts of light gravel. At one point there are some large stones to go across so watch your step here. The course is mostly flat and sheltered so this may be a good place to attempt a PB, though there are two u-turns on the lap that will slow you down. The park itself is the grounds of an old Georgian country mansion, which is still in very good condition. There are open fields and a small woods which the run route goes through.

Coffee

The all important post run coffee can be had at the cafe next to the start line. There are also a variety of breakfast options here.

X Factor

There is a lot to do and see at this park with the National Famine Museum located on site, along with tours of the mansion and some nice gardens also.

Mungret 080918

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Facilities

This event has lots of parking with two car parks at the park. There is also a bus service that runs from Limerick city that stops close to the park. There is a paid public toilet available near the lower car park.

Course

This is a simple four lap course on a paved surface around the whole park. There is a bit of climbing to do. The climb itself is not too bad, but considering you have to go it four times, it does take it’s toll. Also, on a lapped course like this for every ascent there is a descent. In this case the descent is quite steep, so, take care on your way down. The park mainly consists of an open field, with a nice border of mature trees.

Coffee

Coffee is had at a cafe in the buildings of the old college. It is the perfect place for a hearty breakfast after your run.

X Factor

This run takes place on the grounds of what was Mungret college, an old boarding school. Many’s the young student would have passed through its doors over the years, and are probably spread now all over the world. It is striking to think of the influence this place would have had on all their lives.

Antrim 250818

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Facilities

This run has a large car park near the start line, but the park itself is centrally located in Antrim town and so would be easily accessed by foot or by bike. There is public transport to Antrim town, and the main station is ten minutes from the park. Toilets are available close to the start line also.

Course

This is a very flat course and so is a good place to attempt a PB. The path is a mixture between paved and light gravel surfaces. It is a lollipop shaped course, with a two lap loop in the middle of an out and back section. The park surroundings are very nice; the formal water features being a real highlight.

Coffee

There is a cafe close to the start/finish line with a wide variety of breakfast or pastry items if you feel like treating yourself after the run.

X Factor

This is one of the most well maintained parks I have been too and it is a real pleasure to walk around and enjoy the attractive gardens. Any park with such a long history wouldn’t be complete however without a decent ghost story and Antrim Castle park does not disappoint. Rumour has it that a ghostly horse drawn carriage can be seen disappearing into the canal every May 31st, the anniversary of a tragic accident in the 18th century.

Plean 180818

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Facilities

The easiest way to get to this rural parkrun is by car, and helpfully then, there is a large car park available at the site. Public transport is an option, though I am not sure if you can get a bus to the event on time for the run. There are toilet facilities next to the car park, but no changing facilities.

Course

This run is made up of three loops, each in a different direction and of decreasing size. This means that once you have completed the first loop you know that the next two won’t be as long, which is a nice mindset to be in as you run around the course. The path is mostly earthen, so it can get very muddy in wet weather, but this just adds to the fun of it. The path is quite uneven in places with tree roots and large stones jutting out of the ground, so keep an eye of where you are putting your feet. You will also need to keep an eye of what is ahead of you as there are many low hanging branches and trees in the middle of the path that will mean you have to change direction. All in all then, not a minute to think as you run around this course. There are some substantial climbs and downhill sections on the course, so this is not the parkrun to post a fast time, but it is a very enjoyable run. The surroundings are very pleasant also, with large mature trees, and there is an interesting history to the park, with much signage outlining the different features of the place.

Coffee

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to join the parkrunners for a post run coffee, but I believe that it is had at a local cafe.

X Factor

I think the course at this parkrun is something special. At times running through the woods, where there is no real path, you can feel almost primal, as if you are on the hunt for wild game, or running to some ancient Celtic battleground. Let your imagination run wild.

Ecos 110818

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Facilities

There is plenty of car parking available at this park on the outskirts of Ballymena town. Public transport will not get you to the park in time for the start of the run, however. There are toilets available in the visitor centre near the start line, or alternatively in the temporary cabins used by the volunteers. You may also be able to get changed in here.

Course

The course is like a figure of eight, where you go off in one loop, come back to the start line, and then go off in another loop. The route is paved throughout, but if you want to get s good time I would advise starting as close to the front as you can as the path narrows very quickly. A fast time is very attainable in this mostly flat course, there are however a lot of 90 degree turns which may slow you down. The park itself is a nature reserve with lots of wild flora and fauna to be seen.

Coffee

Coffee is normally had in the visitor centre, but if this is not available a location is set up close to the temporary cabins.

X Factor

Ballymena is the home place of many well known people, including a certain ex bodyguard with a very particular set of skills, acquired over a long career. Slemish Hill is also close by, reportedly the first Irish homeplace of St Patrick.