Category: Race Report

Donabate 141017

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Facilities

This parkrun is easily accessible by public transport, with Donabate train station being about a ten minute walk from the start line. Bus services are also available. The park is close to the town of Donabate so is a short walk for residents. There is a large car park for those who wish to drive to the park. Toilets are available close to three start line.

Course

This course can be best described as one big loop with two out and back spurs. The course is mostly paved except for a short grass section at the start. The course is quite flat and sheltered, so this could be a good parkrun you attempt a PB. However, the u turns at the end of the spurs will cost you valuable seconds in your PB attempt. The course is well sign posted and marshalled, even having coloured bollards at some of the corners. The park itself is very beautiful, being an old Georgian estate, there is some nice mature woodland and nice architecture around the park. Bill Watterson’s  character Calvin once said that Autumn is nature’s fireworks display. Well there is a great view of that display in thus park, the burnt orange of Horse Chestnut leaves being a particular delight.

Coffee

Post run coffee is had in a cafe at the back of the Georgian house, and opens out to the main courtyard. It is a Dewalt nice setting and serves nice coffee

X Factor

Apart from the beauty of this park, there is an interesting history to the place. The house and demense was owned by a family called Cobbe until quite recently, and unusually, the family still has rights of residence in the house, though it is owned by the council. I was lucky to arrive at this event on its second anniversary, and the volunteers brought cakes for all to enjoy.

Dungloe 071017

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Facilities

This parkrun, located at the eastern end on Dungloe town, has the use of a large car park at a nearby supermarket. Being a small town the run is also within walking distance for residents. For travellers from further afield there is a bus service to Dungloe, but possibly not before the start time. Interestingly, for anyone travelling from Dublin or Glasgow, there is an airport just ten minutes drive from Dungloe. There are no toilets or changing facilities available at this event.

Course

This course consists of three clockwise laps around a small loop. There are not many sign posts or marshals to show the way but they are not really needed as it is very straightforward. The course is mostly light gravel, perfect for running, though puddles can develop during wet conditions. The course is mostly flat, with a few inclines. The course is a bit exposed on the northern end, and given the location close to the vast expanse of the Atlantic ocean you will certainly feel any weather that may be about in this section. The course goes along next to Dungloe Lough, and has great views out over the lough and its islands.

Coffee

The main places for coffee are back in towards the town centre, which require a walk or short drive. Coffee was ok.

X Factor

I think there is always something special about these places on the western edge of Ireland. The remoteness, the scenery, the Atlantic, and the weather that brings. There is a certain type of resilience needed to live here. That resilience comes out in the dedication of the parkrun volunteers and when you top that off with the friendliness and welcoming attitude of all the people in this place it makes for a very special parkrun.

Oranmore 300917

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Facilities

This parkrun is located in Rinville park which faces out into Galway Bay. The run is not really accessible by public transport, without a long walk, but there is plenty of car park spaces. Toilets are available in the middle of the park.

Course

The course is in a figure of eight shape, and two laps must be completed. The route is entirely paved. There is a steady climb about three quarters of the way through the lap, which is a lot tougher than what it looks from afar. So, this run is maybe not the place for a PB. However, PBs are not imporant when you are enjoying the scenery around this park which is very nice. There are great views out over the bay from the top of the hill.

Coffee

Parkrunners go to a cafe in Oranmore village which is a bit of a trek from Rinville. The coffee and cafe is very nice however.

X Factor

Running around with the Atlantic in view is always a special thing in my opinion, and there are great views of the sea from this park.

Bushy Dublin 230917

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Facilities

Parking is limited for this parkrun but it is well serviced by Dublin Bus routes. The park is in the middle of residential area so the run is very accessible for local residents. Toilets are available in the shopping centre close by.

Course

The course follows a pan and handle type route, with an out and back stretch and a loop around the pond in the middle. The route is mostly flat, with some small climbs. The route is mostly paved as well, though there can be some puddles and mud along the way after rain. The park itself is very pretty, with lots of mature woodland and a pond. There are some interesting features around the park like a bandstand and some old ruins.

Coffee

The Templeouge high street is nearby with different coffee options. I got a nice coffee in one of the cafes there.

X Factor

This event is one of the newer events in Ireland. There is a large group of volunteers that keep the event going which is great to see.

 

Lough Key 090917

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Facilities

This is a rural parkrun and is only really accessible by private transport. Biking may not be the best option as the entrance to the park is on a busy road. There is ample parking available, which must be paid for, though I beleive parkrunners can get a reduced rate. There are toilets availble close to the start line.

Course

The course goes through the forest park in a figure of eight shape. The path is almost entirely tightly packed gravel, but watch your step as the path has slightly eroded in places and mud can develop. There are a lot of twists and turns on the course but these are signposted and marshalled. There are distance markers along the route also. The course is mostly flat, with a few small inclines over some bridges. The park surroundings are really beautiful, being made up of mature woodland mostly. I imagine this place will offer some spectacular sights once Autumn sets in. Then of course there is the lake as well, with some nice views out to the castle.

Coffee

There is a centre next to the finish line which hosts a cafe with all sorts of foods and drinks for hungry and thirsty parkrunners after the run.

X Factor

Other than the extreme beauty of this place, I was reminded here once again of the great work that the parkrun volunteers do. Once I had finished my coffee, I walked out of the cafe and looked to the finish line to see that the volunteers were all busy at work cleaning up and organising after the run. Their dedication is an inspiration.

 

 

Clonmel 020917

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Facilities

This parkrun is located on the outskirts of Clonmel town in Powerstown race track. There is loads of parking available, and car is probbly the best option to get to this event, as it is a good walk from public transport options. The way to the track is well sign-posted but the track itself is a bit hidden, with the entrance just off the N24 and made up of two curved walls with pillars. There are toilets available but no changing facilities.

Course

The course is consists of two laps around the race track. It is quite straightforward. There is a significant incline in the lap, and considering you have to do it twice, there is a fair share of climbing in this run. So, although the course is mostly paved, this is maybe not the place for a PB attempt. The views from the top of the course are fantastic, with what I am guessing are the Comeragh mountains in full view.

Coffee

Coffee is had at a cafe down the road from the course; again, driving is recommended. Many breakfast options available.

X Factor

Just like Naas parjrun, there is something strange about the fact that this is a run around a horse racing course. It feels a bit bizarre. Clonmel is one of the newer parkrun events in the country and it is great to see it being established with a good volunteer base.

Letterkenny 250817

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Facilities

This parkrun is located close to the centre of Letterkenny town and is about a ten minute walk from the bus station. There is parking available at the park and around the grounds of the adjacent hospital. Toilets are available near the start line.

Course

The course is made up of three laps of the park and the hospital grounds. The surface is paved all the way around, but there are a few potholes to look out for. There is a good share of climbing in this event with a sharp pinch soon after the start of the lap. The park has some nice mature trees and open green areas, with a bowling green also, and there are some interesting architectural features on the old hospital buildings, though some are now in disuse.

Coffee

The parkrun volunteers put on tea and coffee in an old church building next to the start line. The building has been converted such that it now has two internal floors, and on the second floor you are quite close to the ornate ceiling and stained glass windows of the church, which I found interesting.

X Factor

There is a large group of volunteers at this parkrun. Their commitment, and that of all parkrun volunteers continues to inspire.

Tralee 190817

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Facilities

This parkrun is centrally located in Tralee town park making it easily accessible for town residents. There are pay and display car parks next to the park and Tralee town centre is well serviced by bus and rail services. Toilets are available at the entrance to the park.

Course

The course is made up off three laps around the outskirts of the park. The route is fairly straightforward, but there are route markers also. The course is entirely paved and is mostly flat, so it is possible to do a very quick time here, there are however a few sharp turns that will slow you down, especially a hairpin turn at the far end of the park. The park itself is very pretty, with a large rose garden. There are lots of nice features, monuments and statues around the park to catch the eye.

Coffee

Discounted coffee and scones are available at a nearby hotel, which are quite nice.

X Factor

Tralee is, of course, the home of the International Rose of Tralee festival, and I was fortunate enough to come here the weekend of the festival. The festival brings a great buzz to the town and this is very enjoyable to experience. The legacy of the festival can be seen around the town, most notably at the list of participants monument in the park, making this a nice event to visit any time of the year.

Erris 050817

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Facilities

This parkrun is located on the western edge of Ireland and indeed Europe, so it requires a little extra effort to get to. Having said that however, there is a bus service to the nearby town of Belmullet, and for those driving to the course the way is well signposted. There are no toilets or changing facilities.

Course

The course is made up of one big loop around Cross Lough. The course is on a public road, but there is very little traffic to worry about here, and the surface is paved throughout as a result. There is a slight incline around halfway through the course, which was a lot harder than it looked; must have been the wind. Given the location next to the sea, the route is quite exposed, so dress appropriately, but also, be sure to enjoy the expansive views of the Irish countryside and coast. The route is quite easy to follow, going clockwise around the lake, but there are markers along the way all the same, as well as distance markers, which are also handy.

Coffee

Parkrunnners can enjoy a coffee on the finish line with each other and the volunteers.  Expect conversations about the weather, debriefs of the course, 5k times and general merriment.

X Factor

The isolated setting of this parkrun sets it apart as a memorable run, the course being surrounded by sand dunes and farmland and very few houses. However, my main impression of the event came from the enthusiasm and friendliness of the volunteers, who were there in big numbers and who contribute to the continued success of this event.

Bere Island 290717

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Facilities

This run is on an island, yet is incredibly easy to get to. Once you get the ferry in Castletownbere, you land on Bere Island and a bus shepherds you to the run start, a few miles to the east of the island. There is also a second ferry that lands closer to the run start. Castletownbere is serviced by a Bus Eireann route, and there is plenty of free parking in around the streets of the town. The run start is located near the GAA pitch on the island, and parkrunnners are allowed to use the showers and toilets in the club house.

Course

The run route consists of one big loop on a paved surface. The route is on a public road, so watch out for cars, but there is very little traffic. There is a fair bit of climbing on the route, and given its location so close to the Atlantic there can be a bracing wind, so perhaps not a place for a PB. Turns are well marked with arrows painted on the road. There is no doubting the outstanding beauty of the run, nestled in Bantry Bay with the mountains of the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas on either side. No manicured lawns or shrubbery here, but a more natural beauty.

Coffee

Parkrunnners all enjoy coffee in a cafe located close to the run start, before hopping on the bus for the ferry back to the mainland. The coffee and home baked goods are tasty.

X Factor

Location is the most special thing about this parkrun. As far as I know it is the only island parkrun in the country. Despite the commitment required to get there, participation is huge, with a great bunch of volunteers. The sense of community is also great here, with almost everybody going for a post run coffee.