Category: Race Report

Castle Demense 241216

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Facilities

There are tremendous facilities available at this run. There is plenty of parking, toilets and changing facilities and a shower in the local community centre! The run is located close to local residents and bus station.

Course

The course is varied, going around the football pitch and then back through the park along by the river. Some short and tough climbs included. The course loops back on itself twice and runners go in opposite directions on the same road, so can be confusing. Also, the road is shared with cars.

Coffee

Coffee is provided in the community centre where you go to scan your barcode after the run. Biscuits and water also provided.

X Factor

There is great community spirit with this run. Everybody goes and has a chat after the run. Also, great shouts of support along the run from other runners, which is very encouraging. Finally the run is located in the grounds of an old house, now mostly demolished, with some interesting history linked to the Guinness family and the Penn family.

Father Collins Park 171216

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Facilities

This run is easily accessible by bus and local residents. There is not that much parking and no toilets. Also the park was locked when I arrived, so I had to jump a gate to get in.

Course

This is a flat course, but a bit confusing. There are two laps and afterwards the run loops back on itself. The park has three windmills and, what I think is, a man-made waterfall. Generally pleasant with a lot of wild birds, but a busy road right next to the park.

Coffee

I had coffee in a local shop after the run, which was nothing special.

X Factor

This is one of the bigger runs around. Despite this, there seems to be a good community spirit which is often harder to find in the city runs, so it is commendable for that.

Castlehaven 101216

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Facilities

There is adequate parking next to this run for the number of people participating, but a large crowd would not be facilitated. No public transport or toilets available.

Course

This is a great course through a wood and along by the sea. Very hilly with lots of ups and downs, so quite challenging.

Coffee

Coffee/tea served on a park bench near the finish line. I had a glass of water and a lollipop, which was great.

X Factor

As with Glengarriff, there is something special about being in West Cork. Good community spirit with this run. I got a big welcome at the start line from the organisers which was very nice.

Poppintree 031216

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Facilities

There is only street parking next to the park, but it is relatively accessible by bus and close to local housing. No toilet facilities are available.

Course

This is a flat course, around playing fields. One interesting feature in the park is the man made wetland, and there is good signage up to explain its purpose. Lots of wildlife around this as well.

Coffee

I had coffee from a local shop, close by.

X Factor

This run is very close to the site of the now demolished Ballymun towers. It was interesting for me to think what life was like in these once iconic buildings.

Tymon 261116

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Facilities

There are good parking facilities at the basketball arena close to the start line, and good public transport options also. The park is a bit removed from local housing however. There are no toilet facilities.

Course

This is a mostly flat course around some playing fields. The course is made up of a strange mix of laps of different sections – slightly confusing so pay attention to the marshals.  The M50 is right next to the park and is quite audible.

Coffee

No café nearby so I had coffee on the way back.

X Factor

At one point in the run, after the first lap you are at a height and get a view of the runners in front of you. It’s good to see how the guys up front are getting on and inspires you to go faster.

Griffeen 191116

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Facilities

The course is very accessible for local residents and by public transport. There is also a small car park next to the start line, which fills up quickly on Saturday mornings. There are no toilets.

Course

The course is good and flat, and is paved so this is a great place for a PB. The park environs are fairly plain however, with some untidy concrete in places. There are some nice trees about.

Coffee

I went to some local shops for a coffee after the run. It was not that good unfortunately.

X Factor

There is a big participation at this run.

Bois de Boulonge 121116

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Facilities

The run is easy to get to with the Metro and public buses, though I admit it was a bit confusing getting from the Metro station to the run start. There is lots of parking at the site. No toilets though.

Course

The run takes place in a very nice park, with lots of big old trees. A relatively flat run, but with some sharp turns, and the route crosses a lot of other paths – which can be confusing/dangerous with other park users. The path is muddy in places.

Coffee

I got coffee in a local café afterwards. To my disappointment it was not very nice, but I had a croissant, which was fantastic.

X Factor

Well, it’s Paris.

Newcastle West 051116

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Facilities

This course has a central location to the town so is accessible to local residents, with some parking on site. There are no toilets.

Course

The course is in a very nice park, that is well maintained. Throughout the park there is good and interesting signage about the trees and the history of the park. Good flat run, but with a few sharp turns and narrow paths.

Coffee

Unfortunately I had to skip coffee as I was in a rush this morning.

Run

Although this run has a central location to the town, the town is small and at times, you get the feeling you are running in the middle of the countryside – a good escape. Something of note is that the Ballygowan factory is next door to the park.

Castletown 291016

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Facilities

This course is located close to the town of Cellbridge, and there is lots of parking available. Toilets in the café, but this was not open before the run.

Course

The course is located in a nice country house estate, with mature woodland and tree lined avenues. The Liffey runs through the park and the run course goes by it. The run is mostly flat with a gravel surface, two short laps with an in-and-out section. It is not allowed to run on the grass though, so not good for bad knees.

Coffee

There is a lovely café in Castletown house, which is situated in a room that looks like it might have been a kitchen when the house was in its heyday. There was a nice garden outside the café where you can go to have your coffee on a sunny day, and the coffee was tasty too.

X Factor

This run has great volunteer support. It was Halloween when I was here so there were a lot of people in fancy dress, which was a lot of fun. A big run, with a lot of participants.

Dundalk 221016

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Facilities

This course is well connected with bus and rail services, but it is a long walk from the station to the park. There is not a lot of parking at the park. There were toilets but they were not close by.

Course

The run takes place around the playing fields of DKIT. As a result it is not varied and there are not a lot of trees, so quite a plain run. However, you could see the mountains of Mourne in the distance which was nice. Quite a flat course, with three laps so it is easy to gauge what is coming next. A good place to attempt a PB

Coffee

I couldn’t attend the post run coffee as I had to catch a train in the opposite direction. The coffee was not close by, so car was the only option really. Had coffee in the town which unfortunately was not very tasty.

X Factor

There was a windmill next to the park, which I found interesting. Also, this is the town where the mighty Dundalk Town FC play. Quite impressive to think that the football team from this small little town was playing a European giant in Zenith St. Petersburg just a few days before my run.