Category: Race Report

Corkagh 200118

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Facilities

This course, located in the western suburbs of Dublin city, is easily accessed by public bus with many routes running close to the park. The park is surrounded by houses so it is well located for locals, and for those from further afield there is a large car park not too far from the start line. There are toilets available, but only open at 10 a.m. it seems. There are no changing facilities.

Course

There is an unusual shape to this course, almost like two petals on a flower. There are two separate loops: the first goes off to the left from the start line and the second goes over to the right hand side of the start line such that it loops back on itself. It’s a nice design because once you start coming back to the finish line on the second loop it’s easy to gauge how much of the run is left. The surface is mostly paved, with a little bit of gravel. It is a bit uneven in places due to pothole repairs, so watch your step. There is a slight incline on the first loop, but the course is mostly flat. The volunteers have signposted important turns and even marshalled a short cut at the far end of the second loop, which I was impressed by. The park itself is quite large and has lots of open green spaces and little groves here and there. There is a duck pond and interestingly there is a baseball field in the park; a bit unusual for Ireland.

Coffee

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join parkrunners for a coffee after the run this morning. Any comments would be welcome.

X Factor

There is an awful lot to do and see in this park. There is a brief description of the park above, but there are many other sights. There is a pet farm and a bicycle park, and interestingly, there is an arboretum commemorating the Famine. This event offers a great opportunity to get out and get active but also to enjoy the outdoors after the run.

Castlerea 130118

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Facilities

This parkrun is located about a ten minute walk from the centre of Castlerea town. There is ample parking available close to the start line, and toilet and showers are also available. Castlerea can be accessed by a limited number of bus and reail services.

Course

The course consists of three outer laps around the demense followed by one loop around an inner lap. As you go around the outer lap the inner lap is tantalising as you can see it from the outer lap. It is a great feeling when you actually get to turn into the inner lap, even though there is still almost half a kilometre to go. There is a fair bit of climbing in this run. No big hill, but there is a small incline and when you have to cover this four times it all adds up. The surface is a mixture of paved surfaces, with tighly and loosely packed gravel. The park environs are varied, which makes for an interesting run as you go around, passing open fields with large mature trees, and running along next to the Cloonard River. There are some sharp turns on the course, but all turns are well signposted and marshalled.

Coffee

After their run, parkrunners alternate between two local cafes. The coffee is nice but the cafes are located around a 15 minute walk from the run finish.

X Factor

The finish line for this parkrun event is next to an open air swimming pool which is a bit of a novelty. I can imagine that it would be extremely refreshing to go for a swim there after the run. Perhaps only during the summer though. The volunteers at this event are also very friendly and encouraging as always.

Tullow 060118

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Facilities

This rural parkrun is located at Rathwood, a few miles east of Tullow. As a result of its location there is no public transport to this event, but there is a large car park at the site. Toilets are available at a garden centre next to the wood.

Course

The course is made up of two laps around a path through the wood with a short spur at the end of the second lap. The course loops on to itself in places resulting in some contra flow traffic but these areas are well marshalled. Turns are also signposted. The course has some steady inclines so will test your ability to keep powering through, and the surface is mostly loose gravel meaning traction can be low. The route is surrounded by big mature trees, and at one point passes a deer enclosure, which is an interesting distraction.

Coffee

Coffee is had in the restaurant attached to the nearby garden centre. It’s a big place with lots of breakfast options.

X Factor

I am often inspired by the dedication of the parkrun volunteers, but during this run it was one of the parkrunnners that stood out.  As I said above, traction can be low on this course; well it was especially so when I did this run, as there was some black ice on the course. One of the front runners slipped and nearly fell on the ice as he was unaware of it. Rather than carry on, he gave up his run and stayed at the corner with the ice to warn all the other parkrunnners coming behind him. This was a great demonstration of the spirit of parkrun.

Listowel 301217

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Facilities

This parkrun, close to the centre of Listowel, can be accessed by public buses which service the town. There is a car park next to the entrance to the park for those who wish to drive to the event. There are toilet facilities available in the community centre next to the start line, but I actually forgot to check if there are changing facilities, so any information on this would be helpful.

Course

The course consists of three laps on the outer path of the park. There are some twists and turns on the route but all are well sign posted. However, because of the twists and turns, and also because of a fairly substantial climb, this is probably not the parkrun for a PB attempt. This is despite the fact that the entire course is paved. The park has a lot of mature trees and some appealing pathways that are curved in sympathy with the landscape, making this a pleasant place to walk and spend some time.

Coffee

The post run coffee is had in an old picturesque hotel in the town centre about a ten minute walk from the park. The coffee is good.

X Factor

Listowel is a bustling town in North Kerry, with an interesting history surrounding the Earl of Desmond. More recently, the town is possibly better known for its literary tradition and the place where John B Jeanne lived. It is from these streets that Keane got the inspiration for many of the characters (including the typical Kerry Cute Hoor) in his writing, and this gives the place a special feel I think.

Fairview 231217

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Facililties

This parkrun is very accessible, being connected by bus and rail stations, and being surrounded by residential areas. Driving here would not be advised as there is limited parking. There are no toilet or changing facilities.

Course

The run is made up of a three lap course, in a figure of eight shape. The course is very flat, but the surface is split around 60:40, paved:grass. Therefore if the weather isn’t very good the grass sections could get a bit muddy and this may not be the place for a PB. The course is well marked out with little red cones showing the way along with marshalls standing at turns and corners showing you the way.

Coffee

Most of the time parkrunners enjoy a coffee in a local cafe, however today there were some special treats at the finish line as it was Christmas.

X Factor

The volunteers make a huge effort each week to run this event (pardon the pun). The route is very clearly marked out which is important on grass sections. Something that caught my attention at this event, though, was the extra effort the volunteers made to bring some Christmas spirit to the run. Before the run the volunteers pinned some jingle bells to the runners before they took off, which made for an interesting soundscape as we all ran around.

Gorey 251117

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Facilities

This course is located close to the centre of Gorey town, and so is easily accessible for the town residents. Parking is somewhat limited however. Gorey is well connected by bus and rail services if the car is not an option. This event makes use of the dressing rooms and toilets in the park, so you can change at teh park if needed.

Course

The course is a simple loop of the park, which is completed five times. There are marshalls to show you where to go but the route is quite easy to follow. The surface is entirely paved, and flat, so it is possible to do a fast time here, though there are a few sharp turns. Also, watch out for a few bumps in the path in places.

Coffee

The post run coffee is had close to the finish line, with a burker boiler providing hot water for drinks. A great spot to discuss the run.

X Factor

I attended this event on its first birthday, and it was great to see that the event has continued for the last year, mostly thanks to the dedication of the volunteers.

Claremorris 181117

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Facilities

Claremorris parkrun takes place around Clare Lake, which is a short walk from the centre of the town. Due to its proximity to the town centre it is quite accessible for town residents. For those travelling from further afield Claremorris is located on the Dublin- Westport rail line. Anyone deciding to drive to this parkrun, however, will have difficulty in finding parking as spaces are limited in the area. No toilet or changing facilities are available.

Course

The course is mostly flat, though it has a few short ups and downs along the way. The course outline is probably best described as a cotton bud shape. The surface is mostly light gravel, and seems to be well drained, so no fear of muddy patches in bad weather. This event is well run, with marshals and signposts at each turn. The route also has distance markers which are always helpful. The park itself is a very pretty setting, with nice paths and woodlands surrounding the lake.

Coffee

Parkrunnners are able to avail of discounted tea, coffee and scones at a shop across the street from the main entrance. This is a great deal.

X Factor

As you run around this course, every now and then you come across a clearing at the side of the path where you will see some sculptures and art installations. That would be fairly standard for parks all over the country, but what is unique about this park is the sheer wackiness of the sculptures, which include Lego statues and giant installations of furniture, Wellington boots and bizarrely the contents of a mathematical pencil case set.  These pieces provide an entertaining distraction as you run around

Carlow Town 111117

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Facilities

There are bus and rail services to Carlow town, making this is a well connected event. The location of the run, being in the centre of thr town, also makes it easily accessible to the town residents. And for those parkrunnners who choose to drive, there is a large car park close to the start line, though it is not free. Finally, there is a paid toilet in the park, but no changing facilities.

Course

The route for this parkrun is a simple out and back course along the bank of the river Barrow, with a short loop around the town park to finish off. The course is almost entirely flat save for a climb on the bridge over the river. Speaking of the bridge, there are a few tight turns and chicanes which will slow you down. The surface is mostly a mix of gravel and grass, with some small paved sections, which will mean a muddy run on a wet day. The park itself is well maintained and the twists and turns of the river make for a pleasant run.

Coffee

The post run coffee is had in a very nice cafe about a five minute walk from the finish line. The coffee in here was very good.

X Factor

Sometimes when you go out to exercise it can seem like you are the only person in the world putting yourself through this hardship. Part of the beauty of parkrun is the social aspect of running in a group. However, what I thought was special about Carlow is that the Carlow rowing club were out training on the river at the same time that the parkrun was taking place. This was great to see; a whole community of people being out and active. The more we see of this the more normalised it becomes, and this can only be a good thing.

Mount Lucas 041117

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Facilities

This is a rural parkrun and so public transport to this event is not available. However, there is plenty of room for parking cars, and I was pleased to see that a few parkrunners cycled to the event. There is a portaloo near the start/finish line for parkrunners, but there are no changing facilities.

Course

The course is pancake flat, and is wide open, so be prepared for a breeze. This of course is to be expected since this run takes place around a wind farm. The surface is coarse gravel and is a bit loose in places so watch your step. The course is a lollipop shape consisting of an out and back section with a big loop at the end. The route is quite easy to follow, but marshalls guide the way at any turns. As mentioned, this event takes place around a windfarm and the giant turbines make for an interesting distraction as you go around on your run.

Coffee

There is no cafe nearby, so parkrunners enjoy a coffee at the finish line when the run is over. A great opportunity to discuss your thoughts on the course and the conditions with the other participants.

X Factor

This event is quite remote in many ways, with few signs of life around it. This makes for a peaceful setting. But then when you look at the cluster of wind turbines, and consider that they are powering thousands of homes and businesses in the area, it makes this quite a special and unique place also.

 

Poolbeg 211017

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Facilities

This parkrun is located to the east of Dublin city centre and is very close to the centre, so needless to say, there is not much parking available here, but public transport options to the event are plentiful. The park is within a residential area so is a short walk for locals. There are no toilets or changing facilities at the park though.

Course

The course is made up of a loop followed by an out and back section, combined in a figure of eight mode. The distance is covered with one and a half laps of this course. The course is mostly paved and flat, with a short but fairly significant climb on gravel at the end of the out and back section. The route is fairly exposed, with the loop going around an open area of grass, and the out and back section facing out to the Irish Sea. This means there are great views out to the sea, but can also lead to some punishing conditions if the weather is bad.

Coffee

Parkrunnners at this event go to a cafe in Sandymount which is a five minute walk from the finish line. Sandymount is a bustling little village on a Saturday morning and it is nice to sit back and soak this up with a good coffee.

X Factor

The most remarkable feature of this parkrun is its proximity to one of Dublin’s most famous landmarks, the Poolbeg towers. Now disused, these towers are much loved by the Dublin people. So much so, that a plan to knock them down was blocked from going ahead. The run also goes through a nature reserve, which is an interesting contrast to the industrial chimney stacks and warehouses of Dublin Port in the background.