Record 1,622 at Parkruns

An astonishing 1,485 turned out for the four Dublin area Parkruns yesterday – a massive jump by about 25% on previous best figures. Add in Wesport and Macroom, and a total 1,622 ran a Parkrun in the Republic. About 15,000 have run at least one Irish Parkrun in the 13 months since Parkrun came to the Republic.

King of the pile yesterday was Marlay with a record 583 finishers – clearly it’s time for a few more Parkruns on the southside of Dublin. First finisher was Neil Callaghan of Star of the Sea in 16 mins 33 secs, which was the fastest men’s time of the day overall. First woman was triathlete and adventure runner  Aisling Coppinger with a new PB of 19 mins 23 secs.

Griffeen Park in Lucan went over 200 starters for the first time with 202 turning out – previous best was  148 runners last November. St Anne’s Park passed 300 for the first time attracting 318 finishers – 233 was the previous high.  Even Malahide, which celebrated its first birthday last November, and  has seen numbers drop since the advent of St Anne’s Park (not a bad thing –  most Parkrun organisers would prefer to keep numbers under 400) was up at 382 runners.

Parkruns are organised entirely by volunteers – a non-profit example of grassroots sports at its best. Part of the deal is that if you run regularly, you should also help out, say, once in every ten runs.

Running is free – and more and more people are getting the message!

* Coming soon- Clonakilty Parkrun February 1; Ardgillen February 8 and Naas Racecourse tbc. All now supported by the HSE.

* Phoenix Park authorities – wake up! Putting on a Parkrun only benefits other races.

Parkrun 5km.

Marlay (583 finishers) – Men: Neil Callaghan (Star of the Sea) 16.33. Women: Aisling Coppinger (W40) 19.23 (PB). Malahide (382 finishers) – Men: Conor Keane (Clonliffe) 17.34. Women: Catherine Kelly 21.00. St Anne’s Park (318 finishers) – Men: Finbar O’Grady 17.24 (PB). Women: Joyce O’Hare (Clonliffe) 20.22. Griffeen Park (202 finishers) – Men: Derek McCormack (Naas TC) 16.56. Women: Edith Coakley (Lucan Hrs, W40) 23.07 (PB).