I've enjoyed exercising all my life. Not even getting up early on a cold Saturday morning can put me off. OK sometimes it does, but the endorphin rush you get when you finish is worth it. That is one reason why I parkrun.
Parkrun is a five kilometer run organised by a local volunteers in many countries around the world. Started in London in 2024, it has become a regular sight in parks, trails, and promenades on a Saturday morning. There are no prizes for speed. It's for all abilities. You can even walk if you want. It's just a community of likeminded folk getting out of bed for some exercise.
I don't participate every week, as life has a habit of getting in the way. I run when I can, but it has become such an enjoyable pastime that I've even participated in parkruns whilst travelling. If I'm away to watch a football game, I'll see if there's a local parkrun before the game. Away with the family, and maybe there's an event I can go to.
On one of my visits home I attended Shanganagh parkrun in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. The beautiful scenery was sufficient to distract me from the bitterly cold wind. So was the warm welcome and flat course. There was even a banana on offer to runners from some local political activists at the finish after my vote. There was a general election in Ireland a week after you see.
Parkrun in Ireland has really taken off. In fact it is the most popular place to parkrun according to the state broadcaster with:
- 9% of the population registered to take part.
- 143 parkrun events in total including 42 for younger runners.
- 500,000+ finishes in 2024.
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