Parkrun is blazing a trail

HAVE you ever walked through Albert College Park in Glasnevin on a Sunday morning and wondered why there’s a large group of children flying around the pathways?

That would be junior parkrun, a relatively new initiative to get kids between the ages of 4-14 rise out of bed for a 9.30am start to get the blood pumping.

The initiative began in Rush and Ballina, and Glasnevin’s junior parkrun is a free, weekly group where children can get an extra exercise session into their busy weekly schedules and set personal best times. 

It is a branch of the adult version which is currently sweeping the nation, but instead of running either five or 10 kilometres, the little ones do two.

Bronagh Traynor, organiser of the Albert College parkrun, explained why she took on this service for her community.

“December last year (2015), I got the newsletter from parkrun and it said that Rush junior parkrun, the first junior parkrun, had just set up and I thought it was a fantastic idea,” she said. “At the end of the article it said if you would like one in your area, please get in touch, and I thought Albert College Park would be fantastic.

“I got in touch and Matt Shields, Ireland’s parkrun supervisor, got back to me and said that the park would be very suitable and that he knew the park. From then on he just led me through the steps in setting up.” 

The first ever parkrun on the grounds near DCU was on the June Bank Holiday Sunday and it has grown from a few dozen to averaging over 100 a week.

“It’s a great start to a Sunday morning and you meet lots of people,” Bronagh said. “It’s a bit of fun and it’s a relaxing environment because it’s not competitive. It’s a great way to get young people into running and is added exercise in a friendly group setting.”

Obviously the aim of developing such a group is for the wellbeing of the youngsters, but Bronagh also thinks it gives kids a fun alternative.

“Obesity rates for children in Ireland is on the increase and we have all seen shows about sugar intake in Ireland,” she said. 

“This is a really healthy activity and it is great that boys and girls are getting involved. 

“Sometimes team sports like football doesn’t suit every child and we get lots of parents coming up and saying: ‘You know, my kids really don’t like playing football but they absolutely live for parkrun’.”

With several marshals – all parents of the kids – around the course and two defibrillators within a two minute walk, all children are in safe hands when they come to parkrun.

The kids even get their times and positions clocked professionally with personalised bands so they can keep up-to-date with their progress.

Parkrun is free to join and all are welcome. For more information, visit www.parkrun.ie 

REPORT: Brein McGinn