Parkrun enthusiasts will be in their element with the announcement of a brand-new parkrun location at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown.
The Sport Ireland Campus, which is the home of Irish Sport, not just for Athletes, but for the community will welcome participants for the first time at 9.30am on Saturday October 23rd.
Set on a mixture of grass and trail paths, the 5k route will start and finish at Abbotstown House which overlooks the course that will be used for the upcoming European Cross-Country Championships set for the Sport Ireland Campus on December 12th 2021.
Speaking at the launch of the new parkrun, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland John Treacy said: “A key strategic goal for the Sport Ireland Campus is to promote recreational use of the incredible facilities in our 500 acre location. After the European Cross Country Championships in December, the same course will be available for parkrun participants and it’s wonderful to see high performance athletes and recreational runners using the same course”.
Olympian and Athletics Ireland Regional Development Officer, David Matthews, who was also on hand to officially launch the new Sport Ireland Campus parkrun said: “The Sport Ireland Campus is very much about supporting the community and parkrun offers a fantastic opportunity for people to get active in a supportive and social environment, in what is surely one of the most unique parkrun locations in Ireland."
The Sport Ireland parkrun is free to enter and will take place at 9.30am every Saturday morning with walkers, runners, and supporters all welcome.
Matt Shields, parkrun Country Manager said: "The parkrun community is growing all the time – but it’s all still based on the simple, basic principles formed from the start: weekly, free, 5k, for everyone, forever."
“The parkrun will not only help people to get fit but it is also a great opportunity for locals to come together and enjoy a coffee after some exercise.”
Those keen to participate or volunteer should head to the Sport Ireland parkrun website to sign up for their runner’s barcode (which needs to be brought along to every event).
For more information visit:
- Sport Ireland Campus parkrun Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sportirelandcampusparkrun
- Sport Ireland Campus parkrun Website: https://www.parkrun.ie/sportirelandcampus/
About Sport Ireland Campus parkrun
Sport Ireland Campus parkrun is a FREE weekly 5km event for participants of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 9:30am in Sport Ireland Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin, D15 Y52H. It is not a race against other runners, but a 5k timed event and it can really be whatever you want it to be, whether that's for fun or as part of a training plan.
It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain. We want to encourage people to run, jog or walk together irrespective of their ability – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE!
Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun. The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once! Then just set your alarm for Saturday morning and get yourself there!
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at the National Aquatic Centre Café - please come and join us! Maybe swap stories about your run that day, chat to other parkrunners over a cup of tea or coffee and just be an important part of this new community.
So whether you are a complete novice looking to get yourself started on your own "running journey" or a seasoned athlete wanting to use this as a part of your training schedule, you’re welcome to come along and join us.