Much excitement as Mullingar Parkrun announces its return

Like the rest of the world, it's been a long year and a half for Mullingar Parkrun's close knit community.

The recent announcement on social media that that the town's Parkrun is returning on Saturday, October 2, was met with delight by the scores of local people who had made the free event a fixture on their weekend calendar.

The first Mullingar Parkrun was held back in the spring of 2016. Since then almost 400 people have registered to participate and pre-Covid there were up to 120 runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and fitness levels taking part each Saturday morning.

Event director Blánaid Adamson told the Westmeath Examiner that for her and most local Parkrunners it's the social side that they have missed most.

“The Parkrun isn't just about a 5km race, getting your time and trying to beat it each week. It's about getting out and meeting more like minded people. Absolutely many people improve but we have a tail walker every week so no one is ever last. I found that what people missed most were other people. They missed the chats after the runs.”

Looking out for your fellow participants and encouraging them when the going gets tough is one of characteristics of Parkrun.

“I found that if people were running and saw someone struggling they'd stop and go with them,” Blánaid says.

“One week during the winter we had ice. There was a guy who always had his kids with him, but this week he was on his own. I said, 'No kids this morning? And he said 'This is about me, I am going to out hell for leather and see how I get on'.

“Before the halfway mark there was an icy spot and didn't he stop and forgo his run to warn everyone. That's what Parkrun is about. It is not about racing each other.”

Blánaid is one of a core group of six organisers, one of whom is always there on a Saturday morning and assumes the role of run director. They are assisted each week by around six other members of the Parkrun community who are asked to help out every ten runs to ensure the event runs smoothly.

She says that most Parkrunners are only too happy to give something back. After a break of 18 months, she says that the community is looking forward to seeing old and new faces under the Newbrook Bridge next Saturday morning at 9.30am.

“All we want to do is get the message out to people that Parkrun is here for everyone. You don't have to a runner or a jogger. If you just want to come out and meet people, they are so friendly. People are happy to chat...To join anything can be intimidating but we are just trying to take that stigma away.”