Letterkenny parkrun celebrates the running of its 100th 5k on Saturday, December 30th, at St. Conal’s Campus on Letterkenny’s High Road.
The Letterkenny parkrun was started by Margaret O Donnell who became aware of it while working in Dublin. She was soon joined by Anne McAteer to commence plans on getting it off the ground. A band of volunteers ensured the first Letterkenny parkrun took place on February 6th, 2016 and the event has gone from strength to strength since.
While the volunteers change on a weekly basis, the famous two of Margaret and Anne are ever present volunteers to this day.
It would not be possible to have a parkrun event without the band of volunteers who make sure it is run in an orderly and safe manner, so that the maximum enjoyment of completing the course can be achieved by all.
To mark the 100th Letterkenny parkrun, an invitation has been sent out to the many Olympians in Donegal to come along and pass on some of their inspiration to the assembled participants and volunteers on December 30th.
Donegal is very fortunate to have such talent which goes back to the superb achievements of Danny McDaid right up to our current group of Olympians. It is hoped that the Olympians will officially start the 100th and some may even take part.
While it is understandable that due to family commitments and other engagements all of our Olympians may not be able to attend, it would greatly enhance the occasion if some of them manage to attend.
A free draw for a beautiful hamper will take place and will be open to all participants on the day including the volunteers who are the life blood of Letterkenny parkrun.
In the meantime, Letterkenny parkrun wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and is looking forward to seeing you all on the 30th at 9.30am. (Please arrive by 9.15 am).
Please also remember Letterkenny pre-Christmas parkrun will take place on Saturday, December 23rd at 9.30am. Participants are asked to wear Santa hats or any other form of fancy dress on the day. Usual tea and coffee afterwards.
Letterkenny parkrun is a free to enter 5k run every Saturday at 9.30 am. It is open to walkers, joggers, fun runners and runners of a higher standard. When a person registers for parkrun, they are issued with a unique barcode which produces a recorded time when they complete the 5k distance.
Registering is also free, but the great thing about having the unique barcode is that you can take part in a parkrun event anywhere around the world where a parkrun event has been established.
Donegal currently has four parkrun locations – Dungloe, Buncrana, Letterkenny and Falcarragh parkrun. Falcarragh parkrun recently celebrated its 100th event on December 2nd. Congratulations to Tom Feeney, Murt Collins and all the volunteers at Falcarragh parkrun on this achievement. Dungloe parkrun will be holding their 100th event at the end of January, while Buncrana parkrun is still in its infancy in terms of events completed.
There are currently 57 locations around Ireland where a parkrun 5k takes place.
How to register to take part in parkrun
To take part in parkrun you will need to register using the link below, and then print your unique Barcode, which you should take with you on the 30th, so that your name can be recorded in the results.
http://www.parkrun.ie/register/
