Name: Brighid Smyth Age: 54 Occupation: Head of Corporate Communication, Vhi Local parkrun: St Anne’s parkrun Number of parkruns completed: 83 in 16 locations How did you get involved in parkrun? I ran my first parkrun on the 28 September 2013. At the time I was training for the 2013 Dublin City Marathon…
On Saturday 27 July, Ballincollig parkrun flew the flag for Pride, hosting a Rainbow Run with local LGBT+ running club the Frontrunners. Co-Event Director Suzi Quirke tells us more. We were approached a couple of months back by Frontrunners, a local LGBT+ running club, who are a member of the Frontrunners International movement. …
Name: Celine Buckley Age: 48 Occupation: Teacher Local parkrun: Castlehaven Number of parkruns completed: 151 How did you get involved in parkrun? A meeting was held at Castlehaven GAA Club, discussing the possibility of starting a parkrun. I had never heard of parkrun before this. I was drawn in immediately when the ethos…
Catherine Dempsey, pictured right receiving her VHI Hero Award, was convinced by a friend to try out New Ross parkrun for the first time on St Stephen’s day in 2015. Not only did she discover a love for parkrun, Catherine’s ‘parkrun family’ helped her during the most difficult times. Going to that parkrun on…
Vhi ambassador and Olympian, David Gillick, has been busy calling on walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers to join him at the three Vhi Roadshows that have taken place so far. The Vhi parkrun roadshows have visited Templemore parkrun in Tipperary, and Griffeen parkrun and Fairview parkrun in Dublin, with over 100 first timers joining…
When parkrun tourist Niall had a wedding 300k from his home event, Bushy, Dublin, he decided to do something extra special on his Saturday morning visit to Tralee parkrun, co. Kerry. Visually impaired parkrunner Ross from Tralee parkrun, had coincidently posted some pleas on Facebook looking for a guide runner and Niall, having recently…
The Vhi parkrun Hero award for the month of June has been awarded to Celine Buckley from Castlehaven parkrun, Co. Cork. The monthly award recognises and rewards inspirational, hardworking and dedicated members of the parkrun community who embody the ethos of parkrun or have made an outstanding contribution – be they participants or volunteers. Celine has…
Inmates at the Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison in Perth, Australia, will become the first women in custody anywhere in the world to take part in weekly parkrun events when Wandoo parkrun launches this Saturday 20 July. Wandoo became Western Australia’s first dedicated alcohol and drug rehabilitation prison for women in custody when it opened in August…
Vhi Ambassador, David Gillick is calling on walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers to join him at Fairview parkrun, Fairview, Dublin 3, on Saturday 20July when Vhi will host a special event to celebrate their partnership with parkrun Ireland. In addition to the normal parkrun on Saturday morning, Olympian David Gillick will be on hand…
Alfie Grice was born with a rare birth defect that means he has severe developmental and learning difficulties. His dad, Mark, tells us how important parkrun has been for Alfie, and the special moments they have experienced together as a family in their local park. My son Alfie, aged six, was born with ACC…
