Tags: People of parkrun
Name: Marian Fagan
Age: 54
Occupation: Running my busy household!
Local parkrun: Castletown, Co. Kildare
Number of parkruns completed: 121
How did you get involved in parkrun?
I did my first parkrun in Griffeen in April 2015 but it wasn’t until November that year that I did my next one. At that stage I was a core team member on the newly started Castletown parkrun. I was approached by the Event Director Sharon Ashmore in our local fit4life group in Celbridge AC to be part of the team. We didn’t know each other at all but are now firm friends!
What do you love about parkrun?
I love catching up with everyone on a Saturday and the fact that no matter where you go to parkrun the welcome is the same.
Who do you participate with?
I run with my friends from my fit4life group and the core team members.
Any parkrun milestones / achievements you would like to share?
In April 2018, I had a hip replacement. I had to stop running before the operation due to the pain in my dodgy hip, so I volunteered almost every week during that time. When I recovered, I made a start on the road back to 5k. The day I made it around the course, even though it was slow, I was delighted with myself. I eventually got around to doing my 100th parkrun, that was another super day!
Do you have a health or fitness goal?
All I want is to stay healthy and fit for as long as possible.
Who is your dream parkrun running buddy?
Sonia O’Sullivan and Eliud Kipchoge. I might as well aim high!
What was your best parkrun experience?
I’ve had so many I can’t pinpoint only one! However, a definite highlight was running at Bushy in London last September with our Event Director at the time, Philip and my buddy Sharon. That was an amazing experience!
What was the funniest parkrun moment?
Castletown is a very open site. We have been known to be seen running around after a gust of wind trying to gather up our kit – reminiscent of The Benny Hill show.
What advice would you give to someone who’s never been to parkrun?
Make sure to do at least one in your lifetime. It’s such an uplifting experience. Whether you’re an Olympic athlete or just starting out everyone is treated the same. It’s like meeting up with a bunch of friends even at your first visit.
Today we take a look back at the second stop of the Vhi More Than Running roadshow, which visited Knocknacarra parkrun in Galway on Saturday 16 September. The sun was shining and there was an incredible atmosphere as local parkrunners were joined by Vhi ambassador Aimee Connolly who threw on a high vis and volunteered…
The Vhi parkrun Hero award for the month of August has been awarded to Sharon Ashmore from Royal Canal parkrun. 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. As…
