For our 128th parkrun our event director and latest member of the elusive 100 club Alan Foley took to the helm and stepped up as Run Director. Alan is no stranger to the blue and white hi viz vest and was ably assisted by 12 other volunteers:
Rachel MARKEY • Paddy RYAN • Colin CONROY • Geraldine PRENDERGAST • Sarah CONROY • Emmanuel ADEJUWON • Niamh EUSTACE • Maurice O’CONNELL • Guus LEEUW • Pauline EUSTACE • Aengus COULTER • Mariana BELABBAS – Go raibh mile maith agaibh…
Parkrun only happens because people volunteer and there are a number of roles available that people can still complete the 5k distance.
Táimid ag brath go mór ar na daoine deonacha.
For example pre-event set up is a very straight forward task where the volunteer meets the run director and then places the directional signs around the course and helps to set up the finish areas. Easca-peasca! Easy-peasy!
Another role which still allows for participation is that of tail walker – tails are optional for this one… but dogs on a short lead are most welcome! Tail walker recently became a parkrun Ireland requirement. The Tail Walker stays right at the back of the field and should be the last person to cross the finish line ensuring that everyone is accounted for. They are encouraged to carry a mobile phone in case of emergencies. They let any marshal out on the course know that they can collect nearby signs and leave their post. And also there is the run report writer role.
The Run Report Writer is a behind the scenes role, meaning you could both perform this role and run. The role of Run Report Writer involves writing and uploading weekly event news reports to the event’s news page.
There are lots of other volunteer roles too so don’t be afraid to contact us on FB or by email and let us know if you are interested in helping out! Volunteering is a great way of getting to know the Father Collins parkrun family!
It was a busy week with plenty of bodies on the course and this week 94 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 14 were first timers and 16 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 7 different clubs took part.
Making up the PB roll of honour this week are the following:
- Derek Kenny
- Fintina Kealely
- Lorcan Fields
- Aisling Keyes
- Yvonne Clarke
- Darren Harte
- Roy Mooney
- Paul Lynch
- Martina McCann
- Ewa McGovern
- Margareta Borta
- Patricia Kelly
- John Fay
- Suzanne Bradshaw
- Maria Abbot
- Josephine O’Connor
Well done to all on the shiny new PBs it’s fantastic to see so many people pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and achieving those magic two letters! Maith sibh! Fantastic to think you have done so well by the time most people are stretching and climbing out of the bed on a Saturday morning… Comhghairdeas libh!
A special nod to all the first timers to Father Collins but especially to Graham CLARE, Andreea BORTAS, Sandra DALY, Aishling KIERNAN, Caroline FOSTER, Karen GREEN, Edel CUSHNAHAN and Jackie FARRELL. Not only did they all complete their first ever parkrun but they made the very informed decision to complete it at the friendliest parkrun on the northside. I do hope that you enjoyed our warm Father Collins welcome and will be back with us again this week.
Also well done to regular volunteer and runner Darragh Sweeney, one of our junior parkrunners on reaching his milestone 50! Darragh recently volunteered for 13 weeks, before Christmas, as part of his Gáisce award. He will almost be due a volunteer t-shirt soon as he has volunteered at 18 different occasions. Great to see him back running so well! Maith thú Darragh, or as they say in Connemara fairplay duit, rinne tú an-job! Darragh has kept his parkrunning local with 49 runs in Father Collins and just one in Malahide a few weeks ago. Keep up the running and the volunteering Darragh, you are super to do both and it’s people like you who make our parkrun what it is!
And a bualadh bos for Mai Barret, regular runner and member of Portmarnock AC who joined Alan in becoming a member of the 100 club. Mai has compelted 62 runs at Malahide parkrun, 34 at Father Collins, 3 at St Annes and one at parkrun do Bois, Boulange, Paris. Well done Mai and we hope the black t-shirt will be available soon! Beimid ag tnúth go mór leis an t-léine a fheiceal timpeall na páirce!
You may have noticed the cúpla focal in this particular run report! We at Father Collins parkrun are getting ready for Seachtain na Gaeilge we will have a very special run on St Patrick’s Day! Tá Gaeilge agam #parkrunabú
This week’s special nod for the Aesthetically Pleasing Time of the Week goes to Denise Antohi with 25:50. With 27 runs under her belt Denise is well on her way to a 50 t-shirt!
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Father Collins parkrun Results Page.
Our course records remain the same: The female record is held by Hannah OLDROYD who recorded a time of 17:30 on 18th June 2016 (event number 38).
The male record is held by Ray HYNES who recorded a time of 15:36 on 6th January 2018 (event number 121).
The Age Grade course record is held by Matt SHIELDS who recorded 88.68% (18:15) on 3rd October 2015 (event number 1).
Father Collins parkrun started on 3rd October 2015. Since then 1,783 participants have completed 8,598 parkruns covering a total distance of 42,990 km, including 1,595 new Personal Bests.
This week myself and Maebh did some local touring supporting our nearest parkrun neighbours Darndale! The regular volunteer team there had done Trojan work clearing the course and making sure the course was safe. Do pop up there for a go at their 5k, you will be warmly welcomed by Susan and her core team of volunteers.
See you all soon, feicfidh mé sibh go luath…
Rachel
