So in nearly our 4 years running we’ve all heard things/comments about Bere Isalnd parkrun, but the comment I heard this morning takes the biscuit. A certain “young” lady, who while moving her granddaughters along the start line to the left hand side, likened us to a herd of cattle going to our stalls. For those who might need an explanation, way back in the days before these big fancy slatted units came into being, the cattle used to be put into the cowshed by night and left out during the day. Each cow had their own stall which they would trot into every evening without fail, and never into the wrong stall. She,(granny) has her spot on the start line and no one else dare stand in it. But if you were to look over all the start line photos, she’s not the only one. Most regulars seem to be like the cattle of days gone by and go to the same spot/stall week after week. Think about that next week, are you an old fashioned cow or a new age parkrunner, do you need to start at the same spot, do you need to run on the same side of the road? If the answer is yes you might consider needing some help;) Lets see who cane shake it up next week.
So down to business, on what was a little shock to the system, 66 gathered at the GAA Clubhouse, in dull, grey, cooler conditions. Do I need my sunglasses or not, do I need my hat or not, do I need my coat or not? These were a sample of the mutterings that could be heard. The sun of the last few week remained hidden behind the cloud throughout the run, there was a sprinkling of rain while we were making our way to the start line, but funnily enough no one was complaining about it like usual. It may have been a little reprieve from what we’ve become accustomed to, for all the good it did, bar keeping us cooler than the last few weeks during our weekly 5K.
First finisher today was visitor Bob Lawlor, who has come to run with us for the past 3 years while on holiday in the area. He finished in a very impressive time of 19.26, also scoring himself a new pb at Bere Island parkrun. On to first lady finisher, well my fingers will just type automatically as it was, for the 129th time, our very own Joanne, who romped home in 24.35. Out of 209 runs here she has ran 189 so only missed 20 in just under 4 years. Some going for some woman! Only 6 scored new pb’s, Congratulations and well done to Bob, Kevin, Clodagh, Alison, Nessa and Ted. I will note though, that Aishling Crowley, a sister to Clodagh ran over the finish line in the exact same time as her last pb, 29.38, how many people would put money on that happening?. Next time you’ll get it Aishling! We had no registered first timers taking part today. But we had 2 ladies down with us from Sports Ireland who kindly volunteered their services. They were joined by Claire Hurley of the Cork Sports Partnership, here for a meeting with different activity groups on the Island to get a grasp of how our approach to exercise has changed since to Sports hub. Nedless to say the got a fine grasp this morning with the turn out, and the fact its walkers as well as runners. Unfortunatly Claire was unable to stay but Gillian, rather nervously took on the role as timekeeper, I say nervous because our times were in her hands, but she breezed through it. Varada took on the responsibility of the barcode scanning, and had a handle on it lickety split(in no time). Thanks to Sports Ireland, and Cork Sports Partnership for the funding we have received for numerous fitness events, we are definitely a much fitter, more involved community as is very prevalent at Bere Island parkrun.
We had more celebrations today, Ultan Murphy, one of our super juniors ran his 50th parkrun with Mom and Dad struggling to keep up. He had to keep his brakes on so they could keep up with him. Ultan is a little diamond, Running his little legs off, and when he’s not running he’s volunteering. He has done nearly every role there is. He did his first run with Sonia O’Sullivan in Dec 2014 in 30.05 and has gradually got it down to 23.40. He was very happy and relaxed crossing the finish line where he finally got his hands on his well earned balloons. Unlike the rest of us(who got cake we just couldn’t eat) Ultan was shown favouritism by having his choice of cake, and why shouldn’t’ he, with Mom Edel and Dad Brendan running the Bakehouse. Well done Ultan, here’s to the next 50.
Well done to all who took part in the Wild Atlantic Way run last week in sweltering heat. We can only hope it will be cooler here for Bere Island GAA’s annual Mid Summer Run, which is run around the same loop, and if youre feeling brave enough you can run around it twice for the 10k. Bere Island GAA have been very good to our parkrun, letting us use the facilities, heating in the winter, hot showers after the run, dry room to gather in on a wet day. So their run, which is a fundraiser for the club, is an ideal way for us to give back a little something back and say thanks for all their help, which I shall note includes having the loop marked out for their first run before parkrun started, and so when the idea of parkrun her came about half the work was done as the 5k loop was already marked. So why not walk the parkrun and run the Mid Summer Run or vice versa, or indeed if your feeling brave run both. Whatever you decide, try to support our clubs efforts, Details can be found on their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/beremidsummerrun/ We’ll look forward to seeing u there. BTW Each participant who registers will receive a lovely Active Islands t shirt.
A heartfelt thanks as always to our superb volunteers again this week, Run Director Dominic and his crew, Eugene, Gillian, Sylvia, Varada, Joanne, Ann Marie, carol, Sean, Olan, Brendan, Finola, Sheila and Tail Walker Ian with his girls. parkrun wouldn’t happen with out the volunteers, all the runners in the world could be here but if we don’t get the volunteers we just don’t get to run. We’ve been very lucky for the last 4 years getting our roster full each week, but if you were to take a look through you would see a lot of the same names week after week. Gillian and Varada sailed through their roles this morning and so can you, get involved once in a while, don’t let it to the same people every week, PLEASE. A little nudge, once you have volunteered 25 times you can claim your free t shirt. So why not give it a go.
Thank you to Bere Island Ferries for the ferry and the bus to ensure our mainlanders and visitors arrive to us safely. And to the staff in the Bakehouse for our refreshing and delicious post run treats.
Ill be watching next week to see who read this, I’ll know 
