Looking for a free, friendly 5km event to get active? Cork is home to 19 weekly Parkruns, and here we highlight three of the most popular routes.
Parkrun is a global organisation, offering free 5km runs to people of all skill levels. You can be an experienced marathon runner or a complete beginner, no experience is required. You do not have to run the entire course, or run at all for that matter, you can walk, jog, and run as much or as little as you like. Every run has a Tail Walker whose job is to finish last, keeping to the back of the group, so there is no need to worry about being the slowest runner.
Parkruns are completely free to attend, and are open to all ages. Just fill out the short registration form, and off you go. Parkrun gives you a barcode which you can print out, or keep a copy on your phone so you can keep track of your times. There is a Parkrun app available to manage your barcode, times, personal bests and more.
Each Parkrun location has their own website page, and a Facebook page with extra details about time, location, parking, and social meet-ups after the runs. The pages give you a rundown of the course, what the terrain is like, are there any slopes, and how many laps you need to do.
Before every run, the volunteers will hold a quick information session, telling you everything you need to expect. The app will also tell if the course is buggy friendly and dog friendly. Dogs are welcome at most Parkruns, on a short lead.
In Cork, the three most popular Parkruns are Ballincollig, Tramore Valley, and Midleton Greenway, each with more than 100 weekly members.
Ballincollig
The Ballincollig Parkrun in The Regional Park is by far the most popular run. With 10 years of organisation under their belt, this run is a well oiled machine. The run starts at 9.30am every Saturday morning. The start of the run is easy to find, close to the car park. There is lots of parking on site, with overflow parking in the nearby churches. There are toilets at the beginning of the track available for 25 cents. While there is no café in the park, there are lots of picnic benches available for some cake and coffee after the run. There is also a playground for kids.
The Ballincollig run is dog friendly and buggy friendly, no need to leave your companions at home. The course is mostly flat meaning it is very beginner friendly, no daunting hills to finish you off. Some of the course is tarmaced, and the rest is trails and bridges, prepare to get a bit muddy if it’s been raining. Don’t worry about getting lost, there are lots of signs and volunteers to keep you on the right path. The Regional Park is huge, and the run doesn’t cover the whole thing. After the Parkrun, take your family and explore the park, try out the orienteering course, or have a look at the old gunpowder mills.
Tramore Valley Park
Tramore Valley Park just off the South Douglas Road is the next busiest Parkrun with an average of 230 runners each week. There is loads of parking in Tramore Valley Park, but be mindful that you can only drive into the park from the South Link Road, the South Douglas Road is for pedestrians only. Again there are plenty of bathrooms available in the park, free of charge. The run starts at 9.30am on Saturday mornings. The run stays on the smooth tarmac for the entirety of the 5km, making it gentler on your body. There is unfortunately a small hill to conquer at the end of the run.
Those familiar with Tramore Valley Park will know this hill is also home to the Teddy Bear Graveyard, meaning there will be plenty of creepy onlookers as you complete the most challenging part of the course. Once you get past the mildly frightening audience there is a café that the group goes to after every run. Once again the run is dog and buggy friendly, so nobody has to get left behind. The park is also great for kids who want to bring their bikes, the paths are very flat and there is a mini BMX course for kids with an adventurous streak. Tramore Valley Park is so central, you could make a whole day out of your Parkrun, walk into the city afterwards for some lunch and shopping.
Midleton Greenway
One of the newer Parkruns in Cork is the Midleton Greenway Parkrun. With 135 average runners this course is quickly becoming a fan favourite. The run starts at 9.30am every Saturday. The Parkrun course is only 5km long, turning around at Fitzfiddler’s Bridge. Because this is a Greenway, the entire course is flat and freshly paved, making it the most accessible for beginners, and anybody with a buggy. The bathroom at the beginning of the course is currently closed, but there are more public bathrooms not far from the Greenway in the town centre.
After every run the group heads to Stir It Coffee in the shopping centre for a catchup, making it a lovely social event. As well as free parking at the beginning of the course, the train station is straight across from the start point. If you live in the city, you could hop on the train, do your Parkrun, then head to the farmers market with the whole family. Finish the day off in the playground by the Greenway before catching the train home.
This Parkrun is also great for tourists looking to take in some of Cork’s fantastic scenery. Your Parkrun barcode is universal, and can be used all over the world.
Family Friendly
For kids who want to join their parents but are not quite ready to run the full 5km, there are Junior Parkruns too. The Ballincollig Parkrun also has a kids division on Sunday mornings. At 9.30am on Sundays, kids aged 4-14 can try their hand at 2km runs. Again there is no experience necessary, and the children run an easier course than the adults. Junior Parkruns are a great way to get children involved in a free extracurricular, and give them a hobby for life.
Parkrun is an ideal way to get your body moving in a casual, pressure-free environment. There is no financial commitment, and you can attend as much or as little as you like. Why not give it a go?
To find out more about your local Parkrun see here.
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