parkrun#414 event #116
Reason for visit – attending a dance event in nearby Desercreat, and ticking off the newest babies in the NI stable.
Access:
Pomeroy forest is pretty much bang in the centre of Northern Ireland, so you are definitely going to be driving some windy country roads! No public transport options, sadly, but there is plenty of car parking spaces.
Facilities:
There’s a shiny new visitor centre with clean toilets. I was able to change for my dance event in comfort. A little cafe, Woodies, in the courtyard supplies coffee, buns, crisps etc. It was a really rainy morning when I visited and shelter was hard to come by, even under the umbrella tables.
Crowd:
I was there at event number 3, so the hardy regionnaire chasers were out in force, But there were still less than 70 participants in total, the remoteness saving them from being overrun. Lots of dogs, they do seem to love a forest run.
Course:
2 laps with a bit of an out and back. Plenty of marshals on the route, as well as helpful signs. There’s a bit of a hill towards the end of the lap, and the surface is all forest path. The forest is home to some amazing wooden sculptures depicting fairy tales and legends, definitely one to bring the grandkids to! Oh, and lovely views over the Mid Ulster countryside.
Gear:
I was in my blue Hokkas, windproof trousers, and black rain jacket, with cow bobble hat. Despite the rain there were also lots of midges, so insect repellent would have been a bonus.
Time:
I was jogging the downhills and walking the ups, so was quite happy with a time of about 54 minutes.
And the rest:
Still not a regionnaire – Claudy still to be ticked off, and there are no doubt a few more in the pipeline. I went into Cookstown afterwards, a nice big wide main street to explore, where I found a bargain pair of baseball boots!
All my parkruns:
NI (and other) parkruns: summary list
Filed under: Parkrun | Tagged: ni parkruns, parkrun, parkrun tourism | 1 Comment »
Dancing At Lunacy 