parkrun tourism: Belvoir Forest

Posted on October 17, 2025 by lindaharley

parkrun #401 event #111

My current NENDY, and a lovely one to tick off!

Sadly Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun ceased to be earlier this year, but the team were quick to identify a suitable nearby location in order to keep momentum going for local runners.

Access:

It’s in the Belfast metropolitan area, so there are buses (Metro 6c and d) that operate nearby. Car parking is recommended at the Boys Brigade hall, rather than the closer playground park or Belvoir Activity Centre, in order to keep the spaces there for those users.

It’s a bit of a walk to the start line, so make sure you leave plenty of time! But I got a 6d at 10.40 afterwards which was perfectly timed.

Facilities:

Loos in the activity centre. The team currently seem to be providing tea and coffee afterwards in the playpark car park, but that may be temporary. Start and finish are in the same area, so find a tree for your jacket!

Course:

It’s one small lap and 2 large ones (which also incorporate the first small one). It’s one of those courses which seems to be all uphill, even though I know that’s a geographical impossibility! Keep the River Lagan to your left, do not cross over the river! The paths are typical forest terrain, packed gravel, watch out for puddles and squidgy grass.

It’s quite a narrow start – runners are encouraged to self seed and place themselves in the appropriate area. There’s an important crossroads point, well manged by cowbell wielding volunteers. And you run past the ancient Belvoir Oak, as well as many other fabulous trees and forest life.

Crowd:

I was there at event 4, along with 170 others. So I would expect it’ll even out around the low 100s. It’s rather volunteer heavy, that might be an issue in winter months. Great one for dogs, a bit tricky for prams or wheelchairs.

Gear:

I was tailwalking in my windproof trews, world tourist jacket and jog Lisburn hat. I also had a backpack on as I was heading downtown afterwards. Blue Hokkas. Could have done with walking poles!

Strangely Appropriate Song:

I don’t use headphones when I’m tail walking in case I need to be on the alert for urgent safety messages. But that cowbell at the crossroads was a great indicator of where I was. So here’s my favourite song featuring a cowbell.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=couldnt+get+it+right+video&&mid=F5A311B8204B10F9B14BF5A311B8204B10F9B14B&mcid=DD89E45304E54884AC237E5588560F1F&FORM=VAMGZC

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parkrun tourism: Victoria Dock

Posted on July 24, 2025 by lindaharley

parkrun#395 event #109

Reason for visit: seeing the fab-u-lous Jemima Brown in Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Access:

OK, I am notorious for being beset by travel problems, and this weekend had them writ large. Flight out on Friday afternoon (Belfast City to Luton) was delayed by an hour because of French air traffic control strike (meant the incoming plane had to take a longer route), but the airport link and train were all pretty good, and I got to London Bridge about 7, time to find my hotel (Premier Inn on Tower Bridge Road), check my route to the Bridge Theatre, chat to security guy Dominic to see where the stage door was and where I might get some flowers, get some pink roses, deposit them at stage door, and go for a kick ass Bloody Mary at The Ivy in time to see Jemima’s post that she had received the bouquet.

Saturday morning should have been a short stroll to Tower Gateway to catch the DLR, but when I got there the barriers were down, and staff told me I’d need to get a replacement bus. Hmmm, choices. Abandon parkrun and go back to hotel for a leisurely breakfast and shower? Walk to previously done parkrun tourism: Southwark? Or put my big girl pants on and find the replacement bus? I mean, how hard can it be?

Finding bus stop L was a bit of a puzzle, if you are ever looking for it it’s tucked inside the bus depot. But safely aboard I enjoyed the ride through “Call the Midwife”‘s Poplar, before alighting at Canning Town. Where I found lots of other parkrunners, and we all made the one more stop to Royal Victoria, from where you can practically see the start line.

Course:

This part of the river is heavily used by other sporty types, so the usual route as described on the web page was not feasible today. Instead we were running an out and back 3 times. Dead flat, but the surface is a bit cobbled. With all that out and backing you’ll have runners going in both directions, so a fairly strict keep left instruction is in force. London City airport is nearby, so there are frequent planes passing overhead.

Facilities:

No loos, though there are a few cafes etc dotted around for parkfaff – I had to dash off to get back and changed ready for the afternoon matinee. The start area is right beside the cable car, although it currently doesn’t start before 9 am. I ruled it out as a return journey option as I assumed it would be taking me out of my way – actually it would have joined me up with the Jubilee line so I really should have looked at a map….

Crowd:

I’d chatted to a South African runner with a 50 venues T shirt on – no, I had no matches. And then someone approached me cos of my cow cowl and said, you’re not local I take it, where are you from? When I said “Norn Irn” she said – you’re Linda aren’t you! It was none other than Cathy, who I’d met before at the NI Cowfest , also in town for a thing. I mean, it’s London, there’s always something on, so this is a big tourist friendly event. Lovely encouraging volunteers, well marshalled course. Lots of dogs!

Time:

Still hobbling and shuffling rather than running, so 50 minutes and some seconds was perfectly respectable.

Gear:

Cow cowl, With Me Now T, blue hokkas.

And the rest:

My baby sister, who resides in Oz, was also in town this weekend, so we managed to squeeze in a quick catch up over coffee, before she queued to get returns to the play wot she wrote her dissertation on.

Well Jemima is just stunning, if you get a chance to see Midsummer Night’s Dream before 20 August 2025, then go there!

My journey home on the Sunday (Stansted to International) saw me getting a bus to Liverpool Street, where there were many signs about the perils of taking the Stansted Express. But look, on the departures board there’s a Greater Anglia train, the livery of the train is GA, and the wifi on board is provided by GA. So I was rather taken aback when arriving at Stansted I was forced to pay a £50 fine as – no madam, that was in fact the Stansted Express. The fact that there was a fully staffed desk and a queue of 20 people in the same position as me reassures me this was not just me being dumb. And they were indicating on the fine ticket how you could lodge a claim. (I have lodged a claim, it has been rejected).

Boarded the plane, in the rain, stairs rolled away, and the pilot comes on to tell us that yes, it’s raining so heavily that air traffic have restricted the number of take offs to 11 per hour, and we are number 29 in the queue. So another 90 minutes was spent on board before take off ….

Seriously, never travel with me!

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parkrun tourism: Christie

Posted on June 8, 2025 by lindaharley

parkrun #392, event #107

Reason for visit: There’s been a rash of new Norn Irn parkruns opening in recent weeks, so all the regionaries are trying to once again complete the set. With a rare Friday AND Saturday off work, I took the train up to the north coast to visit my parents in Portstewart, which is only a few miles from this Coleraine venue.

Access:

The course is based around Christie park on the Strand Road.

Course:

It’s a T-shaped course run on the riverside walk by the mighty River Bann. From the start point by the underpass, go left to a turnaround point, then head the other direction to a turnaround point (which will be your half way mark), and then repeat the first turnaround. Start and finish at the same area. Tarmac path the whole way, quite narrow so there is a very strict “keep right” instruction repeated throughout. It’s very pretty down by the river, and Coleraine is famous for its Olympic rowers, so expect to see rowing teams out practising.

Facilities:

Plenty of car parking in the Riverside Retail Park, where there are also many options for loo/ cafe. There are a small number of car parking paces at Christie park itself, also a toilet block. Note – if you use the underpass/ subway route you will be on the wrong side of the busy dual carriageway to reach the retail park – please use safe crossing points.

Crowd:

Lots of familiar faces among the 150 or so attending event 4. This is the town where I went to school, so I said hi to a few old school chums as well as other parkrun friends. I did have to “shush” a chatty pair behind me during the run brief – I am constantly surprised by how often this poor etiquette is displayed. Nearby Portrush parkrun is a “no dogs” course during the summer months, so any canine pals will probably find a seasonal home here.

Gear:

I was in my blue Hokkas, waterproof leggings, had my cow cowl and 250 T shirt on, barely visible under my blue jacket. I got absolutely drenched. There is very little shelter on this path, so if there is any rain or wind you are going to feel it. Umbrellas and umbrella hats were teh order of the day!

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parkrun tourism: Tamar Lakes

Posted on November 29, 2024 by lindaharley

parkrun #381 event#104

Reason for visit: a weekend in Devon with my grandkids! The promise – a cottage by a lake, hot tub, kayaking on the lake, parkrun, aquarium, maybe a trip to the seaside……..

Access:

My son (and grandkids) live near Salisbury (plane to Southampton, train to Salisbury from the station literally across the road, there are at least 2 an hour, and you get to watch the many many freight trains on this line). Three hour drive to Devon. We were staying in a cottage in north Devon, and on Saturday morning followed the very good sat nav directions from the parkrun page.

Facilities:

Good car parking,with a marshal to direct you, but you do need to pay. Toilets. Cafe during summer hours only.

Course:

It’s a beautiful run round the Tamar lakes, crossing into Cornwall at some point, and in the beautiful autumn colours it was just a glorious way to start a Saturday morning. Pretty flat – there are one or 2 inclines which might challenge a wheelchair or buggy, but wide gravel paths all the way. Big love to the volunteers who had to pick up those spilled finish tokens in the mud!

Crowd:

Stable numbers are around the 100 mark – the weekend we were there was Storm Bert which had resulted in MULTIPLE cancellations across the country, so I thought there may be more attendees, but perhaps folk were avoiding getting stuck in flooded roads. (See later). One of thier regular runners was fundraising for an upcoming marathon, so there was a fundraising bun stand

Many gorjus doggies, including a pointy eared ginger Portuguese hound, and of course our own sprocker, Apollo.

Gear:

It was cold and windy, and I’m not running fast these days. Windproof trousers, Sauconys that I travelled in, warm Michelin jacket, and Cow Bobble..

Time:

I was supposed to be the responsible adult of an under 11, but I was far too slow for him, so I jiggedy jogged around in just over 53 minutes.

Strangely Appropriate Song On Shuffle:

OK. Let me fast forward you to the Sunday, where my return journey was spent in the back of a recovery truck, avoiding the flooded roads, gridlocked town centres, accident blocked tiny roads…..and the song on the radio was “The tide is high, but I’m holding on…”

And the rest:

Storm Bert put the kybosh on any hot tubs, kayaking, or seaside strolls. We had a few splashy puddle walks, an indoor climbing wall session, takeaway fish’n’chips, and then the van was displaying warning signs, so there was no way we were driving back.

Hence the recovery truck return journey, with my son and I exchanging awful Hamilton puns (Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now!), and us negotiating closed ring roads hence 40 minute stand offs up and down a steep hill, 33 point turns when a road was blocked by an accident, and then 10 miles form home having to take a half hour break, for understandable tachograph safety rules. Truly Unforgettable!

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Paisley Park parkrun

Posted on October 19, 2024 by lindaharley

parkrun #379 event #103

Regionnaire status regained!

The newest addition to Norn Irn’s parkruns is Paisley Park, in north Belfast. I visited on their event number 3, on a beautiful crisp sunny autumn day.

Access:

It’s in Belfast, so it will be pretty easy for locals and visitors alike to get there. Bus routes are listed on the parkrun page, but I managed to get a lift there, and met enough running chums there to arrange a lift home again (Thank you Liz and Emma!)

Facilities:

There is very little car parking on site. The area is shared with a playing pitch so there are football things happening at the same time. A few loos available in the changing rooms. No cafe on site, but a number of options nearby, including McDonalds where the team meet. Its launch was celebrated with a plaque, commemorating the breaking of a 4 minute mile here in Belfast.

Crowd:

Being fairly new, there are lots of tourists such as myself making sure we have ticked off all the events in Norn Irn, so I recognised quite a few faces. I was also “cow cowled!” by a visitor from further afield. There were 176 at this, their number 3, I’d expect that to level off around 80 in weeks to come.

Course:

I did find it a little confusing. It starts with 2 laps of the track, once on the outer lane and once on the inner, before heading past the car park onto the greenway, where 2 loops have to be run, before heading BACK to the track for a final 2 laps. I only did one of those final laps, oops!

Most of the path is tarmac, so road shoes are advised, and watch out for slippy leaves. The views, though, are stunning, over the city, and I found myself reciting Wordsworth:

Earth has not any thing to show more fair:

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:

This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

I did take lots of photos, but my stoopit iPhne is playing up and didn’t capture them. It is slightly undulating, but not overly so. But the 2 loops do mean that there are parts where there are runners going in both directions, so remember to keep left where indicated.

Gear:

I was in my usual windproof trousers, long sleeved base layer, blue T with handy zips (for my debit card, bus pass and emergency fiver), cow cowl, headband and world tourist cap. Zipped waist belt for phone. Could have done with gloves!

Time:

My official time was 41m15, but as I had inadvertently omitted the final lap that wasn’t strictly correct.

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parkrun tourism: Thames Path, Woolwich

Posted on September 17, 2024 by lindaharley

event #102 parkrun#376

Reason for visit: My daughter’s West End debut, why thank you for asking!

Access:

The meeting point is in James Clavell Square, where the statues don high viz vests so that the many visitors can find it.

The course page is very good at using “what three words”, and when I discovered that the code for this was “tulip.patch.runner”, well, there was a location with my name on it! (Have I told you about the tulips?). I was staying in theatreland, and rode one stop from Leicester Square to Tottenham Court Road, where I changed onto the lovely sparkly new Elizabeth Line (referred to by all as The Lizzy Line) to Woolwich, a journey of about 20 minutes.

The Lizzy Line has great big long trains, so I’ve never found it to be crowded (but then I’m not commuting). I did have to remind myself that parkruns in England start at 9.00, rather than the Irish and Scottish civilised 9.30s that I’m used to.

Crowd:

It’s a fairly recent addition to the London parkruns, so still attracts a lot of visitors. I got chatting to a few fellow cow cowls, as well as someone who was doing their first ever parkrun and had already invested in a barcode wristband! A few buggies and dogs, and a handful of walkers alongside speedier runners.

Course:

The original “Curly Wurly”, with a spiral section, was Somerdale Pavilion, but this course also incorporates a spiral path section in Gallions Park, with a circuit of the bench at the top. So some have christened it the “Walnut Whip”.

Aside from that part, it’s pretty flat, run mostly on the Thames path along the river, affording cracking views. Encouraging signs, featuring the swirly spiral symbol, bring a smile.

Facilities:

There are loos nearby, and any number of cafes for parkfaffing afterwards. Sadly I couldn’t stay as I was meeting J for breakfast (and therefore quite grateful of the 9.00 am start)

Gear:

It was quite a warm day, but I was in my wind-proof black trousers, turquoise top with little zippy pocket, where I kept my bank card for zapping in and out of ticket barriers, and my waist belt for phone and tissues. World tourist baseball cap and sunnies. Wore my Saucony’s for travelling in.

Time:

I am not running regularly at all these days, and was adopting a “jog a bit walk a bit” approach (did not try running up the walnut whip, but ran all the way down), so I was quite happy with a run time in the low 40s.

Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

I had so many earworms from the show the night before, and was also enjoying listening to the birdsong, and the lap of water from the rivers edge.

And the Rest:

Well, J was just amazing in the wonderfully mad, over-the-top, riot of laughs that is Why Am I So Single – it was just beautiful to watch her signing programmes at the stage door afterwards. Go see it!!!!

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parkrun toursim – The Fisherman’s Walk

Posted on June 2, 2024 by lindaharley

event #100 woohoo, full cowell

regionnaire status regained

My parkrun tourism is severely hampered these days due to 2 factors. Firstly, I have a part time job, which often requires Saturday working. Secondly, we are now a one-car family (being more environmentally friendly), but my other half needs the car on a Saturday morning. So if I DO have a Saturday off, I am reliant on the kindness of friends who can offer a lift. Step up Heather, fellow Jog Lisburner, who was my chauffeuse for the road trip to Portglenone. Thank you!

Access:

Portglenone (usually pronounced “own” but often jokingly called “one”, and in my lexicon now Port glen onehundred) is a charming little village on the north side of Lough Neagh. It has a marina, some lovely wee cafes, and a very pretty forest, famous for its bluebells. The parkrun is NOT at the forest, though, but at a riverside walk just outside the town. Good directions are given on the parkrun site, but you’ll need a car.

Facilities:

There is a small car park by the start/finish area, though runners are encouraged to leave it for other users, especially fishermen. Parking on the main street is easy enough to find. There’s also a portaloo onsite, as well as a toilet block before the bridge. Coffee afterwards in the village. The volunteers are very friendly and manage the big numbers very efficiently, and a photographer produces some excellent photos.

Course:

A lollipop shaped course with a run out to a loop, down twice. Arrows and marshals make sure you wont get lost. Cattle grids are covered with mats. No real hills to be concerned about, gravel path mostly, with the odd muddy patch. Beautiful views along the riverside.

Crowd:

It’s still the new kid on the Norn Irn block, so is very popular with those completing the NI set. I chatted to a few other Jog Lisburners, other cow cowl chums delighted to be getting another T, and ambassador Matt, with his wife Ruth who has recently celebrated her 600 volunteer milestone. What an achievement! Good course for dogs ( long hard Paddington stare at someone running with 2 dogs). The start is a little narrow, but sensible seeding with slower runners and walkers at the back reduces any congestion.

Gear:

Cow leggings, 100 volunteer shirt, black headband, blue hokkas. And of course my cow cowl. I’d had a moment of panic on Friday when I couldn’t find it, but a quick prayer to St Anthony did the trick – he can apparently even find lost cows. Blessed be the cow, and also with moo.

Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

No headphones with me, I was enjoying the birdsong. But my earworm was of course 100 miles from The Proclaimers.

And the rest:

I did of course have cake! I’m not a baker, but Sainsburys (other supermarkets are available) do a “decorate it yourself” iced Madeira. I rolled out some yellow icing and made holes in it with a bottle top. Then used a cow shaped cutter and black icing, before adding the words with an icing pencil. Small but beautifully formed, if I do say so myself!

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parkrun tourism: Jesmond Dene

Posted on May 5, 2024 by lindaharley

parkrun #372 event#99

Reason for visit: seeing the amazing Jemima Brown in a performance of award nominated Surge.

Access:

I’d never been to Newcastle before, and the journey was fairly straightforward. Well, a 7 a.m flight isn’t the easiest to negotiate, particularly with the frankly sub-standard public transport links to Aldergrove, but security and boarding were smooth and quick, and 40 minutes later we were touching down in “the Toon”. I was mightily impressed by the frequent, clean, and cheap Metro services to and from the airport, which took me (via the Jesmond stop) to Central Station, right across from the County Hotel, where I was staying. By 9 am I had dropped off my bags, done a recce wander, and by 11 I was sharing a cappuccino with darling daughter.

For Jesmond Dene parkrun, I got the metro back out to Jesmond. As it’s on the airport route, the service is quite frequent, about every 15 minutes on a Saturday, and the journey takes about 10 minutes. From the metro station, turn left, and walk all the way down Jesmond Road until you see signs for Jesmond Dene. It’s about a 15 minute walk. I got a 38 bus back into the city centre.

Facilities:

The briefing takes place near Millfield House, where there are loos and a cafe (and an ice cream van and a pets corner). When I visited there was a great market happening on Armstrong Bridge, where I enjoyed an iced latte and a granola breakfast cookie. Coats and bags can be left at the scanning area.

Course:

Oh my stars it is hilly! And has steps! And a resident puddle known as “Mr Puddle”. I’m pretty sure I also encountered Mrs Puddle as well as various Masters and Misses Puddles. But it is stunningly beautiful. Definitely no prams, and no dogs, though there were plenty of dog walkers around.

Crowd:

200 or so, I got chatting to a cow-legging wearer, and a local runner. But by the time I’d finished they had all disappeared, so I didn’t get much park-faffing.

Gear:

It was May 4th, so of course I had to wear some Star Wars clothing! I have an R2D2 dress, and Chewbacca/ Big Bang T shirt, so I wore them both. Black windproof leggings, parkrun world tourist cap, and had my cross body bag slung around me. Blue Hokkas that I’d travelled in, and was very worried about returning in, following my encounter with Mr Puddle. Dress code around here seems to be skirt the size of a hanky, and shoes like housebricks. (Not for parkrun, though. )

Strangely Appropriate Song On Shuffle:

I had no headphones with me, but was enjoying the birdsong in the trees.

Time:

I was very slowly jog walking, barely keeping ahead of the tail walker, so 51 minutes. Do I care? I’m out there taking some exercise in the fresh air.

And the Rest:

Well, I certainly made the most of my time in this friendly and scenic city! I managed to get a walk on the beach followed by fish and chips, charity shop bargain hunting, sipping a cocktail in a rooftop bar, an art gallery, science museum, castle, and of course as a bridge aficionado there are 7 unique and stunning ones to enjoy. Highly recommended!

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parkrun tourism: Montalto Estate

Posted on April 21, 2024 by lindaharley

parkrun#371 event#98

Regionaire Regained!

I’ve got a wee summer job (yay!). But it means I often have to work on Saturdays (boo). A couple of weeks ago I had a Saturday off, AND it was scheduled to be Montalto’s inaugural (yay!), But then along came Storm Olivia, and the whole estate was closed (booo). Last week they were able to have their inaugural, but I was working (boooo), but I did manage to make it to their event number 2 (yay!)

Access:

You need a car, there is no public transport option. We are currently a one-car family, and the real pinch point is that my husband needs the car each Saturday morning, where he has to be in Ballynahinch at 10 am. Handily enough, Montalto is just around the corner from the town, and those times aren’t too bad for a drop-off /pick-up for me, so I suspect Montalto Estate will become a common feature of my parkrun journey over the next few months. (On those Saturdays when I’m not working ). And as it’s dog friendly and has a great cafe, this will be no hardship!

Plenty of car parking, and it was being efficiently marshalled.

Facilities:

Super cafe, and you get to spend some time in the beautiful grounds afterwards if you aren’t rushing off. There are toilets in the courtyard, as well as in the next block along. There’s also an enclosed dog exercise area beside the car park, so Toby could have a bit of a meet’n’greet with the other pooches before setting off.

Course:

The estate is home to some charming views and gorgeous flora. But oh my it is HILLY! I was discussing with other parkrunners, and we reckon this may just be the most brutal course in Norn Irn. Brutal, but bootiful.

There’s a narrow funnel to get through before the start, and the paths are mostly gravel and not very wide. 2 laps, so there’s more room to choose your line on the second one.

Crowd:

There had been over 400 at the inaugural, with 250 when I attended. I’d expect it to level off at around 100. Lots of dogs, it’ll appeal to those who just want to take Fido for walkies. A few prams, bravely coping with those hills. And quite a few young uns. I spotted my first “bring back the stats” T shirt in the wild.

Gear:

I wore my 250 top, though the numbers are peeling off, warm trousers, cow cowl and headband. Toby was in a purple harness.

Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

I was listening to the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest entries, and was inspired by Luxembourg’s “Fighter” as I struggled on the upward sections.

Time:

I was walking the ups and running the downs (though they are so steep that it was hard to make up much time on them) So 49 mins. Hey, it looks like I’ll be revisiting a few times, so I’ll get to improve on that.

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parkrun Bushy Tails: With added Bushy!

Posted on May 14, 2017 by lindaharley

Well now.  Every parkrunner knows the story of how it all began, all those years ago with 13 runners in Bushy Park, London.

Bushy Park London

Not many people know that there are other Bushy Parks.  Including one in Dublin.  Which only recently began a parkrun there!

IMG_1590 - Copy - Copy

So along with quarter/half/full-cowelling, alphabeteering, regionairing, and spelling out words like “parkruncornetto”, parkrun tourists now have new challenge: Double Bushy.  Appropriately in Doublin.

IMG_1609

Last year I’d attended the Dublin Scottish Dance Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and used the weekend to visit Marlay Park.

Marlay Dublin

This year, I wanted to try a different parkrun, and was thrilled to discover that Bushy Dublin was a short drive away from where I was staying.

IMG_1608

Access:

The park is in Rathfarnham, and in fact the recommended car parking is at Rathfarnham Shopping Centre, which is what I plugged into my sat-nav.  It got me there, roadworks notwithsatanding, and I parked as requested in the middle, rather than encoraching on the space where the car washing folks are plying their trade.

IMG_1588 - Copy

After crossing the road, and a wee bridge into the park, I turned right, and was a bit misled by a bootcamp group that were setting up by a shelter.

IMG_1601

But I had an inkling they were not parkun, and continued my usual “wander until you see recognisable signs” meander.  I must have looked particularly puzzled, as a cyclist stopped me and asked if I was looking for the parkrun start.  Yes! I answered enthusiastically, and he replied that so was he.  We set off in search together, allowing me to utter the phrase “Follow that bike!”

IMG_1605

If I’d turned left instead of right at the bridge, I’d have been there in 100m.  But hey, made it in time!

IMG_1596

Crowd:

There were a lot of people arriving by bike, and my new friend offered to let me use his to hold my bag of post run essentials (coat, car keys, water).  A fellow 100 shirt wearer came and chatted to me, he was doing his 170th run and was quite emotional about the journey it has taken him on.  Ther were a good smattering of younger runners too.  I’d had a bit of banter with them on Facebook beforehand, and they were really friendly and chatty afterwards, and even gave me a name check in the run report!

Lots of parkruns have Duke of Edinburgh award folk doing their bit as volunteers – here it was some great chaps from Terenure Mens Sheds – thanks lads!

Facilities:

IMG_1612

There isn’t anything in the park itself.  Parking as mentioned is in the nearby shopping centre, which is also where the loos are ( I couldn’t find many of these) and also post run coffee in Partners (where customers can use the loos.  Well, Partner’s (sic) customers can use them, it’s 2 yoyos for others).

Course:

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There’s about a km along the side of the Dodder river, which can be quite slippy and has a few water channels to watch out for.  Then it’s into the park itself with 2 laps around the pond, and a little extra leg.  There’s a small bit of this extra leg which has runners going in both directions, and the turnaround point is well indicated with cones. Back out onto the riverside walk, and you know you’re 1 km from the finish line. There’s no real inclines to worry about, and the paths are wide enough to accommodate the current 100ish crowd.  The park allows dogs to be off-lead until 10-00 am, so that’s a factor to be aware of.

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Gear:

My Garmin is starting to really play up, may need to start looking at replacements.  My 100 shirt was a talking point. No other cow cowls sighted. Although the paths are all tarmc, they were slippy, and trail shoes would be a good option. As the morning had dawned mizzly I hadn’t bothered with sunglasses.  So of course the sun came out!  But the mostly tree-lined course made sure this was not a problem.

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Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

It’s Eurovision Day – I know, what am I doing away dancing and so missing the show! But I’ve been watching the semi-finals, suitably attired, and me and my running chums really enjoyed “Running On Air”.

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Time:

This is a pretty fast course, so run times are good.  Mine not so good, still suffering from some foot niggles, so I had to be content with a sub-32 result.  First in my age-cat, though!

And the rest:

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I was staying in a lovely wee Air Bnb place on Ballinteer Ave.  I enjoyed a super supper on the Friday night at the gastro-pub across the way – fish platter supreme with proper baby Guinness!

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I’d tried and failed to make these during my Euroviz party, to enjoy during Ireland’s performance.  But they wouldn’t stay separated.  Which may be a political prophecy.

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After my parkrun I explored Dundrum Town Centre, which is not the same as the town centre of Dundrum. I had the most lovely pasta dish

IMG_1613in Dunne e Crescenzi overlooking the dancing fountains.

This place ( ie shopping centre) fancies itself somewhat, and is proud of having a branch of Harvey Nicks.  Shame they can’t spell confectionary, though.

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I took a trip to Airfield, a sort of open farm / formal gardens place, and was most impressed by the stunning colours of the flowers.

The evening was taken up with the Dublin dance – 20 well chosen dances, and a fabulous supper, a truly wonderful evening.  I arrived back at my lodgings just before midnight to enjoy…..

Celebrations:

Consensus has it that the suitable celebration for running a Double Bushy is to have a double Bush – a large measure of Bushmills whiskey, from the oldest distillery in the world, and near where I grew up on the North Coast.

IMG_1619  I couldn’t find any Bush, so being in Dublin I settled for local tipple, Jamesons.

Slainte!

All My parkruns

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