Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Bere Island ParkRun numbers hit new high with Sonia O'Sullivan visit

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Bere Island ParkRun numbers hit new high with Sonia O'Sullivan visit

One of the most scenic Parkruns in the country must be the one on Bere Island in West Cork. As you might expect, the numbers are pretty small most weeks but last Saturday, they had a visit from Sonia O'Sullivan which helped to boost the numbers.



From the organisers....Last Saturday December 6th was another great day on Bere Island with the visit of Olympic silver medalist Sonia O'Sullivan, parkrun founder Paul Sinton Hewitt and the running Guru Noel Berkeley. Bere Island is new to parkrun and the parkrunners here were delighted to welcome these inspirational people to run here. The parkrun that morning attracted the biggest crowd to date of 95 parkrunners. It was great to meet up with Matt and Ruth Shields of parkrun Ireland who gave us a lot of help and support to get our parkrun going, Matt set another great time that morning while Ruth handed out the finishing tokens with the volunteers. It was fantastic to see people from every walk of life on the startline, which included Olympians, national runners, recreational runners, pensioners and children with the man that started it all, waiting for the shout to be off. We also had navy personnel taking part from the L.E. Roisin and they added some festive cheer with their santa hats. All our record holders were in attendance on the day, Hannah Oldroyd, Steve Darby and Alex Posthumus and well done to Hannah for creating a new record that day. The parkrun participants ended up as usual in the Bake House Cafe in Rerrin village and were treated to tea/coffee, scones, lemon drizzle cake and apple tart. Delicious!! Sonia O'Sullivan also presented certs to 3 of our junior parkrunners, Molly Sullivan, Michelagh Murphy and Laura Walsh for completing 10 parkruns, well done to them, they will be great runners in the future.

The Bere Island 5k Parkrun is held every Saturday morning and it's free. If you are doing a Parkrun for the first time then you need to pre-register. Full details at http://www.parkrun.ie/bereisland/

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