Ireland reaches one millionth parkrun
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 6 April 2018
- Last updated on: 27 May 2019
On Saturday morning April 7th, participants at parks and open spaces across the country will mark Ireland’s one millionth parkrun. parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs that are open and accessible to everyone. One of the flagship initiatives supported by Healthy Ireland, parkrun Ireland began in November 2012 and is part of a global movement that spans 20 countries.
Minister of State for Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne TD will mark the occasion at a special event at one of Ireland’s newest parkrun venues in Brickfields in Drimnagh.
The Minister commented:
“Reaching the one millionth milestone is a fantastic achievement for all involved across the island and I am delighted to congratulate the people who have made this happen. The local and community spirit of volunteering is visibly alive.”
“Promoting physical activity and getting people out and about across the country is a step that is crucial in creating a healthier Ireland and the parkrun initiative allows people of all abilities get involved. The benefits of accessible, enjoyable and sociable physical activity can lead not only to improved physical health but also to better mental health and general wellbeing. I look forward to seeing people across the country get out this Saturday morning for a run or a walk. Let’s keep moving towards a healthier Ireland.”
parkrun Ireland Country Manager Matt Shields said:
“Our global mission is to help create a healthier and happier planet, which complements the National Physical Activity Plan for an active, healthy population in Ireland. The milestone of one million parkruns is a great contribution to this vision and involves people of all ages and abilities."
Matt Shields continued:
“We are grateful to our partners and sponsors of parkrun in Ireland including: Vhi – the presenting partner of parkrun, Healthy Ireland, Intersport and Philip Lee Solicitors as well as the HSE, Athletics Ireland and Sport Ireland.”
“We have lots of new initiatives coming that will help us to engage even more with underrepresented groups, who often have the most to gain from regular physical activity and volunteering, I look forward to the next million parkruns and the contribution we can make to a healthy Ireland.”
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
The Healthy Ireland Framework is a Government-led initiative which aims to create an Irish society where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health, and where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society. The Healthy Ireland campaign focus is that ‘small changes can make a big difference to a person’s physical and mental health and wellbeing’ and can include positive choices such as eating healthier, being more active or minding our mental health.
Set up in Ireland in 2012, parkrun now has 76 events nationwide for adults and 13 for juniors. parkrun recently extended its events to Brickfield and Darndale in Dublin and Moyross in Limerick.
Find a parkrun venue near you: http://www.parkrun.ie/events/events/.
To register for parkrun: http://www.parkrun.ie/register/.
The event at Brickfields will also be attended by the other sponsors and partners of parkrun in Ireland, including: VHI, the presenting partner of parkrun, Intersport and Philip Lee Solicitors as well as the HSE, Athletics Ireland and Sport Ireland.