169 people participate in Castlewellan parkrun’s Event No 207, 22 record new Personal Bests

Castlewellan, Northern Ireland: The Castlewellan parkrun announced the results of its Event Number 207, held on February 11, 2023. This week 169 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 15 were first-timers and 22 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 13 different clubs took part. 

“It was another beautiful morning in Castlewellan,” stated the Castlewellan parkrun authorities.

Castlewellan parkrun started on 23rd September 2017. Since then, 6,987 participants have completed 39,710 parkruns covering a total distance of 198,550 km, including 7,423 new Personal Bests. A total of 480 individuals have volunteered 4,611 times.

The first finishers this week were Ashley Crutchley (16:47) and the first-timer ever at parkrun Sinead Cope (21:41). There were milestones this week for Emma McMullan (50 – all of which have been in Castlewellan and including Event 1 on September 23 2017) and Anthony O’Kane (50 – 47 at Castlewellan and also including our first ever event!). Elish McColgan, Fergal Maguire and Michael Neeson achieved their landmark 25th park run, while Setanta Laverty completed his J10 park run. 

They gave a special mention to Charlotte Kerr, who has recently turned 4, completed her first official parkrun with her mum Angie, and despite being a little under the weather, was determined to make her debut having completed the course many times in a buggy and on foot before her barcode officially became available.

Among the visitors were parkruners from Meath, Canada and Ballyhallbert. The authorities added, “We were also delighted to welcome Gareth Armstrong from Atlas Running Club, who will be a 4:45 pacer at the Belfast Marathon later in the year. We wish him every success with this.”

Furthermore, in her briefing, RD Lorna referred to Valentine’s Day and, in this season of love, reminded of 5 of the reasons why everyone loves parkrun.

1. it is free

2. it is for everyone

3. it takes place in so many different and wonderful places

4. it gives us a great opportunity to meet new people

5. it gives us opportunities to volunteer and help others.

Linked to point 5, she also suggested that as the season of Lent is approaching, one resolution might be to volunteer at Castlewellen parkrun’s great event.

The event was made possible by 21 volunteers:

1. Bill CASH 
2. Jerome MCCRICKARD 
3. Michelle MCCANN 
4. Joe MCCANN 
5. Helen MCGINLEY 
6. Patricia HOGG 
7. Will OWENS 
8. Megan CRUDGINGTON 
9. Lorna CUNNINGHAM 
10. Vivian MURPHY 
11. Michelle GRAHAM 
12. Mark ADDIS 
13. Charles MCALINDEN 
14. Grace TRIMBLE 
15. Niamh BURNS 
16. Louis DEMPSEY 
17. Perpetua BURNS 
18. Michael KEANE 
19. Sinead REID 
20. Fiona BARR 
21. Gregory BURNS

They further updated that they have a full roster for next Saturday – February 18 (Event 208) and for Event 209 on February 25 and added, “However, our appeal for March will go live this week, and we ask people to help us to get the spaces filled.”

The female record is held by Kerry O’FLAHERTY, who recorded a time of 17:18 on December 16 2017 (event number 12).

The male record is held by Patrick MCNIFF, who recorded a time of 15:22 on August 13 2022 (event number 183).

The Age Grade course record is held by Patricia BROWN, who recorded 88.99% (21:48) on January 1 2020 (event number 117).