Parkrun Ireland, Athletics Ireland, Irish Sports Council and Phillip Lee

emerald007

http://www.philiplee.ie/minister-for-health-announces-new-partnership-initiative-and-e100000-in-funding/

I saw this last week and was wondering where/how the 100,000e will be spent?. As i understand the parkrun model, the initial setup costs are about 3,000e per event. The grass roots groups who run the parkruns have gotten local sponsorship to get the event up and running. Is the expectation that AAI clubs will now step into the breach and setup new parkrun's around the country?

robinph

That is great that there is funding available, but it doesn't really fit with the parkrun theory of organic growth. Don't try and force a parkrun on people or you'll end up without the volunteers to actually run the event. The local community has to support it, and more than just the nearest running club helping out.

youngrun

emerald007 wrote: »

http://www.philiplee.ie/minister-for-health-announces-new-partnership-initiative-and-e100000-in-funding/

I saw this last week and was wondering where/how the 100,000e will be spent?. As i understand the parkrun model, the initial setup costs are about 3,000e per event. The grass roots groups who run the parkruns have gotten local sponsorship to get the event up and running. Is the expectation that AAI clubs will now step into the breach and setup new parkrun's around the country?

I heard 6/7k to set up? But usually part funded by councils etc ? or parkrun itself probably via its own sponsors. http://corkrunning.blogspot.ie/2013/01/time-for-parkruns-in-cork.html.

Assuming this is the case and an organiser needs 50% /3k to set up, then 100k /3k is 33 more parkruns I guess?

'Last week events 30 and 31 started in Dundalk and Killarney and next month we will see Athlone and Castleblayney starting 4th July. Four other locations are also close to announcement plus we are working on our first junior parkrun. The future is bright so if you want to get involved get in touch.' From Parkrun site , thats 8 in a month.
Good going.
Has it reached saturation point yet ? Is it affecting other races? Or is it all good for athletics?

emerald007

I read that the phillip lee sponsorship is focused towards enabling the SMS service for Irish races and isn't really linked to setting up new event locations. I suppose I understood that parkrun was based around and grew from local communities. Where did the decision at an organisation level within parkrun get made?

youngrun

emerald007 wrote: »

I read that the phillip lee sponsorship is focused towards enabling the SMS service for Irish races and isn't really linked to setting up new event locations. I suppose I understood that parkrun was based around and grew from local communities. Where did the decision at an organisation level within parkrun get made?

I guess the P Lee money covers part of the cost. Parkrun is a company, not for profit. http://www.parkrun.org.uk/aboutus/organisation/. Has an Irish master franchise/organiser http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/471969-parkrun-more-than-just-a-run-in-the-park/?photo=2. Assume between the UK and Matt here the major decisions are taken...

BeepBeep67

I'm in 2 minds regarding the funding.

1. I love to see people out running and the organic growth of parkrun has been amazing. Plus I've had an enjoyable experience at the 4 parkruns I've done (Bushy UK, Marley, Malahide and Shanganagh). Agree with the comment above re not forcing it, you need a committed bunch of volunteers, that needs to have depth to be sustainable.

2. Being involved in local Athletics and events such as F4L, plus a few commercial ones, parkrun has an impact on those.

I would welcome greater collaboration between AAI and parkrun, there could be some decent runners uncovered as this expands and AAI investing in some type of process to share the benefits of club membership for those that are interested.

On a side note a colleague of mine who moved stateside was involved in parkrun over here has found it quite difficult to get one established over there.
The parks authorities are revenue generating organisations and don't understand the concept of doing something for free for the benefit of the community and likewise local runners don't get it's free and I don't get a t shirt and a medal, they would prefer to pay $40.

wrstan

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

On a side note a colleague of mine who moved stateside was involved in parkrun over here has found it quite difficult to get one established over there.
The parks authorities are revenue generating organisations and don't understand the concept of doing something for free for the benefit of the community and likewise local runners don't get it's free and I don't get a t shirt and a medal, they would prefer to pay $40.

Where's the good Doctor when we need some words of wisdom!