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Parkrun..

ultraman1

quick question in relation to parkrun,...first off i think its a great idea and is a brillant addition to running in ireland and i hope it continues to grow in many more parks in all over of ireland ...
...does anyone think that Parkrun will affect the numbers doing club run 5ks around the dublin,and if so that it will then affect a clubs ability to raise funds from those races that they depend on and so on or will the benifits of many more running every week outweigh any problems a club would have ,,,,had dis debate last night ,.....were numbers up, down or same for tombrennan5k

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diceyreilly

Be good if they had one on Paddy’s day instead.

It is a shame though. Did it twice and loved it.

robinph

Really only a major issue in the UK, and then only certain areas. Definitely something that caused issues at some events and caused other events to decide it best not to bother holding an event to avoid the hassle. Takes some organisation on a quite wide regional basis to avoid the worst congestion and potential clashes with large numbers heading from several events and converging on a single other event.

I think its a shame for other countries that they don't get to have the doubles. For example 2020 was only the second time it had been possible in the US and the first time there was more than one option for a double. Was a good way to create some excitement around the small community event of parkrun that is a very different beast than it is in the UK/ Aus/ SA and Ireland.

BeardySi

Stormont had repeatedly gotten about 800 and Orangefield 500 for new years day, thats a huge uptick for both - the event teams were expecting that though...

I suspect its more about the people racing between runs and the risk of someone causing and accident and killing themselves or someone else. Numbers can be managed to an extent, but the bad press from a fatality from someone trying to push the distance between their double would be massive.

I do remember last year someone managed to get from South Dublin to Waterford or somewhere like that - and there were a few more equally unlikely pairings in the UK...

robinph

Someone even managed the Auckland to Vancover double this year for New Year. Had been done a couple of other times but not as a legitimate double.

Sunny Dayz

I can understand their decision. A NYDD was not something I had heard of until the last 2-3 years. I think before then it wasn't really possible where we live. They were good fun but we were conscious about staying up too late or drinking too much the night before in terms of being safely able to drive that morning or even being able to run! My local parkrun doesn't go ahead on NYD as the grounds it uses are closed so it was a bit of fun and parkrun tourism for my local parkrunners. I felt bad that we couldn't stay on for chat at the first parkrun location as we had to get on the road to travel to the second. I have seen dangerous driving going from one parkrun location to the next one - my husband spoke to the driver after, I think he also let the run director of the second parkrun know. I wouldn't have liked parkrun to get reported or blamed for dangerous driving or worse an accident on NYD because of the doubling up of events.

Sunny Dayz

BeardySi wrote: »

There was an intereview with Tom Williams on one of my podcasts the other day discussing NZ reopening - it may have been Free Weekly Timed, but I can't remember - he repeatedly referred to Island of Ireland as opposed to RoI and NI parkruns.

Food for thought.

robinph wrote: »

It was on Free Weekly Timed as I just got round to listening to it last night and the same thing stuck out to me. Laying the groundwork for Eng/ Sco/ Wal tourists not getting their knickers in a twist too much when parkruns in NI return before theirs do...although most of the listeners won't know the difference between Ireland/ Northern Ireland/ island of Ireland.

I wouldn't mind actually listening back to that piece of the podcast again, I was listening to it while out for my (not)parkrun on Saturday so concentration might not have been 100%! The impression I got from it was that they feel Ireland is in a favourable position to restart sooner rather than later but that parkrun HQ won't restart parkrun in the Republic until the UK is also safe and ready.

robinph

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I wouldn't mind actually listening back to that piece of the podcast again, I was listening to it while out for my (not)parkrun on Saturday so concentration might not have been 100%! The impression I got from it was that they feel Ireland is in a favourable position to restart sooner rather than later but that parkrun HQ won't restart parkrun in the Republic until the UK is also safe and ready.

It's hard to read them at the moment. There are good reasons for opening NI and Ireland at the same time, and there are good reasons for not doing so whilst there is the chance of a mass importation of runners from GB heading over via Ryan Jet.

But while it sounded like they were thinking of ways to deal with that, the idea of Cape Pembroke (Falklands), Guernsey, Jersey, Bressay (Shetland) or Nobels (Isle of Man) events opening up wasn't considered at all likely despite it being relatively difficult to get to those locations cheaply, quickly or in big numbers and they are part of the UK region so don't dare consider to have separate parts of the UK opening at different times.

Sunny Dayz

robinph wrote: »

But while it sounded like they were thinking of ways to deal with that, the idea of Cape Pembroke (Falklands), Guernsey, Jersey, Bressay (Shetland) or Nobels (Isle of Man) events opening up wasn't considered at all likely despite it being relatively difficult to get to those locations cheaply, quickly or in big numbers and they are part of the UK region so don't dare consider to have separate parts of the UK opening at different times.

I think there would be uproar with UK parkrun diehards if certain regions of the UK restarted before others.

robinph

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I think there would be uproar with UK parkrun diehards if certain regions of the UK restarted before others.

Despite there being a general lack of knowledge about where Dublin and Belfast are I think it would be an easier sell to those parkrun fanatics if they started The Falklands event without the rest of the UK than if any Belfast or even Dublin events started without them.

Seannew1

Another parkrun update from Tom Williams. Doesn't really say anything."we know that reopening our events (or keeping them closed) at a given time will be controversial in the eyes of some members of our community. Not because they’re wrong and we’re right, but because with a global family numbering seven million people there will be healthy differences of opinion".

Murph_D

A global family and a global pandemic that is not yet under control. It’s not a great place to be for TW or anyone else in parkrun HQ. The ‘brand’ will be OK without rushing into anything. People can still get out and run in groups with their friends.

robinph

Anyone wanting to see a parkrun actually happening, a real one, not a (not) parkrun, not a freedom run, not a virtual run but an actual genuine parkrun... then tune into this page at 8:15pm tonight and see Pegasus parkrun in New Zealand happening:

https://www.facebook.com/WithMeNowPodcast/

Tigerandahalf

A new parkrun seems to be starting in Achill, Co. Mayo on the greenway. An out and back course. I guess nothing will happen until Covid restrictions are lifted but it should be a popular one especially around the summer.
https://www.parkrun.ie/achillgreenway/

The surface looks like it is tarred.

Looking now there seems to be a couple of others coming on stream too.
Youghal and Grand Canal Way Parkrun in Tullamore.
https://www.parkrun.ie/pobalscoilnatrionoide/
https://www.parkrun.ie/thegrandcanalway/

Pawwed Rig

Great to hear about Tullamore. I always wondered why the canal was not utilised more. Edenderry could easily manage a parkrun on their section too

Dudda

Looking at streetview on google maps the Achill Island Greenway Parkrun will be one of the nicest parkruns in Ireland during the summer but one of the most depressing windy exposed ones on a wet day. It's very exposed on the edge of the Atlantic.

robinph

Latest update from parkrun UK.

https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2020/07/28/covid-19-coronavirus-update-28-july/

Obviously they are talking about UK road running recommendations but as I can't see Ireland starting without NI it's good to see them finally acknowledge that waiting until the whole of the UK can start at the same time isn't all that sensible. Signs that they might bring some events back in some areas before others which is fantastic.

Seannew1

robinph wrote: »

Latest update from parkrun UK.

https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2020/07/28/covid-19-coronavirus-update-28-july/

Obviously they are talking about UK road running recommendations but as I can't see Ireland starting without NI it's good to see them finally acknowledge that waiting until the whole of the UK can start at the same time isn't all that sensible. Signs that they might bring some events back in some areas before others which is fantastic.

Great news alright, although surely a lot of bureaucracy to come through??
We are in a predicament here if we need to stay in phase 3 with the 200 people outdoors though.

lanod2407

Seannew1 wrote: »

Great news alright, although surely a lot of bureaucracy to come through??
We are in a predicament here if we need to stay in phase 3 with the 200 people outdoors though.

With a pandemic I'm sure it'll be important that we put the interests of society and people's safety first. I'd struggle to see 100 people grouping for a 5k run with all that goes with the exertion, perspiring and breathing.
I'd also be concerned that people would travel far if they saw a parkrun scheduled. How do you control numbers?
You could limit it to people's home parkrun, but could one just change their home designation to one that's scheduled?

robinph

lanod2407 wrote: »

With a pandemic I'm sure it'll be important that we put the interests of society and people's safety first. I'd struggle to see 100 people grouping for a 5k run with all that goes with the exertion, perspiring and breathing.
I'd also be concerned that people would travel far if they saw a parkrun scheduled. How do you control numbers?
You could limit it to people's home parkrun, but could one just change their home designation to one that's scheduled?

There are issues around the restarting of parkrun, but exertion and sweating are not ones that anyone should be concerned about any more than they were previously.

Controlling numbers is a concern and why they have diverted from their previous stance of each country only starting back up at the same time. But what the restart in New Zealand showed was that despite people on social media being desperate to get back parkrunning again the number of people actually turning up has just been the same as were turning up before the lockdown. What they need to make sure doesn't happen is that only one event re-opens in Dublin for example, or only events just outside of Dublin for some reason as you then do get a large number of parkrunners travelling. They also need NI and Ireland to start at the same time, and both governments to be behind it, as it will be a big bit of publicity and they need it not to go wrong or for only one area be restarting whilst the other is locked down.

Nobody really cares if England/ Wales/ Scotland start at a different pace to Ireland/ NI though.

Ceepo

lanod2407 wrote: »

With a pandemic I'm sure it'll be important that we put the interests of society and people's safety first. I'd struggle to see 100 people grouping for a 5k run with all that goes with the exertion, perspiring and breathing.

While taking the point that 100 or so people might be on the start line. The rest is a mute point.
In the vast majority of case people would be in far less proximity to each other after a few 100m that we see over the past 2 weeks playing some sports where there is actually physical contact.
We see fied sports and cycling clubs up and down the country are able to get on with their sports, and yet we don't have races back on, save for 2 or 3 that I know of.

Regarding limiting the numbers turning up. Their are many ways this can be achieved. From online entry, to limitations on a radius can be from the event etc etc.
If there's a will to hold an event then there's a way to hold it in a safe and responsible way..

Time people started coming up with solutions on how to get athletics back up and running (pun intended) instead of looking for reasons not too.......

Seannew1

Ceepo wrote: »

While taking the point that 100 or so people might be on the start line. The rest is a mute point.
In the vast majority of case people would be in far less proximity to each other after a few 100m that we see over the past 2 weeks playing some sports where there is actually physical contact.
We see fied sports and cycling clubs up and down the country are able to get on with their sports, and yet we don't have races back on, save for 2 or 3 that I know of.

Regarding limiting the numbers turning up. Their are many ways this can be achieved. From online entry, to limitations on a radius can be from the event etc etc.
If there's a will to hold an event then there's a way to hold it in a safe and responsible way..

Time people started coming up with solutions on how to get athletics back up and running (pun intended) instead of looking for reasons not too.......

Well said. Look at popupraces holding races again with social distancing, also IMRA make participants wear a mask for the start of their races. Practical ideas are what's needed to get events up and running again.

Sunny Dayz

robinph wrote: »

Latest update from parkrun UK.

https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2020/07/28/covid-19-coronavirus-update-28-july/

Obviously they are talking about UK road running recommendations but as I can't see Ireland starting without NI it's good to see them finally acknowledge that waiting until the whole of the UK can start at the same time isn't all that sensible. Signs that they might bring some events back in some areas before others which is fantastic.

A parkrun podcast I listened to a while ago had hinted that Ireland was in a better position than the UK in terms of Covid handling but that they couldn't start back Ireland and not the UK due to the risk of numbers travelling. So if there are positive whispers of the UK parkruns returning, I'd imagine it will be UK/NI/Ire all returning together. That's also probably a lot of work for HQ to have such a large number events start back on the one morning.

robinph

Think parkrun will have been kicking themselves that they haven't been able to get up and running already, not that they could so far. The last couple of days media in the UK have been covering Boris Johnsons plans to make the nation healthier after he noticed that him being overweight wasn't the best for when he went into hospital with Covid...

...but that meant that cycling was being talked about in terms of being prescribed by GP's as a health intervention in the news and so parkrun which has been doing lots of work with GP surgeries for the last couple of years to get parkrun prescribed for people has missed out on the publicity there. parkrun did all the ground work with the concept of prescribing activity and then cycling comes along as takes it away from them.

Seannew1

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

A parkrun podcast I listened to a while ago had hinted that Ireland was in a better position than the UK in terms of Covid handling but that they couldn't start back Ireland and not the UK due to the risk of numbers travelling. So if there are positive whispers of the UK parkruns returning, I'd imagine it will be UK/NI/Ire all returning together. That's also probably a lot of work for HQ to have such a large number events start back on the one morning.

We definitely are in a better position to restart events given how well we have done in comparison to UK. However, Ireland has been much more conservative in re-opening country as opposed to UK and this may be reflected again here.

average_runner

Seannew1 wrote: »

We definitely are in a better position to restart events given how well we have done in comparison to UK. However, Ireland has been much more conservative in re-opening country as opposed to UK and this may be reflected again here.

Both Ireland and UK are watching the increases in the virus in Europe. So I can't see parkrun happening this year.

ger664

It just is not as simple as lets start parkrun up again. Times have changed

Each event will require a covid-19 officer hands up who wants to be that person for their local event

Temperature checks of participants 2 or 3 more volunteers at the start with extra equipment required

No bar code(no longer no time) but make yourself known to the RD so they can get your contact details. GDPR and submitting that info to HQ ? more work for an event team

Personally I miss my Saturday morning parkrun experience but the COVID19 requirements probably needed to run an event wlll be a far cry form the original ethos of friends turning up to run as timed 5K and have coffee afterwards.

robinph

ger664 wrote: »

Temperature checks of participants 2 or 3 more volunteers at the start with extra equipment required

No bar code(no longer no time) but make yourself known to the RD so they can get your contact details. GDPR and submitting that info to HQ ? more work for an event team

Do you think they will actually restart with those requirements still in place from the government?

parkrun can't control who lines up at their start lines, or who might join in or leave part way round. Can't see them taking responsibility for doing those checks as it would require them to have far more control over who is in the park space than they would want to have.

average_runner

ger664 wrote: »

It just is not as simple as lets start parkrun up again. Times have changed

Each event will require a covid-19 officer hands up who wants to be that person for their local event

Temperature checks of participants 2 or 3 more volunteers at the start with extra equipment required

No bar code(no longer no time) but make yourself known to the RD so they can get your contact details. GDPR and submitting that info to HQ ? more work for an event team

Personally I miss my Saturday morning parkrun experience but the COVID19 requirements probably needed to run an event wlll be a far cry form the original ethos of friends turning up to run as timed 5K and have coffee afterwards.

They could do.what the gaa does. A website where you declared you taken your kids or your own temp.

For now we could load your own time up to the website. No need for barcode.

DeepBlue

average_runner wrote: »

For now we could load your own time up to the website. No need for barcode.

That currently exists with the not parkun (and previously with the freedom run) option. There's very low take up on it.

robinph

DeepBlue wrote: »

That currently exists with the not parkun (and previously with the freedom run) option. There's very low take up on it.

It takes some pretty determined social media wrangling to have any decent take up of the (not) parkrun concept or the virtual parkruns that individual events took it upon themselves to organise from the outset. Some event have done very well and managed to engage their existing community and even expand their local awareness of parkrun during the lockdown, others not so much. It takes a lot of effort though.

Was great that parkrun released their (not) parkrun website tweak, but they could have done with it far sooner. In some aspects I think they all just popped down The Winchester, had a pint and were waiting for it all to blow over, in others they were very quick off the mark in instantly creating the quizes and pumping out loads of content on the social media.