Latest news with #Parkrun
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Athletics star David Gillick encouraging anyone struggling with fitness or isolation to join free Parkrun coaching, after event became his ‘therapy'
Register at and access six-weeks of coaching to run – with walkers and volunteers also welcome Former Olympic sprinter David Gillick says his weekend Parkrun became part of his 'therapy' after he experienced a huge comedown when he retired from athletics. Now he wants anyone struggling with fitness or isolation to sign up for free Parkrun coaching to improve their physical and mental health. Gillick (42), from Ballinteer, south Dublin, experienced depression after he retired from elite athletics 11 years ago. But the former 400m runner – who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – won't forget the impact the VHI Parkrun at Dublin's Marlay Park had on him two years after he retired from athletics. Back then, he felt unable to run due to a mental block and an identity crisis. 'When I retired from elite athletics, I didn't want to run for two years,' said Gillick, who is a VHI ambassador. 'I went through counselling. I felt like I'd lost my identity because I'd been running since I was seven. It was part of me.' The athlete is today helping to launch Your Happy Pace, a VHI initiative to get as many people as possible participating in Parkruns from this September. Gillick pushed himself to go to Parkrun at Marlay Park, after repeatedly battling with himself about whether it was something he should do. The experience was transformative. 'It became like part of my therapy,' Gillick said. The release of endorphins was amazing and I felt good about myself again 'I was in Marlay Park, where my athletics club was. I had the label 'I'm an Olympian, that I can do every event great'. 'But it wasn't the case. After the first one, I died. I thought I could stay with the others but I couldn't. I ran a 5k in probably 25 minutes. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'I expected more but even after feeling I'd not done enough, I realised I was out in the air, I was with my wife Charlotte, I was among people and I was already starting to feel better. "We grabbed a coffee and I was set up for the day. The release of endorphins was amazing and I felt good about myself again. 'I wanted to better myself and I was eating and sleeping again. It was a massive benefit to me.' Gillick is set to release his memoir, The Race, in October, which will track his entire career and the world of Irish athletics. But right now, he's launching free places available for a six-week couch-to-Parkrun programme in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kilkenny, and Donegal. This is part of his life after athletics – and he says he's keen to help make society a better place. The programme, beginning on September 1, will give participants a training plan supplemented by weekly in-person training with a qualified coach at one of six selected parkrun locations nationwide. Gillick says he understands some people feel out of place when it comes to running. But he assured interested applicants, 'there will be someone there to support you every step of the way'. There's coaches on board, webinars and WhatsApp groups, to help runners. And the public don't have to run, they can walk or volunteer. The initiative is about 'building community, helping physical and mental health and ending isolation'. There'll be people with you every step 'This is about physical and mental health. It's not to put pressure on people to see how fast they run. This is geared towards people who were never involved in parkrun. 'Maybe you might be a bit intimidated, you might not want to go and feel maybe you'll be isolated and left behind. 'That won't be the case. There'll be people with you every step. We want to target people who aren't Parkrunners. 'We want people to embrace it. Maybe you'll ease your way into a jog, who knows.' Gillick still attends the Marlay Park Parkruns and he's witnessed young people increasingly coming to the events. But there's older people too, sometimes volunteering. The events help provide opportunities for people to meet others and form friendships. 'This type of coaching would cost so much if you paid for it, so it's just great,' he said. 'For me, it's about creating an environment we want to live in, where we want our kids to grow up in. An environment where there's opportunities and fun, a chance for people to be happier and take those initiatives because I've gone through it – feelings of isolation and feeling lost. 'And I know the impact running had on my life and what it can do for others, too. We can all play our part in making life better. And tell your friends and family about this too.' Register at There are up to 50 places available at each of the following Parkrun locations, with applicants notified in advance. The locations are: Poolbeg Parkrun, Ringsend, south Dublin; UCG Parkrun, Co Galway; Ballincollig Parkrun, Co Cork; Mungret Parkrun, Co Limerick; Kilkenny Parkrun, Castle Park, Co Kilkenny; Letterkenny Parkrun, Co Donegal.
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Nick Griggs wins silver at European U23 Championships
NICK GRIGGS HAS won another medal for Ireland at the European U23 Championships in Norway. The Tyrone 20-year-old secured silver in the 5000m in a time of 13:45.80. Netherlands' Niels Laros stormed to victory in 13:44.74. Advertisement It's Griggs' latest achievement as he continues a stunning underage career. The Candour Track Club star won U23 silver at the European Cross Country Championships in Turkey last December, adding to his U20 bronze from the previous edition. He also set the all-time record for Parkrun last year, having also had some memorable days on the track. Griggs' Candour training partner, Callum Morgan, finished 10th in 13:53.18, while Abdel Laadjel withdrew before the start of the race. It's silver for Nick! 🥈 Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) wins silver in the Men's 5000m at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway 🤩 ⏱️ 13:45.80 WOW 🤯#IrishAthletics #Bergen2025 @Ask123ie — Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 19, 2025 Last night, Anika Thompson and Nicola Tuthill made history for Ireland as they medalled in Bergen. Thompson took gold in the women's 10000m final, becoming just the second ever Irish athlete to top the podium at the championships, while Tuthill claimed a maiden field success for her country, winning the hammer throw.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
Parkrun cancelled after runner finds dead body in recreation ground near Cheltenham Racecourse
A PARKRUN has been cancelled at the last minute after a dead body was discovered on the grounds, close to Cheltenham Racecourse. The running event in Pittville Park, Cheltenham, was called off after a jogger made the tragic discovery this morning, shortly before 9am. Police were called and a cordon was put in place in the surrounding area. A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "A scene guard is in place at Pittville Park in Cheltenham this morning (Saturday 12 July) following a sudden death. "We were called at 8.50am with a report that a body had been discovered by a member of the public. "The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious at this time." Parkrun organisers made a post on Facebook this morning that confirmed the cancellation of the event - which was due to begin at 9am. It read: "Due to unforeseen circumstances in the park we had to cancel Cheltenham parkrun this morning. "If you have been affected by this and you would like support please email Cheltenham@ . is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I have little sight but I still keep running'
A severely sight impaired woman from Jersey who relies on running guides is due to take part in her 250th Parkrun later. Jenny Stafford completed her first Parkrun in 2016 and, along with a guide and her guide dog Nan, is planning to participate in the milestone run at Quennevais Sports Centre. Ms Stafford has retinitis pigmentosa which means she sees very little and is just about able to distinguish daylight from night. She said: "I couldn't do it without a guide so I'm really appreciative of all of the guides who have been guiding me since my first run and continue to come along and guide me." More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Since December 2016, there has been a co-ordinated a rota of about 25 volunteer guides to help Ms Stafford around the 5km (3.1 miles) course. Ms Stafford said: "I wouldn't be able to get to my 250th run without every one of them who has given up their Saturday morning to come and guide me. "I have very little sight - I just see bright lights. "It's all about communication, just talking and telling me about what obstacles there are." She encouraged anyone else with a sight impairment who might be interested in Parkrun to "come along and have a go". "You don't need to be super fit to take part in Parkrun, you can walk it at your own pace and there are plenty of friendly people willing to guide," she said. "I've made some really good friends through Parkrun. "I wouldn't have been able to get to my 250 without every one of them who has given up their Saturday morning to guide me." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Charity hopes more people will learn Braille Parkrun volunteer hopes to inspire others to help White cane users walk to highlight challenges Jersey Parkrun
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sight impaired woman to take part in her 250th Jersey Parkrun
A severely sight impaired woman from Jersey who relies on running guides is due to take part in her 250th Parkrun Stafford completed her first Parkrun in 2016 and, along with a guide and her guide dog Nan, is planning to participate in the milestone run at Quennevais Sports Stafford has retinitis pigmentosa which means she sees very little and is just about able to distinguish daylight from said: "I couldn't do it without a guide so I'm really appreciative of all of the guides who have been guiding me since my first run and continue to come along and guide me." Since December 2016, there has been a co-ordinated a rota of about 25 volunteer guides to help Ms Stafford around the 5km (3.1 miles) Stafford said: "I wouldn't be able to get to my 250th run without every one of them who has given up their Saturday morning to come and guide me."I have very little sight - I just see bright lights."It's all about communication, just talking and telling me about what obstacles there are." 'Plenty of friendly people' She encouraged anyone else with a sight impairment who might be interested in Parkrun to "come along and have a go". "You don't need to be super fit to take part in Parkrun, you can walk it at your own pace and there are plenty of friendly people willing to guide," she said."I've made some really good friends through Parkrun."I wouldn't have been able to get to my 250 without every one of them who has given up their Saturday morning to guide me."
