Dunleath parkrun plans edging closer

Dunleath parkrun plans edging closer

1 December 2021

DETAILS of Downpatrick’s first ever parkrun event are being finalised, it has emerged.

Dunleath Park is being lined up to host the event and while no date has been confirmed, it is hoped that it will take place next year after Newry, Mourne and Down Council agreed to provide financial support to organisers.

The exact level of local authority support is currently being finalised and it is hoped that once the date of the 5K event and the venue have been formally confirmed that the parkrun will become an annual event for runners of all abilities.

Hugely popular across the globe, the proposed Downpatrick parkrun also has the potential to provide the local economy with a boost.

Downpatrick Town Committee is behind the ambitious plan for the new parkrun which it believes will bring the local community closer together and may encourage people who have never run before to get out and enjoy themselves in an event where there is no time limit and no one finishes last.

Last month, the Town Committee issued an online appeal for “enthusiastic and committed volunteers” to come forward to help get the parkrun up and running and it’s hoped that the parkrun could become a weekly event and attract people from across the district to enhance their health and enjoy the great outdoors. 

Downpatrick area councillor Gareth Sharvin has welcomed the progress on establishing a parkrun event at Dunleath Park.

He said parkruns have become popular with runners and walkers alike across the country and keen participants in the Downpatrick area have been planning the establishment of a similar event in the county town.

Cllr Sharvin confirmed that he recently requested an update from Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Active and Healthy Communities department on the progress of establishing the parkrunand providing financial support to the group setting up the event.

“I am happy to report that the financial contribution and approach has been agreed between all stakeholders and officers are working with the parkrun organisers to finalise the details,” he said.

“With this great news, it should not be long until we have our first parkrun event in Downpatrick, utilising the new trail around Dunleath.”

Cllr Sharvin added: “A parkrun will also bring people from outside the area into Downpatrick spending locally in our shops and cafes, adding to our great array of social and leisure activities on offer.”

News that Dunleath Park could host the parkrun comes after recent confirmation that major investment is planned for this part of the town.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is planning to create a series of new facilities, including a dedicated running track, while also in the pipeline are a cycling pump track, skateboarding track, improved planting and a new play park.

In addition, soccer and GAA pitches are in line for an upgrade as part of  the plan to transform Dunleath Park into a sporting and recreational hub.

It’s understood that the area earmarked for the proposed pump track, skateboard track and play park sit outside the park’s floodplain and will enable the local authority to move faster in putting a business case together and progress towards securing capital funding. 

The need for new 3G or 4G pitches — which can be used all year round — at Dunleath Park also been highlighted with council officials asked to investigate the potential for this particular investment to happen.