Aaron first in at forest park

Aaron first in at forest park

18 March 2020

FOLLOWING advice and instruction of Parkrun UK, Castlewellan Parkrun went ahead as planned on Saturday. 

We did take measures to ensure that the well-being of our volunteers and participants was prioritised.

Plastic reusable cups were not used, people brought their own water, equipment was sanitised before the event, volunteers handling equipment wore protective gloves, the finish area, traditionally a hub of activity and banter was quickly cleared as finishers were scanned and returned their tokens and there were no post-run refreshments. 

We will keep up to date with developments and update our social media platforms as and when we need to. In light of a rapidly changing situation, we recommend that people consult our Facebook page through the week.

This week 263 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 63 were first timers and 42 recorded new personal bests. Representatives of 24 different clubs took part.

Our first finishers this week were Aaron McGrady (15:55 – the third fastest time ever at our event) and Sam McNeilly (22:01 – her fifth time as first female finisher).

Well done to first-timer Christopher Hamilton, who completed his 350th parkrun and he has yet to reach his 25th birthday. Well done also to Ronnie Forsythe and Sean Keown, who became the latest members of our red T-shirt posse by completing his 50th parkrun. 

Ronnie has completed 46 of these in Castlewellan and Sean 37. We had some tourists today from Coventry and Dundalk as well as visiting groups from Belfast Running Club and Kilkeel Couch to 5k

The event was made possible by 21 volunteers, led by run director Danny O’Boyle, Ernest Hall, Bill Cash, Gillian McNiff, Danny O’Boyle, Joe McCann, Michelle McCann, Helen McGinley, Dave Wilson, Patrick Smith, Suzy Smith, Julie Healy, Megan Crudgington, Rebecca McCann, Philomena Morgan, Julie Cunningham, Dan Mitchell, Sean McCashin, Charles McAlinden, James Elliott, Guy Crichton and Matthew McCartan.