Introduction

This blog post details my two visits to Bushy parkrun (Dublin). It was so beautiful I had to run it twice. On my first visit in May 2022 we were newlyweds fresh from our honeymoon still moving up to Dublin and I didn’t take Bushy (Dublin) parkrun in properly. In Sept when I returned whilst Julie was in Madrid visiting her sister I felt Bushy (Dublin) deserved a second run to take it in. I was not disappointed on either visit. If anything this will probably become our new home parkrun.

Journey to parkrun

I ran down to Bushy park on my two visits so far. I’ll probably keep doing this regularly going forward to squeeze in some extra miles. If the budget 2023 goes for €9 a month on public transport we might see parkrunners arriving by the bus load every Saturday morning. For me though if I can’t run down to Bushy I’ll cycle.

Journey to parkrun Glory

At the time of writing this piece I have completed 29 out of my goal of 40 parkruns in a calendar year my previous record is 33 in a calendar year in 2019.

Course

The parkrun course starts with a 1 km dead straight sprint then hang a left up the hill, around by the pond, past the back of the ampitheatre and into the wilderness eventually looping back to the pond. You run around the pond and the wilderness section twice and then exit right just off the pond back to the same straight you came down at the start. The start and finish are the exact same when you’re on the 2 laps of the pond and wilderness keep right.

I found this parkrun so well marshalled you couldn’t go wrong. For me I met a marshal so often it felt like we were having a chat. I’d say thanks and they’d say “keep right and strong there”, “or ask second lap done? Turn right here” or “that’s strong running keep going”.

The 1 kilometere stretch at the start and on your return sprint finish has wet patches. My first visit in May 2022 was a blaze of sunshine and it was still wet here. I doubt that changes much year round having also visited at the end of September 2022. Keep an eye out for those when you visit but don’t let it stop you the worst that will happen is slightly wet socks.

Updated Course

In July 2023 Niall formed a Bushy whatsapp group. I thought he was just getting his crew of volunteers into an informal chat to make it easy to volunteer. He had a little bad news. Bushy park had a tree fallen the most recent of many. The council deemed the trail dangerous and parkrun would be cancelled for at least one week whilst an alternative route was finalised. To be fair Niall, Brian, Reg and Declan got the new rout signed off for the August bank holiday weekend. A remarkable piece of volunteering considering the steps that need to be signed off. Dublin City Council needed to agree to the route then parkrun HQ. This proposal could easily pass through 30 - 40 people each with their own area of concern.

Anyway enough political ramble what is course like now? Cross country brilliance. The first morning was avtypical Irish wet one. The first kilometer is the same basically follow the flow of Dodder until you arch left and land at the pond. Still following the old route left but instead of heading passed the red bridge into the trail where the trees are trying to kill head right and up the hill. Yes panto crowd of readers Bushy parkrun Dublin now has a hill. After you’ve sworn a few times getting up the hill head right towards the skate park and then hairpin left to the back of the tennis courts, left along by Sportsworld Running club and then off towards the apartments on the far side of the park. from there it’s a left and into the woodland that isn’t trying to fall on you and then suddenly you’re at the back of the play ground, hang a right at the hill and then race down the hill with all the joy of your childhood. Next up is where it gets tricky you (not really but you’ll be out of breath so everything will feel tricky) when you’re done not trusting that fart take a 90 degree turn left at the red bridge and go back around the pond in reverse of the first 1.2 km. The dodder will feel like it’s flowing against you this time but you ignore it as you proceed to parkrun victory and coffee.

Live a Little

When you’re hanging around the start line listen to the water flow from the Dodder river. Whatever bothered you that week let the Dodder take it down river. It might be better to do this afterwards as well on the walk back up for coffee at the market below. The market is in the park. and I can confirm the coffee, donuts and cookies are delicious.

Volunteers

The First Timers briefing in Sept explained things to 100% new parkrunners. This was great to hear. I remember the first time I heard it in 2017 at Ballincollig parkrun (Cork). I was standing next to 3 complete first timers at Bushy parkrun. They looked a little confused at how parkrun was timed. I gave them a bit more insight after the briefing. One of them a man by the name of Derek asked how many I had done “Oh 90 odd” I replied donning my humble cap. I’m sure that was a bit intimidating but that’s why I kept a note on how the First Timers Briefing was delivered. He really did put people at ease. I need to relearn that for when I’m on First Timers duty. His counter part in May was equally welcoming “the rule of thumb here is go straight unless your told otherwise, keep right on the contra flow and PBs are allowed”.

In May I was practicing pacing for the Cork City Half Marathon and I couldn’t help but take in the tail walkers performance. She dished out encouragement like free samples at Brown Thomas. She had everything in her locker. “I’ve seen you twice now and every time you’re getting fast”, “You’re running up the hill that’s great keep going”, “Well Done save something for the sprint finish”.

The RD for my September visit almost had me in the volunteer roster. She had been part of Tymon and Marlay parkun core teams a real parkrun veteran and still bursting with enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Bushy parkrun (Dublin) drop them an email bushydublin@parkrun.com to volunteer. I’m giving myself about 2 months before I’ll have to volunteer as RD. I find it hard not to give back especially when I’ve run twice.

Conclusion

Bushy is beautiful spot for a personal best.