Introduction

We visited a brand new parkrun (Dodder Valley parkrun) on Saturday November 5th 2022. The last time we were at an inaugural event was Pobalscoil na Tríonóide in Waterford on the 23rd of October 2021. Life has change dramatically since then. The pandemic has been crushed by our extraordinary vaccination rate, Julie and I are married, living in Dubin, working for the civil service and expecting our first future RD of parkrun. I always think of the volunteers on the first morning of a new parkrun. They probably don’t realise the journey they’re about to go on, the friends they’re going to make and the fun they’re going to have. I’ve had the experience twice, it’s really nice and lasts a lifetime.

Journey to parkrun

It seemed like everyone in the community was involved in getting this parkrun off the ground. Below is a list of people we met.

Podcast from South Dublin County Council
South Dublin Mayor Emma Murphy
Active Cities
Healthy Ireland (They brought a small army of personnel and gear)
HSE Health promotion unit (Again small army of personnel and gear)
parkrun ambassadors
the greater Tallaght Area (341 turned out on the first parkrun day)

This is the kind of engagement we need don’t solve the problem overwhelm it. The speeches described a group of organisations that kept working until this parkrun got going.

The chatter prior to the parkrun was that 79 people had registered for parkrun listing Dodder Valley as they’re home parkrun. That proved to be just the start of a great morning for Dodder Valley. 341 participants finished later that morning.

Healthy Ireland gave us two cycling shirts and whilst I trotted back to the car to deposit them, Julie found Ken, a South Dublin County podcaster. When I came back I wasn’t expecting to don my parkrun advocate jersey but as I said on the podcast ‘parkrun is a a positive community and you should come to parkrun and see what that does for your health’. It had been a while since Julie and I had been out front with the press. In truth this was always the hard part about our previous life and careers.Say the wrong thing and you’re a villain. I was rusty but I think I managed to get the main points across. HQ advertised for parkrun ambassadors this week and I think this experience told me I’m the wrong fit for that volunteer role. I’m too outspoken.

parkrun Challenge

This is parkrun 35 for me in 2022. I have now surpassed my record in 2019 of 33 in calendar year. 40 is still on the cards. This was also my 99th parkrun. And yes before you all start quoting Jay-Z at me yes I have 99 parkruns, next week we’re in Paris and the problem is parkrun France is cancelled. Apparently the French need a Doctors note to participate in organised sport and parkrun France had a bust up with the governing body so it’s off until further notice. I know what you’re thinking didn’t he mention Julie’s pregnant and my problems are no parkrun in France. Yes I did!!! I’m already scouting strollers fit for parkrunning and I can’t wait to get our heir a barcode.

Course

This is a two loop course consisting of one short loop and one long loop. At the start you’ll run North East towards the Dodder Valley Stream Footbridge. You’ll cross the bridge later for now turn right and head around by the finish line next to Old Bawn road. From hear you’ll retrace your steps to the start line but this time you’ll head across Dodder Valley Stream Footbridge and along by the Dodder river. Loop around at the Balrothery Weir Walk and then all the way back to the finish by Old Bawn road.

The course itself is really well maintained. The extraordinary investment in the park Mayor Emma Murphy spoke about was evident. The route was well paved and flat. After you cross the footbridge on your second lap you’ll likely be facing into a headwind but other than that there is no reason not to go fast and take a PB home with you.

Live A Little

On your way back from Balrothery Weir Walk you’ll pass a mountain on your right. Watch how the sun hits the mountain. It’s beautiful. Take a moment you’re at a parkrun with a view. Bring that positivity home.

Volunteers

I finished this parkrun after 23 mins. Niall (parkrun Ambassador) had me scanned quick as a flash. Between showing my barcode and blowing like a steam engine I managed to muster ‘Niall…. are yee… alright for everything…” Niall probably struggling with my Cork accent coupled with my heavy breathing said ‘Check in with Dan’. Dan the RD was expecting a glut of participants through the finish funnel any minute. I got out my parkrun app out and got ready for barcode scanning. I’ve done this before and everyone should think about volunteering like this. This kind of volunteering is way more common than you might think? Running and volunteering can go hand in hand. Niall also did this. All you need to do is one like Niall give the RD a heads that you’re a fast runner and will start scanning once you’ve finished your run. If you’re like me and more impromptu ask the RD can you help with barcode scanning after your finished. That is just one role done at least two different ways. Before I leave this topic remember that Dodder Valley also had Barcode scannners taking in the glory of the day. It rained for about 20 mins when were in the main rush of finishers but we still had a great laugh yelling PBs this way.

If you’ve been inspired by my story and can’t resist volunteering in Dodder Valley then email doddervalley@parkrun.com and fulfill your volunteering needs.

Side Story about Volunteering

Julie and I are Event Directors in Tramore Valley parkrun Cork. On the same morning we were in Dodder Valley 264 participants finished in Tramore Valley. Our Sister parkrun Ballincollig had to cancel due to the course being flooded. The sudden jump in numbers was easily handled by our team. We did unfortunately have a bug in our results processing. Our team needed our help so we gave the problem a look and with the teams engagement we got it solved. Unfortunately I may get ousted at the next AGM.