I worried.

There’ll be no one at the parkrun
as many were away
Being parkrun tourists 
or at the Tralee 10k 

My legs they turned to jelly 
As rain was on the ground, 
Big matches on the telly
And a bug was going ‘round

I told the Event Director 
it takes a village to raise a child 
But parkrun needs more and 
Siobhán she did reply:

‘You really need to probe,
And for today’s parkrun to thrive
cast your net around the globe
For your recruitment drive’

So we started close to home
and before you all had woken
Collette and Josephine
Agreed to deliver finish tokens

And when the rest of you
On Friday night were sleeping
Gianna said, with Cecil, she’d 
provide some Swiss timekeeping 

To complete the funnel team
we needed German planning
Michael and Longa Genster 
would lead our barcode scanning,
And join two other scanners,
Both were highly rated,
Irene and James Daley
- Although they’re not related


Anyway, I need not have worried
It really was no trial
Our core group helped out too
In true parkrun style

Others once were local,
that I do concede, 
The Lowes came from Melbourne , 
Barry from Royal Meath,
And for the first time walking
Were two from the Maharees 
all joined us all together
In our parkrun stampede 

Two hundred landed to The Green
My relief it was overt
And ten of them left the scene 
With Tony’s Milestone Cert

Noreen, Sarah Jane and Jesse 
they brighten up our day 
Brosnans, Nóra, inigo, Agnes,
and the inspirational Stella O’ Shea


But I’m sure our biggest welcome
And few may disagree
was reserved for Elia Daudi Tukai 
from Louise Quill’s Tír na nÓg in Tanzania

Pa Daly
Run Director

After a very wet week, it was lovely to arrive in the Park on Saturday morning in bright sunshine, with not a puddle in sight!

We were asked by our friends in University Hospital Kerry to draw attention to the fact that Wednesday was "World Sepsis Day 2023", with a campaign to raise awareness of this treatable but potentially fatal condition, and our numbers were swelled by runners wearing T-shirts with the Six Signs of Sepsis and lots of other information about it. Thanks Sinead, Niamh and everyone else who took part. Don't forget to come back every week!

We had just two runners reaching milestones this week, Gráinne and Liz both celebrating 50 parkruns. It comes in waves, next week we might have as many as twelve reaching 50, 100, 150 or 200 parkruns! (If we miss anyone, please do let us know - it's hard to keep track of everyone. We'll make it up to you!)

We had 238 participants this week, and our First Finishers were Sheila (for the fourth time) and Tadhg (his ninth time leading the field with a barcode!).

 

Tadhg's time was just a few seconds outside his best, but we had plenty of PBs this week!

A huge thank you to our volunteers this week - for a variety of reasons we had several late withdrawals and I would like to especially thank the people who stepped into their shoes at very short notice. We really do have the best volunteers in all of parkrun - thanks Nathy, Malachy, Ross and Fiona.

We're always delighted to welcome new volunteers on board, it's a real case of Many Hands Make Light Work! So do give your name to whoever has the Book on any Saturday morning and give it a try.

Even though it was Gemma's first time volunteering this week, she got stuck in straight away (and even scanned more barcodes than any of her colleagues). Of course, she comes from good parkrun stock! Helping out at parkrun is a great way to fulfil the cirteria for the Gaisce Award, and we are always happy to welcome Transition Year students to take part, learn new skills, and of course have great fun with us!

It's great to see Billy back in the Park every week, he'll be back to his best very soon and marshalling at his corner again!

We lost a Finish Token this week... if you find "218" in your pocket do return it before Siobhan gets back, she'll be checking up on us on Saturday. A couple of people lost their barcodes too... these wristbands are in the Run Director's box you can pick them up on Saturday.

It could be busy next week if all the "Milestones" turn up, but you can be sure Pa Daly will start on time and might even have a bit of poetry for us!

Tony Higgins A1439979
Run DIrector

Thanks to a great team of volunteers for helping to make Event #376 a very enjoyable one for all participants. Some volunteers stepped up in the last minute due to some unfortunate withdrawals.

Volunteering at parkrun doesn't always mean that you have to give up your run/walk - no less than three faster runners joined the team in the finish funnel after their runs this week!
- Stephen Moore was double-jobbing; firstly, he acting as VI Guide, completing the course in 20 minutes along with Ivan Segade Carou; then he took up Finish Tokens duty.
- Trevor Dunn finished in just over 20 minutes and then took on Communications duty.
- Mary Fitzsimons undertook Barcode Scanning duties when she finished her run

Gerry Treanor welcomed a group of visitors from Bedford, UK and to a newcomer from Switzerland.

Aided by Jackie Treanor, I was delighted to present milestone rewards to six people, including two boys, Cian and Gearoid reaching 10 runs.

 

Antonia reached her 50 milestone, while Mary, Cecil and Desmond reached 100 runs. Great to see Desmond and gang back in the park after a long break!

After the safety briefing, I took a minute to mention World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 on Sunday, 10th September. During this time, parkrun would like to encourage our community to spread the message of hope to others.

At the heart of parkrun lies a simple truth, being active is medicine for the mind.
Engaging in regular physical activity, as parkrun encourages, releases a flood of endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters.

Volunteering is just as beneficial as walking at parkrun. According to a recent Vhi survey of those who have volunteered at parkrun:
93% of respondents say their health and wellbeing has improved
52% say it has helped improve their overall happiness
40% say it has helped improve their mental health

So, let us all spread the word that parkrun is good for your body and mind!!
A total of 229 participants took part in very warm conditions. There were 12 Personal Bests, including First Lady Finisher, Mollie O'Donnell running 20:23.

 

Tony Higgins is undertaking Run Director duties next week - can't wait!!

 

Colm Lynch
A1364439

 

It’s no surprise to any of the Tralee parkrun Run Directors, to arrive at the town park and see the flags flying, the cones set out and the set up fully complete as if by magic. Last Saturday was no different and John, Pat and David had everything completed. John R. had even called in to help before heading to Killarney with the TPoTS.

The rest of the volunteers arrived, training was completed as we dodged in and out of the trees to shelter from the showers.

Claire welcomed those new to Tralee parkrun in her First Timers Briefing. Pat Sheehy, as usual, had the ear of the weather gods and by the time it came to start the briefing, the sun was shining with not a drop of rain in sight.

We had some milestones to celebrate including Neil Denneny doing his 100^th run and Ann O’Mahony running her 150^th that morning.

As it was the last Saturday of the month we also had a great group of pacers going from 20 minutes right up to 50mins.

Looking ahead, September 16th marks New Volunteers Day, a chance for new faces to join the team and help ensure the smooth running of this event. Volunteers play a crucial role in making Tralee parkrun possible, and we encourage anyone interested to get involved and become part of this wonderful community.

Eventually, as the end of summer sun shone down, everyone stood ready to start the course. Volunteers were in their places, and 227 runners, joggers, and walkers were off to complete their three laps.

Congratulations to  Oisin Murray, who claimed the title of the first male finisher, and to Aoife Cooke, our first female finisher who matched her course record this week. There were lots of PB’s, (21!) no doubt helped by our valiant team of pacers.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the volunteers who made this event possible. Your time, effort, and smiles are what keep our parkrun thriving. Thank you for your unwavering commitment!

Finally, I’m reminded of a fitting quote by the great Seamus Heaney whose anniversary occurs this week: "Walk on air against your better judgement." Let these words inspire us to embrace challenges, explore new horizons, and keep pushing ourselves.

Next week, gear up for another fantastic parkrun experience as Pauline Dennigan takes the helm.

Until then, stay active, stay connected, and keep that parkrun spirit alive!

Sharon
Run Director