03/10/2026
Ballymount parkrun #14 – Run Report by Darren Bracken
Saturday 3rd October 2026
Lovely running weather, visitors from near and far, and 23 new Personal Bests — a great way to start October at Ballymount! 🍂
This morning, 71 people ran, jogged and walked the course, with 31 taking part at Ballymount for the first time. Whether you were chasing a time, enjoying a walk or catching up with friends, thanks for spending your Saturday morning with us.
👋 Visitors and a very first parkrun
We welcomed visitors from Waterford, Carlow and Milton Keynes, along with members of Lucan Harriers. We hope you enjoyed your visit and will join us again!
A special welcome to Fergus Byrne, who completed his very first parkrun today. First barcode scanned, first finish recorded — hopefully the first of many Saturday mornings with the parkrun family!
🤟 A welcome in Irish Sign Language
We were delighted to welcome a big group of Irish Sign Language users this morning, including a volunteer marshal. A special thank you to John, who provided ISL support for the group. A brilliant contribution to making Ballymount a welcoming place for everyone.
🙌 A big thank you to our team
Huge well done to Grainne Byrne, who did a super job as Run Director, and to Niamh Dunne for a great first timers welcome.
No milestones were brought to the team’s attention this morning, but there was still plenty to celebrate — starting with the 21 hi-vis heroes who made the event possible:
Grainne Byrne, Max Keogh, Niamh Dunne, Patricia Delahunty, Alan Feighery, Maire O Farrell, Kevin Roche, Kathy Colwell, Mia Roche, Brenda Burleigh, Nigel Boucher, Olivia Yetis, Andrea Conran, Bernadette Costello, Brendan Delahunty, Annemarie Foley, Michelle Demir, Sarka Hnilickova, Charis Feighery, Darren Bracken and John Murphy.
Thank you all for giving your time and helping everyone around the course and through the finish funnel. 💛
⏱️ First finishers and age grades
Aidan Kelly was first male finisher in 18:47, while Katie Down was first female finisher in 22:12. Well done to both!
The highest age grade of the morning went to Joan Mc Ternan, with 74.14%, finishing in 28:37 and recording a new PB too! Karl Lavin recorded the highest male age grade of 73.39%, finishing in 19:10.
We also had plenty of parkrun experience in the field: John Kissane and Tara Carroll have each completed 388 parkruns. That’s some collection of Saturday mornings! 👏
🎉 PB corner
An impressive 23 people recorded a new Personal Best at Ballymount today. Congratulations to:
Alfonso Juan Legaz Lopez, Aengus Coulter, Aidan O'Donnell, Denis Taillandier, Sean Keating, Anold Nyoni, Michela Esposito, Robert Mullen, Joan Mc Ternan, Louise Obyrne, Niall Mathews, Siobhan Gallagher, Jessica Tighe, Ellyn Morgan, Ashley Charters, Aoife Troy, Paul O Connor, Louise Breivik, Josephine Quirke, Teresa Dawson, Catherine Birch, Annemarie Foley and Andrea Conran.
Well done to every one of you — and to everyone who got out and completed their 5k this morning, whatever the clock said!
📊 Fourteen events and counting
Since Ballymount parkrun began on 4th July 2026, 1,227 different participants have completed 1,809 parkruns, covering a combined 9,045km and recording 269 Personal Bests.
Along the way, 129 different people have volunteered 344 times. A lot of steps, a lot of goodwill and a lovely community taking shape.
Thanks to everyone who ran, jogged, walked, volunteered or came along to support today. If you fancy giving volunteering a go, have a chat with the team — we’d love to have you involved.
See you next Saturday for Ballymount parkrun #15. Don’t forget your barcode!
