Junior Parkrun put through their paces

ToDaY at Dundalk IT junior parkrun we were privileged to have special guests from the Irish Defence Forces, cpl Mark Hughes, PTE Sean Hughes, PTE Kevin Brannigan and PTE Marcus o Hagan of the 27th Infantry Battalion based in aiken Barracks, Dundalk.

This brought huge excitement for the junior park runners and walkers to not only have a Military police vehicle in attendance but to be put through their paces in a military style warm up routine before the start. children and families lined up for photographs with the soldiers and the MP vehicle. Even our heroes in high viz the volunteers on the morning got a group picture. In the run briefing, juniors were congratulated with their personal achievements from sports and school. Ryan Dowd won the U12 Leinster champions in the relay.

c harlie

Moran achieved his half marathon Wristband. Brendan connolly reached his 100th volunteer milestone and caitriona Mccaughey her 100th parkrun run the day before. We also had last week’s run director carol Phillips celebrating her birthday and the kids wished her happy birthday clapping everyone’s achievement.

PTE Kevin Brannigan lead the warm up showing the kids exercises the army would use which made for some great action pictures. The laughing and smiles on their faces spoke a thousand words with the aim of the warm-up to create fun while exercising. Some adults where exhausted just watching it never mind taking part. Then it was to the start line and ready steady go they where off on the 2km course around the pitches running, jogging and walking. our junior parkwalker Jim McDonald in his blue high viz encouraging the walkers with volunteer carol as the tail walker keeping an eye on all the juniors and making sure everyone finished for hot and cold drinks and some fruit kindly provide by the armed forces.

Junior parkrun takes place in DKIT sports pitches every Sunday morning at 9:30am sharp. To register and for more information go to https://www.parkrun. ie/dundalkit-juniors/ or check out our social media on Facebook and twitter.