Buggy-friendly parkrun Dublin – Ardgillan

September 9, 2019September 12, 2019 / BeWell-DoWell / 4 Comments

ARDGILLAN

Tried and tested by Aoife @familywalksire (IG & Twitter)

Buggy Friendly rating: 5/10

Scenery: 9/10

Course:

This was my first ever parkrun which I completed in January 2016. Ardgillan parkrun starts behind the castle (beside the toilets). The run takes you through mainly forest trail (which requires a sturdy buggy) but also some very stoney/bumpy paths which I didn’t feel were very buggy-friendly but I certainly got a great workout! The kiddies seem to enjoy it at the time too!

The final stretch takes you up a steep hill (which feels like Mount Everest when pushing a double buggy). Needless to say the encouragement from the wonderful volunteers and fellow runners is so uplifting especially just when you need it. Even though I completed this course a few years ago I’ll never forget the feeling of finishing it and experiencing all the positivity and community spirit that surrounds Parkrun events.

Facilities, cafes and playgrounds:

There’s a cafe in the castle, an amazing playground, a fairy trail and walled gardens on the grounds also. Needless to say Argillan is such a beautiful place to explore with stunning views over Skerries and Balbriggan.

Overall:

Such an uplifting experience. Not sure I’d recommend it for buggies(depending on how sturdy your buggy is of course). Perhaps best to walk this one with a buggy but would love to hear from anyone else who’s done it with a buggy, especially more recently than me.

Buggy-friendly parkrun Waterford – Tramore

September 9, 2019September 12, 2019 / BeWell-DoWell / Leave a comment

TRAMORE parkrun

Tried and tested by Jess @the_buggy_runners_diary (IG)

Buggy Friendly rating: 5/10

Scenery: 7.5/10

Course:

Tramore parkrun starts at The Promenade in front of Molly’s cafe. The first and last bit of the course is run on the promenade, which although is very flat and the surface is paved there are a few turns between bollards and a small kerb which can slow you down and possibly others behind you. The route then takes you through a carpark which you will also run around towards the end of the run. The route then goes up a short hill for two loops of a raised plateau with great views across the ocean and the town. It’s on trails but they’re hard-packed and it is quite buggy friendly and fairly flat. Back down the hill and round the carpark which is not that buggy friendly as it is filled with stones and potholes and really needs an all-terrain buggy to run it, however it would be possible to walk it with a standard buggy so don’t let this put you off (a parkrun volunteer did let me know that they are resurfacing this carpark so it should be more buggy friendly in the near future.) 500m is along the promenade to the finish line.

Facilities, cafes and playgrounds:

There are quite a few cafes along the promenade and many places to eat in the main town just a short walk from the parkrun. The coffee in Molly’s is very good! Toilets and ample parking is opposite the start but you will need to pay for parking – we were there in Sept and the daily rate was just €2.

There is A LOT to do for the kiddos of all ages, all just a short walk away. Besides the beach itself, there is a fab adventure playground, amusement arcades, a fairground (summer only), pedal boats, mini golf (summer only), water rapid slide (summer only) biking and scooting along the promenade. You won’t run out of things to do!

Overall:

A great day out for all the family! We saw quite a few park runners jump in the sea for a cool down after the run and I was told that a few brave people do this all year round so something to consider if you’re brave enough!

Buggy-friendly parkrun Dublin – Tymon Park

September 1, 2019September 12, 2019 / BeWell-DoWell / Leave a comment

Tymon parkrun

Tried and tested by Candi @c_oreilly (Twitter)

Buggy Friendly rating: 9/10

Scenery: 6/10

Course:

Tymon parkrun starts next to the car park on Limekiln Road in Dublin 12, about 5 minutes drive from the M50. It is a smallish, friendly and inclusive parkrun with numbers usually around 150 – 250 people of all ability levels.

Tymon is an inclusive parkrun and as well as small children in buggies, it welcomes bigger children and adults who need to be pushed around in jogging buggies and there are two available for families to try out on request.

Buggies can start where they see fit and as the field usually thins pretty quickly there are no issues during the two lap course which winds around the park on a tarmac path.

Facilities, cafes and playgrounds:

There are several large toilets by the car park and refreshments are provided afterwards by the volunteer team. And sometimes cake too!

For the kids, there is a playground (which you will pass on the run).

Overall:

This is a lovely run that is inclusive and welcoming and there is always help for anyone who needs it.