Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Doing 5k parkruns by the letter

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Doing 5k parkruns by the letter


While many runners participate in their local 5k parkrun every Saturday morning, a small group of people like to travel about trying out other events. The term used is 'parkrun tourists' and it's just a good excuse for a trip away somewhere and get a run in as well.

I only heard recently that some people take this a step further and try to complete the alphabet by running in various 5k parkruns. I was told that the new 5k parkrun in University of Galway was a little bit extra special because it's the only one with U in Ireland.

I had a look at the list of parkruns in the 26-counties and I came up with this list below...


Looking through the ones in the North of Ireland, there's a Q with Queens parkrun. As far as I can see, that means J, X, Y and Z are missing. 

Youghal would have been an obvious one but that was called Pobalscoil na Tríonóide instead.

I'm told some people travel to places like Poland to pick up the Z!

It may seem all a bit crazy but is it any worse than traveling abroad to run a half-marathon or marathon? To each their own.

Addendum: 1) As someone noted in a post comment... "The Irish alphabet can be completed in Ireland because there’s no k, j, q, v, w, x, y or z in Irish".

2) When I get time, I'll do a 32-county list for all of Ireland and we'll see what's out there.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Irish alphabet can be completed in Ireland because there’s no k, j, q, v, w, x, y or z in Irish. People also travel to Holland, Germany and South Africa for their z

lostcarpark said...

Extending to 32 counties gets you Q for Queens. No J, X, Y, or Z without going abroad.