Guest Post: Holy Grail... by Pat Walsh

* The Holy Grail *

The search for eternal youth or sustenance in infinite abundance or any elusive object or goal of great significance.

Bere Island parkrun today was on the cards for a while. 11 parkruns in Cork to be done in 2026 was the goal and this was the Big One. 184 miles round trip. Left home at 5.55am to make the ferry to the Island.

The weather was dull and overcast but we didn’t get wet and in Ireland that is always something to be grateful for. I had the best of company to lift spirits and make the day special.

The Island had a mystical, magical aura to it today and the openness and genuine welcome from the locals was fantastic. It is easy going, slow it down a bit, everything will be grand kind of a feel. Maybe what we need more of in today’s society. There is no doubt on a bright sunny day the views would be more spectacular, but if you can impress on a dull day then you are going well. This is an Island loaded with its own history and so many stories. I was in awe today.

We left the ferry ( great pilot and solid Beara GAA man, = safe hands)... sorted.  Entered the island through the non-Schengen zone for oversea travellers and made a procession of runners to the local GAA field as the the base for the run. We waited for the minibus from the other ferry, on other side of the Island to arrive before we commenced. All in good time, it will happen, no panic, don’t be getting excited. It started at 9.30am West Cork time….

Parkrun number 551 today. They have it sorted. Low key briefings, enjoy the day and away you go. Undulating, scenic are two beautiful adjectives to describe the course. Every runner worth their salt knows that means hills. We survived, completed, smiled, hugged, posed for the requisite pics and selfies and congratulated ourselves on a job well done. 

Famous scientists for years worked on space-time continuum that continues to baffles the worlds greatest minds. Maybe they never went to Bere Island parkrun.

What can I say. Parkruns the country wide are brilliant and each with their own special feel to them. Taking the time to find them and understanding and appreciating them for what they are worth is what is important. It is local people doing their best to help their own area. Appreciate them and never ever go home without saying thanks to someone involved. 

You can pay huge money to run a race or you can go to Bere Island and run for nothing and have a memorable experience. Annabel, Liam, Anna, Heike, Danielle, Jack thanks so much for your company today. We laughed and that is important.

Due to personal domestic circumstances I have been missing my weekly missives. You need to 105% and have a little left over to be able to lift and inspire people. Hopefully today has restored the equilibrium in my favour. 

#pwr