A look at the Junior parkrun numbers in Co Cork - 2023 to 2025

Back in March of 2026, Aideen Coleman sent me a message to say that the Junior parkrun in Ballincollig for 4-14 year olds had over 300 finishers, more than the local 5k parkrun the previous day. I put up a post about it HERE.

After that, I was thinking about all the other parkruns in Co Cork. How are they getting on? What are their numbers like? Are they all growing like Ballincollig?

First off, there are eight 2km junior parkruns in Co Cork and the locations are shown on the map above. I calculated the average number of finishers per week for each event for 2023, 2024 and 2025 and I plotted them as a chart.

Ballincollig was the only event to show growth for two years in a row. Out of the eight junior parkruns, six recorded a decline in 2025. Dunmanway (Dromleena Lawn), Togher (Clashduv), Ballinlough (Nursery Drive) and Haulbowline all showed a large drop in 2025.

I asked Aideen why the Ballincollig junior parkrun is so popular compared to the rest and she said that having a 5k parkrun at the same location on a Saturday is a huge help. 

There is a certain amount of synergy between the two events in that the 5k parkrun participants are much more likely to be aware that there is a junior parkrun at the same location on Sunday and might bring their kids along. The 5k parkrun can also help in terms of being a pool for potential volunteers to help out at the junior event.

It's probably no accident that Ballincollig and Mallow are the two largest junior parkruns in Co Cork and both have 5k parkuns on Saturday. Aideen gave the example of the Tralee parkrun so I looked at those numbers...

Sure enough, Tralee seems to be doing quite well and compares favourably to the numbers for the junior parkruns in Co Cork.

Do numbers really matter???... Some may argue that large numbers don't really matter and they'd have a point. As long as there are enough volunteers and the event goes ahead week after week then that's fine.

It is probably fair to say however that reasonable numbers do matter. The more children taking part means more parents in attendance and the larger pool of people from which to draw volunteers.

In conclusion... Looking at the stats, it's very much a mixed picture for the junior parkruns in Co Cork. While Ballincollig and Mallow seem to be doing pretty well, some of the others seem to be in decline.

Looking at some events, they have had to cancel events from time to time due to a lack of volunteers. If the decline in numbers continues then it seems likely that some events may cease in the future.

If anyone is interested in trying to boost their numbers then it might be worth contacting the team behind the Ballincollig parkrun to see what they are doing right.

Clashduv Junior parkrun looking for volunteers to restart - Nov 2025

The Clashduv junior parkrun in Togher is planning to restart again in November of 2025 and they are looking for volunteers.

Junior parkruns are free 2km runs for 4-14 year olds and are held every Sunday morning at 9:30am at a multitude of locations throughout the country.

If you can help out then you can find the contact information here... https://www.parkrun.ie/clashduv-juniors/

Clashduv Junior parkrun restarts 23rd March 2025

Back in February, the team behind the Clashduv junior parkrun  in Togher announced that their event was cancelled until further notice.

The good news is that it is expected to restart on Sunday 23rd March 2025!

They are always looking for more volunteers so if you'd like to help out in any way then you can contact them on their site... https://www.parkrun.ie/clashduv-juniors/

New Junior 2km parkrun for Adare, Co Limerick

It was announced this week that there is going to be a new 2km Junior parkrun for 4-14 year olds in Adare, Co Limerick. It will be held at the Manor Fields in the village.

At present, the nearest junior parkruns are in Shelbourne Park in Limerick City and at Mallow Castle in Co Cork.

The organisers write... "We are happy to share news of a new Junior Parkrun coming to Adare. Junior Parkrun is a free weekly 2km event for those aged 4 to 14 (consisting of two 1km laps).

Volunteers needed: The next step is gather an interested group to help with volunteer roles. This could be anything from marshalling to token scanning at the end. You don't need to volunteer weekly, and any help will be hugely appreciated. 

For more information please contact the event organiser, Gillian O'Regan: Gillianpowell1 AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk"

Clashduv junior parkrun postponed until further notice - Feb 2025

The team behind the Clashduv junior parkrun  in Togher have announced that their event is cancelled until further notice.

This free 2km event for 4-14 year olds started back at the end of August 2023 and there have been 58 editions so far. Considering it's been running for about 18 months, you might expect something like 75 but even accounting for holidays, a number have had to be cancelled in the past due to a lack of volunteers.

The chart above shows the numbers for each event since it started. The average number taking part is 34 and the numbers have been low of late.

While the numbers above are for the number of children taking part, we can imply that if there are fewer parents attending then there is probably a smaller pool of potential volunteers to help out.

If you'd like to help out in any way then you can contact them on their site... https://www.parkrun.ie/clashduv-juniors/

Ballinlough junior parkrun restarts Sun 25th Aug 2024

Due to extensive ground works in the park, the Nursery Drive 2km junior parkrun in Ballinlough in Cork City hasn't been held for about 7-months. The last actual event was held on the 28th of January 2024.

The organisers have announced that the works have finally finished and the junior parkrun will restart on Sunday 25th August 2024 at 9:30am.

Earlier ground works on the junior parkrun course

More information about this free junior parkrun on their website... https://www.parkrun.ie/nurserydrive-juniors/

Haulbowline 2k Junior parkrun is off to a flying start...

The inaugural 2k junior parkrun for 4-14 year olds at Haulbowline Park got off to a flying start on Sunday 14th January 2024 with 122 participants crossing the finish line. Results HERE

122 is a good number for a junior parkrun and suggests that it will be popular in the catchment areas of Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Passage West, Douglas and Rochestown.

Located in the centre of Cork Harbour and with the town of Cobh as a backdrop, it's a nice location for a parkrun.

Haulbowline Junior parkrun to start Sun 14th Jan 2024

Update: - 9th Jan 2024... The inaugural junior 2km parkrun at Haulbowline Park was supposed to start on Sunday 7th January but it can to be cancelled due to ice on the course.

Subject to confirmation, I presume the next date is Sunday 14th January. To be confirmed...

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In a previous post, I outlined how there were plans for a new 2km junior parkrun for 4-14 year olds in the new public park on Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour.

Weather and volunteers permitting, it will be held at the same time on every Sunday at 9:30am.

The course is two 1km loops on a flat tarmac surface and there is plenty of parking at the park.

As can be seen from the map below, the main catchment areas will be Passage West, Monkstown, Carrigaline and of course, Ringaskiddy.

This event is completely free and it will be the eight junior parkrun in Co Cork.

The event website is https://www.parkrun.ie/haulbowlineisland-juniors/course/

Parents can go there, register their kids and get a barcode ID.

For more info on the other junior parkruns in Cork, see the parkrun page.

New junior parkrun starting in Haulbowline Park - Q4 2023

There has been a lot of interest in junior parkruns in Cork in the last year and as of Sept 2023, there are seven up and running. It now looks like number eight is on the way!

A new junior parkrun for Haulbowline Park in Cork Harbour has now been approved and is expected to start in Q4 of 2023. This one should be of special interest to parents in Carrigaline as it's only a 7km drive away.

The course will be two loops of the grassland park.

They are currently looking for volunteers to help out. If you want to help get this 2k parkrun up and running then email john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com .

For more information on the 5k and 2k parkruns in Co Cork, go to the parkrun page on the blog.

A snapshot of the junior 2k parkruns in Cork - Sun 27th Aug 2023

The inaugural 2km junior parkrun in Clashduv Park in Togher in Cork City was held on Sunday 27th Aug 2023 with 46 participants. For a wet Sunday morning, it was a good turnout.

In the graphic above, you can see the numbers for all seven junior parkruns in Co Cork on the 27th of August 2023.

The Dromlena Lawn junior parkrun in Dunmanway in West Cork had 43 finishers and this was just their 3rd event. Their long term average is 45. Looking at the population stats, there are 17 larger towns in Co Cork so there must be scope for more junior parkruns in the county.

The Mallow Castle junior parkrun now has 12 events with 38 taking part last Sunday. It's long term average is 63.

St Mary's Health Campus junior parkrun had 26 finishers for their 17th event. Their long term average 51 but has been very low on occasions in the last few weeks. For an event in Gurranabraher on the northside of Cork City, it needs more support.

The Nursery Drive junior parkrun in Ballinlough had 26 finishers with a long term average of 51. It was their 22nd outing.

The Ballincollig junior parkrun is well established now with 114 events under its belt. They had 82 finishers in the local regional park with a long term average of 97.

The oldest junior parkrun in Co Cork is in Cobh and it's now on its 176th event. It had 17 finishers which is lower than their long term average of 51.

All of these junior parkruns are for 4-14-year olds, are completely free and are held at 9:30am every Sunday morning. You can find links to all of the events on this page.

Togher junior parkrun starts Sun 27th Aug 2023

Just a quick reminder that the new Junior 2km parkrun in Clashduv Park in Togher will start at 9:30am on Sunday 27th August 2023. This is for 4-14 year old's and is free.

The course consists of three laps of the pitches, run clockwise. Start and finish are by the tennis courts.

More info... https://www.parkrun.ie/clashduv-juniors/

Togher junior parkrun likely to start at the end of Aug 2023

Back in January of 2023, I had a post up about the proposed new junior parkrun in Clashduv park in Togher for 4-14 year olds. The provisional start date is the 30th of July but I'm told that the most likely start date is at the end of August when everyone is back from holidays.

Update 26th July: The Clashduv junior parkrun will now start on Sunday 27th August 2023.

More info about the parkruns in Co Cork HERE

Dunmanway junior parkrun to start in August 2023

Some good news! Back in May of 2023, I had a post up about a proposed new 2km junior parkrun for Dunmanway in West Cork. It has just been announced that the event will start on Sunday 13th August 2023.

As with all junior parkruns, it's free, on every Sunday morning at 9:30am and it's for 4-14 year olds.

The new parkrun will be called the Dromlena Lawn junior parkrun. The venue is just to the west of the town of Dunmanway at the race field.

For more information, go to https://www.parkrun.ie/dromlenalawn-juniors/course/

New 2k Junior parkrun in Mallow starts Sun 11th June 2023

In previous posts, I outlined how new 2km Junior parkruns were going to start up in 2023 in Togher, Dunmanway and Mallow. It has now been announced that the new Mallow Castle Junior parkrun will start on Sunday 11th June 2023 at 9:30am.

Just to recap, junior 2km parkruns are for 4-14 year old's, are held every Sunday at 9:30am and are free.

The 2km course is near Mallow Castle, right alongside the River Blackwater and is flat.

Course description... "The event starts on the riverbank in Mallow Castle Park, after the first footbridge east of Mallow town bridge. The course heads east over a footbridge, followed by two anti-clockwise laps through the park on a mixture of concrete and unsealed paths , returning back over the footbridge to the start point."

Mallow Castle Junior parkrun website... https://www.parkrun.ie/mallowcastle-juniors/course/

More info about the 5k and 2k parkruns in Co Cork HERE

New junior 2k parkrun in Gurranabraher is up and running...

The new Junior St Mary's Campus 2k parkrun in Gurranabraher on the north side of Cork City got underway on Sunday the 2nd of April 2023 with 49 participants crossing the finish line. This is now the fourth junior parkrun in Cork joining Cobh, Ballincollig & Ballinlough.

As outlined in a previous post, there are plans for new junior parkruns as well in Togher, Dunmanway and Mallow.

As with all parkruns, the organisers of the St Mary's Campus 2k parkrun are looking for volunteers to help out. If you want to help, send a mail to stmaryscampusjuniors AT parkrun DOT com 

Their website is https://www.parkrun.ie/stmaryscampus-juniors/

Some key points...
1) It's called the St Mary’s Campus junior parkrun
2) It is held every Sunday at 9:30am
3) As with all Junior parkruns, it's for 4 to 14 year olds
4) The course is 2kms which is 3-laps of the campus in an anti-clockwise direction.
5) And it is of course free

New Junior 2k parkruns planned for Togher, Mallow & Dunmanway in 2023

In the last fortnight, we've seen two new 2k junior parkruns for 4-14 year olds start in Ballinlough and Gurranabraher in Cork City. These join the existing events in Cobh and Ballincollig to bring the current total of junior parkruns in Co Cork to four.

In a previous post, I outlined the plans for a new junior 2k parkrun in Clashduv Park in Togher.

The latest news is that there are plans for another two junior 2k parkruns in Mallow and Dunmanway. These projects generally take quite a while to get up and running but hopefully there will be seven junior 2k parkruns in Cork by the end of 2023.

If anyone would like to volunteer or help out at these new events then send an email to matt DOT shields AT parkrun DOT com

For more info on parkrun, visit their website... https://www.parkrun.ie/

If you want to visit any of the existing 5k or 2k parkruns in Cork then follow the links on the parkrun Cork page.

Final push needed to get 3 Junior 2k parkruns in Cork City over the line

In January of 2023, I had a post up about a proposed new 2km parkrun for 4-14 year olds in Clashduv Park in Togher. See post HERE

About a year ago, I had a post up about a new 2k Junior parkrun in Ballinlough. See HERE

Back in 2019, I had a post about a proposed new 2k Junior parkrun in Gurranabraher. See HERE

While the Togher Junior parkrun is a new proposal, the other two have been delayed for various reasons.

Finally, it now looks as if ALL THREE will go ahead in 2023 and there will be three new 2km  Junior parkruns in Cork City! That will bring the total number of Junior parkruns in Cork to five with the Ballincollig and Cobh events already on the calendar.

Help needed... To get this project over the line, they are looking for volunteers.  

This is from Cork Sports Partnership... New Junior Parkrun Clashduv Park Junior Parkrun | Volunteer Call Out

Cork City Council, Cork Sports Partnership, Parkrun Ireland, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare’s plans and developments are well underway to set up a new 2k junior parkrun in Clashduv Park Junior Parkrun in Togher! For this to proceed we need volunteers!! Exciting times ahead as Cork Sports Partnership working together with local partners on 3 new Junior Parkrun sites in the city:

St Mary’s Health Campus, Gurranabraher, Ballinlough Park & Clashduv Park, Togher

If you can help out then send an email to john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com

Alternatively, you can fill out the form at the end of the information page HERE

What is junior parkrun? - A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds).​

When is it? - It is held every Sunday at 9:30am.

What does it cost to join in? - Nothing - it's free! but please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time.

Help wanted for Junior 2k parkrun in Togher

As the poster says, there is a group trying to get a free 2km Junior parkrun up and running in Clashduv Park in Togher in Cork City. Just like the normal 5k parkruns for adults that take place every Saturday at 9:30am, the Junior 2k parkruns take place at 9:30am on Sundays.

As of January 2023, there are two Junior parkruns in Cork... one in Ballincollig Regional Park and one in Cobh. There really should be way way more.

One of the criteria for junior parkruns is that the children must be within sight of race stewards at all times. A flat grassland like Clashduv Park is ideal for this. Looking at the map below, it looks like two or three loops of the park might be required to get the 2k distance.

If you want to help get this 2k parkrun up and running in Togher than email john DOT kissane AT parkrun DOT com.

New 2k junior parkrun planned for Ballinlough - Sept 2022

Update 15th September 2022: This new 2k junior parkrun was due to start in September of 2022. This has now been delayed. Hopefully it will be up and running by Christmas but no firm date has been announced yet. 

Update 19th July 2022: Back in December of 2021, I announced that there were plans for a junior 2k parkrun in Ballinlough. Things have been ticking away behind the scenes and it now looks as if it will start in September of 2022!

They have a team of 12 volunteers assembled and they are looking for more.

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December 2021: Some great news! Cork Sports Partnership are looking at setting up a new junior parkrun in Ballinlough Park in Cork City.

This will be held at 9:30am every Sunday morning and is aimed at children aged 4 to 14 years old.

The course is 2kms in length and everything is free!

At the moment, there are just two junior parkruns in Cork (Cobh & Ballinlough) but there really should be many more. 

If you would like to get involved and help get the Ballinlough junior parkrun up and running then send an email to James Kirby at Cork Sports Partnership - jkirby AT corksports DOT ie

Reminder that the Cobh & Ballincollig 2k junior parkruns have restarted...

I know a lot of runners that are parents read this blog and this is just a reminder for them that the free weekly 2km parkruns for 4-14 year old's have restarted.

There are two in Cork... one in Ballincollig Regional Park and one at Carrignafoy in Cobh.

Last Sunday, the Ballincollig event had 66 finishers while the Cobh one had 48.

These events are open to children aged from 4 to 14 years old and are held every Sunday morning at 9:30am.

These are the links to the respective parkrun websites... 

Ballincollig junior parkrun... https://www.parkrun.ie/ballincolligregional-juniors/

Cobh junior parkrun... https://www.parkrun.ie/cobh-juniors/