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Olympian David Gillick and Vhi parkrunners, from left, Hannah Balda, Sam Horgan and Lynn Wilson are inviting those new to parkrun to apply for a free six-week ‘couch to parkrun’ programme this September. The programme will include weekly in-person training and support in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Donegal. Register your interest now at yourhappypace.ie Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Olympian David Gillick and Vhi parkrunners, from left, Hannah Balda, Sam Horgan and Lynn Wilson are inviting those new to parkrun to apply for a free six-week ‘couch to parkrun’ programme this September. The programme will include weekly in-person training and support in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Donegal. Register your interest now at yourhappypace.ie Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

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Olympian David Gillick encourages people in Limerick to find ‘Your Happy Pace’

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Olympian David Gillick encourages people in Limerick to find ‘Your Happy Pace’. Olympian David Gillick and Vhi parkrunners, from left, Hannah Balda, Sam Horgan, and Lynn Wilson. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

VHI and Olympian David Gillick are encouraging people in Limerick to try parkrun and experience the benefits with a six-week couch to parkrun programme

Olympian David Gillick and Vhi are inviting those new to parkrun to apply for a free six-week ‘couch to parkrun’ programme this September. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Vhi’s award-winning More than Running series is back with the launch of  ‘Your Happy Pace’, a new Vhi campaign that makes it easier for newcomers to try parkrun for the first time and experience the benefits for themselves via a free, six-week couch to parkrun programme.

The programme, beginning on September 1, will see participants receive a training plan supplemented by weekly in-person training with a qualified coach at one of 6 selected parkrun locations nationwide. 

Further motivation and support will be provided to those who sign up through webinars, as well as tailored WhatsApp groups for each location.


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Anyone interested in participating in the programme can register their interest at yourhappypace.ie with up to 50 places available at the Mungret Parkrun in Limerick and successful applicants will be notified in advance.

Vhi’s recent survey of the parkrun community illustrates that participation has positive impacts far beyond the obvious physical health benefits.  Participants report boosts to their mood immediately after completing parkrun and well beyond, while the survey also provides strong evidence that parkrun helps participants build strong social connections, something increasingly important in a society where loneliness is on the rise.

99% of those surveyed believe participation in parkrun improves their mood for the rest of the day, with 99% also saying parkrun makes them feel more socially connected to others.

Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications, Vhi said, “As presenting partners of parkrun, Vhi is committed to helping people live longer, stronger, healthier lives. We know that participating in parkrun makes people happy and the strong results of our recent survey underline that.

“We want as many people as possible to experience the benefits of parkrun, which is why we have created this free couch to parkrun programme where 300 individuals in 6 counties will participate in a 6-week programme to build their fitness and feel first-hand the joy of being part of the parkrun community. With spaces limited, we strongly encourage anyone who would like to be involved to register their interest as soon as possible at yourhappypace.ie.”

Pictured is Olympian David Gillick. The programme will include weekly in-person training and support in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Donegal. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Vhi ambassador David Gillick said: “It’s no surprise to me that Vhi’s survey of parkrun participants so clearly shows the levels of happiness that parkrun brings them. Whether you walk, jog, run or volunteer, participating on a Saturday or Sunday morning offers the perfect combination of physical exercise and social connection.

“That’s why I’m so excited by Vhi’s new couch to parkrun programme as it helps to remove those barriers and offers an amazing opportunity for people across Ireland to give parkrun a try. If you’re interested, don’t delay! Apply today at  yourhappypace.ie and I will hopefully see you at one of the parkrun locations during the programme!”

Other participating parkruns nationally include Poolbeg parkrun, Dublin; UCG parkrun, Galway; Ballincollig parkrun, Cork; Kilkenny parkrun, Castle Park, Kilkenny; and Letterkenny parkrun, Donegal.

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.