Longford Junior parkrun

Every Sunday morning, The Mall Park in Longford town fills with children lining up for junior parkrun, a free, timed 2km event for 4 to 14 year olds. It runs at 9:30am, year-round, rain or shine, and sits alongside the adult Longford parkrun as part of the same volunteer-run parkrun family. There is no charge, no membership fee and no pressure to run fast; walking the course is just as welcome as racing it.

What to expect

The course covers 2,000m on a mix of gravel paths and grass within The Mall Park, an easy, flat loop that suits beginners as well as more experienced young runners. Every finisher gets a time, recorded against a personal parkrun barcode, so children can track their own progress week to week if they want to, though plenty of families come along just for the fun of it. Longford junior parkrun operates a “no barcode, no result” policy, so first-timers need to register online in advance, free of charge, and bring a printed or saved barcode to be scanned at the finish. The whole event, from course marshalling to finish-line scanning, is run entirely by local volunteers, and new helpers, whether parents or older siblings, are always welcome.

Getting there

The Mall Park is just off Temple Michael Road, a short walk from Longford town centre. There is on-street and nearby car parking, and the flat, paved sections of the park suit buggies as well as running children.

While you’re in Longford

The Mall is one of Longford town’s best-loved green spaces, with a walking loop along the River Camlin that is worth extending into after the run. There is more to see in Longford and across Co. Longford.

Good to know

• Every Sunday, 9:30am, year-round
• Venue: The Mall Park, Temple Michael Road, Longford
• Free; register once at parkrun.ie and bring your barcode each week
• For ages 4 to 14; adults are welcome to walk or jog alongside
• Volunteers needed most weeks; email longfordjuniors@parkrun.com to help