Cleveragh Junior Parkrun

Cleveragh junior parkrun is a free, timed 2km run or walk for children, held every Sunday morning at 9:30am at Cleveragh Sports Pitches in Sligo town, opposite the Sligo Sports Complex. It runs on the same volunteer-led, free-to-all model as the adult Saturday parkrun at nearby Doorly Park, but over a shorter distance and aimed at children, with parents and guardians welcome to walk or jog alongside.

What to expect

The event follows the standard parkrun junior format found across Ireland: a flat, marshalled 2km course suited to a wide range of abilities, from children running competitively to first-timers walking the whole way with a parent. Like all parkrun events it is entirely free and run by local volunteers, and every finisher gets their time recorded against a personal barcode, so children can track their own progress from week to week rather than compete against each other. New participants need to register once online before their first run and bring a printed or saved barcode each week. Volunteers are needed every Sunday to marshal the course, run the finish funnel and scan barcodes, and parents are often the ones who fill those roles on a rota. The event is listed on Sligo County Council’s community events calendar alongside the adult Saturday parkrun as one of the town’s regular free family fixtures.

Getting there

Cleveragh Sports Pitches are on the Cleveragh side of Sligo town, opposite the Sligo Sports Complex and close to Doorly Park. It is an easy walk from most parts of town, and there is parking nearby for those travelling from further afield.

While you’re in Sligo

A Sunday morning run is a good, gentle start to a family day out in Sligo. The town centre, with its shops and cafes, is a short walk away, and the Garavogue riverside path makes for an easy stroll afterwards. There is more to see in Sligo and across Co. Sligo.

Good to know

• Every Sunday at 9:30am, at Cleveragh Sports Pitches, opposite the Sligo Sports Complex
• Free to take part; register once at parkrun.ie before the first run and bring a barcode each week
• Standard parkrun junior format, generally for children aged 4 to 14, with parents welcome to take part alongside them
• Volunteers needed every week to help run the event
• Listed on the Sligo County Council community events calendar