Wexford Racecourse parkrun

What to Expect

Wexford Racecourse parkrun is a free, timed 5k held every Saturday at 9:30am inside the grounds of Wexford Racecourse at Bettyville on the Newtown Road, on the edge of Wexford town. Using a racecourse as a running venue gives this event a different feel to a typical park or woodland parkrun: the course makes use of the wide, level ground within the racecourse boundary, which is normally reserved for National Hunt racing. Wexford Racecourse itself has a long history, with the earliest recorded racing on the site dating back to the 1870s, and the track was reconfigured from right handed to left handed in 2015, a change that led the course to drop flat racing the following year and focus solely on jump racing.

As with all parkrun events, participation is completely free and organised entirely by local volunteers, from marshals and timekeepers to the people who set up and pack away each week. Anyone can take part by walking, jogging or running the 5k, and results are logged using a barcode system, so first timers need to register once at parkrun.ie and bring a barcode (printed or on a phone) to be scanned at the finish. The event has built a loyal following among Wexford town runners as a low key, sociable way to start the weekend, and because the racecourse is flat and open, it also suits pushchairs and those working towards their first ever 5k, alongside more competitive club runners chasing a personal best.

Good to Know

• Every Saturday at 9:30am, year round except Christmas Day
• Venue: Wexford Racecourse, Bettyville, Newtown Road, Wexford
• Free to take part; register once at parkrun.ie and bring a barcode
• 5k course within the racecourse grounds, suitable for all paces and pushchairs
• This listing is dated to the next occurrence; the event repeats every week

Getting There

The racecourse is on the Newtown Road on the edge of Wexford town, a short drive or a walkable distance from the town centre depending on where you are starting from. On site parking is available within the racecourse grounds for parkrun participants.