Eimear Ryan: Running’s unique community spirit goes hand in hand with parklife

On a balmy Friday evening, not too long ago, I find myself out in Courtmacsherry for a 10k race. This is a ‘fun run’, a phrase that until quite recently I dismissed as oxymoronic, writes Eimear Ryan.

Now, however, I do Google searches to find out when these events are taking place around the county, writing them down in my weekly planner aspirationally. I don’t make it to most of them, but I’m always glad when I do.

I’m not even running on this blustery evening. I hoped to, but a mild quad strain in a camogie match the previous evening put paid to that. I’m just tagging along to support my friends. As soon as I’ve parked the car, though, I wish I was running: It’s a nice flat course along the water, out the road to Timoleague and back again. I’ve been sitting in front of a computer all day and the sea air clears my head of screen-fug right away.