Participants from far and wide kick off 2026 at Buncrana parkrun

More than 30 people got 2026 off to a flying start at the New Year's Day Buncrana parkrun.

Numbers were swelled by participants from Letterkenny, Strabane and Derry Parkruns, along with visitors from Roscommon, Armagh, Loughborough, Manchester, Glasgow and even South Africa. 

Everyone completed the 5km course at their own pace, some ran, some walked and some even brought their dog. 

There was a team of volunteers making sure everyone stayed safe along the route between the shore front and Portaw on the bright sunny morning.

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Calum McMonagle was the first to finish and Hannah McGowan was the first woman home. 

Some were doing their first parkrun and there were some veterans with Conor Canavan completing his 354th and Cecilia Deehan her 432nd parkrun.

Lughaidh Buitle, 10, was the youngest participant and Alan Moore, Cecilia Deehan and Evelyn Fletcher were all in the 70 to 74 age category.

Stephen Diggin, a regular volunteer, said it was great to see so many people getting their new year off to a good start. 

“I think this was one of the biggest crowds I've ever seen at Buncrana parkrun.”

Buncrana parkrun meets at the shore front at 9.15am every Saturday of the year and the group is always looking for more people to join. 

You can just turn up, or if you have any questions call  0852522752.