Profile of a Parkrunner: Meet Michelle

Meet Michelle Madden who is a long standing runner and has been a core member of the volunteer team at Mountlucas parkrun, as well as an occasional parkrun participant.

When did you first complete a parkrun?

My first parkrun was in Vicarstown in August 2015. I really enjoyed that as it’s in a beautiful setting with a very friendly atmosphere, and great refreshments and chats in the hall afterwards. I remember I was mystified as to how the random piece of plastic I was handed at the finish, and then had to throw into a plastic tub in a heap with everyone else’s, could tell what time I had completed it in. I was too embarrassed to ask but would find out when I next attended a parkrun.

My next outing was a full 2 years later on 1st July 2017 when I volunteered to manage these mysterious plastic tokens at Offaly’s first parkrun and Mountlucas Parkrun’s inaugural event. I remember feeling very anxious as to what I was expected to do when handed 300 of them impaled on a metal spike device. Each token is numbered in order so the number one is handed to the first back over the finish line and so on. I panicked when I managed to drop the whole lot all over the ground just as it was about to start but we managed to pick them all up and get them back in order before they were needed. We learnt from this and since then we have smaller bundles of 50 and the job is now often allocated to child volunteers.

I’ve volunteered a total of 54 times so far across all roles. I’ve learnt that those who finish walking or running bring their token to the person who is scanning the barcodes. You get your own individual number and barcode when you register for free to become a parkrun member online at www.parkrun.ie

You can print this off, or download as you prefer, to bring to any parkrun events anywhere in the world. The Barcode Volunteer scans your barcode and then the token number you have been given. This enables you to be emailed your place, order and time you finished in. The mystery from my first parkrun was solved for me!

We work in pairs as Timekeepers to ensure if one of us makes a mistake the other is a backup. All of us who volunteer are just regular parkrunners who take turns volunteering instead of participating and teach and learn from each other. It’s not a professional event so we are allowed to make mistakes as we learn and support each other. I have made several! For this job we download the Parkrun Virtual Volunteer App to our phones. We just press a button in synchrony with each other when the Run Director says start and then each time someone crosses the line, we press a button and the times are saved in order to match the tokens handed out.

The Run Director job entails being trained up to know what each volunteer role is, being able to coordinate the volunteer roster, and the volunteers on the day to make sure each event runs safely. After the parkrun the Run Director is responsible for processing and uploading the results. The scariest part of this job is the bit of public speaking at the start and having to raise your voice above the wind and noise of everyone enjoying their chats at the start line.

What is your favourite thing about parkrun?

I love that there is no pressure to do anything other than enjoy the event in whatever way you prefer. I’m a very infrequent attender over the past 7 years. Apart from volunteering, I’ve only completed 28 events both walking and running. Sometimes I haven’t been fit to even walk the 5km so I volunteer or don’t go at all; other times it’s taken me well over an hour to walk it (the Tail Walker job can suit me on those days), when at times I’ve been able to run it in under 30 minutes. We also have and support people with various disabilities completing Mountlucas parkrun. Some days I feel like enjoying the wonderful chats with others attending while other times I like to walk in silence in my own space. I’ve experienced great camaraderie, respect, and support for each other and highly recommend joining parkrun events wherever you happen to be. We now have the Grand Canal Way Parkrun in Tullamore too. I plan to tour more parkrun events when possible as I love meeting and talking to our visitors from all over the Ireland and other countries at Mountlucas Parkrun.

What is your favourite parkrun memory?

I have many favourite memories, but I think my first-time volunteering will always be prominent as I learnt so much about how Parkrun works and really enjoyed being part of the start of something special in Mountlucas and Offaly.

What words best describe Mountlucas parkrun?

Fun, friendly, inclusive, space, scenic, portaloo (for those of us of a certain age)