Profile of a Parkrunner: Meet Owen Óg

Meet Owen Óg Scully from Daingean, who at just 16 years old, has completed almost 200 parkruns.

When did you first complete a parkrun?

My first parkrun was the first Mountlucas parkrun on July 1, 2017, which I was dragged to by my mother. She had brought me on a few laps around the football pitch before but that was my first proper run. We have a picture of it hung up on the wall, and I've a big serious head as if I hadn't walked most of it. We've came back nearly every week since then.

What is your favourite thing about parkrun?

I love how friendly and non-competitive the atmosphere is. If I come on a morning and break my personal best, everybody is just as happy with me as if I'd been out the night before and crawl across the line. Everybody is incredibly supportive.

How does it feel to have been taking part in parkrun for more than seven years?

It feels like a big part of my life to be honest. Seven years is almost half of my life doing the parkrun on a Saturday morning. Every week we come out and there are fresh and familiar faces there who are all so friendly. I've particularly enjoyed this last year as I've become faster than my father, and I like to make sure he knows it!

What is your favourite parkrun memory?

It's very simple, but on my 100th parkrun (which was well before Covid) my mother brought a tin of Oreos to the run, and I had a lovely morning eating them, watching everybody else come in. I wasn't too fond of sharing them though, so my mam brought plenty extra!

What words best describe Mountlucas parkrun?

Non-competitive, fun, inclusive and friendly!

Mountlucas parkrun is a free, weekly, timed event held at Bord na Móna Mountlucas wind farm every Saturday morning at 9.30am sharp. There's something for everyone at Mountlucas parkrun whether you want to walk, run, volunteer or just meet new people. For more information see http://parkrun.ie/mountlucas