Dungannon Park parkrun, NI
A novelty - a parkrun that still has the extra word 'park' in the name.
Although I could see where the run was, I wasn't sure where to park from the website, so trusted to the directions, which said to look for the sign to the park from the road. I was relieved, then, to see volunteers gathered by the car park.
Even better, behind those trees there's a sign that clearly says start. I relaxed a little too much at that - once I got closer after some faffing, I realised that it was pointing towards the start, not its actual location. I had plenty of time, but it's worth bearing in mind, especially as the start is on a large clearing up a cruel hill, so you don't really want to have to rush up it.
It really is a very large clearing. As a result of all that space, and the first path being downhill, the start was tremendously exciting, and definitely got legs and blood moving. The surface is hard-packed, if a little rocky - think big gravel, not the stuff you'd put on a driveway - so watch your footing. You'd probably be fine running in shoes without much cushioning, so long as you're not blasé.
The course is two laps, clockwise round the lake, past the campsite and through the woods. And, of course, up that sodding hill a couple of times. The route picks a less cruel incline than the one we walked up to reach the clearing, but still - it's a fair way up. The finish is lower, though, so it is at least a net drop. And, as ever, the total elevation was disappointing (20m) given how hard the hill felt.
Some of the paths are fairly narrow, so pick your spot to overtake carefully - the start is an excellent spot, as is the long straight just afterwards, which becomes the finish. From there it is twisty and narrow, round the lake and over the bridge above.
Climbing the hill takes you to the highlight, the section through the woods. It is darker in there, and still slightly uphill, but it's a lovely spot, with the course snaking through and back up to the clearing.
After doing the whole thing again, you can gallop as best possible down the tremendously exciting start (I didn't find it quite as exciting the third time), take a right turn at the bottom and along to the finish, next to the campsite.
The cafe is right next to the car park, and with toilets behind it - those were open even though the cafe is currently closed.
It's a lovely run of many features, and a nice park to have a stroll round afterwards. Dungannon itself has a series of interlinked parks, and near to Dungannon Park is a posh, if under-rented, outlet centre ensuring that not only can you get refreshments, but also a whole new wardrobe - of clothes and probably an actual wardrobe, if you're short one. I didn't even get to the centre of town, as the parks are a little outside, but enjoyed both a run and a walk, plus doughnuts from a supermarket. Everything I needed, and plenty I didn't.