By Evelyn Cullen
EDDIE McFadden from Gort a’ Choirce and Falcarragh has reached the incredible milestone of running 300 parkruns.
He has been taking part in parkrun since 2016, when together with Tom Feeney, they set up the Falcarragh parkrun, and he has hardly missed a run since then.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world” he said, speaking to the Donegal News this week from Tenerife where he was on holidays.
He even did parkrun in Tenerife while there, which made it his 301st.
“We do parkrun wherever we go, even when we’re on holidays” he said, speaking of himself and his wife Anne, who also joins the ranks of dedicated runners.
They have also completed parkruns in Buncrana, Dungloe, Derry, Longford, London and Holland.
Parkrun is a worldwide initiative that started in 2012, a 5km race that takes place every Saturday morning in towns, villages and cities in more than 2,000 locations around the globe.
“They’re all great,” he said “but the Falcarragh one is something special,” he added.
“It starts and finishes at the Ballyconnell Estate, going along the lovely stone walls and through the forest, it’s very sheltered and peaceful with the trees all around you.”
The Falcarragh parkrun has a team of about 15 dedicated volunteers, without whom the run wouldn’t happen.
Eddie is keen to mention and thank them: Tom Feeney, Paul Anthony, Norman McClane, Denis Dunleavy, Scotch John, Paddy McClafferty, Eddie Hanna “There is more and thanks to them all” he said.
For such an impressive record, a solid routine no doubt is key.
Eddie starts his Saturday morning at 6.15am, at work in the Centra shop in the village where he is the manager, sorting the stock and the orders.
Once that’s done he meets with the volunteer gang at about 8.15am where they get set up for the run, put out the cones, clear any leaves or debris off the course, before doing a bit of a warm-up to be ready, steady, go for 9.30am.
“We get a good crowd of about eighty and ninety people every week,” said Eddie. “Young and old and ones in their 70s and 80s.
“Many are regulars but we also get a lot of visitors who join while they’re in Falcarragh, it’s a great atmosphere and everyone comes together,” he added.
After the run itself, it’s on then to the GAA centre for tea, biscuits and buns as well as the craic and banter, the camaraderie being a key part of the parkrun culture.
“A lot of people help out, but Maureen is the main woman there,” said Eddie.
Eddie also runs with the Falcarragh Road Runners on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
He completed the Dublin City Marathon two years ago and has also completed the Donegal half-marathon.
“I’ve been a runner all my life,” he said.
But he is also a great dancer, that which this reporter can personally vouch for, having jived with him at the Dunfanaghy Dippers Christmas party in the Clanree Hotel last year.
Eddie is a member of the Dunfanaghy Dippers, a large and growing group of locals and visitors, who dip at Portnablagh beach every morning at 11am hail, rain or snow “but mostly I’m just along there for the tea and the craic,” he admits.
He is a fluent Gaeilgeoir and an amateur actor.
In fact you might see him popping up on your tv screens as an extra in the Irish drama series Crá, which just started on TG4 on Monday evenings.
Eddie is a friendly face and a popular man in Falcarragh and beyond.
He has been the manager of the Centra shop there since 1975, which will make it 50 years next year, another incredible milestone and another cause to celebrate this man’s dedication to his local community, his commitment to his work and his undeniable zest for life.
Between the running and the acting, the dipping and the dancing, and managing the local supermarket, Eddie is without doubt a local legend, and we wish him good health and success for his next 300 parkruns.
“Running, dancing, working, staying active and enjoying life,” said “Eddie “that’s what keeps me motivated,” he concluded.
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