Vhi Launches Free Parkrun Coaching to Combat Isolation and Boost Health

Former Olympian David Gillick Champions Initiative

A new Vhi initiative aims to help individuals overcome fitness struggles and feelings of isolation by offering free six-week coaching to participate in Parkrun events. Walkers and volunteers are also encouraged to join.

From Athlete to Advocate

David Gillick, a former elite 400m runner and Olympian, is spearheading the “Your Happy Pace” program. After retiring from athletics 11 years ago, Gillick experienced depression and an identity crisis, finding it difficult to run for two years. He credits Parkrun at Marlay Park with significantly improving his mental and physical well-being.

“When I retired from elite athletics, I didn’t want to run for two years,” said Gillick, who is a VHI ambassador. “I went through counselling. I felt like I’d lost my identity because I’d been running since I was seven. It was part of me.”

The transformative experience at Parkrun helped Gillick reconnect with his passion for running and rebuild his confidence.

“It became like part of my therapy,” Gillick said. “The release of endorphins was amazing and I felt good about myself again.”

He described his initial return to running: “I was in Marlay Park, where my athletics club was. I had the label ‘I’m an Olympian, that I can do every event great’. But it wasn’t the case. After the first one, I died. I thought I could stay with the others but I couldn’t. I ran a 5k in probably 25 minutes.” Despite not meeting his own expectations, the fresh air, company, and endorphin boost made a tangible difference.

Community and Well-being Focus

The “Your Happy Pace” program, starting September 1, offers a structured training plan with weekly in-person coaching at selected parkrun locations nationwide. The initiative aims to build community, improve physical and mental health, and combat isolation.

Gillick emphasized the inclusive nature of the program: “This is about physical and mental health. It’s not to put pressure on people to see how fast they run. This is geared towards people who were never involved in parkrun.” He assured potential participants that support would be available at every stage.

The program includes access to coaches, webinars, and WhatsApp groups. Participants can choose to run, walk, or volunteer, highlighting the program’s focus on broader community engagement. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity is linked to reduced rates of depression and anxiety. For instance, a 2023 systematic review published in JAMA Network Open found that physical activity interventions significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety across various populations (JAMA Psychiatry, 2023).

National Reach

The initiative is accepting up to 50 participants at each of the following parkrun locations: Poolbeg Parkrun (Dublin), UCG Parkrun (Galway), Ballincollig Parkrun (Cork), Mungret Parkrun (Limerick), Kilkenny Parkrun (Castle Park), and Letterkenny Parkrun (Donegal).

Gillick, who is also releasing his memoir, “The Race,” in October, hopes the program will foster a more supportive environment for everyone.