Going ahead this Saturday
No cancellation listed for Saturday 31 October.
Parkrun
Garvagh Forest parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Nearby Sunday 2k junior parkrun events for 4 to 14 year olds and their families can be found here.
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United Kingdom
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Northern Ireland
- 5 kilometres
- Garvagh Forest
Meeting point: 54.97742, -6.69554. The interactive map loads with JavaScript. Open the same point in OpenStreetMap.
Coordinates 54.97742, -6.69554.
The course
Course description
Undulating picturesque two lap course on trail paths. Start and finish areas are close to the main forest entrance.
The forest is a ‘community’ forest cared for by local people. Please look after it as well and respect the Leave No Trace principles.
On the course
The course is 5k long. The course is at Garvagh Forest, Garvagh. The course is run entirely on trail paths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place.
Please remember that the parkrun uses shared paths. For the continued success of the event, please give way to other park users. This won't hurt your time, it won't stop you from getting a PB and it will make sure everyone continues to enjoy the event.
Please, wherever possible walk, jog, cycle or use public transport when attending the event. If you do have to drive, please consider car-sharing to reduce our impact on both the environment and other park users. Please also watch out for other park users when arriving and leaving. Parking may be limited so try to arrive early.
Facilities
Public toilets are available at Bridge Street, Garvagh. For the time being, please do not use the toilets at Jim Watts Sport Centre. All other facilities in the Jim Watt Centre are subject to current covid restrictions.
More details
Public transport
There are no public transport services available for the event start time on a Saturday morning.
On foot
As "Getting there by road" directions.
By road
Travelling from Swatragh: The forest park is located on the left as you enter Garvagh and just after you cross the Ballinameen bridge.
Travelling from all other directions: Follow A29 and drive through Garvagh town centre. The forest park is on the right hand side before Ballinameen bridge.
Please note parkrunners should park at either St Paul’s Parish Church car park approximately 200m from forest park, the large public carpark on Bridge Street, or Jim Watts Sports Centre car park which is approximately 550m across the main road - please do take here crossing the road.
Please do not park in the forest car park, along the main road or at the Limavady Road entrance.
Coffee
Every week we grab a post-parkrun coffee: The Pantry and Coffee Thyme, both are in Garvagh. Please come and join us!
We're friendly
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at The Pantry and Coffee Thyme, both are in Garvagh - please come and join us!
Course safety
Garvagh Forest parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the event as safe as possible, so participants, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:
- Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
- Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm's reach) throughout the event by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice.
- Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
- We invite everyone to consider volunteering at parkrun. Your support helps your parkrun events remain sustainable and free for all in your community, and it’s also a wonderful way to improve your own health and happiness. Please visit the volunteer page for more information.
- Take care near roads and car parks – some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the event, please drive carefully.
- Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
- Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.
- If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
- If you’re watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
- It is not permitted to run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time.
- Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when at parkrun events in grassy or wooded areas. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.
- You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. The use of waist harnesses is prohibited. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about parkrunning with dogs.
- parkrunners pushing buggies are welcome, but please take care of others around you and do your best to start at an appropriate place in the field for your pace.
We hope these tips help to ensure that Garvagh Forest parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.
Age grading
All parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners compare results.
parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners see progress and compare results.
For more information, please see our Support page.
Volunteering
All parkrun events are organised by volunteers - email garvaghforest@parkrun.com to help.
Safeguarding
parkrun is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For our full safeguarding processes and policies please see our Safeguarding Hub.
To report a safeguarding concern please email safeguarding@parkrun.com.
Event stats
- 250
- Events
- 2,911
- Finishers
- 9,233
- Finishes
- 271
- Volunteers
- 1,379
- Personal bests
- 247
- Groups
- 00:30:09
- Average finish time
Nearby parkruns
- Riverside junior parkrun, Ballymoney Riverside Park · 16 km
- Riverside parkrun, Ballymoney Riverside, Ballymoney · 16 km
- Christie parkrun Christie · 16 km
- Limavady parkrun Blackburn Park · 18 km
- The Fisherman’s Walk parkrun The Fisherman’s Walk · 18 km
- Derrynoid Forest parkrun Derrynoid Forest · 21 km
- Magherafelt junior parkrun Polepatrick · 25 km
- Portrush parkrun East Strand Beach, Portrush · 25 km
Challenges this parkrun helps with
- Alphabeteer Challenge Starts with G
- Stayin' Alive Starts with G (needed for Stayin' Alive)
- UK Postcode Areas Postcode area BT
- Periodic Table Matches symbols: Ga, Ge
Parkrun Planner
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Bushy parkrun
High quality prints
Get your parkrun achievements in stunning detail. Choose from digital downloads to print yourself, or opt for our premium professional printing service featuring high-quality glossy paper with deep, vibrant inks for exceptional color depth and clarity.
Available in both A4 and A3 sizes, perfect for framing and displaying your running accomplishments. Every print is crafted with precision to showcase your milestones, challenges, and legends in the finest quality.
Check out our awardsPark5K is not affiliated with parkrun. - last updated 26 October 2026