Latest news with #DavidGillick
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Athletics star David Gillick encouraging anyone struggling with fitness or isolation to join free Parkrun coaching, after event became his ‘therapy'
Register at and access six-weeks of coaching to run – with walkers and volunteers also welcome Former Olympic sprinter David Gillick says his weekend Parkrun became part of his 'therapy' after he experienced a huge comedown when he retired from athletics. Now he wants anyone struggling with fitness or isolation to sign up for free Parkrun coaching to improve their physical and mental health. Gillick (42), from Ballinteer, south Dublin, experienced depression after he retired from elite athletics 11 years ago. But the former 400m runner – who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – won't forget the impact the VHI Parkrun at Dublin's Marlay Park had on him two years after he retired from athletics. Back then, he felt unable to run due to a mental block and an identity crisis. '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 athlete is today helping to launch Your Happy Pace, a VHI initiative to get as many people as possible participating in Parkruns from this September. Gillick pushed himself to go to Parkrun at Marlay Park, after repeatedly battling with himself about whether it was something he should do. The experience was transformative. 'It became like part of my therapy,' Gillick said. The release of endorphins was amazing and I felt good about myself again '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. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'I expected more but even after feeling I'd not done enough, I realised I was out in the air, I was with my wife Charlotte, I was among people and I was already starting to feel better. "We grabbed a coffee and I was set up for the day. The release of endorphins was amazing and I felt good about myself again. 'I wanted to better myself and I was eating and sleeping again. It was a massive benefit to me.' Gillick is set to release his memoir, The Race, in October, which will track his entire career and the world of Irish athletics. But right now, he's launching free places available for a six-week couch-to-Parkrun programme in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kilkenny, and Donegal. This is part of his life after athletics – and he says he's keen to help make society a better place. The programme, beginning on September 1, will give participants a training plan supplemented by weekly in-person training with a qualified coach at one of six selected parkrun locations nationwide. Gillick says he understands some people feel out of place when it comes to running. But he assured interested applicants, 'there will be someone there to support you every step of the way'. There's coaches on board, webinars and WhatsApp groups, to help runners. And the public don't have to run, they can walk or volunteer. The initiative is about 'building community, helping physical and mental health and ending isolation'. There'll be people with you every step '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. 'Maybe you might be a bit intimidated, you might not want to go and feel maybe you'll be isolated and left behind. 'That won't be the case. There'll be people with you every step. We want to target people who aren't Parkrunners. 'We want people to embrace it. Maybe you'll ease your way into a jog, who knows.' Gillick still attends the Marlay Park Parkruns and he's witnessed young people increasingly coming to the events. But there's older people too, sometimes volunteering. The events help provide opportunities for people to meet others and form friendships. 'This type of coaching would cost so much if you paid for it, so it's just great,' he said. 'For me, it's about creating an environment we want to live in, where we want our kids to grow up in. An environment where there's opportunities and fun, a chance for people to be happier and take those initiatives because I've gone through it – feelings of isolation and feeling lost. 'And I know the impact running had on my life and what it can do for others, too. We can all play our part in making life better. And tell your friends and family about this too.' Register at There are up to 50 places available at each of the following Parkrun locations, with applicants notified in advance. The locations are: Poolbeg Parkrun, Ringsend, south Dublin; UCG Parkrun, Co Galway; Ballincollig Parkrun, Co Cork; Mungret Parkrun, Co Limerick; Kilkenny Parkrun, Castle Park, Co Kilkenny; Letterkenny Parkrun, Co Donegal.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Cork pupils win Ireland's Fittest School contest and an entire week free of homework!
Ballyhass NS principal said pupils had the 'drive to win' Fyffes' Fittest School in Athlone as they narrowly missed out on the title last year Corkman Ballyhass National School was crowned the Fyffes Fittest School in Ireland, a year after finishing second in the nationwide competition. The grand final took place at the Athlone International Arena and was hosted by Irish Olympian David Gillick. The four schools representing their province contested for a prize package which included €8,000 worth of sports equipment. Ballyhass was crowned the fittest school in Munster back in April, which booked their place in the national competition and Prinicpal Tracey Cremin said the team had the 'drive to win' after losing out last year. 'They had to do different activities against other schools, and we came second last year so we had more of a drive to win it this time around,' 'They were used to the hype of the arena and the buzz in Athlone. 'It wasn't their first time so that at least helped them, and they really wanted to win,' she said. 320 schools from across the island took part in the 10-week long competition, which consisted of school-wide exercise while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Each team consists of 16 children, two from each class group, all the way from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. Ms Cremin said it was 'difficult' to choose 16 children out of 231 students but 'all the kids knew that they were still part of getting to Athlone.' 'Parents have said that the kids actually enjoy coming into school early in the mornings because they knew there would be a good buzz, music and it would be great way to be set up for the day. 'We don't have a hall, so we had to do it out on the yard, even if it was cold outside,' she said. The children were greeted with a 'huge turnout' of supporters when they returned from Athlone. After their win, Ms Cremin informed the children that they would be homework free for the week. 'I was asked to speak by the host David Gillick and I just blurted out that there would be no homework for the week, and they were delighted with that,' she laughed. Related topics Martin Mongan
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford school qualifies for final in a bid to become Ireland's fittest school
Supported by Irish fruit importer Fyffes and tracked online, the purpose of the competition, launched in December and now in its fourth year, is to promote the importance of exercise, fitness and healthy eating amongst young people. The Leinster final will take place at SCD Leisure Tallaght in early May, after which the top school from each of the Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster provincial finals will then progress to the grand final in Athlone on May 19. The live final will be hosted by one of Ireland's best-known Olympians sprinter David Gillick and the prize package will include €8,000 worth of sports equipment and the title of Ireland's Fittest School 2025. The three other schools taking part in the Leinster final will be Dangan Mixed National School from Meath, St. Michael's Boys National School from Longford and Scoil Na Mainistreach from Kildare.
