WATCH: RTÉ presenter and former Olympian David Gillick joins Dundalk runners for local parkrun

Former athletics star and RTÉ Olympics presenter David Gillick paid a special visit to Dundalk in September to take part in the local parkrun.

The weekly run, which takes place at Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth, saw over 100 runners and walkers take part, including the former Irish track talent.

David Gillick, an ambassador for Vhi, the main sponsor of Parkrun Ireland, discussed the benefits of the Parkrun for mental health with Louisa Mulholland, a Dundalk runner who has participated in the local Parkun for over nine years.

Louisa revealed in conversation with David that she was "quite sick" with double pneumonia roughly three years ago, but said the parkrun helped her massively during the healing process.

"What was nice about Parkrun was that when I was coming back and starting to walk, I could come here. I had a weekly activity that was a bit of a milestone," Louisa said.

"Each week I was able to do a little bit more and more at the Parkrun, so I felt like it tracked my progress over my recovery."

"I was just here enjoying meeting people week to week which was really nice," Louisa added.

David and Louisa both completed the Dundalk Parkrun in under 27 minutes, with the RTÉ presenter stopping for plenty of photos after the run.

According to Vhi, a staggering 97% of Parkrun participants said that the weekly local outdoor event has had a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. 

Vhi ambassador David Gillick will be on the road for the rest of the month meeting Parkrunners to promote the positive effects of the event on mental health.

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