Even though parkrun has removed official course records to promote inclusivity, the weekly 5K event still draws some of the world’s fastest runners as a test of fitness. On Nov. 9, at Belfast’s Victoria Park parkrun, 19-year-old Irish runner Nick Griggs set a new parkrun world best, completing the 5K in an impressive 13 minutes and 44 seconds.
Griggs’ time shaved one second off the previous record, held by British Olympian Andy Butchart. Ireland now has both the men’s and women’s parkrun bests, with middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean setting the women’s record of 15:13 at the same location last December.
Parkrun, a free, community-based, timed 5K event held in parks and open spaces worldwide, is held every Saturday morning. Although parkrun organizers emphasize that the event is “a run, not a race,” Griggs’ performance has gained attention, even from parkrun. “Congratulations to Nick Griggs on setting a new fastest parkrun time. This was one of an amazing 51,356 parkrun PBs set this weekend,” wrote parkrun on X.
“I wasn’t out to set a record,” Griggs shared with BBC Ulster. “But I was in good form and thought there was a chance. I didn’t realize until I checked my watch—I’d taken a second off.”
We love the personal achievements of everyone in the parkrun community 🧡
Congratulations to Nick Griggs on setting a new fastest parkrun time of 13:44 at Belfast Victoria parkrun on Saturday.
This was one of an amazing 51,356 parkrun PBs set this weekend. Well done everyone. pic.twitter.com/J4lMl9UYro
— parkrun 🌳 (@parkrun) November 11, 2024
Griggs told the BBC that he chose the local parkrun to gauge his fitness ahead of the Irish Cross Country Championships on Nov. 17, where he hopes to qualify for Ireland’s team at the European Cross Country Championships in Turkey on Dec. 8.
In 2023, Griggs earned a bronze medal for Ireland in the U20 European Cross Country Championships. He also represented his country at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he achieved a personal best of 3:35.04 in the 1,500m at 18. Since then, Griggs has continued to excel, setting records in Northern Ireland and securing his place among Ireland’s distance-running greats. Although he narrowly missed qualifying for Ireland’s Olympic team for Paris, Griggs’ talent suggests a bright future in the sport.
