Magilligan Prison to host NI’s latest parkrun

The new parkrun event will be held entirely within the prison estate at Magilligan. Credit: UTV

Magilligan Prison has become the unlikely setting for Northern Ireland’s latest parkrun event.

Starting on Saturday, staff and prisoners will come together for the first in a series of 5k runs inside the grounds of the jail.

It is hoped the event, which is being called the Lower Drummans parkrun after the townland, could help rehabilitate inmates back into the community.

However, while parkruns are usually open to anyone, members of the general public can’t join in this time as the run is being held entirely within the grounds of the secure prison estate.

Only staff, inmates, and some of their family members will be on the starting line or there to spectate - but the prison authorities hope the parkrun will still have positive benefits.