Trail Running Calendar Northern Ireland 2026-2027

A mountain race in the Hill and Dale series covering 8 km with 800 m of climb on open mountain terrain. The route is anti clockwise and unmarked with a start at Ott Car Park and a minimum age of 15.

Hen & Cock is a Hills and Dales mountain race at Hen Car Park on 18 June 2026. The course is about 5 km with roughly 500 m of climb; participants must be 15 or older and bring full body cover.

An elimination event at Florence Court where runners repeat an approximately 4.2 mile loop, must finish each lap within one hour, and continue hourly until a single last one standing remains.

An obstacle race in Derry / Londonderry on 20 and 21 June 2026 featuring a 10 km course with over 50 natural and man made obstacles, plus separate 5 km teen and 2 km mini courses for younger participants.

A marked 6 km forest race at Donard Forest Park with about 400 m of climb, part of the Hills and Dales series. Entries open 20 March 2026 and age minimum is 15 on 1 January 2026.

A **5K** multi-terrain race through Carnlough quarry with limestone paths, climbs, coastal views and a short out-and-back on Largy Road, organised by Glenlough Running Club.

A mountain running event around Spelga reservoir on 4 July 2026 offering a **20 km** championship course and a new **11 km** league course, both requiring mandatory safety kit and navigation with physical map and compass.

Sea2Sky in Donard Park, Newcastle features evening 10K race and walk plus a 5K race that moves from promenade to forest and the Mourne foothills, with mixed road, trail and an open-mountain section and post-race refreshments.

A 12 km mountain race in County Tyrone with 500 m of ascent to the Mullaghcarn summit. The fully marked course requires Level B kit and is organised by Carmen Runners as part of the IMRA Ulster Championships and NIMRA League.

A half marathon and 10k around the grounds and nearby forest of Hillsborough Castle, supporting Action Mental Health. The event includes distance markers, chip timing, race photos and a themed medal.

Seven Sevens is a mountain running event in County Down on 8 August 2026 covering 31 km with about 2800 m of ascent. Organised by BARF, the route has only major junction markings and GPS use is not allowed.

A last one standing Backyard Ultra at Florence Court with repeated 4.17 mile laps and one hour per lap; the event continues each hour until a single runner remains and is named Irish Champion 2026.

Scrabo in County Down is a NIMRA short-championship mountain race organised by Ballydrain Harriers on 20 August 2026. The course is 6.30 km with 360 m climb; only major junctions are marked and GPS is not allowed.

A mountain running event on Cuilcagh in County Cavan on 12 September 2026, covering 11.90 km with 870 m climb; only major junctions are marked, GPS is not allowed, and Level B mandatory kit is required.

A two day mountain navigation and endurance event in the Mourne Mountains for teams of two, covering about 35 to 55 km across two days, with a one day score class. Participants camp overnight and are expected to be self sufficient.

A mountain running event in County Down on 3 October 2026 covering 11.90 km with 870 m climb, organised by Mourne Runners as part of the IMRA Ulster Championships and NIMRA League; GPS is not allowed and Level C kit is required.

SkyRun the Mournes features three demanding skyrunning races in the scenic Mourne mountains. Runners can choose from distances of 50 km, 35 km, or 20 km, each with significant elevation gain. The event is scheduled for October 10th, 2026.

Nav Challenge 4 in the Mourne Mountains takes place in County Dublin on Sunday 18 October 2026. The unmarked course is 99.00 km with 999 m of climb, GPS is not allowed and a Level B mandatory kit is required.

A 20 mile coastal trail run from Portrush along the Causeway Coast Way that passes the Giant's Causeway and runs through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Surfaces include grass, trail, beach and coastpath with about 2276 ft of ascent.

A summer running festival at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens on 25 July 2027 offering 10K and Half Marathon routes, chip timing, kilometre markers, a themed medal and free race photos in support of Northern Ireland Hospice.