Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Running Festival

Event overview

The Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Running Festival takes place on Sunday 26 July 2026 at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, 349 Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough BT26 6GT, UK. The event is presented by Gateley and supports Northern Ireland Hospice. Distances on offer include:

• 10K
• Half Marathon
• RunThrough Foundation Place (no fundraising required)

Course and race information

Both the 10K and the half marathon start and finish within the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. The route uses paths free from traffic and is described as multi-terrain. The course passes local landmarks such as Hillsborough Lake and Hillsborough Fort, goes into surrounding forest areas, and uses Ballynahinch Road before returning to the event village. Each mile is marked with distance flags. The half marathon has a strict 3 hour cut-off time due to road closures. Pacers will be available on the course.

Entries, inclusions and logistics

Entry fees listed for the event range from £36 to £80; specific prices shown are £36 for the 10K, £40 for the half marathon, and £80 for a RunThrough Foundation Place entry. Group bookings are available for six people for £170. Race entries include a unique themed medal, free race photos, chip-timed results, and post-race goodies. A technical event T-shirt is available to purchase separately through RunThrough Kit at a reduced price. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.