Take this as your sign to outline future goals in your fitness journey. Looking forward, there are so many different upcoming races for you to take part in so without further ado let’s discuss them. If you want to challenge yourself and beat your personal best, here is where to achieve that!
Do you want to set yourself a target for all the hours you are putting in working out at the gym? Discover our fitness goals calendar below which includes a combination of running events, fun runs, walks, marathons, 5k and 10k, obstacle courses, swimming races and more! These annual races are wonderful at helping us stay motivated and on track with our fitness goals, and with the additional help from the awesome trainers in the gyms in Galway we’re delighted to say that we are crushing ours!
If you want to get started on your own fitness journey and need some encouragement, tap here to meet some of the amazing gyms in Galway who specialise in just that.
Before we dive into the fitness calendar, we want to first give you some options of where you can go on a weekly basis, so that you have a consistent support system during your fitness journey.
Parkruns & Run Clubs
Taking place on a weekly basis, parkruns are a phenomenal way to exercise and create new challenges for yourself. Taking place every Saturday morning at 9.30am, these are a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k run/walk community event. Best of all these runs are timed so you can track your weekly progress with ease. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Locations for these parkruns in Galway are; Oranmore, Coole Park, Oughterard, Mountbellew Forest, Portumna, Clonbur Woods, Inis Meáin, University of Galway, and Knocknacarra. Alternatively, joining a running club is a fantastic way to stay fit, meet new people, and get out of the house. It’s a fun and free community based activity that brings friendly, like-minded people together to motivate and inspire one another. We want to help find the right run club for you so we have compiled a list of our favourite running clubs in Galway. Check them out here and we’ll see you at the start line!
above: photo from Connemarathon, photo by doorusphoto.net
Spring into Action (fitness events in February, March & April)
Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run
When: Saturday April 5th
Where: start/finish line is An Pháirc (Páirc Peile Inis Oírr)
Registration fee: 10k run - €50, 5k run - €50, 13-17 yrs - €20, under 12 yrs - €10
More information + registration
The annual 5km and 10km road race on Inis Oírr, takes participants around this beautiful small Aran Island. It is a fabulous way to see everything the island has to offer while simultaneously challenging your fitness. By taking part you will also be helping to raise funds for a worthy cause as this event acts as a fundraiser for Coláiste Ghobnait, the island’s secondary school.
Additional race details: chip timing, refreshments available before and after the race, island map, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in 10k and 5k runs for both men and women, 1st and 2nd place prizes for over 40s, 50s, & 6os for both men and women, and all under 12s participating will receive a certificate for taking part.
Connemarathon
When: Sunday April 27th
Where: Connemara - the different races start at different points but all finish at Maam Cross
Registration fee: half marathon - €70, full marathon - €75, ultra marathon - €80 (registration includes transport to/from race)
More information + registration
This is the Connemara International Marathon with three race lengths- half marathon, full marathon and ultra marathon! It’s one of the world’s most scenic running events so it’s really no surprise that participants travel from near and far to take part in it. Please note that you need to be 18 years or older to enter.
Additional race details: race packs will be sent by post, water every 3 miles approx, post race refreshments, finishers’ medal, toilets at the start, finish and every 3 miles, medical personnel, race doctor, ambulances and a medic motorbike.
Cuckoo Children’s Fun Run
When: as part of Fleadh na gCuach 2025
Where: start line at Kinvara Community Centre
Registration fee: €2 - registration on the day
More information + registration
An annual kid friendly fun run/walk in the seaside Kinvara - it’s a great day out for the whole family! There are three races in the fun run; U13s, U18s and Baby Race (U5s). These races are not timed and are marshalled.
Additional race details: Medals for all participants.
Galway 5km Series
When: over 6 weeks in April/May
Where: different location every week
Registration fee: €15 or €30
More information + registration
The County Galway 5km series is an initiative of the Galway Athletic Clubs. Over 6 Tuesday nights, a 5km race is organised by one of the participating athletic clubs across Galway County. The format is simple - one race number covers the entire series (you’ll receive yours once you register). No prizes are awarded, but anyone who completes the races gets a souvenir race t-shirt. All proceeds of the 5k series go to fund juvenile and adult athletics in Galway.
above: Inis Iron Meáin
Race through Summer (fitness events in May, June & July)
Darkness into Light
When: Saturday May 10th
Where: locations all across Galway
Registration fee: adult - €26, child - €5, family (maximum of two adults + five kids) - €62, concession (students, seniors, jobseekers) - €21
More information + registration
Darkness Into Light 5k walk or run, proudly supported by Electric Ireland, is an inspiring event symbolizes hope, as communities come together to support mental health and prevent suicide. This event raises funds for Pieta House.
Lough Cutra Castle Multisport; swim, triathlon, mixed team relay, run series
When: Saturday and Sunday May 24th & 25th
Where: Grounds of Lough Cutra Castle
Registration fee: various races/costs available see here
More information + registration
This Lough Cutra Castle Races Series features some truly iconic courses in the West of Ireland. The weekend will host a huge range of races for all ages and abilities. To register participants can pick a discipline - triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, aquathlon, swim and run - and choose a distance from starter to elite.
The Croí Corrib Charity Cycle
When: June
Where: start line at Dangan Sports Pavilion, finish line at Croí Heart & Stroke Centre
Registration fee: €55
More information + registration
Get on your bike to help raise funds for Croí Heart & Stroke Charity. With routes of either 107km or 47km, both routes begin at Dangan Sports Facility Carpark, travelling north towards Moycullen, Oughterard before concluding at Croí House in Newcastle.
Additional race details: participants will receive a souvenir t-shirt, full route support, medical support, mechanical support and refreshments.
Inis Iron Meáin: The Original Island Road Race
When: Saturday May 3rd
Where: Halla Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin, Aran Islands
Registration fee: standard - €50, teen ages 13-17 yrs - €30, children - €10, islanders - €40
More information + registration
A major social event for Inis Meáin, the course is exceptionally scenic with options of a 5km or 10km road race or a more challenging 12km route which includes a stunning beach run along Ceann Gainimh. The funds raised goes to support Coláiste Naomh Eoin, the island’s secondary school.
Additional race details: participants will receive a goody bag w/ race number, sports garment, Inis Iron Meáin t-shirt, energy drink & energy bar, map of island course, ticket for a barbecue buffet.
Kinvara Rock and Road
When: Saturday March 1st
Where: start/finish line in Kinvara village by the quay
Registration fee: 10k run - €27.50, half marathon - €42.50, 3/4 marathon - €47.50
More information + registration
A phenomenal way to test your fitness on country roads, at the Kinvara Rock and Road race it is your choice between 10k, half or three quarter marathon races. Every finisher in the race will receive an accurate finishing time as you will have an electronic timing chip built into your race number that will be activated as soon as you cross the start and finish lines.
Additional race details: race number posted to you, custom Rock + Road finisher’s medal, chip timing, water at intervals on course, water and banana at finishing line, toilet facilities at start/finish line, shower facilities, pacers, post race refreshments, and prizes will be awarded to the first 3 male and female finishers for all distances.
Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim
When: July
Where: starting from Aughinish in Co. Clare, finishing at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill
Registration fee: €50
More information + registration
The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim is one of the longest open-water swims in Ireland and is the only bay swim crossing on the Wild Atlantic Way. The swim is now part of the Irish Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming – a series of three Irish marathon swims.
Additional race details: swimmers are supported by over 80 boats and 150 crew in the bay. For the final 100 metres, paddle boards and kayaks guided the swimmers home. A team of local boat captains, sailors, fishermen, Civil Defence, and Oranmore-Maree Coastal Rescue will oversee the swimmers’ safety on the crossing.
Galway Longest Day Swim
When: July
Where: River Corrib. The 4km swim starts at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel, 2.5km swim starts at Dangan in University of Galway. Finish line for both races is at Steamers Quay in Woodquay.
Registration fee: €35
More information + registration
Organised by Galway Swimming Club in support of their charity partner for the year. The Galway Longest Day Swim is a timed, open water river swim for competent over 18’s open water swimmers.
Additional race details: shower facilities post race, swimmers will be provided with numbered bags and a van will transport your gear to the Woodquay finishing point, bus transfer to starting lines.
Cross the finishing line in Autumn (fitness events in August, September & October)
Streets of Galway 8k Road Race
When: date tba
Where: streets of Galway city, start line on Fr Griffin Road, finish line in South Park
Registration fee: €28
More information + registration
Each year, Galway City Harriers hosts this famous city street race that is sponsored by Blackrock Health Galway Clinic. The route leads participants along iconic sights such as; Spanish Arch, Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral, UG and more. It's a truly unique way to tour Galway city!
Additional race details: participants will receive race t-shirt, number and chip timing, toilets at start/finish lines, water station at 5k mark and finish line, prizes for top 3 men and top 3 women finishers.
Craughwell 10
When: date undecided
Where: Craughwell
Registration fee: €25
More information + registration
Comprising two different distances, the 10 mile and the 10k road races. This dual race format is to cater to the different fitness levels and running preferences. The race was established in 2010 and takes place on a fairly flat course which takes participants through Craughwell Village and the quaint and scenic countryside and surrounding hinterlands.
Additional race details: chip timing, post race refreshments, finishers’ medals.
Run Galway Bay
When: Saturday October 4th
Where: start/finish line at Nimmo’s Pier, Claddagh
Registration fee: 10k run - €35, half marathon - €50, full marathon - €60
More information + registration
A flat and scenic route awaits at this race course. Opt for the 10k, full or half marathon and run or walk your way along Galway Bay. This is great fun to compete with your colleagues or friends and their website provides loads of helpful training tips to set you up for success on the day.
Additional race details: chip timing, water stations, toilets, first aid centre, fruit and light refreshments, post race massage, finishers medal and t-shirt.
Croí 5km Night Run
When: October
Where: start/finish line at Mutton Island
Registration fee: adult - €35, Student - €25,Youth (13-18 yrs) - €25, 12 and under - free, O.A.P - €30, Team entry available
More information + registration
This is one fun run that you can take part in individually or register as part of a team with your family, friends, or colleagues to walk, run or jog! Participants will receive a special Croí Night Run Goodie Bag when they register too.
Gaelforce Great Fjord Swim
When: Saturday September 13th
Where: Killary Fjord
Registration fee: various races/costs available see here
More information + registration
This sea swimming event has a choice of 3 distances: 3.9km (full Ironman distance), 2km, or 750m for those with experience in open sea swimming. Tow-floats must be worn by all competitors. You can rent these when you enter or on the day at the information desk.
Additional race details: There will be a team of expert kayakers and safety boats with you all the way and a medical team on hand. Participants will receive a finishers t-shirt, swim hat with timing chip, free parking, and post race refreshments.
above: Turf Warrior
Warm up with a run in Winter (fitness events in November, December & January)
Run in the Dark
When: November
Where: start/finish line at Mutton Island
Registration fee: €28
More information + registration
Connecting runners across 4 continents, Run in the Dark is a global movement lighting up the night as people hit the road to walk/run 5k or 10k to help raise funds to cure paralysis in our lifetime. Each entry includes a buff and flashing armband to light up the night as you run.
Turf Warrior
When: December
Where: Leenane
Registration fee: various costs available see here
More information + registration
If you really want to challenge yourself, this is an epic 8k mud run & obstacle course challenge. The event is packed full of mud & bog, climbing & swinging, leaping into the Atlantic & all kinds of other mayhem and madness by the beautiful Killary Fjord.
Additional race details: fully marked route with marshals, first aid & safety team, free competitors parking, post event participants will get event t-shirts, refreshments, and live music entertainment.
Christmas Swim for COPE
When: 20th-26th December
Where: wherever you can, main location at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill
Registration fee: €20
More information + registration
A hybrid and festive event, for the COPE’s annual Christmas swim you can opt to join them at Blackrock Beach on Christmas day or participate with a swim wherever you are. Funds raised help provide vital support for families, men, women and children in Galway.
Feature photo by doorusphoto.net
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