If you are more of an armchair adventurer, and the thought of a marathon makes you feel queasy then you should definitely consider signing up for a fun run!
A fun run is a basically an uncompetitive race where the emphasis is put on having fun rather than breaking PBs (Personal Bests). They are usually 5km in distance so anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can, at the very least, crawl their way around the course. Grab a few pals and spend a summers day getting in some exercise, being a part of something special and just having a bit of a craic. Here are just a few of the fabulous fun runs happening around the country this summer.
1. The Inflatable Colour Run
Price: €25.95
Locations:
- Mallow, Cork – 24 June 2018
- Donabate, Dublin – 29 June 2018
- Tramore, Co Waterford – 7 July 2018
- Punchestown, Kildare – 8 July 2018
- Clonmel, Tipperary – 14 July 2018
- Mervue Football Club, Galway – 22 July 2018
- Downpatrick, Co Down – 29 July 2018
- Killarney, Co Kerry -5 August 2018
- Mullingar, Co Westmeath – 19 August 2018
A bouncing castle obstacle course plus bags of colour being thrown all over you while you run… that sounds like THE MOST FUN EVER! The Inflatable Colour Run will be bouncing its way around Ireland this summer and it promises to be an epic day out! It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, so round up the troops and get signed up to the location nearest you.
More info: The Inflatable Colour Run
2. Fanta Sandstorm
Price: €15
Locations:
- Dollymount Strand, Dublin – 9 June 2018
- Ballyheigue Beach, Kerry – 17 June 2018
What makes a 5km run more difficult but way more fun? Doing it on sand of course! Test your limits with a 5km beach run full of challenging obstacles including a tyre mound, a net crawl and an eight-foot wall. The award-winning beach run returns to Dollymount Beach, Dublin on Saturday 9 June and will be in Kerry on Sunday 17 June.
More info: Fanta Sandstorm
3. The RSP 5 Mile & Family Run
Price: Adult €22
Date: 19 August 2018
Location: Malahide Castle and Gardens, Dublin
The inaugural 5-mile race in Malahide Castle and Gardens is set to be a cracker of a day out and everyone is invited. There is even a shorter distance family run on the day as well. The best bit, there’s medals, t-shirts and goodie bags all up for grabs. The event will have a festival feel and family fun day atmosphere, so make a day out of it.
More info: The RSP 5 Mile & Family Run
4. Irish Cancer Colour Dash
Price: Adult €30
Locations:
- NUIG, Galway – 10 June 2018
- Phoenix Park, Co Dublin – 17 June 2018
- University of Limerick, Limerick – 23 June 2018
- Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Co Cork – 24 June
The Colour Dash is the Irish Cancer Society’s 5km family fun run and it is always a special day out. Participants run, walk or jog, as volunteers chuck a ton of powdered paint over them. Each kilometre represents a different cancer as well as cancer survivorship and is marked by a different colour paint. You will laugh, you will cry and you will remember it forever.
More info: Irish Cancer Colour Dash
5. Super Milk Wild Air Run
Price: Early Bird – €25 Normal – €32
Locations:
- Malahide, Co Dublin – 7-8 July 2018
- Marlay Park, Dublin – 11 August 2018
- Fota House, Cork – 14 July 2018
- Galway Racecourse, Galway – 18 August 2018
This award-winning family fun run involves a belly-aching (from laughter) dash over 10 of Europe’s biggest inflatable obstacles as part of a 5km course. Climb, bounce and slide your way around the course while being pelted by water guns. Each runner gets a powerful foam water gun, which they take home, to soak their fellow competitors. There are loads of awesome inflatable obstacles like the Drop and the Maze Runner to test your skills on.
More info: Wild Air Run
6. Ballina Salmon Festival 5k Race
Price: €10
Date: 10 July 2018
Location: Pearse Street, Ballina, Co Mayo
For a festival feel on your 5km, there’s the Ballina Salmon Festival race, taking place on a stunning route around Ballina. The race is held in aid of River Moy Search and Rescue, a voluntary non-profit organisation that serves the local community. The first 150 finishes get a specially designed souvenir medal. It is a timed event along the River Moy, which is nice and flat.
More info: Ballina Salmon Festival
7. Jump Juice Bars – Summer Park Series 2018
Price: €24.00
Date: 1 July 2018
Location: Malahide Castle, Co Dublin
The second of the summer park series events will be held in the historical grounds of Malahide Castle along path, trail and grass. The event is super popular and growning year on year. Bring along the whole famly and make it a day out, taking full advantage of the parks by going for a picnic or taking a stroll.
More info: Njuko
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