Blayney Rockets 10 Mile Road Race

The Blayney Rockets 10 Mile Road Race is one of those Sunday-morning events that runners come back to year after year. Organised by Castleblayney Rockets AC and running since 2014, it has built a steady reputation as a well-run, scenic race on a course that suits a broad range of abilities - from club runners chasing a personal best to those using it as a long training run in a competitive atmosphere. The finish at St Mary’s Park, home of Castleblayney Faughs GAA Club, gives the whole thing a proper local-club feel.

What to expect

The course loops around Lough Muckno, the large glacial lake that sits at the edge of Castleblayney town, and stays predominantly flat with only a few short hills to break the rhythm. It is an AAI-sanctioned, accurately measured and certified route, so your time counts. Race HQ and registration are at St Mary’s Park on the Dublin Road side of town, and post-race refreshments and changing facilities have been part of the setup in previous years. Cash prizes go to the overall winners, and trophies are awarded across all age categories, so the finish line has something to offer beyond the elite field. The exact start time had not been published at the time of writing - check the Blayney Rockets Facebook page or the Eventmaster listing for the confirmed schedule before you travel.

Getting there

Castleblayney sits on the N2, roughly halfway between Dublin and Derry, and is straightforward to reach by car from most parts of Ulster and the north Midlands. From Dublin it is about an hour and twenty minutes; from Belfast roughly the same. The venue - St Mary’s Park - is on the Dublin Road on the southern approach to town, so if you are coming from the south you will reach it before hitting the town centre. Parking at and around GAA grounds in Irish market towns is generally manageable on a Sunday morning, though arriving with time to spare ahead of registration closing is always wise. Bus Eireann services connect Castleblayney with Monaghan town and Dublin, but for a race with a morning start, driving is the practical choice for most.

While you’re in Castleblayney

Lough Muckno Leisure Park, which you will run around during the race, is worth a proper look afterwards - it has walking trails, picnic spots and boat hire in season, and the lake itself is one of the nicest in Monaghan. The town centre is a short walk from the finish. There is more to see in Castleblayney and across Co. Monaghan.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 26 July 2026
• Time: Start time to be confirmed - check the Facebook event page or Eventmaster listing
• Entry: Register at eventmaster.ie; previous years have offered tiered pricing with early-bird rates
• Race HQ: St Mary’s Park, Castleblayney Faughs GAA Club, Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan A75 A034
• Contact: castleblayneyrockets@gmail.com
• Distance: 10 miles on a certified, AAI-sanctioned course