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sport · Wednesday 15 July 2026 · 8:00pm 
Cork BHAA Gas Networks Ireland 5k - Blackrock-Mahon Greenway
At Blackrock-Mahon Greenway · Near Blackrock Railway Station, Blackrock Road, Cork
At Blackrock-Mahon Greenway · Near Blackrock Railway Station, Blackrock Road, Cork
One of Cork’s most popular midweek races, the Gas Networks Ireland 5k has been a fixture in the Cork BHAA calendar for years, drawing a big mix of club runners, casual joggers, and first-timers. The 2026 edition runs on Wednesday 15 July at 8pm on the Blackrock-Mahon Greenway - a flat, largely off-road route along a former railway line on the south side of Cork City. If you have been looking for a friendly 5k with a genuine buzz around it, this is a good one to put in the diary.
Registration opens at 6:30pm at Cork Boat Club, and the race gets under way at 8pm sharp. The start is near the old Blackrock railway station on Blackrock Road. From there, the course follows the greenway towards Rochestown, crosses the flyover over the South Ring Road, and finishes at Blackrock Castle car park. The route is mostly flat and well-surfaced - it runs along the bed of the old Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway, so there are no sharp climbs. You get views out over the inner harbour and the River Lee on parts of the course, which helps on a summer evening.
The race is open to all runners, not just Athletics Ireland members. The first 500 entries receive a free Gas Networks Ireland long-sleeve dry-fit T-shirt, so it is worth arriving on the earlier side if you want one. A visually impaired category has been added for 2026, which is a welcome addition. Registration closes at 7:45pm; there is no online entry - all entries are taken on the day.
Cork City is well connected by road. The N25 and M8 bring you into the city from the east and north; the N22 from the west. Blackrock is a short drive south-east of the city centre, roughly 3km, via the South Douglas Road or Blackrock Road. Bus services from Cork City centre run along the Blackrock Road corridor if you prefer not to drive. Street parking is available in the Blackrock area, though it fills up around race time so allow extra time if arriving close to 8pm.
The Blackrock area itself is worth a look - the 16th-century Blackrock Castle sits right at the finish line and doubles as a science centre with an observatory open to visitors. After the race, the village has a handful of pubs and cafes. There is more to see in Cork and across Co. Cork.
Heading to Blackrock-Mahon Greenway in Cork? Cork has plenty more to see. Read the Cork area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.