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sport · Wednesday 5 August 2026 · 8:00pm 
Cork BHAA Sterling 5k Road Race
At Ringaskiddy · Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
At Ringaskiddy · Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
The Cork BHAA Sterling 5k is one of the longer-running fixtures on the Cork summer road racing calendar, held on a single-lap circuit around Ringaskiddy on Cork Harbour. First organised in 1998, it has kept the same course through the decades, changing sponsor name - from Novartis to Sterling - but not much else. If you are a runner looking for a mid-week evening race with real competition and a proper route, this is a reliable choice. Corporate teams come out for it, club runners show up to race on merit, and both sit on the same start line.
The course has a reputation for being deceptively tough. Sharon Rynne, who has won the women’s race more than once, described it as “a tough race with a lot of ups and downs” - and the Strava elevation profile backs that up. There is not a flat metre to speak of on the circuit, so don’t turn up expecting a PB course. What you get instead is a challenging one-lap route through the industrial harbour landscape south of Cork city, with enough wind off the water to keep things interesting.
The race is organised under the Cork BHAA (Business House Athletics Association), which has been running competitions in Cork for over 40 years. Entry is open to registered Athletics Ireland members as well as non-registered runners, with separate prize categories for each. Teams compete across company and club grades, so there is a social dimension to the event - plenty of people come as part of a workplace or running club group.
The race starts at 8pm, which means a warm evening start and usually enough light well into the finish.
Ringaskiddy sits on the southern shore of Cork Harbour, roughly 15km from Cork city centre. From the city, take the N28 south through Carrigaline and continue on to Ringaskiddy - it is a straightforward drive of around 20 minutes depending on traffic. The N28 is the main arterial road for the area and signs for Ringaskiddy Port are common.
There is no regular bus service that makes an evening race start practical, so most runners drive. Parking in Ringaskiddy is generally available on-road near the race assembly point, though arriving a little early is sensible given the number of entrants. Check the Cork BHAA website ahead of race day for any specific assembly point instructions.
Ringaskiddy is a working port village on one of Ireland’s great natural harbours, with the Stena Line Rosslare ferry and pharmaceutical industry that has shaped modern Cork all visible from the water’s edge. After the race, the harbour views and quieter back roads make for a decent wind-down. There is more to see in Ringaskiddy and across Co. Cork.
Heading to Ringaskiddy in Ringaskiddy? Cork has plenty more to see. Read the Ringaskiddy area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.