Limavady 5K and 10K Running Festival

The Limavady 5K and 10K Running Festival is a road running event organised by Athletics NI, one of the two governing bodies for athletics on the island of Ireland. It takes place on a Sunday morning in July, which makes it the kind of race that suits both the competitive club runner chasing a summer PB and the recreational runner who fancies a proper timed event with a medal at the end. Two distance options keep the field broad - pick the 10K if you want a genuine test, or the 5K if you are working back into race fitness or bringing a faster-than-expected teenager along.

What to expect

Registration is through the Athletics NI fixtures system at athleticsni.org, and pre-entry is required - this is not a show-up-on-the-day race. The entry fee is £12, which is standard for a well-marshalled road event with chip timing, water stations on course, and finisher medals. The 10K starts at 10:00am; the 5K follows at approximately 10:30am, so if you are coming to support someone doing the longer race you will have a short wait before the fun run goes off. Finishers get refreshments after the race. Athletics NI events run to schedule and their road race calendar is well established across Northern Ireland, so expect a organised, low-stress morning with a proper results service published afterwards.

Getting there

Limavady sits on the A2 in the Roe Valley, about 25 kilometres east of Derry city and 20 kilometres west of Coleraine. By car from Derry, take the A2 through Eglinton - it is a straightforward 25-minute drive. From Belfast, the A26 through Ballymena and then the A29 to Coleraine puts you on the road west; allow around an hour and a half. Translink runs regular bus services from both Derry (route 146 Derry-Coleraine) and Coleraine toward Limavady, with the journey taking around 40 minutes from Derry and 30 minutes from Coleraine. The Recreation Grounds are in the town centre with parking on-site, so driving is the most straightforward option for anyone travelling with race kit.

While you’re in Limavady

Limavady is the main town of the Roe Valley, sitting at the foot of Binevenagh Mountain with the River Roe running through it. The town centre is compact and easy to walk, with a handful of good cafes well placed for a post-race coffee. There is more to see in Limavady and across Co. Derry.

Good to know

• Sunday 12 July 2026, 10:00am start (10K); 5K follows at approximately 10:30am
• Entry fee: £12
• Pre-entry required - register at athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Road-Running
• Venue: Limavady Recreation Grounds, BT49 0HA
• Organised by Athletics NI