Great Erris Run

Every August, the Erris peninsula’s running community gathers in Ballinavode, just outside Belmullet, for the Great Erris Run, a 10K and 5K road race held in memory of Rob Turner, a member of the Our Lady’s Secondary School community in Belmullet. What began as a local tribute has grown into one of north-west Mayo’s better-supported road races, drawing club runners, school groups and casual joggers from across the peninsula.

What to Expect

Both distances start together from the Ballinavode area near the Broadhaven Bay Hotel at 9:00am on Sunday morning, with the 10K and 5K sharing the opening stretch before splitting onto their own loops of the surrounding coastal roads. The race is chip-timed, with results posted afterwards, and every entrant who registers by the early deadline is guaranteed a technical t-shirt and finisher’s medal. Post-race refreshments are laid on at the finish, and the atmosphere leans more community fundraiser than serious athletics meet, though there is still a competitive front pack most years. Given the memorial nature of the event, there is usually a short tribute built into the morning.

Getting There

Ballinavode and the Broadhaven Bay Hotel sit just outside Belmullet town on the Mullet peninsula in far north-west Mayo. From Ballina, the R314 and R313 lead out to Belmullet, a drive of around an hour; from Castlebar it is closer to an hour and a quarter. There is no direct train or regular Sunday-morning bus service to Belmullet, so driving is the only realistic option, with parking available around the hotel and start area.

Good to Know

• Date: Sunday 9 August 2026
• Start time: 9:00am (10K and 5K)
• Price: EUR 32.10, includes t-shirt, medal, timing and refreshments (t-shirt and medal guaranteed for entries by 31 July)
• Registration: Via eventmaster.ie, search “Great Erris Run”
• Venue: Ballinavode, near Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet
• In memory of: Rob Turner, Our Lady’s Secondary School community