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sport · Sunday 13 September 2026 · 9:20am 
Rock the Lough - 5k, 10k and Half Marathon
At South Lake Park · South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon, BT64 1AS
At South Lake Park · South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon, BT64 1AS
Rock the Lough is one of Northern Ireland’s best-loved autumn road races, drawing runners of all abilities to the shores of Craigavon Lakes each September. Organised by St Peter’s AC Lurgan, it offers four distances under one bib - a 1k family fun run, 5k, 10k and half marathon - so it works equally well as a first timed race or a PB attempt on a flat, well-marshalled course. The setting alone makes it worth travelling for: paths running alongside open water, with the half marathon stretching out to the nature trails of Oxford Island before looping back to the finish line.
The 5k and 10k courses stay entirely within Craigavon Lakes, running off-road on flat lakeside paths - a fast surface that suits anyone chasing a time as much as those there for the scenery. The half marathon adds a stretch along cycle paths and public road to Oxford Island, then takes in a full loop of the island’s trails before returning to the lake finish. It is a genuinely scenic half and runs flat throughout.
All races start and finish at South Lake Park beside the South Lake Leisure Centre, with the half marathon getting away first at 9:20am. Water stations are spaced every two miles across all distances. Every finisher receives a bespoke medal and a goody bag, and St Peter’s AC lay on food and refreshments at the finish area. Chip timing is handled by MyRunResults so results are live quickly. There is prize money for the top male and female finishers in each race, as well as age category prizes. Wheelchair and hand cycle participants are welcome on the 5k and 10k. Note that headphones are not permitted on the road sections, in line with UK Athletics rules. There are no changing facilities at the venue.
Craigavon sits on the M1 motorway between Belfast and Armagh, roughly 25 miles from Belfast and easy to reach by car from most of the North and border counties. South Lake Park is off Lake Road (BT64 1AS). There is no parking at South Lake Leisure Centre on race day - organisers direct runners to Craigavon Civic Centre (BT64 1AL, 235 spaces) or Rushmere Shopping Centre nearby, which has over 1,800 spaces. Both are a short walk from the start area. Translink runs services to Craigavon from Belfast and Armagh if you prefer not to drive.
The Craigavon Lakes park and Oxford Island National Nature Reserve are worth a longer visit in their own right - Oxford Island has hides for birdwatching and walking trails along Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles. There is more to see in Craigavon and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to South Lake Park in Craigavon? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Craigavon area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.