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sport · Saturday 11 July 2026 · 6:30pm 
RunSkibb - 5k, 10k and Half Marathon, Skibbereen
At Riverside Complex, Marsh Road · Marsh Road, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
At Riverside Complex, Marsh Road · Marsh Road, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
RunSkibb is a community running festival that has grown quickly since its launch in 2024, when 750 people turned out and raised €7,000 for local causes. By 2025 the numbers had topped 1,000 runners and €10,000 raised - and 2026 brings the most ambitious edition yet, spread across a full weekend of racing, live music, and community spirit in Skibbereen. Whether you are chasing a personal best on the half marathon or simply want a sociable first 5k with a crowd behind you, this is the kind of event where the finish line genuinely feels like a celebration.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday 11 July with the Streets of Skibbereen 5k, starting at 6:30pm and taking runners through the town centre. It is designed as a fun run - open to anyone aged 16 and over - with live music from Rubicon following in the streets to give it a proper festival feel.
Sunday brings the longer races. The half marathon sets off at 9am from the Riverside Complex on Marsh Road, heading north to cross the Ilen River at Ballyhilty Bridge, passing Skibbereen Soccer Club and Golf Club before the route climbs gradually to Lough Hyne - Europe’s first marine nature reserve. Runners loop around the saltwater lake before returning to town on smooth, mostly flat tarmac roads. The 10k follows at 10am on its own course through the surrounding countryside.
All proceeds this year are shared among five local causes: RNLI, Cancer Connect, Friends of Skibbereen Day Care Centre, West Cork Warriors, and Skibbereen Luncheon Club. Registration is required for all races through the RunSkibb website.
Skibbereen sits at the end of the N71, roughly 90km west of Cork city - allow about an hour and a quarter by car. The start and finish is at the Riverside Complex on Marsh Road, which is well signposted in town. There is no direct rail link to Skibbereen; the closest train station is Bantry (Bus Eireann connections) or Cork, from which Bus Eireann route 237 runs to Skibbereen. For race weekend, arriving early on Sunday morning is advisable as parking in smaller West Cork towns fills quickly around event start times.
Skibbereen has a strong food and market scene, and the town is well placed for exploring the Mizen Peninsula and the coastline around Roaringwater Bay. There is more to see in Skibbereen and across Co. Cork.
Heading to Riverside Complex, Marsh Road in Skibbereen? Cork has plenty more to see. Read the Skibbereen area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.