The first ever NI Running Show will turn the Icon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn into a runner’s playground on Friday 7th and Saturday the 8th of February 2026, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Early bird tickets are £13, children under 16 go free with an adult, and a single ticket covers both days. However, Run Republic readers can nab an exclusive £10 ticket (about £11.55 with Eventbrite’s fee) here.
How the Idea Took Shape
Founder Oonagh Cattigan has organised exhibitions across the world since 2005. “Exhibitions are my happy place,” she says. “I tried to leave the industry more than once, but it kept dragging me back.” A keen Glens runner for the past decade, Oonagh spotted a gap: “I visited the National Running Show in Birmingham and thought, why don’t we have something like this in Ireland? The running community deserve it.”
She sketched an event plan that “flowed very easily,” linked up with Athletics NI, and began sounding out brands and partners. “Everyone said they’d love a platform where they can meet their customers face-to-face,” she recalls.
What to Expect
The show will feature around 100 brands and partners, from kit giants to local specialists:
- Retail & Gear – Decathlon, Pure Running, Scimitar, Shokz and more
- Health & Recovery – Lower Limb Clinic, Active Health Solutions, Aquasun (ice baths, hot tubs, saunas)
- Nutrition & Supplements – Revive Active and other leading names
Visitors can browse exhibitor stands, test gear and enjoy a host of interactive activities designed to help runners of every level learn, train and recover. A Pilates for runners area and a kids’ zone (sponsored by Decathlon) round out the action.
Inspiring Talks
Two seminar theatres will host around 40 talks across the weekend. Among the headline speakers are parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt, renowned for turning a simple 5K meet-up into a global movement, and injury expert Paul McMillan of the Lower Limb Clinic. They’ll be joined by popular voices such as the Any Given Run Day podcast crew and trail-running advocate Jade Hegarty.
Big Names Backing the Show
The ambassador team blends household names with local legends. Olympic great Lady Mary Peters lends her support, followed by Michael McKillop, a four time Paralympic gold medallist on the track, along with Johnny Steed, a hero of the Irish mountain running scene, and Tracy Atkinson, the driving force behind NI Rave Run. Their presence signals the show’s commitment to every corner of the running world, from club stalwarts tocasual fun runner.
Community Support
The event partners with Northern Ireland Air Ambulance and the Mary Peters Trust as official charities. Oonagh says the goal is simple: “It’s the ideal home show for runners. A place to source kit, learn, and spend time together without the pressure of racing.”
With free on-site parking and no time limits on tickets, visitors can come and go as they please.
Exclusive Run Republic Offer
Early-bird tickets are normally £13, but readers can use the Run Republic link here to grab a ticket for £10 (£11.55 including Eventbrite fee). You can find all the event details, full exhibitor list and the latest speaker updates on the NI Running Show website here
