Run Republic is the proud media partner of the Irish Running Show.
The Irish Running Show will come to the RDS in Dublin on February 6th and 7th, 2027, bringing runners together for a weekend of talks, shopping, practical advice and activities, with time to speak to the people behind the products they use.
Following the success of the first NI Running Show, the Dublin event will bring together running brands, health professionals, coaches, clubs and race organisers for two days covering the many sides of the sport. Visitors can browse and buy kit, speak to the people behind the products, get practical advice, hear from experts and take part in yoga and Pilates sessions. There will also be opportunities to find a new club, plan the next race and enjoy a day out with fellow runners.
For founder and event director Oonagh Cattigan, there is a familiar comparison.
“The Irish Running Show is the ideal home show for runners.”
Speaking to Run Republic, Cattigan recalled how the response during the opening hours of the Northern Ireland event reassured her that the idea had found its audience. Talks were packed, the theatres were busy and visitors were taking part in activities across the show.
It was the moment she felt that “all the hard work, all the effort that we put into pulling together the event had worked”.
One encounter particularly stayed with her. A fellow runner had arrived and, within five minutes, spoken to a podiatrist she had been hoping to see and arranged an appointment. As Cattigan recalled it, the visitor already felt the trip had been worthwhile.
It was a small example of the value of having people available to speak to, with the time to ask a question that might otherwise remain on the list of things to sort out.
Time to Ask, Try and Talk
Cattigan knows from her own running that race day can leave little energy for those conversations. After a marathon, she says, “I am too exhausted to stay and chat to people”.
The show offers a different setting for that social side of running. Visitors can spend time listening to a talk, ask questions about their training, try an activity or catch up with other runners during the day.
Yoga and Pilates sessions across both days will be included in the entry price, according to Cattigan, alongside access to talks and panel discussions.
“But included in your entry is much more than just a shopping experience.”
Plans also include a treadmill challenge and talks covering subjects such as women's and men's health. Further details of the speaker programme are still to be announced.
Meet the Runners Behind the Brands
Organisers are building a line up of 100 or more brands, covering clothing, equipment, nutrition, health and other areas of running, with further exhibitors continuing to sign up.
The names already announced include Altar Nutrition, Negative Split, Eos Elite, SOX, Ultrapure Labs and Active Iron. UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic, My Pelvic Health and Runners Book Shop are also listed, giving an early indication of the range visitors can expect. More big names will be confirmed as the show approaches in the coming months.
Cattigan is particularly looking forward to bringing together businesses founded by runners who encountered a problem in their own training and decided to do something about it. For visitors, that means an opportunity to speak to someone who understands the frustration that prompted the product in the first place.
Eos Elite, for example, is an Irish performance apparel brand founded by Lorcan Healy. Both have sporting backgrounds, and the company’s range includes running vests, hydration gear, grip socks and recovery products. It is a useful example of why speaking to a brand in person can matter: a runner can explain what they need and ask how a particular product is meant to help.
That access can make a difference to a purchase. Buying online can be a false economy when a cheaper item turns out to be uncomfortable, unsuitable or destined for the back of a drawer. At the show, visitors can look at kit in person, ask about fit and explain what they need before spending their money.
Someone looking for a way to carry their phone on a long run can ask about storage and comfort. A runner confused by different fuelling products can discuss how they are intended to be used. With several suppliers in the same venue, there is the opportunity to compare options and answers, as well as prices.
“So you'll be able to come in and have a look at new kit or learn from experts or just be with like minded people.”
A Welcome for the Everyday Runner
Cattigan is keen to reach people who might assume a running show is aimed at somebody more experienced or more serious about the sport.
She regularly hears people who already run describe themselves with the words “I'm not really a runner”, and acknowledges that she has felt that same uncertainty herself.
The event is intended to welcome people still finding the confidence to begin Couch to 5K, those enjoying a few weekly runs and runners with years of races behind them. Her hope is that meeting others and hearing their experiences will provide encouragement to keep going, return to parkrun or take on a first 10K.
Dublin's network of athletics clubs and social running groups helped make the city a natural next step, Cattigan explained. For her, the venue also carries a personal connection: some of the first events she organised were at the RDS more than 20 years ago.
“So it was a no brainer to bring it to Dublin and it was always something we wanted to do.”
Tickets on Sale Now
The Irish Running Show takes place at the RDS on February 6th and 7th, 2027. Super early bird adult weekend passes are currently available for €5, plus a €1 booking fee, bringing the total to €6 for both days. Children can attend free, with child tickets added during booking.
