What started with a county title has grown into a community wide movement. Following their historic 2024 Derry Senior Football Championship win, the club’s first in 35 years, Sean O’Leary GAC Newbridge tapped into a motto they’ve long lived by: Calmacht, Cairdeas, Comhar, meaning bravery, friendship, teamwork.
Now, as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, that spirit hits the road.
On Satruday August 10th this year, the inaugural Run Newbridge 5K & 10K will take off from the heart of the parish. Backed by Athletics NI certification and full road closures, it promises a fast, fun, and flat course ideal for PBs and beginners alike.
🟢 Entries now open at www.runnewbridge.com
Two Distances, One Community
The 5K loop traces quiet, rural roads around the parish of Newbridge, starting and finishing beside the GAA pitch and community hall. With just 18m of total elevation, it’s flat, friendly, and ideal for anyone easing into road racing.
The 10K takes things up a notch, not in elevation (a barely there 26m climb), but in scenery. The route heads out towards the village of Toomebridge, passing the north western shores of Lough Neagh, before looping back and rejoining the 5K course. It’s a scenic out and back that’s bound to attract seasoned runners chasing times.
Both routes are chip timed, fully measured, and safely managed with marshals and road closures at key points.
“"We have just kicked off a ‘Couch to 5k’ in the run up to the event; and we were blown away by the numbers who turned out on the first night.",” says race director Chris Keenan. It just goes to show the hunger in his community for events like this.
A Day That Means More
The inaugural Run Newbridge promises to be a centenary celebration rooted in camaraderie, pride, and the shared spirit of a community that knows how to come together. With live stalls, family activities, and a 1K children’s fun run with medals and goodie bags for the little ones, Run Newbridge is shaping up as a proper parish festival with finish lines.
Every 5K and 10K finisher gets a special edition centenary medal and Run Newbridge t-shirt, and there’ll be refreshments and vendor stalls post race in the community hall car park.
Prizes are available across multiple age categories, including ove 70s, and the children’s medals will even be handed out by surprise guests.
Event Essentials
📍 Venue: Sean O’Leary GAC Grounds, Blackpark Road, Toomebridge
🕗 Date & Time: Saturday 10 August 2025, Registration & t-shirt/bib collection Friday and on race morning
🚶♀️ 1K Fun Run
🏃 5K Route – Flat, rural loop through the parish
🏃♂️ 10K Route – Scenic out and back via Toomebridge and Lough Neagh
🎽 Chip-timed | Accredited course | Fully marshalled & closed roads
🔗 Enter here
Facilities
🚿 Toilets, bag drop and showers at the GAA pitch
🚗 Ample parking at GAA grounds, Elk bar & surrounding areas
☕ Post race refreshments + community stalls
Follow or find out more
🔗 www.runnewbridge.com
📸 Instagram: @runnewbridge
📘 Facebook: Run Newbridge
📧 [email protected]
So there you have it, a brand new 5K and 10K in east Derry built on community spirit and serious race day buzz.. See you on the start line!
