A milestone year for a much-loved race. The Castlepollard 5K is back on Wednesday 13th August, and this time it’s doubling as a celebration of North Westmeath A.C.’s 25th anniversary.
Known for its friendly atmosphere, fast course and strong club competition, the mid-week August race is set to be a highlight of the summer running calendar in the Midlands.
A Quarter-Century in the Making
The Castlepollard 5K has deep roots. First held as part of the Castlepollard Festival Committee race in the 1990s, it was taken over by the newly formed North Westmeath A.C. in 2002 and renamed the Tullynally Challenge.
Chairperson Niamh Ní Mhuircheartaigh says the course’s appeal hasn’t faded: “It starts in the village square, loops through the castle grounds and finishes at the fire station on Pakenham Hall Road. It’s a fast route, perfect for those chasing a time, but equally welcoming for joggers and walkers.”
Records speak for themselves: 14:32 for the men, and around 15 minutes for the women.
Big Year, Bigger Prizes
To mark the 25th anniversary, every finisher will receive a commemorative medal featuring the boar’s head from the club crest , a nod to the area’s historic name, Kinturk.
Post-race, the McCormack's Bar and Lounge Castlepollard will host refreshments, prize-giving, and special anniversary presentations. The first three men and women will take home trophies and cash prizes, with further cash prizes for winners in the over-40, 50, 60 and 70 categories.
Thanks to generous local sponsorship, there’s also a heap of spot prizes to be won, including a two-night stay with dinner and breakfast at the Castle Varagh Hotel.
Why Castlepollard?
The Castlepollard 5K is a community event with a history, attracting athletes from all over Ireland, including Northern clubs who make the trip every year. The atmosphere is competitive but warm, with a post-race social scene that runners come back for time and again.
Event Essentials
📍 Start Location: Village Square, Castlepollard
📅 Date: Wednesday 13th August 2025
🕢 Time: 7:30pm
💶 Entry Fee: €18
📥 Enter Online: Here
🚻 Facilities: Toilets at Castle Varagh Hotel; refreshments at McCormack Lounge post-race
🅿️ Parking: Available in Castlepollard and at the back of Castle Varagh Hotel
🏁 Course: Road-based loop via castle grounds, fast and chip-timed
🏆 Prizes: Cash prizes for top 3 men/women + over-40/50/60/70 winners, commemorative medal for all finishers, spot prizes including hotel stay
🎉 Post-race: Refreshments, presentations, anniversary celebrations
If you’re still deciding on your August race calendar, this one’s worth the trip. Fast course, top prizes, and a 25th birthday party, all in one summer's evening.
