A new spring opener for every runner

We're delighted to have the support of Lidl Carryduff for this Community event. Both races will start at Lidl Carryduff. Follow steward directions when you arrive.

10K starts at 9:30am and 5K will start shortly after with a controlled walk to the 5K start line from Lidl. Bibs should be collected in advance. If you need to collect your bib in the morning, please contact us in advance.

Parking is limited and we will provide details of approved car parking closer to the event - we do encourage everyone to car share if possible and please follow stewards directions on the day.

Toilet facilities will be available at the Lidl car park and at Lough Moss Leisure Centre. We'll provide a water station on the 10k route with water available when you finish.

Yes. For the 10K we’ll have Carryduff Running Club pacers across a range of finish times. If you have a goal in mind, tuck in behind the right flag and let them do the hard thinking. They’ll keep things steady, call out simple checkpoints, and bring you round with a bit of craic so you can focus on running.

Pick your target time below and look for the pacer bibs at the start. Pacers aim for an even, sensible pace for the full 10K.

If you have any concerns about the route, traffic management, or access on race morning, please contact the Run The Duff team at info@carryduffrc.com.

On race day, marshals will be positioned at key junctions and will support residents and local businesses with access where it is safe to do so. Most roads will reopen as soon as the course is clear, with all roads expected to be fully reopened by 11:30am.

Road closures will be in place on Sunday 1 March 2026 to allow the 5K and 10K to run safely. Closures begin from 8:30am, with most closures from 9:00am. Many roads will reopen earlier where possible once the course is clear, and all roads are expected to be fully reopened by 11:30am.

Access for residents and local businesses will be maintained wherever it is safe to do so, under marshal direction. If you have a specific query, contact info@carryduffrc.com.

For safety and in line with race licensing rules, headphones are not allowed unless they are bone-conducting. Please keep the volume low enough to hear marshals and traffic at all times.

Yes - the race is held under Athletics NI Permit ANI/0625/RR3499.

A gently rolling 10km loop on quiet country roads just outside Carryduff, the 10k route is a perfect blend of challenge and scenery.

Starting on the edge of town, the route quickly leaves the bustle behind and heads into open countryside, with views across fields, forest and the Rockmount area. From roughly 1.5 km to 3 km you settle into the signature stretch on Killynure Road West – a flowing, tree-lined road with long, steady gradients that are ideal for locking into pace and stretching the legs. After this, the course sweeps out towards the Belfast Road before looping back via Lisdoonan Road, offering a mix of gentle climbs and fast, confidence-boosting descents, before a smooth run back into Carryduff for a strong finish.

Key features:

• Approx. 10km scenic loop with ~145 m of elevation – undulating but very runnable
• Quiet rural roads with good surfaces and countryside feel
• Iconic Killynure Road West section for controlled tempo running
• Mix of climbs and fast sections to build strength, speed and race confidence
• Ideal training route for 10k and half-marathon runners looking for a challenging but enjoyable workout

A shorter countryside loop of around 5k, this route offers the same quiet rural feel as the 10k but in a more accessible distance – perfect for newer runners or anyone looking for a faster effort.

Starting close to the town, the route heads out on good-quality roads before turning onto peaceful country lanes. A steady climb builds gradually towards the halfway point, followed by a flowing descent that lets you stretch out your stride. The second half returns via Killynure Road, giving a smooth, gently undulating run back into Carryduff for a confident, controlled finish.

Key features:

• 5km loop with ~75 m of elevation gain – testing but very manageable
• Quiet country roads with minimal traffic and good surfaces
• Steady early climb followed by a fast, enjoyable descent
• Returns via Killynure Road for a familiar, confidence-boosting finish
• Ideal for newer runners, tempo efforts, walkers or a sharper alternative to the 10k route

Yes. The Carryduff 5K is suitable for walkers. We're happy for people to run, jog, run-walk or walk the 5K. If you'd like to walk it slowly, all we ask is that for the first stretch of 1.2km you use the footpath if required. The 10K is best suited for non-walkers.

We don't have an aggressive cut-off time, but for safety and road-management reasons we expect everyone to complete the course within roughly 1.5 hours for the 10K and 1 hour for the 5K. If you're unsure, drop us a message – we'll help you choose the best distance and pacing strategy.

In line with Athletics NI typical road race guidance, we expect the minimum ages on race day to be:

• 5K: 11 years and over
• 10K: 15 years and over

Final age limits will be confirmed in the entry form and race pack. You will need to confirm your date of birth when registering.

For safety reasons and because sections of the course use open roads, we can't allow dogs, buggies, prams, scooters or bikes on the course. Spectators are very welcome to bring dogs as long as they are kept on a lead and away from the start/finish funnel.

We're a small volunteer-run event, so we're limited in what we can do, but we'll always try to be fair:

• Changing distance: where possible we'll allow you to switch between 5K and 10K before race packs are prepared.
• Transfers: we may allow name changes before a cut-off date. Please contact us as early as you can.
• Refunds: we can't offer refunds once you've entered, as race costs are paid in advance.

For any changes, email info@carryduffrc.com and we'll do our best to help.

Yes. Prize amounts are listed below.

Total prize fund across both races: £1,800.

Official chip-timed results will be published online shortly after the race, with links from this page and the Carryduff Running Club website. Official event photos will be provided by mysportsphoto.co.uk. They upload a full gallery after the event, and you can search for your photos by race number and then view, download or purchase your images directly from their site. Unofficial photos will be shared on the Carryduff Running Club Facebook page.

Yes - we plan to provide a simple bag area near registration where there will be an option to donate to our charity Mindwise. Items will not be security tagged and are left at your own risk, so please avoid bringing valuables where possible.