Hundreds expected to pound Mayo streets during River Moy Half Marathon

The most welcoming town in Ireland will have hundreds of runners pound its historic streets on Saturday, May 16.

That's the message from the organisers of the River Moy Half Marathon in Ballina, who say the event is creating huge interest locally, across the island of Ireland, and even overseas.

The event has attracted crowds to Ballina for more than a decade and the 2026 version promises to be the best yet as the entire community gets ready to welcome runners to the north Mayo capital.

The route takes runners along the banks of the river in the Wild Atlantic Way, through beautiful Belleek Woods, starting and finishing at Heffernan Park, home of Ballina Rugby Club, where a festival atmosphere awaits the athletes.

The organisers promise an event that will be even bigger and better than before.

Ballina RFC president Daragh Quinn, chairman Alan Rowe and incoming president Richard West, along with some of the event organisers, club members and local representatives, launched the event recently. Ballina Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Mary Moyles and former Ballina player and current Connacht star Harry West were in attendance to share in the occasion.

Mr. Quinn said everyone at Ballina RFC is looking forward to the big event.

“We're absolutely delighted to be promoting and driving the River Moy Half Marathon alongside the organising committee,” he said. “We believe Ballina is the most welcoming town in Ireland, and everyone who comes and runs along the Moy backs that up.

“Over the years the event has always been promoted as a sport-tourism event which involved many aspects of our great community as locals and visitors took part, and that's why we're so excited about it.

“People come from all across Ireland and as far afield as Italy, Belgium, France, Britain and the United States to run here, and they come back year after year because they enjoy it so much.”

Mr. Quinn continued: “We live in a great town where everyone is made welcome, and that's what makes the River Moy Half Marathon so special.”

The event will conclude at the Ballina RFC grounds, where the club's new facilities will be available for participants to use.

Log on here to sign up for the event.