Raheny 5 Mile 2026 | Be Tough

Introduction

I haven’t raced since October 2025 and that was the 5km Rebel Run. Not exactly the be all and end all on my racing calendar but a massive gap in my racing schedule.

For the Raheny 5 Mile Julie races the odd years and I race the even oneuntil the kids are old enough to run then we all go. This year we welcomed our daughter Clara on January 6th 2026. I caught her in the hospital corridor at 1:21 am. More on that another time.

I was lucky to even get to this race. I ran to my race plan (for a change) of target marathon pace 4:45 per km but that was all that was good about my race. The finish video showed an overweight, under stretched and grueling gated runner. My endurance as expected for January is shot to pieces. I have a lot of work to do if I want to reach my Marathon PB again by October. Thankfully I caught my performance in Raheny 5 mile just like my daughter at the right time, well advance and with time to react.

Course

I would highly recommend the Raheny 5 mile. Beginning just outside the village on All saints road, circling once passed the Garda station on All Saints Drive before a brief trot on the Howth road. Please be warned the racing space narrows on the Howth Road to one traffic lane. It maybe best to push yourself at the start and get ahead of this otherwise the risk of getting stuck behind other competitors is real. From Howth road a sharp left will bring you onto Sybill Hill road. This is where you might pick up a few seconds as it is largely downhill on good surface with a wide lane to overtake. I had no difficulty keeping my pace hear in fact I was cruising at about 4:25 per km for large parts. Continuing around by St.Annes park before emerging by the seafront where there wasn’t a puff of wind or rain on the race day of 2026. I managed to keep running at my target race pace before dropping off slightly as I turned left back up onto the hill on Watermill road. The traditional finish on All Saints Park offers approximately 200 meters of wide, flat, straight and sprint ready surface. I pumped my arms hard and flew home.

All in all you have a 5 mile course that offers a huge prospect of a running a personal best. The terrain is largely wide, flat or downhill. The uphill at four miles will tell you in no uncertain terms whether you want a PB, have trained appropriately for it or if you just like the idea of it. The race goes off in January and in my opinion you achieve nothing lifestyle and physical activity wise in January so this race may come to quickly for most participants who have just begun a physical activity journey. It will however give you a benchmark for your racing calendar. An earlier yard stick that will tell if you’re already going well at the turn of a new year or if you need to get your arse in gear and train harder.

Raheny Shamrocks AC

I am a member of Raheny Shamrocks AC for the past two years and I can’t speak highly enough of the club. The drive to deliver this 5 mile for over 40 years is incredible. Soak up the determination and take it off to the rest of your racing year.

Conclusion

Be tough and race the Raheny 5 mile course