First Official Croí Night Run Outside Galway Marks Exciting New Chapter for Croí Charity Night Run 5K Event.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Croí Night Run, proudly sponsored by Benecol, with this year’s event marking a major milestone as Croí brings its flagship night run beyond Salthill in Galway for the very first time.
Taking place on Friday, 9th October 2026, the much-loved 5K event will once again light up the iconic Salthill Promenade in Galway, while an exciting new official Croí Night Run will be held in Sligo, creating a second flagship event and extending the reach of this popular fundraiser to the northwest.
The expansion to Sligo represents a significant step forward for the Croí Night Run, which has grown year-on-year since its launch and now attracts thousands of participants nationwide. Croí would like to pay tribute to the people of Sligo whose enthusiasm, support and community spirit have helped make the new official event possible.
In addition to the official events in Galway and Sligo, communities across Ireland will once again organise their own local Croí Community Night Runs, bringing friends, families, colleagues and neighbours together to walk, jog or run 5K in support of heart and stroke prevention.
Participants can take part in an organised community event or host their own Night Run in their town, village, workplace, sports club or community group, helping to spread the message of heart health while raising vital funds for Croí’s lifesaving work.
Christine Flanagan, Director of Fundraising at Croí, said:
“The Croí Night Run has become one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar and we are incredibly excited to see it grow in 2026. The launch of our first official Croí Night Run outside of Salthill, in Sligo, is a landmark moment for the event and reflects the fantastic support we have received from people in the northwest who want to be part of the Croí Night Run story. While Galway will always be the home of the Croí Charity Night Run, we are delighted to welcome Sligo as our first official expansion location. We are hugely grateful to the communities, volunteers and supporters who have helped make this possible. Equally important are the many community Night Runs taking place across Ireland. Every year we see local groups come together to organise their own events and create something really special in support of heart health. Whether you’re taking part in Galway, Sligo or your own community, every step helps Croí continue its mission to prevent heart disease and stroke and support those affected by these conditions.”
The Croí Night Run is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Participants can run, jog or walk the 5K route with family, friends or colleagues while enjoying the unique atmosphere of taking part under the night sky.
Heart disease and stroke remain among the leading causes of death and disability in Ireland, yet many cases can be prevented through healthier lifestyles and early intervention. Funds raised through the Croí Night Run help support Croí’s vital prevention, education, patient support and community health programmes throughout Ireland.
Croí would like to acknowledge the continued support of title sponsor Benecol, whose commitment to heart health has played a central role in the growth and success of the event.
Laura O’Connell, Brand Manager, Benecol UK & Ireland, said:
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Croí for the 2026 Night Run. Supporting heart health is at the heart of everything we do at Benecol, and the Croí Night Run is a wonderful way to encourage people and communities to take positive steps towards better health while supporting an incredibly important cause. We’re especially excited to see the event expand to Sligo this year and to watch even more communities across Ireland come together under the Croí Night Run banner. It’s inspiring to see the impact the event continues to have each year.”
Registration includes a limited-edition long-sleeve running top and a glow-in-the-dark medal, making the event a memorable experience for participants of all ages.
With demand continuing to grow year after year, Croí is encouraging anyone planning to take part in the flagship Galway event in Salthill to register early. The Salthill Night Run has sold out well in advance in recent years and organisers expect places to be in high demand again for 2026.
Registration is now open at www.croinightrun.ie, where a list of all community Night Run locations across the country is available.