Get your runners on for Tony McGowan Road Races in Drumshanbo on February 15

It’s that time of year again! Sunday February 15, sees the 2026 Tony McGowan run return to Drumshanbo. This post-Christmas three-race programme is ideal for runners at all levels. 

The run is named after Tony McGowan (1940-2007) who co-founded Drumshanbo Athletics Club in 1980 and managed the club and schools teams competing at multiple local road races and All-Ireland Cross-Country Finals. 

The eternal optimist, he was a person who would look at a far horizon while others looked at the ground. His ideas and optimism became goals for his club, parish and county. 

Year after year, runners continue to return to participate in this scenic race that has been firmly locked into the racing calendar and this year we are expecting over 1500 participants which is the largest number we have had to date. 

The route takes in Ireland's first floating boardwalk along our beautiful Blueway and is an overall flat course, ideal for getting a personal best! All participants of the 5km, 10km and Half Marathon will receive one of our newly designed medals with the 10km and Half Marathon participants also receiving our 2026 race t-shirt. The Half Marathon participants also receive our newly designed bobble hats. 

First Male and Female home in the half marathon will receive €100 cash prize, with a further €100 up for grabs if the race records are broken for the half marathon and 10k race. This year, there are also cash prizes for our second place male and females in the half marathon and 10k. 

Again, this year, we have teamed up with local wood crafting business, Artwood Ireland, who will be supplying us with Tony McGowan Run branded suncatchers to present to our race winners. 1st Male and 1st Female home from our Half Marathon will also pick up a fabulous voucher sponsored by RunPod, Sligo. 

Currently the record times for the half marathon race stands at 1:11:27 for the Men and 1:22:45 for the Ladies. The current record for the 10K is 32.33 for the Men and 36.54 for the Ladies. The fastest times that beat the course records will claim a cash prize of €100! 

We have already sold out of the 10k and Half Marathon; however, there are places still available for the 5k. 

Online registration prior to race day for all races is a must. See our Facebook page for details on how to register. Participants should note that the race schedule is the same as last year. The Half Marathon will start at 10am, the 10k at 10.30am and the 5k at 10.45am 

This event wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and support of our main sponsors:

• Carrick Self-Catering (Philip Coughlan), Carrick-on-Shannon 
• Feelystone, Boyle 
• Drumshanbo Health Centre 
• Hegarty’s Centra, Drumshanbo 
• Jinny’s Tearooms, Drumshanbo 
• Scollan’s Gala, Drumshanbo 
• Run Pod, Sligo 
• B ank Of Ireland 
• Good4U 
• Westlink Coaches Ltd, Drumshanbo 
• Drumshanbo Credit Union 
• Moran McNamara Accountants, Carrick-on-Shannon 
• Sign Warehouse, Drumshanbo 
• The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo 
• Setia Construction, Drumshanbo 
• JS Pharmacy, Drumshanbo 
• Gerard Anthony, Carrick-on-Shannon 
• Keane Tiles, Drumshanbo 
• McGovern Construction Management 
• OBN Financial Service, Carrick-on-Shannon 
• P McManus Construction, Drumshanbo 
• Pat’s Carpets & Interiors, Carrick-on-Shannon 
• Biacon Ltd, Fenagh 
• Ronan Tiernan Electrical, Drumshanbo 
• BCi, Bay Contracting, Massachusetts 
• Conway’s Corner House, Drumshanbo 
• Glenn McGowan Transport, Drumshanbo 
• North West Tool Hire, Kilclare 

The Tony McGowan Run committee would also like to thank all the local businesses and sponsors, Waterways Ireland and the community of Drumshanbo who continue to support this event year on year as their loyal and valuable support is crucial to the success of the event. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more details.