01/05/2026
Guess who's back? 🤔😊 Our good friends at Inishowen AC are organising the Buncrana 5k this year on the 27th May to mark the club's 25th anniversary. Same course, same time of year, same quality event. We wish them the best and are delighted to see the race continue. Hope you will all be there.
25 Years. One Race. A New Chapter.
There’s real history behind this race.
After 25 years at the heart of the running community in Buncrana, the Furey brothers have officially passed it on — and we’re proud in Inishowen AC to carry it forward as part of our 25th anniversary.
As Dara Furey put it:
"After 25 years at the heart of the running community, a much-loved race in is entering a new chapter, with its founders stepping back and passing it on with pride and gratitude.
Brothers Eoghan and Dara, who developed the race through their involvement with the City of Derry Spartans AC, have welcomed the decision by Inishowen AC to take it on and bring it forward.
The race began with a simple idea — “for runners, by runners” — and over time found its place on the calendar, attracting committed club runners while always remaining grounded in the local community of Buncrana and Inishowen.
Reflecting on the years gone by, Dara said:
“We were always proud of the standard of racing. It mattered to us that if people travelled to Buncrana, they got a proper race — something honest and competitive that respected the effort they put in.”
Eoghan added:
“At the same time, what stayed with us most was seeing local people stand on that start line. Whether they were seasoned runners or just taking it on for themselves, seeing runners from Buncrana and across Inishowen test themselves against strong fields — that meant more to us than anything.”
Over the years, the race naturally grew in quality, something the brothers view as a reflection of the running community around it. But they are equally mindful of what makes an event truly last.
“It’s important that a race feels open to people,” Dara said. “We always wanted it to be competitive, but never exclusive. That balance is what makes an event part of a community.”
Two years ago, the brothers stepped back from organising the race. Now, with Inishowen AC taking it on, they see an opportunity for it to evolve once more.
“We’re genuinely delighted to hand it over,” said Eoghan. “There’s great energy in Inishowen AC, and they understand both sides of it — the club runner and the local runner. That’s a strong place to build from.”
Dara added:
“We’re proud of what the race was, but we’re very happy to step aside and let it grow in its own way again. It’s a blank slate now, and that’s a good thing.”
The brothers also acknowledged the long-standing support behind the event, particularly Sean Furey Insurances, which sponsored the race for 21 years and will host this week’s launch in Buncrana's market square"
We always wanted it to be competitive, but never exclusive. That balance is what makes an event part of a community.”
That’s exactly what we intend to keep.
This isn’t just another 5K — it’s a race built on standards, honesty, and community. Now it’s time to bring it into the next chapter.
📍 Buncrana
📅 Wednesday 27th May
⏰ 7:30pm
Enter here:
https://eventmaster.ie/event/R177cL5h76
