If your idea of a good Friday night involves mud, hills, and Neolithic monuments, then the Giant’s Trail Race might just be your kind of craic.
Hosted by Dub Runners and taking place on Friday 25th July at 7pm, this 6-mile trail event starts and finishes at Queen’s University’s playing fields on Upper Malone Road. It’s a properly scenic spin through Lagan Valley Regional Park, with a route that combines forest trails, riverside towpaths, rolling pastures, and a healthy bit of up-and-down for the legs.
The Route: Woodlands, Sculptures, and Giant’s Rings
This isn’t just a jog around the park, runners will climb through the woods of Minnowburn, cruise along the River Lagan, pass quirky sculptures and natural art installations, and loop through the ancient surroundings of the Giant’s Ring, a Neolithic monument that adds a nice dash of history to your lactic acid.
From there it’s on through Edenderry village, across Gilchrist Bridge, and along Shaw’s Bridge to the finish line, where your legs will thank you and your lungs will question your life choices.
The elevation profile? Let’s say it’s “undulating” in that charming, Belfast-trail-race kind of way, nothing technical, but enough to remind you it’s not your local parkrun.
Race Day Details
- 🕖 Start Time: 7:00 PM, Friday 25th July
- 📍 Race HQ: Queen’s University playing fields, Upper Malone Road
- 📦 Number Collection:
- Thursday 24th July: 6–8 PM @ Dub Pavilion
- Friday 25th July: 5:30–6:30 PM @ Start line
- ❌ No entries on the night – register in advance
- 🔗 Entry link: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/GiantsTrailRace2025
What You Get
- ⏱ Chip timing
- 🏆 Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd male & female + age group prizes
- 🚗 Free parking
- 😋 Post-race refreshments (word on the street says yes, but maybe don’t bank on a hot buffet)
There are only a few remaining entries, so best get signed up now to avoid disappointment. While this one doesn’t require you to be an ultra trail goat, it’s still a proper off-road test. Expect a mix of gravel paths, grass, towpath and trail. Trail shoes are recommended but not essential, and if you’ve done a bit of parkrun or cross country, you’ll be grand.
Image: My Sports Photo