Very Pink Run set to return to Kilkenny Castle Park

The countdown is officially on as Breast Cancer Ireland launches the 2026 Very Pink Run, proudly supported once again by Very, online retailer.

Back for another year of pink-powered fundraising, this unique and family focussed feelgood event, will see three large scale live events take place across Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork between August 29 and September 6– all in support of ground breaking breast cancer research and nationwide awareness and education programmes.

Now bigger and brighter than ever, this event is a full-on feel-good festival combining fun, fitness, community spirit and purpose. More than just a fun run, jog or walk event, it has become a nationwide movement that unites thousands of participants (men, women and children) in support of a future free from breast cancer.

Ireland’s leading breast cancer charity is now inviting people of all ages and abilities to register, don their pink, gather their friends, family, or colleagues and take part in what is Breast Cancer Ireland’s most important fundraising event of the year.

Since its inception, the Very Pink Run has grown into a truly global movement, with over 110,000 participants across 40 countries, raising a phenomenal €8M+ to date. This year, the pink wave is set to sweep across Dublin on August 29, Kilkenny Castle Park on August 30 and Cork on September 6, with thousands more expected to lace up for one (or more!) of the events.

All three live events will offer a vibrant festival-style experience, making them a perfect family-friendly day out. Alongside the 4k & 8k run and walk routes in the beautiful surrounds of Kilkenny Castle Park, guests can enjoy live music, children’s entertainment, family games and a range of festival style food trucks, promising a fun filled, uplifting atmosphere from start to finish. There are no limits – and no pressure, just a shared commitment to making a difference.

At the starting line, will be a large group of very well-known faces from the worlds of Media, the Arts, and Showbiz, who have already joined this year’s ‘Very Pink Tribe’ as event Ambassadors including RTE’s Maura Derrane, Newstalk presenter Dr Ciara Kelly, Dancing with the Stars judge Karen Byrne and her fiancé, singer Jake Carter, politician Hazel Chu and influencer Jennifer Wrynne, both of whom have recently been through treatment themselves for breast cancer, alongside longstanding Breast Cancer Ireland Ambassadors Elaine Crowley of Virgin Media, Rugby star Shane Byrne and presenter James Patrice.

Also lending their wholehearted support to the cause are influencer Terrie McEvoy and her husband David Fitzpatrick, along with well-known Corkonians Dr Monica Oikeh, and fitness guru Lesley Giltinan aka Lean with Lesley who will once again lead the warm up at this year’s Cork Very Pink Run event.

These Very Pink Run Ambassadors will help rally thousands of supporters across Ireland and abroad to show up, step out, and support the cause — demonstrating that every step taken is a stride towards a future where breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease for the 1 in 7 women and 1 in 738 men diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime.

Participants can take part by running, jogging or walking, in one of three live large-scale physical events. Alternatively, people can also take part in a ‘virtual’ sense in their own local communities any time between August 29 and September 6 inclusively.

The Breast Cancer Ireland Very Pink Run events are a fun filled, family focussed and inclusive day out, where everyone is welcome, with no upper or lower age limits. The live events are aimed at casual strollers, keen walkers, joggers and seasoned runners alike, over a 5k or 10k distance, and are open to families, friends and solo participants.

Registrations for the event are now open on www.verypinkrun.ie and Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland speaking at the launch said: “The Breast Cancer Ireland Very Pink Run is so much more than an annual fundraising event. It is a powerful movement that brings together thousands of people who share a common goal – creating a future where breast cancer no longer devastates lives and families.

“Every participant, every donation and every kilometre completed helps to fund the research, innovation and education programmes that are changing outcomes for patients today while shaping a better future for generations to come.

“Whether you choose to join us in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork or virtually from anywhere in the world, we would encourage everyone to get involved. Pull on your pink T-shirt, rally your family, friends and colleagues, and join us as we work together to rewrite the future of breast cancer in Ireland.”

Aisling continued: “I would also like to thank our valued and longstanding sponsors Very (title sponsor) and Silver Tier sponsors Cornmarket, Glanbia, Flynn O’Driscoll and Ohshima whose unrelenting support and partnership allows us to reinvest all profits from the event into our critical research, awareness and education programmes.”

This year Breast Cancer Ireland will channel the funds raised into four critical areas namely:

• Research & Innovation Funding high-impact research projects and fellowships focused on aggressive and difficult-to-treat breast cancers, including triple-negative and metastatic breast cancer, helping accelerate laboratory discoveries into real-world patient treatments

• Clinical Advancement Supporting access to cutting-edge clinical trials, strengthening research infrastructure and enhancing Ireland's participation in international oncology collaborations, giving patients earlier access to new and innovative therapies

• Education & Early Detection Expanding nationwide awareness programmes that reach tens of thousands of people annually with life-saving breast health information and early detection education, particularly among younger and higher-risk groups

• Talent & Capacity Building Investing in the next generation of oncology researchers, clinician scientists and PhD scholars to strengthen Ireland's long-term expertise in breast cancer research and care.

In practical terms, that means that every euro raised will help deliver:

• Faster breakthroughs in aggressive breast cancers
• Greater access to cutting edge treatments
• Earlier detection through complimentary, nationwide education programmes
• A stronger future through investment into world-class research talent

Participation in the Very Pink Run event is super easy – simply register to take part at www.verypinkrun.ie, rally your troops by encouraging your friends, family or colleagues to do the same, then select one of the 3 live events in Dublin, Kilkenny or Cork to attend - or alternatively do your individual or group run, jog, or simply stroll in your own community during the week of the national event – and be sure to share your photos, and videos across social media using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun, #BestFunRunBarNone or #VeryPinkTribe

Follow ongoing event updates on Instagram @VeryPinkRun and @BreastCancerIreland, and @BreastCancerIreland on Tik Tok, and @VeryPinkRun on X, using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun, #BestFunRunBarNone or #VeryPinkTribe

*8k event in Kilkenny starts at 12 noon, 4k event starts at 12.15pm on Sunday 30th August in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle Park.

*10k and 5k event in Dublin starts at 12noon on Sat 29th August at Leopardstown Race Course, D 18.

*10k event in Cork starts at 12 noon, 5k event starts at 12.30pm on Sunday 6th September at MTU, Bishopstown, Co. Cork.

For further information, visit www.verypinkrun.ie (note: early registration is advised due to strong demand and limited venue capacities)