Thousands turn Kilkenny pink for cancer charity run
Live music, entertainment and plenty of family activities created an electric atmosphere
Over 2,700 runners, walkers and families came together in Kilkenny over the weekend to make Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run 2026 one of the biggest, most inclusive and
most feel-good fundraising events of the year.
The annual event, saw thousands of people of all ages and abilities pull on their pink and take part across two large-scale live events in Leopardstown in Dublin (in which almost 7,000 people participated) and Kilkenny Castle Park over the weekend with supporters also joining virtually from communities across Ireland and beyond.
The total raised by the event since its inception (not including this weekend) comes to over eight million euro, with every euro raised helping Breast Cancer Ireland fund pioneering research, clinical advancement, education and early detection programmes and investment in the next generation of breast cancer research talent.
From casual strollers and families to seasoned runners, colleagues, friends and breast cancer survivors, the Very Pink Run once again demonstrated its unique ability to bring people together for a common cause – helping to create a future where breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.
The event transformed Kilkenny Castle Park into a vibrant pink festival, with thousands enjoying the 5k and 10k routes alongside live music, entertainment, family activities, food and plenty of the trademark Very Pink Run atmosphere.
Reflecting on the success of this year’s event, Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland, said:
“What an incredible weekend it has been. Once again, Ireland has shown just how powerful community, kindness and collective action can be. From Dublin to Kilkenny and everywhere
in between, and from families taking part together to breast cancer survivors, friends, colleagues and supporters joining us virtually, the sea of pink has been truly extraordinary.
“The Very Pink Run is so much more than a run. It is a celebration of life, a show of solidarity for everyone affected by breast cancer and, critically, a very important fundraising
event which enables us to continue investing in the research, innovation, education and early detection programmes that are helping to change the future of breast cancer.