THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPANTS TODAY for braving the weather and supporting us in our first Halloween Blood Run. We are so grateful for your support.

RESULTS of the 5km race can be accessed on: http://www.championchipireland.com

A huge well done to you all. Photos and videos will be uploaded in the next day or two so please keep an eye on the site and on our social media Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/LAndLNI/

and Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/leukaemialymphomani/

Thank you again for registering for the first Halloween Blood Run on Sunday and we are delighted that this event is helping to raise awareness of both blood cancer and blood donation in Northern Ireland. YOU are helping us to make a real difference, locally.

Timings – remember the clocks will have gone back an hour on Sunday! 

Access / Parking

Stormont Estate will be open from 9am on Sunday to pedestrians via the main gates and Massey Avenue. If you are driving, you may park in Stormont’s Lower East car park. There is limited parking at Massey Avenue, at Front Gates, at the playpark further along Upper Newtownards road, and Stormont Hotel across the road.

Please do not use the 2 disability parking spaces at the main front gates since these are required for participants.

Bib Collection

Please collect your bib number between 10am – 10.50am. Go to the LLNI Tent at the Finish Line zone (very close to the main Stormont front gates). See the map below.

5km Bibs are ordered alphabetically by your SURNAME so go to the volunteer with the relevant letter section. 5km race bibs have a timer chip.

2.5km Fun Run – please go to the fun run table where you will be given a bib number and safety pins. Bibs can be provided for children however should parents prefer not to use these, this is fine provided the child(ren) remains close to you at all times. Fun run numbers are not timer bibs.

All participants receive a bib number and 4 safety pins – please ensure you attach your number to your FRONT and please help any children to attach their bib safely.

Please note no bibs will be handed out after 10.50am in order that the event starts on time!

Once you have collected your bib, remain in the Finish Zone area. The event will be officially opened by the High Sheriff of Belfast at 10.50am before the 5km runners are walked up to the Start line (approx. 200m along) for the race start.

The 2.5km Fun runners should remain in the Finish Zone until called to the Start line for a 11.15am start.

Tail walkers will bring up the rear of the fun run. Participants are expected to complete the course by 12.30pm at the latest. The event will close down for 1pm.

Belongings

Please do not bring high value belongings with you as there will not be anywhere to store or leave these! We suggest that any runners wishing to bring their mobile phone should make use of a waist-belt or arm-belt phone holder. LLNI will not accept any responsibility for lost belongings.

Water/ Treats

Bottled water has kindly been donated by River Rock and is available at the finish line, along with Halloween treats kindly provided by Tayto, Spar Stormont and Tesco Castlereagh Road. There is a coffee bar within the children’s park for those wishing to avail of a hot drink post-event.

Medals and Prizes

The 5km winners will be awarded the Ken Reid Trophies immediately after crossing the finish line. The first 3 men and 3 women to cross the line will be led to the white hut for the presentation with the Health Minister, and for photographs. All participants will receive a 5k medal or a 2.5km medal.

Prizes for Fancy Dress and Juniors will be awarded by LLNI at the Finish Zone.  There are a limited number of LLNI jute bags for those who require a carrying bag – please request one from the volunteers.

Times

The 5km runners will receive official times which will be posted on the LLNI website as soon as possible after the event. Please go to llni.co.uk and click on the Halloween Blood Run event to access the link.

First Aid

Proparamedics will be on site in case of any injuries or need for First Aid. If you have any concerns or questions during the event please contact a LLNI volunteer (wearing a red LLNI vest).

Children

As stated in the registration details, any child aged under 11 must be accompanied within arm’s reach by an adult. Parents/guardians/those responsible for a child should inform all minors that if they become lost, they should go to the LLNI tent or find a LLNI volunteer (in red LLNI vest). Should a participant come across a lost child during or after the event, please bring them to the LLNI tent.

 Dogs

Any accompanying dogs must be held on a short handheld leash for the duration of the event, and it is the sole responsibility of the runner to ensure they are not a trip hazard for other runners. Dog foul must be picked up immediately and can be disposed of in one of several bins around the Estate.

Toilets

There are public toilets at the Massey Avenue entrance, at the Childrens’ park and at the 2km/4km mark (shortly after passing the dog park and just before reaching Prince of Wales Avenue).

Cancellation / weather

The event will take place even if it is raining! If rain is forecast please be prepared!

Only due to extreme weather conditions or force majeure will the event be cancelled, in which case we will send an email on Saturday evening or early Sunday morning and will inform you of a new date for the event.

Disclaimer

By participating in this charity race, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Assumption of Risk: I understand that participating in a running event involves inherent risks, including but not limited to physical injury, accidents, or health complications. I voluntarily assume all risks associated with my participation.

• Medical Fitness: I confirm that I am physically fit and have no medical condition that would prevent me from safely participating in this event. I agree to seek medical advice if I am unsure of my fitness to participate.

• Liability Waiver: I release and discharge the event organizers, sponsors, volunteers, and any associated parties from any liability, claims, or damages arising from my participation, except in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

• Personal Responsibility: I agree to follow all event rules, instructions, and safety guidelines provided by the organizers. I understand that I am responsible for my own safety and well-being during the event.

• Photography and Media: I consent to the use of my image, name, and likeness in any photographs, videos, or media coverage of the event for promotional purposes without compensation.

We hope you enjoy the race/ fun run! And we hope to see plenty of Halloween-themed costumes!

The LLNI Team x

Join us on SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER morning at 11.00am for our inaugural Halloween Blood Run to race, jog, walk, or creep and raise spirits, awareness and money for blood cancer in NI. 

Blood cancer (in particular leukaemia and lymphoma) is the most common cancer diagnosed in children and those under 30, and it is the 5th most common cancer in the UK and alarmingly, the 3rd most fatal.

3 people in Northern Ireland are diagnosed every day.

Help us to beat blood cancer by putting on your Halloween outfits, getting family, friends and colleagues together for some outdoor, healthy fun that also helps to boost funds to support better treatments and outcomes for patients now and in the future.   

This event will have a 5km race (2 laps of the Stormont park run course) with the fastest male and female runner being awarded the Ken Reid Trophies in honour of our former patron and renowned journalist, Ken Reid, who sadly passed away in November 2024 after a long battle with leukaemia.

There will also be a 2.5km (one lap) fun run / walk for juniors and families. Finishers will receive a medal and treats (but no tricks!). There will also be prizes for best fancy dress, so ghosts, ghouls and monsters are welcomed!

Vampires however will not be winning any blood as our partners NI Blood Transfusion Services will be offering blood typing to all those who don’t know their blood type and encouraging eligible and interested runners to register for blood donation – just one donation could save 3 lives!

Anyone with an interest in Science will also have the opportunity to Find a Researcher (look out for the lab coats!) to hear about the exciting and groundbreaking projects making a difference for blood cancer patients.

Start time for 5km race: 11am – look for the LLNI registration tent on Prince of Wales Avenue, near Stormont front gate. The 2.5km fun run will start shortly after.

Buddy is looking forward to seeing you!

Further practical information:

The course: using the Park run 5km course, this is a 2-lap course (one lap for the junior fun run and for walkers) set in the grounds of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It comprises a run through attractive woodland and parkland which are overlooked by Parliament Buildings.is run on a mixture of tarmac paths, gravel paths and trail paths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Stewards will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place to keep you on track! Please see the below Event Rules regarding pushing children/babies in buggies and running with dogs. 

The route starts on the main Prince of Wales Avenue approximately 400 metres from the front gate. Look for the LLNI registration tent.

Getting there by public transport:Take the Glider G1 service from the city centre towards Dundonald Park & Ride’, alighting at the ‘Stormont’ stop, which is beside the main gates to Stormont Estate.

Getting there on foot: The Estate can be accessed on foot by the main entrance on the Newtownards Road, and by the entrance at Massey Avenue.

Getting there by road:From Belfast City centre take the A20 Newtownards Road, the large entrance to the Estate can be seen on the left hand side of the road after approximately 5 miles.

Parking: Limited car parking is available at the main gate. There is an additional carpark for 50 vehicles 0.2 miles East of the main gates on the left hand side.

Toilets : There are no toilets immediately on the route. There are public toilets on Prince of Wales Avenue and in the play park.

Event Rules (by registering for this event, it is understood that all participants read and respect the following):  

• Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
• Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm’s reach) throughout the event by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent’s choice.
• Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can – your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
• Take care near roads and car parks – some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the event, please drive carefully even if you’re late!
• Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
• Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) or the 2.5km with us.
• If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
• If you’re watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
• Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when at parkrun events in grassy or wooded areas.  
• You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about running with dogs. Any dog fouling must be picked up immediately and carried to the nearest bin for disposal. Stewards will ensure these rules are respected so be warned!
• Runners pushing buggies are welcome, but please take care of others around you and do your best to start at an appropriate place in the field for your pace.
• It is not permitted to run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time.

With thanks to our generous partners:

Red Cell Partner: 

Plasma Partners: 

Dunnes Stores, Tayto, River Rock, Manor Retail Group

Media Partner: