Canicross Ireland Race Two at Lough Boora Parklands

What to Expect

Canicross Ireland brings the second race of its 2026/27 season to Lough Boora Parklands over the weekend of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, with racing getting under way from 8am each morning. Canicross is dog-powered running: the handler wears a waist belt, the dog wears a pulling harness, and the two are joined by a bungee line so the dog runs out in front and the pair cover the course together. The bog trails at Lough Boora, wide, flat and firm underfoot, are among the better surfaces in the midlands for it.

The weekend is not limited to runners. Alongside the canicross classes, Canicross Ireland stages bikejoring, where the dog pulls a rider on a mountain bike, and scooter classes on a dedicated dog-scooter. Each discipline is run at championship, recreational and youth level, so competitive teams chasing season points and first-timers who just want to try the sport with their dog are catered for in separate categories. Registration for the weekend opens in September through Canicross Ireland, and entries are handled in advance rather than on the morning.

Good to Know

• Dates: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, racing from 8am both days
• Venue: Lough Boora Parklands, Boora, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly
• This is race two of the Canicross Ireland 2026/27 season
• Classes: canicross, bikejoring and scooter, each at championship, recreational and youth level
• Registration opens in September via Canicross Ireland; enter in advance, not on the day
• Entry fees are set by Canicross Ireland at registration - check the club site before travelling
• Spectators are welcome on the trails, and the wider park stays open to walkers

Getting There

Lough Boora Parklands sits on the cutaway bog between Kilcormac and Cloghan in west Offaly, signposted off the R357. From Tullamore, take the R357 west through Blueball and follow the brown signs; from Birr, head north on the R439 and pick up the R357. There is free car parking at the park’s main entrance, and the trail network runs out directly from there. There is no public transport to the park itself, so driving is the practical option, with Tullamore the nearest town for rail and bus connections.