Belfast will host its first-ever Halloween Blood Run on Sunday 26th October, organised by Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI in association with the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. The event will celebrate the life and legacy of much-loved political broadcaster and former UTV Political Editor, Ken Reid.
A dedicated patron of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI, Ken was diagnosed with leukaemia and sadly passed away in November 2024, aged 69.
Male and female winners of the 5km race will each receive the Ken Reid Trophy, honouring his lifelong dedication to people, politics, community, and his steadfast support for blood cancer awareness and research.
The event will take place on the Stormont Park Run route and offers two options: a 5km race and a 2.5km family fun run/walk. Alongside awards for the fastest male and female, there will be prizes for Best Fancy Dress individual and family. Participants are encouraged to don their best Halloween costumes and are welcome to run, walk, or even creep their way around the course.
Richard Buchanan, Chair of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Northern Ireland (LLNI), said: “Ken was more than a patron – he was a friend to our charity and a champion for those affected by blood cancer. The Ken Reid Trophy is our way of keeping his legacy alive through an event that’s positive, fun, and lifesaving.
“This Halloween, we’re inviting everyone to join us at Stormont, make memories, and help spread a vital message – don’t let the vampires get your blood, donate it instead. Every donation can save three lives and could be the lifeline for one of the three people diagnosed every day with blood cancer here in Northern Ireland. Every step taken on the day will raise funds for life-saving research taking place right here in Belfast – research that offers hope to patients and families across our community.”
Alongside the races, participants can discover their blood type with the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS), learn lifesaving CPR skills with the NI Ambulance Service, and enjoy live music, children’s face painting, and more.
Speaking of the Halloween Blood Run’s launch, Karin Jackson, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, said: “We are very excited to be working in association with Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI for the first ever Halloween Blood Run to raise awareness of blood cancer and blood donation.
“Northern Ireland needs 1,200 blood donors every week – that’s roughly 1 every 8 minutes – and many patients rely on donated blood and platelets as part of their treatment journey – including blood cancer.
“Giving blood or platelets is quick, easy and painless, and every donation helps three people. It is a practical way to contribute to the fight against cancer. We encourage everyone who can to sign-up today to the Halloween Blood Run and to become a blood donor by visiting www.nibts.org”
This year’s theme is clear: “Don’t let the vampires get your blood this Halloween – donate it and save three lives instead.”
Opportunities are available for corporate partners to support the event through a three-tier sponsorship package – for details, contact LLNI’s Fundraising Manager on info@llni.co.uk or 02890 972928.
Tickets for the Halloween Blood Run are available now at: llni.co.uk/event/halloween-blood-run. All proceeds will fund blood cancer research at the Centre for Cancer Research in Belfast.
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 lymphoma.
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.
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. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.
- 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.
