Galway City Harriers have announced a new 3-year partnership with global MedTech leader, Medtronic. As part of this collaboration, Medtronic will serve as the lead sponsor of the 40th edition of the club’s iconic annual event, now titled the Medtronic Streets of Galway 8k. The 2026 road race will take place on Saturday, 8th August 2026 at 7 pm, and is expected to be another sell-out occasion, marking what promises to be the largest and most memorable year yet for this local sporting event.
Speaking at the launch, Race Director Brian Bruton said: “We are delighted to welcome Medtronic as our new lead partner for the 40th edition of the Streets of Galway 8k Race. Their support enables us to expand the event to a 4,000-strong field and provides the much-needed funding to help us grow athletics participation. Working with Medtronic and their employees will allow us to elevate the race experience for runners while continuing to invest in our local sporting community.”
Declan Costello, Site Director for Medtronic Mervue and Athlone, added: “Medtronic is proud to partner with Galway City Harriers to deliver an iconic event in the city’s sporting calendar. It’s made even more special that this is the 40th anniversary of the race. For more than four decades, Galway has played a central role in our mission to improve health, and this event celebrates the very best of active, healthy living in our community. The city is more than an operational base for Medtronic; our employees and many of our patients live here and run here. We look forward to celebrating many great stories of participation in this year’s race.”
To celebrate the 40th edition of this road race, the first 40 entrants to the Medtronic Streets of Galway 8k will pay the original 1986 race entry price of €5.08 (£4 punts). A further 400 Early Bird places will be released when registration opens at 9 am on Friday, 6th March at The Medtronic Streets of Galway 8k 2026 - Buy Tickets.
In addition, Galway City Harriers have commissioned a special 40th edition Medtronic Streets of Galway 8k commemorative medal for all finishers.
The Medtronic Streets of Galway 8k race route passes many of the city’s most famous landmarks. Starting at GTI on Father Griffin Road through the historical City Centre, passing Wolfe Tone Bridge, Merchants Road, Eyre Square, crossing the River Corrib at The Cathedral, passing our University of Galway and Hospital, before the 4,000-strong field race toward Salthill via Dr Mannix Road. Race participants will enter The Promenade at Leisureland before a fast finish along Gratton Road into South Park by Nimmo’s Pier.
Celebrating the new Galway City Harriers and Medtronic 3-year Partnership are Alan J Walsh, GCH, Brian Bruton, GCH, Laura Beatty, Medtronic, Tom Shiel, Medtronic, Declan Costello, Medtronic, Jim Phelan, Medtronic and GCH, Meghan Buckley, Medtronic, Keith Healy, Medtronic, Fiona Keys, Medtronic and Seamus Lynch, GCH. Photo Richard Peyton
