Galloper Thompson 5k

The Galloper Thompson 5k is a Halloween-themed road race organised by North Belfast Harriers, taking place on Friday 16 October 2026 at 7:30pm, starting and finishing at Grove Park on Jellicoe Avenue in North Belfast. The race is named after Gordon "Galloper" Thompson, the legendary headless horseman said to haunt the streets around Jennymount, where his grand Tudor-style mansion once stood close to the old Jennymount Mill. The course runs through the streets of North Belfast surrounding Grove Park, the area most associated with sightings of the phantom horseman. Runners are encouraged to wear ghoulish costumes, with prizes awarded on the night for the best fancy dress. Despite the spooky theme, the race has proven genuinely fast, with the inaugural 2025 edition producing a winning time under 15:30 and attracting over 600 finishers. The event is permitted by Athletics NI.