Fitness Belfast Returns to the NI Chest Heart & Stroke Red Dress Fun Run 2026!
We were absolutely buzzing to be back at the Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke Red Dress Fun Run at Stormont Estate, leading the official warm-up for the second year running!
If you haven't come across them before, NICHS is a brilliant local charity supporting the more than 335,000 people in Northern Ireland living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, while also funding vital research and prevention work to tackle these illnesses head on. The Red Dress Fun Run is one of their biggest fundraising events of the year, and being part of it has quickly become a calendar highlight for us.
A Sea of Red at Stormont
This year's event saw around 600 participants turn Stormont Estate into a wave of red on Sunday 22nd March – and what a turnout it was. Storm Troopers, dinosaurs, dogs in red bandanas, Darth Vader himself, kids, grannies, couples, mates, work teams… all decked out in red and ready to take on the 5K. The atmosphere was electric, with so many people running in memory or in support of someone they love.
Massive thanks to NICHS headline supporters MACE and Musgrave MarketPlace, and supporting partner Linwoods Healthfoods, for helping make the day happen.
Fitness Belfast Gets the Party Started (Again!)
Before the runners set off, Gary had the privilege of leading the official warm-up routine on the main stage – complete with his mini hype crew 🧡🧡. Squats, jumps, bubble-bursting, dino chasing, high-fives with Darth Vader… less of a warm-up, more of a party with cardio benefits.
Why We Love This Event
At Fitness Belfast, we believe movement should be inclusive, accessible and genuinely fun — and the Red Dress Fun Run nails all three. The fact that around 80p of every £1 raised by NICHS goes directly into care, prevention and research means every red dress, every wig and every silly costume is doing real, tangible good across Northern Ireland.
Huge thank you again to the NICHS team and the 600 superstars who joined us at Stormont. Fingers crossed the three Milligans are back at the start line next year to run, squat, burst bubbles, chase dinosaurs and hi-5 Darth Vader all over again.
Want to find out more about NICHS or sign up for next year's event? Head to nichs.org.uk.
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