Churchtown is bringing a touch of Hollywood history to its annual 10-mile road race, with organisers introducing a new Gladiator Mile inspired by actor Oliver Reed’s connection to the North Cork village.
The Churchtown 10 Mile Road Race will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with the new feature giving runners one final challenge after completing the traditional nine miles.
Reed, who played the gladiator trainer Proximo in the 2000 film Gladiator, spent his final years living in Churchtown. Following his death in Malta in 1999 while filming the movie, he was laid to rest in Bruhenny Graveyard in the village.
Organisers are using that local connection to create a distinctive addition to this year’s event, combining the endurance challenge of road racing with a nod to one of cinema’s most memorable historical epics.
The Gladiator Mile is being promoted as the final test for participants, with runners invited to tackle the additional challenge as they approach the finish line.
The race is scheduled to begin at 10am in Churchtown, Co Cork, on November 14.
The event is organised around the Churchtown 10 Mile, also known as The Classic Distance, with the new mile intended to add another element to the race-day experience.
Runners can find further information and entry details through the Churchtown 10 Mile’s official Facebook page.
With its combination of local history and sporting challenge, the Gladiator Mile offers Churchtown a distinctive way to celebrate its connection to Oliver Reed while welcoming runners to the village this November.