Glow Run at Penrhyn Castle to Aid Tŷ Gobaith 2026

Key Points

• Penrhyn Castle Dark Run will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Penrhyn Castle near Bangor.
• This family-oriented fundraiser will start at 6 pm.
• Participants may either run a 2.5k or 5k route around the castle.
• It is organized in aid of Hope House Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.
• Participants are invited to dress in bright colours, fancy costumes or themed glow outfits.
• Glow sticks, music and cheering supporters will contribute to the atmosphere of the event.
• Admission fee for adults is £15 and for children under 16 – £10.
• Up to 500 participants will be expected at the event.
• Participants aged under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
• According to Hope House Tŷ Gobaith, fundraising will benefit children and their families that make use of the services of their hospices.

Castle (Wales Times) September 18, 2026 – The Penrhyn uk/local/swansea/castle/">Castle Dark Run will return to the grounds of Penrhyn Castle on Saturday, October 17, offering local families an evening of running, walking and fundraising for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.

The event will begin at 6pm and is being promoted as a family-friendly night-time challenge rather than a competitive race. Participants will be able to choose between 2.5k and 5k routes, with the course taking place in and around the grounds of the National Trust property near Bangor.

According to information published by Hope House Children’s Hospices, the Dark Run is designed to allow people to walk, jog or run through a sponsored glow-in-the-dark course featuring music, glow sticks and cheering crowds. The charity is asking participants to use the event to raise money for local children and families who need hospice support.

The event was also reported by InYourArea in an article titled “Frightfully fun Dark Run returning to Penrhyn Castle for Tŷ Gobaith”. The report said families were being invited to wear fancy dress and attend the fundraising event at the historic castle on October 17 from 6pm.

When will the Penrhyn Castle event take place?

The Penrhyn Castle Dark Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, with the main event beginning at 6pm.

Hope House’s wider events listing records the 2026 Dark Runs as running from October 17 to October 24. The Penrhyn Castle event is listed as the first event in that period, while a separate Dark Run is scheduled for October 24.

The timing is intended to allow the route to take place after daylight fades. Organisers describe the event as a glow-in-the-dark experience, meaning participants will complete the course in an atmosphere created by illuminated features, glow sticks and evening lighting.

People attending are likely to need to arrive before the start time to complete registration and prepare for the course. The event takes place in darkness, so participants should follow all safety instructions issued by organisers.

How much does the event cost?

Registration for the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run costs £15 for adults and £10 for children under 16, according to the event information published by Hope House Children’s Hospices.

The event’s sponsorship information says organisers are inviting 500 runners to take part in either the 2.5k or 5k route. Participants can also use the event as a sponsored challenge by asking friends, relatives and colleagues to support their fundraising.

The entry charge gives families the opportunity to take part in a charity event at one of the area’s best-known historic venues. However, the charity’s fundraising message is focused on generating additional sponsorship income beyond the registration fee.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This requirement is intended to ensure that younger participants have appropriate supervision while completing an evening course across the castle grounds.

What will participants experience?

The Penrhyn Castle Dark Run is designed around participation, costumes and atmosphere rather than speed. People can run, walk or complete the route at their own pace, making the event suitable for families and groups with different levels of fitness.

The event is expected to include:

• A glow-in-the-dark route.
• Music during the event.
• Glow sticks for participants.
• Cheering crowds and event support.
• A choice of 2.5k or 5k distances.
• A fundraising opportunity for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith.

Participants are encouraged to wear bright clothing, colourful outfits or fancy dress. The event’s Halloween-style presentation is intended to make the evening appealing to children and families while also giving entrants an opportunity to dress up.

The use of Penrhyn Castle as the venue is a central part of the event’s appeal. The castle is located near Bangor and is operated by the National Trust. Its grounds provide a distinctive setting for an evening charity event, although participants should be prepared for a dark outdoor course and follow instructions from event staff.

Why is Tŷ Gobaith involved?

Hope House Tŷ Gobaith provides hospice care and support for seriously ill children and their families across parts of North Wales and the surrounding region.

The Dark Run is intended to raise money for the charity’s work. Hope House has described the event as a way for local people to support families who need specialist care, practical help and emotional support.

The charity’s wider Dark Run programme has previously included events at several prominent venues. A 2025 report by Wrexham.com said 1,600 runners took part in Hope House Children’s Hospices’ Dark Runs that year and raised more than £31,000. The report listed events at Chirk Castle, Telford Town Park, Conwy Quay, Penrhyn Castle and Bolesworth Castle.

That previous fundraising result demonstrates the potential scale of the programme, although it does not indicate how much money the 2026 Penrhyn Castle event will raise. No specific fundraising target or projected total for the 2026 event has been identified in the available event information.

How can people register?

People wishing to take part can register through the Hope House Children’s Hospices event page for the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run. The event information gives the date, start time, route options and entry prices.

Participants may also be able to take part as sponsored runners. The sponsorship information encourages people to complete the course while collecting donations for the hospice charity.

Families planning to attend should check the latest official instructions before travelling. These may include information about parking, arrival times, access arrangements, clothing, torches, route conditions and any restrictions applying to the castle grounds.

Because the event takes place after dark, participants should consider wearing suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Anyone taking part should follow directions from stewards and event staff, particularly around the start and finish areas.

What are the wider Dark Run arrangements?

The Penrhyn Castle event forms part of a wider series of Hope House Dark Runs taking place in October 2026.

Hope House’s events information lists the programme as beginning on October 17 and continuing until October 24. The charity’s Dark Run information identifies Penrhyn Castle on October 17 at 6pm and another event at Bolesworth Castle on October 24.

A sponsorship page for the Penrhyn event states that the organisers plan to welcome 500 runners. It also confirms the two available distances: 2.5k and 5k.

The series gives supporters several ways to contribute. Some people may choose to take part in person, while others may sponsor a participant or support the charity through a wider fundraising campaign.

What has happened at previous Penrhyn Castle Dark Runs?

The Penrhyn Castle Dark Run has been part of Hope House’s recurring programme of family-focused fundraising events.

In a 2023 report, The Bangor Aye described the Dark Runs as family-friendly 5k events involving running, walking, pushing or dancing along illuminated routes. That report said participants received a bespoke medal and goody bag, with registration priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children at that time.

In 2024, The Bangor Aye reported that the Dark Run format included brightly lit courses, fancy dress, flashing glow sticks, music, a group warm-up and support along the route. The report also said participants received a goody bag and bespoke medal.

The 2026 event has different published prices from those earlier editions, with Hope House listing entry at £15 for adults and £10 for children. The official 2026 information should therefore be treated as the current source for this year’s arrangements.

Background: Hope House Tŷ Gobaith and the Dark Run

Hope House Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices is the charity behind the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run. Its events programme uses accessible challenges and community activities to raise money for hospice services supporting seriously ill children and their families.

The Dark Run format combines fundraising with a social evening event. Participants are not required to be experienced runners, and the availability of shorter and longer routes allows families and individuals to choose a distance that suits them.

Penrhyn Castle has hosted the event alongside other North Wales venues, including Conwy. Earlier coverage by The Bangor Aye described the attraction of completing an illuminated route near historic landmarks while supporting the hospice charity.

The 2026 Penrhyn event will take place on October 17, followed by another Hope House Dark Run event later in the month. The charity has not published a confirmed total for funds expected from the Penrhyn Castle event, so the eventual result will depend on registrations, sponsorship and donations.

Prediction: how could the event affect local families and supporters?

The Penrhyn Castle Dark Run is likely to give families in Bangor, Gwynedd and nearby parts of North Wales an accessible way to support Tŷ Gobaith. Its family format, choice of distances and emphasis on walking or jogging could attract participants who would not normally enter a competitive race.

For Hope House, the main potential benefit is additional fundraising and public awareness. If the event reaches its planned capacity of 500 runners, it could generate income through entry fees, sponsorship and donations, although the final amount cannot be predicted from the published information.

The event may also increase activity around Penrhyn Castle on the evening of October 17, with participants and supporters travelling to the venue. Attendees should rely on the charity’s latest instructions for parking, arrival arrangements and safety guidance, as these details can affect the practical experience of the evening.