The Ed Sherlock 5 Mile Road Race is one of Bermuda’s classic community runs, named after six‑time Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby champion Ed Sherlock and held along the scenic south shore in Southampton. In recent years the event has standardized as an 8K road race, which is almost exactly 5 miles, and current race calendars list the Ed Sherlock 8K Run/Walk for Sunday 8 February 2026 in Southampton Parish as part of Swan’s Running Club’s Legend Series. In 2025 the race took place on Sunday 9 February 2025, confirming the early‑February Sunday pattern and making the 2026 edition the natural next step for runners planning a winter island race.
Date, Distance, and Location for Ed Sherlock 2026
Confirmed timing pattern
Race platforms and local timing services provide clear anchors:
- Ahotu and its walking/running calendars list the “Ed Sherlock 5 Mile Road Race” in Southampton Parish, Bermuda on Sunday 9 February 2025, with distance 8 km and options for running and walking.
- RunSignup describes the 2025 event as the “Ed Sherlock 8K Road Race” on Sunday February 9, 2025, including:
- Run (Swan’s Legend Series)
- 8K Run
- 8K Competitive Walk.
RaceDayWorld’s upcoming‑events view and Swan’s Running Club programming show an “Ed Sherlock 8K Run/Walk” slotted under February 2026, listed as a Swan’s Legend Series race in Southampton.
Putting this together, runners can plan for:
- Event name: Ed Sherlock 8K Road Race (often still called “Ed Sherlock 5 Mile Road Race” in listings).
- Expected 2026 date: Sunday 8 February 2026 in Southampton Parish, Bermuda, continuing the early‑February Sunday tradition.
- Distance: 8K (approximately 5 miles).
The official 2026 registration page will confirm start time and exact date closer to race season, but all current calendars point to that second Sunday in February.
The Ed Sherlock Route: Rangers Club and South Shore
RunSignup’s 2025 course description lays out the route, which is expected to remain the same in 2026:
- Start and finish:
- At Rangers Club, starting at Eastdale Lane, Southampton.
- Course directions:
- Leave Rangers Club on South Road heading east.
- Left on Camp Road up to Middle Road.
- Left on Middle Road to Barnes Corner.
- Left again onto South Shore Road back to Rangers Club.
This creates a loop that uses both South Road and Middle Road, giving participants:
- Classic Bermuda south‑shore views on the start and finish stretch.
- A mix of rolling hills and flats typical of the island’s winding roads.
Runners and walkers get a distinctly Bermudian experience, passing colorful houses, glimpses of the Atlantic, and local landmarks near the Rangers Sports Club as they complete the 8K.
Who Was Ed Sherlock?
The race honors Ed Sherlock, one of Bermuda’s most decorated road runners:
- He is one of only a handful of men to have won the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby more than five times, with media reports noting that he secured the title six times during his competitive prime.
- Articles from The Royal Gazette describe him as a legend of the island’s May 24 race, still running the derby in his 80s and inspiring later generations of Bermudian athletes.
The road race bearing his name keeps that legacy alive:
- It challenges current runners on a demanding but scenic course.
- It anchors Swan’s Running Club’s Legend Series, which recognizes historically significant figures in Bermuda’s running community.
Race Format: Run and Walk Options
According to 2025 information, which sets the template for 2026:
- The event offers three main categories:
- Run (Swan’s Legend Series) – competitive 8K run for points in the Legend Series.
- Open 8K Run – for all runners.
- 8K Competitive Walk – for walkers who want to test themselves on the same course.
Registration details for 2025 highlight:
- Number pickup on race morning from 7:30 am at Rangers Club.
- No late entries on race day; online registration remains open until midnight the night before.
For 2026, runners should expect similar:
- Online sign‑up via local race portals (Bermuda Timing, RunSignup, RaceDayWorld).
- Early start times to avoid the stronger midday sun.
Entry Fees and Registration for 2026
The 2025 RunSignup page lists the categories but not public pricing in the excerpt. Typical Bermuda 8K and 5K races:
- Charge modest entry fees, often in the US$30–US$50 range per adult entry, with discounts for juniors or club members.
- Sometimes add a small online processing fee.
RaceDayWorld’s series overview lists Ed Sherlock 8K as part of Swan’s Legend Series, indicating that 2026 fees will follow the same structure as other Swan’s events. To get precise 2026 pricing:
- Check Bermuda Timing and RunSignup once registration opens, usually several weeks before race day.
- Follow Swan’s Running Club and local running social channels for announcements.
Weather and Race Conditions in Early February
February in Bermuda is:
- Cooler and less humid than summer, with typical daytime highs in the low 20s Celsius (low 70s Fahrenheit).
- Often breezy on the south shore, which can help keep runners comfortable.
This makes the Ed Sherlock 8K an attractive event for:
- Local runners tuning up after the January Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge.
- Visiting runners from colder climates looking for a manageable race in mild, scenic conditions.
Travel and Accommodation Tips for Visiting Runners
Where to Stay
Because the race starts and finishes at Rangers Club in Southampton Parish, good accommodation options include:
- Southampton and Warwick:
- Close to the course, with access to beaches like Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay.
- Resorts and guesthouses along South Road and Middle Road provide easy taxi access on race morning.
- Hamilton area:
- Central location for restaurants and nightlife.
- About 15–25 minutes by taxi to Rangers Club, depending on traffic.
Getting to the Start
On race morning:
- Plan to arrive at Rangers Club at least 30–45 minutes before the start for number pickup and warm‑up (number pickup in 2025 opened at 7:30 am).
- Use taxis or pre‑arranged transport; Bermuda’s narrow roads and limited parking near club venues make early arrival wise.
What to Bring
- Lightweight running gear suitable for mild temperatures.
- A light layer for any early‑morning chill.
- Running shoes with good grip for rolling asphalt terrain.
- Sunscreen, even in February, and a hat or visor.
Why the Ed Sherlock 5 Mile / 8K Race Belongs on Your Island Running List
The Ed Sherlock Road Race combines history, community, and island scenery into one compact Sunday morning. You are not just ticking off an 8K; you are running in honor of one of Bermuda’s great distance runners, sharing the road with local club athletes, juniors, and walkers, and finishing at a community club that is woven into the social fabric of Southampton Parish.
If you are planning an island break in early 2026, align your dates with Sunday 8 February 2026. Use Saturday to settle in, pick up any last‑minute race essentials in Hamilton, and walk a piece of the course. Then join the runners and walkers on South Road, follow the loop past Camp Road and Middle Road, and enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a classic Bermudian race under a winter sun that feels more like spring.
When you stop your watch at the Rangers Club finish and look back along the south shore, you will understand why the Ed Sherlock 5 Mile / 8K Road Race has earned its place in Bermuda’s running calendar and why it is worth planning an island trip around.
Verified Information at glance
Event Category: Road running race / 8K run and walk / Community sports event
Event Name: Ed Sherlock 8K Road Race (commonly still called “Ed Sherlock 5 Mile Road Race”)
Island / Location: Southampton Parish, Bermuda
2025 Benchmark (latest full listing):
- Ahotu calendars: “Ed Sherlock 5 Mile Road Race – Southampton Parish, Bermuda – 09 Feb, 2025 (Sun). Running 8 km. This event also offers: Walking”.
- Walking calendar: Same event listed under walking races 2025–2026.
- RunSignup: “Ed Sherlock 8K Road Race – Sunday February 9, 2025” with events for Run (Swan’s Legend Series), 8K Run, and 8K Competitive Walk.
Expected 2026 Date Pattern:
- RaceDayWorld “Upcoming Events” and Swan’s Running Club programming list “Ed Sherlock 8K Run/Walk – February 2026 – Southampton” as part of Swan’s Legend Series.
- Based on consistent early‑February Sunday scheduling, the 2026 edition is expected on Sunday 8 February 2026, with final confirmation and registration details to be posted on local race platforms.
Course Description (from 2025 listing):
- Start/finish: Rangers Club (starting at Eastdale Lane) in Southampton.
- Route:
- Leave Rangers Club, South Road heading east.
- Left on Camp Road to Middle Road.
- Left on Middle Road to Barnes Corner.
- Left onto South Shore Road back to Rangers Club.
Distance:
- Listed as 8K (approximately 5 miles) in Ahotu and RunSignup race information.
Registration and Number Pickup:
- 2025 details:
- Number pickup on race morning from 7:30 am.
- No late entries on race day; registration open online until midnight on Saturday.
- 2026 is expected to follow the same model, with sign‑up via Bermuda Timing, RunSignup, or related portals.
Historical Context:
- The race honors Ed Sherlock, a legendary Bermudian runner who won the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby six times and was still racing the event in his 80s, as reported by The Royal Gazette.
- Past race results stored on IslandStats and Bermuda Timing show the Ed Sherlock Race as a longstanding part of the island’s road‑running scene.
