Key Facts

• Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
• Location: Glendalough / Laragh
• Race type: Road marathon with mountain-style climbing
• Organizer: Glendalough Athletics Club
• Distances:
  • Marathon — 42.2 km
  • Half Marathon (“Glen to Glen”) — 21.1 km
• Start times (current published schedule):
  • Marathon: 07:30
  • Half Marathon: 08:0

Race facts

This is marketed as Ireland’s highest road marathon and is known more for:

• scenery,
• climbing,
• atmosphere,
  than for fast times.

You run through:

• Glendalough valley,
• Glenmacnass waterfall,
• Sally Gap,
• Lough Tay (“Guinness Lake”),
• remote Wicklow mountain roads

Marathon Route

The marathon is essentially a large clockwise mountain loop.

Elevation

• Approx. 800–809 m total ascent
• Long sustained climb toward Sally Gap
• Highest point around 500 m altitude.

Terrain

• Entirely paved roads
• Mostly narrow country roads
• Rolling and exposed mountain terrain
• Very little urban support/crowds

Difficulty

This is considered:

• much harder than a standard city marathon,
• not a PB course,
• closer in effort to a trail marathon.

Aid Stations / Support

Typical features include:

• water stations,
• sports drink,
• medical support,
• chip timing,
• finish medal,
• race t-shirt,
• post-race food.

Because parts of the course are remote, many runners carry:

• extra gels,
• lightweight windbreaker,
• salt/electrolytes.

Entry & Pricing

2026 published prices are approximately:

• Marathon: €70–€80
• Half: €58–€68 depending on entry tier.

The event has:

• limited entries,
• tiered pricing,
• tends to sell steadily rather than instantly.

Travel & Logistics

Closest Airport

• Dublin Airport (~1.5 hours away)

Recommended Base

Most runners stay in:

• Glendalough
• Laragh
• or Roundwood

Parking

Race info pages mention:

• free parking,
• shuttle/event logistics near the start/finish area.

Strategy Tips

Pacing

The biggest mistake is:

• going out at flat-marathon pace.

The climb to Sally Gap is long and gradual, and many runners blow up there.

Better strategy:

• run by effort/heart rate,
• conserve energy until halfway,
• attack the descents carefully.

“A road race with the feel of a trail ultra.”

Would you run in Ireland, and enjoy in fantastic nature? 🙂