This event is cancelled

Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon

5 (12 Reviews)

Edition 5

Ballard, Wicklow, Ireland
22 May, 2021 (Sat)
Event size: 100 - 999 participants (Max 300 participants)

Running

21.097 km, 42.195 km

About the event

Incredibly scenic, incredibly tough. A marathon through the scenic heart of County Wicklow starting in Glendalough and taking in the 'Sally Gap' highland pass at 506m.

Irish cyclists have long known the allure of the 'Lap of the Gap' circuit taking you from the village of Laragh to the highland pass of Sallygap and back past Lough Tay (the 'Guiness Lake'). A scenic route with plenty of ups and plenty of downs. From quiet country back lanes to the barren and dramatic heather landscapes once you pass the Glenmacnass Waterfall.

Both our marathon and half-marathon adds a 'tail' to the traditional Lap of the Gap to allow you to start in the monastic village of Glendalough - one of Ireland's most popular tourist destinations. Supporters, speedsters and fun runners can also enjoy the Glendalough 3 mile race starting alongside the half-marathon.

We hope you will get not just a race out of our event - but an experience for a lifetime.

Races offered by this event

Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon

Cancelled
22 May, 2021 (Sat)
Running
42.195 km
769 m of elevation gain785 m of elevation drop
Race size: 250 - 499 participants
The Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon begins in the ancient monastic valley of Glendalough on the roadside near the 'Lower Lake' before runner start on undulating roads towards the village of Laragh. From here they completed the main part of the course: a diamond-shaped circuit peaking at the Sallygap crossroads at 506 metres, making our event Ireland's highest road race. Here the 'King and Queen of the Hill' title is decided just before the 22 km point. It's net downhill from here-on:

The return trip from Sallygap takes runners passed Lough Tay and the Guinness Estate - a big lake the literally looks like a pint of Guinness. Quiet farm-yard roads connect runners back to the popular 'Wicklow Way' and the final tough climb at Oldbridge in 35 km. Once conquered only a few kicks remain before you can frewheel back into the village of Laragh and a proper Irish welcome!
Boston Marathon qualifier
Solo
On site
Road
Hilly
Single loop
Timed
Certified course
Rural
Mountain range
Forest
Waterfalls
Lakeside

Glen to Glen Half-marathon

Cancelled
22 May, 2021 (Sat)
Running
21.097 km
352 m of elevation gain363 m of elevation drop
Race size: 100 - 249 participants
The Glen to Glen Half-marathon takes runners from Glendalough's ancient valley to the high-point of the route at Glenmacnass Waterfall. Runners get to enjoy a special 1 mile loop of the Upper Lake Park - within the boundaries of Wicklow National Park - running along the scenic Upper Lake seen in movies like Braveheart.

From the high-point runners turn back down for the final fast and furious 9 km to the finish line in Laragh village.
Boston Marathon qualifier
Solo
On site
Road
Hilly
Out & back
Timed
Certified course
Rural
Mountain range
Forest
Waterfalls
Lakeside

Course details

Course highlights

A classical cycling route slightly re-done to add up to exactly 42.2 kilometres or the full marathon distance running clockwise up to Sally Gap via the Glenmacnass Waterfall before meandering past Lough Tay and returning via the Drummin/Oldbridge townland. To say the route is hilly is not doing it justice - its a marathon to run for the pure experience, the physical and mental challenge and the scenery rather than the personal best potential!

Start address

Glendalough, Ireland

Finish address

Brockagh Resource Centre, Ballard, Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland

Route map

route map

What’s included in entry

These are included in your entry
Finisher medal
Toilets
Cash prizes
Shuttle to Start Line
Nutrition Stations
Finisher’s T-shirts
Parking
Drink Stations
Bag drop
Timing chip (single use)
Shower
Photo Service
Post-race meal
Dressing rooms
Medical Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews

5
12 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
Write a review
user avatar
Hanh Nguyen
May 2023
21.098 km

Scenic route, low crowd, quiet peaceful run through green, lush rolling hills, with views of sheep, cows, golden yellow furze, and the Glenmacness waterfall near the top of the half marathon where you turn around for the second half. Gradual incline and there was a stretch of climb toward waterfall which wasn’t too bad. I managed to PR a little less than two :). If I lived in Ireland, definitely would do it again, and check out Dingle’s marathon! Small crowd, very helpful volunteers, yummy snacks and goodies post race. Maybe some music at the end to pump up runners and celebrate ;). Every one was so friendly. Definitely recommend. Wicklow is a nice area to explore.

Gradual incline, start in Glendalough village area near the hotel, weave through the streets, gradual climb, some rolling hills, lovely views of lush green, cows/sheep, waterfall, beware of slight last bit of hill at the very end. Not long, but you’re going downhill expecting to finish soon and it creeps back up =P. Great scenic route. Peaceful and quiet. Cars are still on the road though, I’d wish the roads were blocked off as to avoid any potential injuries. But cars were respectful and courtesy of runners.

user avatar
Jack Gahan
May 2023
42.195 km

Supererply organised event, with some amazing scenery for the the run. Will definitely have to give it another go next year.

user avatar
Lorraine Mc Mahon
May 2023
42.195 km

Beautiful scenic run, superbly organised..just floated around as so much to admire

user avatar
Tim Griffin
May 2023
42.195 km

Excellent day well organised by the team involved, pre race and after race Beautiful route to run , very challenging and enjoyable !!! Already have ticket for next year I'll be putting more effort into my hill runs 🙂

user avatar
Paul Buckley
Country flag of IE
May 2023
42.195 km

Beautiful run, we were surrounded by beautiful scenery, friendly runners, tough hills which made it onc of my my favourite marathons to complete

If you're considering doing this marathon, I highly recommend it , it's definitely one of the nicest ones around

user avatar
Janet Dalton
Country flag of IE
May 2023
21.098 km

My 1st glen to glen 1/2 marathon & it will be the 1st of many. Might even try the full next year.Fab route, beautiful scenery, amazing support from Marshalls along the route. Lovely hills😬, but lots of lovely downhills too. Absolutely loved it. Best organised event I've done!! Roll on next year

user avatar
Angela Kruger
Country flag of IE
May 2023
21.098 km

I did my first Glen to Glen Half in 2023, after a running buddy convinced me to sign up. Delighted I did, the scenery on this route is jaw-dropping! Tough old hill to climb, but a VERY fast downhill finish not only made up time, but got me a rare sub-2h00 for the half marathon. The event was exceptionally well organised, every turn was signposted and marshalled, plenty of water and jellies along the way, fruit and water at the finish line, along with lovely tshirts and awesome medals (wood this year). And big shout out to the PlantBox for sponsoring the post-race treats - yum!

A very tough climb followed by an amazing descent, and stunning views all the way

user avatar
Brian Gurrin
Country flag of IE
May 2018
42.195 km

A fantastic marathon. I ran this in 2018 and it was very well organised, and ran without a hitch. The route is challenging; I am sure it is the marathon with the most climbing in Ireland. What goes up must come down, though, so there are plenty of descents, too, which bring their own challenges. The location is amazing; out in the wilds of the Wicklow Uplands. A great running experience.

My record of the event gives 692 metres of elevation. The first half is mostly climbing, tot he Sally Gap. The second half brings you back down again, but there are two tough climbs in there too.

user avatar
Robert Gravenor
Country flag of GB
42.195 km

Ran the half in 2018. Couldn't resist the full in 2019. Absolutely brilliant. Likely to be bucket list every year. Beautiful course. Well organised. Great atmosphere. The only fault was the photography, which failed to capture most of the runners in the full. Ah well, just have to do it again. :-)

user avatar
Selina Da Silva
42.195 km

Stunning scenery throughout the whole race. Felt privileged to be running in such a beautiful part of Ireland. Superb organisation, friendly kind marshals. Loved it.

user avatar
Stefanie Wynne
21.098 km

This was my first time doing the Glen to Glen half marathon. Everything was very well organised and straight forward. The route itself was challenging but with that came fantastic scenery. I would highly recommend

user avatar
Carol Madden
Country flag of IE
42.195 km

A great event, very well organised and super-friendly. The course is stunning, hilly with some tough climbs and long descents. Beautiful scenery and views throughout, well-placed water stations and excellent finish line refreshments. Big thanks to all the organisers, marshals, crew and helpers, this is one to come back to again and again.

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