The Dingle Marathon travels west from Dingle town along the coast past Ventry to Slea Head, enjoying awesome views of the Blasket Islands along the way. Pass Dún Chaoin and north to Baile an Fheirtéaraigh and Gallarus before turning back south to the finish in Dingle town. With the choice …
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The Dingle Marathon travels west from Dingle town along the coast past Ventry to Slea Head, enjoying awesome views of the Blasket Islands along the way. Pass Dún Chaoin and north to Baile an Fheirtéaraigh and Gallarus before turning back south to the finish in Dingle town.
With the choice of a half or full marathon, you will enjoy a unique experience on one of the most scenic races, in a landscape that National Geographic have described as ‘probably the most beautiful on Earth!
The course consists of a Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and a Full Marathon (26.2 miles) which traverse the spectacular Dingle Peninsula. This is a ‘must do’ event in one of Ireland’s must beautiful locations on Slea Head with the course designed for runners and walkers to enjoy its breath taking scenery and beautiful rugged coastline. This is the only day in the year when vehicular traffic is removed from Slea Head immersing runners in the natural beauty of the Dingle Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Dingle town comes alive this weekend with an incredible atmosphere and good times guaranteed all weekend.
The Dingle Marathon is not just a marathon; it is the experience of a lifetime. Many seasoned international runners have described the Dingle Marathon as simply the best that they have experienced in the entire world. The unique “Dingle vibe” is very difficult for us to explain but once you’ve experienced it you’ll never forget it!
Both the half marathon and full marathons start together from the scenic Marina in Dingle Town with all participants heading off together in the direction of Ventry and onto Slea Head. The scenery is truly breathtaking with magnificent views of the Blasket Islands.
On leaving Dingle, participants pass over Milltown Bridge, past the woodlands at Burnham to the seaside village of Ventry where they get panoramic views of the long, curved strand of the stunning blue flag beach. On leaving Ventry the course continues westward, past Dunbeg Fort, and continuing with a sheer cliff on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. At Fahan the road crosses a ford where a water stream is magically redirected from the road to avoid runners wetting their feet! This is the only day in the year that water does not pass over the road ford.
The course then reaches Slea Head itself, marked by a stone crucifixion scene, with dramatic views to South Kerry and the Blasket Islands. The course then follows the coast north, past the iconic Coumenoole Strand, where some of the filming of Ryan’s Daughter took place and on to Dunquin village.
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Last place, still got my medal and shirt
Somewhere after the first quarter I started power walking most of it. That hurts. I wasn’t trained for the course, but despite the strict cut off and them reopening the … MORE
Somewhere after the first quarter I started power walking most of it. That hurts. I wasn’t trained for the course, but despite the strict cut off and them reopening the roads in the afternoon, I asked the guy who was packing up for my shirt and medal and I got it. If you like me want a scenic running experience in Ireland this was certainly that. But I’d recommend just doing the half instead. The best beach and ocean views are on the first half and much of it is just the same type of bushes and farm fields after that you will have seen on the half as well. I didn’t know how strict cut off would be in Ireland. The traffic certainly did open up and that’s dangerous in these narrow Irish roads. But if you’re on time it won’t be a big issue like it is for the back of the pack. I had a few people behind or in front the whole way until the last couple miles where an inspiring guy in a wheelchair and another bloke passed me one last time. Like many millions of others Ireland is an ancestral homeland and it was special to me to run there while on a family holiday. I hope you’ll get to run the Dingle (half) Marathon too. Just register as soon as it opens or it’ll sell out.