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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.
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!
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.