Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon

4.9 (16 reviews)
Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland
24 May, 2025 (Sat)

Running

21.1 km, 42.195 km

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Price from
63 EUR
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about-the-event

Experience Ireland's most challenging road marathon! Take on the 'Lap of the Gap' circuit that winds through the picturesque village of Laragh to the stunning highland pass of Sallygap, passing by the iconic Lough Tay (known as the 'Guinness Lake'). This scenic route offers a mix of exhilarating climbs and thrilling descents, showcasing the beauty of the Irish countryside from tranquil back roads to the striking heather landscapes beyond the Glenmacnass Waterfall.
For those seeking an even more memorable adventure, our marathon and half-marathon courses feature an added section starting in the historic village of Glendalough, a top tourist destination in Ireland. Join us for not just a race, but an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

race-list-heading

training-weeks

Marathon

24 May, 2025 (Sat) - 07:30
Running

42.195 km

Solo
On site
Road
Hilly
Downhill
Historical
Lakeside
Mountain range
Nature
Park
River
Rural
Scenic
Sport club
Valley
Waterfalls
Wildlife
Forest
Fun

1/2 Marathon

24 May, 2025 (Sat) - 08:00
Running

21.1 km

Solo
On site
Road
Hilly
Downhill
Historical
Lakeside
Mountain range
Nature
Park
River
Rural
Scenic
Sport club
Valley
Waterfalls
Wildlife
Forest
Fun

ro-course-details

ro-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!

ro-start-address

Glendalough, Ireland

ro-finish-address

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

ro-whats-included

ro-included-items
finisher-medal
name-on-bib
toilets
cash-prizes
shuttle-to-start-line
race-announcer
nutrition-stations
finishers-t-shirts
parking
sweeper-vehicles
drink-stations
bag-drop
timing-chip-single-use
shower
lead-vehicles
photo-service
post-race-meal
dressing-rooms
medical-assistance

ro-faq

reviews

4.9
16 reviews
5
4
3
2
1
write-review
Anne
May 2024
Running
42.195 km

The organises along the route are very nice. However there is high chance of misty/woggy weather and this was the case this time. I was running about 3 kilometres in thinck wog where you could see about 1 meter ahead, and the was absolutely no one else to be seen, no organisers. Did not feel safe running on the side of the road cars driving past. Coming in one of later runners to finish the marathon ( near 6 hours), I was only greeted by the fotographer, who was very nice. The annoucher speaking with a microphone was just talking about a some car and completely dismissed my arrival. Snacks in the finish line were nice homemade. All in all have had better marathons.

user avatar
Sophie O’Neill
May 2024
42.195 km

Very well organised event. Route was perfectly clear with marshals where needed.

A great challenge with all the ups and downs!

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Kevin Scullion
May 2024
42.195 km

Fantastically well organised marathon with a stunning route. Well placed water stations and very supportive Marshall’s. Highly reccomended hilly and beautiful marathon.

It’s hilly but it’s beautiful!

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Colin Rafferty
May 2023
42.195 km

Amazing route, stunning views, great spread afterwards. The course is gruelling though so if thinking about doing it you will need to be well versed in hill running or prepare to suffer to new levels!

Toughest marathon i've ever done but spectacular route & superbly organised.

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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.

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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.

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Lorraine Mc Mahon
May 2023
42.195 km

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

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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 🙂

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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

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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

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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.

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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. :-)

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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.

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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

register-now-forGlendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon
Price from
63 EUR

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