Ultrarunning in Ireland: An overview of Ultra Runs, Ultra Marathons and Ultra Trails in Ireland.
The dates for all Ultra Races in Ireland, including registration, course, schedule, results and more details.
Irish Ultra Runs: Bog, Mud, and the Emerald Vertical
Ultra runs and trails in Ireland offer a distinctive challenge defined by relentless rolling hills, deep boggy terrain, and dramatic coastal exposure. The Irish ultra-marathon scene demands exceptional resilience against constant dampness and thick mud, where high altitude is traded for technical, ankle-deep uncertainty. Courses often traverse vast open moorland and steep, grassy climbs, ensuring that the cumulative vertical gain is significant, even if the individual peaks are modest. Success on the Emerald Isle depends heavily on mastering the uniquely soft, wet, and often slippery ground.
Wicklow Mountains and the Coastal Challenge
Events focusing on the Wicklow Mountains National Park, close to Dublin, are core to the Irish calendar, featuring challenging loops through forests and across exposed heather. Further south, coastal ultra-runs, such as those tracing the famous Kerry Way, test runners with long stretches of remote trails and exposure to the Atlantic weather fronts. These races are less about rock scrambling and more about navigating undulating terrain where visibility can drop quickly, adding a crucial navigational element to the endurance test.
Despite the inherent muddiness—which is often the source of good-natured runner humor—the beauty of the expansive green landscapes is unparalleled. Whether you are battling the thickest bog on the island or enjoying the view from a windswept coastal cliff, running an ultra in Ireland delivers a rugged, damp, and profoundly memorable adventure through ancient, rolling countryside.
Ultra Runs 2026 in Ireland: Top-Events
All Ultra Marathons in Ireland
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