“The future is not set, there is no fate but what we make for ourselves.” — Irish blessing
If you’ve ever had a chance to visit Ireland like I have, you know what an amazing place it is to visit, and to run.
So this week we turn our eyes to Ireland, where you can run in places as different as the bustling streets of Dublin or as far away from the crowd as southern Ireland, in places like Cork.
1) Achill Half Marathon • Achill Island, IE
By turns shrouded in ocean mists and bathed in the warm summer sunlight of early July as the race progresses, the course for Ireland’s annual Achill Half Marathon features ample views of the rugged, untamed natural beauty for which this westernmost region of the country is known.
July • Race info & signup >>
2) Clare Burren Marathon Challenge • Ballyvaughan, IE
Named for the natural limestone deposits of this part of Ireland — the country’s rugged, untamed western region — this race unfolds through the Burren, whose ancient limestone formations contain dozens of caves and ancient tombs, and where you can find the ruins of forgotten villages and what locals call “green” roads, where you can walk for miles without ever seeing a car.
May • Race info & signup >>
3) Connemara International Half Marathon • Maam Cross, IE
All throughout this race, runners will encounter the sights and sounds that this wild, rugged region of the country is known for: stone fences, rocky brown-and-green hills and mountains, rainy and misty weather conditions, sheep herds grazing free along the road, and the warmth and friendliness for which the Irish are known.
April • Race info & signup >>
4) Dingle Half Marathon • Dingle, IE
Called “Ireland’s most scenic marathon” and winner of the country’s half marathon of the year award in 2014, the Dingle Half is challenging, with terrain that follows the natural dips and rises of the land along the ocean, but also features breathtaking views of the water and the Blasket islands off in the distance.
September • Race info & signup >>
5) Donegal International Half Mooathan • Kilmacrenan, IE
Challenging, filled with hills and run across a combination of paved surfaces and gravel roads along the Lough Salt Road between Kilmacrenan and Downings to the north, the race gets its name from one of its main sponsors, the Donegal Creameries company, and the “cow” theme is in abundance at the event.
September • Race info & signup >>
6) Cork City Half Marathon • Cork City, IE
Set for nearly the height of the tourist season in the south of Ireland, this race unfolds through this gorgeous city on Ireland’s southwestern coast, which lies along the River Lee and features views of the water along several stretches.s
June • Race info & signup >>
7) Bay Run Half Marathon • Glengarriff, IE
With a course that takes participants from the village of Glengarriff overlooking the bay’s northern shore to Bantry along its southern side, this race features much of the magnificent scenery for which this part of the country is known — high mountain ridges, streams cascading down, and hilly green pastures, lakes, ponds and forests in between.
May • Race info & signup >>
8) Inishbofin Half Marathon • Inishbofin, IE
Sparsely populated and characterized by the same green, rocky hills that are found throughout its larger neighbor to the southeast, the Republic of Ireland, the island of Inishbofin plays host to this race on a beautifully scenic, peaceful and pastoral island just off the coast of Galway, near Ireland’s Connemara region in the northwestern part of the country.
May • Race info & signup >>
9) Longford Half Marathon • Longford, IE
Runners get a chance to trek through the fields, glens and rural roads of the Irish countryside right in the center of the country at this race, which takes place in the town by the same name that sits near the geographic center of this island nation.
August • Race info & signup >>
10) Galway Bay Run Half Marathon • Galway, IE
“Breathtaking, amazing, spectacular, friendly and fun” That’s how the organizers describe the Galway Bay Run, which runs through the Latin Quarter of Galway City, past Claddagh Quay and along the majestic coast road with views of the Burren in County Clare across the waters of Galway Bay.
October • Race info & signup >>
11) Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon • Dublin, IE
The first weekend of August brings Dublin’s installment of this U.S.-based race series, which runs through the famed Temple Bar area, past the legendary Guinness Brewery, and through the scenic Royal Hospital Kilmainham grounds on to the finish line in Phoenix Park.
August • Race info & signup >>
