This event is coming up on Saturday the 1st of September and must be one of the most scenic routes in Ireland. Starting in the town of Dingle at 9am..........
........the race travels west passing through the village of Ventry before heading out towards Slea Head...
What really makes this Half and Full Marathon special is the fact the roads are closed. Normally, there is a lot of tourist traffic on this narrow road and it wouldn't be really suitable for running or walking.
The road here is high above the sea and you have an incredible view out over Dingle Bay to the Iveragh Peninsula to the south with the Skelligs in the distance.
Once you pass the grotto around the 10 mile mark, the Blasket Islands come into view...
....and then the twisting coastal road...
Soon, the Half-Marathon finishes in Dunquin and there are a fleet of buses to take the runners back to Dingle. The full Marathon runners continue on towards Ballyferriter with Brandon Mountain now coming into view. From here, the route is on quiet narrow roads as it heads towards Dingle...
An incredible location for a Marathon and probably the most scenic in Ireland.
For those that are really ambitious, there is a 50 mile Ultra-Marathon as well.
Entries....The closing date for entries is Wednesday, the 22nd of August.
More details on the Dingle Marathon website
This YouTube clip from TG4 in Irish gives a good feel for what it is like...
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