Guest Post: Mizen to Malin Challenge starts Tues 31st March 2026 ...by Fergal O'Donnell

 

I am attempting to run from Mizen Head to Malin Head and I will be starting on Tuesday 31st March from Mizen, hoping to finish on Easter Sunday.

I run through Cork on Day 1, hoping to make it to and stay in Millstreet on the first night. I only share in case anyone would ever fancy joining in for a few slow KM in Co. Cork.

I am doing this as a fundraiser, but absolutely not asking for donations - simply in case anyone would fancy joining in for part of the challenge.

My number is 07713 623264 if anyone wants to WhatsApp. I will have a live tracker, which I will share on my own profile but also on the Galbally Runners Facebook Page. 

Thank you in advance.

Fergal O'Donnell 

Galbally Runners (Co. Tyrone)... https://www.facebook.com/galballyrunners/

Tracker... https://www.geotracks.co.uk/live/4936

Cork runner Michael Minehane to run from Malin to Mizen in 15 days for charity - Fri 16th to Fri 30th May 2025

Fundraiser for LauraLynn: Malin to Mizen – 15 Marathons in 15 Days

On 16 May 2025, Michael Minehane from Kealkill, Co. Cork will start at Malin Head in Donegal and complete 15 marathons over the following 15 days, finishing on 30 May 2025 at Mizen Head in Co Cork. 

Update...

Fri 30th May: Michael completes his 15th marathon in as many days and finishes at Mizen Head.

Thurs 29th May: Michael starts in Ballineen and runs over the Cousane Gap to Kealkill and Bantry.

Wed 28th May: Michael starts in Cork City, runs to Bandon and finishes in Ballineen.

Tues 27th May: Michael starts  at Newtwopothouse near Mallow and finishes in Cork City.

Mon 26th May: Michael starts near Croom in Co Limerick and finishes near Newtwopothouse in Co Cork.

Donations... https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/2025Malin2MIzen1

This event is a fundraiser for LauraLynn which is the only Children’s hospice in Ireland, provides care and support to children with life limiting conditions and their families. 670 Families were supported by LauraLynn in 2024.

Ed McGroarty sets new Mizen to Malin record

At the start of July 2021, Ultra runner Ed McGroarty set a new record for running the length of Ireland from Mizen Head in Cork to Malin Head in Donegal.

Ed completed the course in a new record time of 3 days 1 hour 55 minutes. The previous record of 3d 3h 47m was set by Eoin Keith back in 2017.

The map of his route is shown above and can be seen in more detail in this LINK.

It looks as if this is now established as the fastest route from Mizen to Malin and is likely to be used for future attempts.

Ed at the finish line in Malin Head

Irish 24 hour Champion Eoin Keith sets new Mizen to Malin Record

After setting out from a wet and windy Mizen Head on Saturday the 29th of April, the current Irish 24 Hour Champion Eoin Keith finally arrived in Malin Head in Donegal on Tues 2nd of May. This run of the length of Ireland from Mizen to Malin was set in a new record time of 3 days, 3 hours and 37 minutes. The previous record was 3 days, 15 hours and 36 minutes.

Eoin is originally from Cobh in Co.Cork and has represented Ireland in Ultra running competitions on several occasions. He is also the current Irish 24 hour champion which he won in Belfast in the Summer of 2016.

Live Tracking for the Mizen to Malin Record attempt was available here :
http://live.primaltracking.com/headtohead/

When it comes to any record attempt, the one question is do you run from Malin to Mizen or Mizen to Malin? The theory is that with the prevailing winds from the south-west, going from South to North might be the better option.

On Saturday, the weather was wet and windy but at least the wind was behind Keith. On Sunday, the weather improved although there was still the benefit of a southerly breeze. The high pressure became the dominant feature on the Bank Holiday Monday with the sunshine and heat ebing a factor.

Australian Runner Completes Mizen to Malin Run in 18 days...

Back at the start of August, I had a post up about Australian runner Simon Chodziesner who was running from Mizen Head in Cork to Malin Head in Donegal. True to the plan, he finished the journey on Tuesday the 18th of August.

That's a total of 568kms in 18 days which averages out as about 31.5kms or about 20 miles per day.

There should be a few more Malin to Mizen attempts taking place in the next month.

Australian to run from Mizen to Malin in August 2015

Simon Chodziesner from Australia is planning to run from Mizen Head to Malin Head during the month of August 2015.

From his support team........Simon’s biggest drive is his next big challenge and his passion for using his running to raise funds for charity. Through the Mizen to Malin challenge, Simon hopes to raise money for two charities close to his heart:
Friends of Letterkenny General Hospital - the local hospital where Simon's Donegal family have been well cared for over the years [ http://www.friendsoflgh.ie ]; their current project is the Friends of LGH Onconolgy Bus.

If you wish to support this worthwhile charity….
●    Online at: www.iDonate.ie/mizentomalin2015
●    Sponsorship cards: email: simonmizen2malin@gmail.com
●    Loose change: bucket collection on route

He is starting from Mizen Head in West Cork on Saturday 1st August and hopes to finish 18 days later in Malin Head at the Northern tip of Donegal on the 18th of August.

He also welcomes runners to join him for part of the route and to keep him company.

You can read more at http://www.mizen2malin2015.com/

He also has a Facebook page HERE

Sharon Gayter from the UK sets new Mizen to Malin record...

Ultra distance runner Sharon Gayter from the UK arrived at Malin Head in Donegal on Thursday morning to set a new Mizen to Malin record. Having set out from Mizen Head in Cork  at 7am last Sunday morning, it took 4 days, 1 hour and 39 minutes to run the length of Ireland. That is roughly 21 hours faster than the time of 4 days 23 hours that Jen Salter set in June 2011 when she ran in the opposite direction from Malin to Mizen.

Gayter is a holder of several distance records including a 7 day treadmill record set last December.