Glendalough Lap Of The Gap Marathon 2026
The Glendalough Lap Of The Gap Marathon 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, 23 May 2026, in the scenic Wicklow Mountains National Park, specifically within the Glendalough and Laragh areas of County Wicklow, Ireland. Participants can expect typical late-May Irish weather, which often features mild temperatures with a possibility of intermittent showers and varying cloud cover. This event, organized by Glendalough Athletics Club, is Ireland's highest road marathon and offers a challenging, hilly route through some of the country's most iconic landscapes, including the Glendalough Lakes, Glenmacnass Waterfall, and Lough Tay.
What distances are available for this event?
- →Full Marathon (the "Lap of the Gap")
- →Glen to Glen Half-Marathon
What is the course profile like?
The courses are described as hilly and tough, making them more suited for an endurance challenge rather than a personal best (PB) attempt. The marathon follows a diamond-shaped loop known locally as the "Lap of the Gap." The route includes stunning scenery such as the Glendalough Lakes, Glenmacnass Waterfall, and Lough Tay (the "Guinness Lake").
How is the course marked and managed?
- →Marathon start lines are marked with yellow spray and mile markers are indicated with yellow spray.
- →Half-marathon start lines and mile markers are marked with white spray.
- →Both races begin with a brief road closure for the first kilometer.
- →Following the initial kilometer, runners are on open roads, making road awareness essential.
- →Marshals in hi-viz are stationed at every junction, and there is a Garda (Irish police) presence on the course.
What are the timing and cut-off details?
- →The Marathon utilizes both gun time and chip time.
- →The Half-Marathon utilizes gun time only.
- →Cut-off times are described as generous, with very few runners missing them in previous editions.
What is the event schedule?
- →Safety briefing: Held 5 minutes before the starting horn.
- →Prize-giving: Commences from 9:45 AM onward.
- →Bus to Dublin: Departs at 15:00 (pre-purchase required).
- →St. Kevin's Bus: Departs approximately 2 hours after the race.
What is included for finishers?
- →A finisher's token (either a medal or a coaster).
- →A finisher's t-shirt.
- →Refreshments including fresh fruit, water, and jellybeans.
What post-race amenities are available at the Brockagh Centre?
- →A post-race spread including rice crispy cakes, chocolate biscuit cakes, fairy cakes, and scones.
- →Tea and coffee (barista coffee is available for €3 per cup).
- →Coin-operated showers.
Where can I find race results and photos?
- →Official results can be found at Lapofthegap ↗ and queries can be directed to Redtagtiming ↗.
- →Event galleries are available at Lapofthegap ↗ and via Google ↗ Drive.
- →Social media updates can be found on Facebook ↗, Instagram ↗, and Youtube ↗.
- →Race reviews are hosted on Racecheck ↗.