Course Map
Elevation Profile
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 275m
- Elevation loss
- 285m
- Highest point
- 110m
- Lowest point
- 45m
- Net drop
- -10m
- Start
- High Street
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
About this Race
The Kilkenny Medieval Marathon is a single-loop tour of Ireland's historic medieval capital, starting on High Street beside the elegant stone arches of the Tholsel/Town Hall before weaving through the narrow, ancient city lanes and passing beneath the towering walls of Kilkenny Castle. The route then tracks southwest out of the city centre and straight into the expansive, scenic stretches of the rolling Irish countryside, guiding runners along quiet, forested backroads and tranquil rural national lanes. The course eventually winds its way back toward the city limits, offering stunning views of the River Nore before delivering a grand, intimate finish in front of the Butler Gallery on John's Quay. Affectionately known for its deep community-vibe, the race is defined by its welcoming local volunteers and exceptionally loud city-centre encouragement, balancing a quiet, mentally testing rural middle section with an energetic urban atmosphere at both ends. It draws a passionate, tight-knit field that blends international destination runners with Ireland’s regional championship contenders, all competing via an accessible, first-come, first-served general registration system rather than a lottery ballot. It perfectly suits adventurous debutants and strong, seasoned racers looking for a scenic hidden gem over a lightning-fast course, rewarding runners who pace themselves intelligently through its 354 meters of rolling, undulating terrain and save enough energy to push through the exposed, windy country straits around kilometer 20.
Course Insight
The High Street start gives you immediate adrenaline on narrow roads beneath medieval arches, but you face the first tactical test within the first two miles as you weave out of the historic city centre; the tight, sweeping corners require precision footwork before the route transitions onto the wide-open country roads. The long southwest stretch toward Callan is a classic pacing trap where fresh legs make the gentle, rolling inclines feel completely flat, so back off your target pace early and save energy for the isolated miles ahead. The descent down toward the rural national lanes offers a gentle gravity assist, but do not chase free speed as the course opens into unsheltered territory where sudden autumn winds can break your rhythm. The halfway mark arrives deep in the quiet countryside, opening into vast scenic expanses where the field thins out significantly, tempting you to drift mentally—a trap you must resist by locked-in pacing. The true defining test begins around kilometer 20 (mile 12.4) with the maximum elevation peak—a steady, rolling climb on exposed backroads that arrives precisely when early fatigue sets in and where runners without a strategy visibly slow. Over the crest, you are rewarded with a welcome downhill trend and a scenic view of the River Nore valley as the loop heads back toward the city limits. Crowds are thickest at the vibrant High Street starting line and the John's Quay finish, and thinnest inside the long, peaceful rural stretches between kilometers 5 and 35. Run the tangents precisely on the winding country bends; following the curve of the asphalt blindly will add unnecessary distance to your race.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (275m).
Race History
The Kilkenny Medieval Marathon began in 2016 as a passionate local initiative by Kilkenny City Harriers and community organizers, drawing a maiden field of enthusiastic runners to race beneath the shadow of the city's ancient structures. Alex O'Shea and Sally Forristal claimed the inaugural marathon titles, setting a high standard on a course layout that would soon be refined into an officially certified Athletics Ireland loop. Over its first decade, the event steadily evolved from a compact regional road race into a highly anticipated weekend festival, expanding its lineup to include 10K, Half Marathon, and 30K distances to welcome all tiers of endurance athletes. Famously preserving its intimate "community-vibe" even after transitioning to a continuous streak of virtual and physical editions through the global pandemic, the race has earned a reputation for its warm hospitality and scenic rural backroads. Now regularly serving as a proud host for local county championships, the event attracts a record-growing field of over 1,400 multi-distance participants annually, offering accessible general registration to international destination runners eager to conquer its honest, undulating terrain.
Plan Your Trip
Kilkenny City Centre for start/finish walking distance and the full range of hotels and pubs, Thomastown for scenic riverside guesthouses south of the city, and Carlow Town for budget overflow options a short drive away.
- Nearest airport(s)
- DUB Dublin Airport, ORK Cork Airport
- Best area to stay
- Kilkenny City Centre for start/finish walking distance and the full range of hotels and pubs, Thomastown for scenic riverside guesthouses south of the city, and Carlow Town for budget overflow options a short drive away.
- Getting to the start
- Kilkenny is well served by Bus Éireann and trains from Dublin, Cork, and Waterford; the start and finish are on The Parade in the city centre, walkable from all central accommodation.
- Race expo
- Kilkenny City Library, John's Quay (Friday evening before race day, Saturday morning before race start)