Course Map
Elevation Profile
Route based on 2026 course — may differ from the 2027 race.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 531m
- Elevation loss
- 552m
- Highest point
- 310m
- Lowest point
- 10m
- Net drop
- 21m
- Start
- Mullaghbouy Community Centre
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
About this Race
The Glenmore Running Challenge Festival Marathon is a two-loop road race deep in the Glenmore Valley on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, starting and finishing at Mullaghbouy Community Centre and sending runners twice around a 21-kilometre circuit through one of the most scenically underrated corners of Ireland — a landscape steeped in the mythology of the Táin Bó Cúailnge, the ancient cattle raid that made the Cooley hills famous in Irish legend long before any marathon was held here. The full marathon accumulates 531 metres of elevation gain across two loops, marking this out as a genuinely hilly course rather than a gentle country run: the valley roads climb and descend repeatedly through mountain farmland and ancient hedgerow, with the panoramic views over Carlingford Lough to the granite peaks of the Mourne Mountains across the water providing the visual reward for each ascent. The course is entirely on road, AAI-permitted, and chip-timed. Organised by Glenmore AC — a club that has run the event for over a decade — the race is run with the wholehearted warmth of a community athletics club at its most hospitable: a live band plays at the finish, a BBQ and a beer await every finisher, and the festival atmosphere generated by five simultaneous distances from 5K to marathon makes the event feel far more celebratory than competitive. Cash prizes run to the top three male and female in each distance, and the event carries an annual charity nomination. Entry is through general sale at very low price points via Eventmaster, the field is modest in size, and the event typically falls in June, catching the Cooley Peninsula at its greenest. It suits runners who want a legitimately challenging hilly marathon with real elevation to respect, delivered in a festival-run-by-the-community format that is entirely unlike anything a city race can offer.
Course Insight
Pushing out from the Mullaghbuoy Community Centre, the race guides you smoothly across the initial valley paths before immediately pointing upward into the rolling terrain of the Cooley Peninsula. This early asphalt stretch acts as a classic pacing trap; the crisp country air and fresh race-day energy tempt an aggressive start, making strict discipline vital to saving your fuel for the serious climbs ahead. The route then transitions deeper into the unspoiled Glenmore Valley, offering breathtaking, panoramic vistas overlooking Omeath and Carlingford Lough but exposing you to an unshielded mountain landscape where sudden, punishing headwinds can completely break your rhythm. The middle miles pull you into an isolated, raw rural environment where spectator zones vanish entirely, forcing you to rely on immense mental toughness to maintain your cadence without any outside encouragement. The definitive physical challenge arrives as you enter the grueling second loop of the marathon course, confronting you with a relentless series of steep, late-stage mountain inclines that sap your power precisely when your legs feel heaviest. Cresting these final hills rewards you with a long, quad-burning downhill descent back toward the coast, demanding careful, controlled braking to protect your joints before the terrain flattens out.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (531m), tough late hills, repetitive or complex course layout.
Race History
The Glenmore Challenge Running Festival Marathon began as a passionate, local athletics initiative spearheaded by Glenmore AC, drawing a maiden field of enthusiastic runners to establish an immediate foothold on a scenic course layout anchored at the Mullaghbuoy Community Centre. Spurred by the host club's vision to showcase the stunning landscapes of County Louth, the event quickly became a certified favorite on the Irish running circuit due to its vibrant community feel and its demanding routes through the unspoiled Glenmore Valley, nestled in the heart of the legendary Cooley Peninsula. Over its history, the race steadily evolved from a localized road race into a highly anticipated multi-distance weekend festival, expanding its lineup to include a 5K, a 10K, a 10-Mile run, a Half Marathon, and a premier, significantly hilly two-loop Full Marathon to welcome all tiers of endurance athletes. Famously preserving its distinct, high-energy rural atmosphere while earning a reputation for deep community impact through its long-standing support of local causes, such as nominating The Maria Goretti Foundation as its official charity partner, the race has seamlessly balanced challenging athletic competition with warm, welcoming hospitality. Now regularly serving as a marquee summer spectacle traditionally held in mid-June, the festival attracts a growing field of multi-distance participants who are treated to breathtaking, panoramic views overlooking Omeath, Carlingford Lough, and the majestic Mourne Mountains before celebrating at the finish line with a signature post-race BBQ and refreshments.
Plan Your Trip
Carlingford for medieval village charm and boutique hotels closest to the course, Omeath for quiet guesthouses right on Carlingford Lough, and Dundalk for the widest range of hotels and easiest transport links a 20-minute drive away.
- Nearest airport(s)
- BFS Belfast International Airport, BHD George Best Belfast City Airport
- Best area to stay
- Carlingford for medieval village charm and boutique hotels closest to the course, Omeath for quiet guesthouses right on Carlingford Lough, and Dundalk for the widest range of hotels and easiest transport links a 20-minute drive away.
- Getting to the start
- Race HQ is at Mullaghbouy Community Centre on the Cooley Peninsula — a car is the most practical option as rural bus services are very limited; ample parking is available at the community centre on race day.