Hill running in Dublin?

fmoran

Hi,

I'm doing the half Connemarathon in March and from what people tell me, there are quite a number of hills involved. I have only been training on flat roads and so would like to start trying out some runs on hills.

I've tried to think of a few places in Dublin city that would have hills and be suitable for running but to no avail. Would anyone have any suggestions?

I work & go to the gym in Dublin 2 and I live in Dublin 7, and would obviously prefer places close to this, but am also prepared to travel if necessary.

Thanks!

Metar

If you are in D.7 you should have no problem getting up to the Phoenix park. A few nice hills over the islandbridge side of the park. Probably the best hill would be the Kyber Pass which is about 1k long and is a stiff enough climb. (If you follow the road by the big monument away from the main road you will come down a hill to a junction. turn right at the junction and you are at the bottom of the hill. The hill brings you up to the Popes X).

There is also some hills over by the Furry Glen in the park.

Look up the maps on the Dublin marathon website for the adidas series to see the courses which are generally over by the hilly part of the park. The Bupa 10K race map takes in the hill in the furry glen.

Enjoy.

silverside

phoenix park, hill of howth - if you can drive - ticknock (three rock mountain) close to dundrum

look at imra.ie for mountain races and their routes

google maps of phoenix park contours

ecoli

Hell fire club up past johnny foxes is great for either doin hill reps or even for a good long run.
This or Phoenix park down near the Papals Cross and magazine Fort

RoyMcC

+1 for Howth. Killiney Hill is another one handy near the DART.

Odysseus

If you get down the Phoneix Park and do the Kyber Pass route as suggest that will do you well enough for Connemara. Having done the ultra there two years ago I think people over play the significance of the hills on that course. Yes the so call "hell of the West" has a good incline but with a small bit of hill work it will present no problem. Best of luck with it.

fmoran

Thanks for your replies guys, I appreciate it.

Will get started on the Phoenix Park and a few of your suggestions this week.

rovers_runner

The Sandyford area is handy for hills.
If you're within a few miles of following

1. Start at dundrum hill under luas bridge - up by by-pass, up sandyford road hill, up hill bypassing sandyford village, up Enniskerry Road hill to Stepaside village. Constant climb for over 3m.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2503149

2. Start at bottom of Cornellscourt hill, over m50 and up Carrickmines hill.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2503158

RacoonQueen

Odysseus wrote: »

If you get down the Phoneix Park and do the Kyber Pass route as suggest that will do you well enough for Connemara. Having done the ultra there two years ago I think people over play the significance of the hills on that course. Yes the so call "hell of the West" has a good incline but with a small bit of hill work it will present no problem. Best of luck with it.

This is really comforting. You're not the first one thats said that on here either, I've not run in the phoenix park in ages but it's fairly hilly round here getting back towards my house from any direction. I have St. Laurences Road and the Chapelizod hill road too which are generally hard work, usually finish off my runs with a couple of loops down that way in preperation for that nice hill at the end of Connermara.