Best Half Marathon

Julabo

Looking for people's opinions on the best half they have done in Ireland or the UK?

Preferably between March and May but not a deal breaker.

I am looking for new place to go.

Thanks in advance,

Bob_the_dog

Kinvara half marathon in March. Fantastic scenery and relatively flat.

tang1

Bohermeen Half in March, as quick a route as you'll find in Ireland

BeepBeep67

tang1 wrote: »

Bohermeen Half in March, as quick a route as you'll find in Ireland

Mullingar says hello

tang1

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Mullingar says hello

Jaysis how did I forget me own county!!

Firedance

Carlingford beats all those for beauty alone - there are some hills but boy are they with it

Bugsy2000

A second vote for Kinvara, one of my favourite races across any distance.

If you wanted to push it out to June I'd be a bit biased for the Athenry AC half in Monivea. ðŸ˜

Murph_D

Have a soft spot for the Omagh Half (March). Great race.

Coffee Fulled Runner

Athlone Flatline is a favourite of mine and a great one for a PB but it's in September. Achill is another one I'd recommend for different reasons but early July. Between March and May Moy River Half in Ballina is a lovely course.

nhunter100

Connemara Half Marathon, April. Sorts the men from the boys or ladies from the girls.

kit3

Think it depends what you are looking for really. There are two half marathons in Achill - one in early July which gets good enough numbers & is a stand alone one. The second is in late August. It's only in its 3rd year and is run alongside a full & an ultra. Neither would be pb courses but both are absolutely spectacular & challenging if that's what you are looking for.

Julabo

Thanks for all the adivce. Will look into all.

Regards what I am looking for:

I just want to run a nice scenic course. No interest in PB. Been doing Connemarra for a while but looking for a change.

At moment would be leaning to the west of ireland ones mentioned above

Dub13

The Clontarf half is fairly scenic, they have 2 a summer and winter one. A good chunk of it is on bull island.

snailsong

The River Moy in Ballina is a lovely friendly event. Not spectacular scenery but quit pretty through the woods and along the river. I'll be pacing there this year. It's on May 14.

Achill half on June 2, I think. It's more dramatic scenery wise but can be a tough race if the weather doesn't cooperate. Run by tourism people rather than athletics people. A bit expensive too. Paced this last year but not this.

A less known event is the Clew Bay hm, sometime around the end if September. It starts and finishes in Louisburgh. Really lovely scenery, mountain valley and coastline, not expensive and a nice spread afterwards. I ran this as a marathon pace run last year before Dublin.

So what I'm saying is you should really come to Mayo :-).

Coffee Fulled Runner

The Achill half is July not June Sailsong but I think the one that is run along side the ultra in August is a nicer route and more challenging too. Good shout with the Clew Bay half too lovely spot and not a rip off like them Wild Atlantic Runs

Firedance

snailsong wrote: »

A less known event is the Clew Bay hm, sometime around the end if September. It starts and finishes in Louisburgh. Really lovely scenery, mountain valley and coastline, not expensive and a nice spread afterwards. I ran this as a marathon pace run last year before Dublin.

So what I'm saying is you should really come to Mayo :-).

I'm putting that in my calendar right now - love louisburgh

kit3

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

The Achill half is July not June Sailsong but I think the one that is run along side the ultra in August is a nicer route and more challenging too. Good shout with the Clew Bay half too lovely spot and not a rip off like them Wild Atlantic Runs

Both Achill ones are spectacular. Reckon the second is tougher but is organised by runners which is a plus

nhunter100

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote:

The Achill half is July not June Sailsong but I think the one that is run along side the ultra in August is a nicer route and more challenging too. Good shout with the Clew Bay half too lovely spot and not a rip off like them Wild Atlantic Runs

27th/28th August is when the Achill ultra takes place. Choice of 4 distances 10k/Half/ Full and Ultra. I've ran the full there twice challenging but the scenery is worth it. Clontraf is a nice course, beach section makes it interesting.

Volvoair

if you want some scenery (vasco de cama bridge start line !!!!
not until october, plenty of time to get ahem..fit
99% sure of sunny day
combine "holiday" and run..what more do ya want ?:D
http://www.runrocknroll.com/lisbon/en/

Coffee Fulled Runner

Both are spectacular alright kit3 but I think the second one has more costal views

kit3

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

Both are spectacular alright kit3 but I think the second one has more costal views

Yeah, you're right actually & a lot more remote

snailsong

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

The Achill half is July not June Sailsong but I think the one that is run along side the ultra in August is a nicer route and more challenging too. Good shout with the Clew Bay half too lovely spot and not a rip off like them Wild Atlantic Runs

Sorry, meant July 2nd.
Yes, the one alongside the ultra might be nicer. I haven't run that but I know that area. Also know one of the organisers so I might be there yet.

The Clew Bay is low key but lovely route. It's a week after the Athlone Flatline so hard to race both but ideal for a pre Dublin MP session. Last year my friend had an entry he couldn't use and the organisers had no problem transferring that to me.

I agree about those Wild Atlantic runs. We have one in Westport this year and my wife is running despite my recommendations for anything else!
Was supposed to be Louisburgh to Westport but now I hear it's an out and back Westport to Westport. This is obviously not to save money bussing people to the start.

snailsong

Firedance wrote: »

I'm putting that in my calendar right now - love louisburgh

I'll be on the lookout for you.
There's a 10k too if that suits better.

uvox

Reading Half Marathon: http://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/

Arsenium

Not spectacular scenery like the ones mentioned here but i like the portarlington half marathon. Name changes each year (off the laois, gingerbread run...). Its perfectly broken into stages which makes it very manageable. And comes about a month after dcm which gets you right back into the saddle (maybe that could be the name for next year 😀)

TheBazman

Arsenium wrote: »

Not spectacular scenery like the ones mentioned here but i like the portarlington half marathon. Name changes each year (off the laois, gingerbread run...). Its perfectly broken into stages which makes it very manageable. And comes about a month after dcm which gets you right back into the saddle (maybe that could be the name for next year 😀)

Did that last year (Gingerbread) - lovely cool conditions on the day and very flat. Certainly one to aim for a PB.

ClashCityRocker

uvox wrote: »

Reading Half Marathon: http://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/

Great race but wouldn't rate the scenery that highly if that's what Julabo is after!

Duanington

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

Athlone Flatline is a favourite of mine and a great one for a PB but it's in September. Achill is another one I'd recommend for different reasons but early July. Between March and May Moy River Half in Ballina is a lovely course.

Add your reply here.

Another vote for Achill - not for the quick times ( because its tough!) but it's just, well, one of those races in one of those places.

Wild Garlic

http://www.lapofthegap.com/
Here you are.
You won't get a more scenic half than this one.

Firedance

That should be .com wild garlic - looks fab! Pity is so soon

diego_b

Dingle Half marathon in September is very nice, plenty of ups and downs with some great scenery.