Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon / Glen 2 Glen Half

Raighne

Glendalough AC are hosting the 2nd running of the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon - Ireland's highest marathon - taking you from the Lower Lake shore to Sally Gap and back to the village of Laragh via Lough Tay. Starting 30 minutes later is the Glen to Glen Half-marathon starting with a scenic lap of the Upper Lake Car Park before taking runners up past the Glenmacnass Waterfall where they turn and return to Laragh village via a 9 km net downhill final bit!

Event takes place 27th of May starting at 8:30 am. There will be medals, t-shirts and an almighty spread for the finishers. Courses are marshalled, AAI insured and measured, chip-timed and run by MyRunResults and Glendalough AC staff.

https://www.facebook.com/lapofthegap
www.lapofthegap.com

The events are 100% road and 100% non-profit - proceeds go to the development of athletics and trail networks in Laragh/Glendalough.

A prize money pot of 1370 is available for runners with prizes for top-3 men and women, age category winners (every 10 years over 40) and bonus prizes for King and Queen of the Hill (first to Sallygap cross-roads) and anyone breaking the existing course record for the marathon (2:57).

Working class heroes

Bumpy Bumpy Bumpy Bumpy. (Just like the course:))

Working class heroes

Link for results.

http://www.myrunresults.com/events/lap_of_the_gap_half_marathon__marathon/1960/results

Raighne

Happy to announce 'Lap of the Gap' marathon and 'Glen to Glen half' will return again in the last Saturday of May (26th) and registration is now open:

https://www.myrunresults.com/events/glenalough_lap_of_the_gap/2630/details

It's erroneously listed as a Trail Run currently happening on Friday 26th on the MyRunResults page - this will be fixed. It remains a road run - 100% AAI measured for the distance on both events and happens on the Saturday. Half-marathoners get the added bonus of a lap around the Upper Lake Park in Glendalough and running along the scenic lakeshore.

Due to a double-booking in our regular finish venue, this year will finish a downhill final 800m rather than uphill, which should make for 'slightly' faster times.

Djoucer

This is a superb course.

TFBubendorfer

So, two of the most scenic marathons in Ireland, Lap of the Gap and the Clare Burren Challenge, fall on the same day.

*sigh*

Next year, probably. I was really looking forward to it but I can't split myself in 2.

Neady83

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

So, two of the most scenic marathons in Ireland, Lap of the Gap and the Clare Burren Challenge, fall on the same day.

*sigh*

Next year, probably. I was really looking forward to it but I can't split myself in 2.

My thoughts exactly, it's such a shame as I had this on my "to do" list for 2018

ReeReeG

Madness to try this 3 weeks after a marathon?? It looks great...

loudymacloud

ReeReeG wrote: »

Madness to try this 3 weeks after a marathon?? It looks great...

not at all Im running one on April 28th and seriously considering enter this one too.

Sheep1978

Has anyone ran this that can give a brief summary.? How did your times here compare to other marathons etc.?

Working class heroes

Sheep1978 wrote: »

Has anyone ran this that can give a brief summary.? How did your times here compare to other marathons etc.?

I'd say you would need to add about 12/15 mins versus an all stars are aligned course, if you catch my drift.

First couple of K's best described as a drag.
Next 4 K's best described as a climb.
Next 3 k ish are best described as "what the fcuk am I doing here" type of climb.
You then have a gentle(sniggers) climb up to Sally gap cross roads. I'm open to correction here but I think it's the highest point of any road marathon in this part of the world.
Next you have rolling(as in rolling around the floor laughing) hills whilst you are running along what I regard as the most scenic part of Ireland.
You then take a right turn which brings you back down towards Laragh. Be careful, a few scorpion type stings along here.

Handy enough really.

Sheep1978

handy enough so!!!!

Pink11

I would absolutely love to do this but there is no way of getting me anywhere near the area on time by public transport

sideswipe

Pink11 wrote: »

I would absolutely love to do this but there is no way of getting me anywhere near the area on time by public transport

St Kevin bus service runs from the city centre, not sure what times but you could always head down the night before- there's a hotel, loads of B+B's and hostels in the area.

Working class heroes

Pink11 wrote: »

I would absolutely love to do this but there is no way of getting me anywhere near the area on time by public transport

Run down, ideal warm up:)

The Noble Nudge

Pink11 wrote: »

I would absolutely love to do this but there is no way of getting me anywhere near the area on time by public transport

You might be lucky if you are willing to carpool...
Works well with IMRA and I'm sure someone would offer you a lift...

Sheep1978

Has anyone else signed up for this.? If so, have you received any email or info from myrunresults.? I;ve not received anything and have dropped them a couple of mails without reply regarding it.

Unthought Known

Maybe as on the club's Facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/glendaloughac/?fref=ts

Sheep1978

Unthought Known wrote: »

Maybe as on the club's Facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/glendaloughac/?fref=ts

Thanks. got my wife to send a message last night seeing as Ive never used facebook, so hopefully something comes of that.

Working class heroes

Sheep1978 wrote: »

Thanks. got my wife to send a message last night seeing as Ive never used facebook, so hopefully something comes of that.

Can I ask what your question is? I may be able to help you.

Raighne

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

So, two of the most scenic marathons in Ireland, Lap of the Gap and the Clare Burren Challenge, fall on the same day.

*sigh*

Next year, probably. I was really looking forward to it but I can't split myself in 2.

Something we would have liked to avoid but like most road races we have to take the slots available in the county board calendar. When first conceived we were looking for an earlier date where Glendalough is less busy but the current date was the one we had to take in the end.

Looking at the fact the Sallygap was closed due to snow and ice only two weeks ago, the ongoing discussions about moving the race to April (something we review every year) were put into context! It's about 5 degrees colder at the Sallygap so one advantage of the current date is that we have had only one poor day weather wise with the rest glorious sunshine.

Raighne

Sheep1978 wrote: »

Has anyone else signed up for this.? If so, have you received any email or info from myrunresults.? I;ve not received anything and have dropped them a couple of mails without reply regarding it.

If you could let me know the email you send to from in a PM and I'll investigate - we're receiving all our emails so if yours didn't go through I would like to identify the source of hte error. I think I have spoken to your wife subsequently.

Raighne

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

You might be lucky if you are willing to carpool...
Works well with IMRA and I'm sure someone would offer you a lift...

We are selling bus tickets this year - 10 euros to be taken from Sandyford LUAS to the race start. People just need to organise their own return using Kevin's Bus or the new Local Connect to Wicklow Town (from where you can take the train home to Dublin).

Even better, of course - take the stress out and arrive with Kevin's bus the day before and stay locally.

Raighne

Working class heroes wrote: »

I'd say you would need to add about 12/15 mins versus an all stars are aligned course, if you catch my drift.

First couple of K's best described as a drag.
Next 4 K's best described as a climb.
Next 3 k ish are best described as "what the fcuk am I doing here" type of climb.
You then have a gentle(sniggers) climb up to Sally gap cross roads. I'm open to correction here but I think it's the highest point of any road marathon in this part of the world.
Next you have rolling(as in rolling around the floor laughing) hills whilst you are running along what I regard as the most scenic part of Ireland.
You then take a right turn which brings you back down towards Laragh. Be careful, a few scorpion type stings along here.

Handy enough really.

I love this description of the course

Would you have any problem if I 'borrowed it' to post on our Facebook feed?

Working class heroes

Raighne wrote: »

I love this description of the course

Would you have any problem if I 'borrowed it' to post on our Facebook feed?

Fire away boss!

Tommy Max

what is the glen to glen half course like? anybody with experience of it?

Raighne

Tommy Max wrote: »

what is the glen to glen half course like? anybody with experience of it?

Here's the profile and route map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/570017

You start with a 1 mile loop taking you from the Lower Lake side in Glendalough into the Upper Lake Park and past the upper lake as you exit. Then you run from Glendalough to Laragh before the toughest part of the course as you approach the turning point at the top of the Glenmacnass Waterfall (at 11 km). The remaining 9 km are mainly downhill to the finish in Laragh.

Sheep1978

Just wanted to well done to Rene and everyone involved in this last Saturday. Thought it was brilliantly organised and very well run. Congrats on a great event

Ballybog

Thanks for a fab event on Saturday. Well run, fantastic scenery and amazing spread afterwards
Already looking forward to next year's one.

Pink11

Agreed the organisation & volunteers were spot on. Great event, anyone reading this should add to the list for next year.

Challenging course (Belfast marathon legs still a bit weak!) but a beautiful & unique experience.

opus

Working class heroes wrote: »

I'd say you would need to add about 12/15 mins versus an all stars are aligned course, if you catch my drift.

First couple of K's best described as a drag.
Next 4 K's best described as a climb.
Next 3 k ish are best described as "what the fcuk am I doing here" type of climb.
You then have a gentle(sniggers) climb up to Sally gap cross roads. I'm open to correction here but I think it's the highest point of any road marathon in this part of the world.
Next you have rolling(as in rolling around the floor laughing) hills whilst you are running along what I regard as the most scenic part of Ireland.
You then take a right turn which brings you back down towards Laragh. Be careful, a few scorpion type stings along here.

Handy enough really.

Just entered this for next May, same day as the Burren marathon but have done that twice so figured a change would be good. Anyway who could resist a description like this

R.F.

Like the sound of this. Does anyone have the route for the half?

opus

It's posted earlier in this thread