Connemara Marathon 2025

I done Connemarathon last year and well, yeah, it's not an easy course, but its the same for everyone. How hard it will be will depend somewhat on the weather. Last year it hit 20C while other years it was torrential and strong winds. Regardless, it really is a spectacular course with amazing views. IIRC, the difficult parts were from firstly about the halfway mark with some steep climbs. I decided before hand to just walk them. The other well known difficult part was the Hell of the West because yeah, it is long and a decent climb. I also wasn't particularly well trained for it and struggled to sleep in the B&B the night before, so the whole second half was difficult. I finished in 4:30 after finishing DCM in 3:56 five months before, and they say the course is about 30mins slower than a typical course. Loads of people were walking long portions, so whatever happens, you'll be in good company. I don't think you will regret doing it as long as you set yourself realistic goals.

The medal is really nice and it is an experience I wil never forget. With it being a spring marathon as well, if you are considering deferring, would you be in a better position next year, having to train again through the winter?

You ran 30k about 8 weeks before your goal marathon? You'll be fine. Keep the training up and enjoy the day. Nobody's training is ever perfect. Dont have any regrets :-)

just do it Bob. At least the box be ticked 30 km is decent all considered. Fastcwalk the hills It’s a great event weather permitting

Hi Bobsman, I'm also doing Connemarathon and I also did a 32k last weekend and it took be about 3hr 40 so sounds like we may well cross paths on the day.

Im doing it to get experience on hilly terrain. I expect it to be tough and am certainly not really setting a time goal. My marathon PB is 4.42 in Dublin so I would expect to get around in 5.5hrs, which I think is realistic. If it takes longer, it takes longer.

Well done - that's a great time! I ended up with flu less than 10 days after I replied to you above and I lost a month of training. I was nearly going to defer but I dropped to the half instead. Got around in 2.5hrs which I'm happy with. I'd like to go back to the half course next year with a proper HM training block under my belt to see what I can do if trained.

Again, well done

I ran the Ultra this year. Fantastic course - really well organised too. Such a beautiful route especially out to Rosroe pier (not the hill back up!), I couldnt recommend it more highly.

Hey all, considering signing up. I know conditions play a huge role but how much harder would you say it is than the likes of Dublin? 20%?

Also, would you run it in regular road runners (I've Asics Novablasts) or would you need something more robust or on the trail side of things? Cheers!

Cheers, appreciate the info! Seems like an incredible experience alright!

Medal reveal today and as usual, solid medals. Always impressed.

I'm planning on doing the exact same thing.

Had a hard marathon in February. Doing this, as I have the fitness, and want to check it off of the bucket list. Not sure what time to target. Hoping to just join a few runners, and chat the whole way around

The 4hr pace is probably where I end up too. Would ideally fancy 3:45, but there isn't a pacer for that time, and 3:30 might be a bit optimistic.

I expect what will happen, is I'll take off like a rocket, and hit the half way point way too early, and then curse anything and everything for the next 2hours