The next Achill Half Marathon & 10K race takes place on Saturday 5th July 2014. The event, in its current format, has been staged in Achill since 2007 and is approved by Athletics Ireland. The Half Marathon race is the centerpiece to a full weekend of events and entertainment on Achill. Register Online
The 2014 Achill Half, Full and Ultra Marathons will take place on Saturday, 23rd of August on the wild and westerly island of Achill. This is a fully measured and AAI approved route. The 13 mile half marathon loop begins in Achill Sound. Participants will follow the quiet, lonely road through the villages of Shraheens, Derreens and Cloghmore. On this stretch of road runners will pass the ancient church and graveyard at Kildavnet & the remains of the 16th century Irish tower house that was once used by the legendary pirate queen Granuaile. The runners will then make a right turn at Cloghmore pier and continue on to the spectacular 'Atlantic Drive', overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the islands of Clare and Achill Beg. Listen to the crashing waves on the rocks below as you witness some of the most stunning & rugged coastline this beautiful island has to offer. This is a challenging route with plenty of elevation gain. Don't be put off - most will agree the scenery is equally as breathtaking as the climb! At the top of the Drive, runners will descend down the corkscrew road overlooking Ashleam Bay. Runners will turn left towards Doeega for a short out and back before turning back into Achill Sound to the start/finish area. Half marathon runners will cross the finish line here. Full marathon runners will run this loop twice to make a distance of 26.2 miles. Ultra marathoners will run three loops to make a distance of 39.3 miles. Register Online
Half marathon 13.1 miles
Full marathon 26.2 miles
Ultramarathon 39.3 miles