Discover the West on one of the longest off-road walking and cycling trails in Ireland!
This spectacular event will take place on the Great Western Greenway, one the longest off-road walking and cycling trails in Ireland. The event introduces a Half Marathon, Marathon and Ultra Marathon to a route that is steeped in both history and scenic beauty. The event is open for both individuals and relay teams.
The World Class Great Western Greenway is a traffic free cycling and walking trail which follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937.
Route
Leg 1
Half Marathon & return section of Marathon
Leg 1 is the first & return section of the Half Marathon and the last leg of the Full Marathon. This leg will see runners enter Newport capturing the magnificent 19th century red sandstone viaduct in a town which is the ancestral home of Princess Grace of Monaco. Race finish is in Westport
Leg 2
Middle leg of Marathon
On Leg 2 runners will enter the beautiful coastal village of Mulranny, winner of the 2011 EDEN (European Destination of Excellence) award.
Leg 3
First leg of Marathon & Turnaround leg of Ultra
On leg 3 competitors enter Achill. The Full Marathon starts in Achill, and Achill is the turnaround for the Ultra. All races finish in Westport.
Categories
Half marathon
Half marathon competitors will complete Leg 1 of the route to Newport, and then return on the same route an official finish in Westport.
- Saturday 24th March 2018
- Start time: 11.30am
- Entry Fee Half Marathon: €34
- Age: 17
Full marathon
Competitors will complete the full marathon route of 42.2 km from Achill to Westport, consisting of Leg 3, Leg 2 and Leg 1. The marathon will commence in Achill and finish in Westport. Pre race shuttle busses will transport all competitors to Achill to commence the marathon & marathon relay. Post race services are available in Westport.
- Saturday 24th March 2018
- Start time: 10.00am
- Entry Fee Full Marathon: €55
- Age: 18
Ultra Marathon
Competitors will complete the full marathon to Achill and will then complete a return run of the full greenway route finishing in Westport.
- Saturday 24th March 2018
- Start time: 7:00 am
- Entry Fee Ultra Marathon: €65
- Age: 18
Relay
This is an opportunity for a team of 3 runners to take part in the Western Greenway Marathon. The 26.2 miles is split into 3 legs, each runner will run one individual leg.
- Saturday 24th March 2018
- Start time: 10.00am
- Entry Fee Relay Team Marathon: €120
- Age: 17
Pre and Post Race Services
All competitors for the marathon distance will be bussed to the race start location in Achill. This is due to the time of year to prevent competitors getting cold while waiting shuttle busses
There will be a bag drop facility available for all competitors at the race finish.
Competitor drop bags will be made available to participants as part of the race registration package in Westport at the evening registration prior to the event on Friday 23rd March.
Entry
Choose an event that suits you!
Half Marathon
- Route:Westport to Newport to Westport
- Wicking finisher’s t-shirt
- Accurate chip timing
- Unique finisher’s medal
- Race recovery pack
- Bag drop at race finish
Standard Marathon
- Route: Achill to Westport Distance: 42.4 km
- Post race services in Westport
- Bus to event start
- Wicking finisher’s t-shirt
- Accurate chip timing
- Unique finisher’s medal
- Race recovery pack
- Bag drop at race finish
Ultra Marathon
- Route: Westport to Achill with a return run to Westport
- Wicking finisher’s t-shirt
- Accurate chip timing
- Unique finisher’s medal
- Race recovery pack
- Bag drop at race finish
Relay Marathon
- Route: Achill to Westport Distance: 42.4 km
- Relay team of 3 runners
- Route split into 3 legs
- Each runner will run 1 leg
- Post race services in Westport
- Bus to event start
- Wicking finisher’s t-shirt
- Accurate chip timing
- Unique finisher’s medal
- Race recovery pack
- Bag drop at race finish
FAQ
Training Resources