🏃♂️ What You Told Us
Feedback from the 2025 Lap of the Gap Runners
Each year, we ask for your honest feedback — what delighted you, what challenged you, and what could be improved. After the 2025 edition, we were once again blown away by the warmth, humour, and constructive spirit in your replies. Here’s what you told us, and how we’re acting on it for 2026.
🌄 What You Loved
The Scenery
From Glendalough’s ancient glacial valley to the wide, open boglands above Lough Tay, runners repeatedly called the course “breathtaking,” “majestic,” and “worth every hill.” One participant put it simply: “The scenery… absolutely stunning. Worth all the climbing without a shadow of a doubt.”
Support and Atmosphere
You spoke highly of the friendly volunteers, the encouraging vibe, and the memorable moments — like last year’s champion cheering people on at key climbs, even while spectating late in pregnancy.
The Social Finish
Tea, scones, banter, sunshine (or sideways rain) — the relaxed vibe at the finish line stood out as something special.
🛠️ Suggestions for 2026
T-Shirt Sizing (Why It Fell Short)
This year, we trialled female-specific sizing based on previous requests. Unfortunately, those sizes ran too small for many, causing a last-minute switch to unisex shirts — which then ran low. Next year, we’ll return to a consistent unisex sizing model to simplify and ensure fair distribution.
We shared the feedback with the tshirt provider.
Swag and Goody Bags
Just a reminder — we don’t offer goody bags, and this is clearly stated during ticket purchase. We prefer to invest in the quality of the experience rather than disposable extras.
That Final Climb — School Lane’s Last Sting
Several runners mentioned the “cruel” hill at the end. That’s School Lane Climb — and it’s earned its reputation. While we’d love to offer a downhill finish, there’s simply no safer or more suitable alternative in the area that meets race logistics and course length. Over the years, it’s become a defining feature and a rite of passage.
Water, Oranges and Rubbish
You asked for more on-course variety like oranges and clearer bin placement. We’ll aim to include fruit where feasible in 2026— but in the remote upland sections, placing bins safely after water stations isn’t always possible due to exposure and road layout but will be used where we feel it can be done.
That’s why for 2026, we’re leaning into a semi-self-sufficiency ethos:
- More runners carrying their own soft flasks
- Minimal reliance on aid stations
- Less waste discarded in exposed areas
This shift supports both the environment and a smoother race-day experience — especially in Wicklow’s wilder terrain.
🎉 Competition Winner
As promised, we selected one survey respondent at random to win a free entry to Lap of the Gap 2026.
And the winner is: Marguerite Owens!
We’ll be in touch shortly — we can’t wait to see you back.
🧠 Smart Question Insights
Though fewer people used our “smart questions” tool, it reinforced many of the same themes:
- Interest in a more structured post-race social element
- Strong praise for the atmosphere and volunteers
- Continued conversation about the School Lane climb and hydration options
❤️ Thank You
Lap of the Gap has always been more than a race. It’s the rhythm of feet on old roads, the sound of breath on the hills, and the quiet understanding between strangers who’ve shared something hard and good.
Thanks for being part of it — and for helping shape what it keeps becoming.
We’ll see you back at the Gap in 2026.
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