The Sub-2:30 Project

The barrier is broken by a recorded chip time of 2:29:59 or less. If a chip fails, the official start time and finish time are compared instead, and the attempt stands if the difference is two hours thirty minutes or less.

Every attempt must also supply a GPX or watch recording for verification after the race. Any complaint about the accuracy of the official timing must reach the race director within thirty minutes of finishing. The race director and the treasurer of Glendalough AC confer and give the final judgement on whether the time was in fact broken.

To be formally recognised as a valid sub-2:30 competitor you must already have run a time that classifies you as an elite athlete: 2 hours 30 minutes over the marathon distance, or 1 hour 12 minutes over the half marathon. The same times apply to men and women. Subject to change.

Accepted sub-2:30 competitors have the right to additional support along the course: a support cyclist, and one or more pacers who can carry water, gels and the like. You can also ask to have your own drink placed at a water station, tagged with your name.

Only competitors accepted by the organisers may arrange that support, and we need to know in advance who your support cyclist is. Recruiting and briefing your support, and giving us their names and personal details for a support bib, is your responsibility. If you cannot recruit your own, Lap of the Gap can provide a limited number of support cyclists on request.

We strongly encourage every sub-2:30 aspirant to run or drive the full course beforehand, over one visit or several, and to download a GPX of the route as a backup on your own or your supporters’ watches in case route marking is removed or a junction marshal is incapacitated.

Only runners awarded an official time by crossing the finish line wearing their registered timing chip are entitled to prize money. If a chip malfunctions, the backup system based on official start and finish times is used for the calculation.

Prize money is posted or delivered to the successful runner in the form of a cheque, once their GPX file has been validated.

Any runner who breaks 2:30 keeps every other prize they win, including podium prize money, the King or Queen of the Hill bonus and the prize money for a course record. The €1,000 bonus is sponsored by Running Coach Ireland; all other cash prizes are financed by Glendalough AC.

No effort will be spared to let every runner move around the course unrestricted and in the fastest possible time, but Glendalough AC and Running Coach Ireland cannot be held liable for disruption to the course or for unforeseen incidents that impede an attempt — a traffic accident, animals on the road, a road blockage, or a marking or marshalling problem that leaves a runner lost.

In most such major incidents the race itself would be neutralised and declared null and void, and we would strive to re-run the sub-2:30 attempt in a future year.

Any athlete subsequently determined to have committed a doping offence at the time of the event, or suspended from competition for an offence committed before it in a way that invalidates their performance at the event, is liable to refund any and all sums from the race organisers and sponsors relating to that performance, including the bonus prize and any standard prize money.

Any athlete failing a doping test in those circumstances will be banned for life from entry into the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon.

The 2:30 barrier is an absolute goal, within the capabilities of elite men and of a few elite women. It is harder for a woman to achieve, and we do not currently separate the targets. In future years Running Coach Ireland or another sponsor may set up an attempt aimed specifically at lowering the women’s record; for now the focus remains solely on the absolute barrier of two hours thirty minutes.