our history
The Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon is the only road marathon event held in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The event – and it’s little brother the ‘Glen to Glen Half-marathon’ – have been held since 2016 by local club Glendalough AC on the penultimate Saturday of May before the peak tourist season in the area.
The races offer a unique challenge: hilly and tough but also beautiful and scenic. You are unlikely to find personal bests on our courses but guaranteed an experience to savour and a challenge to be proud of. During the race you can savour some of Wicklow’s main natural sights including the Glendalough Lakes, the Glenmacnass Waterfall, and Lough Tay (the ‘Guinness Lake’).
We pride ourselves on offering a race that is both an experience for the casual runner but also a true sporting competition for the competitive or elite entrant.
RACE BACKGROUND
Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon began as a crazy idea for a fund-raiser for the local club Glendalough AC: a scenic marathon around the tough diamond-shaped course known by local cyclists as the ‘Lap of the Gap’.
The start and finish were placed near the Lakes of Glendalough to make up the correct distance and give runners a chance to begin their journey in one of Wicklow’s finest surroundings.
Since the beginning our race has grown every year with now over 500 competitors expected for the 7th Edition in 2024 spread over the half-marathon and marathon distances.
Records
Curious how your time compares? Browse our official Course Records to see the fastest times ever run on our hills — from overall champions to age group legends. Will your name be next?
RACE WINNERS?
Want to know who took the top spots over the years? Visit our Race Winners page for a full list of champions, finishing times, and standout performances across all editions.
The two races
Not sure which distance is right for you? Explore our Two Races page for a full breakdown of the Half-Marathon and Marathon courses — including maps, elevation profiles, and what to expect on race day.
READY TO WRITE YOUR CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY?
If you’ve enjoyed hearing about our race and want to take part in this year’s event, then don’t forget to register early to avoid disappointment. We are limited to 600 tickets.