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Lap of the Gap
Marathon 2026
SPORTS INFOS — Ireland's highest road marathon — Glendalough monastic village, Glenmacnass Waterfall, Sally Gap, Lough Tay (Guinness Lake), Drummin, Oldbridge, Laragh. 23 May 2026 · 2 races · 21.1 to 42.2 km · Wicklow Mountains National Park · Glendalough AC.
Results — Glendalough Lap of the Gap 2026
Official results on RedTag Timing — Marathon (42.2 km, D+800m, start 07:30) and Glen to Glen Half-Marathon (21.1 km, D+340m, start 08:00) — 23 May 2026, Glendalough / Laragh, County Wicklow, Ireland. Wicklow Mountains National Park. Organised by Glendalough AC.
Results — RedTag Timing → 🌐 lapofthegap.com →Glendalough — Ireland's Only National Park Road Marathon
The 9th Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon takes place on Saturday 23 May 2026 in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Created in 2016 by Glendalough Athletics Club, the event starts in the ancient monastic village of Glendalough, climbs clockwise past the Glenmacnass Waterfall, reaches the windswept heights of Sally Gap, and descends by the iconic Lough Tay — known as the Guinness Lake — before returning through the quiet backroads of Drummin and Oldbridge to the finish in Laragh. Ireland's only road marathon held entirely within a National Park, it is emphatically not a PB course. It is something better: an experience for a lifetime. The half-marathon — the Glen to Glen — loops the Upper Lake in Glendalough before joining the marathon route to Glenmacnass Waterfall and turning back to Laragh.
"Scenic route, low crowd, quiet peaceful run through green, lush rolling hills, with views of sheep, cows, golden yellow furze, and the Glenmacnass Waterfall. Small crowd, very helpful volunteers. Every one was so friendly. Definitely recommend." — Runner review, worldsmarathons.com
Marathon (42.2 km · D+800m · 07:30): Clockwise from Glendalough → winding backroads → Glenmacnass Waterfall → Sally Gap (highland pass) → Lough Tay / Guinness Lake → Drummin → Oldbridge → Laragh. Hilly throughout: the first half climbs to Sally Gap, the second half returns with descents — and two tough climbs saved for last. Age 18+.
Glen to Glen Half-Marathon (21.1 km · D+340m · 08:00): Glendalough Upper Lake scenic lap → joins marathon course → Glenmacnass Waterfall (turnaround point) → returns to Laragh. Gradual climb, rolling hills, heather moorland. Age 18+.
Finish line (both races): Laragh village, near Lynhams Hotel / Brockagh Centre. Chip timing. Finisher medal + T-shirt. Official results via RedTag Timing.
Race Programme — Saturday 23 May 2026
| Race | Distance / Elevation / Start | Course / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lap of the Gap Marathon IRELAND'S HIGHEST | 42.2 km · D+800m · 07:30 | Glendalough → Glenmacnass Waterfall → Sally Gap → Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) → Drummin → Oldbridge → Laragh · Not a PB course · Challenging climbs & descents · Age 18+ |
| Glen to Glen Half-Marathon HALF | 21.1 km · D+340m · 08:00 | Glendalough Upper Lake loop → marathon course → Glenmacnass Waterfall (turnaround) → Laragh · Gradual climb · Heather moorland · Rolling hills · Age 18+ |