The Kerry Way Ultra, Killarney, Kerry

Running is an increasingly popular sport in Ireland, it’s relatively inexpensive, convenient and almost anybody can give it a go! However, extreme running is emerging as a challenge for those who want to push themselves further. There are many extreme events around the world, from sub-zero running in Alaska to the intense heat of the multi-day Sahara Marathon and now, Kerry (and Ireland!) has its own ultra event.

Over two days and one night in early September, athletes will attempt to run the entire length of The Kerry Way without stopping. The Kerry Way traverses one of Ireland’s most spectacular mountain ranges with magnificent coastal views, lakes, moorlands and lonely glens with a mixture of tarred roads, lanes, bogs and mountain pass underfoot.

It is approximately 200km of roads, lanes, trails, paths and hills, running parallel to The famous Ring of Kerry road on the Iveragh Peninsula and is a route through the Old Red Sandstone mountains of Kerry. Starting and ending in The Killarney Racecourse, with a maximum race time of 40 hours, this event is open to runners who have completed at least two marathons since Sept 2021, one 50-mile event or one 100k event. It is a single stage, self-sufficient ultramarathon, with limited access for race support crews.