Cooley Half

Cooley Half

Cooley Half takes place in County Louth on Saturday 23rd May 2026. The course is a marked anticlockwise loop of 21.50 km with 790 m of climb. The event is classified Level 8 for terrain and distance and is part of the Leinster Half Marathon League. GPS use is not permitted.

The route starts just inside the forest barrier and begins with about one kilometre on a fire road to spread out the field. It continues on small tracks and trails through G String Corner and Carnavaddy, then follows the Poc Fada route to Black Mountain and the North South border. Runners follow the Poc Fada yellow stones until the route branches onto open mountain running, then reenters forest and finishes with a river descent back to the barrier.

Mandatory Level B kit must be carried and may be checked. Required items are a waterproof jacket, hat or buff, gloves, whistle, a charged mobile phone with the emergency number stored, and a foil blanket or bivvy bag or equivalent. The exact kit to be carried on race day may be finalised at registration. Failure to have required items may lead to denied entry or disqualification.

Registration is at the start and finish area near Lumpers pub, opening at 9:15 and closing at 10:45, followed by a race briefing. The start is about 800 m from the car park. Lumpers charge €5 for car parking and carpooling is encouraged. No juniors and no early start are recorded. Prizegiving at the start and finish area awards first, second and third male and female places. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.