Cooley Half

Cooley Half

Cooley Half is a marked mountain half-marathon held in County Louth on Saturday 23rd May 2026. The route is an anticlockwise loop that starts just inside a forest barrier and covers 21.50 km with approximately 790 m of climb. The first kilometre runs on a fire road, then moves onto small tracks and trails through G String Corner and Carnavaddy. The route follows the Poc Fada stones up to Black Mountain and the border between north and south, then branches onto open mountain running before returning through forest to a river descent back to the barrier.

The course is fully marked and GPS devices are not allowed. The event is rated 8 (2,3,3) indicating moderate terrain, more than 500 m ascent and a distance over 10 km. The race is part of the Leinster Half-Marathon League. Entry fee is €20; entries close Friday 22nd May 2026 at 18:00. Current entries show 88 of 250 places taken.

Parking is available at Lumpers car park for a €5 charge; other parking exists nearby. Organisers advise carpooling for environmental and parking reasons. Registration takes place at the start/finish area near Lumpers pub and prizegiving is held at the same location. Juniors are not eligible and there is no early start.

Mandatory kit is Level B - Standard and includes a waterproof jacket, hat or buff, gloves, whistle, a charged mobile phone with the emergency number stored, and a foil blanket or bivvy bag. Race-day kit requirements may be finalised on the day and random kit checks may be carried out. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.