Kerry Way Ultra

The Kerry Way Ultra : event overview

The Kerry Way Ultra covers approximately 200 km (about 120 miles) along the route of the Kerry Way around the Iveragh Peninsula. The event uses Killarney Racecourse for registration, start and finish. Several race options run on the same weekend: the full 200 km Ultra, a 58 km UltraLite (Sneem to Killarney), a 101 km UltraNite, and a Relay for teams of three. Organisers limit total entries across the four events to 500 maximum, with specific caps for each event. Entry to the full Ultra requires qualifying performances in recent races: two marathons, or one 50-mile ultra, or one 100 km ultra in the previous calendar year. The event operates two waves: an early non-competitive wave with a longer time allowance and a later competitive wave with a shorter time allowance; finish ranking gives priority to the competitive wave.

Logistics, safety and support

Registration and mandatory gear checks take place at Killarney Racecourse. Competitors receive trackers that must be attached to the rucksack and kept away from mobile phones and emergency blankets. The mandatory gear list includes full waterproof jacket and trousers, head torch with spare batteries, paper route map (OSI Nos. 78, 83 & 84), fully charged mobile phone, survival bag or blanket, whistle, first aid kit, gloves and hat, water and spare food, and a coloured ribbon to identify wave. Gear may be checked at registration and randomly on route; failure to show required items or to respond to race staff may lead to disqualification.

Support crews are allowed at designated crew stops and a committee-run bag drop serves Lord Brandon’s Cottage and other crew stops. No support vehicles are permitted off the Ring of Kerry except at specified locations. Approximate distances between crew stops are listed below: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

• 24 km Killarney to Lord Brandon’s Cottage
• 22 km Lord Brandon’s Cottage to Glencar
• 14 km Glencar to Glenbeigh
• 16 km Glenbeigh to Gortmore
• 24 km Gortmore to Waterville
• 15 km Waterville to Caherdaniel
• 18 km Caherdaniel to Sneem
• 22 km Sneem to Templenoe
• 15 km Templenoe to Kenmare
• 25 km Kenmare to Killarney