Seven Sevens Race

Seven Sevens

Seven Sevens is a mountain running event held on open mountains, organised alongside the annual Challenge Walk by Lagan Valley Orienteers. The 2026 route is listed as approximately 19 miles / 30.5 km (subject to route choice) with about 8,700 ft / 2,600 m of ascent and is run anticlockwise in 2026. The main summits visited in order are Slieve Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg, Binnian and Lamagan. Competitors must dib control boxes on each summit and at Ben Crom Dam and check in at five marshalled positions; the control on the Donard/Commedagh col is not mandatory for all competitors.

Entries open early July and close on 7 August 2026 or sooner if full. Entry is pre-entry only with no on-day registration, numbers restricted to 150, minimum age 18. Entry fees are listed as £15 for affiliated runners and £17 for unaffiliated with reduced fees for U23 and V65+ categories.

The event is held under Athletics NI and FRA rules. A minimum safety kit is required and will be checked; this includes a waterproof full body cover, hat, gloves, whistle, a physical map covering the entire course, compass, and a thermal foil blanket or bag. Physical map and compass are mandatory and electronic navigation devices are not permitted. Timing is by SPORTident SI cards and lost cards incur a replacement fee.

There is limited parking at Shimna Integrated College, where toilets and showers are available. Water is scarce on the course and refreshments are provided at the finish. The Mourne Wall must not be walked or run upon and competitors should respect other users and marshals on the route. A cut-off at Ben Crom Dam is enforced at 14:00 with marshals in place until 14:15; runners arriving after this time will be directed off course and may be disqualified if they continue. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.