Wicklow Way Race
Wicklow Way Race
The Wicklow Way Race is an ultra running event covering 127.00 km with total climb of 3665 m along the Wicklow Way route from Clonegal, County Carlow through the Wicklow Hills to a finish in Marlay Park, Dublin. The event is classed as Extreme and has a maximum time allowance of 21 hours. Race marking uses only major junctions. GPS devices are allowed. The race forms part of the Irish Ultra Championships and 5 ITRA points have been allocated for finishers.
Mandatory kit is Level C - Advanced and must be carried: a waterproof jacket with integrated hood and taped seams, hat or buff, gloves, whistle, charged mobile phone with emergency number stored, foil blanket or bivvy bag, waterproof full leg cover, means to carry a minimum of 500 mL water, emergency food, and a map and compass. All runners must bring these items; random checks may be carried out and lack of required items can lead to denied entry or disqualification.
Drop bags are transported to aid stations. Approximate checkpoint locations and drop bag arrangements are listed for the route, including The Dying Cow (around 26 km, disposable drop bag), Mucklagh (around 50 km, drop bag returned to finish), Glenmalure Lodge (around 66 km, disposable drop bag), Glendalough Visitor Centre (around 80 km, drop bag returned to finish) and Crone Woods (around 105 km, disposable drop bag). Finishers who complete the full route within the allotted time receive a piece of Wicklow granite as a memento; first male and female finishers receive Wicklow Way Yellow Person trophies and a return entry for 2026.
Participants may race solo or with a crew. No assistance is permitted outside official checkpoints; breaches can result in disqualification. Support runners are permitted only from the Glendalough checkpoint onwards and are subject to event conditions; support runners must be IMRA members, cannot carry a participant's mandatory kit, and participants accompanied by a support runner are not eligible for prizes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.