Westport Full-Marathon
Point-by-Point Route Description
The 2024 course will be professionally measured
FULL MARATHON START TIME to be confirmed.
The 2023 route is being reviewed and adjusted with the 2024 route to be announced shortly.
The 2023 route started at the beginning of the Railway walk at the Quay school. The route was marked with RED KM markers and directional markers for competitors, with markers every 5km. There were additional markers every km from 17km to 24km to mark the outer limits of the course along the R335. There were also RED road paint markings for each KM. Busy junctions and other key areas were marshalled. Measures were put in place to assist with traffic management on the day. There were also be water stations, rubbish drop points and toilets located around the course.
From the start, runners ran along the Railway walk from the Quay School. A slight drag along parts of the Railway walk, running towards Westport town until a right turn before the low bridge after the 1k mark. Turn right after 50m onto the walkway running adjacent to the R335 Louisburgh Road. With great views out to Croagh Patrick, run along the walkway, past the marshalled junction at Ardmore (2.5km) and Cloghan (3k).
Be sure to follow the indented path at Aughavale Cemetery, before continuing straight ahead just before the 5km marker at the turning point for the 10km event at the marshalled Belclare Junction. There is a narrow section of the route at Gannon’s garage at the 5k mark. A stop go system will be in place here for traffic and to enable contra flow of runners. Please follow the directional arrows and marshal instructions. The next section of the route is an out-and-back, following the cycleway/Greenway for the next 6km approx towards and beyond the half-marathon turnaround point at Murrisk Demesne, just beyond the Croagh Patrick car park. This part of the route offers stunning views as you run along the coast road, with the islands of Clew Bay to your right, and the looming mass of Croagh Patrick to your front and left. Runners will run around the newly-opened extension to the cycleway around Murrisk demesne, offering close-up views of Clew Bay.
Continuing out past Murrisk, the route continues along the main road (R335) towards Louisburgh at approx 11km mark, passing through the village of Lecanvey (13km) and always running along the right hand side of the road. This section of the route is on open public road, so beware of oncoming traffic. Running through Lecanvey please use the small section of public footpath around the bend. Passing out of the village, you will enjoy further fabulous views of Clew Bay to your right.
Follow along the R335, running on the right side of the road before turning onto a slip road adjoining the L5883 at about the 17.5km mark. This turn will be marshalled. Follow the slip road before turning left onto the L5883, passing the 18k marker. Follow the L5883 until you return to the water station at the junction.
From this point, run on the right hand side of the road back through Lecanvey, turning right off the main road onto the L18331 (22.5k) in Murrisk village just before the church. Follow the L18331 until you rejoin the main road (R335) at the 23k marker. Continue along the right hand side of the road, before crossing the main road (marshalled) just after the 24k mark to rejoin the Greenway before Murrisk.
Your route now retraces your steps from the Greenway at Murrisk Demesne (24.5k marker) back to Belclare junction (31k marker). You will meet outward bound runners on the half-marathon on this section of the course so it is essential that you stay to the left-hand side of the cycleway between Murrisk village and Belclare junction when passing oncoming runners. At the 2 viewpoints along the R335 running back towards Belclare junction, please take the short loop path to the left. Turn left at Belclare Junction onto the L1801 towards Westport Quay. A full road closure will be in operation here so please use the width of the road.
The route continues along the L1801 until you come to the Quay school exit, where you will see a sign to exit to your right back onto the Railway walk towards the 34k marker. Follow the same loop as you did for your first 5km, until you reach Belclare junction again just after the 38km marker. Turn right at Belclare junction, back onto the L1801 for the last stretch of the race.
You will pass the Quay school exit again at the 41k mark, this time keeping to the left of the road and towards the finish. Turn left at the Towers pub, down the slip road to Westport Quay, turning left again after 100m onto Roman Island. The final 700m is a straight stretch down to the finish line at Roman Island.