Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Coast to Coast Ultra in England. Why not Ireland?

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Coast to Coast Ultra in England. Why not Ireland?

The concept of traveling the length of the UK is well established with people running, walking and cycling from John O'Groats in NE Scotland to Lands End in Cornwall. There is also a similar concept in Ireland with a trip from Mizen Head in Cork to Malin Head in Donegal.

In England, there is also another race that goes East/West instead of North/South. Known as the 'Wall Run', it starts in Carlisle on the west coast and finishes in Newcastle on the east coast...

The 'Wall' part comes from the fact that the route follows the path of Hadrians Wall which was the northern limit of the Roman Empire some 1,800 years ago.

The route is roughly 69 miles long and can be run in one day, two days or as a relay. The terrain is mixed with both on and off-road sections. You can get a feel of it in the video clip below...



The event website is http://www.thewallrun.com

Could there be a similar event in Ireland? From say Galway to Dublin?

The distance is a lot further at roughly 120 miles (non-motorway).  It is however reasonably flat and there is a pathway alongside the Grand Canal which stretches for about 70 miles from Dublin to the Shannon.
Roads in Blue, Grand Canal in Red
Has anyone run this before? I know in June 2011, Ian Redican did a charity run over 5 days from the Spire in Dublin City to Eyre Square in Galway City, roughly 130 miles. Has anyone else done it?
Could it be a regular event?

Related links...
1) Transport Minister proposes new cycle route from Dublin to Galway...Sep 2012...Irish Times...
2) Charity Run from Galway Bay to Bray in Wicklow...Oct 2012...Facebook...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ciara Murphy from Coachford ran from Cork city to Crumlin Hospital raising funds for Crumlin over five days in 2011. I'm not sure of the distance but it went pretty much from the south coast to the east coast - not the most direct route but a great feat from a generous determined young lady!