Summer Running in Ireland: Your Complete Guide to June & July Races
Summer has properly arrived, and Ireland's race calendar is absolutely stacked. Whether you're chasing a marathon PB, dipping a toe into trail running, or curious about the HYROX phenomenon sweeping the country, June and July 2026 have something for every runner.
Here's your complete guide to the season ahead — the races worth travelling for, how to handle the (occasional) Irish heat, and where you should be in your Dublin Marathon build.
The Summer Race Highlights
Waterford Viking Marathon — June 20
The jewel of the June calendar. The Waterford Viking Marathon takes over Waterford City on June 20 with a fast, flat-ish course through Ireland's oldest city. With full, half and quarter options, it's one of the most accessible big-city race weekends in the country. If you're targeting an autumn marathon, the half here is a superb fitness benchmark.
Achill Half Marathon & 10K — July 4
Arguably the most scenic race in Ireland. The Achill Half Marathon & 10K starts in Keel on Achill Island, Co. Mayo, and serves up Atlantic views that will genuinely distract you from your race pace. It's a bucket-list event — book accommodation early, because the island fills up fast.
Mourne Way Marathon & Portumna Forest Marathon — June 6
Two brilliant options on the same weekend: the rugged Mourne Way Marathon from Rostrevor, Co. Down, for those who like their marathons mountainous, and the flat, fast forest loops of the Portumna Forest Marathon in Co. Galway for those chasing a time.
The Wicklow Trail Scene
The IMRA (Irish Mountain Running Association) summer calendar is in full swing, with midweek gems like IMRA Scarr, IMRA Keadeen, IMRA Ballinastoe and the mighty IMRA Glendalough Clover 70K on June 20 for the ultra-curious. There is no cheaper, friendlier way into trail running in Ireland than an IMRA race.
Half Marathons Everywhere
The Portlaoise Half Marathon (June 7), Half on the Head in Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry (June 13), and the Longford Half Marathon (June 28) round out a superb month of 13.1-mile options.
The HYROX Explosion
If 2025 was the year HYROX arrived in Ireland, 2026 is the year it went mainstream. Simulation events are popping up in every county — from the HYROX Half & Full Simulation in Templetuohy, Co. Tipperary (June 6) to HQfit's Bangor simulation (June 7) and Reboot Fitness in Sligo (June 27).
Why are runners flocking to it? HYROX blends 8 x 1km runs with functional workout stations — it rewards exactly the engine that distance runners already have, while exposing the strength gaps most of us ignore. If you've been meaning to add strength work to your training (and you should), a HYROX simulation is a brilliantly fun way to commit to it.
Running in the Heat: An Irish Runner's Survival Guide
Yes, "heat" and "Ireland" in the same sentence. But when we get those 24°C weeks, Irish runners suffer more than most because we never get to acclimatise.
- Run early or late. 7am or 8pm beats midday every time.
- Slow down. Expect 10–20 seconds per km slower at the same effort in warm conditions. Run to effort, not pace.
- Pre-hydrate. Start sipping water (with electrolytes) hours before your run, not during it.
- Give it 10–14 days. Heat adaptation is real. The first warm-weather week always feels terrible — that's normal.
Your Dublin Marathon Training Timeline
The Dublin Marathon at the end of October feels far away. It isn't. Here's where you should be:
- June (18–20 weeks out): Base building. Easy aerobic mileage, one long run per week, two strength sessions. No heroics.
- July (14–17 weeks out): Structured training begins. Introduce tempo runs and marathon-pace segments. Long run creeping towards 25–28km.
- A summer half marathon (Achill, Youghal Bay or Athy in early August) makes a perfect fitness check 10–12 weeks out.
Fuelling for Summer Training
Longer daylight means longer runs — and longer runs mean fuelling matters.
- Under 75 minutes: Water is fine.
- 75+ minutes: 30–60g of carbohydrate per hour. Practise with gels, chews or real food now — never on race day for the first time.
- After every run: 20–30g protein within an hour, plus carbs to restock glycogen.
- Electrolytes matter far more in summer. If you finish runs crusted in salt, you need more sodium.
Get Out There
June and July are the best months of the Irish running year — long evenings, big atmosphere, and a race within an hour of wherever you live. Browse the full calendar of running, trail, triathlon and HYROX events across all 32 counties on enduroeire.ie and find your next start line today.