Medieval Marathon
Race snapshot
Race Day
50–63°F · Feels mild
Total elevation gain
Moderate rolling hills · Net elevation change +0 ft
Participants
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Good crowd energy
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The Lowdown
The Medieval Marathon is an annual road race through Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, one of Ireland's best-preserved medieval cities. Runners choose from four distances -- the Full Marathon (42.2 km), 30K, Half Marathon (21.1 km), and 10K -- all starting from Abbey Quarter and finishing at The Water Barracks, with staggered starts at 8:15 am (Full Marathon and 30K), 8:45 am (Half Marathon), and 9:15 am (10K). Organisers bill the 2026 running (Saturday, September 12, 2026) as Ireland's 9th Medieval Marathon, and it sold out ahead of race day. The course takes in some of the most historic sites in Kilkenny's medieval city centre before heading out onto quiet County Kilkenny country roads and looping back to finish at The Water Barracks. There is no race-day registration: runners collect their bib at The Water Barracks on Friday evening (6:00-8:30 pm) or Saturday morning from 6:30 am until one hour before their own start time. All finishers receive a bespoke medal and technical t-shirt. Entry for the sold-out 2026 edition cost EUR 60 for the Full Marathon and EUR 30 for the 10K, with the 30K and Half Marathon priced in between. The race is independently organised out of Kilkenny (contact: medievalmarathon@gmail.com) rather than run by a major national athletics body, and it is not an AIMS/World Athletics-certified course or an official Boston Marathon qualifier.
Questions about the Medieval Marathon 2026
When is the Medieval Marathon 2026?
This edition ran on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The 2027 date is to be confirmed.
What is the Medieval Marathon time limit?
6 hours.
What is the Medieval Marathon course like?
200 m of total elevation gain. It passes Abbey Quarter -- start point for all four distances, in Kilkenny city, Kilkenny medieval city centre -- the early miles thread through the city's historic streets before heading out to the countryside and The Water Barracks -- finish line for all distances and the race-week bib pickup point.
What is the weather like at the Medieval Marathon?
Race-day temperatures are usually 10–17 °C (50–63 °F).
Where are the Medieval Marathon results?
The official 2026 results are on the organizer's site. Official results
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