Mourne Way Marathon

The 2027 edition runs the established Mourne Way route in the opposite direction to previous years. That change affects how the climbs, descents and views are experienced along the trail, so anyone who has run the event before should not assume the old landmarks fall in the same places.

Newcastle in County Down sits right beside the start and finish area, which makes it the easiest base for the weekend. Late June is a popular time in the Mournes, so booking accommodation early is wise, and places further along the coast are a short drive away.

Late June can be warm and bright, but the Mournes are known for changeable conditions, with wind, rain and low cloud arriving quickly on the higher ground. Carry a waterproof jacket and a spare warm layer suitable for exposed mountain sections.

The courses cover mountain trails, forest tracks and open countryside, so trail shoes with a decent grip are the sensible choice. Road shoes will cope with some of the forest tracks but are not ideal on rough, wet or stony ground.

The Half Marathon is the shortest option and starts high in the mountains before running back into Newcastle, while the Marathon and Ultra cover longer and rougher mountain terrain. Some hill and trail experience is worth having before stepping up to any of the distances.