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Poster for the Seven Sisters Trail & Mountain Running Festival 2025 with a mountain outline, Fáilte Ireland logo, and event date: Saturday 20th September.

Seven Sisters Skyline

Excel Sports’ Seven Sisters Skyline has grown into Ireland’s premier mountain running event.

Event Countdown

19th Septemeber 2026

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Details

Mountain Running in Its Purest Form

Excel Sports’ Seven Sisters Skyline has grown into Ireland’s premier mountain running event — and its largest — welcoming 500 runners onto a truly world-class course. Set deep in the wild beauty of the Derryveagh Mountains, this iconic route boasts serious pedigree, having featured in the World Mountain Running World Cup (2022) and now forming part of the Skyrunning UK & Ireland Series.

The Course

Whether you take on the 55km, 30km, or 16km, you’ll run the dramatic spine of the Seven Sisters, stretching from Errigal to Muckish. Expect razor-sharp ridges, steep climbs, rocky summits, and fast, technical descents. With elevation gains of up to 4,000m+, this is a course that demands grit, skill, and respect — and rewards you with some of the most spectacular mountain views in Ireland.

UTMB Index Races

The 55km and 30km events are UTMB Index races, offering participants the opportunity to earn points toward qualification for the UTMB World Series. But the Seven Sisters Skyline is about far more than points — it’s about earning every metre and measuring yourself against raw mountain terrain.

Pure Competition

The 55km and 30km events are UTMB Index races, offering participants the opportunity to earn points toward qualification for the UTMB World Series. But the Seven Sisters Skyline is about far more than points — it’s about earning every metre and measuring yourself against raw mountain terrain.

Entry Fee

Skyline 55k - €150
Sky Challenge 30k - €140
Altan Castle 16k - €85

  • 55k & 30k events - there will be a combined prize purse of €10,000.
  • Cash prizes for top 5 in each event for male / female.

We are delighted to be back in the Skyrunning UK – Ireland series, and will be hosting the National Series Skyrunning Championships with our 55k event – boasting a €7500 prize pool.

Register For Event
A group of trail runners with race bibs climb a grassy hillside under a cloudy sky, with a lake and forested hills visible in the background. One runner in front wears a pink headband and carries trekking poles.
A person wearing a blue top and shorts hikes with trekking poles on a rocky trail surrounded by tall grass and hills under a cloudy sky.
A runner wearing a purple shirt, black shorts, and a race bib number 12 climbs a grassy, hilly landscape with misty mountains in the background.
Two runners with race bibs and trekking poles climb a rocky mountain trail on a foggy day. The lead runner wears an orange shirt and black shorts, while the other follows closely behind. Grassy hillside and mist in the background.
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A woman with hiking poles stands on a mountain trail, wearing a race bib numbered 558, shorts, and a headscarf. There is a sign on the ground nearby, and the background shows a misty, expansive landscape.
Two men are trail running up a grassy, muddy hillside using trekking poles. The runner in front wears a green vest and black shorts, while the second wears blue. More runners follow in the distance under a cloudy sky.
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A woman in athletic wear and a cap is hiking on a rocky mountain trail with her arms raised. The background shows a scenic, grassy landscape and mountain slopes under a hazy sky.
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Race Categories

55km – The Full Skyline

The 55km Skyline delivers a full mountain-running experience, packing 4,000m+ of ascent into a relentless journey across the Derryveagh Mountains. From the gun, runners head into serious terrain, summiting six peaks on the outward leg — Mackoght (555m), Aghla Mór (584m), Aghla Bheag South (602m), Aghla Bheag North (564m), Leargacha (470m), and Muckish (666m).

30km – The Skyline Challenge

The 30km race is a point to point route and offers a fast, demanding traverse of the Skyline, starting on the Miners Path side of Muckish (railway line) and crossing every summit on the route to Errigal. The terrain is rugged and technical, with constant elevation changes that reward strong climbers and confident descenders.

16km – The Skyline Intro

A true mountain experience in a shorter distance. The 16km route is an ideal introduction to Skyline running, offering technical trails, classic climbs, and stunning views without the full length of the longer races. Starting at Altan Track, adjacent to the main road, runners follow the track down to Altan Castle, loop around the castle, and climb back up onto the 30km route.

Who Is It For?

Register For Event

This event is for runners who respect the terrain, embrace tough conditions, and are motivated by adventure as much as competition. You don’t need to be elite — but you do need to be prepared, resilient, and ready to earn every metre. If you love big mountains, technical trails, and the satisfaction that comes from finishing something truly hard, the Seven Sisters Skyline is for you.

Beginners to mountain running

Take on the 16km, a demanding but achievable introduction to technical terrain, classic climbs, and the unforgettable experience of running Errigal and Mackoght..

Seasoned skyrunners and endurance athletes

Push your limits on the 55km, a relentless challenge with 4,000m+ of ascent, technical ridges, scrambling, and long hours deep in the mountains.

Experienced trail and mountain runners

Find the 30km a true test of strength and skill — fast, technical, and packed with elevation across the full Skyline traverse.

Event
Sponsors

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Outdoor Activity Event Guidelines

We use the Failte Ireland Outdoor Activity Event Guidelines for organizing, developing, and operating a safe, sustainable, and high-quality outdoor event

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Guidelines For Outdoor Events
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