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Logo for "Donegal East" marathon event on a purple background, featuring a green map, white text, two running figures, and phrases: "Mini Marathon," "1/2 Marathon," "3/4 Marathon," and "Explore the Valleys.

Donegal East Marathons

The Donegal East Running Event offers two categories: half marathon, and ¾ marathon distance. 

Details Coming Soon

Event Countdown

19th Septemeber 2026

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Entry Fee

Price €85

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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.
A man wearing athletic gear and using trekking poles hikes on a rocky trail with a grassy hill and a wooden fence in the background. He is smiling at the camera.
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.
A man wearing a hydration vest, t-shirt, and shorts stands on a mountaintop holding trekking poles, with muddy legs and a scenic landscape of hills, water, and sky in the background.
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.
A man in hiking gear and a race bib gives two thumbs up while running along a rocky mountain trail, with clouds and a scenic landscape in the background.

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.

Why Donegal East Marathon?

Register For Event

Fast, Fast and Scenic

Another draw to this event is how fast the route is as well as the country roads being more scenic than flat urban marathons.

Ideal Warm Up For The Dublin Marathon

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

Scenic Road Race

The scenic course takes in rural roads along the River Finn in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal.

Medal, T-shirt And Refreshments Afterwards

Remember the day with a quality medal and event t-shirt

Logo for Donegal tourism featuring a stylized “D” above the word “DONEGAL” in bold, dark teal letters, with the website "www.govisitdonegal.com" written below in smaller font.
Logo for Wild Atlantic Way featuring a teal zigzag line above the words "WILD ATLANTIC WAY" in bold, uppercase letters on a light background.
The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) logo, featuring bold black and green letters with the text "International Trail Running Association" below the acronym.
Logo showing a stylized mountain with a sun behind it above the bold letters "ARD." Below, the text reads “Hiking & Trail Running” in blue-green letters.