The three quarter marathon barely existed on the Irish running calendar until the running boom of the early 2010s. As more first time marathoners began preparing for Dublin, race organisers spotted an opportunity. Instead of facing the dreaded 20 mile training run alone, runners could tackle it with a number on their chest, water stations along the route and a medal waiting at the finish.
It proved popular, and the format is now firmly established as part of the build up to Dublin. A true three quarter marathon measures 19.65 miles, exactly three quarters of the full marathon distance. Some organisers round that up to 20 miles, leaving runners with roughly another 500 metres to cover. It is hardly an enormous difference, although your legs may disagree by that stage.
Most of these events take place around from three up to nearly two months before the Dublin Marathon, which is generally when training plans schedule the final major long run. There are also a few earlier options for runners following a different programme or reaching their peak mileage sooner.
Leinster
- Sunday 19th September - Rhode 3/4 Marathon - Offaly - €50 - A lovely route through rural Offaly with two scenic loops beside the Grand Canal, plus a T shirt for the first 200 entrants.
- Sunday 27th September - Village Run 3/4 Marathon - Laois - €45 - Ballylinan event with a fast flat course and medals for all
- Saturday October 3rd - Fastlane 3/4 Marathon - Dublin - €60 - Flat, fast, and along the Grand Canal, PB chasing heaven with parking and access so handy even your mam could find it.
- Saturday October 3rd - Lusk 20 Mile - Dublin - €30 - A challenging run through Lusk and the surrounding countryside, timed three weeks before Dublin and a far better prospect than grinding out 20 miles alone.
- Sunday October 4th - Irish 3/4 Marathon - Meath - €65 - Another OG 20 Miler: 15th year running, flat canal-side miles, a t-shirt, a chunky medal, and exactly three weeks out from Dublin.
Connacht
- Saturday 5th September - Ireland West 3/4 Marathon - Mayo - €45 - Coming this weekend a fast East Mayo course with ten refreshment stations, a finisher medal and a T shirt for the first 200 online entrants, making it a cracking Dublin Marathon rehearsal
- Saturday October 4th - O'Dubhda 20 Mile Challenge - Sligo - €45 - Coastal loop through Enniscrone and Kilglass with a zipped top for finishers, scenic, salty, and tailor-made for Dublin prep.
- Sunday October 4th - Tarmonbarry 3/4 Marathon - Roscommon - €55 - A one-lap rural route, famous for its friendliness and post race food spread that’s nearly as good as the medal.
Ulster
- Sunday 27th September - Donegal East 3/4 Marathon - Donegal - €55 - Fast, scenic country roads along the River Finn in Ballybofey, pretty enough to distract you from the mileage.
Why Run a Three Quarter Marathon or 20 Miler?
- • It gives you a proper rehearsal for Dublin, complete with crowds, water stations, portaloo queues and the inevitable runner who starts far too quickly.
- • You can practise your fuelling, pacing and race morning routine under conditions that feel much closer to marathon day.
- • Running 20 miles alongside other people is usually far more manageable than spending several hours wandering the country roads alone.
- • It gives you a final chance to test your shoes, clothing and nutrition before the marathon, when finding out something does not work becomes a considerably bigger problem.
Conclusion
A three quarter marathon is still a training run, just one with marshals, company and something to hang around your neck afterwards. Run it sensibly and it can leave you feeling ready for Dublin.
Race it like an Olympic final and you may spend the following three weeks trying to persuade an angry calf muscle to forgive you. The goal is to arrive at the Dublin start line prepared, not to leave your marathon performance on a country road three weeks earlier.
Image: Irish 3/4 Marathon
