It’s mid-August, the long runs are getting longer, and your Saturday or Sundays are now a grim combination of sugary energy gels, chafing, and wondering if you’r now in some sort of bizarre cult. You’re deep in the Dublin Marathon training plan now, so why not make one of those long runs a bit more interesting?
Running a half marathon in September is the perfect way to practise race-day fuelling, pace control, and the art of pretending everything's ok while your soul quietly leaves your body. Bonus points if there’s a medal and a cup of tea at the end.
Unfortunately, some of the big hitters and smaller ones are already gone. The Dublin Half Marathon (September 21st) sold out months ago, as did the Belfast Half Marathon (same day). Even the Charleville Half, the national half marathon, has had its entries snapped up faster than free pints at a wedding. The Athlone & Medieval Half in Kilkenny are also sold out.
But fear not. There’s still a healthy menu of halves for the taking, and no, “doing the full thing in September” isn’t an option unless you’re actively trying to ruin Dublin for yourself.
What’s Still On the Menu
You’ve got two golden weekends to choose from: 13th/14th of September or 20th/21st of September. Here’s what’s to chose from:
Leinster
- September 13th - Ratoath AC Half Marathon – Meath – Fast course, friendly crowd, and the perfect excuse to say “Meath” like you’re chewing something.
- September 14th - Heartbreak Hills Half Marathon – Wicklow – The inaugural mountain road sufferfest of 300 metres of climbing, strict 2:30 cutoff, and a mid-race execution if you’re too slow (no, seriously)
- September 21st - Medic Half Marathon – Kildare – Pancake-flat, well organised, and full of people pretending they didn’t sign up just for the t-shirt.
Connacht
- September 13th - Clew Bay Half Marathon – Scenic coastal route past beaches, pubs, and a 2,200-year-old dolmen. Perfect for history buffs who enjoy sightseeing at 10-minute-mile pace..
- September 21st - Céide Coast Atlantic Run Half Marathon – Mayo – It’s coastal, it’s windy, and it’ll make you feel like a hardy West of Ireland farmer by mile three.
Munster
- September 20th - Lahinch Half Marathon – Clare – Coastal views, Atlantic breeze, and the possibility of finishing with sea salt in your hair and sand in your shoes.
- September 20th - IMRA Glen of Aherlow Trail Half Marathon – Tipperary – Hills, forests, and scenery so good you might forget you’re suffering… briefly. Your calves, however, will remember.
Ulster
- September 13th - Rock the Lough & Lakes Half Marathon – Armagh – Flat, scenic, and with a name that sounds like a 90s boyband album.
- September 21st - Causeway Coast Half Marathon – Antrim – Run near one of the most famous landscapes in the very north of Ireland.
Why Bother Doing a Half in Training?
A mid-September half gives you a chance to:
- Practise your race-morning routine without the marathon-day pressure.
- Test your gel strategy (and the nearest portaloo).
- See if your goal pace for Dublin is achievable or a beautiful lie.
And crucially, it makes one of your long runs far less boring. There’s a huge difference between plodding around solo and running in an organised event with other lunatics who paid money to suffer.
Conclusion
Pick a race, stick it in the calendar, and use it to sharpen up for Dublin. Just don’t be that person who “accidentally” races it full tilt, blows their legs to bits, and spends the next fortnight complaining on Facebook.
Remember: it’s a training run, not the Olympics. But if you happen to set a PB… well, you won’t shut up about it, will you?
And don’t forget, we’ve got our own race calendar with 5Ks, 10Ks, halves, full marathons, ultras, and everything in between. It’s Ireland’s most comprehensive running calendar… or at least we’ll keep saying that until someone proves us wrong. See our calendar here.
