Brandon Ridge Half Marathon
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Brandon Ridge Half Marathon
The Brandon Ridge Half Marathon is a mountain trail race in County Kerry covering 21.00 km with approximately 1260 m of ascent. The event is rated as Extreme due to the ascent and has only major junctions marked; GPS devices are allowed. The course requires navigation skills in poor visibility and runners are advised to have the GPX route available.
Registration takes place in the courtyard behind Paul Geaneys Pub (V92 W2Y3) in Dingle with parking on the roadside behind the pub or at the nearby public carpark. A transfer by bus transports participants from the registration area to the race start at Baile Breac carpark at the foot of Mt Brandon. A gear check is carried out at registration and all participants receive a Brandon Ridge half marathon t shirt.
The route climbs Mt Brandon, continues along a ridge, then drops to a saddle before another climb and a boggy trail with open vistas, followed by a descent to Connors Pass and a grassy boggy track toward Dingle. The final section is just over 2 km of stony path and road back to the finish at Paul Geaneys courtyard.
Mandatory Level C kit includes a waterproof jacket with hood and taped seams, hat or buff, gloves, whistle, charged mobile with emergency number, foil blanket or bivvy, waterproof full leg cover, ability to carry at least 500 mL water, emergency food, map and compass. Failure to carry required items may lead to denial of entry or disqualification. Random kit checks will be carried out.
Finishers are offered soup and sambos in the finish area and there is direct access to the pub. Prizes are awarded to the first three male and female finishers and prizegiving is held in Paul Geaneys Pub courtyard. A nearby campsite option is available at Rainbow Hostel, about 1.5 km from Dingle town with tent pitches. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
