So slow it down, get outside, walk if you feel like it, and enjoy moving through the mountains! The vast majority of the people that participate in mountain running events are not doing it to compete! This is not at all the case! We would advise walking up hills the first few hill runs you go on! Even the professionals and race winners will be seen hiking during races. Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding about mountain running that we see often is people thinking they should be moving at the same pace as their park run PBs, and if you are hiking during a “run” you have failed. We have compiled a list of 23 of the best mountain running races to do in Ireland in 2023, plus a few honorable mentions! There really is something for everyone in this article from the die-hard ultra-endurance nut to the unsure first-timer. Mountain running is an excellent way to get into the hills and challenge yourself in 2022.

Want to tackle a tough race? Subscribe to Runner’s World+ for training advice that will help you get to the finish line.Are you looking for a new challenge in 2023? Why not consider doing a mountain running race?! (Order is based on scheduled race date, not necessarily by how difficult each race is.)

Take a look at what we consider some of the hardest, toughest races on the planet. But only the most dedicated and ambitious athletes will set out to complete these famed endurance monsters. Runners enjoy putting their bodies and minds to the test-it’s in our blood. Races with weird or cool quirks give them an extra edge, like if it is entirely self-sufficient from start to finish or it goes on for days like the (checks math.) Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile event! Throw in crazy-tough cutoff times, lots of fuel over long periods of time, and the mental fatigue that comes with being on your feet for that long, and some races are just all-out brutal. What makes a race “tough?” For starters, if you wince while reading the race description, that’s a strong indication that you’ll need months of training to complete the route ahead of you.Ī good, hard race includes several things: steep ascents and descents, unforgiving temperatures, intense terrain, and unimaginable distances.

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