SSE Airtricity Great Limerick Run Marathon
Limerick, Ireland · May · Independent
Why people love it
- Riverside start in the city centre and a finish on O'Connell Street
- Flat first half along the Shannon path and through the University of Limerick
- Part of a 14,000-runner Riverfest weekend with a lively atmosphere
- Staggered starts for marathon, half and 6 mile
Watch out for
- Second half hilly through housing estates; 196 m (643 ft) of gain overall
- Half and 10K runners merge for 6 to 8 km (4 to 5 mi), crowding the course
- Last 10 km (6 mi) is quiet with little support, per a 2023 runner
- Parking is limited and the post-race bag walk is long
- Few athletes have written about the marathon; only four ratings and one club report
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLiked3.3
MarathonGuide shows 3.2 of 5 from four runners. One liked the varied course; another found the second half dull and hilly. · Low confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.1
A 2023 runner called it very well organised; a 2024 runner reported a long bag walk, unclear directions and an expo out of T-shirts. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.1
First half is flat and pleasant, but the second half is hilly, quiet and runners report a long, tough last 10 km (6 mi). · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.0
About 196 m (643 ft) of climb, rated by a 2:50 club runner as a few minutes harder than Dublin. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful3.5
Shannon river path, University of Limerick grounds and a finish on O'Connell Street. One runner found some areas nice and others dull. · Low confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points2.8
Half and 10K runners merge for 6 to 8 km (4 to 5 mi), and the finish area is crowded. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.6
City roads, river path and campus. No surface complaints. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.4
City-centre roads are closed for the weekend, but not directly documented for the full route. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling2.8
Listing gives 196 m (643 ft) of gain; the first half is flat and the second hilly. · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Single loop through the city, so no net drop. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.2
Relaxed start for one runner, but parking is limited and the post-race bag walk is long. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.0
No direct evidence on pace groups. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportStrong3.7
A 2023 runner found strong local support and others said spectators exceeded expectations, though the last 10 km (6 mi) is quiet. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Water stations, toilets and volunteers praised by one 2023 runner. Only water is mentioned. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.4
No wind comments from reviewers. · Low confidence
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.3
Early May, typically 9 to 18 °C (48 to 64 °F), but 2018 reached about 20 °C (68 °F) and 2023 was humid. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
Reports include a hot 2018 and a wet then humid 2023. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.5
City-centre start and finish in a lively festival weekend; the estates in the second half are quiet. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Near sea level at about 10 m (33 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.5
Limerick is a city with a range of hotels; race weekend demand is not reported. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No evidence on race-weekend prices. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.6
Start in the city centre and finish on O'Connell Street. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.4
Ireland's mid-west with road, rail and Shannon Airport links. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity2.9
The expo is at the university; a runner ran out of T-shirts and bag collection after the race is a long walk. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.9
A 2018 runner was pleasantly surprised by what the city offers, with a lively Riverfest. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy4.2
Open entry; no marathon sell-out reported. · Low confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.0
About €77.50 (about $84) for the marathon; one runner complained the expo ran out of T-shirts. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Limerick, Munster, Ireland
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 2 May 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 1,000 athletes
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Climbing
- 196 m (645 ft)
- Descent
- 196 m (645 ft)
- Start time
- 09:00
- Surface
- City roads, river path and university campus
- How to get in
- open
- Entry fee
- About $84
- Air temperature
- 9–18 °C (48–64 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate to humid
- Altitude
- 10 m (33 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Shannon (SNN), 25 km (16 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Limerick city centre, Castletroy
- Booking
- Bank holiday weekend and Riverfest bring demand; book early. Bib pick-up at the University of Limerick expo on Saturday.
What racers and reviewers say
- MarathonGuideRaced 2024 · aggregator · Mixed
Four reviews average 3.2 of 5. Runners agree the first half is flat and pleasant, with the river path and the university, and the second half hilly and dull through estates. They disagree about organisation: one very well organised, another very poor with a long bag walk. Half and 10K runners merge, and the finish is crowded.
“very poor organisation”
- Sportsworld Running Club (2023 report)Raced 2023 · blog · Mixed
Club runner finished in 2:50 and rated the course a few minutes harder than Dublin, with many drags and a hot, humid finish after rain. Support was good from locals and the expo at UL was praised. The last 10 km (6 mi) was quiet and tough, and the finish felt anti-climactic.
“The last 10K of the race for anyone who knows Limerick is quite tough.”
- Sportsworld Running Club (2018 report)Raced 2018 · blog · Positive
Account from the half marathon, so it describes the venue and event only. Hot day near 20 °C (68 °F) with extra water points, a resident's garden hose, a gradual uphill past Thomond Park, a confusing finish with two inflatable arches, and a lively Riverfest. The relay option was not explained when signing up.
“I'd underestimated what Limerick city has on offer”
Raced SSE Airtricity Great Limerick Run Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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