Irish Running Tours are currently in discussions with race directors in North America with a view to bringing tours to these attractive destinations. Some of the marathons we are targeting are as follows:

Mardi Gras Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, Sunday February 1st 2009
The event is on Sunday, February 1st and there is also a half marathon and a 5K if people aren’t feeling too adventurous.
This year will see the 45th running of the race and after Hurricane Katriona, the event has started picking up numbers again and they expect 10,000 in 2009.
Napa Valley Marathon & 5K - Sunday March 2nd. 2009                                                                                                                                                 Close to five million visitors flock to Napa annually, 1,438 of them finished the 2006 Napa Valley Marathon. Set in California’s world-famous wine country, the course starts in Calistoga then travels south along the Silverado Trail. Runners are treated to sweeping views of the valley’s vineyards (over two hundred wineries are tucked into the landscape). Not an easy race, the route’s rolling hills are almost as plentiful as tasting rooms. March weather is usually mild, but this year’s participants faced the additional challenge of strong headwinds and driving rain. Organizers say that was only the third such day in the event’s 28-year history. Fortunately, race participants had many options available to help drown their sorrows, and the winners are awarded their weight in wine.
Big Sur Marathon , Sunday April 26th, 2009
“Spectacular, rewarding, mystical and unforgettable” are just a few of the words that have been used to describe the events. The course meanders along the ragged edge of the Western World.

Keep checking our website for more information.

Paul

Well it was truely a great day, for ducks ! After having beautiful weather all week straight through ’til Friday night, when I went to bed looking at the beautiful red sunset (red sky at night, sailors delight my a*** ) I awoke to the sound of the rain lashing off the skylight. Everytime I thought it was getting brighter and about to clear up, it didn’t.

On a good note though, the rain stopped enough for us to get both the kids 1K fun run & the 10K in. The finish of the 10K was conduted under the sound of thunder rolling in from Connemara mountains over the lake. And although the numbers were less than I was hoping for, everyone was very complimentary on the event, and they all enjoyed their tea’s, coffee’s, sandwiches & cookies afterwards.

NEXT YEAR THE SUN WILL SHINE, OR ELSE …………………….