Description
Welcome to Ireland and the Giant's Causeway.
Peter Ferris MBE (Irish Marathon Record Holder) after running the shorter Causeway Coast Marathon: "For me the Causeway Coast Marathon was a real cracker full of stunning, mind blowing world class scenery.
It was the best ever marathon in my life and I have over 350 of them run from North Pole to Antarctica, from Mount Everest to Sahara Desert and the Causeway Coast Marathon is way out in front!"
The 100k Ultra will start just outside the town of Ballycastle and will follow the roads and forest paths towards the world famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. From here participants will follow the Causeway Coast Way which skirts the cliff path along the headlands of the Giants Causeway and passes stretches of sandy beach before reaching the quaint village of Portballintrae. The highlight of this section is a run through the Giants Causeway and a chance to grab a quick picture as you do so!
From Portballintrae the route follows a coastal path past Dunluce Castle, through the towns of Portrush and Portstewart before turning on Portstewart strand and retracing the route back to the finish point close to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This run covers a route along one of the most spectacular coastlines in the whole of the UK and past one of the most photographed places in the world The Giants Causeway.
The entire route passes through magnificent coastline scenery with fine views of wide bays, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and off - shore rocks, all of which characterise the Causeway Coast, making its beauty and uniqueness world famous.
Deserted ruins of castles, churches, cairns and forts mark the route and speak of transient time. Defiant Dunluce stands on a cliff, resisting the incessant waves below. Mussenden Temple mocks the harsh cliff face below and the ruined mansion behind. Irish chieftains fought and won possession of lands, a castle and a friary in Antrim. Myths and legends abound with ghosts and giants associated with coastal and inland places.
To travel along the Causeway Coastal Route is to experience one of the most dramatic routes in the world. A recent pole placed the Antrim Coast section of the Causeway Coastal Route in 5th place in a list of the worlds most spectacular views. Some eighty miles of stunning coastline will transport you past rugged and windswept cliffs, spectacular scenery and fabulous unspoilt beaches. It's a coastline sprinkled with historic castles, churches and forts. Many are now just ruins but each holds the memories of a mysterious and heroic past.
The entire route of both events will be fully waymarked with high levels of support along the way.
Ireland is calling you to come and run along the route of this fantastic race.
So come race and then raise a pint or two of Guinness among new friends at the post race celebrations.
We'll see you there.
Peace.
Event's current local time: 12:41 PM GMT
