The Castle Run Series - Lough Cutra Castle

Lough Cutra Castle, Gort, Co Galway,

From Dublin: Follow the N6 for Galway. At Loughrea avoid the bypass signposted for Gort, but head straight on into the town. At the end of the town turn left at the Westbridge onto the N66 signposted for Gort. Entering Gort turn left at the T Junction onto the N18. After c. 2 miles there is a small road to the left. Take this and immediately in front of you are the Main Gates to Lough Cutra Castle.

From Shannon: Only 40 minute drive from Shannon airport. Take the N66 northbound for Ennis and Galway. After Ennis continue through Crusheen. After c. 5 miles there is a small car sales forecourt. Take the next right turn onto a small road (c. 0.75 miles) and the main entrance to Lough Cutra Castle is on your right.

All competitors in all races will receive a medal on completion of their race.

Each weekend will feature live music and entertainment, retail outlets and concessions, and a variety of locally-sourced foods and refreshments for competitors and spectators alike.

Competitors’ supporters can gain free entry to this event.

Camping is available at a picturesque spot in the castle grounds.

We organised a hugely successful socially distanced event at Hever Castle in September 2020 for over 4000 participants and their supporters. This has given us, the Industry but most importantly our participants, the confidence to return to racing in 202!.

We want to reassure all participants that we’ll continue to work closely with Government, governing bodies, venues and suppliers to ensure that our 2021 events are run in accordance with current health and safety guidance.

Our increased health and safety measures cover 5 key principles of education: touch point reduction, density reduction, athlete self-reliance and enhanced hygiene.

Should we be required to put on a socially distanced event, participants will still get the full race experience but with individual rolling starts, 1 competitor every 10 seconds (sometimes greater), restricted time on site either side of your race and possible limit on spectators per athlete only.

We will prepare venue specific documents to send to all participants ahead of the event. These will include details on how to prepare pre-event, arrival timings and movements, swim, cycle, run, festival village and exit.

The Lough Cutra Castle 10K runners will complete 2 laps of a 5K circuit. T. Following a system of well-worn tracks and paths the route passes through the ubiquitous Deer Park and then into the Carrowcarriff forestry block with its ancient pines and abundant wildlife. The 10K is achieved when the Finish Line is crossed in front of the Castle itself.

The Half Marathon and Marathon will see competitors undertake laps of the spectator friendly 7K estate loop. The first 3K of the circuit heads north from the castle lawns hand railing the western shore of the luminescent Lough Cutra Lake (largest privately owned lake in Europe).