The Longford Marathon was an experience I will never forget! While I have only positive things to say about the organization, the course, etc. but I have to echo the sentiments of another reviewer, its the people that make this one so special!

If you are marathoner, you probably already know how great the running community is. Now add to that the warmth of the running community in a small Irish town, and your truly have 'the friendly marathon in the heart Ireland.'

The Longford Marathon weekend includes much more than the race itself. It kicks off with a Friday night run, includes a Saturday morning run and breakfast, a Saturday night pasta party, post race refreshments and a post race party. And let me tell you, the local community welcomes you as if you are an old friend. After just a weekend meeting the locals and fellow runners from around the world, I felt as if I had known these people for years. In fact, I traveled to the race alone as my husband is currently serving overseas. Though technically I had no one waiting for me, I crossed the finish line and immediately saw one of the local runners I had met the day before. She gave me a hug and congratulated me!

The best part is, none of this is motivated by some desire for monetary gain. All of the race proceeds go to benefit St. Christopher's, a local charity for special needs individuals. The Saturday morning run was hosted at St. Christopher's where students' artwork is on display. I even met of one young student who attends St. Christopher's at the post race refreshments. I was reminded that running is a gift and the least we can do is use it to benefit others who may not be able to enjoy that gift so freely.

This race comes at a great time in the running calendar. I trained all summer in hot weather, but the temperate climate of Ireland is ideal for a marathon in August. This year was considered hot as temps were in the 60s, which still felt pretty good to me. The course is not difficult, but dont expect pancake flat like Chicago. Just enough inclines and declines to break up muscle monotony, as well as some beautiful Irish countryside. Bottom line, it was a PR course for me (by 4 minutes) - maybe it's the luck of the Irish?

T-shirt is technical. Race medal is great quality, as is the goody bag. I rented a car in Dublin and it was an easy drive over. Stayed at the Viewmont House, which I highly recommend. The Viewmont house restaurant serves incredible food as well.

Also, If you're looking for a great place to meet even more wonderful people look no further than Foley's Pub - its a great place for more post-race refreshment!

And in case I haven't said how great the people are, just to reiterate: I somehow lost my race medal on my way home. The race organizer's sent me an extra and wouldn't even let me pay for postage.

Thoroughly well organized, wonderful course, marshals, medal, goody bag, and a T-shirt of high quality. But MOST important are the PEOPLE; they were so warm, so thoughtful, so encouraging. It's lovely to be going along and have one of the race organizing committee running his own marathon to slow down and chat for a few moments (even knew my name!). THAT'S what makes it special! FULL MARKS

I've run the half in Longford four times and will be back again this year. If you get the chance, run this one.

I ran the half twice and I'm planning to do the marathon this year; it's a great day with great facilities, easy to get to and leave afterwards - pretty ideal really. The people make every effort too. I think I'll be doing it every year because it's so hassle-free.

Although... one year, there seemed to be a shortage of water at one station, and I'm sure I saw one guy in a field beside it come running with a bucket of water from a river. Ah, only in Ireland!

Many thanks for organizing a very good run. It was well marked the runners were friendly and all were helpful the whole weekend. I enjoyed the breakfast run and food along with the pasta party. This was a proper marathon for runners. I came over with a group of my club members from Cornwall - we are the Tamar Trotters - and we were made to feel at home. Well done to Liam and everyone. Many thanks!

- Mick

Very well organized, and everyone is very friendly and helpful. The course is very well marked every mile, and the route is easy also. They have a pasta party the night before. Overall I thought it was a great marathon. I flew over from Italy for the weekend and was glad I went. Lots of traveling for the marathon but worth it.

Only warning is that the spectators are few/none. If you are someone who needs spectators to motivate you DO NOT do this marathon. I loved it because as soon as the half marathoners turned back, the course was quiet and empty (except for the cows in the fields), and the water stations were good. It was a run in the country.

For next year:
Book your hotel early because the town is small and everything gets booked out.

Would do it again!!!

The Longford Marathon in 2005 was my first marathon in 26 years - I ran marathons in my 20's and returned in my late 40's to running as a master. The general organization of the Longford event was great. However I suffered a huge personal disappointment. I made a wrong turn on the course and went on straight when I should have turned somewhere around the 23-mile mark. This point was marshaled for the event, but unlucky for me the marshal was missing when I arrived. It was also signed, but, at that stage in a marathon, especially for an over-55 runner, focus slips a little. It is difficult when the sign is at the far side of the road (in combination with my poor distance eyesight). Plus the leading athletes were out of sight already around the bend. I was devastated to have gone so far and I was on target for a time under 50 minutes. The culmination of two years background work and one year of focus towards the race, with a few thousand miles and much mental preparation... all gone to waste for that day. So to make up for this I made a last-minute decision to try the Dublin Marathon which I completed in 147 minutes - a very pleasing time for me. However, due to late registration, I could not run under my own name or age, so consequently couldn't claim any recognition.
I look forward to Longford this year anyway. I have put in as much or more effort and have quite high expectations for my performance. As I mentioned, I otherwise totally enjoyed the course and the event in Longford.

(John's story, but written by his partner.)

The organization was second to none; I think that this is down to the whole community of Longford being behind the event. They had real interest in making the participants feel totally at home.

Small, but well organized community spirited marathon and half marathon on mixture of hard shoulder of main roads and very quiet back roads. Very friendly and proceeds go to local charity. No timing chip but this isn't an issue in a small marathon even with the half marathoners starting with you. It took me less than a minute to cross the start line. Once the half marathoners turn back at 6 1/2 miles it can get a bit lonely as the field strings out and there are very few spectators on the back roads but the runners in general keep each other company and encourage each other.

Only water available at aid stations up till mile 18 or so and I need some sustenance much earlier, so at mile 9 I dashed up to a women standing at her front door and asked for a banana. She very kindly gave me a pear and an apple which I munched down very happily. I found the discarded remains of some sports drink on the road in Roosky Village (about mile 15) and gulped this down. I suppose i could have picked a few blackberries from the hedgerows too.

Goodie bag had two sports drinks in it - perhaps the organizers could stick them out on the course next time!

Lovely vibe at the finish line and afterwards. Sat for ages sipping a pint, watching others finish.

As an exiled Paddy, it was a shock to hear as I sipped my 'tent' pint of Guinness at a rock concert in Slane of a full marathon de next day in de metropolis of Longford. So having washed me sytem out with gallons of water and cheeseburgers, arrived amongst de mass-goers Sunday morning in Longford. Thorougly enjoyed it. Great course. If ye're American as I'm not, yewel really enjoy de race, back roads centered by cattle, grass and mad kids, rivers, tractoes and de promise of copious amounts of milk like pints in de 37 pubs when you finish.

Very novel race, highly recommended.