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sport · Sunday 30 August 2026 · 07:00 
Abbott Longford Marathon 2026
At The Longford Arms Hotel (Race HQ) · Main Street, Longford, Co. Longford
At The Longford Arms Hotel (Race HQ) · Main Street, Longford, Co. Longford
The Abbott Longford Marathon is one of the Midlands’ most established running events, now in its 26th year and still run by runners, for runners. Taking place on the last Sunday of August, it draws participants from across Ireland with a rare combination: a genuinely flat course, a friendly atmosphere, and five distances that make it accessible to first-timers and seasoned ultrarunners alike. If you want a PB attempt or a well-organised, low-stress race day, this is a strong option.
The race starts and finishes on Main Street, Longford, right outside the Longford Arms Hotel, which serves as Race HQ. Five distances are on offer: the Ultra Marathon (63.4km, starting at 07:00), plus the full Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Marathon Relay, all starting at 09:00.
The course is flat - genuinely so, not road-race marketing flat. The half marathon is a single loop, heading out on the N5 Strokestown Road before turning onto quiet rural roads and looping back via Battery Road. The full marathon and ultra extend further, threading through three counties - Longford, Roscommon, and Leitrim - past stone-walled fields and the Camlin River. Drinks stations sit every three miles, with an energy drinks station at mile nine.
Relay teams of four can split the marathon between them, with approximate stage distances of 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, and 4 miles. Number collection runs on Saturday from 13:00 to 18:00, and on race morning from 06:00.
Longford town sits squarely in the middle of Ireland on the N4 Dublin to Sligo road, roughly 125km from Dublin - around 90 minutes by car. Irish Rail runs regular services from Dublin Connolly, with the journey taking just over two hours; the town is compact and walkable from the station. Parking is available in the town centre; arrive early on race morning given closures around the start area.
Longford town itself repays a look after the finish line. St Mel’s Cathedral - rebuilt after a devastating Christmas Day fire in 2009 - is a remarkable piece of restoration. The Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre in nearby Kenagh preserves Europe’s largest known Iron Age bog road, dating to 148 BC. There is more to see in Longford and across Co. Longford.
Heading to The Longford Arms Hotel (Race HQ) in Longford? Longford has plenty more to see. Read the Longford area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.